A water heater service cover and a water heater

Abstract

This utility model discloses a water heater repair cover and a water heater. The water heater repair cover includes a first cover body and a second cover body. The first cover body has a first mating end with an insertion slot and a fastener located in the insertion slot. The second cover body has a second mating end with an insertion long side, a fastening hole on the insertion long side, and a support structure. The insertion long side is inserted into the insertion slot to achieve an insertion fit in a first direction, and the fastener is inserted into the fastening hole to achieve a fastening fit in a second direction. The water heater repair cover provided by this utility model includes a split design of the first cover body and the second cover body, and adopts an assembly method combining insertion and fastening, which simplifies the assembly method, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves appearance quality. Furthermore, by using a support structure that extends into the insertion slot and is supported on the inner wall surface forming the insertion slot, it can prevent the first cover body or the second cover body from collapsing, thereby improving assembly stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to a water heater repair cover and a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] Water heaters are among the most commonly used appliances in daily life, providing hot water for bathrooms and kitchens, ensuring users have access to hot water at any time. The maintenance cover is an external component of the water heater, allowing for easy repairs by removing it. For aesthetic and functional reasons, some maintenance covers are assembled from covers of different materials or colors, joined together using a heat-fusion process. However, this type of maintenance cover has the following drawbacks: 1. Complex process control: Excessive temperature can lead to material degradation; insufficient temperature results in weak connections, the strength of which depends on process stability. 2. Increased manufacturing costs due to the heat-fusion process. 3. Impact on appearance and surface quality: The high temperatures of the heat-fusion process can cause material discoloration, scorching, or surface deformation, affecting the product's appearance. Utility Model Content

[0003] The first objective of this utility model is to provide a water heater repair cover that is not only easy to assemble and has low manufacturing cost, but also has a good appearance.

[0004] The second objective of this utility model is to provide a water heater that is not only simple to assemble and has low manufacturing costs, but also has a good appearance.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A water heater repair cover includes: a first cover body having a first mating end, the first mating end being provided with an insertion slot and a fastener located within the insertion slot; a second cover body having a second mating end, the second mating end being provided with an insertion long side and a fastening hole and a support structure disposed on the insertion long side; wherein, the insertion long side is inserted into the insertion slot to achieve insertion engagement of the first mating end and the second mating end in a first direction, the fastener is inserted into the fastening hole to achieve fastening engagement of the first mating end and the second mating end in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, and the support structure extending into the insertion slot and supported on the inner wall surface forming the insertion slot.

[0007] Preferably, the first cover includes a first wall panel portion and a second wall panel portion forming the insertion slot, the fastener protruding from the first wall panel portion, and the second wall panel portion having a notch, the notch being positioned directly opposite the fastener in the second direction.

[0008] Preferably, the insertion long side includes a docking portion and a supporting portion spaced apart, the snap-fit ​​hole is provided on the docking portion, the supporting structure is provided on the supporting portion, the length of the docking portion in the third direction is less than the length of the notch in the third direction, and the third direction, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0009] Preferably, the first mating end has a first inner wall surface forming the insertion slot, and the fastener protrudes from the first inner wall surface; the fastener includes a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate connected in a U-shape; and / or, the fastener has a first inclined edge, which is oriented upward from the first cover to the second cover in the first direction, and the first inclined edge is inclined towards the direction gradually approaching the first inner wall surface.

[0010] Preferably, multiple fasteners and multiple snap-fit ​​holes are provided. The multiple fasteners are spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion slot, and the multiple snap-fit ​​holes are spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion long side. The multiple snap-fit ​​holes are snap-fitted one-to-one with the multiple fasteners.

[0011] Preferably, the support structure includes a plurality of support plates spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion long side.

[0012] Preferably, the support plate has a second inclined edge, which is oriented upwards from the second cover to the first cover in the first direction, and the second inclined edge is inclined in a direction that gradually approaches the insertion long edge.

[0013] Preferably, both the first cover and the second cover are curved plates; and / or, the first cover is a light-transmitting element that allows light from the display window mounted on its back to pass through.

[0014] A water heater includes a front housing and the aforementioned water heater maintenance cover, the water heater maintenance cover being disposed over the front opening of the front housing.

[0015] Preferably, the water heater further includes a thermostat, the front shell is provided with a limiting post and a first connecting hole, the thermostat is provided with a limiting hole and a second connecting hole, the limiting post is inserted into the limiting hole, and the connector is connected in the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] The water heater repair cover provided by this utility model includes a first cover body and a second cover body. The first cover body has a first mating end, with an insertion slot and a snap fastener located within the insertion slot. The second cover body has a second mating end, with an insertion long side, a snap-fit ​​hole, and a support structure on the insertion long side. The insertion long side is inserted into the insertion slot to achieve insertion engagement of the first and second mating ends in a first direction. The snap fastener is inserted into the snap-fit ​​hole to achieve snap-fit ​​engagement of the first and second mating ends in a second direction, where the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The support structure extends into the insertion slot and is supported on the inner wall surface forming the insertion slot. The water heater repair cover provided by this utility model includes a split design of the first and second cover bodies and adopts an insertion and snap-fit ​​assembly method, which simplifies the assembly method, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves appearance quality. Furthermore, by using a support structure to support the first cover body, it can prevent the first cover body from sagging, thus improving assembly stability. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the water heater provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a front view of the water heater provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water heater repair cover provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the water heater repair cover provided by this utility model from another perspective;

[0022] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the water heater repair cover provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section A;

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section B;

[0025] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the water heater provided by this utility model.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 10. Water heater maintenance cover; 20. Front housing; 21. First connecting hole; 22. Limiting post; 30. Rear housing;

[0028] 100. First cover; 110. Insertion slot; 120. Fastener; 121. First plate; 122. Second plate; 123. Third plate; 124. First bevel; 130. First wall panel; 140. Second wall panel; 141. Notch; 150. Vertical plate; 160. Reinforcing rib.

[0029] 200, Second cover; 210, Inserted long side; 211, Butt joint; 212, Support part; 220, Snap-fit ​​hole; 230, Support plate; 231, Second inclined side; 240, Notch. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not the entire structure.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0033] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this utility model discloses a water heater maintenance cover 10. The water heater maintenance cover 10 is used in water heaters, and removing the water heater maintenance cover 10 allows for convenient repair and replacement of components inside the water heater. Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the water heater repair cover 10 includes a first cover body 100 and a second cover body 200. The first cover body 100 has a first mating end, and the second cover body 200 has a second mating end. The first mating end is provided with an insertion slot 110, and a fastener 120 is also provided in the insertion slot 110. The second mating end is provided with an insertion side 210, and a fastening hole 220 and a support structure are also provided on the insertion side 210. When assembling the first cover 100 and the second cover 200, the first cover 100 or the second cover 200 is moved along the first direction, so that the insertion long side 210 is inserted into the insertion long groove 110 along the first direction, thereby realizing the insertion and engagement of the first mating end and the second mating end in the first direction; after the first mating end and the second mating end are inserted in the first direction, the fastener 120 can be inserted into the snap-fit ​​hole 220, thereby realizing the snap-fit ​​of the first mating end and the second mating end in the second direction, and the support structure extends into the insertion long groove 110 and is supported on the inner wall surface forming the insertion long groove 110. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. In one embodiment, the first direction is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in Figure a, the second direction is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in Figure b. In a specific embodiment, the first direction is the height direction of the water heater, and the second direction is the width direction of the water heater.

[0035] Compared to related technologies that use a hot-melt process to connect two covers to form a maintenance cover, the water heater maintenance cover 10 provided by this utility model adopts a separate design for the first cover 100 and the second cover 200, and uses a combination of plug-in and snap-fit ​​assembly methods to assemble the first cover 100 and the second cover 200. This not only achieves the limiting of the first cover 100 and the second cover 200 in the first and second directions, but also avoids the problems of material degradation and insufficient connection strength caused by poor hot-melt temperature control, as well as the problems of material discoloration, scorching, and deformation caused by the high temperature of the hot-melt process, which would affect the product appearance. This simplifies the assembly method, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves appearance quality. Furthermore, the water heater maintenance cover 10 is supported by a support structure on the inner wall surface forming the plug-in groove 110, so that the first cover 100 and the second cover 200 support each other, which can prevent the first cover 100 or the second cover 200 from collapsing, thus improving assembly stability.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first cover 100 is a thin-walled injection-molded part manufactured using an injection molding process; the second cover 200 is also a thin-walled injection-molded part manufactured using an injection molding process. In some embodiments, the height of the first cover 100 in a first direction is less than the height of the second cover 200 in the first direction. In some embodiments, the first cover 100 is a light-transmitting part, and a display window may be installed on the back of the first cover 100, through which light can pass. Optionally, the first cover 100 is a black light-transmitting part. The second cover 200 is a non-light-transmitting part; the combination of the non-light-transmitting second cover 200 and the light-transmitting first cover 100 results in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first cover 100 is an arc-shaped plate. Optionally, the first cover 100 includes a first straight portion, a first arc-shaped portion, and a second arc-shaped portion. In a third direction, the first arc-shaped portion and the second arc-shaped portion are located on opposite sides of the first straight portion, and in a second direction, the first arc-shaped portion and the second arc-shaped portion are located on the same side of the first straight portion. (The third direction is as follows...) Figure 1 As shown in Figure c, the third direction is perpendicular to both the second and first directions. In a specific embodiment, the third direction is the length direction of the water heater.

[0038] The second cover 200 is an arc-shaped plate. Optionally, the second cover 200 includes a second straight portion, a third arc-shaped portion, and a fourth arc-shaped portion. In the third direction, the third arc-shaped portion and the fourth arc-shaped portion are located on both sides of the second straight portion, and in the second direction, the third arc-shaped portion and the fourth arc-shaped portion are located on the same side of the second straight portion.

[0039] The first mating end is the end of the first cover 100 in the first direction. The insertion slot 110 includes a first slot portion located on the first straight portion, a second slot portion located on the first arc-shaped portion, and a third slot portion located on the second arc-shaped portion. The second slot portion, the first slot portion, and the third slot portion are connected in sequence.

[0040] The second mating end is the end of the second cover 200 in the first direction. The insertion long side 210 includes a first insertion part located on the second straight portion, a second insertion part located on the third arc-shaped portion, and a third insertion part located on the fourth arc-shaped portion. The second insertion part, the first insertion part, and the third insertion part are connected sequentially. When the first mating end and the second mating end are inserted in the first direction, the first insertion part is inserted into the first slot portion, the second insertion part is inserted into the second slot portion, and the third insertion part is inserted into the third slot portion.

[0041] Continue to refer to Figure 5As shown, the first cover 100 includes a vertical plate portion 150, a first wall plate portion 130, and a second wall plate portion 140 forming an insertion slot 110. The first wall plate portion 130 and the second wall plate portion 140 are disposed opposite to each other in a second direction. The vertical plate portion 150 extends in the second direction. The first wall plate portion 130 and the second wall plate portion 140 are connected to the two ends of the vertical plate portion 150 in the second direction. The first wall plate portion 130 has a first inner wall surface, the second wall plate portion 140 has a second inner wall surface, and the vertical plate portion 150 has a third inner wall surface. The first inner wall surface, the second inner wall surface, and the third inner wall surface surround and form an insertion slot 110 with an opening facing the second cover 200.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the first cover 100 further includes a reinforcing rib portion 160, which is disposed on the side of the upright plate portion 150 opposite to the insertion slot 110. The arrangement of the reinforcing rib portion 160 helps to improve the structural strength of the first mating end. Optionally, multiple reinforcing rib portions 160 are provided, and the multiple reinforcing rib portions 160 are spaced apart in the extending direction of the insertion slot 110.

[0043] In some embodiments, the snap fastener 120 protrudes from the first inner wall surface of the first wall panel portion 130, and a notch 141 is provided on the second wall panel portion 140, the notch 141 being positioned directly opposite the snap fastener 120 in the second direction. This arrangement provides sufficient assembly space for the snap fastener 120 and the snap-fit ​​hole 220 to engage, facilitating the assembly of the first cover 100 and the second cover 200.

[0044] Continue to refer to Figure 6 As shown, the latching member 120 includes a first plate 121, a second plate 122, and a third plate 123 connected in a U-shape. Optionally, the latching hole 220 is generally rectangular. Of course, in other embodiments, the latching member 120 can also be a latching block. The shapes of the latching member 120 and the latching hole 220 can be adjusted according to requirements, as long as it does not affect the latching member 120 from engaging with the latching hole 220.

[0045] Optionally, the fastener 120 has a first inclined edge 124, which is oriented in a first direction from the first cover 100 to the second cover 200, and the first inclined edge 124 is inclined towards the first inner wall surface. The first inclined edge 124 has a guiding function, which can help the part of the insertion long side 210 forming the snap-fit ​​hole 220 to pass over the fastener 120 and finally realize that the fastener 120 is snapped into the snap-fit ​​hole 220.

[0046] In one specific embodiment, the second plate 122 is a rectangular plate, the first plate 121 is a right-angled trapezoidal plate or a right-angled triangle plate, one right-angled side of the first plate 121 is connected to the second plate 122, and the other right-angled side is connected to the first wall panel portion 130; the third plate 123 is a right-angled trapezoidal plate or a right-angled triangle plate, one right-angled side of the third plate 123 is connected to the second plate 122, and the other right-angled side is connected to the first wall panel portion 130. The first plate 121 and the third plate 123 both have the aforementioned first inclined side 124, which is arranged such that the first inclined side 124 of the fastener 120 is oriented towards the second cover 200.

[0047] In some embodiments, the insertion long side 210 includes a mating portion 211 and a supporting portion 212 spaced apart. A snap-fit ​​hole 220 is provided on the mating portion 211, and a supporting structure is provided on the supporting portion 212. The length of the mating portion 211 in the third direction is less than the length of the notch 141 in the third direction. It should be noted that a notch 240 extending in the first direction can be formed on the insertion long side 210. Multiple notches 240 are spaced apart in the extending direction of the insertion long side 210, and the portion of the insertion long side 210 between two adjacent notches 240 forms the mating portion 211 or the supporting portion 212. This arrangement allows the mating portion 211 with the snap-fit ​​hole 220 to be smaller in volume, thereby allowing the mating portion 211 to deform under external force, which is more conducive to the assembly of the snap-fit ​​hole 220 and the snap-fit ​​member 120 by the mating portion 211 passing over the snap-fit ​​member 120.

[0048] To improve the assembly stability of the first and second mating ends, in some embodiments, multiple snap fasteners 120 and snap-fit ​​holes 220 are provided. Multiple snap fasteners 120 are spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion slot 110, and multiple snap-fit ​​holes 220 are spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion long side 210. The multiple snap-fit ​​holes 220 are snapped into place one-to-one with the multiple snap fasteners 120.

[0049] Continue to refer to Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the support structure includes a plurality of support plates 230 spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion long side 210. The plurality of support plates 230 provides good support and is easy to manufacture. Of course, in addition to using support plates 230 as the support structure, support blocks can also be used.

[0050] In some embodiments, the support plate 230 has a second inclined edge 231, which is oriented upwards from the second cover 200 toward the first cover 100 in a first direction, and the second inclined edge 231 is inclined toward gradually approaching the insertion long edge 210. The second inclined edge 231 has a guiding function, which facilitates the insertion of the support plate 230 into the insertion long slot 110. Optionally, the support plate 230 is a trapezoidal plate.

[0051] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, this utility model also discloses a water heater, which includes a front shell 20 and the aforementioned water heater maintenance cover 10, with the maintenance cover 10 covering the front opening of the front shell 20. By using the aforementioned water heater maintenance cover 10, the assembly method of the water heater is simplified, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the appearance quality is improved.

[0052] In some embodiments, the water heater further includes a thermostat (not shown in the figure). The front housing 20 is provided with a limiting post 22 and a first connecting hole 21. The thermostat is provided with a limiting hole and a second connecting hole. The limiting post 22 is inserted into the limiting hole, and the connector is connected to the first connecting hole 21 and the second connecting hole. This method of installing the thermostat helps to reduce assembly difficulty and machining workload. Optionally, the connector is a screw, the first connecting hole 21 is a screw hole, and the second connecting hole can be a smooth hole.

[0053] Continue to refer to Figure 8 As shown, the water heater also includes a rear shell 30, and a front shell 20 is installed between the rear shell 30 and the water heater maintenance cover 10. The rear shell 30, the front shell 20 and the water heater maintenance cover 10 constitute the outer shell structure of the water heater.

[0054] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A water heater maintenance cover, characterized in that, include: A first cover (100) has a first mating end, and the first mating end is provided with an insertion slot (110) and a fastener (120) located in the insertion slot (110). The second cover (200) has a second mating end, and the second mating end is provided with an insertion long side (210) and a snap-fit ​​hole (220) and a support structure provided on the insertion long side (210); The insertion long side (210) is inserted into the insertion long groove (110) to achieve the insertion and engagement of the first docking end and the second docking end in the first direction. The fastener (120) is inserted into the snap-fit ​​hole (220) to achieve the snap-fit ​​of the first docking end and the second docking end in the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The support structure extends into the insertion long groove (110) and is supported on the inner wall surface forming the insertion long groove (110).

2. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cover (100) includes a first wall panel portion (130) and a second wall panel portion (140) forming the insertion slot (110). The fastener (120) protrudes from the first wall panel portion (130), and the second wall panel portion (140) is provided with a notch (141), which is provided directly opposite the fastener (120) in the second direction.

3. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insertion long side (210) includes a docking part (211) and a support part (212) arranged at intervals. The snap-fit ​​hole (220) is provided on the docking part (211), and the support structure is provided on the support part (212). The length of the docking part (211) in the third direction is less than the length of the notch (141) in the third direction. The third direction, the first direction, and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

4. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first mating end has a first inner wall surface forming the insertion slot (110), and the fastener (120) protrudes from the first inner wall surface; The fastener (120) includes a first plate (121), a second plate (122), and a third plate (123) connected in a U-shape; And / or, the fastener (120) has a first inclined edge (124) that is oriented upward from the first cover (100) toward the second cover (200) in the first direction, the first inclined edge (124) being inclined toward gradually approaching the first inner wall surface.

5. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple fasteners (120) and multiple snap-fit ​​holes (220) are provided. Multiple fasteners (120) are spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion slot (110). Multiple snap-fit ​​holes (220) are spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion long side (210). Multiple snap-fit ​​holes (220) are snap-fitted one-to-one with multiple fasteners (120).

6. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support structure includes a plurality of support plates (230) spaced apart in the extension direction of the insertion long side (210).

7. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support plate (230) has a second inclined side (231) that is oriented upward from the second cover (200) to the first cover (100) in the first direction, and the second inclined side (231) is inclined toward the direction gradually approaching the insertion long side (210).

8. The water heater maintenance cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first cover (100) and the second cover (200) are arc-shaped plates; And / or, the first cover (100) is a light-transmitting element, which allows light from the display window mounted on its back to pass through.

9. A water heater, characterized in that, It includes a front housing (20) and a water heater maintenance cover according to any one of claims 1-8, the water heater maintenance cover being disposed over the front opening of the front housing (20).

10. The water heater according to claim 9, characterized in that, The water heater also includes a thermostat. The front shell (20) is provided with a limiting post (22) and a first connecting hole (21). The thermostat is provided with a limiting hole and a second connecting hole. The limiting post (22) is inserted into the limiting hole, and the connector is connected to the first connecting hole (21) and the second connecting hole.

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