TWI568974B - Gas appliance and its modular control device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Gas appliance and its modular control device and manufacturing method

The invention relates to a gas appliance; in particular to a gas appliance having a modular control device and a method of manufacturing the modular control device.

Generally, a basic gas appliance includes at least a basic device such as a combustion device, a solenoid valve and an ignition device for burning gas, and the electromagnetic valve is controlled to open or block gas supplied to the combustion device. The ignition device is controlled to ignite the combustion device to ignite the gas. The advanced gas appliance additionally includes other additional devices, taking the water heater as an example, in addition to the aforementioned basic device, an additional device including a water temperature detector, a water flow detector, a gas valve, and a control device connection base. Devices and additional devices. Taking a fireplace as an example, it is also based on the aforementioned basic device, and further includes an additional device such as a fan and a light, and a control device.

Due to the wide variety of gas appliances on the market and the different attachments, the manufacturer of gas appliances currently develops a control device for each type of gas appliance. After receiving the order of the gas appliance, it is selected according to the specifications in the order. Control device for gas appliance specifications. For manufacturers of gas appliances, the development of a control device for each type of gas appliance will leave unused control devices idle and increase the pressure on the control device inventory.

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a gas appliance and a modular control device and a manufacturing method thereof, which can effectively reduce the inventory pressure of the manufacturer of the gas appliance on the control device.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing a modular control device for a gas appliance provided by the present invention is applied to one of a plurality of different gas appliances, each of which includes a combustion device and an ignition assembly. The combustion device is for burning gas, the ignition assembly is controlled to open or block the gas supplied to the combustion device and ignite the combustion device to ignite the gas; wherein the gas appliance further comprises at least one An additional device, the gas device further comprising at least one second additional device; the method of manufacturing the modular control device comprises the steps of: providing a main function circuit module for controlling the ignition a plurality of additional functional circuit modules respectively corresponding to the first additional device and the second additional device; each of the additional functional circuit modules being detachably coupled to the main functional circuit Module connection; and selecting one of the gas appliances, and selecting a corresponding additional function circuit module according to the selected gas appliance, and attaching the selected The functional circuit module is connected to the main functional circuit module; whereby the main functional circuit module and coupling the circuit module additional function modular configuration control means of the selected gas appliance.

The modular control device provided by the present invention is for controlling a gas appliance, wherein the gas appliance comprises a combustion device, an ignition assembly and at least one additional device for burning gas, the ignition assembly Controlled to open or block the gas supplied to the combustion device and ignite the combustion device to ignite the gas, the modular control device is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and the additional device; the modular control The device includes a main function circuit module and at least one additional function circuit module, wherein the main function circuit module is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and is used for controlling the ignition assembly; the additional function circuit module is detachable Connected to the main functional circuit module, the additional function is electrically The circuit module is electrically connected to the additional device, so that the main functional circuit module controls the additional device or receives an electrical signal from the additional device through the additional functional circuit module.

The gas appliance provided by the present invention comprises a combustion device and an ignition assembly for burning gas, the ignition assembly being controlled to open or block the gas supplied to the combustion device and to the combustion The device is ignited to ignite the gas, and the gas appliance further includes a modular control device and at least one additional device, the modular control device is electrically connected to the ignition assembly; the modular control device includes a main function circuit module And an additional functional circuit module, wherein the main functional circuit module is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and used to control the ignition assembly; the additional functional circuit module is detachably connected to the main functional circuit The additional function circuit module is electrically connected to the additional device, so that the main function circuit module controls the additional device or receives an electrical signal from the additional device through the additional function circuit module.

The effect of the invention is that the main functional circuit module can be applied to different gas appliances by combining with different additional functional circuit modules. Thereby, the special control device is designed for each different type of gas appliance compared to the conventional manufacturing method, and the invention effectively reduces the manufacturer's inventory pressure on the control device.

1‧‧‧First water heater

10‧‧‧ burning device

102‧‧‧Female fire burner

104‧‧‧Main burner

12‧‧‧Female fire solenoid valve

14‧‧‧Main fire solenoid valve

16‧‧‧Ignition device

18‧‧‧ gas valve

20‧‧‧Blowers

22‧‧‧Into the water temperature detector

24‧‧‧Water temperature detector

26‧‧‧Water flow detector

28‧‧‧Control panel

30‧‧‧Modular control unit

2‧‧‧second water heater

32‧‧‧Thermal conversion module

34‧‧‧Remote control

36‧‧‧Modular control unit

3‧‧‧Fireplace

38‧‧‧ burning device

40‧‧‧Female fire solenoid valve

42‧‧‧Main fire solenoid valve

44‧‧‧Ignition device

46‧‧‧ gas valve

48‧‧‧Blowers

50‧‧‧temperature sensor

52‧‧‧fan

54‧‧‧Light source

56‧‧‧Control panel

58‧‧‧Remote control

60‧‧‧Modular control unit

62‧‧‧Main function circuit module

64‧‧‧Control circuit

64a~64j‧‧‧First port埠

66‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

662‧‧‧Connection interface

664‧‧‧Second connection

666‧‧‧Transition circuit

68‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

682‧‧‧Connection interface

684‧‧‧Second port

686‧‧‧Transition circuit

70‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

702‧‧‧Connection interface

704‧‧‧Wireless signal transceiver circuit

706‧‧‧Transition circuit

72‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

722‧‧‧Connection interface

724‧‧‧Second connection

726‧‧‧Transition circuit

74‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

742‧‧‧Connection interface

744‧‧‧Second connection埠

746‧‧‧Variable circuit

76‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

762‧‧‧Connection interface

764‧‧‧Second connection埠

766‧‧‧Transition circuit

1 is a schematic view of a first water heater in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic view of a second water heater according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the fireplace of the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram of a modular control device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In order to explain the present invention more clearly, the preferred embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a modular control device for a gas appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The gas appliance to which the manufacturing method is applied is three different types of gas appliances such as a first water heater 1, a second water heater 2 and a fireplace 3.

The first water heater 1 includes a combustion device 10 and an ignition assembly. The ignition assembly includes a female fire solenoid valve 12, a main fire solenoid valve 14 and an ignition device 16, and the combustion device 10 includes a female fire burner. 102 and a main burner 104 for burning a gas to generate a mother fire to ignite the gas outputted by the main burner 104, the mother fire solenoid valve 12 being controlled to open or block the output to the mother The gas of the fire burner 102 is controlled to open or block the gas output to the main burner 104. The ignition device 16 is controlled to generate a spark to the parent fire burner 102 to ignite the gas output by the parent fire burner 102.

The first water heater 1 further includes a plurality of additional devices, which in the embodiment include a gas valve 18, a blower 20, a water temperature detector 22, a water temperature detector 24, and a water flow detector. a detector 26, wherein the gas valve 18 is in communication with the blower 20 with the main burner 104, the gas valve 18 being controlled to vary the flow of gas to the main burner 104, the blower 20 being controlled to change For the amount of air to be supplied to the main burner 104, the water inlet temperature detector 22 and the outlet water temperature detector 24 respectively detect the water inlet temperature and the outlet water temperature of a water pipe (not shown) of the first water heater 1. The water flow detector 26 is configured to detect the water flow rate of the water pipe. The first water heater 1 further includes a control panel 28 for the user to set the water outlet temperature of the water heater.

The second water heater 2 is substantially in phase with the first water heater 1 In the same embodiment, the second water heater 2 further includes other thermoelectric conversion modules 32 and a remote control device exemplified by the remote controller 34. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion module 32 is A thermopile is heated by the main burner 104 to generate electric energy. The remote controller 34 allows the user to set the water temperature of the water heater and emit a corresponding wireless signal.

The fireplace 3 is substantially identical in structure to the second water heater 2, and includes a combustion device 38, an ignition assembly (including a female fire solenoid valve 40, a main fire solenoid valve 42 and an ignition device 44), and a gas valve 46. , a blower 48. The fireplace 3 further includes other temperature sensors 50, a fan 52 and a light source 54 for detecting the temperature of the indoor space at the installation of the fireplace 3. The fan 52 The heat energy generated by the combustion device 38 is used to lead to the indoor space. In addition, a control panel 56 of the fireplace 3 and a remote control device exemplified by the remote controller 58 are provided for the user to control the operation of the fireplace 3 to be turned on or off and to adjust the firepower, the speed of the fan 52 or the light source 54. The intensity of the light emitted.

The components of the foregoing gas appliances are conventional structures, and are not described herein. In addition, the present invention defines a first additional device and a second additional device for the additional devices of the gas appliances, as explained below:

For the first water heater 1, the first additional device defined by the present invention is a gas valve 18, a blower 20, a water inlet temperature detector 22, a water outlet temperature detector 24 and a water flow detector 26; The thermoelectric conversion module 32 and the remote control 34 are the second additional devices defined by the present invention; the fan 52 and the light source 54 of the fireplace 3 are the second additional devices defined by the present invention.

For the second water heater 2, the first additional device defined by the present invention is a gas valve 18, a blower 20, a water inlet temperature detector 22, a water outlet temperature detector 24, a water flow detector 26, and a thermoelectric conversion module 32. The fan 52 and the light source 54 of the fireplace 3 are the second additional means as defined by the present invention.

For a fireplace, the first additional device defined by the present invention is The gas valve 46, the blower 48, the temperature sensor 50, the fan 52 and the light source 54; the thermoelectric conversion module 32 of the second water heater 2 is a second additional device defined by the present invention.

That is, the second attachment means of each of the gas appliances defined by the present invention is another attachment that is not present in the gas appliance.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the modular control device for the gas appliances will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, in order to respond to different types of gas appliances, first, a main function circuit module 62 and a plurality of additional function circuit modules 66 are provided. 76. The main function circuit module 62 has a control circuit 64 electrically connected to the plurality of first ports 64a 64j to the control circuit 64, wherein the four first ports 64a 64d are respectively connected to the mother device of the gas appliance. Solenoid valve, main fire solenoid valve, ignition device and control panel.

The control circuit 64 controls the ignition device to generate sparks to the parent fire burner and control the opening of the mother fire solenoid valve, and after the ignition device detects the flame ignition of the output of the parent fire burner, controls the main fire solenoid valve to open, and the gas output is controlled. It is ignited by the mother fire to the main burner.

The additional function circuits 66-76 are detachably coupled to the specific first ports 64e-64j of the main function circuit module 62, and each of the additional function circuit modules 66-76 corresponds to at least one additional device. The main function circuit module 62 is caused to control the add-on device or receive the electrical signal from the add-on device through the additional function circuit modules 66-76. among them:

The additional function circuit module 66 is configured to connect to the temperature detector, and includes a connection interface 662, two second connection ports 664 and a conversion circuit 666. The connection interface 662 is provided with the first connection of the main function circuit module 62. The 埠64e is combined, and each of the second ports 664 is connected to the temperature detector. The conversion circuit 666 converts the analog signal outputted by the temperature detectors connected to the second port 664 into digital signals and outputs the signals to the digital signals. The connection interface 662 is coupled to the control circuit 64.

The additional function circuit module 68 is configured to connect to the water flow detector, and includes a connection interface 682, a second connection port 684, and a conversion circuit 686. The connection interface 682 is provided with the first connection port of the main function circuit module 62. The second connection port 684 is connected to the water flow detector. The conversion circuit 686 amplifies the detection signal outputted by the water flow detector connected to the second port and outputs the detection signal to the connection interface 682 for transmission. To the control circuit 64.

The additional function circuit module 70 and the remote controllers 34, 58 perform bidirectional transmission of the wireless signal, and include a connection interface 702, a wireless signal transceiver circuit 704 and a conversion circuit 706. The connection interface 702 is provided for the main function circuit. The first connection port 64g of the module 62 is coupled to the wireless signal transceiver circuit 704 for receiving the wireless signal transmitted by the remote controller 34, 58. The conversion circuit 706 converts the wireless signal received by the wireless signal transceiver circuit 704 into a digital signal. The electrical signal is output to the connection interface 702. On the other hand, the digital signal outputted by the main function circuit module 62 to the conversion circuit 706 is converted by the conversion circuit 706, and then transmitted as a wireless signal to the remote controller 34, 58 through the wireless signal transceiver circuit 704. The aforementioned wireless signal can be an RF, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal. Thereby, the remote controllers 34, 58 can transmit the wireless signal with the control command to the main function circuit module 62 for controlling the solenoid valves 12, 14, 40, 42, the ignition device 16, 44 or other additional devices; The control circuit 64 of the main function circuit module 62 can also compile the state of the other additional devices, the state of the solenoid valves 12, 14, 40, 42 or the state of the ignition devices 16, 44 into digital electrical signals through the additional functional circuit mode. Group 70 is passed to remote controls 34, 58 for subsequent processing (e.g., display status).

The additional function circuit module 72 includes a connection interface 722, two second connection ports 724 and a conversion circuit 726. The connection interface 722 is coupled to the first connection port 64h of the main function circuit module 62. The ports 724 are connected to the gas valve and the blower, respectively. The conversion circuit 726 The air-fuel ratio corresponding information is built in, the control circuit 64 transmits a firepower adjustment signal to the first port 64h, and the conversion circuit 726 receives the firepower adjustment signal from the connection interface 722, and correspondingly according to the air-fuel ratio corresponding information output. The control signal is connected to the gas valve and the blower to control the connected gas valve and the blower to provide a certain proportion of gas and air to the main burner to obtain good combustion efficiency.

The additional functional circuit module 74 includes a connection interface 742, a second connection 744 and a voltage stabilization circuit 746. The connection interface 742 is coupled to the first connection port 64i of the main function circuit module 62. The connection 744 is connected to the thermoelectric conversion module, and the voltage stabilization circuit 746 regulates or boosts the voltage generated by the thermoelectric conversion module connected to the second connection 744 to the connection interface 742 to serve as the main function. The power required by the circuit module 62.

The additional function circuit module 76 includes a connection interface 762, two second connection ports 764 and a conversion circuit 766. The connection interface 762 is coupled to the first connection port 64j of the main function circuit module 62. The connection port 764 is connected to the fan and the light source, respectively. The control circuit 64 transmits two control signals to the first port 64j, and the switch circuit 766 receives the control signal from the connection interface 762 for conversion to an analog signal for controlling the fan or the light source.

Then, according to the production requirements, the gas appliance to be assembled is selected, and the corresponding additional function circuit modules 66-76 are selected according to the selected components of the gas appliance. The selected additional function circuit modules 66-76 are connected to the corresponding first ports 64e-64j of the main function circuit module 62, whereby the main function circuit module 62 and the connected additional functions are The circuit modules 66-76 constitute a modular control device for the selected gas appliance. After the modular control device is connected to the components in the gas appliance, the assembly of the gas appliance is completed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , if the gas appliance to be assembled is the first water heater 1 , the additional functional circuit modules 66 , 68 , 72 are selected and integrated with the main functional circuit module 62 . Together, they constitute a modular control device 30 of the first water heater 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, if the gas appliance to be assembled is the second water heater 2, the additional function circuit modules 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 are selected and combined with the main function circuit module 62. Together, they constitute a modular control device 36 of the second water heater 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the gas appliance to be assembled is the fireplace 3, the additional functional circuit modules 66, 64, 72, 76 are selected and integrated with the main functional circuit module 62. Together, the modular control device 60 of the fireplace 3 is constructed.

As can be seen from the above, the present invention divides the modular control device of the gas appliance into a main functional circuit module and at least one additional functional circuit module, and can select a corresponding gas appliance according to the selected gas appliance when the modular control device is manufactured. The additional function circuit module is combined with the main function circuit module. In other words, the main functional circuit module can be applied to different types of gas appliances by combining with different additional functional circuit modules. Thereby, a special control device is designed for each different type of gas appliance compared to the conventional manufacturing method, and the present invention can achieve the effect of reducing the pressure on the control device.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and equivalent changes to the scope of the present invention and the scope of the patent application are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention.

1‧‧‧First water heater

10‧‧‧ burning device

102‧‧‧Female fire burner

104‧‧‧Main burner

12‧‧‧Female fire solenoid valve

14‧‧‧Main fire solenoid valve

16‧‧‧Ignition device

18‧‧‧ gas valve

20‧‧‧Blowers

22‧‧‧Into the water temperature detector

24‧‧‧Water temperature detector

26‧‧‧Water flow detector

28‧‧‧Control panel

30‧‧‧Modular control unit

62‧‧‧Main function circuit module

66‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

68‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

72‧‧‧Additional function circuit module

Claims (6)

A method for manufacturing a modular control device for a gas appliance is applied to one of a plurality of different gas appliances, each gas appliance comprising a combustion device and an ignition assembly for burning gas. The ignition assembly is controlled to open or block gas supplied to the combustion device and ignite the combustion device to ignite gas; one of the gas appliances further includes at least one first additional device, and the other gas device Further comprising at least one second additional device, wherein the second additional device is an additional device not included in the gas appliance of the first additional device; the manufacturing method of the modularized control device comprises the following steps: providing a main functional circuit module The main functional circuit module is configured to control the ignition assembly; a plurality of different additional function circuit modules are provided, and the additional functional circuit modules respectively correspond to the first additional device and the second additional device; The functional circuit module is detachably connected to the main functional circuit module; and one of the gas appliances is selected and selected according to the selected gas appliance Taking a corresponding additional function circuit module, and connecting the selected additional function circuit module to the main function circuit module; thereby, the main function circuit module and the connected additional function circuit module form a selected one Modular control device for gas appliances. The method for manufacturing a modular control device for a gas appliance according to claim 1, wherein the main functional circuit module comprises a plurality of connection ports, each of the additional function circuit modules comprising a connection interface for connecting to one of the ports. connection. A modular control device for controlling a gas appliance, wherein the gas appliance comprises a combustion device, an ignition assembly and at least one additional device for burning gas, the ignition assembly being controlled Opening or blocking gas supplied to the combustion device and igniting the combustion device to ignite gas, the modular control device electrically connecting the ignition assembly and the additional device, wherein: the modular control The device includes a main function circuit module and at least one additional function circuit module, wherein the main function circuit module is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and is used for controlling the ignition assembly; the additional function circuit module is detachable Connected to the main functional circuit module, the additional functional circuit module is connected to the additional device, so that the main functional circuit module controls the additional device or receives a signal from the additional device through the additional functional circuit module; The additional device of the gas appliance is a remote control device; the main function circuit module includes a connection port; the additional function circuit module includes a connection device a wireless signal transceiver circuit and a conversion circuit, wherein the connection interface is connected to the connection port; the wireless signal transceiver circuit is configured to transmit a wireless signal bidirectionally with the remote control device; the conversion circuit is electrically connected to the connection interface and a wireless signal transmitting and receiving circuit; wherein the wireless signal transmitting and receiving circuit receives the wireless signal from the remote control device, and the converted device converts the electrical signal to the connection interface for input to the main functional circuit module; The electrical signal outputted by the main functional circuit module is transmitted to the conversion circuit via the connection port and the connection interface, and is converted by the conversion circuit and transmitted as a wireless signal through the wireless signal transmission and reception circuit. A modular control device for controlling a gas appliance, wherein the gas appliance comprises a combustion device, an ignition assembly and at least one additional device for burning gas, the ignition assembly being controlled Opening or blocking gas supplied to the combustion device and igniting the combustion device to ignite gas, the modular control device electrically connecting the ignition assembly and the additional device, wherein: the modular control The device includes a main function circuit module and at least one additional function circuit module, wherein the main function circuit module is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and is used for controlling the ignition assembly; the additional function circuit module is detachable Connected to the main functional circuit module, the additional functional circuit module is electrically connected to the additional device, so that the main functional circuit module controls the additional device or receives telecommunications from the additional device through the additional functional circuit module Wherein the number of the at least one additional device is plural, including a blower and a gas valve connected to the combustion device, the blower being controlled to be changed The amount of air sent to the combustion device, the gas valve is controlled to change the gas flow rate to be supplied to the combustion device; the air blower and the gas valve are electrically connected to the additional functional circuit module, and the additional functional circuit module is built in There is an air-fuel ratio corresponding information, and the main function circuit module transmits a firepower adjustment signal to the additional function circuit module, so that the additional function circuit module controls the air blower and the gas valve according to the air-fuel ratio corresponding information. A gas appliance comprising a combustion device and an ignition assembly for burning gas, the ignition assembly being controlled to open or block gas supplied to the combustion device and to ignite the combustion device Gas, this The gas appliance further comprises a modular control device and at least one additional device, wherein the modular control device is electrically connected to the ignition assembly, wherein the modular control device comprises a main functional circuit module and an additional a functional circuit module, wherein the main functional circuit module is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and used to control the ignition assembly; the additional functional circuit module is detachably connected to the main functional circuit, the additional function The circuit module is connected to the additional device, so that the main function circuit module controls the additional device or receives a signal from the additional device through the additional function circuit module; wherein the additional device is a remote control device; the main function circuit The module includes a connection module; the additional function circuit module includes a connection interface, a wireless signal transceiver circuit, and a conversion circuit, wherein the connection interface is connected to the connection port; the wireless signal transceiver circuit is used for the remote control The device transmits the wireless signal in two directions; the conversion circuit is electrically connected to the connection interface and the wireless signal transceiver circuit; wherein the wireless signal is transmitted and received Receiving a wireless signal from the remote control device, and converting the electrical signal from the conversion device to the connection interface for input to the main function circuit module; and further, the electrical signal output by the main function circuit module is The connection port and the connection interface are transmitted to the conversion circuit, and converted by the conversion circuit and transmitted as a wireless signal through the wireless signal transceiver circuit. A gas appliance comprising a combustion device and an ignition assembly for burning gas, the ignition assembly being controlled to open or block gas supplied to the combustion device and to ignite the combustion device The gas turbine further comprises a modular control device and at least one additional device, the modular control device being electrically connected to the ignition assembly, wherein: The modular control device includes a main function circuit module and an additional function circuit module, wherein the main function circuit module is electrically connected to the ignition assembly and is used for controlling the ignition assembly; the additional function circuit module The detachable connection is connected to the main function circuit, and the additional function circuit module is electrically connected to the additional device, so that the main function circuit module controls the additional device through the additional functional circuit module or receives the additional device The number of the at least one additional device includes a blower and a gas valve connected to the combustion device, the blower being controlled to change the amount of air supplied to the combustion device, the gas valve being controlled Controlling and changing the gas flow rate for the combustion device; the air blower and the gas valve are electrically connected to the additional function circuit module, and the additional function circuit module has an air-fuel ratio corresponding information built therein, and the main function circuit module transmits a firepower adjustment signal is applied to the additional function circuit module, so that the additional function circuit module controls the air blower and the gas according to the air-fuel ratio corresponding information .