CN210485876U

CN210485876U - Water heater and preheating circulation system

Info

Publication number: CN210485876U
Application number: CN201921295331.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邱步; 张成军; 段良宝
Original assignee: AO Smith China Water Heater Co Ltd
Current assignee: AO Smith China Water Heater Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-09
Filing date: 2019-08-09
Publication date: 2020-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-09

Abstract

The application discloses water heater and preheating circulation system, wherein, a water heater includes: the water-saving water dispenser comprises a water outlet, a water return port, a heating assembly for heating water, a pump, a softening mechanism for softening water and a switching mechanism; the water return port and the water outlet are used for connecting a circulating pipeline; the heating assembly, the pump, the softening mechanism and the switching mechanism are connected between the water outlet and the water return port; when the switching mechanism is in a preset state, the pump can drive at least part of water input from the water return port to pass through the softening mechanism. The water heater that this application provided can soften water through being equipped with softening body, satisfies the user to the demand of soft water. And, this water heater has delivery port and the return water mouth that is used for connecting the circulating line, can be applied to preheating the circulating system in, not only satisfies the zero cold water's of user demand, can also satisfy the demand of user to the soft water on this basis, promotes user and uses experience.

Description

Water heater and preheating circulation system

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of water heaters, in particular to a water heater and a preheating circulation system.

Background

Hard water brings more trouble to users, such as: the skin is dry and astringent after bathing, hair is dry and branched, incrustation scale is formed, the washing force of clothes is low, clothes fiber is stiff, pipelines are blocked, and marks are left after tableware washing. Although laundry softeners, detergent products, etc. are commercially available, the problems associated with hard water cannot be fundamentally solved.

However, the existing water heater can only heat water and cannot meet the soft water requirement of a user, so that a water softener needs to be additionally arranged on the occasion that the water is softened by the user requirement.

In addition, in the occasion that a preheating circulation system (zero cold water system) is equipped with in the user's family, the water heater heats the water in the preheating circulation water route and uses when the user opens the water consumption point, but, present preheating circulation system can't directly provide soft water for the user, can't satisfy user's soft water demand to influence user's use experience.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, it is an object of the present application to provide a water heater and preheat cycle system that addresses at least one of the above problems.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme is as follows:

a water heater, comprising: the water-saving water dispenser comprises a water outlet, a water return port, a heating assembly for heating water, a pump, a softening mechanism for softening water and a switching mechanism; the water return port and the water outlet are used for connecting a circulating pipeline;

the heating assembly, the pump, the softening mechanism and the switching mechanism are connected between the water outlet and the water return port; when the switching mechanism is in a preset state, the pump can drive at least part of water input from the water return port to pass through the softening mechanism.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the predetermined state includes a first state, and when the switching mechanism is located in the first state, the pump can drive at least a part of the water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet via the softening mechanism and the heating component.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the softening mechanism includes a resin component, and the water heater further includes a salt storage component for storing softened salt, and the salt storage component is connected to the switching mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the predetermined state includes a second state, and when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump can drive softened salt mixed in the salt storage unit by at least part of the water input from the water return port and regenerate the resin in the resin unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump may drive a part of the water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating element.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the pump and the resin member are disposed between the water return port and the heating member.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the pump is disposed upstream of the resin component.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the returned water is provided between the pump and the water return port.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the water heater includes a housing; the heating assembly, the pump, and the resin assembly are located inside the housing; the salt storage assembly comprises a salt box arranged outside the shell.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the water heater further comprises a water inlet, and the heating assembly, the pump, the resin assembly, and the switching mechanism are connected between the water inlet and the water outlet; the switching mechanism has a third state, and when the switching mechanism is located in the third state, the pump can drive at least part of water input by the water inlet to be softened by the resin component and heated by the heating component.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the water inlet and the water return port have the same structure; the water inlet and the water outlet are used for being connected with a circulating pipeline provided with a water return valve; the water output by the water outlet can flow back to the water inlet through the circulating pipeline.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the pump is capable of driving at least a part of the water heated by the heating unit to a predetermined temperature to mix with the softened salt in the salt storage unit and perform resin regeneration on the resin unit.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the water heater is a gas water heater; the heating assembly includes a burner, and a heat exchanger.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switching mechanism further has a fourth state, and when the switching mechanism is in the fourth state, the pump drives the water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating unit.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the switching mechanism includes a first switching valve and a second switching valve;

the first switching valve comprises a first valve core capable of acting, an A port connected with the output end of the pump, a B port connected with the first connecting end of the resin component, a C port connected with the input end of the salt storage component and a D port connected with the input end of the heating component;

the second switching valve comprises a second valve core capable of acting, a first port connected with the output end of the pump, a second port connected with a drain pipeline, and a third port connected with the second connecting end of the resin component;

when the switching mechanism is in a first state, the first valve spool is located at a position where the B port and the D port are communicated, and the second valve spool is located at a position where the first port and the third port are communicated;

when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the first valve spool is located at a position where the port a communicates with the port C and the port D, and the second valve spool is located at a position where the second port communicates with the third port.

A preheat cycle system, comprising: the water heater comprises a water outlet, a water return port and a circulating pipeline connected with the water outlet and the water return port;

the water heater includes: the water softening device comprises a heating assembly for heating water, a pump, a softening mechanism for softening water and a switching mechanism; the heating assembly, the pump, the softening mechanism and the switching mechanism are connected between the water outlet and the water return port; when the switching mechanism is in a preset state, the pump can drive at least part of water input from the water return port to pass through the softening mechanism.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the predetermined state includes a first state, and when the switching mechanism is located in the first state, the pump can drive at least part of the water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet through the softening mechanism and the heating element, and then return to the water return port through the circulation pipeline.

As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the softening mechanism comprises a resin component, the water heater further comprises a salt storage component for storing softened salt, and the salt storage component is connected with the switching mechanism; the preset state comprises a second state, the switching mechanism is located in the second state, the pump can drive at least part of water input from the water return port to be mixed into softened salt in the salt storage assembly and carry out resin regeneration on the resin assembly, meanwhile, the pump can also drive part of water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating assembly, and then the water is returned to the water return port through the circulating pipeline.

Has the advantages that:

the water heater that this application provided can soften water through being equipped with softening body, satisfies the user to the demand of soft water. And, this water heater has delivery port and the return water mouth that is used for connecting the circulating line, can be applied to preheating circulating system in, softens the water that has the uniform temperature in preheating the circulation water route, not only satisfies the zero cold water's of user demand, can also satisfy the user to the demand of soft water on this basis, promotes user and uses experience.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, which specify the manner in which the principles of the invention may be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not so limited in scope.

Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments, in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used herein, is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

Drawings

In order to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art more clearly, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without inventive exercise.

Fig. 1 is a schematic water path diagram of a preheating circulation system in a normal water usage state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the waterway of the switching mechanism of FIG. 1 in a first state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the waterway of the switching mechanism of FIG. 1 in a second state;

fig. 4 is a simplified schematic of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical solutions in the present invention better understood, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and the like as used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Please refer to fig. 1 to 4. In one embodiment of the present application, a water heater 100 is provided, and the water heater 100 can be applied to, but not limited to, a preheating circulation system (also referred to as a zero-cold water system), for example, the water heater 100 can also be applied to a user normal water usage scenario. Specifically, this water heater 100 includes: a pump 13, a heating assembly 18 for heating the water, a softening mechanism 15 for softening the water.

In the present embodiment, the water heater 100 has a water return port 11' and a water outlet port 12. Wherein, the water return port 11' and the water outlet port 12 are used for connecting the circulating pipeline 20. The water (hot water) output from the water outlet 12 can be returned to the water return port 11 'through the circulation pipe 20, and the water return port 11' is used for returning the water output from the water outlet 12. The water heater 100 is applied to a preheating circulation system (zero-cooling water system) by providing a water return port 11', and in case that a user demands zero-cooling water, the water of a preheating circulation water path is driven by a pump 13 to be circularly heated to preheat water in a circulation pipe.

Of course, the water heater 100 may also have an inlet 11 for the input of cold water. In this embodiment, the water return port 11' and the water inlet port 11 share the same interface, and both may be the same component. That is, the water inlet 11 can input cold water to the water heater 100 or return water output from the water outlet when the switching mechanism is in different states. Under the condition of normal water use, cold water is input into the water inlet 11; in the preheating circulation state, the water inlet 11 inputs circulating water to form a water return port 11'. The water outlet 12 outputs the water heated by the heating assembly 18. The pump 13, the heating unit 18, and the soft water mechanism 15 are connected between the water inlet 11 (the water return port 11') and the water outlet 12.

In this embodiment, to realize that the water heater 100 has different states and meet different requirements of users, the water heater 100 further has a switching mechanism. The water heater 100 switches different operating states by the switching mechanism, and the softening mechanism 15 may or may not soften water in different operating states. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the switching mechanism is in the predetermined state, the pump 13 can drive at least a part of the water input from the water return port 11' to pass through the softening mechanism 15.

The water heater 100 provided by the embodiment can soften water by being provided with the softening mechanism 15, and meets the requirement of a user on soft water. Moreover, the water heater 100 is provided with the water outlet 12 and the water return port 11' which are used for being connected with the circulating pipeline, can be applied to a preheating circulating system, and can soften water in a whole preheating circulating water path, so that the requirement of zero cold water of a user can be met, the requirement of the user on soft water can be met on the basis, and the use experience of the user is improved.

In addition, water heater 100 is through being equipped with the softening mechanism 15 that is used for softening water, through the water softening mechanism with the water softening in the water route, can avoid water heater 100 and preheat the inside scale deposit of circulation system, guarantee the life of machine, further ensure user's use experience.

In this embodiment, the predetermined state of the switching mechanism may have a plurality of different states, the different states may be switched with each other, the switching mechanism may be automatically switched under the control of the controller, or may be passively switched according to a user instruction, and the present application is not limited in particular. When the water heater 100 is applied to the preheating cycle system, the predetermined state of the switching mechanism of the water heater 100 in the preheating cycle state may have a plurality of different states. In a different state of the switching mechanism, at least a part of the water supplied to the water return port 11' can be softened by the softening mechanism 15, or the resin can be regenerated.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the predetermined state includes a first state, and when the switching mechanism is located in the first state, the pump 13 can drive at least a part of the water input from the water return port 11' to flow to the water outlet 12 through the softening mechanism 15 and the heating element 18. Wherein the switching mechanism establishes a first preheating circulation water path for softening and heating water in the first state, the first preheating circulation water path including a water path portion inside the water heater 100 and a circulation pipe portion outside the water heater 100. The circulation pipe 20 may be provided with a return valve 22 and connected to a water consumption point. In the preheating cycle state, the water point is in a closed state, and the return valve 22 is conducted to the circulation pipe 20 by the driving pressure of the pump 13, thereby establishing a first preheating circulation water path.

Under first state, water heater 100 can soften the water that circulates back for whole preheating circulation water route is full of demineralized water, and the user can directly use the warm water of softening when using water point, clean user's skin, has better cosmetic effect to the user. Therefore, the water with a certain temperature is circulated back, and the water with a certain temperature is softened on the basis of realizing zero cold water, so that the requirement of users on zero cold water is met, and the requirement of users on soft water can be met on the basis.

Moreover, although possessing certain circulation heating temperature under the preheating cycle state, the whole temperature in the preheating cycle water route is lower, and then softens mechanism 15 and can be applied to in preheating cycle water route environment, and can not form the damage to softening mechanism 15, can continuously soften preheating cycle water route continuously.

In the present embodiment, the softening mechanism 15 may be a resin component 15, such as a resin tank, which softens the passing water with the softening resin. To achieve regeneration of the resin assembly 15 for long term use by the user, the water heater 100 is also provided with a salt storage assembly 16 for storing softened salt. The salt storage assembly 16 is connected with the switching mechanism. By switching different states of the mechanism, whether the salt storage component 16 provides soft water salt for the resin component 15 or not is controlled, so that the regeneration of the resin is controllable.

The resin module 15 is connected upstream of the heating module 18. The resin block 15 and the pump 13 are connected to the return port 11' or between the water inlet port 11 and the water outlet port 12. In the first state of the switching mechanism, the resin unit 15 is connected upstream of the heating unit 18. The water that the water inlet 11 was imported enters into heating element 18 after the resin assembly 15 softens earlier, will pass through heating element 18's water softening, therefore, the water heater 100 that this embodiment provided softens water through resin assembly 15, reduces the hardness of water in the water heater 100 to can satisfy the demand of user to the soft water.

The soft water salt in the salt storage component 16 can be solid salt or salt solution. Specifically, the salt storage assembly comprises a salt tank. The salt case is stored with softened salt, and the salt storage component can also be provided with a water tank for dissolving salt solution of the softened salt. The water heater 100 is provided with a venturi structure 24 in communication with the water tank. The soft water salt in the salt storage module 16 is mixed into the water input from the water return port 11 ', and the water can enter the water input from the water return port 11 ' through the salt solution, or the solid soft water salt can be dissolved into the water input from the water return port 11 ', and the application is not limited to the only application.

In this embodiment, the salt tank stores solid soft salt for easy replacement by a user, and the salt storage assembly 16 further includes a water tank communicating with the salt tank, wherein the water in the water tank dissolves the salt in the salt tank to form a saturated salt solution. The water tank is connected with a venturi structure 24 through a connecting pipe, and the inside of the venturi structure 24 forms a negative pressure when water is input through the partial water return port 11 ', and sucks the salt solution into the partial water input through the water return port 11'.

In order to reduce the influence of the resin component 15 on the water pressure, the water heater 100 is provided with a pump 13 for pressurizing the water path. The pump 13 is connected between the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12. Wherein the pump 13 may be a preheating circulation pump. The resin module 15 and the salt storage module 16 are subjected to water softening and resin regeneration in a preheating cycle state. In this embodiment, the pump 13 may drive the flow of water in the preheating circulation water path, and may also overcome the resistance of the resin component 15 to water when water needs to pass through the resin component 15, so as to ensure the flow rate of water.

Specifically, when the switching mechanism is in the first state, the pump 13 drives the water input from the water inlet 11 to sequentially pass through the resin assembly 15 and the heating assembly 18, so as to soften and heat the water. The pump 13 may be connected downstream of the resin module 15 or the heating module 18, or may be connected upstream of the resin module 15 or the heating module 18. In this embodiment, the pump 13 is connected upstream of the resin assembly 15, so that the influence of the negative pressure generated by the suction action of the pump 13 on the resin assembly 15 can be avoided, the resin tank can be prevented from being damaged by the negative pressure, and the resin assembly 15 is ensured not to be damaged. Moreover, the resin assembly 15 provided by this embodiment still softens the circulating water with a certain temperature under the preheating circulation, so as to provide soft water to the user on the basis of meeting the requirement of zero cold water of the user, and the soft water is used to clean the skin of the user, thereby achieving the beautifying effect of the user.

In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 19 is further disposed between the water inlet 11 and the pump 13. According to the return water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 19, (the controller of) the water heater 100 may control the switching mechanism to switch to the target state. In the preheating cycle state, the controller controls the heating power of the heating unit 18 according to the preheating cycle temperature, drives the pump 13 to operate, switches the switching mechanism to the first state, softens the preheating cycle water path, and preheats the resin unit 15. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 19 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the controller controls the switching mechanism to switch to the second state, and the resin regeneration is performed on the resin assembly 15. The switching mechanism may be in the first state when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, and may be in other states, for example, the switching mechanism may be in a fourth state described below.

In the present embodiment, in order to increase the salt effect of the softening module (the softening module includes the resin module and the salt storage module), the amount of softened water of the resin assembly 15 is increased, and the predetermined state may include the second state. As shown in fig. 2, when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump 13 can drive at least a part of the water supplied from the water return port 11' to mix with the softened salt in the salt storage unit 16, thereby regenerating the resin in the resin unit 15. In the resin regeneration process, the flow direction of water in the resin unit 15 is opposite to the flow direction of water in the softening process (i.e., the flow direction of water in the resin unit 15 with the switching mechanism in the first state), so that the resin regeneration process is also a back flush process.

The resin component 15 and the salt storage component 16 are communicated through a pipeline to form a regeneration pipeline 34, and the switching mechanism is used for communicating the regeneration pipeline 34 with the preheating circulating water circuit under the second state, so that at least part of water in the preheating circulating water circuit is introduced into the regeneration pipeline 34, and the resin component 15 is backwashed to realize resin regeneration. The switching mechanism is in the water path formed in the second state, the salt storage assembly 16 is located at the upstream of the resin assembly 15, water entering the resin assembly 15 can be mixed with soft salt, and resin regeneration is realized by back flushing the resin assembly 15 by the water mixed with the soft salt.

In order to avoid affecting the water quality in the preheating circulation water path, the resin block 15 is also communicated with a drain line 32, so that the washing water after washing the resin block 15 is discharged out of the water heater 100 during the resin regeneration process. The drain line 32 is provided with a valve (e.g., the second switching valve 14 described below) by which the drain line 32 is opened and closed, so that the drain line 32 is disconnected from the resin block 15 when the resin block 15 softens water, and the valve is opened to communicate with the resin block 15 during the resin regeneration process, thereby discharging the water passing through the resin block 15 to the outside. A drain opening may also be provided in the water heater 100. The drain line 32 communicates the switching mechanism with the drain port. The switching mechanism is in different states to connect or disconnect the drainage pipeline 32 and the resin assembly 15 and the pipeline 33 and the regeneration pipeline 34, so that the on-off control of the whole resin regeneration pipeline 34 and the preheating circulation water channel is realized.

As shown in fig. 3, the water entering the regeneration line 34 is a part of the water in the circulation water path branched off by the switching mechanism, and the part of the water backflushes the resin unit 15. Accordingly, cold water also enters the preheat circulation circuit during the preheat cycle, supplementing the circulation circuit with water diverted to the regeneration line 34.

The water heater 100 that this embodiment provided is integrated with resin subassembly 15 and salt storage subassembly 16, and the switching mechanism is through having the second state, realizes carrying out the resin regeneration of resin subassembly 15 under preheating the circulation state, mixes the demineralized salt into through the warm water that preheating circulation water route provided and carries out the resin regeneration to resin subassembly 15, can reduce the consumption to the demineralized salt when the resin regenerates to correspond the demineralized salt of the same amount, the water yield that this embodiment can soften is more, thereby can effectively promote salt effect. In addition, the water temperature in the preheating circulation state water channel is not too high, so that the resin of the resin component 15 cannot be damaged, and the normal use of a user is ensured. This effect can also be seen in table one below:

TABLE-comparison of salt Effect at different Water temperatures

When the switching mechanism has the first state, the preheating circulation water path formed by the first state can preheat the resin assembly 15 and raise the resin assembly 15 to a proper temperature, so that a resin regeneration environment with a proper temperature can be provided during subsequent resin regeneration, and salt efficiency is correspondingly improved. The water heater 100 provided by the embodiment can have a better salt effect by combining the first state and the second state, and finally, the softened water amount is effectively increased.

In order to maintain the continuous preheating cycle, when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump 13 can also drive a part of the water input from the water return port 11' to flow to the water outlet 12 after being heated by the heating element 18. And when the switching mechanism is in the second state, a second preheating circulating water path can be formed, the second preheating circulating water path is communicated with the regeneration pipeline 34, and part of water in the second preheating circulating water path is shunted by the switching mechanism and then enters the regeneration pipeline 34 to back flush the resin assembly 15. When the switching mechanism is in the second state, the water in the second preheating circulation water path is not softened by the resin assembly 15, that is, the resin assembly 15 does not soften the water when the switching mechanism is in the second state.

Compared with the first preheating circulation water path established by the switching mechanism in the first state, the resin assembly 15 in the second preheating circulation water path does not soften water, and the water separated from the second preheating circulation water path backflushes the resin assembly 15 through the regeneration pipeline 34 to regenerate the resin. And in the first preheating circulation water channel, the resin component 15 is connected in series in the circulation water channel to soften the water in the first preheating circulation water channel, so that the requirement of a user on soft water is met.

In this embodiment, the water heater 100 includes a water inlet 11. The heating unit 18, the pump 13, the resin unit 15, and the switching mechanism are connected between the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12. The switching mechanism has a third state, and when the switching mechanism is in the third state, the pump 13 can drive at least part of the water input from the water inlet 11 to be softened through the resin assembly 15 and heated by the heating assembly 18.

The third state may correspond to a normal water consumption state of the user (as shown in fig. 1), the user opens the water consumption point, the switching mechanism is switched to the third state to form a normal water consumption waterway, tap water (cold water) input from the water inlet 11 is softened by the resin component 15 and heated by the heating component 18, and finally softened hot water is discharged through the water outlet 12 and discharged through the water consumption point, thereby supplying softened hot water to the user.

In the water heater 100, the internal softening and heating water paths formed when the switching mechanism is in the first state or the third state may be the same or different, and the present application is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the water inlet 11 and the water return 11' are the same component, and at this time, the switching mechanism is in the same state (for example, the valve position) when it is in the first state or the third state, but the formed water path for water use is different from the first preheating circulation water path. The water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12 are used for connecting a circulating pipeline 20 provided with a water return valve 22. The water output from the water outlet 12 can flow back to the water inlet 11 through the circulation pipeline 20. In other embodiments, the water inlet 11 and the water return 11 'may be different components, and the water return 11' realizes the return of the water output from the water outlet 12 by connecting the circulating pipe 20 or a water return pipe.

In this embodiment, the circulation pipe 20 may include a hot water pipe 21 connected to the water outlet 12, and a cold water pipe 23 connected to the water inlet 11, and the cold water pipe 23 is in communication with a water inlet pipe (typically a tap water service pipe). The return valve 22 connects the hot water pipe 21 and the cold water pipe 23. The water return valve 22 may be a constant pressure water return valve 22, and may be connected to a water mixing valve (e.g., a faucet, a shower head, etc.) of a water consumption point. The return valve 22 is driven by the pump 13 to communicate the hot water pipe 21 with the cold water pipe 23, thereby forming a circulation water path. Accordingly, the pump 13 of the water heater 100 can not only overcome the resistance through the resin member 15 when softening the water, but also drive the water circulation flow of the entire preheating circulation water path.

In this embodiment, the switching mechanism further has a fourth state. When the switching mechanism is in the fourth state, the pump 13 drives the water input from the water return port 11' to flow to the water outlet 12 after being heated by the heating component 18. In this embodiment, the water input from the water return port 11' may not be softened by the resin component 15, and may be heated by the heating component 18 and then discharged, and at this time, the preheating circulation water path established by the switching mechanism is not communicated with the resin component 15.

In this embodiment, the switching mechanism can be a valve structure, and it can be for connecting a plurality of ooff valves on different pipelines, realizes establishing the water route of different functions through the break-make of controlling this pipeline, and of course, this switching mechanism still can be the multi-ported valve, realizes the break-make between the different pipelines through connecting different ports to establish the water route of different functions. The present application does not limit the number and types of valves in the switching mechanism, and the water path having the function described in the embodiments of the present application may be established.

Specifically, the switching mechanism includes a first switching valve 17 and a second switching valve 14. The first switching valve 17 includes a first valve element that is operable, an a port connected to an output end of the pump 13, a B port connected to a first connection end of the resin assembly 15, a C port connected to an input end of the salt storage assembly 16 (an input end of the venturi structure 24), and a D port connected to an input end of the heating assembly 18. The second switching valve 14 includes an operable second valve body, a first port 1 connected to an output end of the pump 13, a second port 2 connected to the drain line 32, and a third port 3 connected to a second connection end of the resin block 15.

As shown in fig. 2, when the switching mechanism is in the first state, the first spool is located at a position where the B port and the D port communicate with each other, and the second spool is located at a position where the first port 1 and the third port 3 communicate with each other.

As shown in fig. 3, when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the first spool is positioned to communicate the port a with the port C and the port D, and the second spool is positioned to communicate the port 2 with the port 3.

In the normal water usage state, the switching mechanism may be in a third state. Accordingly, the return valve 22 disconnects the hot water pipe and the cold water pipe and supplies water to the mixing valve at the water consumption point, and the water consumption end outputs mixed water. As shown in fig. 1, at this time, the first spool is located at a position to communicate the B port with the D port, and the second spool is located at a position to communicate the first port 1 with the third port 3.

It can be seen that, when the water return port 11' and the water inlet port 11 are the same member, the third state of the switching mechanism is the same as the first state, but the modes of the water heater 100 corresponding to the third state and the first state of the switching mechanism are different. For the water heater 100, the switching mechanism is in the first state, the water heater 100 is in the preheating circulation mode (at this time, the water consumption point does not use water), and in the third state, the water heater 100 is in the normal water consumption mode (at this time, the water consumption point uses water), and accordingly, the target temperature of the hot water supplied by the water heater 100 through the heating assembly 18 is different.

The water heater 100 provided by the embodiment can select water paths with different functions as desired. For example, in the normal water using stage, the water heated in the water heater 100 may be water softened by the resin assembly 15, or may be water not softened by the resin assembly 15 (i.e., water input from the water inlet 11), for example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3, the first port 17 and the D port are connected, and the second port 1 and the second port 2 are blocked by the second switching valve 14 (the second switching valve 14 is in a closed state), so that the resin assembly 15 can be avoided, the water input from the water inlet 11 directly enters the heating assembly 18 to be heated, and then the hot water is discharged to the outside through the water outlet 12. Of course, the switching mechanism in this state is in the preheating circulation state, so that the fourth state can be formed, that is, when the switching mechanism is in the fourth state, the first switching valve 17 connects the port a and the port D, and the second switching valve 14 blocks the first port 1, the second port 2, and the third port 3, so that the water at the return port directly enters the heating assembly 18 to be heated, and then is discharged to the outside through the water outlet 12 to the circulation pipe 20.

In one embodiment, when the switching mechanism is in the predetermined state, the pump 13 can drive at least a portion of the water heated by the heating assembly 18 to a predetermined temperature to mix with the softened salt in the salt storage assembly 16 and regenerate the resin of the resin assembly 15. The water at the predetermined temperature may provide the resin assembly 15 with a preferred resin regeneration temperature environment, increasing the resin regeneration rate and thus the salt efficiency. The specific effects can be seen in table one above.

In this embodiment, the predetermined temperature may be 30 to 50 degrees celsius. The water heater 100 may be used in a pre-heat cycle system, and the predetermined temperature may include a pre-heat cycle temperature, such that the water heated by the heating assembly 18 to the predetermined temperature may be the water returning from the pre-heat cycle water circuit. At this time, the switching mechanism can establish a water path in which water heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating unit 18 passes through the salt storage unit 16 and the resin unit 15 in this order to regenerate the resin in the second state.

In addition, the water heater 100 is also provided with a water return pipe separately, and the water outlet 12 or the return port is communicated through the water return pipe, so that the resin component 15 is backwashed by the water heated to the preset temperature by the heating component 18 to regenerate the resin. The single-pipe circulation can be realized when the water heater 100 is applied to a preheating circulation system, a water return pipe does not need to be additionally arranged, the manufacture and the installation are convenient, and the water heater has better application prospect.

In this embodiment, the water heater 100 may be an electric water heater 100 or a gas water heater 100. Preferably, the water heater 100 is a gas water heater 100 and the heating assembly 18 includes a heat exchanger and a burner. The combustor exchanges heat with the heat exchanger through high-temperature flue gas formed by combustion, and therefore water in the heat exchanger is heated.

The water heater 100 includes a housing; the heating assembly 18, the pump 13, and the resin assembly 15 are located inside the housing. To facilitate the user's knowledge of the amount of soft water salt used and the user's operation, the salt storage assembly 16 includes a salt tank disposed outside the housing. Further, soft water salt inside the salt tank may be added or the salt tank may be replaced. The user adds soft water salt or changes the salt case and adds soft water salt through adding soft water salt in to the salt case, realizes going on continuously of soft water, convenience of customers operation. Specifically, the shell can be provided with a quick connector, and the salt box can be replaced through the quick connector. The salt case communicates a venturi structure 24, utilizes the negative pressure effect that venturi structure 24 formed, with the aquatic that the saline solution suction entered switching mechanism branch outflow, carries out resin regeneration to resin subassembly 15 again. Accordingly, cold water also enters the preheat circulation circuit during the preheat cycle, supplementing the circulation circuit with water diverted to the regeneration line 34.

In this application, the water heater 100 is not limited to the gas water heater 100, and may be a wall-hanging stove, for example, in other embodiments, the water heater 100 may be an electric water heater 100. The water heater 100 includes a liner in the housing. The resin component 15 and the switching mechanism are positioned outside the inner container. The heating assembly 18 may be a heating rod that extends into the bladder.

Based on the same concept, the utility model also provides a control method of preheating circulation system, water heater, as described in the following embodiments. Because the principle of the preheating circulation system and the control method of the water heater for solving the problems and the technical effect which can be obtained are similar to those of the water heater 100, the implementation of the preheating circulation system and the control method of the water heater can be referred to the implementation of the water heater 100, and repeated details are not repeated. The term "module" used below may be implemented based on software, or based on hardware, or implemented by a combination of software and hardware.

Please continue to refer to fig. 1 to 4. The present application further provides a preheating circulation system, which may include the water heater 100 and the circulation pipe 20 provided in any of the above embodiments. Specifically, the preheating circulation system includes: a water heater 100 having a water outlet 12 and a water return port 11 ', and a circulation pipe 20 connecting the water outlet 12 and the water return port 11'.

The water heater 100 includes: a heating assembly 18 for heating water, a pump 13, a softening mechanism 15 for softening water, a switching mechanism; the water return port 11' is used for inputting the water output by the water outlet 12. The heating component 18, the pump 13, the softening mechanism 15 and the switching mechanism are connected between the water outlet 12 and the water return port 11'; when the switching mechanism is in a predetermined state, the pump 13 can drive at least part of the water input from the water return port 11' to pass through the softening mechanism 15.

The predetermined state includes a first state, and when the switching mechanism is located in the first state, the pump 13 can drive at least a portion of the water input from the water return port 11 'to pass through the softening mechanism 15 and the heating element 18 to heat and flow to the water outlet 12, and then return to the water return port 11' through the circulation pipe 20.

Wherein the switching mechanism establishes a first preheating circulation water path for softening and heating water in the first state, the first preheating circulation water path including a water path portion inside the water heater 100 and a circulation pipe portion outside the water heater 100. The circulation pipe 20 may be provided with a return valve 22 and connected to a water consumption point. In the preheating cycle state, the water point is in a closed state, and the return valve 22 is conducted to the circulation pipe 20 by the driving pressure of the pump 13, thereby establishing a first preheating circulation water path. In the first preheating circulation water path, the returned water sequentially passes through the water return port 11', the pump 13, the softening mechanism 15 and the heating assembly 18, and is finally output to the circulation pipeline from the water outlet 12.

The softening mechanism 15 comprises a resin component 15, and the water heater 100 further comprises a salt storage component 16 for storing softened salt, wherein the salt storage component 16 is connected with the switching mechanism. The preset state comprises a second state, when the switching mechanism is located in the second state, the pump 13 can drive at least part of water input from the water return port 11' to be mixed into softened salt in the salt storage component 16 and carry out resin regeneration on the resin component 15, and meanwhile, the pump can also drive part of water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating component and then return to the water return port through the circulating pipeline.

And when the switching mechanism is in a second state, a second preheating circulating water path can be formed, the second preheating circulating water path is communicated with the regeneration pipeline 34, and part of water in the second preheating circulating water path is shunted by the switching mechanism and then enters the regeneration pipeline 34 to back flush the resin assembly 15. When the switching mechanism is in the second state, the water in the second preheating circulation water path is not softened by the resin assembly 15, that is, the resin assembly 15 does not soften the water when the switching mechanism is in the second state.

An embodiment of the present application provides a control method of a water heater, where the water heater 100 includes: the water heating device comprises a water outlet 12, a water return port 11', a heating assembly 18 for heating water, a pump 13, a softening mechanism 15 for softening water and a switching mechanism; the heating assembly 18, the pump 13, the softening mechanism 15 and the switching mechanism are connected between the water outlet 12 and the water return port 11'. Of course, the control method of the water heater can be applied to the water heater in any of the above embodiments.

The control method comprises the following steps: controlling the pump 13 to operate and enabling the switching mechanism to be in a preset state so as to establish a preheating circulating water path; the water return port 11' returns the water output from the water outlet 12 through the preheating circulating water path; the pump 13 can drive at least part of the water input from the water return port 11' to pass through the softening mechanism 15.

When the temperature of the input water at the water return port 11' is higher than a predetermined temperature, the switching mechanism is switched to a second state. When the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump 13 can drive at least a part of the water input from the water return port 11 'to pass through the softening mechanism 15 and the heating element 18 for heating and flowing to the water return port 11'. Meanwhile, the pump 13 can drive at least part of the water input from the water return port 11' to mix into the softened salt in the salt storage component 16 and regenerate the resin of the resin component 15. Wherein the temperature of the input water can be measured by a temperature sensor 19, and the predetermined temperature is 30-50 ℃.

In this control method, the control switching mechanism may be in the first state or the fourth state when the temperature of the water input to the water return port 11' is lower than a predetermined temperature.

Specifically, when the switching mechanism is in the first state, the pump 13 can drive at least a part of the water input from the water return port 11 'to pass through the softening mechanism 15 and the heating unit 18 to be heated and flow to the water return port 11'.

When the switching mechanism is in the fourth state, the pump 13 drives the water input from the water return port 11' to flow to the water outlet 12 after being heated by the heating component 18. In the fourth state, the water input from the water return port 11' is not softened by the resin component 15, and is heated by the heating component 18 and then discharged, and at this time, the preheating circulation water path established by the switching mechanism is not communicated with the resin component 15.

Any numerical value recited herein includes all values from the lower value to the upper value that are incremented by one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. For example, if it is stated that the number of a component or a value of a process variable (e.g., temperature, pressure, time, etc.) is from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, and more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that equivalents such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 are also expressly enumerated in this specification. For values less than 1, one unit is suitably considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1. These are only examples of what is intended to be explicitly recited, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value that are explicitly recited in the specification in a similar manner are to be considered.

Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges include the endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of "about" or "approximately" with a range applies to both endpoints of the range. Thus, "about 20 to about 30" is intended to cover "about 20 to about 30", including at least the endpoints specified.

All articles and references disclosed, including patent applications and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term "consisting essentially of …" describing a combination shall include the identified element, ingredient, component or step as well as other elements, ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to describe combinations of elements, components, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of such elements, components, or steps. By using the term "may" herein, it is intended to indicate that any of the described attributes that "may" include are optional.

A plurality of elements, components, parts or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, component, part or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, component, part or step may be divided into separate plural elements, components, parts or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "an" to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose other elements, ingredients, components or steps.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many embodiments and many applications other than the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the present teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the foregoing claims of any aspect of the subject matter that is disclosed herein is not intended to forego such subject matter, nor should the inventors be construed as having contemplated such subject matter as being part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A water heater, comprising: the water-saving water dispenser comprises a water outlet, a water return port, a heating assembly for heating water, a pump, a softening mechanism for softening water and a switching mechanism; the water return port and the water outlet are used for connecting a circulating pipeline;

2. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a first condition, and wherein the switching mechanism is in the first condition, and wherein the pump is configured to drive at least a portion of the water input from the water return port through the softening mechanism and the heating element and to the water outlet port.

3. The water heater as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the softening mechanism includes a resin assembly, the water heater further comprising a salt storage assembly for storing softened salt, the salt storage assembly being connected to the switching mechanism.

4. The water heater according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined state includes a second state, and when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump is capable of driving at least a portion of the water input from the water return port to mix with softened salt in the salt storage component and regenerate the resin in the resin component.

5. The water heater as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the pump is further capable of driving a portion of the water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating element.

6. The water heater of claim 3, wherein the pump and the resin component are disposed between the water return port and the heating component.

7. The water heater as recited in claim 3 wherein said pump is disposed upstream of said resin assembly.

8. The water heater as claimed in claim 7, wherein a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the returned water is provided between the pump and the water return port.

9. The water heater as recited in claim 3 wherein the water heater includes a housing; the heating assembly, the pump, and the resin assembly are located inside the housing; the salt storage assembly comprises a salt box arranged outside the shell.

10. The water heater of claim 3, further comprising a water inlet, wherein the heating assembly, the pump, the resin assembly, and the switching mechanism are connected between the water inlet and the water outlet; the switching mechanism has a third state, and when the switching mechanism is located in the third state, the pump can drive at least part of water input by the water inlet to be softened by the resin component and heated by the heating component.

11. The water heater of claim 10, wherein the water inlet and the water return are of the same structure; the water inlet and the water outlet are used for being connected with a circulating pipeline provided with a water return valve; the water output by the water outlet can flow back to the water inlet through the circulating pipeline.

12. The water heater as recited in claim 3 wherein said pump is capable of driving at least a portion of said heating assembly to heat water to a predetermined temperature to mix with softened salt in said salt storage assembly and regenerate resin from said resin assembly.

13. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the water heater is a gas water heater; the heating assembly includes a burner, and a heat exchanger.

14. The water heater as claimed in claim 1 or 10, wherein the switching mechanism further has a fourth state, and when the switching mechanism is in the fourth state, the pump drives the water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating element.

15. The water heater as recited in claim 5 wherein said switching mechanism comprises a first switching valve and a second switching valve;

16. A pre-heat cycle system, comprising: the water heater comprises a water outlet, a water return port and a circulating pipeline connected with the water outlet and the water return port;

17. The pre-heating cycle system as recited in claim 16, wherein the predetermined state comprises a first state, and when the switching mechanism is in the first state, the pump is capable of driving at least a portion of the water input from the water return port to pass through the softening mechanism and the heating element to heat and flow to the water outlet port, and then to return to the water return port through the circulation pipeline.

18. The pre-heat cycle system as recited in claim 16 wherein the softening mechanism comprises a resin assembly, the water heater further comprising a salt storage assembly for storing softened salt, the salt storage assembly being coupled to the switching mechanism; the preset state comprises a second state, the switching mechanism is located in the second state, the pump can drive at least part of water input from the water return port to be mixed into softened salt in the salt storage assembly and carry out resin regeneration on the resin assembly, meanwhile, the pump can also drive part of water input from the water return port to flow to the water outlet after being heated by the heating assembly, and then the water is returned to the water return port through the circulating pipeline.