Patent Description:
The water heater in the related art has a large inner container volume and a large water storage capacity, which can meet the water demand of many people at the same time. However, due to the large water storage capacity of the inner container, it takes a long time to heat the cold water to a predetermined temperature, which cannot meet a need of urgent water use. If the water temperature of the inner container needs to be kept relatively stable, the water in the inner container needs to be heated repeatedly, an energy consumption is high and electricity is wasted. Moreover, if the water in the inner container is heated repeatedly for a long time, it is prone to form lime scale. <CIT> discloses a phase-change thermal formula water heater, including: a box equipped with phase change material in it, a heat exchange line being located in the box, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a heating device installed in the heat exchange line, and a circulation branch pipe, connecting the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe with the heat exchange line to form a circulation heat transfer return circuit jointly, the circulation heat transfer return circuit being equipped with the water pump, and a control valve on the circulation branch pipe. <CIT> discloses an improved panel mounting structure for an electric heater, including a back shell, glass panels is installed to the back shell front end, a frame for the glass panels that has cup joints, be connected with a plurality of connecting pieces, the connecting piece passing through fastener and back shell erection joint, to fix the glass panels on the back shell, the installation of glass panels and combination formula frame, can set clearance fit to, and the connecting piece also is clearance fit with combination formula frame, so can have certain free gap between glass panels and the combination formula frame, which can not cause any extrusion to glass panels when back shell and combination formula frame cold shrink, also there is certain space for the combination formula frame and back shell to expand. <CIT> discloses a water heater, including: a casing having a first heat accumulation chamber and a second heat accumulation chamber, a phase change material established to the first heat accumulation chamber, and a second phase change material established to the second heat accumulation chamber, a first heat exchanger located in the first heat accumulation chamber, the first heat exchanger having concatenated a circulation heating spare in order to form a circulation circuit, a second heat exchanger, located in the second heat accumulation chamber, the second heat exchanger has concatenated a second circulation heating spare in order forming a second circulation circuit, and concatenates a radiator in the casing outside on the second circulation circuit. <CIT> discloses an instant heating type phase change energy storage water heater, including an instant heating mechanism and a phase change energy storage unit, the instant heating mechanism installed in the phase change energy storage unit hot water delivery port department. The phase change energy storage unit includes a shell, having an insulation material layer, an inner shell, phase change material in the inner shell, and a heat exchange coil, an electrical heating mechanism, and a temperature sensor among the phase change material.

The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the above technical problems to a certain extent.

To this end, an object of the present disclosure is to propose a phase-change water heater which has low energy consumption and can provide healthy water for users.

The phase-change water heater according to embodiments of the present disclosure has at least a water discharging mode and a circulation heating mode, and includes: a housing defining a chamber; an inner container disposed in the chamber and having a phase-change material filled therein; a heat exchanger buried in the phase-change material; and a water control system connected to a water inlet and a water outlet of the heat exchanger, and the circulation heating mode and the water discharging mode are switchable by the water control system.

The phase-change water heater according to the embodiments of the present disclosure uses a heat storage capacity of the phase-change material to realize rapid hot water production without repeated heating, which saves the energy consumption, and avoids problems of dirt and pollution caused by long-term heating of the inner container.

Further, the phase-change water heater according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can further have following additional technical features.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a front surface of the housing is provided with a panel assembly provided on a front surface thereof, the panel assembly includes a connecting plate and a glass plate, and the glass plate is adhered on the connecting plate.

According the invention, the housing includes a front housing and a rear housing that are connected to each other, the chamber is defined by the front housing and the rear housing, a glass plate and a connecting plate are provided in front of the front housing, the glass plate is disposed on the connecting plate, and a gap structure is provided between the connecting plate and the front housing.

In an optional embodiment, the gap structure includes one or more convex hulls formed on the connecting plate and protruding backwards.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a glass plate is provided on a front surface of the housing, and a reinforced structure is provided on the housing or the inner container, the reinforced structure being configured to resist expansion of the phase-change material towards the glass plate.

In an optional embodiment, the reinforced structure is disposed on an outer wall of the inner container and at least a portion of the reinforced structure is on the same side as the glass plate.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, at least a side wall of the housing has a port, and the phase-change water heater further includes an end plate that is detachably disposed on each of the at least one side wall to close the port.

In an optional embodiment, the end plate is connected to each of the at least one side wall of the housing in a plug-in manner.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water control system includes: a water inlet pipe, an outlet of the water inlet pipe being respectively connected to the water inlet and the water outlet of the heat exchanger, wherein a one-way valve and a thermostatic valve are disposed in parallel between the water inlet pipe and the water outlet of the heat exchanger, and a heater is disposed between the water inlet pipe and the water inlet of the heat exchanger; a water outlet pipe connected to the thermostatic valve; and a water pump disposed between the water inlet of the heat exchanger and the water outlet of the heat exchanger, wherein in the circulation heating mode, the water inlet and the water outlet of the heat exchanger are communicated with each other through a pipeline where the one-way valve is located.

In an optional embodiment, the housing includes a partition plate, the partition plate divides the chamber into a first installation chamber and a second installation chamber that are independent from each other and are not open to each other, either the water control system or the inner container is disposed in the first installation chamber, and the other of the water control system and the inner container is disposed in the second installation chamber.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The above and additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are illustrative and intended to explain the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

After in-depth research and bold attempts, the inventor has broken through disadvantages of existing electric water heaters, which are bulky and single in appearance. After years of arduous efforts, a brand-new phase-change water heater <NUM> is designed. The phase-change water heater <NUM> makes full use of properties of a phase change material in storing heat at high temperature and releasing heat at low temperature, so as to meet needs of users who want to use water sooner.

Referring now to <FIG>, a phase-change water heater <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described. The phase-change water heater <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, an inner container <NUM>, a heat exchanger <NUM>, and a water control system <NUM>. The phase-change water heater <NUM> at least has a water discharging mode and a circulation heating mode.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> defines a chamber <NUM>, and the inner container <NUM> is disposed in the chamber <NUM>. That is, the housing <NUM> provides an installation space, and the inner container <NUM> is installed in the chamber <NUM>.

The inner container <NUM> has a phase-change material filled therein. The phase-change material has heat absorption and heat release functions. The heat exchanger <NUM> is buried in the phase-change material. When there is a temperature difference between the phase-change material and the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>, the phase-change material exchanges heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>. That is, in the case that the water in the heat exchanger <NUM> has a lower temperature than the phase-change material, the heat of the phase-change material is released to the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>, and the water temperature in the heat exchanger <NUM> rapidly rises; in the case that the water in the heat exchanger <NUM> has a higher temperature than the phase-change material, the phase-change material will absorb the heat of the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>, and thus the temperature of the phase-change material will rise constantly.

The water control system <NUM> is connected to a water inlet <NUM> and a water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>. The circulation heating mode and the water discharging mode are switchable by the water control system <NUM>. In the water discharging mode, the heat exchanger <NUM> supplies hot water to the outside, and the water control system <NUM> supplements water to the water inlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>, and in this process, the heat of the phase-change material can be constantly transferred to the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>, thereby realizing constant supply of hot water to the outside. In the circulation heating mode, the heat exchanger <NUM> does not supply hot water to the outside, and water flows circularly between the water control system <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM> after being heated in the water control system <NUM>, and in this process, the phase-change material constantly absorbs heat of the water in the heat exchanger <NUM> until the temperature of the phase-change material reaches a preset temperature.

That is, a water discharge capacity (i.e., a maximum water discharge amount) of the phase-change water heater <NUM> is in positive correlation with the heat storage capacity of the phase-change material. The phase-change water heater <NUM> stores heat in the phase-change material in advance, and the phase-change material can release the heat quickly to water in the heat exchanger <NUM> when hot water is in need, so that the purpose of discharging the hot water sooner is achieved.

In addition, compared with the traditional water heater, since the water in the heat exchanger <NUM> is constantly updated and replaced in the water discharging process of the phase-change water heater <NUM>, the problem of use of residual water does not exist, the problem of bacteria growing in the heat exchanger <NUM> is avoided, and healthy water can be provided for users.

Compared with the traditional water heater, the phase-change water heater <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can realize sooner hot water discharge by using the heat storage capacity of the phase-change material without repeated heating, thereby saving energy consumption and avoiding the problems of dirt and pollution caused by long-term heating of the inner container <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has a panel assembly <NUM> provided on a front surface thereof, that is, the panel assembly <NUM> is disposed in front of the housing <NUM> to cover a configuration of the surface of the housing <NUM>, an internal structure of the phase-change water heater <NUM> cannot be observed through a decoration of the panel assembly <NUM>, and therefore an entirety thereof is simple and elegant.

The panel assembly <NUM> is disposed in front of the housing <NUM>, the panel assembly <NUM> includes a connecting plate <NUM> and a glass plate <NUM>, and the glass plate <NUM> is adhered to the connecting plate <NUM>. By providing the panel assembly <NUM> in the front of the housing <NUM>, the panel assembly <NUM> may, on the one hand, reinforce a structural strength of a housing assembly and, on the other hand, may also shield the configuration of the surface of the housing <NUM>. According to the phase-change water heater <NUM> of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the panel assembly <NUM> is disposed in front of the housing <NUM>, so that problems that the housing assembly of the phase-change water heater <NUM> has a complex structure and an assembling process thereof is complicated are solved.

Furthermore, a volume of the phase-change material expands as the temperature increases, and shrink as the temperature decreases, so that a volume of the inner container <NUM> also changes accordingly. In particular, in the case that the glass plate <NUM> is provided on the housing <NUM>, the glass plate <NUM> is easily broken due to crushing.

The inventor has noted the above problems in the design process, and has made an innovative improvement to the structure of the housing <NUM> of the phase-change water heater <NUM> in order to avoid the deformation of the inner container <NUM> pressing the glass plate <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a front housing <NUM> and a rear housing <NUM> that are connected to each other, a glass plate <NUM> and a connecting plate <NUM> are provided in front of the front housing <NUM>, the glass plate <NUM> is disposed on the connecting plate <NUM>, the connecting plate <NUM> is connected to the front housing <NUM>, and a rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM> and a front surface of the front housing <NUM> have a gap structure <NUM> provided therebetween. The gap structure <NUM> may allow a partial gap to be present between the front housing <NUM> and the connecting plate <NUM>, i.e., allow the front housing <NUM> and the connecting plate <NUM> to be partially separated.

In other words, the rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM> and the front surface of the front housing <NUM> are at least partially not in contact with each other, so that the force of the expansion of the inner container <NUM> acting on the front housing <NUM> is not completely transferred to the connecting plate <NUM>, thereby reducing an influence of the expansion of the inner container <NUM> on the glass plate <NUM> to some extent and avoiding a deformation of the glass plate <NUM> due to the expansion force.

The forming position of the gap structure <NUM> is not particularly limited, and the gap structure <NUM> may be formed on the connecting plate <NUM>, or the gap structure <NUM> may be formed on the front housing <NUM>, or the gap structure <NUM> may be formed on both the connecting plate <NUM> and the front housing <NUM>. Therefore, according to the housing <NUM> assembly of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the gap structure <NUM> provided between the rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM> and the front surface of the front housing <NUM> reduces the influence of the expansion force of the inner container <NUM> on the glass plate <NUM>, ensures a flatness of the glass plate <NUM>, and prevents deformation of the glass plate <NUM>.

That is, the rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM> is separated from the front surface of the front housing <NUM> by a convex hull. The larger a protruding height of the convex hull with respect to the rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM>, the larger the gap between the connecting plate <NUM> and the front housing <NUM>.

Further optionally, the convex hull is formed by concaving from a front side of the connecting plate <NUM> to a rear side of the connecting plate <NUM>. That is, the convex hull is formed by stretching from front to back, and the front surface of connecting plate <NUM> has a concave pit formed relative to a position where the convex hull is located. A screw hole can be formed on the convex hull, and under the condition that the front housing <NUM> and the connecting plate <NUM> are locked by a screw, the screw can be hidden in the concave pit, thereby avoiding the screw squeezing the glass plate <NUM>.

In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has the glass plate <NUM> disposed on the front surface thereof, the inner container <NUM> is disposed in the housing <NUM>, the inner container <NUM> has the phase-change material filled therein, the heat exchanger <NUM> is buried in the phase-change material, and the housing <NUM> or the inner container <NUM> has a reinforced structure <NUM> provided thereon, the reinforced structure <NUM> being configured to resist expansion of the phase-change material towards the glass plate <NUM>.

The reinforced structure <NUM> is disposed on the housing <NUM> and/or the inner container <NUM>, for example, the reinforced structure <NUM> may be connected onto the housing <NUM>, the reinforced structure <NUM> may be connected onto the inner container <NUM>, or the reinforced structure <NUM> may be connected respectively onto the housing <NUM> and the inner container <NUM>.

It can be understood that, since the housing <NUM> has the glass plate <NUM> disposed on the front surface thereof according to the present disclosure, the glass plate <NUM> is brittle and is easily damaged. That is, the deformation of the phase-change material of the glass plate <NUM> has a greater influence on the glass plate <NUM>.

In order to reduce the influence of the phase-change material on the glass plate <NUM>, the reinforced structure <NUM> is provided for resisting the force of the phase-change material towards the glass plate <NUM>, so that the pressure applied to the glass plate <NUM> is reduced, the influence of the phase-change material on the glass plate <NUM> can be reduced, and deformation of the glass plate <NUM> is prevented.

The reinforced structure <NUM> is disposed on an outer wall of the inner container <NUM> and at least a portion of the reinforced structure <NUM> is on the same side as the glass plate <NUM>. At least a portion of the reinforced structure <NUM> is on the same side as the glass plate <NUM>. In other words, at least a portion of the reinforced structure <NUM> is disposed on a side wall of the inner container <NUM> close to the glass plate <NUM>. That is, a portion of the reinforced structure <NUM> may be on the same side as the glass plate <NUM>, or the entire reinforced structure <NUM> may be on the same side as the glass plate <NUM>. The reinforced structure <NUM> is disposed on the outer wall of the inner container <NUM>, and plays a role of fastening the inner container <NUM>, resisting the expansion force of the phase-change material towards the glass plate <NUM>, and protecting the glass plate <NUM>.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the reinforced structure <NUM> may be disposed on an inner wall of the inner container <NUM>, and the reinforced structure <NUM> may alternatively be disposed on the housing <NUM>. In other words, the location of the reinforced structure <NUM> in the present disclosure is not exclusive as long as the reinforced structure <NUM> is capable of resisting the expansion force of the phase-change material towards the glass plate <NUM>.

In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> defines a chamber <NUM>, and at least one sidewall of the housing <NUM> each has a port. The port is in communication with the chamber <NUM>, and devices such as an instant heating assembly, an energy storage tank, an electric control board, and a water pump <NUM> are provided in the chamber <NUM>. Maintenance personal can overhaul the above-mentioned devices through the port. An end plate <NUM> may be formed on one side wall (left side wall or right side wall) of the housing <NUM>, or, end plates <NUM> are formed on both of the two side walls (left side wall and right side wall) of the housing <NUM>.

The end plate <NUM> is detachably disposed on the side wall and is configured to close the port. That is, the end plate <NUM> detachably fits with the housing <NUM>, so that the end plate <NUM> can be detached from the housing <NUM> when in need of maintenance. Under normal use conditions, the end plate <NUM> can be mounted on the housing <NUM> to close the chamber <NUM>, so as to ensure a tightness of the chamber <NUM>.

Therefore, according to the phase-change water heater <NUM> of the embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one side wall of the housing <NUM> each has a port disposed thereon, and the port is detachably closed by the end plate <NUM>, so that the maintenance of the devices in the chamber <NUM> is facilitated, and the tightness of the housing <NUM> can be ensured.

In an optional embodiment, the end plate <NUM> is connected to the side wall of the housing <NUM> in a plug-in manner. That is, one of the end plate <NUM> and the housing <NUM> has a buckle, the other one of the end plate <NUM> and the housing <NUM> has a snapping groove, and the end plate <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are connected through the cooperation of the buckle and the snapping groove. The end plate <NUM> coordinates with the housing <NUM> in the plug-in manner, which is convenient to assembling and disassembling, the processing process is simple, and the realization is easy.

Since the end plate <NUM> is smaller and lighter in mass relative to the housing <NUM>, the end plate <NUM> can be more easily plugged into the housing <NUM> by providing the buckle on the end plate <NUM>.

In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing <NUM> includes: a panel assembly <NUM>, a front housing <NUM>, and a rear housing <NUM> opened forward.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the panel assembly <NUM>, the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> are sequentially connected, the front housing <NUM> is opened backwards, the rear housing <NUM> is opened forward, the chamber <NUM> is defined by the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM>, the front housing <NUM> has a first connecting member <NUM> disposed therein, the rear housing <NUM> has a second connecting member <NUM> disposed therein, the second connecting member <NUM> coordinating with the first connecting member <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the panel assembly <NUM> is disposed on the front surface of the front housing <NUM>.

In other words, the first connecting member <NUM> is disposed in the chamber formed by the front housing <NUM>, the second connecting member <NUM> is disposed in the chamber formed by the rear housing <NUM>, and the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> are connected by the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM>. That is, the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM> are both disposed in the chamber <NUM> and are not exposed outside the housing <NUM>, so as to improve an overall simplicity of the appearance of the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the front housing <NUM> includes a front main plate <NUM>, and a front side plate <NUM> formed on a periphery of the front main plate <NUM> and extending backwards. The first connecting member <NUM> is a tubular column, and the first connecting member <NUM> is formed on the front side plate <NUM> and extends in a front-rear direction. As shown in <FIG>, the rear housing <NUM> include: a rear main plate <NUM> and a rear side plate <NUM> formed at a periphery of the rear main plate <NUM> and extending forward. The second connecting member <NUM> is a tubular column, and the second connecting member <NUM> is formed on the rear side plate <NUM> and extends in the front-rear direction.

The front side plate <NUM> and the rear side plate <NUM> may be connected to each other in a butt joint manner, at least a part of the front side plate <NUM> may wrap an outer peripheral surface of the rear side plate <NUM>, or at least a part of the rear side plate <NUM> may wrap the outer peripheral surface of the front side plate <NUM>. The first connecting member <NUM> is connected to the front main plate <NUM> and extends in the front-rear direction, the second connecting member <NUM> is connected to the rear housing <NUM> and extends in the front-rear direction, and the first connecting member <NUM> is adapted to be mating-connected to the second connecting member <NUM>. In other words, the front main plate <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> are connected by the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM>, and both the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM> are configured as tubular columns. In this way, structural strength of the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM> can be improved, that is, connection strength between the front main plate <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM> can be improved.

In some optional embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the first connecting member <NUM> has a first screw hole disposed thereon, the second connecting member <NUM> has a second screw hole disposed thereon, and the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM> are interlocked by a screw. Specifically, the first screw hole extends in an axial direction of the first connecting member <NUM> and penetrates through the first connecting member <NUM> and the front main plate <NUM>, and the second screw hole extends in an axial direction of the second connecting member <NUM> and penetrates through the front main plate <NUM>, the first connecting member <NUM>, and the second connecting member <NUM> so as to connect the first connecting member <NUM> and the second connecting member <NUM>. Since the panel assembly <NUM> is disposed on the front surface of front housing <NUM>, an occurrence of corrosion failure of the screw due to exposure to the air can be effectively avoided, a service life of the screw can therefore be improved, a connection stability of the housing assembly can be guaranteed, and the maintenance can also be facilitated.

In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the phase-change water heater <NUM> at least includes a water discharging mode and a circulation heating mode. In the water discharging mode, cold water in a water inlet pipe <NUM> and hot water flowing out of the heat exchanger <NUM> flow together into a thermostatic valve <NUM> to be mixed, and the cold water in the water inlet pipe <NUM> is also synchronously delivered into the heat exchanger <NUM> to supplement the water amount. A heater <NUM> may or may not preheat the cold water before the cold water enters the heat exchanger <NUM>. In the circulation heating mode, the water inlet pipe <NUM> and the water outlet pipe <NUM> are both closed, water flows circularly between the heat exchanger <NUM> and the heater <NUM> under the pumping pressure of the water pump <NUM>, and before the cold water enters the heat exchanger <NUM>, the heater <NUM> must preheat the cold water to ensure that the phase-change material can store heat sufficiently. A heating pipe can be an instant heat pipe, and a power of the instant heat pipe can be adjustable, so that the instant heat pipe can adopt different heating powers for heating in different operation modes.

However, on the premise that a space structure of the phase-change water heater <NUM> is limited, it is uneasy to facilitate the installation of the pipeline and the structure of the water control system <NUM> while ensuring excellent performance in the product development process, the present disclosure aims to solve the problems on complex pipeline, difficult assembling operation and performance stability of the water control system <NUM> of the phase-change water heater <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the water control system <NUM> of the phase-change water heater <NUM> according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a heat exchanger <NUM>, a water inlet pipe <NUM>, and a water outlet pipe <NUM>.

Specifically, the heat exchanger <NUM> includes a water inlet <NUM> and a water outlet <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> is buried in the phase-change material of the phase-change water heater <NUM>, and when there is a temperature difference between the phase-change material and the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>, the phase-change material exchanges heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>. That is, in the case that the water in the heat exchanger <NUM> has a lower temperature than the phase-change material, the heat of the phase-change material is released to the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>; in the case that the water in the heat exchanger <NUM> has a higher temperature than the phase-change material, the phase-change material absorbs heat from the water in the heat exchanger <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an outlet of the water inlet pipe <NUM> is connected respectively to the water inlet <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>. It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, and may represent a direct connection or an indirect connection. Here, since a one-way valve <NUM> and a thermostatic valve <NUM> are disposed in parallel between the water inlet pipe <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>, the water inlet pipe <NUM> is connected indirectly to the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>. Further, since a heater <NUM> is disposed between the water inlet pipe <NUM> and the water inlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>, the water inlet pipe <NUM> is also connected indirectly to the water inlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>.

In the water control system <NUM>, when the phase-change water heater <NUM> is in the water discharging mode, water in the water inlet pipe <NUM> can be simultaneously delivered to the thermostatic valve <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM>, thereby realizing discharge of water from the water outlet pipe <NUM>, feeding of water into the water inlet pipe <NUM>, and a continuous water discharge from the phase-change water heater <NUM>.

A water pump <NUM> is disposed between the water inlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>. In the circulation heating mode, the water pump <NUM> drives a water flow to flow between the inside and outside of the heat exchanger <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in the water discharging mode, the water pump <NUM> may not be activated, and the water pump <NUM> may only act as a water flow channel. Thus, the energy consumption of the phase-change water heater <NUM> can be reduced, and the service life of the water pump <NUM> can be extended.

As shown in <FIG>, in the circulation heating mode, the water inlet <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM> are communicated with each other through a pipeline where the one-way valve <NUM> is located. In other words, in the water discharging mode, the one-way valve <NUM> is subjected to hydraulic pressure to disconnect the water inlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM> from the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>, so that cold water is prevented from reversely entering the heat exchanger <NUM> from a path where the one-way valve <NUM> is located, and normal flow of the water control system <NUM> is ensured.

In short, according to the water control system <NUM> of the phase-change water heater <NUM> in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the outlet of the water inlet pipe <NUM> is respectively connected to the water inlet <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>, and the one-way valve <NUM> and the thermostatic valve <NUM> are disposed in parallel between the water inlet pipe <NUM> and the water outlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM>, which not only simplifies a pipeline layout of the water control system <NUM>, but also facilitates a switching between the circulation heating mode and the water discharging mode of the water control system <NUM>.

In an optional embodiment, the water pump <NUM> is disposed between the water inlet <NUM> of the heat exchanger <NUM> and the outlet of the water inlet pipe <NUM>. That is, the water pump <NUM> is disposed close the water inlet pipe <NUM>, so that the water pump <NUM> can be fully filled with cold water when the phase-change water heater <NUM> is not in an operating state (neither in the circulation heating mode nor in the water discharging mode), and thus, the water pump <NUM> can be prevented from being soaked in hot water for a long time, thereby extending the service life of the water pump <NUM>.

In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat insulation layer is disposed between the outer wall of the inner container <NUM> and the inner wall of the housing <NUM>. The heat insulation layer can prevent the heat of the inner tank <NUM> from radiating to the outside, improve a heat insulation performance of the phase-change water heater <NUM>, and reduce energy consumption. The heat insulation layer can be made of a foam material.

In an optional embodiment, the phase-change water heater further includes a partition plate <NUM>, the partition plate <NUM> divides the chamber <NUM> into a first installation chamber and a second installation chamber that are independent from each other and are closed to each other, one of the water control system <NUM> and the inner container <NUM> is disposed in the first installation chamber, and the other one of the water control system <NUM> and the inner container <NUM> is disposed in the second installation chamber. Therefore, the thermal insulation material can be prevented from entering the water control system <NUM> and the safety of the circuit is ensured.

In the present disclosure, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the recitation of a first feature "on" or "under" a second feature may include a case of the first and second features being in direct contact, and may also include a case that the first and second features are not in direct contact, but are in contact via another feature between them. Also, the first feature "on", "above", or "over" the second feature may include the first feature being right above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath", or "below" the second feature includes the first feature being right under and obliquely under the second feature, or simply mean that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

In the description of the specification, reference to the description of "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", "some examples" or the like means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Claim 1:
A phase-change water heater (<NUM>), having at least a water discharging mode and a circulation heating mode, the phase-change water heater (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) defining a chamber (<NUM>);
an inner container (<NUM>) disposed in the chamber (<NUM>), and having a phase-change material filled therein;
a heat exchanger (<NUM>) buried in the phase-change material; and
a water control system (<NUM>) connected to a water inlet (<NUM>) and a water outlet (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger (<NUM>), wherein the circulation heating mode and the water discharging mode are switchable by the water control system (<NUM>),
wherein in the water discharging mode, the heat exchanger (<NUM>) supplies hot water to the outside, and the water control system (<NUM>) supplements water to the water inlet (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger (<NUM>), and wherein the circulation heating mode, the heat exchanger (<NUM>) does not supply hot water to the outside, and water flows circularly between the water control system (<NUM>) and the heat exchanger (<NUM>) after being heated in the water control system (<NUM>)<NUM>
<NUM> description paragraph [<NUM>]
wherein the housing (<NUM>) comprises a front housing (<NUM>) and a rear housing (<NUM>) that are connected to each other, the chamber (<NUM>) is defined by the front housing (<NUM>) and the rear housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that a glass plate (<NUM>) and a connecting plate (<NUM>) are provided in front of the front housing (<NUM>), the glass plate (<NUM>) is disposed on the connecting plate (<NUM>), and a gap structure (<NUM>) is provided between the
connecting plate (<NUM>) and the front housing (<NUM>)<NUM>.
<NUM> current claim <NUM>