CN109084042B

CN109084042B - Water valve assembly, hot water system and control method

Info

Publication number: CN109084042B
Application number: CN201810679497.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蔡茂虎; 张成军; 苍建辉
Original assignee: AO Smith China Water Heater Co Ltd
Current assignee: AO Smith China Water Heater Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-27
Filing date: 2018-06-27
Publication date: 2024-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-27
Also published as: CN109084042A

Abstract

The application discloses a water valve assembly, a hot water system and a control method, wherein the water valve assembly comprises: a valve body having a flow passage; the flow channel has an inlet and an outlet; a blocking member capable of closing and opening the flow passage; a prompting device for sending a prompting signal indicating that the water valve assembly is open; the collecting device is used for obtaining the water flow state parameters in the flow channel; the valve body is provided with a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet which are communicated with the water use end; the hot water outlet is close to the inlet and is communicated with the inlet; the cold water outlet is close to the outlet and is communicated with the outlet, and the collecting device is arranged between the hot water outlet and the cold water outlet; and the controller is connected with the prompting device and the acquisition device and is used for controlling the prompting device to send out a prompting signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value. The water valve assembly, the hot water system and the control method can facilitate a user to know the preheating circulation state.

Description

Water valve assembly, hot water system and control method

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of water heating equipment, in particular to a water valve assembly, a water heating system and a control method.

Background

When the existing water heater is used, a user needs to put a section of cold water before using hot water each time, especially in winter with low air temperature, tap water is enabled to flow away, a lot of time is delayed, and the use experience is greatly affected. This is a major difficulty in use that is common to the water heater industry.

In order to solve the problem, in the prior art, a circulating pipeline is established between a water consumption point and the water heater in a mode of arranging a water return pipe between water inlet pipes and water outlet pipes of the water heater or taking a cold water supply pipe as the water return pipe, and low-temperature water is conveyed into the water heater for heating through a preheating circulating pipeline in a non-water state until the water temperature in the circulating pipeline is kept at a set water temperature.

At present, a user cannot know the start-up closing state of the preheating cycle when the user is far away from the gas water heater, for example, the user needs to go to the gas water heater to check the state of the gas water heater when the user uses the water point to know the state of the preheating cycle, and the use experience is still poor.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the application aims to provide a water valve assembly, a water heating system and a control method, so that a user can conveniently know a preheating circulation state.

The technical scheme of the application is as follows:

a water valve assembly, comprising:

a valve body having a flow passage; the flow channel has an inlet and an outlet;

a blocking member capable of closing and opening the flow passage;

a prompting device for sending a prompting signal indicating that the water valve assembly is open;

The collecting device is used for obtaining the water flow state parameters in the flow channel; the valve body is provided with a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet which are communicated with the water use end; the hot water outlet is close to the inlet and is communicated with the inlet; the cold water outlet is close to the outlet and is communicated with the outlet, and the collecting device is arranged between the hot water outlet and the cold water outlet;

And the controller is connected with the prompting device and the acquisition device and is used for controlling the prompting device to send out a prompting signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller has a low power consumption mode and a normal operation mode; the energy consumption of the controller in the low-power mode is lower than that in the normal working mode;

the water valve assembly further comprises a wake-up module connected with the acquisition device and the controller; and when the water flow state parameter is larger than a second preset value, the wake-up module enables the controller to be switched to a normal working mode.

As a preferred embodiment, the second predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value; the controller is located in the normal working mode, and when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value, the controller controls the prompting device to send a prompting signal.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller does not perform the determination of the water flow state parameter in the low power consumption mode; and the controller executes judgment of the water flow state parameters in a normal working mode.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller is switched to the low power consumption mode after the normal operation mode is continued for a predetermined time.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller includes a single-chip microcomputer.

As a preferred embodiment, the wake-up module causes the controller to switch to a low power consumption mode when the water flow state parameter is less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

As a preferred embodiment, the wake-up module includes a high-low level output circuit; the high-low level output circuit outputs a low level signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a second preset value; the wake-up module outputs a high-level signal when the water flow state parameter is smaller than or equal to a second preset value;

Correspondingly, the controller is switched to the normal working mode when receiving the low-level signal and/or the falling edge signal.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller further comprises a power supply connected with the controller.

As a preferred embodiment, the power source comprises a battery.

As a preferred embodiment, the collecting device can obtain the flow rate of the water flow in the flow channel.

As a preferred embodiment, the collecting device includes:

A rotating element located within the flow passage; the rotating element is capable of rotating when fluid in the flow channel flows;

and a detecting element capable of detecting the rotational speed of the rotating element.

As a preferred embodiment, the rotating element comprises a rotor located within the flow channel; the rotor is provided with a magnet part; the magnet part rotates together with the rotor;

The detection element includes a hall element capable of sensing a magnetic signal formed by the magnet portion to detect a rotational speed of the rotor.

As a preferred embodiment, the detection element is arranged on the outer wall of the valve body.

As a preferred embodiment, the detection element is arranged close to the rotation element.

As a preferred embodiment, the rotating element is located between the closure and the cold water outlet.

As a preferred embodiment, the water valve assembly forms a one-way valve structure by applying an elastic or magnetic force to the closure member.

As a preferred embodiment, the closure has a closure position and a communication position; when the plugging piece is positioned at the communicating position, the flow channel is in a communicating state; when the plugging piece is positioned at the plugging position, the flow channel is in a plugging state.

As a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a suction piece which can magnetically attract the blocking piece mutually; when the pressure difference between the two sides of the plugging piece along the direction from the inlet to the outlet is larger than the attractive force between the plugging piece and the inhalable piece, the plugging piece can move to the communication position; when the pressure difference between the two sides of the plugging piece along the direction from the inlet to the outlet is smaller than the attractive force between the plugging piece and the inhalable piece, the plugging piece can move to the plugging position.

As a preferred embodiment, the prompting device is arranged near the water end.

As a preferred embodiment, the prompting device comprises a prompting light and/or an acoustic prompting element.

A water heating system, comprising:

A water heating device;

A preheating circulation pipeline communicated with the water heating device;

the circulating pump is arranged in the hot water device or on the preheating circulating pipeline and can drive water in the preheating circulating pipeline to flow;

the water valve assembly is arranged on the preheating circulation pipeline and is connected with the water using end in parallel; the water valve assembly is opened when the circulating pump drives the water in the preheating circulating pipeline to flow, and is closed when the circulating pump does not drive the water in the preheating circulating pipeline; the prompting device of the water valve assembly is not positioned on the water heating device.

A method of controlling a water valve assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

acquiring water flow state parameters in the flow channel;

and when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value, sending out a prompt signal.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller of the water valve assembly is switched to a normal operating mode when the water flow condition parameter is greater than a second predetermined value.

As a preferred embodiment, the second predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value.

As a preferred embodiment, when the controller is in the normal operation mode and the water flow state parameter is greater than a first predetermined value, a prompt signal is sent.

As a preferred embodiment, the controller is switched to the low power mode after the normal operation mode is continued for a predetermined time.

As a preferred embodiment, the water flow state parameter includes: at least one of water temperature, flow rate, water pressure.

The beneficial effects are that:

according to the water valve assembly, the matched prompting device, the acquisition device and the controller are arranged, when a user starts the preheating circulation, the acquisition device is used for acquiring the water flow state parameter in the valve body flow channel, and when the water flow state parameter is larger than the first preset value, the controller is used for controlling the prompting device to send a prompting signal, the prompting signal is used for prompting the user to start the preheating circulation, the prompting device does not need to communicate with a remote water heating device, and therefore the prompting device is not installed at the water heating device and is installed at an expected position by the user, the user is prevented from going to the remote end to check whether equipment is started to operate, and convenience and practicability are achieved. Therefore, the water valve assembly provided by the embodiment can be convenient for a user to know the preheating circulation state.

Meanwhile, the flow between the hot water outlet and the cold water outlet of the valve body is detected through the collecting device, so that the interference of water at the water using end (such as a tap) by a user can be avoided. In addition, when the interference condition that the water valve assembly is temporarily opened due to the fact that the plugging piece is pushed by water pressure fluctuation occurs in the pipeline, the water valve assembly is not considered to be opened as long as the flow in the flow channel is not higher than a first preset value, so that the probability of false triggering prompt is reduced, the use experience is effectively improved, and the practical application space is improved.

Specific embodiments of the invention are disclosed in detail below with reference to the following description and drawings, indicating the manner in which the principles of the invention may be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in scope thereby. The embodiments of the invention include many variations, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

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

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

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention or the technical solutions of the prior art, the drawings which are used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described, it being obvious that the drawings in the description below are only some embodiments of the invention, and that other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without inventive faculty for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a water valve assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the hot water system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a control method for providing a water valve assembly in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of FIG. 5.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical solution of the present invention better understood by those skilled in the art, the technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without making any inventive effort, shall fall within the scope of the invention.

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

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

Please refer to fig. 1-6. Embodiments of the present application provide a water valve assembly that may be used with a water return valve. Wherein the water return valve may be applied to, but is not limited to, a pre-heating circulation pipeline. Specifically, the water valve assembly includes: a valve body 1 having a flow passage 10; the flow channel 10 has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3; a closure 4 capable of closing the flow channel 10 open; a prompting device 11 for sending a prompting signal indicating that the water valve assembly is opened; acquisition means for acquiring a water flow state parameter in the flow passage 10; and the controller 12 is connected with the prompting device 11 and the collecting device and is used for controlling the prompting device 11 to send out a prompting signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value.

Please continue to refer to fig. 1-6. There is also provided in embodiments of the present application a method of controlling a water valve assembly including, but not limited to, the water valve assemblies described in the above embodiments or examples. Wherein, the control method comprises the following steps: s10, acquiring water flow state parameters in the flow channel 10; and S20, sending out a prompt signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value.

The water valve assembly provided by the embodiment is provided with the matched prompting device 11, the acquisition device and the controller 12, when a user starts the preheating circulation, the acquisition device is used for acquiring the water flow state parameter in the flow channel 10 of the valve body 1, and the controller 12 is used for controlling the prompting device 11 to send a prompting signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value, the prompting device 11 is used for prompting the user to start the preheating circulation, the prompting device 11 is not required to be communicated with the remote water heating device 14, and the prompting device can be arranged on the water heating device 14 and can be arranged at an expected position by the user, so that the user is prevented from going to the remote end to check whether equipment is started or not, and the water valve assembly is convenient and practical. Therefore, the water valve assembly provided by the embodiment can be convenient for a user to know the preheating circulation state.

In the embodiment of the application, the valve body 1 is provided with a hot water outlet 7 and a cold water outlet 8 which are communicated with a water end. The hot water outlet 7 is adjacent to the inlet 2 and communicates with the inlet 2. The cold water outlet 8 is adjacent to the outlet 3 and communicates with the outlet 3. The collecting device is arranged between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8.

In this way, by detecting the flow rate between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8 of the valve body 1 through the collecting device, the interference of the water flow state in the water flow passage of the water used by the user at the water using end (such as a tap) can be avoided. In addition, when the interference condition that the water valve assembly is temporarily opened due to the fact that the plugging piece 4 is pushed by water pressure fluctuation occurs in the pipeline, as long as the flow in the flow channel 10 is not higher than a first preset value, the water valve assembly is not considered to be normally opened, so that the probability of false triggering prompt is reduced, the use experience is effectively improved, and the practical application space is improved.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first predetermined value may be a determined value, such as: when the water flow state parameter is the water flow rate, the first preset value is 2.2L/min shown in fig. 6, so that when the water flow state change in the flow channel 10 is higher than the determined value, the water valve assembly is determined to be in a normal open state, and the preheating cycle is prompted to be in a starting state. Of course, the first predetermined value may be other values or range values (for example, the range of the first predetermined value is greater than 1.5L/min, etc.), which is not limited in particular.

To facilitate an understanding of the advantages of the water valve assembly, illustrative examples are: typically a user's toilet is located close to the basin 13 and the water valve assembly may be connected in parallel with the water tap of the basin 13. The toilet is connected in the cold water line upstream of the outlet 3 of the valve body 1 (with respect to the cold water flow), and when using the toilet, a large pressure drop is created on the side of the outlet 3 of the valve body 1 due to the large amount of cold water used, and a large pressure difference is created on the sides of the closure member 4, which sometimes pushes the closure member 4 into motion, thereby creating a certain flow in the flow channel 10 of the valve body 1. In this case, it can be seen that the problem of false alarms is easily caused by detecting the movement position of the blocking member 4. Correspondingly, in the embodiment, the flow of the flow channel 10 between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8 of the valve body 1 is obtained and compared with the first preset value, so long as the flow of the flow channel 10 is lower than the first preset value, the flow channel is regarded as interference, and therefore the probability of false reminding is reduced, and the use experience of a user is guaranteed.

In this embodiment, the collecting device collects the water flow state parameters of the flow channel 10 between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8, so that the interference to the acquisition of the water flow state parameters of the collecting device is reduced or cannot be formed when a user normally uses the water use end such as the faucet, the pertinence and the accuracy of the water flow state parameters collected by the collecting device are ensured, and the false triggering probability of the prompting device 11 is reduced.

To facilitate an understanding of the mechanism of use of the water valve assembly, schematic properties are exemplified by: as shown in fig. 4, when the water valve assembly is applied to the preheating circulation line, the water valve assembly is applied as a water return valve of the preheating circulation line, and the outlet 3 of the valve body 1 may be connected to the cold water line and returned when the water valve assembly is opened. When the water valve assembly is closed, the outlet 3 is fed with cold water and flows to the cold water outlet 8. When the water valve assembly is opened, that is, the plugging piece 4 is in the communication position, the preheating circulation is in an open state, so that the water flow in the flow channel 10 of the valve body 1 acquired by the acquisition device exceeds a preset value, the controller 12 controls the prompting device 11 to send a prompting signal to prompt the running state of the water valve assembly, and correspondingly, the controller can prompt a user whether the current preheating circulation is in the open state or not, so that the user is prevented from going to the verification of the water heater 14 (water heater) end, and the user experience is improved.

Particularly, when the user combines the water valve assembly with a control method for remotely controlling the water heating device 14 to perform a preheating cycle, the user is located at a position far from the water heating device 14 under the condition that the water heating device 14 is controlled to perform a predetermined action by changing the water flow state parameter a plurality of times through the opening adjustment of the water use end such as the water faucet, and the water heating device 14 is triggered by performing a triggering action on the water use end. Because the user is far-end, the user cannot know whether the water heating device 14 performs the preset action (such as preheating circulation), and the water valve assembly can be used for prompting the user whether the preheating circulation is triggered successfully or not, so that the user use experience is improved.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2. The valve body 1 has various shapes and structures, which can be matched with the shape and structure of the flow passage 10, and the application is not limited in any way. Of course, the valve body 1 can be integrally formed into a pipe body so as to adapt to the cold and hot water pipeline structure of a room. The flow passage 10 of the valve body 1 has an outlet 3 and an inlet 2, a single channel or a plurality of channels can exist between the outlet 3 and the inlet 2, or a mixture of a main body and a branch can exist, and meanwhile, the cross section of the flow passage 10 can have various shapes, such as a circle, a polygon or other irregular shapes, so that the flow passage 10 can only be ensured to flow water in the present embodiment, and the specific shape and the structure of the flow passage 10 are not limited in any way.

In an embodiment of the application, the water valve assembly is suitable for controlling the on-off of water flow in a waterway. The water valve assembly may be a one-way valve or a two-way valve, and is not limited in this embodiment, and the plugging member 4 of the water valve assembly only needs to have a plugging position and a communication position. In a preferred embodiment, the water valve assembly is preferably a one-way valve to avoid backflow problems in the waterway.

In particular, the water valve assembly may form a one-way valve structure by applying an elastic or magnetic force to the closure member 4. In a specific embodiment, the water valve assembly may be an elastic one-way valve, and the blocking member 4 implements one-way opening and closing by an elastic force applied by an elastic member. In another embodiment, the water valve assembly may be a magnetic check valve, and the blocking member 4 implements a check switch by being attracted by magnetic force.

In the embodiment of the present application, the water flow state parameter can reflect the water flow state in the flow channel 10, and the open and close states of the water valve assembly can be obtained according to the water flow state. Specifically, the water flow state parameters include: at least one of water temperature, flow rate, water pressure. Of course, the water flow state parameters may also include parameters such as a water temperature change rate, a flow rate change rate, and the like, which is not limited by the present application. To facilitate collection and to accurately determine the state of the water valve assembly, the collection device is capable of obtaining the flow of water within the flow passage 10. When the water flow rate is above the first predetermined value, it is determined that the water valve assembly is open and the water heating device 14 is accordingly considered to be open for a warm-up cycle.

In the embodiment of the present application, the collecting device may obtain the water flow state parameter of the flow channel 10 between the plugging member 4 and the hot water outlet 7, and may also obtain the water flow state parameter of the flow channel 10 between the plugging member 4 and the cold water outlet 8, which is not limited in the present application. Only by changing the water flow state parameters in the waterway when the preheating circulation is started by a user.

In the embodiment of the present application, the collecting device may obtain the water flow state parameter in the flow channel 10, and the obtaining manner may be that the water flow state parameter is received or input through an interface, or obtained by measurement. In a specific embodiment, the acquisition device obtains the water flow state parameter in the flow channel 10 by measurement. The collecting device may be a flow sensor, a water pressure sensor, a water temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, etc. according to different target parameters, and the application is not limited.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 4, the collecting device may include: the rotating element 6 and the detecting element 9. Wherein the rotating element 6 is located in said flow channel 10. The rotating element 6 is rotatable upon fluid flow in the flow channel 10. The detecting element 9 is capable of detecting the rotational speed of the rotating element 6.

In this embodiment, the rotary element 6 of the collecting device is located between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8, so as to detect the flow change of the flow channel 10 between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8. The rotating element 6 may be located upstream of the closure 4 or downstream of the closure 4, depending on the direction of flow of the hot water. Wherein, in order to facilitate the installation of the rotating element 6 and the acquisition of the water flow, said rotating element 6 is positioned between said closure member 4 and said cold water outlet 8.

In the present embodiment, the rotating element 6 reflects the flow amount in the flow passage 10 by the rotation speed. In particular, the rotational speed of the rotating element 6 is proportional to the flow rate of the water in the flow channel 10. As the flow rate of the water increases, the rotational speed of the rotary element 6 increases. Of course, the present application does not exclude other ratios of the rotational speed of the rotatable element 6 to the flow rate of the water.

In particular, the rotating element 6 may comprise a rotor 21 located within the flow channel 10. The rotor 21 is provided with a magnet portion. The magnet part rotates together with the rotor 21. The detecting element 9 includes a hall element capable of sensing a magnetic signal formed by the magnet portion to detect the rotation speed of the rotor 21. The detection signal can be an electric frequency signal and an electric pulse signal reflecting the flow rate of the water flow.

In the present embodiment, the rotor 21 is rotatably installed in the flow passage 10. The rotational axis 22 of the rotor 21 may be located at, but is not limited to, the axial position of the flow channel 10. As particularly shown in fig. 2. The rotor 21 has a plurality of blades in the circumferential direction, and the blades are rotated by the fluid flowing. Wherein the blades are rotatably mounted on the shaft 22; alternatively, the shaft 22 may be rotatably mounted in the flow channel 10, and the vanes may rotate with the shaft 22, as the application is not limited. In addition, a support structure 20 for mounting the rotation shaft 22 may be provided in the flow path 10, and the support structure 20 may be provided in the flow path 10 such that the rotation shaft 22 is mounted in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the flow path 10 and does not obstruct the flow of fluid.

In this embodiment, the length direction of the rotating shaft 22 is not limited to be parallel to (for example, coaxially disposed in) the extending direction of the flow channel 10, and the rotating shaft 22 may also form an included angle with the extending direction of the flow channel 10, for example, the rotating shaft 22 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the flow channel 10, and the blades will also rotate during the flowing of the water.

In this embodiment, for the purpose of enabling the detection element 9 to detect the rotational speed of the rotor 6 and to generate a corresponding sensor signal. Wherein the rotor 21 is provided with a magnet portion. The magnet portion moves together with the rotor 21. The strength of the magnetic field generated at a certain position during rotation of the magnet portion with the rotor 21 changes. The detecting element 9 is fixed in position and can sense the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the magnet part to generate a corresponding sensing signal. The detection element 9 may be a hall element. When the magnet part rotates with the rotor 21, the detection element 9 generates a corresponding induction signal and sends the induction signal to the indicating device 11.

In this embodiment, the magnet portions may be distributed over at least one blade of the rotor 21. To improve the measurement accuracy, a magnet portion may be provided on each blade. Among them, the rotor 21 is provided with a magnet portion in various ways, for example: the material of part of the blade is magnetic material, forming the magnet part, or a magnet block fixed on the blade by means of adhesion, clamping groove, etc., the application is not limited.

The specific position of the detecting element 9 is not particularly limited in this embodiment, and the detecting element 9 may be only required to sense the magnetic field of at least one position of the magnet portion along the rotation direction, so as to generate a corresponding induction signal. In order to facilitate the detection of the rotation of the rotor 21 by the detection element 9, said detection element 9 is arranged close to the rotation element 6.

In particular, the detection element 9 may be mounted between the hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the detection element 9 is provided on the outer wall of the valve body 1. Wherein, the outer wall of the water valve assembly is provided with a containing shell 19, and the detecting element 9 is fixed in the containing shell 19. The detecting element 9 may be disposed in alignment with the rotor 21 in the radial direction of the valve body 1 or the flow passage 10 to better detect the magnetic field formed by the magnet portion of the rotor 21.

In an embodiment of the application, the closure element 4 can close and open the flow channel 10. Wherein the blocking piece 4 has a blocking position and a communication position. When the plugging member 4 is in the communication position, the flow passage 10 is in the communication state. When the blocking piece 4 is located at the blocking position, the flow channel 10 is in a blocking state.

In order to avoid the influence of water pressure fluctuation, the probability of streaming (cold water and hot water) caused by the false opening of the water valve assembly due to the water pressure fluctuation is reduced. The blocking position and the communicating position of the blocking piece 4 are separated by a preset distance. As shown in particular in fig. 2, the water valve assembly further comprises a suction element 5 which is magnetically attracted to the closure element 4. The blocking piece 4 can move towards the communication position when the pressure difference of the blocking piece 4 on both sides along the direction from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 is larger than the attractive force between the blocking piece 4 and the inhalable piece 5; the blocking element 4 is movable towards the blocking position when the pressure difference across the blocking element 4 in the direction from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 is smaller than the attractive force between the blocking element 4 and the inhalable element 5.

In a specific embodiment, the valve body 1, the blocking member 4, and the inhalable member 5 of the water valve assembly may refer to the main body and/or the outer tube of the constant pressure switch device (e.g., the main body and the outer tube may be regarded as the valve body 1 of the present application), the blocking member 4, and the inhalable member 5 disclosed in the name of "201510685827.5" of chinese patent application No. a, and the water heating system ", and will not be described in detail herein.

In the embodiment of the application, the prompting device 11 can prompt the user to preheat the circulating state without communicating with a remote end (such as the water heating device 14), so that the user is prevented from going to the remote end to check whether the equipment is started to operate, and the device is convenient and practical. The reminder device 11 is not located on the hot water device 14. In addition, the controller 12, and the acquisition device may not be in communication with the water heating device 14.

In the embodiment of the application, the prompting device 11 can be separated from the acquisition device and the controller 12 and connected through a cable so as to transmit signals. Of course, signals may also be transmitted between at least two of the prompting device 11, the acquisition device, and the controller 12 via wireless connections.

In addition, the prompting device 11 may be separately provided with the collecting device and the controller 12, or at least two of the three may be combined together, which is not limited by the present application. For example, the indicator means 11 may be mounted on the outer wall of the valve body 1, indicating the open state of the water valve assembly by sound, or the controller 12 may be integrated in the same assembly as the indicator means 11, or the controller 12 may be integrated in the same assembly as the detection element 9 (e.g. both in the above-mentioned containing housing 19).

In the embodiment of the present application, the prompting device 11 may send out a prompting signal. The cue signal may be an audible signal and/or a light signal (e.g., red flashing light, green flashing light). In particular, the prompting device 11 may be a prompting light and/or an audible prompting element (such as a buzzer). The prompting device 11 may be disposed near the water-using end for the convenience of a user to prompt that the water-heating device 14 is turned on to perform the warm-up cycle at the water-using end. More specifically, the prompting device 11 may be disposed on the faucet or the counter basin 13.

In an embodiment of the present application, to save power consumption of the controller 12 during operation, the controller 12 has a low power mode and a normal operation mode. The controller 12 consumes less power in the low power mode than in the normal mode. The controller 12 performs less functions in the low power mode than in the normal operating mode.

Specifically, the controller 12 performs only a portion of the functions in the low power mode, and the other functions are not performed, thereby saving power required for operation. The low power consumption mode may also be regarded as a power saving mode. Or in the low power mode, part of the module hardware of the controller 12 is in an inactive state (for example, a sleep state, a standby state without power connection), and in the normal operation mode, all the module hardware is in an active state, and accordingly, the controller 12 can also be regarded as a sleep mode or a sleep mode in the low power mode.

In the embodiment of the application, the normal working mode and the low power consumption mode can be provided with switching conditions so as to realize automatic switching. Specifically, the energy-saving operation of the controller 12 can be matched with the water flow state parameters acquired by the acquisition device, so that the controller 12 can automatically switch between a low-power consumption mode and a normal working mode, and the intelligent operation and automatic energy saving of the water valve assembly are realized. Specifically, the water valve assembly further includes a wake-up module connected to the acquisition device and the controller 12. The wake-up module may send a wake-up signal to the controller 12, by which the controller 12 is switched to the normal operating mode.

Specifically, the wake-up module switches the controller 12 to the normal operation mode when the water flow state parameter is greater than a second predetermined value. Accordingly, in another embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the control method may further include step S15: when the water flow condition parameter is greater than a second predetermined value, the controller 12 of the water valve assembly is switched to a normal operating mode.

When the water flow state parameter is greater than a second predetermined value, the wake-up module sends a wake-up signal to the controller 12, and the controller 12 in the low power consumption mode can receive the wake-up signal and be triggered to switch from the low power consumption mode to the normal operation mode. Wherein, the controller 12 is in the normal working mode, and controls the prompting device 11 to send a prompting signal when the water flow state parameter is greater than a first preset value.

In order to make the controller 12 be in the normal working mode (high power consumption state) only when the control prompting device 11 sends a prompting signal, and be in the low power consumption mode at other times, thereby saving power consumption to a greater extent, the second predetermined value is smaller than the first predetermined value. Step S15 is triggered to be executed before step S20. In this way, the controller 12 can be awakened in advance when the water flow state changes in the flow channel 10, and then the operation of controlling whether the prompting device 11 sends the prompting signal is performed, and the controller 12 is in the low power consumption mode when the water flow state changes, so that the power consumption is saved.

In an embodiment of the present application, the second predetermined value may be zero, so that the controller 12 may be awakened when there is a change in the water flow state in the flow channel 10, and then it is determined whether the change in the water flow state is an interference signal (such as a water pressure fluctuation) or a preheating cycle is initiated. Of course, the second predetermined value may be other values, or range values, and the present application is not particularly limited.

In an embodiment of the present application, the controller 12 does not perform the determination of the water flow state parameter (as in fig. 6, does not perform water flow detection) in the low power mode. Specifically, in the low power mode, the controller 12 may not acquire the water flow state parameter, and further, may not perform the judgment of the water flow state parameter and the first predetermined value. Illustratively, in the low power mode, the interface of the controller 12 and the detecting element 9 is not input with a detecting signal (e.g., a pulse signal of the hall element is not input). Or in the low power consumption mode, the controller 12 inputs the detection signal of the detection element 9, but does not make a judgment.

In the embodiment of the present application, the controller 12 performs the judgment of the water flow state parameter in the normal operation mode. Specifically, in the normal operation mode, the controller 12 may acquire the water flow state parameter, perform the judgment on the water flow state parameter and the first predetermined value, and then control whether the prompting device 11 sends a prompting signal according to the judgment result.

In one embodiment, the controller 12 may have a first interface to the wake-up module and a second interface to the acquisition device (detection element 9). Wherein the first interface is in an active received signal state in a low power mode. The second interface can be in an inactive state and cannot receive signals in a low power consumption mode; while in the normal operating mode the second interface is in an active receive signal state. The first interface may be activated or deactivated in the normal working mode to save power consumption, which is not limited by the present application.

In another embodiment, the controller 12 may have a judging module for judging the water flow state parameter and the first predetermined value, where the judging module may be inactive in the low power mode and cannot calculate and judge the corresponding data; and in the normal working mode, the judging module is in an activated state and can judge the water flow state parameter and the first preset value.

In a specific embodiment, the wake-up module includes a high-low level output circuit 30. The high-low level output circuit 30 outputs a low level signal when the water flow state parameter is greater than a second predetermined value. The high-low level output circuit 30 outputs a high level signal when the water flow state parameter is less than or equal to a second predetermined value. Accordingly, the controller 12 switches to the normal operation mode upon receiving the low level signal and/or the falling edge signal.

In the preferred embodiment, the controller 12 switches to the normal mode of operation and wakes up upon receipt of the falling edge signal. When the controller 12 receives the falling edge signal, the wake-up module wakes up the controller 12, and the controller 12 switches from the low power consumption mode to the normal operation mode. Then, the controller 12 receives the water flow state parameter detection signal from the detection element 9, and determines the water flow state parameter. In the preset time, when the water flow state parameter rises above the first preset value, the controller 12 controls the prompting device 11 to send a prompting signal to remind a user that the water valve assembly is opened, and the system is in a preheating circulation state. After a predetermined time, the controller 12 automatically switches to a low power mode, reducing power consumption.

In this embodiment, when there is no change in the water flow state parameter in the flow passage 10, the detection element 9 does not generate a detection signal (such as a frequency signal, a pulse signal), and the high-low level output circuit generates a high-level signal when the detection signal is not received. The specific circuit of the detecting element 9 can be as shown in fig. 2, and the detecting element 9 is provided with an IC module and is connected with a resistor and a plurality of capacitors. The high-low level output circuit 30 may also filter the detection signal to reduce the interference signal.

In this embodiment, when there is a change in the water flow state parameter (e.g., greater than zero) in the flow channel 10, the detecting element 9 generates a detecting signal (e.g., a frequency signal), and the high-low level output circuit generates a low level signal when receiving the detecting signal, and at this time, generates a falling edge signal that transitions from the high level signal to the low level signal, and the falling edge signal triggers the controller 12 to wake up for a predetermined time. After a predetermined time (when the high-low level output current may still continuously output the low-level signal), the controller 12 automatically switches to the low-power mode, thereby reducing the power consumption.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3, the high-low level output circuit 30 includes a signal input terminal 31, a first resistor R1, a first capacitor C1, a first diode D1, a second diode D2, a second capacitor C2, a second resistor R2, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, a triode 33, a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, a third capacitor C3, and a signal output terminal 32. The signal input 31 is connected to the detection element 9 for inputting a frequency signal (which may also be referred to as detection signal, in some embodiments as sense signal). The signal input terminal 31 is coupled to one end of the first resistor R1, and the other end of the first resistor R1 is coupled to the first capacitor C1; the other end of the first capacitor C1 is coupled with the anode of the first diode D1; the negative electrode of the first diode D1 is coupled to one end of the third resistor R3, and the other end of the third resistor R3 is coupled to the base B of the triode 33; the collector C of the triode 33 is connected with a power supply end VCC; a fifth resistor R5 is connected in series between the collector C and the power supply end VCC; the collector is further coupled to one end of the sixth resistor R6, and the other end of the sixth resistor R6 is coupled to the signal output terminal 32. The signal output terminal 32 is coupled to the controller 12 to output a wake-up signal (high-low level signal) to the controller 12.

A first connection point is arranged between the first capacitor C1 and the first diode D1; a second connection point is provided between the sixth resistor R6 and the signal output terminal 32; a grounding branch 34 is connected between the first connection point and the second connection point; the ground leg 34 is grounded. The emitter E of the triode 33 is connected with a third connection point of the grounding branch 34; the third capacitor C3 is connected in series between the third connection point and the second connection point. One end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected between the third resistor R3 and the base B, and the other end is connected with the grounding branch 34; one end of the second resistor R2 is connected between the first diode D1 and the third resistor R3, and the other end is connected with the grounding branch 34; one end of the second capacitor C2 is connected between the first diode D1 and the third resistor R3, and the other end is connected to the ground branch 34; the anode of the second diode D2 is coupled to the connection point of the second capacitor C2 and the ground branch 34, and the cathode is coupled to the first connection point.

In an embodiment of the present application, the water valve assembly may further include a power source (not shown) coupled to the controller 12. Wherein the power source may comprise a power plug. The power plug is utilized to realize on-site power taking, and long-term operation of the water valve assembly is ensured. To promote flexibility in the installation of the water valve assembly, and not limited by field power access, the power source may include a battery. The controller 12 is supplied with electrical energy by a battery. The water valve assembly can also effectively ensure long-term operation by combining the low-power consumption mode of the water valve assembly.

In order to achieve a better energy saving effect, the controller 12 is located in the normal operation mode for a predetermined time, and then switches to the low power consumption mode. The control prompting device 11 sends a prompting signal if the water flow parameter exceeds a first preset value at the preset time. If the water flow parameter does not exceed the first predetermined value at the predetermined time, the prompting device 11 does not send a prompting signal. It can be seen that the controller 12 in this embodiment is normally in a low power mode, operating in a normal operating mode for a predetermined time only when the water flow parameter exceeds a second predetermined value, and then automatically switching to the low power mode after the predetermined time.

In the embodiment of the present application, the predetermined time may be manually set, for example, the predetermined time may be 3 seconds, or 5 seconds, or the like. Considering that the predetermined time is too long, the electricity consumption may be too high, the prompt signal may not be normally sent out due to too short, and in order to avoid the problems, the predetermined time may be 2-10 seconds.

Of course, in some embodiments, the water valve assembly may also be provided with an energy saving module that sends an energy saving signal to the controller 12, causing the controller 12 to switch to a low power consumption mode. For example: the wake-up module causes the controller 12 to switch to a low power mode when the water flow state parameter is less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

In the present application, the controller 12 may comprise a single-chip microcomputer. Of course, the controller 12 is not limited to a single-chip microcomputer, and the controller 12 may be implemented in any suitable manner. In particular, for example, the controller 12 may take the form of, for example, a microprocessor or processor and a computer readable medium storing computer readable program code (e.g., software or firmware) executable by the microprocessor or processor, logic gates, switches, application SPECIFIC INTEGRATED Circuits (ASICs), programmable logic controllers 12 (Programmable Logic Controller, PLCs), and embedded micro-control units (Microcontroller Unit, MCUs), examples of which include, but are not limited to, the following micro-control units: ARC 625D, atmel AT91SAM, microchip PIC18F26K20, silicone Labs C8051F320. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same functions can be accomplished entirely by logic programming method steps to cause a control unit to be in the form of logic gates, switches, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic controller 12, embedded micro control unit, etc., in addition to the functions of controller 12 being accomplished in a purely computer readable program code.

There is also provided in an embodiment of the present application a water heating system including: a hot water device 14; a preheating circulation line communicating with the water heating device 14; a circulation pump provided in the hot water apparatus 14 or on the preheating circulation line, the circulation pump being capable of driving the flow of water in the preheating circulation line; the pre-heating circulation line is provided with a water valve assembly as described in any one of the embodiments or examples above, connected in parallel with the water-using end (part indicated by reference numeral 13). The water valve assembly is opened when the circulation pump drives the water of the preheating circulation line to flow, and is closed when the circulation pump does not drive the water of the preheating circulation line. Wherein the prompting device 11 of the water valve assembly is not located on the water heating device 14.

As shown in fig. 4, the preheating circulation line may include a water inlet pipe 16 communicating with the water heating device 14, and a water outlet pipe 17. The water inlet pipe 16 is used for inputting cold water (communicated with the cold water inlet pipe or the household water inlet pipe 15). The inlet tube 16 communicates with the hot water end of the water valve assembly; the cold water end of the water valve assembly (the cold water end is provided with an outlet 3) is also connected with a cold water pipe 18. The cold water pipe 18 is in communication with the inlet pipe 16 and is used for feeding cold water (in communication with the cold water inlet pipe or service pipe 15). Wherein, the valve body 1 of the water valve assembly is provided with a hot water outlet 7 and a cold water outlet 8. The hot water outlet 7 and the cold water outlet 8 are respectively connected with a water end.

In the present embodiment, the presentation device 11 is not attached to the water heating device 14. Wherein the prompting device 11 can be arranged near the water valve assembly or the water consumption end. For convenience of user operation, the prompting device 11 is arranged near a water consumption point (also referred to as a water consumption position). The water point may be provided with a tap and/or a counter basin 13. In this case, the water valve assembly may refer to the water valve assembly provided in the above embodiment, which is not described in detail in this embodiment.

In an embodiment of the present application, there is also provided a computer storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the method steps of: acquiring water flow state parameters in the flow channel; and when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value, sending out a prompt signal.

For convenience of description, the above devices are described as being functionally divided into various modules, respectively. Of course, the functions of each module may be implemented in the same piece or pieces of software and/or hardware when implementing the present application.

In this specification, each embodiment is described in a progressive manner, and identical and similar parts of each embodiment are referred to each other, and each embodiment is mainly described as different from other embodiments. In particular, for a system/electronic device implementation, the description is relatively simple, as the software functions performed by its controller are substantially similar to the method implementation, as will be relevant in part to the description of the method implementation.

While the present application has been described by way of embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many variations and modifications of the present application without departing from the spirit of the application, and it is intended that the appended claims encompass such variations and modifications as do not depart from the spirit of the application.

It should be noted that, in the description of the present application, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and to distinguish between similar objects, and there is no order of preference between them, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise indicated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

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

Claims

1. A water valve assembly for placement on a pre-heat circulation line of a hot water system, the water valve assembly comprising:

a blocking member capable of closing and opening the flow passage;

The collecting device is used for obtaining the water flow state parameters in the flow channel; the valve body is provided with a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet which are communicated with the water use end; the hot water outlet is close to the inlet and is communicated with the inlet; the cold water outlet is close to the outlet and is communicated with the outlet, and the collecting device is arranged between the hot water outlet and the cold water outlet; the collecting device can obtain the flow of the water flow in the flow channel;

2. The water valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller has a low power consumption mode and a normal operating mode; the energy consumption of the controller in the low-power mode is lower than that in the normal working mode;

3. The water valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the second predetermined value is less than the first predetermined value; the controller is located in the normal working mode, and when the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value, the controller controls the prompting device to send a prompting signal.

4. The water valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the controller does not perform a determination of the water flow condition parameter in a low power mode; and the controller executes judgment of the water flow state parameters in a normal working mode.

5. The water valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to switch to the low power mode after the normal operating mode has continued for a predetermined time.

6. The water valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a single-chip microcomputer.

7. The water valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the wake module causes the controller to switch to a low power mode when the water flow state parameter is less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

8. The water valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the wake module includes a high and low level output circuit; the high-low level output circuit outputs a low level signal when the water flow state parameter is larger than a second preset value; the wake-up module outputs a high-level signal when the water flow state parameter is smaller than or equal to a second preset value;

9. The water valve assembly of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a power source coupled to the controller.

10. The water valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

11. The water valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the collection means comprises:

12. The water valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the rotating element includes a rotor positioned within the flow passage; the rotor is provided with a magnet part; the magnet part rotates together with the rotor;

13. The water valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the sensing element is disposed on an outer wall of the valve body.

14. The water valve assembly of claim 13, wherein the sensing element is disposed proximate the rotating element.

15. The water valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the rotating member is located between the closure and the cold water outlet.

16. The water valve assembly of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the water valve assembly forms a one-way valve structure by applying an elastic or magnetic force to the closure member.

17. The water valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the closure member has a closed position and an open position; when the plugging piece is positioned at the communicating position, the flow channel is in a communicating state; when the plugging piece is positioned at the plugging position, the flow channel is in a plugging state.

18. The water valve assembly of claim 17, further comprising a attractable member magnetically attractable to each other with the closure member; when the pressure difference between the two sides of the plugging piece along the direction from the inlet to the outlet is larger than the attractive force between the plugging piece and the inhalable piece, the plugging piece can move to the communication position; when the pressure difference between the two sides of the plugging piece along the direction from the inlet to the outlet is smaller than the attractive force between the plugging piece and the inhalable piece, the plugging piece can move to the plugging position.

19. The water valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the prompting device is disposed proximate the water-consuming end.

20. The water valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the prompting device includes a prompting light and/or an audible prompting element.

21. A water heating system, comprising:

A water heating device;

A preheating circulation pipeline communicated with the water heating device;

The preheating circulation pipeline is provided with a water valve assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, which is connected with the water end in parallel; the water valve assembly is opened when the circulating pump drives the water in the preheating circulating pipeline to flow, and is closed when the circulating pump does not drive the water in the preheating circulating pipeline; the prompting device of the water valve assembly is not positioned on the water heating device.

22. A method of controlling a water valve assembly according to any one of claims 1-20, comprising:

acquiring water flow state parameters in the flow channel;

23. The control method as set forth in claim 22, wherein: and when the water flow state parameter is larger than a second preset value, switching the controller of the water valve assembly to a normal working mode.

24. The control method according to claim 23, characterized in that: the second predetermined value is less than the first predetermined value.

25. The control method of claim 24, wherein: and when the controller is in the normal working mode and the water flow state parameter is larger than a first preset value, sending out a prompt signal.

26. The control method according to claim 23, characterized in that: and the controller is positioned in the normal working mode for a preset time and then is switched to a low-power consumption mode.

27. The control method of claim 22, wherein the water flow condition parameter comprises: at least one of water temperature, flow rate, water pressure.