Water heater and heating control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heaters lack efficient heating control, often providing either too little or too much hot water due to inadequate prediction of user water consumption patterns, leading to unreasonable heating operations.
Innovation Solution
A water heater system that determines user water consumption probability for specific time periods, calculates a target water consumption amount, and adjusts operation parameters such as set temperature and heating mode to optimize hot water supply based on predicted usage, using a processor and memory to execute a heating control program that adjusts operation according to determined parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the water heater heats water to set temperature continuously, then the hot water supply is sufficient, but energy consumption increases and may provide too much hot water
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater performs preliminary heating actions based on predicted user water consumption patterns. The controller predicts future water usage and initiates heating before actual demand occurs, ensuring hot water is ready when needed while avoiding continuous operation. This resolves the contradiction by heating only when and how much is needed, rather than continuous heating that wastes energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from usage data and learned patterns to adjust heating operations. The controller continuously monitors actual water usage and compares it with predictions, refining its model over time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize the balance between providing sufficient hot water and minimizing energy consumption based on real-world performance.
2Reliability
If the water heater heats water frequently to maintain set temperature, then hot water availability is ensured, but heating control becomes unreasonable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating based on predicted demand patterns rather than waiting for temperature to drop and then heating frequently. By predicting when hot water will be needed and heating in advance according to learned usage patterns, the system ensures reliability while avoiding inefficient frequent heating cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating control strategy dynamically adapts based on learned user patterns and changing conditions. The controller adjusts heating timing, duration, and intensity according to the predicted water consumption patterns that evolve over time, rather than following a fixed heating schedule. This dynamic approach improves both reliability and efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the water heater uses simple temperature-based control, then the system is simple to operate, but it provides either too little or too much hot water without accurate prediction of user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater performs self-learning of user water consumption patterns automatically without requiring user input or complex manual programming. The controller observes usage patterns over time and builds predictive models autonomously, maintaining ease of operation while achieving accurate prediction of water needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from actual usage data to continuously refine its prediction accuracy. By comparing predicted versus actual water consumption and adjusting its model accordingly, the system improves measurement precision while maintaining simple operation. The feedback loop enables the heater to learn and adapt without requiring complex user configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system accurately provides the right amount of hot water, reducing energy waste by optimizing heating control according to predicted user needs, ensuring neither too little nor too much hot water is supplied.
Implementation Method 1
when the heating device of the water heater heats the water in the inner container to the set temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present application discloses a heating control method of a water heater, which includes: determining a water consumption probability of a user in a first time period, and determining a target water consumption amount according to the water consumption probability; determining a target operation parameter of the water heater according to the target water consumption amount; and controlling the water heater to operate according to the target operation parameter during and/or before the first time period. The present application also discloses a water heater and a computer-readable storage medium.