CN114963564A

CN114963564A - Water inlet device, water heater and control method

Info

Publication number: CN114963564A
Application number: CN202111677567.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辛华一; 刘云; 孙运磊
Original assignee: Qingdao Economic And Technology Development District Haier Water Heater Co ltd; Chongqing Haier Water Heater Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Economic And Technology Development District Haier Water Heater Co ltd; Chongqing Haier Water Heater Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-31
Filing date: 2021-12-31
Publication date: 2022-08-30

Abstract

The application provides a water inlet device, a water heater and a control method, wherein the water inlet device comprises a memory, a timer, a valve and a controller; the memory is arranged on the water heater and used for recording the last water use end time of a user; the timer is installed on the water heater and used for obtaining the current water use starting time of a user; at least part of the valve is arranged at the water inlet end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end; at least part of the valve is arranged at the hot water end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end; the controller is used for calculating the time interval between the current water using start time of the user and the last water using end time of the user, and controlling the valve when the time interval is less than the preset time period, so that the liquid flows into the water inlet end of the water heater at a smaller flow rate and flows into the hot water end of the water heater at a larger flow rate. The water inlet device, the water heater and the control method improve shower experience of a user.

Description

Water inlet device, water heater and control method

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of water heaters, in particular to a water inlet device, a water heater and a control method.

Background

The water heater is a device which can increase the temperature of cold water into hot water in a certain time by various physical principles. The water heaters can be divided into electric water heaters, gas water heaters, solar water heaters, magnetic water heaters, air energy water heaters, heating water heaters and the like according to different principles.

In the related art, a water inlet pipe of a gas water heater can convey tap water into a heat exchanger, and gas can burn to heat water in the heat exchanger. The water heated in the heat exchanger can be conveyed out through the water outlet end of the water heater for users to use.

However, when the gas water heater is used again after being suspended for a short time, a section of hot water flows out from the water outlet end of the water heater, and then a section of cold water flows out from the water outlet end of the water heater, so that bathing of a user is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a water inlet device, a water heater and a control method, and aims to solve the problem that when the gas water heater is used again after being suspended for a short time, the water outlet end of the water outlet end firstly flows out residual hot water in the water outlet end and then flows out a section of cold water to influence bathing of a user.

In order to achieve the purpose, the application provides the following technical scheme:

one aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a water inlet device for a water heater, the water heater having a water inlet end, a hot water end, and a water outlet end, the water inlet device comprising a memory, a timer, a valve, and a controller; the memory is arranged on the water heater and is used for recording the last water use end time of a user; the timer is installed on the water heater and is used for obtaining the current water using starting time of a user; at least part of the valve is arranged at the water inlet end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end; at least part of the valve is arranged at the hot water end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end; the controller is used for calculating the time interval between the current water using start time of the user and the last water using end time of the user, and controlling the valve when the time interval is smaller than a preset time period, so that the liquid flows into the water inlet end of the water heater at a smaller flow rate and flows into the hot water end of the water heater at a larger flow rate.

In one possible implementation manner, the valve comprises a plurality of one-in one-out valves, at least one of the one-in one-out valves can adjust the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end, and at least one of the one-in one-out valves can adjust the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end.

In one possible implementation manner, the valve comprises at least one-in two-out valve, and the one-in two-out valve comprises a valve body and a valve sleeve; the valve body is provided with a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet, a water inlet flow passage is formed between the water inlet and the first water outlet and is communicated with the water inlet end, a bypass flow passage is formed between the water inlet and the second water outlet and is communicated with the hot water end; the valve sleeve is disposed within and movable within the valve body, and the valve sleeve is configured such that when the valve sleeve moves from a first position to a second position relative to the valve body, the flow rate of the intake channel decreases and the flow rate of the bypass channel increases.

In one possible implementation manner, the water inlet and the second water outlet are arranged on the left side and the right side of the valve body, and the first water outlet is arranged at the lower end of the valve body;

the valve sleeve is rotatably or slidably arranged in the valve body and is provided with a central hole which is opposite to the first water outlet and is communicated with the first water outlet;

the side wall of the valve sleeve is provided with a communicating groove communicated with the central hole, the communicating groove is used for communicating the water inlet, the central hole and the first water outlet to form the water inlet flow channel, and the communicating groove is also used for communicating the water inlet, the central hole and the second water outlet to form the bypass flow channel.

In one possible implementation manner, the valve further comprises a valve rod, the valve rod is connected with the valve sleeve and penetrates through the first water outlet, and a flow channel is formed between the valve rod and the first water outlet; the valve stem moves along an axial direction of the valve body and is configured such that a flow rate of the flow passage decreases when the valve stem moves from a first position to a second position relative to the valve body.

In one possible implementation manner, the first water outlet and the second water outlet are arranged on the left side and the right side of the valve body, and the water inlet is arranged at the lower end of the valve body;

the valve sleeve is rotatably or slidably arranged in the valve body and is provided with a central hole which is opposite to the water inlet and is communicated with the water inlet;

In one possible implementation manner, the controller is further configured to control the valve to enable the liquid to flow into the water inlet end of the water heater at a smaller flow rate and flow into the hot water end of the water heater at a smaller flow rate when the operation state of the water heater is stable, the heating state of the water heater is at a maximum value, and the temperature of the water outlet end of the water heater is less than a preset temperature value.

Another aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a water heater, including a water heater body and the water inlet device as described above, where the water heater body includes a water inlet end, a hot water end, and a water outlet end, and the water inlet device includes a valve, at least a portion of the valve is disposed at the water inlet end, and is used to regulate a flow rate of cold water flowing into the water inlet end; at least part of the valve is arranged at the hot water end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end.

In another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a control method includes: acquiring the last water use end time of a user; acquiring the current water consumption starting time of a user; calculating the time interval between the current water using start time of the user and the last water using end time of the user; and comparing the time interval with a preset time period, and controlling the valve to reduce the cold water flow flowing into the water inlet end of the water heater and increase the cold water flow flowing into the hot water end of the water heater when the time interval is smaller than the preset time period.

In one possible implementation manner, the method further includes: acquiring the running state of the water heater; acquiring the heating state of the water heater; acquiring the temperature of a water outlet end of the water heater; and controlling the valve according to the running state, the heating state and the temperature of the water outlet end so as to regulate the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end of the water heater and the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end of the water heater.

According to the water inlet device, the water heater and the control method, the time of the last water using end point of the water heater is recorded by arranging the memory; recording the current water use starting time of a user by setting a timer; at least part of the valves are arranged at the water inlet end of the water heater and are used for adjusting the water flow flowing into the water inlet end of the water heater, and at least part of the valves are arranged at the hot water end of the water heater and are used for adjusting the water flow flowing into the hot water end of the water heater; and the controller can be used for calculating the time interval between the current water using start time of the user and the last water using end time of the user and controlling the valve to reduce the water flow flowing into the water inlet end and increase the water flow flowing into the hot water end when the time interval is less than a preset time period. That is, when the user uses water for the second time in a short time, the controller may control the valve to reduce the flow rate of cold water flowing into the water inlet end of the water heater and increase the flow rate of cold water mixed with hot water at the hot water end of the water heater, to increase the minimum temperature of water flowing out of the water outlet end of the water heater, and to reduce the maximum temperature of water flowing out of the water outlet end of the water heater, to improve the shower experience of the user.

In addition to the technical problems solved by the embodiments of the present application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the advantages brought by the technical features of the technical solutions described above, other technical problems solved by the embodiments of the present application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and advantages brought by the technical features will be further described in detail in the detailed description.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another water heater provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a water intake apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an in-out valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the one in two out valve shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the valve cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of the one in two out valve shown in FIG. 4 in a first state;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the one in two out valve shown in FIG. 4 in a second state;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the one in two out valve shown in FIG. 4 in a second state;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second in-out valve provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application in a first state;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the one-in two-out valve shown in FIG. 10 in a second state;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a third inlet/outlet valve in a first state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the one inlet and two outlet valve shown in FIG. 10 in a second state;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of yet another in-out valve provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 15 is a partial exploded view of the one in two out valve of FIG. 14;

fig. 16 is a schematic view of the valve sleeve shown in fig. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the mounting bar shown in FIG. 15 in a second position;

FIG. 18 is a right side view of the one in two out valve of FIG. 14 in a first state;

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the one in two out valve of FIG. 14 in a first state;

FIG. 20 is a right side view of the one in two out valve of FIG. 14 in a second state;

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the one in two out valve of FIG. 14 in a second state;

FIG. 22 is a transverse cross-sectional view at the mounting plate shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial exploded view of yet another two-in two-out valve according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 24 is an exploded view of the valve cartridge assembly shown in fig. 23;

FIG. 25 is a right side view of the one in two out valve of FIG. 23 in a first state;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view at A-A of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a right side elevational view of the one in two out valve illustrated in FIG. 21 in a second state;

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the one in two out valve shown in FIG. 21 in a second state.

Description of reference numerals:

1. a valve body; 11. a closed end; 12. an open end; 13. a first through hole; 14. a second through hole; 15. a water inlet pipe; 16. a water outlet pipe; 17. a bypass pipe; 18. a cover plate; 181. mounting holes; 19. a barrel;

2. a valve core assembly;

21. a valve stem;

22. a valve housing; 221. a central bore; 222. a communicating groove; 223. a first connecting groove; 224. a second communicating groove; 225. a first end face; 226. a second end face; 227. installing a groove; 2271. a first portion; 2272. A second portion;

23. mounting a rod;

24. a interception plate;

31. mounting a plate; 32. a water retaining platform;

4. a shaft sleeve; 41. an installation part; 42. a limiting part; 421. a limiting groove;

5. a driver;

61. a memory; 62. a timer;

7. a controller;

8. a seal ring;

9. a valve; 91. an inlet valve and an outlet valve; 92. an inlet valve and an outlet valve;

10. a water heater; 101. a water inlet end; 102. a hot water end; 103. a water outlet end; 104. a water inlet branch pipe; 105. a water outlet branch pipe; 106. a bypass branch pipe; 107. a water outlet main pipe; 108. a water inlet main pipe.

With the above figures, there are shown specific embodiments of the present application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and written description are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts in any manner, but rather to illustrate the inventive concepts to those skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments.

Detailed Description

In the related art gas water heaters, when a user uses water, the gas water heater detects a water flow signal, the fan is started to clean the water before, waste gas in the water heater is discharged through the smoke pipe, the air pressure switch detects the closing of the air pressure switch, the air valve is opened again to ignite and burn, and water flows out through the water heater after being heated. The time from the boiled water of a user to the ignition and combustion of the water heater is about 3-5 s, and the time from the boiled water of the user to the constant-temperature hot water of the user in a bathing place is generally 20-30 s.

However, when the gas water heater is used again after being suspended for a short time, that is, when a user uses water for a second time in a short time, since part of the water remains in the water outlet end of the water heater after the last time of water use, the hot water with a higher temperature will flow out from the water outlet end of the water heater first. And because the blower needs to be waited for cleaning before ignition and combustion needs 3-5 s. Therefore, after the residual hot water flows out, the water with lower temperature flows out from the water outlet end of the water heater. After the ignition and combustion of the water heater are finished, water with the target water temperature can flow out from the water outlet end of the water heater.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application, fig. 2 is a schematic view of another water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application, and arrows in fig. 1 and fig. 2 indicate a flow direction of liquid. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the water heater 10 may have a water inlet end 101, a hot water end 102, and a water outlet end 103.

Illustratively, the inlet end 101 may have an inlet branch 104, the hot water end 102 may have an outlet branch 105, and the outlet end 103 may have an outlet manifold 107. A bypass branch pipe 106 can be communicated between the water inlet branch pipe 104 and the water outlet branch pipe 105. Cold water may be delivered through the intake manifold 108 while the water heater 10 is in operation. The output of the intake manifold 108 may be in communication with the intake branch 104 and the bypass branch 106, respectively. So that a part of cold water enters the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 through the water inlet branch pipe 104, a part of cold water is mixed with hot water flowing out from the water outlet branch pipe 105 through the bypass branch pipe 106, and the mixed water can flow out to a user through the water outlet header pipe 107.

The inventors of the present application have found that when the user uses water for the second time, the temperature of the water flowing out of the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10 can be lowered by increasing the amount of cold water mixed with the hot water in the hot water end 102; reducing the amount of cold water flowing into the water heater 10 increases the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger of the water heater 10, and thus increases the temperature of the water flowing out of the water outlet 103 of the water heater 10. Thus, when the user uses water for the second time, the temperature of the water flowing out from the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10 is close to the target water temperature, so that the shower experience of the user is improved.

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments.

Example one

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a water inlet device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 1 to 3, the water inlet apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application may include a memory 61, a timer 62, a valve 9, and a controller 7. The memory 61 may be mounted to the water heater 10 and may record the last time the user has finished using water. The timer 62 may be installed in the water heater 10 and may obtain the user's current water usage start time. At least a portion of the valve 9 may be disposed at the water inlet 101 and may regulate the flow of water into the water inlet 101. At least a portion of the valve 9 may be disposed at the hot water end 102 and may regulate the flow of water into the hot water end 102. The controller 7 may calculate a time interval between a current water usage start time of the user and a last water usage end time of the user, and may control the valve 9 to allow the liquid to flow into the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 at a smaller flow rate and flow into the hot water end 102 of the water heater 10 at a larger flow rate when the time interval is less than a preset time period.

Specifically, the memory 61 can obtain the time of the timer 62 when the user closes the valve 9 of the outlet end 103 (or the shower head) of the water heater 10, and store the time as the last time the user used water. The memory 61 may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or combination thereof, such as a static random access memory 61(SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory 61 (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory 61(EPROM), a programmable read-only memory 61 (PROM), a read-only memory 61(ROM), a magnetic memory 61, a flash memory 61, a magnetic or optical disk.

In addition, the timer 62 can obtain the current time when the user opens the valve 9 of the valve 9 (or the shower head) at the outlet end 103 of the water heater 10, and the current time is the current water consumption starting time of the user. The timer 62 may be a timer that requires the user to periodically calibrate the time. The timer 62 may also send the acquisition request information to the server, and the server returns the acquired current time. The current time may also be obtained from the network from the time.

In addition, the controller 7 can obtain the last water usage end time of the user sent by the memory 61 and the current water usage start time of the user sent by the timer 62 when the valve 9 of the valve 9 (or the shower head) of the outlet end 103 of the water heater 10 is opened by the user. The controller 7 may calculate the difference between the current water usage starting time of the user and the last water usage ending time of the user to obtain the time interval between two adjacent times of water usage of the user. The controller 7 may compare the calculated time interval with a preset time period, and if the time interval is smaller than the preset time period, the controller 7 may control the valve 9 to decrease the water flow flowing into the water inlet end 101 and increase the water flow flowing into the hot water end 102. If the time interval is greater than the preset time period, the water flow flowing into the water inlet end 101 and the water flow flowing into the hot water end 102 are kept unchanged.

It should be noted that the water inlet device provided by the present application can have at least two states. Wherein, the first state: the liquid flows into the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 at a relatively large flow rate and into the hot water end 102 of the water heater 10 at a relatively small flow rate. Namely, a state of large water inflow and small bypass amount. A second state: the liquid flows into the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 at a relatively small flow rate and into the hot water end 102 of the water heater 10 at a relatively large flow rate. Namely, a state of small water inflow and large bypass flow. The larger and smaller mentioned in this paragraph are compared for the two states. That is, in the second state, the amount of water flowing into the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 is reduced and the amount of water flowing into the hot water end 102 of the water heater 10 is increased as compared to the first state. When the user uses water for the second time, the water inlet device can operate for a period of time in the second state. After the water inlet device operates for a period of time, the water inlet device can be switched from the second state to the first state. The time period during which the water inlet device is operated in the second state may be a preset value. Alternatively, the water inlet device may be switched from the second state to the first state after ignition and heating.

Alternatively, the controller 7 may control the valve 9 to make the liquid flow into the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 at a smaller flow rate and flow into the hot water end 102 of the water heater 10 at a smaller flow rate when the operation state of the water heater 10 is stable, the heating state of the water heater 10 is at the maximum value, and the temperature of the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10 is less than the preset temperature value.

Specifically, the water inlet device provided by the application can further have a third state: the liquid flows into the water inlet end 101 of the water heater 10 at a relatively low flow rate and into the hot water end 102 of the water heater 10 at a relatively low flow rate. Namely, a state of small water inflow and small bypass flow. When the water heater 10 operates in the first state for a period of time or hot water with stable temperature flows out from the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10, and the proportional valve for regulating and controlling the gas of the water heater 10 is adjusted to the maximum gear, however, when the water outlet temperature of the water heater 10 measured by the temperature detector arranged at the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10 is lower than a preset temperature value, the water inlet device can be converted from the first state to the third state to increase the temperature of the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10.

Referring to fig. 1, the valve 9 may be alternatively arranged in the following ways:

in one possible implementation manner, referring to fig. 1, the valve 9 may be multiple, each valve 9 may be an inlet-outlet valve 91, each inlet-outlet valve 91 may have one water inlet and one water outlet, and the inlet-outlet valve 91 may change the flow rate of the pipeline communicated with the opening by adjusting the opening degree of the water outlet or the water inlet. The valve 9 may include two one-in-one-out valves 91, wherein one-in-one-out valve 91 may be disposed in the bypass branch 106 to regulate the flow of the bypass branch 106; another in-out valve 91 may be provided on the inlet manifold 108 or the inlet branch 104. When an in-out valve 91 is disposed in the intake manifold 108 as shown in fig. 1, the in-out valve 91 can regulate the flow rate of the intake manifold 108. When an in-out valve 91 is provided in the inlet manifold 104, the in-out valve 91 may regulate the flow rate of the inlet manifold 104. Of course, the valve 9 may also comprise three one-in-one-out valves 91, and the bypass branch 106, the inlet branch 104 and the inlet manifold 108 may each be provided with one-in-one-out valve 91.

In another possible implementation, referring to fig. 2, the valve 9 may comprise at least one-in-two-out valve 92. The one-in-two-out valve 92 may have one water inlet and two water outlets, and the one-in-two-out valve 92 may change the flow rate of the pipe communicating with the openings by changing the opening degree of the water inlet and/or the water outlet. The water inlet may be in communication with a water inlet manifold 108, and the two water outlets may be in communication with a water inlet manifold 104 and a bypass manifold 106, respectively.

The one-in two-out valve 92 can adjust the opening degree of two openings, and can also adjust the opening degree of three openings. In order to better control the flow rate, when the one in two out valve 92 can only adjust the opening degree of the two openings, a one in one out valve 91 is provided in the upstream line or the downstream line of the one in two out valve 92. For example, when the one in two out valve 92 can only adjust the opening degree of the two outlets, a one in one out valve 91 may be provided upstream of the one in two out valve 92. In the case where the one-in-two-out valve 92 can adjust only the opening degree of one outlet and one inlet, and one outlet is communicated with the water inlet branch pipe 104, a one-in-one-out valve 91 may be provided in the bypass branch pipe 106. Similarly, when the inlet and outlet valves can only adjust the opening degree of one outlet and one inlet, and one outlet is communicated with the bypass branch pipe 106, the inlet branch pipe 104 can be provided with one inlet and one outlet valve 91.

Fig. 4-28 show five configurations of the one-in-two-out valve 92, and a possible implementation of the one-in-two-out valve 92 will be described below with reference to fig. 4-28. For convenience of description, in the embodiment of the present application, the direction indicated by the arrow X is the left end of the water inlet device, and the other end is the right end of the water inlet device; the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the front end of the water inlet device, and the other end of the water inlet device is the rear end of the water inlet device; the direction indicated by the arrow Z is the upper end of the water inlet device, and the other side is the lower end of the water inlet device.

Fig. 4 is a front view of a two-in two-out valve 92 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 4, the one-in-two-out valve 92 may include a valve body 1, and the valve body 1 may have an axial open end 12 and a closed end 11, that is, one axial end of the valve body 1 is closed to form the open end 12; the other end of the valve body 1 in the axial direction has an opening to form an open end 12. Exemplarily, in fig. 4, the valve body 1 may include a cylinder 19 and a cover plate 18. The cylinder 19 may be disposed in a vertical direction, and both the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 19 may have openings. The cover 18 can cover the upper opening 12 of the cylinder 19 to form a closed end 11 at the upper end of the cylinder 19, and the open end 12 at the lower end of the cylinder 191. Of course, the valve body 1 may have other structures forming the open end 12 and the closed end 11, and the embodiment of the present application is only illustrated by the structure of the cylinder 19 shown in fig. 4, and is not particularly limited.

Referring to fig. 4-28, the side wall of the valve body 1 between the open end 12 of the valve body 1 and the closed end 11 of the valve body 1 may be provided with a first through hole 13 and a second through hole 14, at least a portion of the valve core assembly 2 is disposed in the valve body 1 and is movable relative to the valve body 1, and the valve core assembly 2 is used for changing the opening degree of two of the first through hole 13, the second through hole 14 and the open end 12. Fig. 4-28 show the valve body 1 as an example in a space surrounded by the cylinder 19 and the cover plate 18.

The following description will be given by taking as an example that the valve core assembly 2 shown in fig. 4 to 13 only changes the opening degrees of the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14, and for the valve core assembly 2, the manner of changing the first through hole 13 and the open end 12, or changing the second through hole 14 and the open end 12 can be obtained by referring to the manner of changing the first through hole 13, the second through hole 14 and the open end 12 of the valve core assembly 2 (corresponding to fig. 14 to 28) mentioned below, which will not be described herein before.

Referring to fig. 4 to 13, the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14 may be disposed on a side wall of the cylinder 19, the valve core assembly 2 may include a valve sleeve 22, and the valve sleeve 22 may change the opening degrees of the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14 by rotating in the valve body 1 as shown in fig. 4 to 11, or the valve sleeve 22 may change the opening degrees of the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14 by moving in the valve body 1 as shown in fig. 12 and 13.

Referring to fig. 4 to 11, in one example, the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the side wall of the cylinder 19. Fig. 4 to 11 show an example in which the first through hole 13 is provided on the left side of the cylinder 19 and the second through hole 14 is provided on the right side of the cylinder 19.

The valve sleeve 22 is rotatably disposed in the accommodating space formed by the cylinder 19 and the cover 18, and the rotation axis of the valve sleeve 22 can be disposed along the axis of the cylinder 19. I.e. the axis of rotation of the valve sleeve 22 is parallel or coincident with the axis of the barrel 19. The interior of the valve sleeve 22 may have a central bore 221, which central bore 221 may be opposite the open end 12 of the valve body 1 and in communication with the open end 12 of the valve body 1. The side wall of the valve housing 22 has a communication groove communicating with the central hole 221, which can be used opposite the first through hole 13 so that the communication groove communicates with the first through hole 13. The communication groove may be used to oppose the second through hole 14 so that the communication groove communicates with the second through hole 14.

Specifically, the communication groove may communicate with the center hole 221 to communicate the first through hole 13, the second through hole 14, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1. Wherein, the setting mode of intercommunication groove can be as follows several kinds of possibilities:

in one possible implementation, fig. 6 is an exploded view of the valve core assembly 2 shown in fig. 4, fig. 7 is a perspective longitudinal sectional view of the one-in-two-out valve 92 shown in fig. 4 in a first state, fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the one-in-two-out valve 92 shown in fig. 4 in a second state, and fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the one-in-two-out valve 92 shown in fig. 4 in the second state. Referring to fig. 6 to 9, the communication groove may include at least a first communication groove 223 and a second communication groove 224. The first and

second communication grooves

223 and 224 may have a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the valve housing 22. The first communicating groove 223 may be used to communicate with the first through hole 13, and the second communicating groove 224 may be used to communicate with the second through hole 14.

The hollow arrows shown in fig. 7-9 are the flow direction of the liquid. Referring to fig. 7-9, the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may be a water inlet of a one-inlet two-outlet valve, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may be communicated with the water inlet manifold 108 through a water inlet pipe 15; the first through hole 13 may be a first water outlet of a one-inlet-two-outlet valve, the open end 12 of the valve body 1, the central hole 221 of the valve sleeve 22, the first communicating groove 223 of the valve sleeve 22, and the first through hole 13 may form a water inlet flow passage, and the first through hole 13 may communicate with the water outlet branch pipe 105 in fig. 2 through the water outlet pipe 16. The second through hole 14 may be a second water outlet of the one-inlet-two-outlet valve, the open end 12 of the valve body 1, the central hole 221 of the valve sleeve 22, the second communication groove 224 of the valve sleeve 22, and the second through hole 14 may form a bypass flow channel, and the second through hole 14 may communicate with the bypass branch pipe 106 in fig. 2 through the bypass pipe 17.

Of course, the first through hole 13 may also be a water inlet of the one-inlet two-outlet valve, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may be a first water outlet of the one-inlet two-outlet valve. The first through hole 13, the first communication groove 223 of the valve housing 22, the central hole 221 of the valve housing 22, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may form a water inlet flow passage, and the first through hole 13 may communicate with the water inlet manifold 108 in fig. 2. The second through hole 14 may be a second water outlet of the one-inlet-two-outlet valve, the first through hole 13, the central hole 221 of the valve sleeve 22, the second communication groove 224 of the valve sleeve 22, and the second through hole 14 may form a bypass flow channel, and the second through hole 14 may communicate with the bypass branch pipe 106 in fig. 2 through the bypass pipe 17. This flow pattern can be seen with reference to the one-in-two-out valve 92 shown in fig. 14-28 and will not be described again.

The first and second states of the one in two out valve 92 will be described below by taking the flow pattern shown in fig. 7-9 as an example, i.e., the first through hole 13 can be the first water outlet of the one in two out valve, the second through hole 14 can be the second water outlet of the one in two out valve, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1 can be the water inlet of the one in two out valve.

Referring to fig. 7, when the one-in two-out valve 92 is in the first state, the first communicating groove 223 may be opposite to the first through hole 13, and the opposite area is at a large value. That is, the area where the projection of the first communicating groove 223 on the side wall of the cylinder 19 in the radial direction of the cylinder 19 coincides with the first through hole 13 is at a large value. When the one-in-two-out valve 92 is in the first state, the second communicating groove 224 may be opposed to the second through hole 14, and the opposed area may be at a small value. That is, the area where the projection of the first communicating groove 223 on the side wall of the cylinder 19 in the radial direction of the cylinder 19 coincides with the first through hole 13 is at a small value.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, when the one-in-two-out valve 92 is in the second state, the first communicating groove 223 may be opposed to the first through hole 13 with the opposed area at a smaller value. That is, the area where the projection of the first communicating groove 223 on the side wall of the cylindrical body 19 in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 19 coincides with the first through hole 13 is at a small value. When the one-in-two-out valve 92 is in the second state, the second communicating groove 224 may be opposed to the second through hole 14, and the opposed area may be at a large value. That is, the area where the projection of the second communication groove 224 on the side wall of the cylindrical body 19 in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 19 overlaps with the second through hole 14 is large.

It should be noted that the area of the second through hole 14 may be larger than the area of the second communicating groove 224 as shown in fig. 7 to 9, and of course, the area of the second through hole 14 may be smaller than the area of the second communicating groove 224.

Referring to fig. 8, in order not to excessively affect the water inflow of the water heater 10 in the second state, i.e., in order to ensure the flow rate of the water inflow passage in the second state, the communication position of the first communication groove 223 with the first through hole 13 may be lower than the second communication groove 224. That is, in the second state, only the liquid higher than the lower end of the second communication groove 224 can flow into the bypass pipe 17 through the second communication groove 224 and the second through hole 14.

Specifically, referring to fig. 9, in the second state, part of the first communicating groove 223 is shielded by the inner surface of the cylinder 19. A portion of the first communicating groove 223 that is not shielded by the inner surface of the cylinder 19 may be opposite to and communicate with the first through hole 13. Referring to fig. 8, the lower end of the first communication groove 223, which is partially not blocked by the inner surface of the cylinder 19, may be lower than the second communication groove 224. The upper end of part of the first communication groove 223 may be higher than the lower end of the second communication groove 224 and lower than the upper end of the second communication groove 224 as shown in fig. 8. Of course, the upper end of the part of the first communication groove 223 may be lower than the lower end of the second communication groove 224.

In order to realize that the portion of the first communicating groove 223 which is not covered by the inner surface of the cylinder 19 in the second state, that is, the portion of the first communicating groove 223 opposite to the first through hole 13 is lower than the second communicating groove 224, the shape of the first communicating groove 223 may be set in the embodiment of the present application:

referring to fig. 5, alternatively, the highest point of at least a portion of the first communicating groove 223 may be gradually inclined upward in a preset direction. The predetermined direction may be a rotational direction in which the valve sleeve 22 is rotated from the first state to the second state. Illustratively, the arrow W in fig. 5 indicates a counterclockwise direction. Referring to fig. 2, the valve sleeve 22 is rotatable in the direction W, i.e., counterclockwise, from the first condition to the second condition. The upper side line of the first communicating groove 223 may be gradually inclined upward in the counterclockwise direction.

In order to increase the opening size of the first communication groove 223, at least a portion of the first communication groove 223 may be disposed at an upper portion of the sidewall of the valve housing 22, and at least a portion of the first communication groove 223 may be disposed at a lower portion of the sidewall of the valve housing 22. For example, the left edge line of the first connecting groove 223 in fig. 5 may have an arc shape, and the center of the left edge line may be located at the middle right side of the left edge line. That is, the first communicating groove 223 may be a pattern symmetrical with respect to the central axial plane of the valve housing 22, and the center of the left side edge line may be located on the central axial plane of the valve housing 22. Wherein the central axial plane of the valve sleeve 22 may be parallel to the bottom surface of the valve sleeve 22 and the distance from the upper end surface of the valve sleeve 22 to the central axial plane is equal to the distance from the lower end surface of the valve sleeve 22 to the central axial plane.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, alternatively, in order to allow the valve sleeve 22 to rotate relatively stably in the cylinder 19, the outer surface of the side wall of the valve sleeve 22 may be in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder 19, and the outer surface of the valve sleeve 22 may be fitted to the inner surface of the cylinder 19. In order to bring the outer surface of the sidewall of the valve housing 22 into contact with the inner surface of the water inlet pipe 15, the upper end surface of the valve housing 22 may be higher than the highest end of both the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14. The lower end surface of the valve sleeve 22 may be lower than the lowest end of both the first and second through

holes

13 and 14.

With continued reference to fig. 5-8, to rotate the valve sleeve 22, the valve sleeve 22 may optionally include a side wall and a top wall, the top wall of the valve sleeve 22 may be secured with the valve stem 21. The valve rod 21 can be passed through the cover plate 18 and connected to the actuator 5 arranged outside the cover plate 18. The actuator 5 can drive the valve rod 21 to rotate so as to rotate the valve sleeve 22. The driver 5 may be communicatively connected to the controller 7 mentioned above. The driver 5 can be a motor, the motor can be provided with a motor shaft, the motor shaft can be directly connected with the valve rod 21 in a welding mode, an interference fit mode, a coupling mode and the like, and the motor shaft can also be indirectly connected with the valve rod 21 through a speed reducer and the like.

In order to make the valve rod 21 rotate stably, the cover plate 18 and the cylinder 19 form a containing space for containing the shaft sleeve 4. The outer surface of the sleeve 4 may be fixed to the inner surface of the cylinder 19, and the upper surface of the sleeve 4 may abut against the cover plate 18. The valve stem 21 is passed through the sleeve 4 and is rotatable relative to the sleeve 4. The outer surface of the sleeve 4 may be provided with a groove which may receive a sealing ring 8 with the inner surface of the cylinder 19 to effect a seal between the sleeve 4 and the inner surface of the cylinder 19.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, to achieve axial retention of the valve sleeve 22 in the barrel 19, the top wall of the valve sleeve 22 may abut the lower surface of the sleeve 4. The lower end of the cylinder 19 can be fixed with a water inlet pipe 15, the water inlet pipe 15 can be coaxially arranged with the cylinder 19, and the diameter of the water inlet pipe 15 can be smaller than that of the cylinder 19, so that the inner surface of the water inlet pipe 15 can be closer to the axis of the cylinder 19 than the inner surface of the cylinder 19, and a limiting groove for limiting the lower end surface of the valve sleeve 22 is formed.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a second in-and-out valve 92 provided in the embodiment of the present application in a first state, and fig. 11 is a sectional view of the in-and-out valve 92 shown in fig. 10 in a second state. Referring to fig. 10 and 11, in another example, the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14 are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the side wall of the cylinder 19. Fig. 10 and 11 show an example in which the first through hole 13 is provided at the lower end of the cylinder 19 and the second through hole 14 is provided at the upper end of the cylinder 19.

The valve sleeve 22 is slidably disposed in the accommodating space formed by the cylinder 19 and the cover plate 18, and the valve sleeve 22 can slide along the axial direction of the cylinder 19. The interior of the valve sleeve 22 may have a central bore 221, which central bore 221 may be opposite the open end 12 of the valve body 1 and in communication with the open end 12 of the valve body 1. The side wall of the valve housing 22 may have a first communication groove 223 and a second communication groove 224 that communicate with the central hole 221. The first and

second communication grooves

223 and 224 may have a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the valve housing 22. The first communicating groove 223 may be used to communicate with the first through hole 13, and the second communicating groove 224 may be used to communicate with the second through hole 14.

Additionally, the housing 22 may include a top wall and a side wall. A valve stem 21 may be attached to the top wall of the valve housing 22, and the valve stem 21 may extend through the cover plate 18 and be movable relative to the cover plate 18 in the axial direction of the cylinder 19. The part of the valve stem 21 outside the cover plate 18 can be connected to the actuator 5. The driver 5 may be communicatively connected to the controller 7 mentioned above. The driver 5 can be linear motor, cylinder, etc. capable of outputting axial force. The driver 5 may also be a rotary motor and a conversion mechanism that converts torque into linear motion.

In another possible implementation manner of the communication groove, fig. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a third one-in two-out valve provided in the embodiment of the present application in a first state, and fig. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the one-in two-out valve shown in fig. 10 in a second state. Referring to fig. 12 and 13, at least a portion of the valve sleeve 22 may be semi-annular in cross-sectional shape. The inner surface of the valve sleeve 22 may be formed with a central bore 221 communicating with the open end 12, and the valve sleeve 22 may have a circumferential first end surface 225 and a second end surface 226, i.e., one circumferential end of the valve sleeve 22 may have the first end surface 225 and the other circumferential end of the valve sleeve 22 may have the second end surface 226. Communication channels (not labeled in fig. 12 and 13) may also be formed between the first and second end surfaces 225, 226 of the valve sleeve 22.

Wherein the circumference of the inner surface between the second end of the first through hole 13 of the cylinder 19 and the first end of the second through hole 14 of the cylinder 19 may be smaller than the circumference of the outer surface of the valve sleeve 22 (i.e., the circumference between the first end surface 225 of the valve sleeve 22 and the second end surface 226 of the valve sleeve 22).

Specifically, the outer surface of the valve sleeve 22 may engage the inner surface of the barrel 19 and may rotate relative to the inner surface of the barrel 19. When the valve sleeve 22 is in the first state as shown in fig. 12, the valve sleeve 22 may block a small part of the first through hole 13 or not block the first through hole 13, that is, a projection of the valve sleeve 22 on the cylinder 19 along the radial direction of the cylinder 19 does not fall into the first through hole 13 or only falls into the first through hole 13 at a small part, so that the opening degree of the first through hole 13 is large; the valve sleeve 22 may block at least a portion of the second through-hole 14 such that the second through-hole 14 is less open.

When the valve sleeve 22 is in the second state as shown in fig. 13, the valve sleeve 22 can block at least part of the first through hole 13, that is, the projection of the valve sleeve 22 on the cylinder 19 along the radial direction of the cylinder 19 at least partially falls in the first through hole 13, so that the opening degree of the first through hole 13 is smaller; the valve sleeve 22 may block a small part of the second through holes 14 or not block the second through holes 14, that is, a projection of the valve sleeve 22 on the cylinder 19 along the radial direction of the cylinder 19 does not fall into the second through holes 14 or only falls into the second through holes 14 at a small part, so that the opening degree of the second through holes 14 is larger.

The following describes a one in two out valve with the ability to vary three ports with reference to fig. 14-28, and the use of a one in two out valve with the ability to vary three ports may have the advantage of varying a wide range of flow rates with a small range of actuation.

The above-provided one in two out valve capable of changing two openings and the below-provided one in two out valve capable of changing three openings may be the same point: the valve core assembly 2 may include a valve sleeve 22, and the valve sleeve 22 may change the opening degree of the first through hole 13 and the second through hole 14 by rotating in the cylinder 19. The difference lies in that: the valve core assembly 2 can further comprise a valve rod 21, and the valve rod 21 can be arranged through the open end 12 of the valve body 1 and can change the opening degree of the open end 12 of the valve body 1 in a sliding mode along the axis of the cylinder 19.

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of the one-in-two-out valve 92 shown in fig. 14 in a first state, and fig. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the one-in-two-out valve 92 shown in fig. 14 in a second state. Referring to fig. 19 and 21, the valve stem 21 may be inserted through the cylinder 19 in an axial direction of the cylinder 19. Part of the valve stem 21 may be located outside the cover plate 18 for connection with the actuator 5; a portion of the valve stem 21 may be located in the cylinder 19 and pass through the open end 12 of the valve body 1, and a flow passage for liquid to flow through may be formed between an outer surface of the portion of the valve stem 21 and an inner surface of the open end 12 of the valve body 1. The size of the flow path may be varied during axial movement of the valve stem 21 along the barrel 19.

For example, in fig. 19 and 21, the valve stem 21 may be fixed with the interception plate 24, and the inner surface of the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may be fixed with the water stop 32 having a ring shape, that is, the inside of the water stop 32 may have the central hole 221. During the change of the valve stem 21 from the first state to the second state, the flow passage decreases as the valve body 1 moves downward. To achieve this trend, at least one of the outer surface of the interceptor plate 24 and the inner surface of the water dam 32 has a slope. In an example, referring to fig. 19 and 21, the central hole 221 of the water stop 32 may include a reverse taper section, and a diameter of the reverse taper section may be gradually reduced in a direction approaching an end surface of the open end 12 of the valve body 1 (i.e., a lower end surface of the cylinder 19 in fig. 19 and 21), so that a distance between the interception plate 24 and the central hole 221 is gradually reduced in a process of gradually approaching the end surface of the open end 12 of the valve body 1 by the interception plate 24. Alternatively, the central bore 221 may further include a cylindrical section that may be closer to the end face of the open end 12 of the valve body 1 than the reverse taper section, and the diameter of the cylindrical section may be equal to the minimum diameter of the reverse taper section. In the second condition, part of the interceptor plate 24 may be located within the cylindrical section so as to extend the length of the smaller flow channels.

In another example, the interceptor plate 24 may be coaxial with the valve stem 21, and at least a portion of the interceptor plate 24 may have a diameter that gradually decreases in a direction toward the end surface of the open end 12 of the valve body 1. In the first position, the smaller diameter end of the interceptor plate 24 may be located within the central aperture 221 of the water deflector platform 32. During the transition from the first state to the second state, the larger diameter end of the interceptor plate 24 gradually falls into the central hole 221 of the water deflector 32 so as to gradually reduce the distance between the interceptor plate 24 and the central hole 221 of the water deflector 32.

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view of the mounting plate 31 shown in fig. 21, and referring to fig. 21 and 22, in order to stably move the valve rod 21 relative to the valve body 1, optionally, the mounting plate 31 may be further fixed in the open end 12 of the valve body 1, the mounting plate 31 may have a limiting hole for passing the valve rod 21 therethrough, and a part of the valve rod 21 may be slidably disposed in the limiting hole. In addition, a flow passage for liquid to flow through may be provided between the mounting plate 31 and the barrel 19 or the water stop 32.

To simplify the control, an actuator 5 can be used to both displace the valve stem 21 and rotate the valve sleeve 22. Referring to fig. 19 and 21, the valve stem 21 may alternatively include a first end and a second end, and the first end of the valve stem 21 may be threadedly coupled to the valve body 1, so that when the driver 5 drives the valve stem 21 to rotate, the valve stem 21 may rotate along the axial direction of the valve stem 21. A second end of the valve stem 21 may be connected to the valve sleeve 22 so that movement of the valve stem 21 causes rotation of the valve sleeve 22. Of course, to facilitate the changing of the open end 12 of the valve body 1 by the valve stem 21, the second end of the valve stem 21 may extend through the valve housing 22 and through the open end 12 of the valve body 1.

In addition, in order to make the diameter of the valve stem 21 smaller than that of the cylinder 19, the valve housing 22 is conveniently arranged. Optionally, the sleeve 4 may be accommodated in an accommodating space formed by the cylinder 19 and the cover plate 18. The bushing 4 may include a mounting portion 41. The outer surface of the mounting portion 41 may be fixed to the inner surface of the cylinder 19, and the interior of the mounting portion 41 may have a threaded hole that is threadedly coupled to the first end of the valve stem 21. In order to avoid the liquid in the accommodating space from leaking, a sealing ring 8 may be provided between the mounting portion 41 and the inner surface of the cylinder 19. In addition, in order to facilitate the rotation of the valve sleeve 22 in the cylinder 19, referring to fig. 19 and 21, the shaft sleeve 4 may further include a stopper portion 42, the stopper portion 42 may be disposed coaxially with the mounting portion 41, and the stopper portion 42 may be located below the mounting portion 41. The diameter of the stopper portion 42 may be smaller than that of the mounting portion 41 so that a certain distance may be provided between the stopper portion 42 and the inner surface of the cylinder 19. The valve sleeve 22 can be accommodated within this spacing. That is, the valve sleeve 22 may be sleeved outside the limiting portion 42 and may be embedded inside the cylinder 19 so as to limit the radial displacement of the valve sleeve 22.

In addition, the valve rod 21 drives the valve sleeve 22 to move in the following ways:

in one of the possible implementations, the valve sleeve 22 is movable relative to the valve stem 21 as shown in fig. 15-21. Referring to fig. 15 to 21, a mounting rod 23 may be fixed to a sidewall of the valve stem 21, and the mounting rod 23 may be disposed in a radial direction of the valve stem 21. The side wall of the valve housing 22 may have a mounting groove 227 that mates with the mounting rod 23. Since the valve stem 21 moves while rotating, the mounting groove 227 is approximately L-shaped, and the mounting groove 227 may have an opening at one end.

During the rotation of the valve sleeve 22 by the valve stem 21 via the mounting rod 23 and the mounting groove 227, the valve stem 21 can have a first position as shown in fig. 15 and a second position as shown in fig. 17. Referring to fig. 16, the mounting recess 227 can include a first section 2271 and a second section 2272, the first section 2271 can extend in the axial direction of the valve housing 22, the second section 2272 can have a circumferential extension of the valve housing 22, and the end of the second section 2272 facing away from the first section 2271 can be open.

Referring to fig. 19, in the first state, the first through hole 13 is at a large opening degree, the second through hole 14 is at a small opening degree, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1 is at a large opening degree. In the process of moving the valve rod 21 from fig. 19 to fig. 21, the valve rod 21 can be lowered while rotating clockwise, and the mounting rod 23 is first in the first position shown in fig. 15, so that the valve rod 21 can drive the valve sleeve 22 to be lowered while rotating, so as to form the opening degree of the second through hole 14 shown in fig. 20 and 21. When the lower end surface of the valve sleeve 22 abuts against the stopper 42 in the valve body 1, the mounting rod 23 can be rotated clockwise from the first position shown in fig. 15 and slid out of the mounting groove 227 from the opening of the second portion 2272 of the mounting groove 227. After the mounting bar 23 has been moved from the second position shown in fig. 17 to the first position shown in fig. 15 to form the position of the interceptor plate 24 shown in fig. 20.

Similarly, during rotation of the valve stem 21 from fig. 21 to fig. 19, the valve stem 21 may be raised while rotating counterclockwise and cause the mounting rod 23 to move from the second position shown in fig. 17 to the first position shown in fig. 15. After the mounting rod 23 is moved to the first position, the valve rod 21 continues to rotate counterclockwise to lift the valve sleeve 22 while rotating counterclockwise, so as to form the opening degree of the second through hole 14 shown in fig. 18 and 19.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned limiting portion 42 can limit the lowest position of the rotation of the valve sleeve 22, so that the limiting portion 42 supports the valve sleeve 22 when the mounting rod 23 is disengaged from the mounting groove 227 of the valve sleeve 22. In fig. 19 and 21, the upper end surface of the water stop 32 may be higher than the first through hole 13 to support the valve sleeve 22.

In another possible implementation of the valve stem 21 to move the valve sleeve 22, the valve sleeve 22 may be fixed to the valve stem 21 as shown in fig. 23-28. The second end of the valve stem 21 may pass through the valve housing 22 and may be fixed with the valve housing 22. The valve rod 21 and the valve sleeve 22 can be fixed by non-detachable connection such as welding, bonding and the like, or detachable connection such as clamping connection, threaded connection and the like. Illustratively, in fig. 23 and 24, the side wall of the valve sleeve 22 may be provided with a mounting groove 227, and the mounting groove 227 may have a downwardly facing opening. The side wall of the valve stem 21 may be fixed with a mounting rod 23, and the mounting rod 23 may be snap-coupled with the mounting groove 227. For stable connection between the valve stem 21 and the valve housing 22, the mounting rods 23 may have at least two, and a plurality of mounting rods 23 may be uniformly distributed on the outer circumference of the valve stem 21. Fig. 23 and 24 illustrate two mounting rods 23 as an example.

It should be noted that the valve housing 22 is arranged in the manner described above with reference to the arrangement of the valve housing 22. That is, the interior of the valve housing 22 may have a central hole 221, and the side wall of the valve housing 22 may be provided with a communication groove 222 communicating with the central hole 221. The difference from the above valve housing 22 of the one-in two-out valve in which the opening degrees of the two openings are changed is that the cross-sectional shape of the side wall of the valve housing 22, which is shown in fig. 15 to 21, needs to be semi-circular since the mounting groove 227 of the side wall of the valve housing 22 needs to be provided with the openings, i.e., the circumference of the inner surface between the second end of the first through hole 13 of the cylinder 19 and the first end of the second through hole 14 of the cylinder 19 may be smaller than the circumference of the outer surface of the valve housing 22 (i.e., the circumference between the first end surface 225 of the valve housing 22 and the second end surface 226 of the valve housing 22). Further, referring to fig. 18 and 19, in the first state, the mounting recess 227 may serve as the communication groove 222 communicating with the second through hole 14. In addition, fig. 23 to 28 show that the lower end surface of the second through hole is higher than the upper end surface of the first through hole, so that the valve sleeve has two communication grooves provided in the axial direction of the valve sleeve, as can be seen from fig. 24, 26 and 28. The communication groove located above can be used for communicating the second through hole, and the communication groove located below can be used for communicating the first through hole.

It is to be noted that the hollow arrows shown in fig. 19, 21, 26, and 28 indicate the flow direction of the liquid. Fig. 19, 21, 26 and 28 show an example that the first through hole 13 may also be a water inlet of a one-in two-out valve, the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may be a first water outlet of the one-in two-out valve, and the second through hole 14 may be a second water outlet of the one-in two-out valve. Of course, the first through hole 13 may also be a first water outlet of a one-in two-out valve, the second through hole 14 may also be a second water outlet of a one-in two-out valve, and the open end 12 of the valve body 1 may be a water inlet of a one-in two-out valve.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned structure of the one inlet/two outlet valve may also be in a third state, and the third state may be a state between the first state and the second state.

Example two

The water heater 10 provided by the embodiment of the application can include a water heater 10 body and the water inlet device provided by the above embodiment. The water heater 10 body comprises a water inlet end 101, a hot water end 102 and a water outlet end 103, the water inlet device comprises a valve, at least part of the valve is arranged at the water inlet end 101 and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end 101; at least part of the valve is disposed at the hot water end 102 and is used for adjusting the flow rate of the cold water flowing into the hot water end 102.

EXAMPLE III

The control method provided by the embodiment of the application can comprise the following steps:

acquiring the last water use end time of a user;

acquiring the current water consumption starting time of a user;

calculating the time interval between the current water using start time of the user and the last water using end time of the user;

the time interval is compared to a preset time period and when the time interval is less than the preset time period, the valve is controlled to decrease the flow of cold water into the water inlet 101 of the water heater 10 and increase the flow of cold water into the hot water 102 of the water heater 10.

Optionally, the control method of the water heater 10 may further include:

acquiring the running state of the water heater 10;

acquiring the heating state of the water heater 10;

acquiring the temperature of the water outlet end 103 of the water heater 10;

the valves are controlled to regulate the flow of cold water into the water inlet 101 of the water heater 10 and the flow of cold water into the hot water 102 of the water heater 10 based on the operating conditions, heating conditions, and temperature of the water outlet 103.

The terms "upper" and "lower" are used for describing the relative positions of the structures in the drawings, and are not used to limit the scope of the present application, and the relative relationship between the structures may be changed or adjusted without substantial technical change.

It should be noted that: in this application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may be directly contacting the first and second features or indirectly contacting the first and second features through intervening media. Also, a first feature "on," "over," and "above" a second feature may be directly or diagonally above the second feature, or may simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature may be directly under or obliquely under the first feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.

In addition, in the present application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integral to; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In the description herein, reference to the description of the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an illustrative embodiment," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples" or the like means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the schematic representations of the terms used above do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A water inlet device is used for a water heater, the water heater is provided with a water inlet end, a hot water end and a water outlet end, and the water inlet device is characterized by comprising a memory, a timer, a valve and a controller;

the memory is arranged on the water heater and is used for recording the last water use end time of a user; the timer is installed on the water heater and is used for obtaining the current water using starting time of a user;

at least part of the valve is arranged at the water inlet end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end; at least part of the valve is arranged at the hot water end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end;

the controller is used for calculating the time interval between the current water using start time of the user and the last water using end time of the user, and controlling the valve when the time interval is smaller than a preset time period, so that the liquid flows into the water inlet end of the water heater at a small flow rate and flows into the hot water end of the water heater at a large flow rate.

2. The water inlet device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a plurality of one-in one-out valves, at least one of the one-in one-out valves being capable of regulating the flow of cold water into the water inlet end, and at least one of the one-in one-out valves being capable of regulating the flow of cold water into the hot water end.

3. The water inlet device of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises at least one in-two outlet valve, the one in-two outlet valve comprising a valve body and a valve housing;

the valve body is provided with a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet, a water inlet flow channel is formed between the water inlet and the first water outlet and is communicated with the water inlet end, a bypass flow channel is formed between the water inlet and the second water outlet and is communicated with the hot water end;

the valve housing is disposed within and movable within the valve body, the valve housing being configured such that when the valve housing moves from a first position to a second position relative to the valve body, the flow of the intake runner decreases and the flow of the bypass runner increases.

4. The water inlet device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the water inlet and the second water outlet are arranged at the left and right sides of the valve body, and the first water outlet is arranged at the lower end of the valve body;

5. The water inlet device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a valve stem connected to the valve housing and passing through the first water outlet, wherein a flow passage is formed between the valve stem and the first water outlet;

the valve stem moves in an axial direction of the valve body and is configured such that a flow rate of the flow passage decreases when the valve stem moves from a first position to a second position relative to the valve body.

6. The water inlet device according to claim 3, wherein the first water outlet and the second water outlet are arranged on the left side and the right side of the valve body, and the water inlet is arranged at the lower end of the valve body;

7. The water inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the controller is further configured to control the valve to allow the liquid to flow into the water inlet end of the water heater at a smaller flow rate and flow into the hot water end of the water heater at a smaller flow rate when the operation state of the water heater is stable, the heating state of the water heater is at a maximum value, and the temperature of the water outlet end of the water heater is less than a preset temperature value.

8. A water heater comprising a water heater body and the water inlet device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water heater body comprises a water inlet end, a hot water end and a water outlet end, and the water inlet device comprises a valve, at least part of the valve is arranged at the water inlet end and is used for regulating the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end; at least part of the valve is arranged at the hot water end and is used for adjusting the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end.

9. A method of controlling a water heater, comprising:

acquiring the last water use end time of a user;

acquiring the current water consumption starting time of a user;

and comparing the time interval with a preset time period, and controlling the valve to reduce the cold water flow flowing into the water inlet end of the water heater and increase the cold water flow flowing into the hot water end of the water heater when the time interval is smaller than the preset time period.

10. The control method of a water heater according to claim 9, further comprising:

acquiring the running state of the water heater;

acquiring the heating state of the water heater;

acquiring the temperature of a water outlet end of the water heater;

and controlling the valve according to the running state, the heating state and the temperature of the water outlet end so as to regulate the flow of cold water flowing into the water inlet end of the water heater and the flow of cold water flowing into the hot water end of the water heater.