TWI526657B - Device for heating water and providing a hot water supply, and method for operating such a device - Google Patents

Description

Device for heating water and providing hot water supply, and operation method of the device

The present invention relates to a device for heating water and providing a hot water supply, which has a water tank and a heating means for heating the water supply existing in the water tank, wherein the water tank has a water supply portion and a water outflow portion, wherein The water outflow portion additionally serves as a hot water outflow portion and a cold water outflow portion.

This type of device to be discussed below is known. These devices are particularly suitable for use in kitchen or bathroom areas to provide hot water, and more particularly to water points such as kitchen sinks or washbasins. Such a device contains a sink into which cold water from the main water source of the house is supplied to provide hot water. Since the heating means acts indirectly or directly on the water supply in the water tank to a predetermined temperature selected by the user, the cold water in the water tank is heated. Moreover, such devices have the form of so-called water heaters under the sink. These devices primarily provide a supply of hot water, wherein the sink is always full and, due to the temperature sensing side, the heating means maintains the water in the sink at a predetermined temperature. Such a device has proven to be unsuitable, especially its energy efficiency, since it is generally necessary to heat the water in the water tank for several hours. Therefore, other devices are designed to heat the sink when hot water is required. The heating means acting thereon can heat a large amount of cold water to meet the requirements of a predetermined temperature. The sink of such a device is inserted into a standard cold water supply pipe such that the sink itself more or less represents a portion of the cold water supply pipe. If only cold water is required in the system, the cold water will flow through the water supply portion and enter the water tank, and the water will flow out of the tank through the water outflow portion to enter the water supply point.

Regarding the above prior art, the present invention has a technical problem in that its energy efficiency is not good, so such a device must be further improved.

By applying the subject matter of the first paragraph of the patent, the above problem can be solved first and foremost, relying on the fact that the water supply pipe leads to the water outflow pipe and fills the sink by turning off the water flow downstream of the discharge opening. . The inflowing water flows through the water outflow pipe in the water circuit pipe in the direction of the discharge of the discharge opening of the pipe. According to this configuration, a device is produced which is capable of improving energy efficiency. Since the supply water pipe leads to the water outflow pipe, cold water does not (at least not directly) flow through the water tank when only cold water is taken. Rather, the cold water flows directly out of the water supply portion connected to the domestic water pipe in a bypass mode, and flows into the water outflow portion directly connected to the recovery position. By providing a shutter at the downstream of the discharge opening of the water supply portion into the water outflow portion, the water tank can be filled after the shutter is correspondingly activated. Therefore, the water is heated and the hot water supply is provided only when needed, preferably when the user activates the shutter in a targeted manner. In a preferred arrangement, this mode obtains a back pressure in the cold water flowing through the water supply into the water outflow, and this back pressure fills the sink. Preferably, after the water in the water tank is correspondingly heated, the shutter is then opened, so that it can flow out through the hot water outflow portion, and the hot water outflow portion also serves as a cold water outflow portion, wherein the water tank is preferably It is completely empty. According to this configuration, the water tank is specifically designed to heat the amount of water previously selected by the user as needed. This is capable of combating bacterial contamination, particularly on the inner and bottom regions of the sink.

Other features of the present invention, as well as features of other objects of the scope of the claims or the scope of the claims. However, it is also important to combine the individual characteristics of item 1 or other items in the scope of the patent application.

Another preferred configuration of the subject matter of the present invention extends the water supply tube into the water outflow tube to create an open cross-section that forms an outflow opening between the water supply tube and the water outflow tube. In another preferred configuration, the water supply tube extends axially into the water outflow tube to a certain extent, and the axial extent preferably corresponds to 0.5 to 3 times (more preferably 1 to 1.5 times). The outer diameter of the water supply pipe. In this way, it is more preferable to ensure that when only the cold water is taken, the cold water can flow through the water supply portion in a direct manner into the water outflow portion and reach the water supply point (by bypassing the water tank) via the water outflow portion. An opening section formed between the water pipe of the water supply portion and the water pipe of the water outflow portion, in a preferred configuration, uses a tubular pipe having a circular shape. In this case, the area of the opening profile is selected to enable filling of the sink via the defined outflow opening, and the sink can be filled to a predetermined height within a reasonable amount of time after the shutter is properly activated. Therefore, the open profile is selected such that, due to the back pressure, the water passage into the water tank relative to the water flow per unit time corresponds to 0.3 to 1 times (preferably 0.5 to 0.7 times) when the cold water is separately taken. Water flow per unit time. As a result, this configuration facilitates rapid filling of the sink. Therefore, in the text of the present specification, it is further proposed that the outer diameter of the water supply pipe entering the water outflow pipe corresponds to an inner diameter of the water outflow pipe of 0.5 to 0.9 times (preferably 0.7 to 0.8 times). . In this regard, more preferably, the water supply pipe is concentrically opened with the water outflow pipe such that an annular opening profile is formed between the water pipes. The outflow opening of the sink serves as an inlet for the process of filling the sink. Therefore, the opening on the side of the sink has a dual function.

In another preferred configuration, the water supply tube passes through the sink and, preferably, is contoured relative to the center of the sink. Therefore, when the water tank is filled, and during the subsequent heating process, the water supply pipe is surrounded by the medium to be heated, and as a result, between the water column appearing in the water supply pipe and the amount of water that can enter the water tank occurs. Heat exchange. Therefore, preferably, during the heating process, the water column present in the water supply pipe is also heated to at least the desired temperature of the water level in the water tank. In this case, the water supply pipe (especially the area through which it passes through the water tank) is preferably made of a material that is thermally conductive (for example, made of relatively thin-walled copper or plastic, the wall thickness of which is for example It is 1mm to 2mm).

In another preferred configuration, a stop valve is provided to the water supply pipe. Thereby, after the shutter which is disposed behind the outflow opening of the water tank in the flow direction is properly closed, the water supply for filling the water tank can be obtained by the cold water supply being closed. This stop valve adjusts the corresponding supply when only cold water is drawn.

An additional closure downstream of the outlet of the sink may preferably also be formed in the form of a stop valve. Preferably, the stop valve cooperates with a stop valve for the cold water supply to fill the sink and empty the sink.

The present invention relates to a method of operating a device for heating water and providing a hot water supply, wherein the device has a water tank, a water supply portion, and a water outflow portion, wherein the water supply pipe is discharged to the water outflow pipe, and the stop The valve is disposed in the water supply pipe so that it is located before the discharge opening in the flow direction, and is disposed in the water outflow pipe so as to be located behind the discharge opening in the flow direction.

In order to further improve the method of the present invention, the filling of the water tank is performed by the back pressure of the water supply under the flow opening into the water outflow pipe due to the shutdown of the water outflow pipe. Therefore, preferably, in order to fill the water tank, the water outflow portion as the cold water outflow portion is turned off, for example, by appropriately activating the stop valve. Preferably, two stop valves are provided here, one for regulating the supply of cold water and the other for filling and draining the tanks, these valves being coupled together in another preferred configuration, in particular Fill and empty the sink. Further, the stop valves may be electromagnetically actuated valves, wherein preferably, the activation of the stop valve that produces the back pressure is coupled to the activation of the stop valve for regulating the supply of cold water. Preferably, when the maximum predetermined water level is reached within the sink, the cold water supply is automatically turned off by turning off the corresponding closing means. In this regard, for example, a suitable inductor is additionally provided in the sink, and in a simpler configuration, the inductor is in the form of a float. The sensor is designed to generate a signal that, in a preferred configuration, is used to control a stop valve in the cold water supply pipe. Moreover, preferably, the stop valve in the water outflow tube remains in the closed position. After the hot or cold water extraction in the open position is completed, preferably, the hot water is completely removed, causing the tank to be drained next. In particular, in the case of drawing cold water, it is not necessary to flush the water tank, preferably by closing the valve disposed in the water supply pipe. Thus, in a preferred configuration, after the corresponding hot or cold water is removed, the system is in a dry state and is located downstream of the cold water supply valve. Therefore, no residual amount of water remains in the sink in the section of the associated stop valve or water supply pipe behind the outflow pipe. Alternatively, by closing the two valve bodies, it is further preferred to subject these valve bodies to coupling control to shut off the water supply.

Other features of the present invention, as well as features of other objects of the scope of the claims or the scope of the claims. However, it is also important to apply for individual features of item 6 or other items of the patent scope.

Therefore, according to the method of the present invention, in a preferred configuration, the water outflow opening disposed in the water tank upstream of the discharge opening of the water supply pipe into the water outflow pipe is sized to pass only the water supply (also That is, it is preferable that when cold water passes, a suction effect can be generated with respect to the water tank. Therefore, the cold water flowing through the water supply pipe to the water outflow pipe produces a so-called water jet pump effect. In this configuration, the water supply tube extends into the water outflow tube leaving a preferably annular opening profile that forms an outflow opening between the water supply tube and the water outflow tube. Through this preferably annular opening profile, the flowing water supply will cause residual moisture to exit the bottom region of the sink due to the negative pressure effect.

Unless otherwise indicated in the examples, the numerical ranges of the various indications also include all intermediate values, i.e., particularly limited to 1/10 advanced values or other limit values from the lower and/or upper limits. In this context, "and" means that the upper and lower limits are moved by one tenth toward the limit, that is, both the upper and lower limits are reduced.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one exemplary embodiment.

Figure 1 is primarily shown and described as a device 1 for heating water and providing a supply of hot water.

The device 1 first has a water tank 2. The water tank 2 has a trough bottom 3 and a surrounding trough wall 4, and the trough wall extends perpendicular to the plane of the trough bottom 3. The groove wall 4 receives the groove cover 5 such that the groove cover 5 is vertically spaced from the groove bottom 3, and the groove cover 5 extends in a plane extending at right angles to the height of the groove wall 4.

Preferably, the trough 2 has a concentric arrangement in which the vertical axis x of the trough 2 is aligned parallel to the vertical extension of the trough wall 4. Alternatively, the sink 2 has a polygonal profile, for example a square shape.

The trough bottom 3 extends at an angle relative to the center of the ground, preferably at an angle a of about 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal. The heating means 6 is disposed on the bottom side of the groove bottom 3. In a preferred configuration, the heating means 6 takes the form of a resistive heater. Moreover, preferably, the heating means 6 has a conductor track which is laid on the dielectric forming the isolation layer. Preferably, the resistive conductor tracks are applied to the dielectric layer by screen printing using a ceramic slurry, wherein, more preferably, the conductor tracks are concentrically arranged with reference to the vertical axis x. More preferably, the trough bottom 3 is a component of the heating means 6. For this purpose, the trough bottom 3 is formed of a stainless steel plate with a dielectric layer with conductor tracks laid on the bottom side.

In order to adjust the temperature, preferably, the measuring inductor 7 is provided in the form of an NTC element having a resistance of, for example, 10,000 ohms. An outflow opening 8 is provided in the center of the trough bottom 3. This outflow opening 8 is formed by a free internal cross section of the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10. The water outflow pipe 9 is joined to the groove bottom 3 in a sealed manner, leaving an outflow opening 8, wherein the free end of the water pipe 9 is flush with the surface of the groove bottom 3 facing the inside of the water tank.

The water outflow pipe 9 leads to an unshown water supply point location.

Moreover, a water pipe 11 for the water supply portion 12 is provided. This water pipe 11 (preferably the water pipe 9 is also formed) is formed as a water pipe having a circular cross section. The water pipe 11 passes concentrically through the water tank 2, thereby aligning the water pipe axis with the vertical axis x of the water tank 2. Therefore, the water pipe 11 passes through the tank cover 5 and is immersed in the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10 with its vertically downward free end. The outer diameter of the water pipe 11 of the water supply portion 12 corresponds to the inner diameter in the illustrated embodiment of the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10 to about 0.8 times. Therefore, in the case where the discharge opening of the water pipe 11 is concentrically disposed in the water pipe 9, an annular opening cross section is formed in the region of the outflow opening 8.

The amount of the water pipe 11 of the water supply portion 12 immersed in the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10 is c, and this amount c corresponds to the outer diameter of the water pipe 11 by about 1.3 times in the illustrated embodiment.

Further, a stop valve 13 is provided in the water pipe 11 of the water supply portion 12 so as to be located in front of the outflow opening 8 in the flow direction. Another stop valve 14 of the same type is disposed downstream of the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10. In the embodiment shown, the two valves are constructed to close the cover, but can also be constructed as a slide valve and/or an adjustable valve for adjusting the flow rate and flow rate.

Preferably, the two stop valves 13 and 14 can be electrically controlled, in particular electromagnetically activated, for which purpose a corresponding actuating unit 15 is provided. The actuating unit 15 acts on a stop valve, preferably on two stop valves, wherein corresponding control is automatically generated depending on the given parameters or the intervention of the user.

Referring to the flowchart shown in Fig. 7, the operation method of the device 1 will be described below.

The device 1 is interposed between the cold water supply portion of the building and the water supply point, and the water pipe 11 of the water supply portion 12 is directly connected to the cold water supply portion of the building. The apparatus 1 is further designed to be obtained from a water supply point position or a water supply unit, that is, a cold water KW usually from a cold water supply unit of the building, or a warm water WW heated in the water tank 2, which can be taken from a water supply point position.

In the initial position (indicated by the symbol G in the flowchart of Fig. 7), both the stop valve 13 and the stop valve 14 are closed. Starting from the initial position G, it is selected (indicated by S in Fig. 7) that cold water or hot water is drawn through the water supply point (not shown). Therefore, different water flows K (cold water) and/or W (hot water) are selected.

In order to extract the cold water KW, the water flowing into the device 1 through the water supply point, the stop valve 13 of the water pipe 11 of the water supply portion 12, and the stop valve 14 of the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10 are both in accordance with FIG. Illustrated and opened. Preferably, due to the coupling of the actuating means acting on the valve, and preferably via the actuating unit 15, the opening of the stop valves 13 and 14 occurs simultaneously, and the actuating unit 15 has, for example, a corresponding Move the button "cold water". Alternatively, the stop valve 13 and the stop valve 14 may also be configured to be brought close to each other, and, in another identical configuration, these stop valves may be manually actuated by hand in the form of a slide valve.

In order to stop drawing cold water, the two stop valves 13 and 14 are closed again. After that, the system returns to the initial position G.

In order to extract the hot water WW from the device 1, it is first necessary to heat the predetermined amount of water in the device 1. In this regard, the water tank 2 is first filled with inflowing water (here, cold water KW). In this regard, the stop valve 13 on the water supply side is first opened from its initial position G of valve closure, which is preferably controlled by the actuation unit 15 or manually by user intervention. The water from the water supply (cold water KW) flows through the water pipe 11 of the water supply portion 12 into the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10 via the open stop valve 13, due to the closed stop valve 14 on the water outflow side. It is blocked and, when the water supply further flows through the annular outflow opening 8 at the bottom of the trough 2, the water enters the trough. The trough 2 is continuously filled to reach the desired water level of the user, preferably to the maximum height monitored by the water level sensor 16. If the water level in the water tank 2 reaches a maximum value, a signal appropriately generated from the water level sensor 16 causes the stop of the stop valve 13 on the water supply side.

The air discharged into the water in the water tank 2 during the filling will leak to the outside through the ventilation opening 17 in the tank cover.

After the supply side stop valve 13 is closed, the water supply stored in the water tank 2 is then heated by the heating means 6 provided at the bottom. The temperature is monitored via the measuring sensor 7. If the preset or user preselected water temperature is reached, a signal appropriately generated from the measuring sensor 7 causes the heating means 6 to be turned off, at which time the warm water WW is ready to flow out.

After the stop valve 14 on the water outflow side is opened, the water begins to flow out. The stop valve 13 on the water supply side is still in the closed position.

Depending on the signal generated by the measuring sensor 7, which indicates that the selected water temperature is reached, the opening of the stop valve 14 can occur automatically in a self-starting manner. In a preferred configuration, the water is discharged from the side stop valve 14 due to user intervention, and if the valve is constructed, for example, as a sliding valve, it can be performed manually, but preferably, due to the pressing A button or the like in the area of the moving unit 15 can also be automatically performed.

Since the groove bottom 3 is formed with a slope facing the outflow opening 8, after opening the stop valve 14, all contents in the water tank 2 will flow, preferably without leaving any residue, in order to make the device 1 reaches the starting position G, and the stop valve 14 is finally closed again.

Any residual moisture in the trough 2, particularly the moisture on the trough bottom 3, is removed as part of the subsequent cold water draw due to the suction effect. The water supply from the water pipe 11 flowing through the water supply portion 12 into the water pipe 9 of the water outflow portion 10 is herein acted as a water jet pump, wherein the negative pressure is passed through the annular opening section of the outflow opening 8, At least it acts on the immediate surrounding portion of the bottom of the outflow opening 8.

All of the above features are of considerable importance to the present invention. In the description of the present invention, the disclosure of the prior art documents (previously transcripts) is associated/incorporated, and the related features are incorporated in the scope of the present patent application. The sub-items are used to emphasize the features of the case in terms of independent and inventive extensions of the prior art in order to generate a partial application based on these claims.

1. . . (heating water and setting hot water supply) device

2. . . sink

3. . . Slot bottom

4. . . Slot wall

5. . . Slot cover

6. . . Heating means

7. . . Measuring sensor

8. . . Outflow opening

9. . . (water outflow) water pipe; water outflow pipe

10. . . Water outflow

11. . . (water supply department) water pipe

12. . . Water supply department

13. . . (water supply) stop valve

14. . . (water outflow) stop valve

15. . . Actuating unit

16. . . Water level sensor

17. . . Ventilation opening

a. . . Outer diameter

b. . . the inside diameter of

c. . . (immersion) amount; immersion distance

x. . . Vertical axis

α. . . angle

G. . . initial position

K. . . Cold water selector

S. . . select

W. . . Hot water selector

KW. . . cold water

WW. . . Warm water

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the apparatus of the present invention at a position where cold water flows.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a region II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the intermediate position of the sink filling process corresponding to Figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a view subsequent to Fig. 3 showing that the water tank is filled.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the flow of stored and heated water in a water bath.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing a method for operating the apparatus of the present invention.

1. . . (heating water and setting hot water supply) device

2. . . sink

3. . . Slot bottom

4. . . Slot wall

5. . . Slot cover

6. . . Heating means

7. . . Measuring sensor

8. . . Outflow opening

9. . . (water outflow) water pipe; water outflow pipe

10. . . Water outflow

11. . . (water supply department) water pipe

12. . . Water supply department

13. . . (water supply) stop valve

14. . . (water outflow) stop valve

15. . . Actuating unit

16. . . Water level sensor

17. . . Ventilation opening

x. . . Vertical axis

α. . . angle

KW. . . cold water

Claims (7)

A device (1) for heating water and providing a hot water supply, comprising a water tank (2) and a heating means (6) equipped with a water tank (2) for heating the water supply in the water tank, wherein the water tank (2) Having a water supply portion (12) and a water outflow portion (10), wherein the water outflow portion (10) is both a hot water outflow portion and a cold water outflow portion, characterized by: for the water supply portion (12) The water pipe (11) is discharged to the water pipe (9) for the water outflow portion (10), and the water tank (2) can be filled by turning off the water outflow portion (10) downstream of the discharge opening. The device (1) of claim 1, wherein the water pipe (11) of the water supply portion (12) extends into the water pipe (9) of the water outflow portion (10) to create an opening profile, and This section forms an outflow opening (8) between the water pipe (9) of the water supply portion (12) entering the water discharge portion (10). The device (1) of claim 1, wherein the water pipe (11) of the water supply portion (12) terminates concentrically in the water pipe (9) of the water outflow portion (10). The device (1) of claim 1, wherein the water pipe (11) of the water supply portion (12) passes through the water tank (2). A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a stop valve (13) is provided for the water pipe (11) of the water supply portion (12). A method for operating a device (1) for heating water and providing a hot water supply, wherein the device (1) has a water tank (2), a water supply portion (12), and a water outflow portion (10), wherein the water supply The water pipe (11) of the part (12) is discharged to the water pipe of the water outflow part (10) (9) Further, a stop valve (13) is provided in the water pipe (11) of the water supply portion (12) so as to be located before the discharge opening in the flow direction, and the water pipe in the water outflow portion (10) (9) The stop valve (14) is disposed in the flow direction after the discharge opening, and is characterized in that: due to the water pipe (9) of the water outflow portion (10) being closed, the flow through the outflow opening (8) is utilized. The back pressure of the water supply in the water pipe (9) entering the water outflow portion (10) is filled in the water tank (2). The operation method of claim 6, wherein the water outlet (8) of the water supply portion (12) is disposed at an outlet opening (8) downstream of the discharge of the water pipe (9) of the water discharge portion (10). The size is set to: when only the supply water passes, the suction effect can be obtained with respect to the water tank (2).