HEATER AND SMART TOILET
A heater includes a heating pipe including a water pipe and a heating rod configured to pass through an interior of the water pipe. The heater also includes a guiding portion surrounding a portion of the heating rod disposed in the water pipe. The guiding portion spirally extends along a length direction of the heating rod. The guiding portion is configured to cause water flow in the water pipe to flow spirally and abut against an inner wall of the water pipe to support the water pipe.
This application claims the benefit of priority to: Chinese Patent Application No. 202311770233.5 filed in the Chinese Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 20, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELDThe present disclosure relates to the technical field of a smart bathroom and particularly relates to a heater and a smart toilet.
BACKGROUNDHeaters are now widely used in the smart toilet industry. Thus, various types of heaters are developed.
Generally, there are three types of heaters for the smart toilets. Specifically, the heaters include ceramic heating rod heaters, aluminum die-casting heaters, and tank storage heaters. The above three types of heaters have the following shortcomings, respectively. First, the ceramic heating rod heater is prone to breakage when subjected to external force, dry burning, or thermal shock, and thus the ceramic heating rod heater has a short service life and is not cost-effective. Second, the aluminum die-casting heater is made of aluminum ingots with a certain mass, and thus the aluminum die-casting heater has the technical problems of having great thermal inertia and slow increase of the temperature. Third, the tank storage heater has a great volume, and thus the tank storage heater has slow heating and high energy consumption.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure aims to provides a heater and a smart toilet to speed up the increasing of the temperature, reduce the energy consumption and the volume, and prolong the service life.
A heater according to the present disclosure includes a heating pipe, an inlet connector, and an outlet connector. The heating pipe includes a water pipe and a heating rod. The heating rod passes through an interior of the water pipe. A portion of the heating rod located inside the water pipe is surrounded by a guiding portion spirally extending along a length direction of the heating rod 11, so as to cause the water in the water pipe to flow spirally. The guiding portion abuts against an inner wall of the water pipe to support the water pipe. The inlet connector is connected between an inlet of the water pipe and the heating rod in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) and is in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the inlet of the water pipe. The outlet connector is connected between an outlet of the water pipe and the heating rod in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) and in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the outlet of the water pipe.
In an embodiment, the heating rod includes a resistance wire and a surface layer sleeved on an outer side of the resistance wire, and an annular space between the resistance wire and the surface layer is provided with an insulating layer.
In an embodiment, at least one of the inlet connector or the outlet connector includes a water conduit and a mounting member connected to each other, and the water conduit is in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the water pipe. The mounting member includes a first mounting end and a second mounting end, the first mounting end is sleeved on an end of the water pipe in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically), and the second mounting end is sleeved on a portion, disposed outside the water pipe, of the heating rod.
In an embodiment, the mounting member and the heating pipe are connected by the welded seal. Alternatively, the mounting member and the heating pipe are sealed by a sealant. An end face of the first mounting end is provided with an annular first sealing groove, the sealant is filled in an annular space defined by the first sealing groove and the water pipe, and an end face of the second mounting end is provided with an annular second sealing groove. The sealant is filled in an annular space defined by the second sealing groove and the heating pipe.
In an embodiment, the heater also includes a buffer tank, which is in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the outlet of the water pipe to buffer the water temperature.
In an embodiment, the heater also includes a controller and a switch configured to control the heat generation of the resistance wire. The buffer tank is provided with a temperature sensor, which is communicatively connected to the controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the switch and configured to control an opening extent of the switch according to a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor.
In an embodiment, the heater also includes a tank cover and a seal ring. The tank cover covers an opening of the buffer tank in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically), and the seal ring is provided between an outer circumference of the buffer tank and an inner circumference of the tank cover in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically).
In an embodiment, the heater includes a protective enclosure and a cover body configured to cover an opening of the protective enclosure, the buffer tank is located in the cover body, and the heating pipe is located in a form of a coil in a space defined by the cover body and the protective enclosure.
In an embodiment, the cover body is provided with a water pipe interface and a flow channel connected between the buffer tank and the water pipe interface, and the outlet connector passes through the water pipe interface in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically).
A smart toilet according to the present disclosure includes a heater described in any one of the above embodiments.
By adopting the above technical solutions, the present disclosure brings the following advantageous effects.
In the heater and the smart toilet according to the present disclosure, the water flow is directly heated by a heating rod provided inside the water pipe. The heat energy of the heating rod is directly converted into the heat energy of the water flow. Thus, the utilization rate of the heat energy may be increased, and the energy consumption may be reduced. The water flow is guided to advance in a spiral inside the water pipe by the helical guiding portion. This configuration is beneficial for a thorough heat exchange between water flow and the heating rod and may speed up the increasing of the temperature of the water flow. Moreover, the whole heating process is performed in the water pipe, and thus the volume of the heater may be reduced. The guiding portion also supports the water pipe from the inside to prevent the water pipe from being sunken or bent. Thus, the water pipe may be protected, and the service life of the water pipe may be prolonged.
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- 1—heating pipe, 10—water pipe, 11—heating rod, 12—guiding portion, 13—resistance wire, 14—surface layer, 15—insulation layer;
- 20—inlet connector, 21—outlet connector, 22—water conduit, 23—mounting member, 24—first mounting end, 25—first sealing groove, 26—second mounting end, 27—second sealing groove;
- 3—buffer tank, 30—tank cover, 31—seal ring, 32—temperature sensor;
- 4—protective enclosure;
- 5—cover body, 50—water pipe interface, 51—flow channel.
The embodiments of the present disclosure are further described by reference to the drawings hereinafter.
It should be understood that, according to the technical solutions of the present disclosure, a plurality of structures and implementations are interchangeable by those having ordinary skill in the art without amending the substantial spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following embodiments as well as the accompanying drawings are merely intended to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as the entirety of the present disclosure or be regarded as a limitation or restriction of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.
The orientation terms such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “upper”, “bottom”, etc., which are mentioned or may be mentioned in the present disclosure, are defined relative to the construction shown in the accompanying drawings. Thus, the terms are relative concepts, and thus may be varied based on the different positions in which they are located and different use states. Therefore, these or other orientation terms should also not be interpreted as restrictive terms.
The heater 100 provided by the present disclosure comprises a heating pipe 1, an inlet connector 20, and an outlet connector 21.
Referring to
The inlet connector 20 is connected between an inlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11 in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) and in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the inlet of the water pipe 10. The inlet connector 20 seals the inlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11. The inlet connector 20 also realizes a communication between the water pipe 10 and an external pipeline.
The outlet connector 21 is connected between an outlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11 in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) and in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the outlet of the water pipe 10. The outlet connector 21 seals the outlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11. The outlet connector 21 also realizes a communication between the water pipe 10 and an external pipeline.
When the heating pipe 1 is heated, the water flow in the water pipe 10 is in direct contact with the heating rod 11. The guiding portion 12 is in a spring shape and causes the water flow to flow spirally on the surface of the heating rod 11 due to the flow-guiding effect. This configuration may increase the duration that the water flows in the heating pipe 1 and may realize the effect of a thorough heat exchange between the water flow and the heating rod 11. The guiding portion 12 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be made of a metallic spring. The guiding portion 12 surrounds an outer side of the heating rod 11, provides a good heat-conducting effect, and has good support strength.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, some scenarios for the usage of the heating pipe 1 require that the heating pipe 1 is arranged as being bent. When the heating pipe 1 needs to be molded as being bent, the heating rod 11, the guiding portion 12, and the water pipe 10 are assembled in sequence. Then, the heating pipe 1 is bent into a desired shape by a tool. The guiding portion 12 supports the water pipe 10 from the interior of the water pipe 10 when and after the heating pipe 1 is bent, so as to prevent the water pipe 10 from being sunken, bent, or deformed inwardly. This configuration may ensure the smooth flow of the water flow within the water pipe 10 and may increase the working stability the water pipe 10. The water pipe 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a hose or a bendable metallic pipe to facilitate the bending and the molding of the heating pipe 1.
In the heater according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water flow is directly heated by a heating rod 11 provided inside the water pipe 10. The heat energy of the heating rod 11 is directly converted into the heat energy of the water flow. Thus, the utilization rate of the heat energy may be increased, and the energy consumption may be reduced. The water flow is guided to advance in a spiral inside the water pipe 10 by the helical guiding portion 12. This configuration is beneficial for a thorough heat exchange between the water flow and the heating rod 11 and may speed up the increasing of the temperature of the water flow. Moreover, the whole heating process is performed in the water pipe 10, and thus the volume of the heater may be reduced. The guiding portion 12 also supports the water pipe 10 from the inner side to prevent the water pipe 10 from being sunken or bent. Thus, the water pipe 10 may be protected, and the service life of the water pipe 10 may be prolonged.
In an embodiment, the heating rod 11 comprises a resistance wire 13 and a surface layer 14 sleeved on an outer side of the resistance wire 13. An insulating layer 15 is provided in an annular space between the resistance wire 13 and the surface layer 14. As shown in
In an embodiment, at least one of the inlet connector 20 or the outlet connector 21 comprises a water conduit 22 and a mounting member 23 connected to each other. The water conduit 22 is in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the water pipe 10. The mounting member 23 comprises a first mounting end 24 and a second mounting end 26. The first mounting end 24 is sleeved on an end of the water pipe 10 (an end of the inlet or an end of the outlet) in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically), and the second mounting end 26 is sleeved on a portion, disposed outside the water pipe 10, of the heating rod 11 (the outer side of the inlet or the outer side of the outlet). As shown in
In an embodiment, the mounting member 23 and the heating pipe 1 are connected by a welded sealing. The water pipe 10 is provided with a welded layer on an outer surface of the inlet or the outlet, and the mounting member 23 is connected to the welded layer by being welded in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically). Alternatively, as shown in
In an embodiment, the heater also comprises a buffer tank 3, which is in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) an outlet of the water pipe 10 to buffer the water temperature. The buffer tank 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can buffer the temperature of the water flow at the outlet of the water pipe 10 before providing the water to the user. This configuration may prevent the water flow from being directly provided to the user and causing the discomfort of the user due to the temperature of the water flow at the outlet of the water pipe 10 being too high or too low. In addition, after the water flow is buffered by the buffer tank 3, the temperature fluctuation range of the water flow provided to the user is reduced. This configuration is beneficial for improving the user experience.
In an embodiment, the heater 100 also comprises a controller 200 and a switch 33 configured to control the heat generation of the resistance wire 13. The buffer tank 3 is provided with a temperature sensor 32. The temperature sensor 32 is communicatively connected to the controller 200, and the controller 200 is communicatively connected to the switch 33 and configured to control an opening extent of the switch according to a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor 32. The opening extent of the switch 33 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adjustable from 0 to 1. When the switch 33 is closed, the opening extent is 0, and when the switch 33 is fully open, the opening extent is 1.
The switch 33 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to control the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13 by adjusting the current amount in the resistance wire 13. Alternatively, the switch 33 is configured to control the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13 by controlling the passage of the current. When the switch 33 disconnects the circuit, the current stops passing through the resistance wire 13 such that the resistance wire 13 stops generating heat. When the switch 33 connects the circuit, the current passes through the resistance wire 13 again such that the resistance wire 13 generates heat again. By continuously repeating the actions of the switch 33, a stable control to the temperature of the resistance wire 13 may be realized. The temperature sensor 32 transmits the detected water temperature value in a form of an electrical signal to the controller 200. When the water temperature value is higher than a predetermined value, the controller 200 reduces the opening extent of the switch 33 to reduce the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13 or makes the resistance wire 13 stop generating heat. When the water temperature value is lower than or equal to the predetermined value, the controller 200 increases the opening extent of the switch 33 or makes the resistance wire 13 begin generating heat to increase the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13.
In an embodiment, the heater 100 also comprises a tank cover 30 and a seal ring 31. The tank cover 30 covers an opening of the buffer tank 3 in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically), and the seal ring 31 is provided in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) between an outer circumferential step of the buffer tank 3 and an inner circumferential step of the tank cover 30. As shown in
In an embodiment, the heater 100 comprises a protective enclosure 4 and a cover body 5 covers an opening of the protective enclosure 4. The buffer tank 3 is located in the cover body 5. The heating pipe 1 is provided in a form of a coil in a space defined by the cover body 5 and the protective enclosure 4. The heating pipe 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in a form of a coil in the protective enclosure 4. The heating pipe 1 having a small volume may reduce the amount of the heat spread outwardly from the heating pipe 1. This configuration is beneficial for improving the heat preservation effect of the heating pipe 1. The heating pipe 1 is attached on the tank cover 30, plays a role of position-limiting, and may reduce the heat loss of the heating pipe 1.
In an embodiment, the cover body 5 is provided with a water pipe interface 50 and a flow channel 51 connected between the buffer tank 3 and the water pipe interface 50. The outlet connector 21 passes through the water pipe interface 50 in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically). Referring to
The present disclosure also provides a smart toilet comprising a heater 100 described in any one of the above embodiments.
In a smart toilet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water flow is directly heated by a heating rod 11 disposed inside the water pipe 10, and the heat energy of the heating rod 11 is directly converted into the heat energy of the water flow. This may increase the utilization rate of the heat energy and may reduce the energy consumption. The water flow is guided to advance in a spiral inside the water pipe 10 by the helical guiding portion 12. This configuration may facilitate a thorough heat exchange between the water flow and the heating rod 11 and may speed up the increasing of the temperature of the water flow. Moreover, the whole heating process is performed in the water pipe 10, and thus the volume of the heater 100 may be reduced. The guiding portion 12 also supports the water pipe 10 from the inside to prevent the water pipe 10 from being sunken or bent. Thus, the water pipe 10 may be protected, and the service life of the water pipe 10 may be prolonged.
In an embodiment, the toilet in the above embodiments may include a base (e.g., a pedestal, a bowl, etc.) and a tank. The base is configured to be attached to another object such as a drainpipe, floor, or another suitable object. The base includes a bowl, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The tank may be supported by the base, such as an upper surface of a rim. The tank may be integrally formed with the base as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, the tank may be formed separately from the base and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base. The toilet may further include a tank lid covering an opening and inner cavity in the tank. The toilet may include a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. The toilet arrangement may further include a hinge assembly.
In another embodiment, the toilet arrangement includes a base and a seat assembly coupled to the base. The base includes a bowl, a sump disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The toilet arrangement includes a waterline that supplies the toilet with water. The toilet may further include a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. The toilets described above are provided herein as non-limiting examples of toilets that may be configured to utilize aspects of the present disclosure.
In some examples, a bidet may be included in a seat or pedestal of a toilet. In other examples, the bidet may be manufactured separately from and attached or coupled to a seat or pedestal of a toilet. The bidet includes a housing. The housing is configured to receive a flow of water through a housing inlet and dispense the flow of water from a housing outlet. The housing inlet and housing outlet may be located on opposite ends of the housing from one another, such that water may flow through the housing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. In some examples, the housing further includes a chamber. As the housing receives the flow of water, the chamber may fill with water and provide a flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. The chamber may be configured to contain the flow of water and direct the flow of water from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. After the chamber has filled with water, the flow of water may travel along a substantially linear path between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. In some examples, one or more walls within the housing may be included to help direct a flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. The bidet may further include a housing inlet conduit configured to direct a flow of water to the housing inlet. The housing inlet conduit may be coupled to a water supply such as tank or waterline. The housing may further include a gear assembly or a portion of the gear assembly. The bidet may be a front wash bidet for female users and may use, generate, and/perform the functions related to nanobubbles, ozonated water, eWater, hydrogen peroxide generation, pH Control, template assisted crystallization, application of polyphosphates, filtration (ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, microfiltration, carbon/GAC), fluidic oscillating sprays, and adding other consumables in the water stream. For nanobubbles, air, ozone, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide may be used.
An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a controller configured to control elements of the heater 100 as described above.
The controller 200 comprises a processor 210, a communication unit 220 communicably connected to the processor 210, and a storage 230 communicably connected to the processor 210.
The controller 200 in the present disclosure can be implemented by any appliances or by any software or applications run by the appliances. The controller 200 may be connected to a workstation or another external device (e.g., control panel, remote) and/or a database for receiving user inputs, system characteristics, and any of the values described herein. Optionally, the controller 200 may include an input device and/or a sensing circuit in communication with any of the sensors. The sensing circuit receives sensor measurements from as described above. Optionally, the controller 200 may include a drive unit for receiving and reading non-transitory computer media having instructions. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.
The processor 210 is configured to perform instructions stored in memory for executing the algorithms described herein 210. The processor 210 may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. The processor 210 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor 210 may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.
The communication unit 220 may include any operable connection, ingress ports, and egress ports. An operable connection may be one in which signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and/or a data interface. The communication unit 220 may be connected to a network. The network may include wired networks (e.g., Ethernet), wireless networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.
In an embodiment, the storage 230 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. The storage 230 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. The storage 230 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. The storage 230 may be communicably connected to processor via a processing circuit and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor) one or more processes described herein. For example, the storage 230 may include graphics, web pages, HTML files, XML files, script code, shower configuration files, or other resources for use in generating graphical user interfaces for display and/or for use in interpreting user interface inputs to make command, control, or communication decisions.
An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a system comprising a heater.
In an embodiment, the heater 100 also comprises a controller 200 and a switch 33 configured to control the heat generation of the resistance wire 13. The buffer tank 3 is provided with a temperature sensor 32. The temperature sensor 32 is communicatively connected to the controller 200, and the controller 200 is communicatively connected to the switch 33 and configured to control an opening extent of the switch according to a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor 32. The opening extent of the switch 33 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adjustable from 0 to 1. When the switch 33 is closed, the opening extent is 0, and when the switch 33 is fully open, the opening extent is 1.
The switch 33 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to control the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13 by adjusting the current amount in the resistance wire 13. Alternatively, the switch 33 is configured to control the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13 by controlling the passage of the current. When the switch 33 disconnects the circuit, the current stops passing through the resistance wire 13 such that the resistance wire 13 stops generating heat. When the switch 33 connects the circuit, the current passes through the resistance wire 13 again such that the resistance wire 13 generates heat again. By continuously repeating the actions of the switch 33, a stable control to the temperature of the resistance wire 13 may be realized. The temperature sensor 32 transmits the detected water temperature value in a form of an electrical signal to the controller 200. When the water temperature value is higher than a predetermined value, the controller 200 reduces the opening extent of the switch 33 to reduce the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13 or makes the resistance wire 13 stop generating heat. When the water temperature value is lower than or equal to the predetermined value, the controller 200 increases the opening extent of the switch 33 or makes the resistance wire 13 begin generating heat to increase the amount of the heat generated by the resistance wire 13.
An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a method for manufacturing a heater.
At act S101, the heating rod 11 of the heater 100 is inserted into the water pipe 10 of the heater 100.
Specifically, as described above, the heating pipe 1 comprises a water pipe 10 and a heating rod 11. The heating rod 11 passes through the interior of the water pipe 10.
At act S102, the guiding portion 12 of the heater 100 spirally surrounds the at least one portion of the heating rod 11 disposed in the water pipe 10.
Specifically, as described above, the heating rod 11 is surrounded by a guiding portion 12 spirally extending along a length direction of the heating rod 11 to cause the water flow within the water pipe 10 to flow spirally under the guiding effect of the guiding portion 12. The guiding portion 12 abuts against an inner wall of the water pipe 10 to support the water pipe 10.
The guiding portion 12 is in a spring shape and causes the water flow to flow spirally on the surface of the heating rod 11 due to the flow-guiding effect. This configuration may increase the duration that the water flows in the heating pipe 1 and may realize the effect of a thorough heat exchange between the water flow and the heating rod 11. The guiding portion 12 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be made of a metallic spring. The guiding portion 12 surrounds an outer side of the heating rod 11, provides a good heat-conducting effect, and has good support strength.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, some scenarios for the usage of the heating pipe 1 require that the heating pipe 1 is arranged as being bent. When the heating pipe 1 needs to be molded as being bent, the heating rod 11, the guiding portion 12, and the water pipe 10 are assembled in sequence. Then, the heating pipe 1 is bent into a desired shape by a tool. The guiding portion 12 supports the water pipe 10 from the interior of the water pipe 10 when and after the heating pipe 1 is bent, so as to prevent the water pipe 10 from being sunken, bent, or deformed inwardly. This configuration may ensure the smooth flow of the water flow within the water pipe 10 and may increase the working stability the water pipe 10. The water pipe 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a hose or a bendable metallic pipe to facilitate the bending and the molding of the heating pipe 1.
At act S103, at least one of the inlet connector 20 or the outlet connector 21 is connected to the water pipe 10.
Specifically, as described above, the inlet connector 20 is connected between an inlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11 in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) and in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the inlet of the water pipe 10. The inlet connector 20 seals the inlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11. The inlet connector 20 also realizes a communication between the water pipe 10 and an external pipeline.
The outlet connector 21 is connected between an outlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11 in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically) and in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the outlet of the water pipe 10. The outlet connector 21 seals the outlet of the water pipe 10 and the heating rod 11. The outlet connector 21 also realizes a communication between the water pipe 10 and an external pipeline.
In an embodiment, at least one of the inlet connector 20 or the outlet connector 21 comprises a water conduit 22 and a mounting member 23 connected to each other. The water conduit 22 is in communication with (e.g., in fluid communication with) the water pipe 10. The mounting member 23 comprises a first mounting end 24 and a second mounting end 26. The first mounting end 24 is sleeved on an end of the water pipe 10 (an end of the inlet or an end of the outlet) in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically), and the second mounting end 26 is sleeved on a portion, disposed outside the water pipe 10, of the heating rod 11 (the outer side of the inlet or the outer side of the outlet). As shown in
In an embodiment, the mounting member 23 and the heating pipe 1 are connected by a welded sealing. The water pipe 10 is provided with a welded layer on an outer surface of the inlet or the outlet, and the mounting member 23 is connected to the welded layer by being welded in a sealed manner (e.g., hermetically). Alternatively, as shown in
The above technical solutions may be combined as needed to achieve the technical effect.
The above descriptions are merely intended to illustrate the principle and the embodiments of the disclosure. It should be pointed out that, for those having ordinary skill in the art, other modifications may be made based on the principle of the disclosure, and the modifications should also be regarded as falling in the protection scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A heater, comprising:
- a heating pipe comprising: a water pipe; and a heating rod configured to pass through an interior of the water pipe; and
- a guiding portion surrounding a portion of the heating rod disposed in the water pipe, the guiding portion spirally extending along a length direction of the heating rod,
- wherein the guiding portion is configured to cause water flow in the water pipe to flow spirally and abut against an inner wall of the water pipe to support the water pipe.
12. The heater according to claim 11, further comprising:
- an inlet connector configured to be hermetically connected between an inlet of the water pipe and the heating rod and in fluid communication with the inlet of the water pipe; and
- an outlet connector configured to be hermetically connected between an outlet of the water pipe and the heating rod and in fluid communication with the outlet of the water pipe.
13. The heater according to claim 12, wherein the heating rod comprises:
- a resistance wire;
- a surface layer configured to be sleeved on an outer side of the resistance wire; and
- an insulating layer disposed in an annular space between the resistance wire and the surface layer.
14. The heater according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the inlet connector or the outlet connector comprises:
- a water conduit in fluid communication with the water pipe; and
- a mounting member configured to be connected to the water conduit, and
- wherein the mounting member comprises: a first mounting end configured to be hermetically sleeved on an end of the water pipe; and a second mounting end configured to be sleeved on a portion, disposed outside the water pipe, of the heating rod.
15. The heater according to claim 14, wherein the mounting member and the heating pipe are connected by welding.
16. The heater according to claim 14, further comprising:
- a first sealing groove disposed on an end of the first mounting end; and
- a second sealing groove disposed on an end of the second mounting end,
- wherein sealant is filled in an annular space defined by the first sealing groove and the water pipe, and
- wherein the sealant is filled in an annular space defined by the second sealing groove and the heating pipe.
17. The heater according to claim 12, further comprising:
- a buffer tank in fluid communication with an outlet of the water pipe and configured to buffer water temperature.
18. The heater according to claim 17, further comprising:
- a tank cover configured to hermetically cover an opening of the buffer tank; and
- a seal ring hermetically disposed between an outer circumference of the buffer tank and an inner circumference of the tank cover.
19. The heater according to claim 18, wherein the heating pipe is configured to be attached to the tank cover.
20. The heater according to claim 17, further comprising:
- a protective enclosure; and
- a cover body configured to cover an opening of the protective enclosure,
- wherein the buffer tank is disposed on the cover body, and
- wherein the heating pipe is disposed, in a form of a coil, in a space defined by the cover body and the protective enclosure.
21. The heater according to claim 20, further comprising:
- a water pipe interface disposed on the cover body; and
- a flow channel connected between the buffer tank and the water pipe interface,
- wherein the outlet connector is configured to hermetically pass through the water pipe interface.
22. A system comprising a heater, the system comprising:
- a heating pipe comprising: a water pipe; and a heating rod comprising a resistance wire and configured to pass through an interior of the water pipe;
- a buffer tank;
- a controller;
- a switch communicably connected to the controller and configured to control heat generation of the resistance wire; and
- a temperature sensor disposed in the buffer tank and communicably connected to the controller,
- wherein the controller is configured to control an opening extent of the switch according to a temperature signal sent from the temperature sensor.
23. The system according to claim 22, further comprising:
- a guiding portion surrounding a portion of the heating rod disposed in the water pipe, the guiding portion spirally extending along a length direction of the heating rod; and
- wherein the buffer tank is in fluid communication with an outlet of the water pipe and configured to buffer water temperature,
- wherein the guiding portion is configured to cause water flow in the water pipe to flow spirally and abut against an inner wall of the water pipe to support the water pipe, and
- wherein the controller is further configured to control an amount of the heat generation of the resistance wire by adjusting an amount of current in the resistance wire or a passage of the current in the resistance wire.
24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the controller is further configured to reduce the opening extent of the switch or control the resistance wire to stop the heat generation when a water temperature value is higher than a predetermined value, and
- wherein the controller is further configured to increase the opening extent of the switch or control the resistance wire to begin the heat generation when the water temperature value is lower than or equal to the predetermined value.
25. A method for manufacturing a heater, the method comprising:
- inserting a heating rod of the heater into a water pipe of the heater;
- spirally surrounding, by a guiding portion of the heater, at least one portion of the heating rod disposed in the water pipe; and
- connecting at least one of an inlet connector or an outlet connector to the water pipe.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein connecting at least one of the inlet connector or the outlet connector to the water pipe comprises:
- hermetically connecting the inlet connector between an inlet of the water pipe and the heating rod; and
- fluidly coupling the inlet connector to the inlet of the water pipe.
27. The method according to claim 25, wherein connecting at least one of the inlet connector or the outlet connector to the water pipe comprises:
- hermetically connecting the outlet connector between an outlet of the water pipe and the heating rod; and
- fluidly coupling the outlet connector to the outlet of the water pipe.
28. The method according to claim 25, wherein connecting at least one of the inlet connector or the outlet connector to the water pipe comprises:
- fluidly coupling a water conduit of the inlet connector or the outlet connector to the water pipe; and
- connecting a mounting member of the inlet connector or the outlet connector to the water conduit.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:
- hermetically sleeving a first mounting end of the mounting member on an end of the water pipe; and
- sleeving a second mounting end of the mounting member on a portion, disposed outside the water pipe, of the heating rod.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:
- filling sealant in an annular space defined by a first sealing groove disposed on an end of the first mounting end and the water pipe; and
- filling the sealant in an annular space defined by a second sealing groove disposed on an end of the second mounting end.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 10, 2024
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2025
Inventor: Yong Ji (Shanghai)
Application Number: 18/975,783