TWI526658B - Storage water heater with instant hot water supply and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneous heat supply and control method thereof

The present invention relates to an electric water heater, and in particular to a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water and a control method thereof.

The traditional heat storage type electric water heater adopts a full-fill design, the water inlet is at the bottom of the water storage tank, and the water outlet is above the water storage tank. Before use, wait for the cold water to fill the entire storage tank, and the heater is completely immersed in the fluid to be energized and heated. After the temperature of the whole storage bucket reaches the set temperature, the hot water can be used. Therefore, when the water consumption is large, it is often necessary to wait for a long time of water injection and heating to use the hot water again, which is inconvenient to use. In addition, although the conventional instant-type electric water heater has the function of supplying hot water instantaneously, it requires a relatively large power to heat the cold water in use, and there are safety concerns in the use of the electric appliance, and the water discharge amount is small, and the use is inconvenient. Therefore, how to balance the heat storage function of the heat storage type electric water heater and the instantaneous heat supply function of the instant heat type electric water heater needs further development.

China Patent Publication No. I307394 discloses a "composite electric water heater" which uses a water temperature sensor to sense the water temperature in the water storage tank and cooperates with the use of the water pump and the three-way valve to make the water storage tank The warm water with a storage temperature of about 30-40 ° C is used to pump warm water to the heater after heating, and then sent to the outlet pipe to discharge water to reduce the heating waiting time. However, the pump is a moving piece, which is difficult to assemble and easy to malfunction, resulting in system failure. In addition, when the water in the tank is simultaneously with the external water inflow, if the water temperature in the tank has not been preheated to 30-40 ° C, the insufficient heater capacity will result in low water temperature, unable to use hot water immediately, and lose instant heat. Features.

China Patent Publication No. I308206 discloses a "electric water heater structure with heat storage and instant heat". The patent utilizes the characteristics of the natural convection of the hot and cold fluids by the partition plate, and distinguishes the high temperature hot water zone from the low temperature water inlet zone, so that the electric water heater can maintain the characteristics of instantaneous heat when the amount of hot water used is large, so that the water temperature does not fall rapidly. To provide hot water quickly. However, there are still communicating holes between the grids. According to the principle of connected pipes, hot and cold water is easy to produce mixing phenomenon, which will not effectively separate cold water from hot water. Moreover, the position of the outlet water is designed with high water level, so that the electric water heater is When the water level is low, the water storage tank must be filled with fluid to discharge water, so the heating waiting time is longer. In addition, the processing cost of the grid is high, which is not conducive to the production and sales of the products.

The case relates to a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneous hot water supply and a control method thereof, and has the functions of heat storage function and instantaneous hot water supply.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water is proposed. The electric water heater comprises a heat storage cylinder, a first liquid level sensor, a heater, a power controller and a water inlet valve. The heat storage cylinder is used for storing water, and the heat storage cylinder has a water inlet and a water outlet. The first liquid level sensor is disposed in the heat storage cylinder. The water outlet of the heat storage cylinder is located between the water inlet and the first liquid level sensor, and the first liquid level sensor has a first height relative to the water inlet. The heater is disposed in the heat storage cylinder. The heater has a second height relative to the water inlet and the second height is less than the first height. The power controller is configured to control the heater to generate heat at a first power or a second power, the first power being greater than the second power. The inlet valve is connected to the water inlet by a line. When the water level in the heat storage cylinder is lower than the first height and higher than the second height, the control heater heats up at the first power, and the water level in the heat storage cylinder is higher than the water inlet. At the height, the heater is controlled to generate heat at the second power.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a control method for a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water is proposed. The electric water heater has an instantaneous hot water supply mode and a heat storage mode. The control method includes the following steps. The change of the water level in the heat storage type electric water heater is detected. When the water level is lower than the first height set by the instantaneous heat supply mode, the heater is controlled to generate heat at a first power. When the water level rises above a second height set by the heat storage mode, the control heater is heated by a second power, and the second power is less than the first power.

In order to have a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, the following specific embodiments, together with the drawings, are described in detail below:

The heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneous hot water supply and the control method thereof are the liquid level sensors with different installation heights for detecting the change of the water level height, when the water level height is lower than the instantaneous hot water supply mode. At a height, the heater is controlled to generate heat at a high power (for example, to provide a large current heating) so that the water temperature of the water outlet rises rapidly and the hot water can be continuously supplied, so that the heat storage type electric water heater has an instantaneous supply of hot water. Features. In addition, when the water outlet does not need to supply hot water immediately, and the water level rises to a height higher than one set by the heat storage mode, the heater is controlled to generate heat at a lower power (for example, providing a smaller current heating), and continues to advance. Water, so that the water level reaches the set full water level, and the water temperature is maintained at the set temperature to achieve the function of heat storage. Therefore, the electric water heater of the embodiment has the functions of instantaneous hot water supply and heat storage.

The following is a detailed description of various embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative only and not to limit the scope of the invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1A , which is a schematic diagram of a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneous hot water supply according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric water heater 100 includes a heat storage cylinder 110, a first liquid level sensor 120, a heater 130, a power controller 140, and a water inlet valve 150. In addition, the electric water heater 100 further includes a second liquid level sensor 160 and a third liquid level sensor 170. The three liquid level sensors are respectively disposed at different installation heights of the heat storage cylinder 110 to detect changes in the water level height.

Please refer to FIG. 1B , which is a schematic diagram of a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneous hot water supply according to another embodiment of the present invention. The electric water heater 101 includes a heat storage cylinder 110, a first liquid level sensor 120, a heater 130, a power controller 140, and a water inlet valve 150. In addition, the electric water heater 100 further includes a second liquid level sensor 160. The two liquid level sensors are respectively disposed at different installation heights of the heat storage cylinder 110 to detect changes in the water level height.

The first liquid level sensor 120 can be used as a sensor for switching between the instantaneous hot water supply mode and the heat storage mode to heat the heaters at different powers. The second liquid level sensor 160 is responsible for detecting whether the water level is a full water level for closing the water inlet valve 150. The third level sensor 170 is responsible for detecting whether the water level exceeds the heater 130 to avoid air burning. However, the present disclosure is not limited to detecting a change in the water level height by using a plurality of liquid level sensors. In other embodiments, the second liquid level sensor 160 and the third liquid level sensor 170 may also be used by, for example, an altimeter or a height. A sensor such as a pressure sensor with a function of detecting the height of the water level is replaced. In addition, the second level sensor 160 can also be replaced by a mechanized control float and close the inlet valve 150 when the water level is full. For the change in the water level in the heat storage cylinder 110, please refer to Figs. 2A to 2D.

The heat storage cylinder 110 is, for example, a straight cylinder for storing water. The outer wall of the heat storage cylinder 110 is consumed, for example, by a heat insulating material to maintain the water temperature. The heat storage cylinder 110 has a water inlet 112 and a water outlet 114. The water inlet 112 is disposed adjacent to the bottom of the heat storage cylinder 110, that is, the position of the water inlet 112 may be located at the lowest point of the heat storage cylinder 110 or slightly above the lowest point. The water outlet 114 is located between the water inlet 112 and the first liquid level sensor 120, that is, the position of the water outlet 114 is relatively higher than the position of the water inlet 112, but slightly lower than the position of the first liquid level sensor 120. In the present embodiment, the water outlet 114 is located between the heater 130 and the first liquid level sensor 120. In general, the water temperature near the water inlet 112 is low, and the water temperature near the water outlet 114 is relatively high. In order to increase the temperature of the water near the water inlet 112, the heater 130 can be disposed adjacent to the water inlet 112 in this embodiment. Above the water, the cold water entering through the water inlet 112 is first heated by the heater 130, and then waits until the water temperature rises, and then flows to the water outlet 114. In another embodiment, the position of the heater 130 can also be disposed adjacent to the water outlet 114. In this case, the position of the heater 130 can be appropriately adjusted according to requirements. In addition, the water inlet valve 150 is connected to the water inlet 112 by a line 152 and can be opened or closed as the water level is high or low to adjust the water storage amount. The water inlet valve 150 is, for example, a solenoid valve.

In one embodiment, the position of the water outlet 114 is approximately 1/3 of the height of the heat storage cylinder 110, and the water temperature of the 2/3 volume above the water outlet 114 is maintained at a high temperature due to the temperature stratification effect, thereby ensuring The water temperature of the nozzle 114 is at a high temperature.

In addition, the heater 130 may be a single-heating unit 131 with adjustable power (refer to FIG. 1B) or a combination of a plurality of heating units 132 and 134 of different heating powers (refer to FIG. 1A), which may be a variable voltage or The heating current is adjusted in such a manner that the heater 130 can have a multi-stage power to adjust the amount of heat generated by the heater 130. The power controller 140 is used to control the amount of heat generated by the heater 130 to accommodate different heating needs. In short, when the heat storage type electric water heater 100 needs to provide the function of instantaneous hot water supply, the heater 130 can be controlled by the power controller 140 to generate heat with a larger power, and conversely, when the heat storage type electric water heater 100 needs to provide heat storage. In the function, the heater 130 can be controlled by the power controller 140 to generate heat with less power to reduce power consumption.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first liquid level sensor 120 is disposed in the heat storage tube 110 for detecting the water level in the heat storage tube 110 . The first level sensor 120 has a first height H1 with respect to the water inlet 112, and the heater 130 has a second height H2 with respect to the water inlet 112. The second height H2 is smaller than the first height H1, that is, the position of the heater 130 is relatively lower than the position of the first liquid level sensor 120.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in the instantaneous hot water supply mode, when the water level in the heat storage tank 110 is lower than the first height H1 and higher than the second height H2 with respect to the water inlet 112, the third liquid level sensor is used. 170 knows that the height of the water level has reached a height that can be heated. At this time, the heater 130 can be heated at a higher power to control the temperature of the water to rise rapidly. As long as the water level is higher than the water outlet 114, the hot water can be supplied immediately. The heat storage type electric water heater 100 has a function of instantaneously supplying hot water. Next, please refer to FIG. 2B. When the water outlet 114 is closed without supplying hot water immediately (for example, the faucet is not opened), and the water level in the heat storage cylinder 110 is higher than the water inlet 112 by a first height H1, this When entering the heat storage mode, heat can be generated at a lower power by controlling the heater 130, and water is continuously supplied from the water inlet 112 so that the water level reaches the set full water level.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the second liquid level sensor 160 is disposed adjacent to the top end of the heat storage cylinder 110, that is, at a full water level. The second level sensor 160 has a third height H3 relative to the water inlet 112 that is greater than the first height H1. When the water level in the heat storage tank 110 is higher than the water inlet 112 by a third height H3, the water inlet valve 150 is closed to control the water level.

In addition, the heat storage type electric water heater 100 of the present embodiment further includes a temperature sensor 180. The electric water heater 100 can be kept in the heat storage mode when used normally, and can be based on the signal detected by the temperature sensor 180. It is decided whether to activate the heater 130 to maintain the water temperature at the rated temperature.

In addition, the top of the heat storage cylinder 110 may have a vent hole 116. The vent hole 116 is used to adjust the air pressure in the heat storage cylinder 110, so that the water in the heat storage cylinder 110 can be smoothly discharged from the water outlet 114 (for example, the faucet is opened) when the water inlet valve 150 is in the closed state. In FIG. 2D, when the water level in the heat storage cylinder 110 is lower than the height of the first liquid level sensor 120, it means that the water storage amount is insufficient. At this time, the water storage amount can be increased by opening the water inlet valve 150. Until the water level reaches the full water level again.

Next, referring to FIG. 1A, the position of the third liquid level sensor 170 is slightly higher than the position of the heater 130, but lower than the position of the first liquid level sensor 120. That is, the third liquid level sensor 170 has a fourth height H4 with respect to the water inlet 112, and the fourth height H4 is smaller than the first height H1 and larger than the second height H2. In the case where the electric water heater 100 is used for the first time and the initial water injection is performed, when the water level in the heat storage tank 110 is higher than the fourth height H4 with respect to the water inlet 112, it is confirmed that the water level is higher than the heater 130, and the heater 130 is started. And when the water level in the heat storage tank 110 is lower than the fourth height H4 with respect to the water inlet 112, indicating that the water level may be lower than the heater 130 or only a small portion, the heater 130 is turned off to avoid causing air burning. And damaged. In the case where it is used backwards and there is no water leakage, since the water level is maintained at least at the height of the water outlet 114 (at least above the heater 130), air burning is less likely to occur.

In addition, the water outlet 114 has a fifth height H5 relative to the water inlet 112, and the fifth height H5 is smaller than the first height H1 and greater than the fourth height H4, that is, the position of the water outlet 114 is lower than the first liquid level sensor 120. The position is higher than the position of the third level sensor 170. In the mode of instantaneous hot water supply, since the position of the water outlet 114 is low, and the heater 130 only needs to heat a part of the water instantaneously, the heated water can be immediately supplied from the water outlet 114, so that the water temperature of the water outlet 114 can be ensured. At high temperatures and reduce heating wait time.

As can be seen from the above description, the heat storage type electric water heater 100 of the present embodiment controls the heat generation of the heater 130 and the switch of the water inlet valve 150 by detecting the change in the water level in the heat storage cylinder 110. The control method is as follows: When the water level is lower than one of the first heights set by the instantaneous heat supply mode (that is, the height H1 of the first liquid level sensor 120), the heater 130 is controlled to generate heat at the first power. When the water level rises above a second height set by the heat storage mode (for example, the height H1 of the first level sensor 120 or slightly higher), the control heater 130 generates heat with a second power. The second power is less than the first power. In addition, the water level control of the electric water heater 100 also has a full water level mode and a low water level mode when the water level height is higher than a third height set by the full water mode (ie, the height H3 of the second liquid level sensor 160). At this time, the electric water heater 100 closes the water inlet valve 150 to stop the water entering. When the water level is lower than a fourth height set by the low water level mode (for example, the height H1 of the first liquid level sensor 120), the electric water heater 100 opens the water inlet valve 150 to start watering until the water level reaches again. Full water level.

In an embodiment, in the heat storage mode, if the electric water heater 100 is not used to supply hot water, the heater 130 only heats at a lower power to maintain the water temperature at a warm water temperature, for example, between 30 and 40 degrees, not only It can reduce heat energy consumption and save energy. If higher temperature hot water is required, the user can manually increase the rated temperature of the temperature sensor 180 and activate the heater 130 to generate heat at a higher power to raise the water temperature to a higher rated temperature, thereby saving energy. The way to get the hot water you need.

In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. A person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100, 101. . . water heater

110. . . Heat storage tube

112. . . water inlet

114. . . Outlet

116. . . Vent

120. . . First level sensor

130. . . Heater

131, 132, 134. . . Heating unit

140. . . Power controller

150. . . Inlet valve

152. . . Pipeline

160. . . Second level sensor

170. . . Third level sensor

180. . . Temperature sensor

H1. . . First height

H2. . . Second height

H3. . . Third height

H4. . . Fourth height

H5. . . Fifth height

1A and 1B are schematic views respectively showing a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2A to 2D respectively show changes in the water level in the heat storage cylinder.

101. . . water heater

110. . . Heat storage tube

112. . . water inlet

114. . . Outlet

116. . . Vent

120. . . First level sensor

130. . . Heater

131. . . Heating unit

140. . . Power controller

150. . . Inlet valve

152. . . Pipeline

160. . . Second level sensor

H1. . . First height

H2. . . Second height

H3. . . Third height

Claims (14)

The utility model relates to a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water, the electric water heater comprising: a heat storage cylinder for storing water, the heat storage cylinder having a water inlet and a water outlet; a first liquid level sensor, configured In the heat storage cartridge, the water outlet of the heat storage cartridge is located between the water inlet and the first liquid level sensor, and the first liquid level sensor has a first height relative to the water inlet; a heater disposed in the heat storage cartridge, the heater having a second height relative to the water inlet, the second height being less than the first height; a power controller for controlling the heater to be a first Power or a second power is generated, the first power is greater than the second power; and a water inlet valve is connected to the water inlet by a pipeline; wherein, when the water level in the heat storage cylinder is lower than the water inlet Controlling the heater to generate heat at the first power at the first height and above the second height, and controlling the heating when the water level in the heat storage tank is higher than the first height relative to the water inlet The device heats up at the second power. The electric water heater of claim 1, further comprising: a second liquid level sensor disposed in the heat storage cylinder, the second liquid level sensor having a third height relative to the water inlet The third height is greater than the first height, wherein the water inlet valve is closed when the water level in the heat storage cartridge is higher than the water inlet than the third water level. The electric water heater of claim 2, further comprising: a third liquid level sensor disposed in the heat storage cylinder, the third liquid level sensor having a fourth height relative to the water inlet The fourth height is less than the first height and greater than the second height. When the water level in the heat storage tank is higher than the water inlet than the fourth height, the heater is activated; when the heat storage cylinder is inside The height of the water level is turned off when the water inlet is lower than the fourth height. The electric water heater of claim 3, wherein the water outlet has a fifth height relative to the water inlet, the fifth height being smaller than the first height and greater than the fourth height. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the heater is a single heat generating unit with adjustable power or a combination of a plurality of heating units of different heating power. The electric water heater of claim 1, wherein the water inlet valve is a solenoid valve. The electric water heater of claim 1, wherein the top of the heat storage cylinder has a vent hole. The electric water heater of claim 1, wherein the water inlet is disposed adjacent to a bottom of the heat storage cylinder. The electric water heater of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor disposed in the heat storage cylinder. A control method for a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water, the control method comprising: opening a water inlet valve, introducing water into a heat storage tank from a water inlet; detecting a water level by using a first liquid level sensor Height, the first liquid level sensor has a first height relative to the water inlet, and a heater has a second height relative to the water inlet, the second height being less than the first height, when the heat is stored When the water level in the cylinder is lower than the first height and higher than the second height, the heater is controlled to generate heat at a first power; when the water level in the heat storage tank is relative to the water inlet Above the first height, controlling the heater to generate heat with a second power greater than the second power; and detecting a water level height by a second liquid level sensor, the second liquid level sense The detector has a third height relative to the water inlet, the third height being greater than the first height, and closing the water inlet valve when the water level in the heat storage tank is higher than the water inlet than the third height To stop the water. The control method of claim 10, further comprising: detecting a water level height by a third liquid level sensor, wherein the third liquid level sensor has a fourth height relative to the water inlet, The fourth height is less than the first height and greater than the second height. When the water level in the heat storage tank is higher than the water inlet than the fourth height, the heater is activated; when the water level in the heat storage tank The heater is turned off when the height is lower than the fourth height. The invention relates to a control method of a heat storage type electric water heater capable of instantaneously supplying water, the electric water heater having an instantaneous hot water supply mode and a heat storage mode, the control method comprising: detecting a change of a water level height in the heat storage type electric water heater, when the water level Controlling a heater to generate heat at a first power when the height is lower than a first height set by the instantaneous heat supply mode; and controlling when the water level rises above a second height set by the heat storage mode The heater generates heat at a second power that is less than the first power. The control method of claim 12, wherein the first height set by the instantaneous hot water supply mode is less than or equal to the second height set by the heat storage mode. The control method of claim 12, wherein the electric water heater further has a full water level mode and a low water level mode, and when the water level height is higher than a third height set by the full water level mode, the electric water heater Close a water inlet valve to stop the water inlet; when the water level height is lower than a fourth height set by the low water level mode, the electric water heater opens the water inlet valve to start water inlet, and the third height is greater than the first height The fourth height is less than or equal to the first height.