CN102483246A - Hot water reservoir with mixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a hot water storage device for providing hot water, which at least comprises: a water inlet mechanism for conveying cold water; a water discharge mechanism for discharging hot water; and a mixing device for adjusting the temperature of the discharged hot water, wherein cold water is conveyed via a bypass mechanism, thereby adjusting the temperature of the discharged hot water in the mixing device, and the bypass mechanism connects the water inlet mechanism to the mixing device.

Description

Hot water accumulator with mixing device

technical field

The invention relates to a hot water accumulator for supplying hot water. Such a hot water accumulator includes a water intake mechanism for delivering cold water, a discharge mechanism for discharging hot water, and a mixing device for controlling the temperature of the discharged hot water.

Background technique

Known from the prior art, for example DE 37 27 442 A1 discloses a method for generating hot water in a hot water generating device. In order to achieve hygienic operation of the device, the hot water generator is designed such that the incoming fresh water is heated to a temperature above 60° during periods when the hot water is not being used. The water lines are therefore flushed with hot water to prevent the growth of Legionella, which is harmful to health. This flushing is done periodically due to energy efficiency and cannot be done permanently. Due to the inertia of the device, when hot water is taken during flushing, very high water temperatures can occur which can scald the user. This is because the water temperature is higher than 60° during flushing.

G 93 04 262 U1 also discloses a hot water installation which additionally works by means of a solar collector. In order to be able to provide hot water at any time, the device has a continuous heater, which receives water that has previously flowed through a solar collector. If the water has been heated by solar energy, mix in cold water so that the continuous heater will not be damaged. And DE 195 30 000 C2 discloses a hot water supply device, which only makes the continuous heater work when the water heated by solar energy is below a certain temperature threshold.

All known devices therefore have the common disadvantage that the water to be supplied to the user is subject to violent fluctuations, so that a constant outlet water temperature cannot be guaranteed at the water intake. The energy efficiency of conventional devices is also not optimal, since temperature regulation must always be carried out, which in turn leads to high energy consumption.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hot water accumulator which provides a constant withdrawal water temperature and which at the same time operates with high energy efficiency.

This object is achieved with a hot water accumulator for supplying hot water having the features of claim 1 . The dependent claims are all advantageous design solutions and improvement solutions, and these solutions can be used alone or in combination with each other.

The hot water accumulator for providing hot water of the present invention includes at least a water inlet mechanism for delivering cold water, a water discharge mechanism for discharging hot water, and a mixing device for controlling the temperature of the discharged hot water. The temperature of the discharged hot water is regulated in the mixing device by feeding cold water via a bypass mechanism which connects the water inlet to the mixing device.

The temperature of the heated water in the hot water reservoir can thus be kept high, thus effectively preventing the growth of Legionella. Via the bypass or the cold water bypass, the fresh water can be mixed with the hot water from the dome of the hot water reservoir in order thereby to achieve the desired temperature at the water withdrawal point. During water extraction, water is always discharged with a constant temperature or a temperature desired by the user. The mixing device is preprogrammed according to the user's wishes, and the relatively high water temperature from the vault is provided to the desired value by means of fresh water from the cold water bypass mechanism. The vault of the hot water reservoir is the area in which the heated hot water is normally drawn.

Preferably the mixing device receives cold water directly from the bypass mechanism. With this advantageous arrangement, the mixing device can quickly adjust to the desired temperature without the user having to wait for a long time at the water dispensing position until the desired temperature has been generated.

According to a preferred refinement, the hot water reservoir has a heating device designed to heat the water in the hot water reservoir. By means of a heating device, the water in the hot water tank is heated to a high temperature. The water tank can be thermally insulated accordingly, so that the heated water remains at a high temperature for as long as possible. By using an insulating layer, the efficiency of the hot water accumulator can be increased.

The mixing device is advantageously arranged directly on the drain. This avoids heat loss due to extended pipes and further improves the energy efficiency of the accumulator.

Preferably, the mixing device is built into the hot water reservoir. The integration of the mixing device in the hot water reservoir results in a compact device which can be installed easily and in a space-saving manner. It is also possible to install the mixing device in the tank of the hot water storage, so that the hot water storage can be installed in a housing or housing in a space-saving manner.

Preferably, the mixing device has an electronic temperature sensor. The electronic temperature sensor can accurately control and detect the water temperature. Thus, the water temperature at the water intake position can be precisely adjusted.

According to one configuration, the mixing device can be adjusted or not. In the configuration of the adjustment, an efficient intake of heated water can be achieved. In an embodiment without regulation, however, an inexpensive hot water storage can be produced.

The mixing means is preferably a manual mechanical mixing valve. The use of a mechanical mixing valve provides a durable, tamper-resistant unit.

According to an alternative configuration, the mixing device can be an electronically regulated regulating valve. Using electronic components, it is possible to precisely regulate the water temperature. A further advantage is that the electronically regulated control valve also enables alternating floor bathing in that the outlet water temperature is adjusted according to a defined curve.

Preferably, the mixing device has a display for displaying the water temperature. The user can adjust the desired water temperature by means of the display.

Alternatively, the hot water reservoir has a control mechanism for controlling the flow of cold water through the bypass mechanism. In this way, for example, the inertia of the mixing device can be influenced. Rapid adjustment of the outlet water temperature can be achieved, for example, by increasing the flow of cold water.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot water reservoir also has an input field for inputting a desired hot water temperature by a user. The input field can be, for example, a keyboard, a rotary knob or a touch screen. The user can thus comfortably adjust the desired water temperature.

Preferably, a measuring device for detecting the cold water temperature of the cold water in the water inlet mechanism is provided. With the aid of the detected temperature data, the mixing device can be adjusted precisely, so that energy savings can be improved. The measuring device can also be designed to detect the temperature of the hot water at the drain. The regulation can thus be further improved by means of the mixing device.

Preferably, the mixing means is a three-way valve. The desired water temperature can be adjusted easily and reliably with the three-way valve.

Advantageously, the hot water in the hot water reservoir is kept at a temperature above 60° by means of the heating device. In the case of such relatively high temperatures, the growth of Legionella bacteria can be prevented, thereby ensuring hygienic operation of the device.

According to one embodiment, the mixing device of the hot water reservoir is designed so that the outlet water temperature can be adjusted according to the temperature profile. This advantageously enables an automatic regulation of the temperature of the hot water at the take-off point (drain) in accordance with the desired temperature. That is to say, the user can, for example, adjust the alternating bathing.

Description of drawings

Further advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, without however restricting the invention to these exemplary embodiments.

The schematic diagram is as follows:

Figure 1 shows a hot water accumulator according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hot water accumulator according to the invention.

Detailed ways

In the following description of the present invention, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings are significant for realizing the various configurations of the present invention, either individually or in any combination.

FIG. 1 shows a hot water accumulator 1 according to the invention. The hot water reservoir 1 has, for example, the shape of a cylinder, in which the water to be heated is contained in an inner container or hot water tank 18 . The inner container 18 can consist, for example, of a metal material, but can also consist of other materials. The inner container 18 can be surrounded, for example, by an insulating layer which improves the reserve energy consumption. According to this embodiment, the hot water reservoir is mounted vertically, but it can also be mounted on the wall in another way, for example horizontally.

The hot water accumulator 1 has a water inlet mechanism 10 and a drainage mechanism 12 from which heated water can be discharged. The water inlet mechanism 10 is connected with the water supply network, so that the hot water accumulator can obtain fresh water for heating and storage. A heating device 20 is arranged inside the hot water reservoir, which in turn can be powered by a power source 21 . The heating means 20 can have various designs. The heating device 20 is schematically shown in FIG. 2 . The hot water accumulator 1 is filled with fresh water during operation, and then the fresh water is heated with the heating mechanism 20 . As a result of the heating process, the density of the hot water 17 in the inner container 18 of the hot water accumulator 1 changes, which causes the heated water 17 to rise upwards and form regions in the inner container 18 with different water temperatures. In this example two regions 18 , 19 are shown schematically, namely a cold water region 19 in the lower part of the inner container 18 and a hot water region 17 (vault) above the cold water region 19 . It should be noted that the layer boundary cannot be perceived so clearly in practice. On the other hand, FIG. 1 shows a fundamentally inhomogeneous water temperature distribution in the inner container 18 of the hot water storage tank 1 . These layers are mainly caused by hot water coming out and cold water coming in.

The hot water 17 is drawn off in the upper region of the inner container. After the hot water is taken out, fresh water can flow in via the water inlet mechanism 10, so that the heating mechanism 20 can reheat the cold water.

According to the invention, the drainage mechanism 12 is provided with mixing means 14 which allow the user to adjust the desired temperature of the hot water, which in fact differs significantly from the vault temperature. The temperature inside the hot water reservoir 1 is preferably always adjusted to a temperature above 60° in order to prevent the growth of bacteria such as Legionella. If hot water is drawn directly from a vault with such a high vault temperature, the user will be scalded. According to the invention, the hot water reservoir 1 has a bypass or cold water bypass 16 which connects the cold water feed 10 to the mixing device 14 . The desired temperature can thus be adjusted for the customer in the mixing device 14 . The vault temperature can still maintain a high value, and the cold water bypass mechanism 16 is built-in in the hot water accumulator, so that the pipeline length of the hot water pipeline can be shortened. As a result, heat losses can be further reduced. In the case of the same amount of hot water available, the lower temperature of the hot water will significantly reduce the heat loss in the hot water pipeline.

The mixing device 14 can be, for example, a three-way valve, so that the user can simply adjust the desired temperature. It is also possible to install a temperature sensor 22 in the mixing device 16 or on the hot water line in the area of the mixing device. These temperature sensors 22 , shown schematically in FIG. 1 , provide precise temperature values which can be used to precisely and reliably regulate the temperature within the mixing device 14 . The temperature sensor 22 can also be connected with a control mechanism, which can electronically control the operation of the hot water accumulator. The mixing device detects the exact value of the water temperature inside the cold water bypass mechanism 16, whereby precise and/or fast adjustments can be made. Precise and reliable mixing of the cold water from the cold water bypass mechanism 16 in the controlled mixing device 14 is achieved using a plurality of temperature sensors 22 which can be placed at different locations of the hot water reservoir. In this way, the outlet water temperature in the drainage mechanism 12 can be adjusted or controlled rapidly when the temperature of the cold water from the bypass mechanism 16 changes sharply.

The vault temperature of the hot water 17 can be kept at a relatively high value. The mixing of the cold water by means of the bypass 16 takes place directly at the hot water reservoir 1 in order to reduce the heat losses arising in the hot water line, which leads to considerable energy savings.

With the controlled mixing device 14 , a constant temperature at the withdrawal point can be ensured without the user always having to manually adjust the outlet water temperature afterwards.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bypass mechanism 16 is, for example, a pipeline or a water pipeline, which allows the water inlet mechanism 10 to be directly connected to the mixing device. However, it is also conceivable that the bypass 16 is formed from a plurality of lines, so that, for example, the amount of cold water that can be achieved by the mixing device can be adjusted by means of a plurality of lines. It is also conceivable to design the bypass mechanism 16 as an elastic or flexurally elastic hose connection, for example in order to accommodate it in the housing or housing 28 . The housing can be formed around the hot water reservoir 1 in order to ensure an attractive appearance of the entire device, ie the hot water reservoir, in the installed state.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hot water accumulator according to the invention. The hot water accumulator 1 has a casing 28 which surrounds all components and gives the whole arrangement an attractive appearance. According to a preferred embodiment, the housing 28 surrounds the cold water bypass 16 and the mixing device 14 , thereby providing a one-piece construction of the hot water reservoir. The cold water delivery by means of the bypass mechanism 16 is thus not visible from the outside.

Arranged inside the inner container 18 or the hot water tank is a heating device 20 which can heat the quantity of water contained in the inner container. The heating unit 20 is powered via suitable electronics or thermostats from a power supply unit 21 , which in turn can draw energy from the utility grid. The form of the heating mechanism 20 is shown as an example only, as other forms and assembly positions can be realized in the inner container 18 .

The hot water reservoir also includes a control device 25 connected to the mixing device 14 . The mixing device 14 can thus be controlled. The control unit 25 can have, for example, a temperature indicator and a control, by means of which the desired temperature of the hot water can be adjusted. The temperature indicator and/or control element can also be designed separately from the control mechanism 25 . The display element can be designed to display the temperature of the hot water taken up at the drain 12 , which temperature can be detected by a suitable temperature sensor 22 . Furthermore, for example, the cold water temperature of the water flowing in at the water inlet device 10 can also be detected and displayed. The consumer can thus set the desired temperature via the control unit 25 , ie for example by means of a control element, and correspondingly mix in cold water from the bypass unit 16 when this temperature is lower than the temperature of the hot water inside the hot water container 18 . Since the temperature of the cold water in the water inlet mechanism 10 is also known, the mixing device can quickly adjust the desired water temperature accordingly, so that the hot water in the drainage mechanism 12 has this temperature, and it will not be noticeable due to the cold water temperature in the mixing device 14. The time delay caused by the adjustment process. A temperature sensor or temperature sensor 22 can also be arranged inside the hot water container 18 in order thereby to be able to provide as much measured data as possible to the control unit 25 . The adjustment speed of the mixing device can thus be improved.

The invention can also be applied to wall reservoirs, small reservoirs such as table or under table appliances or vertical reservoirs which can be used to produce hot water for consumers. These appliances can be used, for example, in bathrooms or kitchens, but other installation or installation locations are also conceivable.

list of reference signs

1 hot water reservoir

10 water inlet mechanism

12 Drainage mechanism or hot water outlet

14 Mixing device

16 Cold water bypass mechanism or cold water bypass pipeline

17 hot water area

18 Inner container or hot water tank or hot water container

19 cold water area

20 heating mechanism or heating device

21 power supply

22 temperature sensor

25 control mechanism

28 shell

Claims (16)

1. hot water reservoir (1) that is used to provide hot water comprises at least:

-be used to carry the water intake mechanism (10) of cold water;

-be used to discharge the drainage mechanism (12) of hot water; With

-be used to regulate the mixing arrangement (14) of the temperature of the hot water of being discharged; It is characterized in that; Carry cold water via bypass mechanism (16); Temperature to the hot water of discharging is regulated in mixing arrangement (14) thus, and said bypass mechanism makes water intake mechanism (10) be connected with mixing arrangement (14).

2. hot water reservoir as claimed in claim 1 (1), wherein mixing arrangement (14) directly obtains cold water from bypass mechanism (16).

3. according to claim 1 or claim 2 hot water reservoir (1), wherein hot water reservoir (1) has heater (20), and this heater is designed to the water in the hot water reservoir (1) is heated.

4. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim 1 to 3, wherein mixing arrangement (14) is set directly on the drainage mechanism (12).

5. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim 1 to 3, wherein mixing arrangement (14) is built in the hot water reservoir (1).

6. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, wherein mixing arrangement (14) has the temperature sensor (22) of electronics.

7. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, wherein mixing arrangement (14) is conditioned or is not conditioned.

8. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim 1 to 7, wherein mixing arrangement (14) is manual mechanical type mixing valve.

9. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim 1 to 7, wherein mixing arrangement (14) is the control valve of electrical adjustment.

10. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, wherein mixing arrangement (14) has the display part (25) that is used to show water temperature.

11. as each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, also comprise being used for the flow through controlling organization of cold water stream of bypass mechanism (16) of control.

12., also comprise the input area (25) that is used for importing desirable hot water temperature by the user like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim.

13., also comprise the measurement mechanism that is used for detecting the cold water temperature of cold water in the water intake mechanism (10) like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim.

14. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, wherein mixing arrangement (14) is a triple valve.

15. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, wherein the hot water in the hot water reservoir (1) keeps the temperature more than 60 ° by means of heater (20).

16. like each described hot water reservoir (1) in the aforementioned claim, wherein mixing arrangement (14) adjusts coolant-temperature gage according to temperature variation curve.

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