Fan mounting structure and water heater

Abstract

The application discloses a fan mounting structure and a water heater, relates to the technical field of water heaters, and discloses a fan mounting structure which comprises a frame body and a fan. The frame body is provided with a combustion chamber and a mounting port communicated with the combustion chamber, and opposite sides of the frame body corresponding to the mounting port are respectively provided with a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion. The fan is arranged on the frame body, and the fan comprises a volute. The volute is provided with a wind cavity and an air outlet communicated with the wind cavity. The air outlet is communicated with the mounting port. Opposite sides of the volute corresponding to the air outlet are respectively provided with a first positioning matching portion and a second positioning matching portion. The first positioning matching portion is positioned and matched with the first positioning portion, and the second positioning matching portion is positioned and matched with the second positioning portion, so that the fan is positioned and mounted on the frame body. The technical scheme provided by the application can reduce the number of parts of the fan mounting structure, reduce the mounting process, and improve the installation convenience of the fan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water heater technology, and in particular to a fan mounting structure and a water heater. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, water heaters fix the fan by welding brackets onto the frame, resulting in a large number of parts and requiring additional welding processes, which increases manufacturing complexity and production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to propose a fan installation structure and a water heater, which aims to reduce the number of parts in the fan installation structure, reduce installation steps, and improve the ease of fan installation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a fan installation structure comprising:

[0005] The frame is provided with a combustion chamber and an installation port communicating with the combustion chamber. The frame is provided with a first positioning part and a second positioning part on opposite sides of the installation port.

[0006] A fan is disposed in the frame. The fan includes a volute, the volute having a wind cavity and an air outlet communicating with the wind cavity. The air outlet is communicating with the mounting port. The volute has a first positioning mating part and a second positioning mating part respectively on opposite sides of the air outlet. The first positioning mating part is positioned and mated with the first positioning part, and the second positioning mating part is positioned and mated with the second positioning part, so as to position and install the fan in the frame.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first positioning part is configured as a first positioning flange provided on one side edge of the frame and extending toward the combustion chamber, the volute is provided with a first positioning protrusion extending toward the combustion chamber, the first positioning mating part is a positioning groove provided on the first positioning protrusion, and the first positioning flange is accommodated in the positioning groove.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first positioning flange is configured as a multi-layered overlapping structure.

[0009] In one embodiment, the positioning groove has opposing first groove walls and second groove walls, as well as opposing groove bottom walls and groove openings. The first groove wall has a guide surface that extends from the groove opening toward the groove bottom wall and is inclined toward the second groove wall.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second positioning part includes a second positioning flange provided on the other side edge of the frame and extending toward the side opposite to the combustion chamber, and a latch provided on the second positioning flange. The volute also has a second positioning protrusion extending toward the combustion chamber. The second positioning mating part is a positioning hole provided on the second positioning protrusion, and the latch is inserted into the positioning hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the positioning hole extends through both sides of the volute along a first direction, and the second positioning flange includes a third flange portion and a fourth flange portion stacked along the first direction. The third flange portion is located on the side of the fourth flange portion close to the positioning hole. The third flange portion is provided with a flange hole, and the flange of the flange hole is bent toward the side away from the fourth flange portion to form the latch.

[0012] In one embodiment, the latch includes a first guide segment and a second guide segment connected to each other along a first direction. The first guide segment is connected to the second positioning flange and extends along the first direction. The second guide segment is inclined relative to the first guide segment toward the side away from the frame.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first positioning part is provided with a first assembly part, the first positioning mating part is provided with a first mating part, and the first assembly part and the first mating part are connected by fasteners to fix the fan to the frame.

[0014] And / or, the second positioning part is provided with a second assembly part, the second positioning mating part is provided with a second mating part, and the second assembly part and the second mating part are connected by fasteners to fix the fan to the frame.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second assembly part is configured as a first fixing hole in the second positioning part, and the second mating part is a second fixing hole in the second positioning mating part; the frame has a back plate and a front plate arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, the first positioning part is located on the side of the air outlet near the back plate, the second positioning part is located on the side of the air outlet near the front plate, the positions of the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole are correspondingly arranged and extend along the first direction, and the fastener passes through the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole along the first direction.

[0016] The present invention also proposes a water heater, including the fan mounting structure described above.

[0017] The technical solution of this invention involves a combustion chamber and an installation port communicating with the combustion chamber within a frame, with a first positioning part and a second positioning part respectively provided on opposite sides of the installation port. Simultaneously, an air cavity and an air outlet communicating with the air cavity are provided on the volute of the blower, with the air outlet communicating with the installation port. The volute has a first positioning mating part and a second positioning mating part on opposite sides of the air outlet. During installation, the first positioning mating part of the blower is positioned and mated with the first positioning part of the frame, and the second positioning mating part is positioned and mated with the second positioning part, thereby achieving the positioning and installation of the blower on the frame. Since the first and second positioning mating parts are located on opposite sides of the air outlet of the volute, this arrangement can evenly bear the weight of the blower during installation, effectively balancing its gravity distribution and preventing the blower from tilting or shifting to one side during assembly. This not only improves the stability and accuracy of installation but also enhances the convenience of operation, facilitating rapid automated or manual assembly. This solution eliminates the need for additional supports and welding, reducing the number of parts and avoiding problems such as deformation and uneven strength caused by welding. It also simplifies the production process and reduces material and labor costs. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a top view of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of a water heater provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a frame embodiment provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of a section at point C;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a wind turbine embodiment provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the fan mounting structure provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 13 An exploded view of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the frame provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 15 An exploded view of an embodiment of the frame provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 16 for Figure 15 A magnified view of a section at point D;

[0035] Figure 17 for Figure 15 A magnified view of a section at point E in the middle.

[0036] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0037] 1000. Water heater; 100. Fan mounting structure; 10. Frame; 101. Combustion chamber; 102. Mounting port; 103. Disassembly port; 104. First opening; 105. Second opening; 11. First frame; 111. Top plate; 112. Back plate; 1121. First side edge; 1122. Second side edge; 12. Second frame; 121. Bottom plate; 122. First side plate; 123. Second side plate; 13. Panel; 14. Limiting rib; 141. First 142. Second limiting rib; 143. Third limiting rib; 144. Fourth limiting rib; 15. Limiting part; 151. First folded edge; 152. Second folded edge; 20. First positioning part; 21. First flanged part; 22. Second flanged part; 30. Second positioning part; 31. Second positioning flange; 311. Third flanged part; 312. Fourth flanged part; 3101. Flanged hole; 3102. Second assembly part; 32. Tongue; 321. First guide section; 322. Second guide section; 40. Fan; 401. Air cavity; 402. Air inlet; 403. Air outlet; 41. Volute; 411. Volute tongue; 412. First shell sidewall; 4121. Air guide surface; 50. First positioning protrusion; 51. First positioning mating part; 501. Groove opening; 511. First groove wall; 5111. Guide surface; 512. Second groove wall; 513. Groove bottom wall; 60. Second positioning protrusion; 61. Second positioning mating part; 611. Second mating part; 200. Combustion heat exchange assembly; 2001. Flue; 2002. Air inlet; 210. Burner; 220. Main heat exchanger; 221. Main heat exchange tube; 300. Main water inlet pipe; 400. Main water outlet pipe; 500. Water inlet connector; 600. Electrical control assembly; 700. Gas distribution assembly; 800. Housing; 8001. Main air inlet; 8002. Flue gas outlet; 8003. Air duct; 810. Bottom wall; 820. Top wall; 830. First side wall; 840. Second side wall.

[0038] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0041] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0042] In existing technologies, water heaters fix the fan by welding brackets onto the frame, resulting in a large number of parts and requiring additional welding processes, which increases manufacturing complexity and production costs.

[0043] Based on this, the present invention proposes a fan installation structure 100.

[0044] Please see Figures 1 to 11 In one embodiment of the present invention, the fan mounting structure 100 includes a frame 10 and a fan 40. The frame 10 is provided with a combustion chamber 101 and a mounting port 102 communicating with the combustion chamber 101. The frame 10 is provided with a first positioning part 20 and a second positioning part 30 on opposite sides of the mounting port 102. The fan 40 is disposed on the frame 10 and includes a volute 41. The volute 41 is provided with a wind cavity 401 and an air outlet 403 communicating with the wind cavity 401. The air outlet 403 communicates with the mounting port 102. The volute 41 is provided with a first positioning mating part 51 and a second positioning mating part 61 on opposite sides of the air outlet 403. The first positioning mating part 51 is positioned and mated with the first positioning part 20, and the second positioning mating part 61 is positioned and mated with the second positioning part 30 to position and install the fan 40 on the frame 10.

[0045] The fan mounting structure 100 is applied to a condensing gas water heater. The condensing gas water heater may include a casing 800, a combustion heat exchange assembly 200, and the fan mounting structure 100. The casing 800 has a main air inlet 402 and a flue gas outlet 8002. A duct communicating with the main air inlet 402 is constructed between the casing 800 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 to guide external air in. The fan mounting structure 100 includes a frame 10 and a fan 40. The frame 10 has a flue for flue gas circulation inside, and an installation port 102 is opened at its bottom, which communicates with the air outlet 403 of the fan 40. The air inlet 402 of the fan 40 is connected to the duct to achieve airflow transmission. Due to different types of condensing gas water heaters, the arrangement of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 and the fan 40 may differ. This solution is applicable to forced draft or forced blast gas water heaters 1000. Taking a forced-draft gas water heater 1000 as an example, the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 includes a burner 210 and a main heat exchanger 220. The fan 40, burner 210, and main heat exchanger 220 are arranged sequentially from bottom to top along the height direction of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200. The burner 210 is located inside the frame 10 near the mounting port 102 and is connected to the inlet end of the flue. The outlet end of the flue is connected to the exhaust port 8002 of the casing 800. The main heat exchanger 220 is located at the top of the frame 10 and includes a main heat exchange tube 221 that extends at least partially into the flue to absorb heat from the high-temperature flue gas to heat the water flowing through the tube. The space inside the frame 10 between the burner 210 and the main heat exchanger 220 forms a combustion chamber 101. This combustion chamber 101 is connected to the mounting port 102, allowing air blown in by the fan 40 to enter the combustion chamber 101 through the mounting port 102, providing the primary air required for combustion in the burner 210. The flame burns fully within the combustion chamber 101, generating high-temperature flue gas. Driven by the fan 40, the flue gas flows upward through the flue, heating the water in the main heat exchange tube 221, achieving efficient heat exchange. Simultaneously, the fan 40 can also guide air entering from the main air inlet 8001 around the burner 210, providing secondary air and promoting more complete and stable combustion.

[0046] In addition, the bottom of the casing 800 may be provided with an inlet manifold 300 connected to the inlet end of the main heat exchanger 220, and an outlet manifold 400 connected to the outlet end of the main heat exchanger 220. When the condensing gas water heater is running, the burner 210 burns to generate high-temperature flue gas. The high-temperature flue gas flows to the main heat exchanger 220 for heat exchange under the action of the fan 40, so as to heat the water in the main heat exchange tube 221, and then output through the outlet manifold 400.

[0047] The housing 800 may also include a water inlet connector 500, with the water inlet end of the main water inlet pipe 300 connected to the water inlet connector 500. The fan 40 is positioned close to the water inlet connector 500. This layout facilitates the subsequent integration design of the fan 40 and the water inlet connector 500. The water heater 1000 may also include an electronic control component 600, which is electrically connected to electronic components such as the burner 210. This component controls the coordinated operation of components such as the burner 210 and the fan 40 to ensure the efficient operation of the entire water heater 1000. In addition, the water heater 1000 may also include a gas distribution component 700, which is connected to the gas inlet of the burner 210. This component provides a uniformly distributed gas supply to the burner 210, ensuring the stability of the combustion process. The gas distribution component 700 is located inside the housing 800 and is situated on opposite sides of the fan 40, respectively, with the water inlet connector 500. This allows for a more compact and rational layout within the housing 800, contributing to a reduction in the overall size of the water heater 1000.

[0048] Understandably, in existing technologies, condensing gas water heaters typically fix the fan 40 by welding an additional bracket to the metal frame 10. This design not only introduces independent bracket parts, increasing the number of components and assembly complexity of the entire unit, but also necessitates an additional welding process during production. Welding not only prolongs the overall production process and increases the requirements for equipment precision and operator skills, but also easily leads to quality defects such as welding deformation, uneven weld points, incomplete welds, or over-welding, thereby affecting the installation accuracy of the fan 40 and the sealing and reliability of the entire unit. Especially in large-scale automated production scenarios, the welding process is difficult to fully integrate with flexible assembly lines, resulting in limited production cycle time and difficulty in improving efficiency. Furthermore, the welded frame 10 often requires subsequent processing such as stress relief, grinding, or touch-up painting, further increasing manufacturing costs and energy consumption. Therefore, the traditional welding bracket fixing method has significant bottlenecks in terms of cost control, production efficiency, and product consistency, making it difficult to meet the demands of efficient, green, and intelligent manufacturing for condensing gas water heater products.

[0049] To address the aforementioned issues, this solution provides a first positioning part 20 and a second positioning part 30 on opposite sides of the frame 10 corresponding to the mounting port 102. Simultaneously, a first positioning mating part 51 and a second positioning mating part 61 are provided on opposite sides of the fan 40 volute 41 corresponding to the air outlet 403. During installation, the frame 10 is placed flat at the assembly station, and then the air outlet 403 of the fan 40 is aligned with the mounting port 102 at the bottom of the frame 10. The first positioning mating part 51 engages with the first positioning part 20, and the second positioning mating part 61 engages with the second positioning part 30, thus achieving rapid positioning and installation of the fan 40.

[0050] The first positioning part 20, the second positioning part 30, the first positioning mating part 51, and the second positioning mating part 61 can be implemented in various forms, such as positioning buckles, positioning flanges, or positioning protrusions. Specifically, one of the first positioning part 20 and the second positioning part 30 can be configured as a first positioning buckle, while the other of the first positioning mating part 51 and the second positioning mating part 61 can be configured as a second positioning buckle. The two parts interlock to achieve quick connection. This structure is easy to assemble and can complete the positioning operation without tools. Alternatively, one of the first positioning part 20 and the second positioning part 30 can also be configured as a positioning flange. This positioning flange is directly folded from the frame 10 plate to form a side structure with a certain height and a guide slope. Correspondingly, the other of the first positioning mating part 51 and the second positioning mating part 61 is configured as a matching positioning hole or groove. During installation, the positioning flange is inserted into the positioning hole or embedded in the groove to achieve guiding and positioning functions. Alternatively, one of the first positioning part 20 and the second positioning part 30 can be configured as a positioning protrusion, while the other can be configured as a positioning hole or groove, achieving precise positioning by inserting the positioning protrusion. The various structural forms described above can be selected according to actual needs, and the specific form is not limited here.

[0051] Crucially, since the first positioning mating part 51 and the second positioning mating part 61 are respectively located on opposite sides of the air outlet 403 of the volute 41, this arrangement can evenly distribute the weight of the fan 40 during installation, effectively balancing its gravitational torque and preventing tilting, swaying, or excessive force on one side due to a shift in the center of gravity. This improves the stability of the installation process and the ease of operation. Especially in automated assembly line operations, operators or automated assembly equipment do not need to apply additional external force to straighten the fan 40, enabling one-handed operation or fully automatic precise assembly, improving assembly efficiency and operational safety.

[0052] Furthermore, after the first positioning part 20 and the first positioning mating part 51, and the second positioning part 30 and the second positioning mating part 61 have completed their positioning and mating, the fan 40 has been pre-positioned and installed on the frame 10, and will not loosen or shift. Based on this, if further screws, clips, or other fasteners are needed for final tightening, the operator no longer needs to support the fan 40 by hand and can directly perform the tightening operation, avoiding the inefficient "one hand holding the machine, one hand tightening screws" operation mode in traditional installation, thus optimizing the assembly process. At the same time, during later maintenance or replacement of the fan 40, it can be easily disassembled along the original positioning direction simply by removing the fasteners, avoiding disassembly difficulties caused by welding bracket obstruction or weld residue, improving maintenance convenience. In addition, this solution eliminates the need for additional brackets and welding, reducing the number of parts, avoiding problems such as deformation and uneven strength caused by welding, while simplifying the production process and reducing material and labor costs.

[0053] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning part 20 is configured as a first positioning flange provided on one side edge of the frame 10 and extending toward the combustion chamber 101, the volute 41 is provided with a first positioning protrusion 50 extending toward the combustion chamber 101, the first positioning mating part 51 is a positioning groove provided on the first positioning protrusion 50, and the first positioning flange is accommodated in the positioning groove.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first positioning flange is directly formed from the metal sheet of the frame 10 through stamping or bending processes, without the need for additional independent parts or secondary processing steps such as welding and riveting. This not only reduces material costs and assembly complexity but also avoids problems such as deformation and stress concentration caused by welding. The first positioning flange extends from one edge of the frame 10 into the combustion chamber 101, and its extension direction is basically consistent with the flue gas flow path. It will not form an abrupt obstruction structure in the combustion chamber 101, which helps to maintain the smooth flow of air in the combustion chamber 101, reduce the generation of eddies and local pressure loss, thereby ensuring the stability of the combustion process and combustion efficiency.

[0055] The first positioning protrusion 50 is located on one side of the volute 41 corresponding to the air outlet 403 and extends towards the combustion chamber 101, with a positioning groove formed thereon. The positioning groove is located on the side of the first positioning protrusion 50 opposite to the air outlet 403, and the groove opening 501 is also oriented away from the edge of the air outlet 403. This structural design allows the frame 10 to be placed flat at the assembly station when installing the fan 40, and operators or automated assembly equipment can push the fan 40 into the frame 10 along the first direction. During this process, the first positioning flange slides into the groove opening 501 along the positioning groove and is finally fully embedded in the groove, achieving rapid guidance and precise positioning.

[0056] More importantly, since part of the locating groove 501 faces the interior of the combustion chamber 101, once the blower 40 is fully installed, the first locating flange is completely enclosed within the locating groove, forming an embedded limiting structure. This structure effectively prevents the blower 40 from loosening or falling off due to vibration, impact, or external force during handling, flipping, or subsequent assembly, even without the use of screws or other fasteners, ensuring the stability and reliability of the pre-installed state. Furthermore, if screws are needed for final fixing of the blower 40, operators or automated assembly equipment do not need to manually support the blower 40, nor do they need to use additional clamps for positioning and clamping; the fixing operation can be completed directly. This not only simplifies the assembly process and reduces manual intervention but also improves the automation level and overall operational efficiency of the production line.

[0057] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning flange is configured as a multi-layered overlapping structure.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first positioning flange includes a first flange portion 21 and a second flange portion 22 stacked along a first direction. Depending on actual needs, the number of the first flange portion 21 and the second flange portion 22 can be set to one, two, or even more, thereby forming a double-layered, triple-layered, or even more-layered flanged structure. Taking one first flange portion 21 and one second flange portion 22 as an example, the first positioning flange is configured as a double-layered flanged structure. By adopting this double-layered flanged structure, not only can the overall rigidity and bending resistance of the first positioning flange be increased, avoiding the difficulty of insertion caused by insufficient strength or surface burrs in a single-layered structure, but it can also provide a wider contact area, resulting in better fit between the first positioning flange and the positioning groove, further improving the stability and reliability of the assembly.

[0059] Understandably, single-layer structures are prone to burrs or sharp cuts at the edges, posing a threat to operator safety and potentially scratching or abrading the positioning groove. Multi-layer overlapping structures, through optimized stamping or bending processes, result in smoother, rounded edges, reducing the likelihood of burrs and minimizing the risk of damage to the internal surface of the positioning groove. Therefore, employing a multi-layer overlapping structure not only enhances product durability and safety but also improves assembly smoothness and precision, reducing failure rates and rework costs caused by improper edge treatment.

[0060] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the positioning groove has opposing first groove walls 511 and second groove walls 512, as well as opposing groove bottom walls 513 and groove openings 501. The first groove wall 511 has a guide surface 5111, which extends from the groove opening 501 toward the groove bottom wall 513 and is inclined toward the second groove wall 512.

[0061] In this embodiment, the positioning groove has a first groove wall 511 and a second groove wall 512, which are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction, the same vertical direction as the water heater 1000 after installation. The positioning groove also has a bottom wall 513 and an opening 501, which are arranged opposite each other in the front-back direction, the same front-back direction as the aforementioned first direction, which is actually the front-back direction of the water heater 1000 after installation. The guide surface 5111 on the first groove wall 511 extends from the edge of the opening 501 toward the bottom wall 513 and gradually slopes toward the second groove wall 512, so that the opening width of the positioning groove at the entrance is slightly larger than the width of its interior near the bottom, presenting an overall "trumpet mouth" or wedge-shaped narrowing structure. When the fan 40 is installed from top to bottom, the first positioning flange first contacts the opening 501 of the positioning groove. Due to the presence of the guide surface 5111, even if there is a slight positional deviation between the first positioning flange and the positioning groove, the guide surface 5111 can guide the first positioning flange to be smoothly inserted into the positioning groove.

[0062] More importantly, the design of the guide surface 5111 inclined towards the second groove wall 512 creates a "wider outside, narrower inside" locking effect in the positioning groove after assembly. When the first positioning flange fully enters the positioning groove and reaches the bottom wall 513, its sides are clamped by the first groove wall 511 and the second groove wall 512. In particular, the angled area formed between the guide surface 5111 and the second groove wall 512 exerts a restraining force on the first positioning flange. This restraining force not only helps maintain the stable position of the first positioning flange in the positioning groove but also enhances the overall vibration resistance of the fan 40. Therefore, even under handling, vibration, or external impact, the positioning flange is not easily dislodged from the positioning groove, ensuring the stability and reliability of the fan 40 installation.

[0063] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the second positioning part 30 includes a second positioning flange 31 provided on the other side edge of the frame 10 and extending toward the side opposite to the combustion chamber 101, and a latch 32 provided on the second positioning flange 31. The volute 41 is also provided with a second positioning protrusion 60 extending toward the combustion chamber 101. The second positioning mating part 61 is a positioning hole provided on the second positioning protrusion 60, and the latch 32 is inserted into the positioning hole.

[0064] In this embodiment, the second positioning part 30 includes a second positioning flange 31 and a latch 32. The second positioning flange 31 is directly formed from the metal sheet of the frame 10 through stamping or bending processes, without the need for additional independent parts or secondary processing steps such as welding and riveting. This not only reduces material costs and assembly complexity but also avoids problems such as deformation and stress concentration caused by welding. The second positioning flange 31 extends from the other edge of the frame 10 corresponding to the mounting port 102 towards the interior of the combustion chamber 101, and its extension direction is basically consistent with the flue gas flow path. It will not form an abrupt obstruction structure in the combustion chamber 101, which helps to maintain the smooth flow of air in the combustion chamber 101, reduce the generation of eddies and local pressure loss, thereby ensuring the stability and combustion efficiency of the combustion process. The second positioning flange 31 and the first positioning flange also enclose the mounting port 102 of the frame 10. The latch 32 is provided on the side of the second positioning flange 31 away from the mounting port 102.

[0065] The second positioning protrusion 60 is located on the opposite side of the volute 41 corresponding to the air outlet 403 and extends towards the combustion chamber 101. The second positioning protrusion 60 is positioned opposite the first positioning protrusion 50 along a first direction and has a positioning hole on it, the channel of which extends along the first direction. This structural design allows the frame 10 to be placed flat at the assembly station during fan 40 installation, and operators or automated assembly equipment can push the fan 40 into the frame 10 along the first direction. During this process, the latch 32 first contacts the opening of the positioning hole. As the fan 40 continues to move downwards, the latch 32 smoothly slides along the channel until it is fully inserted into the positioning hole, achieving rapid guidance and precise positioning.

[0066] More importantly, once the fan 40 is fully installed, the latch 32 is securely inserted into the positioning hole. This not only ensures that the fan 40 is not easily loosened or detached during handling, vibration, or external impact, but also provides additional stability to ensure the accuracy of the fan 40's position.

[0067] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the positioning hole extends through both sides of the volute 41 along the first direction. The second positioning flange 31 includes a third flange portion 311 and a fourth flange portion 312 stacked along the first direction. The third flange portion 311 is located on the side of the fourth flange portion 312 close to the positioning hole. The third flange portion 311 is provided with a flange hole 3101. The flange of the flange hole 3101 is bent toward the side away from the fourth flange portion 312 to form a latch 32.

[0068] In this embodiment, by bending the edge of the flanged hole 3101 to form the latch 32, the ductility and strength of the metal sheet of the frame 10 can be fully utilized. The latch 32 can be formed with only a simple stamping or bending process, without the need for additional connectors or complex processing steps. The bent portion of the latch 32 not only provides sufficient elastic deformation capacity, allowing it to better adapt to minor deviations during assembly and ensuring a tight fit with the positioning hole, but also enhances the structural strength of the latch 32. Since the latch 32 is formed directly from the material of the third flange 311, the connection strength between the latch 32 and the third flange 311 is further enhanced, avoiding loosening or detachment problems that may occur due to the use of independent parts.

[0069] It is worth noting that the second positioning flange 31 includes a third flange portion 311 and a fourth flange portion 312 stacked along the first direction. Depending on actual needs, the number of the third flange portion 311 and the fourth flange portion 312 can be set to one, two, or even more depending on the specific application scenario, thus forming a double-layered flange structure, a triple-layered flange structure, or even a multi-layered flange structure. Taking one third flange portion 311 and one fourth flange portion 312 as an example, the second positioning flange 31 is configured as a double-layered flange structure. This structure can increase the overall rigidity and bending resistance of the second positioning flange 31, making it particularly suitable for application environments that require withstanding large external forces or vibrations.

[0070] More importantly, traditional single-layer flanged structures are prone to poor sealing after the flanged hole 3101 is opened, especially under high airflow velocity or high pressure environments, which may lead to gas leakage. For example, in the practical application of condensing gas water heaters, a certain negative pressure needs to be maintained in the combustion chamber 101 to ensure complete combustion and efficient heat exchange. If there is a leakage point, it will lead to unstable combustion and affect the overall performance of the water heater 1000. In this solution, the double-layer or multi-layer overlapping structure of the third flanged part 311 and the fourth flanged part 312 can form an effective barrier to prevent air from leaking from the flanged hole 3101, thus ensuring the combustion efficiency of the combustion chamber 101.

[0071] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the latch 32 includes a first guide segment 321 and a second guide segment 322 that are connected to each other along a first direction. The first guide segment 321 is connected to the second positioning flange 31 and extends along the first direction. The second guide segment 322 is inclined relative to the first guide segment 321 toward the side away from the frame 10.

[0072] In this embodiment, the latch 32 includes a first guide section 321 and a second guide section 322, which are connected to each other along a first direction. The first guide section 321 serves as the base section of the latch 32, directly connected to the second positioning flange 31 and extending along the first direction. This ensures that the latch 32 can be securely fixed to the second positioning flange 31, providing sufficient structural strength and stability to prevent deformation or breakage during installation or use. The second guide section 322 can be considered as the guide section of the latch 32, which is inclined relative to the first guide section 321 towards the side away from the frame 10. When the operator or automated assembly equipment pushes the fan 40 into the frame 10 from top to bottom, the inclined surface of the second guide section 322 first contacts the edge of the positioning hole. Due to the inclined design, even with slight positional deviations, the latch 32 can be guided smoothly into the positioning hole, thereby reducing the alignment accuracy requirements and simplifying the installation process. In addition, the inclined setting of the second guide section 322 can provide additional elastic deformation space to a certain extent, so that the latch 32 can fit more tightly against the inner wall of the positioning hole, enhance the firmness of the snap-fit, and avoid loosening or falling off due to vibration or external force.

[0073] like Figures 8 to 11 As shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning part 20 is provided with a first assembly part, the first positioning mating part 51 is provided with a first mating part, the first assembly part and the first mating part are connected by fasteners to fix the fan 40 to the frame 10; and / or, the second positioning part 30 is provided with a second assembly part 3102, the second positioning mating part 61 is provided with a second mating part 611, the second assembly part 3102 and the second mating part 611 are connected by fasteners to fix the fan 40 to the frame 10.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first assembly part, the first mating part, the second assembly part 3102, and the second mating part 611 can all be configured as fixing holes for fasteners to pass through and connect. These fixing holes can be set as circular holes, square holes, elliptical holes, or other structural forms adapted to the shape of the fasteners. Fasteners can be various types such as screws, self-tapping screws, rivets, quick-release bolts, or elastic pins. During the installation of the fan 40, the fan 40 is first positioned on the frame 10 by the positioning and mating of the first positioning part 20 with the first positioning mating part 51 and the second positioning part 30 with the second positioning mating part 61. This positioning process ensures that the air outlet 403 of the fan 40 is accurately aligned with the mounting port 102 of the frame 10, and the aforementioned flange and slot mating structure achieves anti-detachment and limiting. On this basis, the fan 40 is finally fixed by fasteners passing through the first assembly part and the first mating part, as well as the second assembly part 3102 and the second mating part 611. This "positioning first, then locking" assembly method can avoid problems such as screw misalignment, difficulty in tapping, or weak connection caused by positional deviation in traditional installation.

[0075] Of particular note is that, since the blower 40 is already in a stable pre-installed state before locking, operators or automated assembly equipment can directly perform fastener fastening operations without applying additional external force to support the blower 40. This not only improves assembly efficiency and reduces labor intensity but also helps ensure the consistency of locking torque, improving the stability of product assembly quality. For automated production lines, this design also reduces reliance on clamping equipment, increasing the flexibility and cycle time efficiency of the production line.

[0076] like Figures 8 to 11 As shown, in one embodiment, the second assembly part 3102 is configured as a first fixing hole in the second positioning part 30, and the second mating part 611 is a second fixing hole in the second positioning mating part 61; the frame 10 has a back plate 112 and a front panel 13 arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, the first positioning part 20 is provided on the side of the air outlet 403 near the back plate 112, the second positioning part 30 is provided on the side of the air outlet 403 near the front panel 13, the positions of the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole are correspondingly arranged and extend along the first direction, and the fastener passes through the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole along the first direction.

[0077] In this embodiment, the fan 40 is installed using a top-down vertical assembly method. This assembly direction closely matches the operator's natural operating posture and conforms to ergonomic design principles. During assembly, the operator does not need to bend over, raise their arms, or twist their body; they can maintain a comfortable upright or slightly forward-leaning posture and push the fan 40 into the mounting port 102 at the bottom of the frame 10 along the first direction. This reduces fatigue from prolonged operation and improves operational convenience and safety. For automated assembly lines, automated assembly equipment also more easily achieves precise alignment and stable pressing actions, which helps improve assembly cycle time and consistency.

[0078] More importantly, during the installation of the fan 40 in the first direction, the second positioning protrusion 60 on it simultaneously engages with the latch 32 of the second positioning part 30. As the fan 40 gradually moves downward, the latch 32 slides in along the positioning hole guide and is firmly inserted into the hole after being fully in place, forming a reliable anti-detachment locking structure. This locking action can effectively prevent the fan 40 from loosening, shifting, or even falling off due to its own weight, handling vibration, or disturbance from subsequent processes without relying on screws or other external clamps, ensuring that the fan 40 always maintains an accurate installation position before locking.

[0079] Based on this, once the fan 40 has completed its pre-positioning via the first positioning flange and positioning groove, and the latch 32 and positioning hole, the fastener can be vertically inserted into the corresponding first and second fixing holes along the first direction, i.e., from the back plate 112 to the front panel 13 or from the front panel 13 to the back plate 112, achieving a final rigid connection. Since the fan 40 is already pre-positioned, no additional support is needed, and the operator can directly perform the fastening operation on the automated assembly equipment, significantly simplifying the traditional inefficient "one hand holding the machine, the other tightening the screws" mode. This composite assembly process of "positioning from top to bottom first, then tightening in the first direction" not only significantly improves assembly efficiency and operational safety but also avoids structural deformation or misalignment caused by continuous force in one direction. Simultaneously, it provides a disassembly and assembly path for later maintenance; simply remove the horizontal fasteners first, then vertically remove the fan 40. The entire process is smooth and unobstructed, improving the maintainability of the water heater 1000.

[0080] The present invention also proposes a water heater 1000, such as Figures 1 to 17 As shown, the water heater 1000 includes a fan mounting structure 100. The specific structure of the fan mounting structure 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since the water heater 1000 adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0081] The water heater 1000 can be a condensing gas water heater, which may include a casing 800, a combustion heat exchange assembly 200, and a fan mounting structure 100. The casing 800 has a main air inlet 8001 and a flue gas outlet 8002. A duct 8003, communicating with the main air inlet 8001, is constructed between the casing 800 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 to guide external air in. The fan mounting structure 100 may include a frame 10 and a fan 40. The frame 10 has a flue gas duct 2001 inside for flue gas circulation, and an installation port 102 at its bottom, which communicates with the air outlet 403 of the fan 40. The air inlet 402 of the fan 40 is connected to the duct 8003 to achieve airflow transmission. Due to the different types of condensing gas water heaters, the arrangement of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 and the fan 40 may differ. This solution is applicable to forced draft or forced blast gas water heaters 1000. Taking the forced blast gas water heater 1000 as an example, the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 may further include a burner 210 and a main heat exchanger 220. The fan 40, burner 210, and main heat exchanger 220 are arranged sequentially from bottom to top along the height direction of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 within the casing 800. The burner 210 is located within the frame 10 near the mounting port 102 and is connected to the inlet end of the flue 2001. The outlet end of the flue 2001 is connected to the exhaust port 8002 of the casing 800. The main heat exchanger 220 is located at the top of the frame 10 and includes a main heat exchange tube 221 that extends at least partially into the flue 2001 to absorb heat from the high-temperature flue gas to heat the water flowing through the tube. The space inside the frame 10 between the burner 210 and the main heat exchanger 220 forms a combustion chamber 101. This combustion chamber 101 is connected to the mounting port 102, allowing air blown in by the fan 40 to enter the combustion chamber 101 through the mounting port 102, providing the primary air required for combustion in the burner 210. The flame burns fully within the combustion chamber 101, generating high-temperature flue gas. Driven by the fan 40, the flue gas flows upward through the flue 2001, heating the water in the main heat exchange tube 221, achieving efficient heat exchange. Simultaneously, the fan 40 can also guide air entering from the main air inlet 8001 around the burner 210, providing secondary air and promoting more complete and stable combustion.

[0082] However, when the air intake direction of the air inlet 402 is on the same side as the air intake direction of the main air inlet 8001, such as both being in a front-to-back direction, the distance between the air inlet 402 and the main air inlet 8001 will be too close, the air intake channel will be narrow, and the air intake resistance will increase. At the same time, the noise generated by the airflow during operation is easy to spread directly outward along the air intake path without effective blocking, which will seriously affect the quiet performance of the whole machine.

[0083] To address the aforementioned issues, in this design, the air intake direction of the fan 40's air inlet 402 intersects with the air intake direction of the casing 800's main air inlet 8001. If the air intake direction of the casing 800's main air inlet 8001 is vertical, the air intake direction of the fan 40's air inlet 402 can be designed to be horizontal; similarly, if the air intake direction of the main air inlet 8001 is set to front-back, the fan 40's air inlet 402 can be adjusted to a horizontal direction. This layout adjustment not only increases the spatial distance between the fan 40's air inlet 402 and the casing 800's main air inlet 8001 but also widens the airflow channel, reduces airflow resistance, and improves intake efficiency. Furthermore, since the air intake path is no longer straight-line aligned, noise encounters more obstruction and refraction during propagation, making it difficult for noise to diffuse directly outward from the main air inlet 8001, thereby reducing the possibility of noise leakage and improving the overall noise reduction effect of the unit.

[0084] It should also be noted that the air duct 8003 in this design is formed by the space between the casing 800 and the combustion heat exchange component 200. Compared to existing technologies that require an internal air duct 8003 component, this design eliminates the need for an additional air duct 8003 component, directly utilizing the internal space of the casing 800 for air intake. This not only simplifies the internal structure of the water heater 1000 and reduces the number of parts, but also lowers assembly difficulty and cost. Furthermore, since there is no need to reserve installation space for an additional air duct 8003 component, this design makes the overall layout more compact, helping to reduce the size of the equipment and improve space utilization. More importantly, by optimizing the internal space layout of the casing 800 to form the air duct 8003, airflow can be guided more effectively, reducing energy loss caused by poor airflow and improving combustion efficiency and heat exchange efficiency.

[0085] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 800 has a bottom wall 810 and a top wall 820, the top wall 820 is provided with a main air inlet 8001, and the fan 40 is located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 near the bottom wall 810.

[0086] In this embodiment, the housing 800 has a bottom wall 810 and a top wall 820, which are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction. The main air inlet 8001 is located on the top wall 820, and the fan 40 is located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 near the bottom wall 810, that is, on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 away from the main air inlet 8001. In this way, by arranging the fan 40 in the bottom area of ​​the housing 800 and placing the main air inlet 8001 in the top area of ​​the housing 800, the air intake path can be longitudinally separated in space, increasing the straight-line distance between the air inlet 402 and the main air inlet 8001. This staggered vertical layout forces external air to enter from the top of the casing 800, flow downwards through the air duct 8003 between the casing 800 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 200, and then enter the air inlet 402 from below, thus forming a deflected air intake channel. This avoids airflow short-circuiting and air intake congestion, significantly reducing intake resistance and improving the uniformity and stability of the intake. Simultaneously, because the airflow must traverse a long and winding path before entering the fan 40, the aerodynamic noise generated during operation is reflected, absorbed, and attenuated multiple times by the air duct 8003 structure during propagation, making it difficult to radiate directly outwards in a straight line, thereby enhancing the overall noise reduction capability of the unit. The main air inlet 8001 can then be oriented vertically or horizontally. When the main air inlet 8001 is vertically oriented, the fan 40's air inlet 402 can be designed for horizontal air intake; when the main air inlet 8001 is horizontally oriented, the fan 40's air inlet 402 can be either vertically or horizontally oriented. As long as the air intake direction of the fan 40 air inlet 402 intersects with the air intake direction of the main air inlet 8001 in space, the air intake path can be spatially staggered, thereby achieving the technical effect of optimizing the air intake field and reducing noise propagation efficiency.

[0087] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 800 has a first sidewall 830 that connects the bottom wall 810 and the top wall 820. The main air inlet 8001 is disposed facing the bottom wall 810, and the air inlet 402 of the fan 40 is disposed facing the first sidewall 830.

[0088] In this embodiment, by aligning the main air inlet 8001 towards the bottom wall 810 (i.e., the air intake direction of the main air inlet 8001 is vertical), and simultaneously aligning the air inlet 402 of the fan 40 towards the first side wall 830 (i.e., the air intake direction is horizontal), air enters from the main air inlet 8001 on the top wall 820 of the housing 800 and flows directly downwards. Then, it is guided to the air inlet 402 of the fan 40 via the air duct 8003 near the first side wall 830. This design reduces bends in the airflow path, thereby reducing eddies formed during airflow transmission. By reducing irregular airflow movement, not only is intake efficiency improved, but additional noise caused by eddies is also reduced.

[0089] It is worth noting that the main air inlet 8001 can be located close to or away from the first sidewall 830. When the main air inlet 8001 is located away from the first sidewall 830, the air enters from the main air inlet 8001 on the top wall 820 of the casing 800 and flows directly downwards, potentially taking a relatively long path, first moving away from the first sidewall 830 and then approaching it again, finally being guided to the air inlet 402 of the fan 40. Although this arrangement can utilize a longer path to further reduce noise, the extended path and multiple turns may increase airflow resistance and energy loss. Conversely, as... Figure 2 As shown, when the main air inlet 8001 is positioned close to the first side wall 830, the airflow path between the main air inlet 8001 and the air inlet 402 of the fan 40 is approximately a straight path. This not only reduces the energy loss of the airflow during transmission, but also avoids other components in the duct 8003 from obstructing the airflow path, making the airflow smoother and more efficient.

[0090] Furthermore, positioning the main air inlet 8001 close to the first sidewall 830 optimizes internal airflow organization, reduces energy loss, and helps improve combustion and heat exchange efficiency. Specifically, when air enters the fan 40 in a more straight line, a more stable airflow supply is ensured, which is crucial for maintaining the optimal operating condition of the burner 210. A more stable and uniform airflow not only promotes complete combustion during the combustion process and reduces the emission of harmful substances, thus benefiting environmental protection, but also reduces the impact of unnecessary airflow turning and bending on the fan 40 blades, thereby extending the service life of the fan 40 and reducing maintenance costs.

[0091] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 800 also has a second sidewall 840 opposite to the first sidewall 830, and the water heater 1000 also includes an electronic control component 600, which is disposed between the second sidewall 840 and the combustion heat exchange component 200.

[0092] In this embodiment, the housing 800 also has a second sidewall 840 opposite to the first sidewall 830, and the second sidewall 840 and the first sidewall 830 are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. The water heater 1000 also includes an electronic control component 600, which can be implemented using control components such as a controller and a main control board, and can be electrically connected to electronic components such as the burner 210 to realize the operation control of electronic components such as the burner 210. In order to optimize the internal layout and make full use of space, the electronic control component 600 is disposed between the second sidewall 840 and the combustion heat exchange component 200. This arrangement not only makes the internal structure of the housing 800 more compact and reasonable, helping to reduce the overall volume of the water heater 1000, but also effectively utilizes the internal space of the housing 800.

[0093] More importantly, the space between the second sidewall 840 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 forms an air duct 8003 that communicates with the main air inlet 8001. When air enters from the main air inlet 8001 and flows through this air duct 8003, it can dissipate heat from the electronic control assembly 600 located within the air duct 8003. The electronic control assembly 600 generates heat during actual operation. If this heat accumulates inside the housing 800, it may adversely affect sensitive electronic components within the electronic control assembly 600 and components such as the fan 40 within the housing 800, even shortening their service life. Through the above design, the air flowing through the air duct 8003 not only provides the necessary oxygen for the combustion process but also carries away excess heat generated by the electronic control assembly 600, achieving an effective cooling effect. At the same time, this layout also facilitates maintenance personnel in inspecting and repairing the electronic control assembly 600, allowing them to access the electronic control assembly 600 without disassembling the complex combustion heat exchange assembly 200, greatly improving maintenance convenience.

[0094] Understandably, the main air inlet 8001 can be circular, square, strip-shaped, or other irregular shapes. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the main air inlet 8001 is strip-shaped, and the width of the main air inlet 8001 is no more than 10 mm.

[0095] In this embodiment, by setting the shape of the main air inlet 8001 to a strip shape, the air intake area can be effectively controlled while achieving a uniform and stable airflow distribution. The strip structure has a longer air intake side length, which can reduce the local air intake velocity and decrease the turbulence intensity when the airflow enters, thereby helping to reduce air intake noise. At the same time, the strip-shaped main air inlet 8001 can be arranged to extend along the thickness direction of the top wall 820 of the casing 800, forming a slit-type air intake channel with a certain depth. This structure has a good blocking effect on sound wave propagation, which can suppress the mid-to-high frequency airflow noise generated by the fan 40 during operation from radiating outward in a straight line, thereby achieving a noise reduction effect and further improving the overall quietness performance of the machine.

[0096] Furthermore, multiple strip-shaped main air inlets 8001 can be provided, and these main air inlets 8001 can be arranged at intervals along the left and right directions. In this way, while ensuring sufficient total air intake, the air intake area can be distributed, allowing air to enter the air duct 8003 simultaneously from multiple main air inlets 8001. This avoids airflow concentration at a single main air inlet 8001, which could cause local eddies or pressure unevenness, thereby optimizing the airflow organization inside the entire unit and improving the uniformity and stability of the air intake. This distributed air intake design can also effectively reduce the peak wind speed at a single air inlet 402, further reducing airflow impact noise and enhancing the quietness effect.

[0097] Meanwhile, the width of the main air inlet 8001 is no more than 10 mm. While ensuring sufficient airflow, this effectively prevents adults or children from accidentally inserting their fingers into the casing 800, avoiding contact with high-temperature or moving parts inside the casing 800, thus improving the safety of the water heater 1000. Furthermore, the narrow, strip-shaped main air inlet 8001 effectively blocks external objects from entering the casing 800. For example, pests such as rats and cockroaches cannot easily enter the equipment through this type of main air inlet 8001, thus preventing electrical faults such as short circuits and leakage caused by insects gnawing on the wires, ensuring the electrical safety of the equipment. It also prevents the accumulation or blockage of air ducts 8003 by dust, fallen leaves, debris, and other impurities, ensuring smooth airflow and avoiding safety hazards such as incomplete combustion, reduced thermal efficiency, and increased carbon monoxide concentration in the flue gas due to insufficient airflow. For the fan 40, this design also reduces the risk of foreign objects being sucked in and getting stuck in the impeller or volute 41, preventing abnormal vibration, increased noise, or even fan 40 stopping, thereby improving the reliability and durability of the whole machine.

[0098] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the area of ​​the main air inlet 8001 is not less than twice the area of ​​the air inlet 402 of the fan 40.

[0099] In this embodiment, the area of ​​the main air inlet 8001 is no less than twice the area of ​​the air inlet 402 of the fan 40. This means that the main air inlet 8001 has a larger cross-sectional size, much larger than the area of ​​the air inlet 402 of the fan 40. On the one hand, the larger area of ​​the main air inlet 8001 ensures a sufficient air supply, meeting the oxygen requirements for combustion even under extreme operating conditions, thus ensuring efficient and stable combustion. On the other hand, due to the larger area of ​​the main air inlet 8001, the air velocity upon entry is relatively low. This helps reduce turbulence and noise generated during airflow, making the airflow smoother and more uniform, thereby reducing vibration and noise problems caused by high-speed airflow impact and further improving the overall quietness performance of the unit.

[0100] Furthermore, the larger main air inlet 8001 area reduces air intake resistance, making it easier for air to be drawn into the casing 800 and smoothly pass through the entire air duct 8003 to reach the air inlet 402 of the fan 40. This is crucial for improving the operating efficiency of the fan 40, as it reduces the energy consumed by the fan 40 to overcome air intake resistance, allowing more energy to be used to maintain effective airflow and combustion. Simultaneously, the low-resistance air intake design also helps reduce the load on the fan 40 and extend its service life, because the fan 40 does not need to operate at higher power to compensate for excessive air intake resistance.

[0101] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the water heater 1000 further includes a main water inlet pipe 300, the outlet end of the main water inlet pipe 300 is connected to the inlet end of the combustion heat exchange component 200, the casing 800 is provided with an inlet connector 500, the inlet end of the main water inlet pipe 300 is connected to the inlet connector 500, and the fan 40 is located near the inlet connector 500.

[0102] In this embodiment, the casing 800 is provided with an inlet main pipe 300 and an outlet main pipe 400, which are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the main heat exchanger 220. When the condensing gas water heater is running, the burner 210 generates high-temperature flue gas. Under the action of the fan 40, this high-temperature flue gas is guided to the main heat exchanger 220 for heat exchange, thereby heating the cold water flowing through the main heat exchange tube 221. The heated hot water is then output to the user through the outlet main pipe 400. The casing 800 is also provided with an inlet connector 500, and the inlet end of the inlet main pipe 300 is directly connected to the inlet connector 500, allowing cold water to smoothly enter the water heater 1000 for heating. In particular, the fan 40 is arranged close to the inlet connector 500, which can utilize the inlet pipe as a natural radiator to a certain extent, helping to reduce the temperature generated by the fan 40 during operation and extending its service life. Since the area through which the chilled water passes before entering the main heat exchanger 220 is usually at a lower temperature, this arrangement can provide a relatively cool working environment for the fan 40, which is especially important during long-term operation or high-load operation.

[0103] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the water heater 1000 further includes a gas distribution assembly 700, which is disposed inside the housing 800. The gas distribution assembly 700 and the water inlet connector 500 are arranged on opposite sides of the fan 40, and the gas outlet of the gas distribution assembly 700 is connected to the gas inlet of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200.

[0104] In this embodiment, the gas distribution assembly 700 includes a gas proportional valve, a gas distribution rod body, and multiple solenoid valves. The gas proportional valve is used to control and adjust the gas pressure entering the gas distribution rod body. The gas distribution rod body is provided with an outlet pipe, which has jet holes. The solenoid valves control the amount of gas injected from the outlet pipe to the burner 210. The gas distribution rod body can be provided with one or more outlet pipes, each outlet pipe having one or more rows of jet holes. The heat output of the water heater 1000 is adjusted by regulating the air intake of the outlet pipe. The gas distribution assembly 700 and the water inlet connector 500 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the fan 40, which helps to improve space utilization and makes the internal structure of the casing 800 more compact and reasonable, which is beneficial to reducing the size of the equipment and facilitating installation and maintenance.

[0105] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the gas distribution assembly 700 is arranged close to the combustion heat exchange assembly 200, so that the gas can be delivered to the burner 210 in the shortest distance, reducing energy loss and potential safety risks.

[0106] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the water heater 1000 also includes a smoke hood, which is disposed inside the housing 800 and located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 away from the fan 40. The smoke hood connects the flue 2001 with the exhaust port 8002 and is positioned towards the main air inlet 8001.

[0107] In this embodiment, the water heater 1000 also includes a smoke collection hood, which is disposed inside the casing 800 and located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 200 away from the fan 40. The smoke collection hood connects the smoke outlet of the flue 2001 to the exhaust port 8002 on the casing 800, enabling the orderly guidance and efficient discharge of high-temperature flue gas. The smoke collection hood faces the main air inlet 8001. When air enters the casing 800 from the main air inlet 8001, some airflow may directly act on the surface of the smoke collection hood. Due to the curved or inclined structure of the smoke collection hood, airflow will be reflected after impact. However, this reflection is confined within the casing 800; even if wind blows towards the smoke collection hood and rebounds, its reflection path remains entirely within the casing 800, preventing noise from being radiated or amplified outwards.

[0108] It is also worth noting that in the prior art, the blower 40 is positioned on the left side of the frame 10 relative to the burner 210. In this case, the air outlet 403 of the blower 40 is directly opposite the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210 via the mounting port 102. The blower 40 supplies air to the burner 210 in a forward blowing manner, resulting in uneven airflow distribution. It forcibly pushes air from only one side, making it difficult for the gas and air to achieve uniform and sufficient premixing in the mixing chamber. At the same time, the air pressure generated by the forward blowing method can easily cause local overpressure at the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210, disrupting the normal intake airflow field, inhibiting the intake of primary air, resulting in a low primary air coefficient, insufficient air in the mixture, and ultimately incomplete combustion, uneven flame temperature, and the emission of more harmful flue gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as low thermal efficiency.

[0109] To address the problems in existing technologies caused by the side-mounted fan and forward air supply, such as insufficient primary air, incomplete gas mixing, incomplete combustion, and high pollutant emissions, Figure 12 As shown, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an air guide surface 4121 on one edge of the volute 41 near the air outlet 403. The air guide surface 4121 is inclined relative to the plane where the mounting port 102 is located. Taking the axis of the mounting port 102 extending in the vertical direction as an example, the plane where the mounting port 102 is located is perpendicular to the axis; based on this, the air guide surface 4121 gradually deflects towards the side near the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210 along the airflow direction, forming an inclined guide structure with guiding function, used to guide the outlet airflow to the area of ​​the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210.

[0110] Through the design of the inclined air guide surface 4121, although the fan 40 is still arranged on one side of the burner 210 (such as the left side), its outlet airflow is no longer directly facing or parallel to the plane of the mounting port 102, but is rectified by the air guide surface 4121 into an oblique jet pointing towards the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210. This directional airflow method can significantly enhance the disturbance and mixing effect of air and gas when entering the premixing chamber, promote the formation of a spiral flow or convection mixing structure, and greatly improve the mixing uniformity and premixing efficiency of gas and air. This results in more complete combustion, improved combustion conditions, reduced generation of incomplete combustion products such as carbon monoxide, increased thermal efficiency, and reduced emissions of flue gas pollutants.

[0111] like Figure 12 As shown, in some embodiments, the air guide surface 4121 can constitute a partially obliquely cut structure of the volute 41 itself. That is, the volute 41 is provided with a first shell sidewall 412, which is inclined relative to the plane where the mounting port 102 is located, and its inner wall surface directly serves as the air guide surface 4121. This integrated design allows the air guide surface 4121 to be processed simultaneously during the forming process of the volute 41, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs without weakening the structural strength of the volute 41.

[0112] In other embodiments, the air guide surface 4121 can be achieved by adding additional structures such as guide plates and guide ribs to the edge of the air outlet 403 of the volute 41. Such detachable or adjustable air guide elements not only facilitate flexible adaptation to different burner 210 models and air intake directions, but also benefit subsequent maintenance and structural iteration optimization, thereby improving the product's versatility, manufacturability, and assembly flexibility.

[0113] The surface of the air guide surface 4121 is preferably designed with a smooth arc transition structure to reduce boundary layer separation and turbulent resistance when the airflow passes through, reduce energy loss, and improve air guiding efficiency and air transport performance.

[0114] It is worth noting that the tilt angle of the air guide surface 4121 needs to be optimized based on specific air volume and pressure requirements, as well as the structural parameters of the burner 210. Experiments have verified that the angle θ formed between the air guide surface 4121 and the plane containing the mounting port 102 should ideally be controlled within the range of 65 to 75 degrees. Within this range, optimal airflow deflection and mixing performance can be achieved while minimizing air volume loss. This is because: when θ is less than 65 degrees, the air guide surface 4121 is too steep, resulting in an excessively large airflow deflection angle, which can easily cause severe airflow separation and vortex phenomena at the air outlet 403, leading to significant air pressure attenuation and flow rate reduction, thus affecting air supply capacity; when θ is greater than 75 degrees, the air guide effect weakens, the airflow deflection is insufficient, and it is difficult to effectively concentrate the airflow towards the central area of ​​the burner 210 air inlet 2002, resulting in limited mixing and disturbance effects, still approaching the adverse effects of the traditional forward blowing mode. Experiments have shown that when θ is not less than 65 degrees and not greater than 75 degrees, the airflow transition is smooth and stable. This can maintain a high wind pressure transmission efficiency and accurately guide the airflow into the premixing chamber, increasing the proportion of primary air participating in the mixing by more than 5%, thereby enhancing combustion stability and cleanliness.

[0115] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the frame 10 includes a back plate 112 and a front panel 13 facing each other, and a bottom plate 121 connecting the back plate 112 and the front panel 13. The air inlet 2002 is disposed facing the front panel 13, and the mounting port 102 is disposed on the bottom plate 121.

[0116] In this embodiment, the frame 10 includes a back plate 112, a front panel 13, and a bottom plate 121. The back plate 112 and the front panel 13 are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, and the bottom plate 121 connects the back plate 112 and the front panel 13. In this structural layout, the axis of the air inlet 2002 extends in the front-rear direction and is perpendicular to the plane where the front panel 13 is located, ensuring that the gas or mixture flows smoothly into the burner 210 from the front. The axis of the mounting port 102 extends in the vertical direction and is used to install the fan 40, so that it takes in air from the bottom of the frame 10 and forms a vertically upward air outlet path. Combined with the guiding effect of the aforementioned air guide surface 4121, the airflow of the fan 40 outlet 403 is deflected into a forward and upward oblique jet, accurately pointing to the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210 located on the front side. This "bottom-in, front-out" air supply path not only avoids the unilateral impact and disturbance caused by the traditional left-side forward-blowing fan 40 on the burner 210 airflow field, but also forms a more uniform and sufficient air-fuel premix in the air inlet 2002 area through reasonable airflow direction guidance, effectively improving the participation ratio and mixing efficiency of primary air, thereby improving combustion stability, increasing thermal efficiency, and reducing pollutant emissions.

[0117] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the back plate 112 and the front panel 13 are arranged opposite to each other along a first direction. The volute 41 is also provided with an air inlet 402 that communicates with the air cavity 401. The axis of the air inlet 402 extends along a second direction. The side of the volute 41 away from the back plate 112 does not exceed the plane where the front panel 13 is located. The first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0118] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the back panel 112 and the front panel 13 are arranged opposite each other in the front-back direction, that is, the front-back direction is the first direction. The axis of the air inlet 402 of the volute 41 extends in the left-right direction, that is, the left-right direction is the second direction. It is worth noting that the side of the volute 41 away from the back panel 112 does not exceed the plane where the front panel 13 is located. This indicates that the side of the volute 41 away from the back panel 112 can be located between the back panel 112 and the front panel 13 and close to the front panel 13, or flush with the plane where the front panel 13 is located. This design benefits from the presence of the air guide surface 4121. The air guide surface 4121 allows the volute 41 to be compactly arranged on the side away from the back panel 112 without having to extend outward beyond the position of the front panel 13. Under the premise that the airflow can be accurately guided to the air inlet 2002 of the burner 210, the space utilization inside the casing 800 is optimized, so that the whole machine is not too thick. Therefore, it can be said that the design of the air guide surface 4121 allows the volute 41 to efficiently complete the direction conversion of airflow while maintaining a compact shape, thereby realizing the air supply path of "bottom air intake and front air outlet", promoting the uniform mixing of air and gas in the air intake 2002 area, and achieving more complete combustion.

[0119] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the side of the volute 41 facing away from the back plate 112 is flush with the plane where the panel 13 is located.

[0120] In this embodiment, by aligning the side of the volute 41 away from the back plate 112 with the plane of the panel 13, a larger internal space can be provided for the volute 41 compared to a configuration where the side of the volute 41 away from the back plate 112 is located between and close to the panel 13. This means that the volute 41 has more internal volume for optimizing the air cavity 401, reducing airflow resistance, and improving the operating efficiency of the fan 40.

[0121] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the volute 41 has a volute tongue 411 and a first shell sidewall 412 opposite to the volute tongue 411, the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 412 having an air guide surface 4121.

[0122] Further illustrating the above embodiments, the volute 41 in this embodiment has a volute tongue 411 and a first shell sidewall 412, which are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction. The volute tongue 411 is positioned closer to the panel 13 relative to the first shell sidewall 412, while the first shell sidewall 412 is positioned further away from the panel 13 relative to the volute tongue 411. Near the air outlet 403, the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 412 has a guide surface 4121. This means that the guide surface 4121 is not achieved by adding additional guide plates or guide ribs, but is locally formed from the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 412 itself. By directly molding the air guide surface 4121 onto the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 412, an effective airflow guiding function can be directly formed on the original structure of the volute 41 without the need for an independent guide plate or guide rib. This maintains the integrity and strength of the overall structure of the volute 41 and avoids the process complexity and potential connection defects caused by assembling additional guide plates or guide ribs. At the same time, since the air guide surface 4121 is integrally molded with the volute 41, the surface can achieve a smooth and continuous transition, reducing airflow separation and eddy loss, improving airflow guiding efficiency, and helping to reduce wind noise and energy loss.

[0123] like Figure 12 and Figure 13As shown, in one embodiment, the first shell sidewall 412 is inclined towards the side closer to the back plate 112 from the plane where the mounting port 102 is located. This means that the entire inner wall of the first shell sidewall 412 constitutes the air guide surface 4121, rather than the air guide surface 4121 formed only on the inner wall. Compared with the method of additionally setting the air guide surface 4121 on the inner wall of the already formed first shell sidewall 412, designing the entire first shell sidewall 412 as an inclined structure, so that it undertakes the air guide function as a whole, has significant manufacturing and structural advantages: the air guide surface 4121 can be completed simultaneously during the overall forming process of the volute 41, without the need for subsequent secondary processing or assembly of air guide plates, air guide ribs and other air guide elements, realizing integrated manufacturing with the volute 41. This not only simplifies the production process and reduces assembly costs, but also avoids the risks of loose connection, poor sealing or airflow disturbance caused by the addition of air guide plates, air guide ribs and other air guide elements, improving the reliability and consistency of the structure.

[0124] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in some embodiments, the first shell sidewall 412 can adopt a broken line segment structure or an arc segment structure. When the first shell sidewall 412 is a broken line segment, its inner wall is composed of multiple connected planar segments, forming a stepped or broken line air guide surface 4121. This structure facilitates mold demolding, has good manufacturability, and can provide a clear airflow guiding angle. When the first shell sidewall 412 is an arc segment, its inner wall is a smooth and continuous curved surface, which can make the airflow turn more smoothly, effectively reduce turbulence and flow separation, reduce wind resistance and noise, and improve airflow guiding efficiency. Therefore, according to the actual aerodynamic performance requirements and manufacturing process conditions, the specific contour form of the first shell sidewall 412 can be flexibly selected, ensuring good airflow guiding effect while taking into account production feasibility and cost control.

[0125] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, in one embodiment, the frame 10 includes a first frame 11, a second frame 12 and a panel 13. The second frame 12 is connected to the first frame 11 to form a combustion chamber 101, and a disassembly port 103 is connected to the combustion chamber 101. The combustion chamber 101 is connected to the air intake 2002, and the panel 13 is covered by the disassembly port 103.

[0126] It is understandable that existing condensing gas water heaters typically use a panel 13 and three or more independent frames to form the frame 10. Adjacent frames require step-by-step connection, involving multiple assembly processes, which is cumbersome and increases production complexity while reducing overall assembly efficiency. This embodiment simplifies the frame 10 into a first frame 11, a second frame 12, and a panel 13. By assembling the main structure of the frame 10 in a single connection operation between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, the number of connection points and assembly steps can be reduced. After installing the burner 210 below the combustion chamber 101 and placing the main heat exchanger 220 in the flue 2001 above the combustion chamber 101, the panel 13 is finally closed onto the disassembly port 103, thus achieving the assembly and overall sealing of components such as the burner 210 and the main heat exchanger 220. This frame 10 structure not only simplifies the assembly process and improves production efficiency but also helps reduce potential air leakage points and improves the overall structural stability and sealing reliability of the frame 10.

[0127] To further explain, the specific structures of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 can be implemented in multiple ways. For example... Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, in one embodiment, the first frame 11 includes an integrally bent top plate 111 and a back plate 112, while the second frame 12 includes a bottom plate 121 and first side plates 122 and second side plates 123 located on opposite sides of the bottom plate 121. The bottom plate 121 is positioned opposite the top plate 111, and the disassembly port 103 is located on the opposite side of the back plate 112, facilitating the installation and subsequent maintenance of components such as the burner 210 and the main heat exchanger 220. The bottom plate 121 also has an installation port 102 for mounting the fan 40. The first frame 11, with its top plate 111 and back plate 112 integrally bent, reduces the use of welds or fasteners, improving the overall integrity and rigidity of the frame 10. The second frame 12, through the bottom plate 121 and the two side plates, forms a "U"-shaped structure, possessing good load-bearing capacity and resistance to deformation. After the two are connected, they form a box-like skeleton structure. Then, the disassembly port 103 is closed by the panel 13, thus forming a complete combustion chamber 101 that is easy to assemble and maintain.

[0128] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, in one embodiment, the first frame 11 is riveted to the second frame 12.

[0129] In this embodiment, the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 are fixed together by riveting. The connection between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 can be achieved in two ways: one way is to wrap the edge of the first frame 11 around the corresponding edge of the second frame 12, meaning that a portion of the structure of the first frame 11 surrounds and tightens around the edge of the second frame 12, thus forming a stable connection point. This method utilizes the edge of the first frame 11 to enhance the stability and rigidity of the overall structure. The other way is the opposite operation, where the edge of the second frame 12 wraps around the corresponding edge of the first frame 11. This means that a portion of the structure of the second frame 12 surrounds and tightens around the edge of the first frame 11, also forming a stable connection point. This design not only ensures a tight connection between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, but also allows for flexible selection of which side is the main load-bearing surface according to actual needs.

[0130] By employing either or both of these riveting methods, sufficient mechanical strength and stability can be ensured between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, reducing the risk of loosening due to vibration or other external forces. Furthermore, riveting, as a reliable and permanent connection method, eliminates the need for additional welding processes, reducing heat-affected zone issues and simplifying the manufacturing process, thus improving production efficiency and product quality consistency.

[0131] To improve the riveting accuracy of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, such as Figure 15 As shown, in one embodiment, at least one edge of the back plate 112 is provided with a limiting rib 14, which cooperates with the second frame 12 to limit the installation of the second frame 12 on the back plate 112.

[0132] In this embodiment, at least one edge of the back plate 112 is provided with a limiting rib 14. For example, the limiting rib 14 may be provided on one edge of the back plate 112 corresponding to the bottom plate 121, or on one edge of the back plate 112 corresponding to the first side plate 122, or on one edge of the back plate 112 corresponding to the second side plate 123, or on one edge of the back plate 112 corresponding to both the bottom plate 121 and the first side plate 122. Other cases are similar and will not be listed here. Each edge of the back plate 112 may be provided with one or more limiting ribs 14 as needed. When multiple limiting ribs 14 are provided on one edge, the multiple limiting ribs 14 may be arranged in one or more rows along the length of the back plate 112 or along the width of the back plate 112. No specific restrictions are imposed here. By limiting the rib 14 and the second frame 12, the second frame 12 can be fixedly installed on the back plate 112. After the second frame 12 is fixed, it is convenient to rivet the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, preventing unnecessary displacement of the first frame 11 or the second frame 12 during the riveting process, thereby avoiding poor riveting due to position changes.

[0133] like Figure 15 As shown, in one embodiment, the back plate 112 has a first side edge 1121 and a second side edge 1122 opposite to each other. The first side edge 1121 is provided with a first limiting rib 141 and a second limiting rib 142 at intervals. The first limiting rib 141 and the second limiting rib 142 respectively limit and cooperate with the first side plate 122 to limit and install the first side plate 122 onto the back plate 112. The second side edge 1122 is provided with a third limiting rib 143 and a fourth limiting rib 144 at intervals. The third limiting rib 143 and the fourth limiting rib 144 respectively limit and cooperate with the second side plate 123 to limit and install the second side plate 123 onto the back plate 112.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first side plate 122 is positioned and installed on the back plate 112 by the first limiting rib 141 and the second limiting rib 142 respectively engaging with the first side plate 122. Similarly, the second side plate 123 is positioned and installed on the back plate 112 by the third limiting rib 143 and the fourth limiting rib 144 respectively engaging with the second side plate 123. Because both the first side plate 122 and the second side plate 123 are effectively positioned, the entire second frame 12 can be relatively balanced on the back plate 112, thus providing a stable foundation for the riveting between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, and avoiding poor riveting or errors caused by relative movement between the two.

[0135] Furthermore, by providing limiting ribs 14 on the opposite side edges of the back panel 112, the assembly process can be simplified and production efficiency can be improved. This is because the design of the limiting ribs 14 reduces the need for manual or mechanical adjustments and calibrations, allowing the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 of each frame 10 to be assembled quickly and accurately. Each limiting rib 14 fits tightly with the corresponding side panel, further enhancing the rigidity and stability of the entire frame 10.

[0136] like Figure 15 As shown, in one embodiment, the first limiting rib 141 and the third limiting rib 143 are arranged opposite to each other along the second direction; and / or, the second limiting rib 142 and the fourth limiting rib 144 are arranged opposite to each other along the second direction.

[0137] In this embodiment, the relative arrangement of the first limiting rib 141 and the third limiting rib 143 ensures that the first side plate 122 and the second side plate 123 receive balanced support and positioning on opposite sides of the back plate 112, thereby preventing the second frame 12 from tilting or becoming asymmetrical during assembly. Similarly, if the second limiting rib 142 and the fourth limiting rib 144 are also arranged opposite each other along the second direction, the symmetry and stability between the first side plate 122 and the second side plate 123 can be further enhanced, helping to maintain the balance of the second frame 12.

[0138] like Figures 15 to 17 As shown, in one embodiment, the back panel 112 is provided with a limiting part 15, which is in a limiting cooperation with the first side panel 122 and / or the second side panel 123 to limit the first side panel 122 and / or the second side panel 123 to the back panel 112.

[0139] In this embodiment, the limiting part 15 can be a groove or a protrusion provided on the back plate 112. Correspondingly, at least one of the first side plate 122 and the second side plate 123 is also provided with a matching protrusion or groove. The positioning of the first side plate 122 and the second side plate 123 relative to the back plate 112 is achieved through the cooperation of the groove and the protrusion. For example, when the limiting part 15 includes a groove provided on the back plate 112, the first side plate 122 is equipped with a corresponding protrusion, so that the protrusion of the first side plate 122 can be embedded in the groove of the back plate 112, thereby achieving the positioning of the first side plate 122 relative to the back plate 112. Similarly, if the second side plate 123 also adopts the same structure, that is, it has a protrusion, the limiting effect can be achieved by the cooperation of the protrusion with the corresponding groove on the back plate 112. This ensures that the first side plate 122 and the second side plate 123 can be accurately installed on the back plate 112, thereby improving the riveting accuracy between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 and reducing assembly errors caused by misalignment of at least one of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12.

[0140] In addition, the limiting part 15 may also include other types of limiting devices such as buckles provided on the back plate 112. Buckles can provide additional fixing force during the initial assembly process to ensure that the first side plate 122 and / or the second side plate 123 will not move accidentally, which facilitates the subsequent riveting operation between the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 and improves the accuracy and reliability of the riveting.

[0141] like Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, in one embodiment, the back panel 112 is provided with a first opening 104, and the limiting part 15 includes a first folded edge 151 provided on the back panel 112. The first folded edge 151 is bent from the edge of the first opening 104 toward the direction close to the top panel 111, and the first side panel 122 abuts against the side of the first folded edge 151 away from the top panel 111.

[0142] In this embodiment, the back panel 112 has a first opening 104, and the limiting part 15 includes a first folded edge 151 provided on the back panel 112. The first folded edge 151 is bent from the edge of the first opening 104 toward the direction close to the top panel 111, so that the first side panel 122 can abut against the side of the first folded edge 151 away from the top panel 111. By using the first folded edge 151 as the limiting part 15, it can be ensured that the first side panel 122 can be accurately positioned on the back panel 112 during assembly, and additional support and stability can be provided to prevent the first side panel 122 from shifting or tilting during assembly, thereby improving the riveting accuracy of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12. At the same time, the presence of the first folded edge 151 can also reduce the need for additional fasteners, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the frame 10 and reducing costs.

[0143] like Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, in one embodiment, the back panel 112 has a second opening 105, and the limiting portion 15 includes a second folded edge 152 provided on the back panel 112. The second folded edge 152 is bent from the edge of the second opening 105 toward the top panel 111, and the second side panel 123 abuts against the side of the second folded edge 152 away from the top panel 111. Similarly, the second folded edge 152 can provide positioning and support for the second side panel 123, maintain the positional accuracy of the second side panel 123, and ensure that the second side panel 123 will not shift or tilt on the back panel 112 during installation, thereby improving the riveting accuracy of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12.

[0144] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan mounting structure characterized by comprising: The application relates to a frame body, a fan and a positioning structure. The frame body is provided with a combustion chamber and a mounting opening communicating with the combustion chamber, and first and second positioning portions are arranged on opposite sides of the frame body corresponding to the mounting opening. The fan is arranged in the frame body and comprises a volute provided with a wind cavity and an air outlet communicating with the wind cavity, the air outlet communicates with the mounting opening, the volute is provided with first and second positioning matching portions on opposite sides corresponding to the air outlet, the first positioning matching portion is positioned and matched with the first positioning portion, and the second positioning matching portion is positioned and matched with the second positioning portion, so that the fan is positioned and mounted in the frame body. The first positioning portion is arranged on a side edge of the frame body and extends towards the combustion chamber. The second positioning portion comprises a second positioning flange arranged on the other side edge of the frame body and extending towards a side away from the combustion chamber, and a clamping tongue arranged on the second positioning flange, the volute is further provided with a second positioning protrusion extending towards the combustion chamber, the second positioning matching portion is a positioning hole arranged on the second positioning protrusion, and the clamping tongue is inserted into the positioning hole. The positioning hole penetrates through both sides of the volute along a first direction, the second positioning flange comprises third and fourth flange portions arranged in a stack along the first direction, the third flange portion is located on a side of the fourth flange portion close to the positioning hole, the third flange portion is provided with a flange hole, and a flange of the flange hole is bent away from the fourth flange portion to form the clamping tongue.

2. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein The volute is provided with a first positioning protrusion extending towards the combustion chamber, the first positioning matching portion is a positioning groove arranged on the first positioning protrusion, and the first positioning flange is arranged in the positioning groove.

3. The fan mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein The first positioning flange is arranged in a multi-layered flange structure.

4. The fan mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein The positioning groove has opposite first and second groove walls and opposite groove bottom walls and groove openings, the first groove wall has a guide surface extending from the groove opening towards the groove bottom wall and inclinedly arranged close to the second groove wall.

5. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein The clamping tongue comprises first and second guide sections connected with each other along a first direction, the first guide section is connected with the second positioning flange and arranged in extension along the first direction, and the second guide section is arranged inclinedly away from the frame body on a side opposite to the first guide section.

6. The fan mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The first positioning portion is provided with a first assembly portion, the first positioning matching portion is provided with a first matching portion, and the first assembly portion and the first matching portion are connected through fasteners to fix the fan in the frame body. The second positioning portion is provided with a second assembly portion, the second positioning matching portion is provided with a second matching portion, and the second assembly portion and the second matching portion are connected through fasteners to fix the fan in the frame body.

7. The fan mounting structure according to claim 6, wherein The second assembly part is configured as a first fixing hole arranged on the second positioning part, and the second matching part is a second fixing hole arranged on the second positioning matching part; the frame body has a back plate and a face plate arranged opposite along a first direction, the first positioning part is arranged on one side of the air outlet close to the back plate, the second positioning part is arranged on one side of the air outlet close to the face plate, the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole are arranged in position correspondence and extend along the first direction, and the fastener is arranged through the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole along the first direction.

8. A water heater, characterized by The fan mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The fan mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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