Water heater

Abstract

This invention discloses a water heater, relating to the field of water heater technology. The water heater includes a casing, a combustion heat exchange component, and a fan. The casing has a main air inlet and a flue outlet. The combustion heat exchange component is located inside the casing and forms a flue connecting to the flue outlet. A duct connecting the main air inlet is formed between the casing and the combustion heat exchange component. The fan is located inside the casing, with its air inlet connected to a ventilation duct and its air outlet connected to the flue. The air inlet direction of the fan intersects with the air inlet direction of the main air inlet. The technical effect of the solution provided by this invention is to reduce noise generated by the water heater while improving its air intake efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In existing technologies, water heaters employ a bottom shell rear air intake structure with a sound-absorbing plate inside the bottom shell. A cavity is formed between the bottom shell and the sound-absorbing plate, and part of the cavity is used to absorb airflow noise, achieving a certain noise reduction effect. However, in this design, the air intake direction of the fan and the air intake direction of the bottom shell are on the same side, resulting in a close distance between the fan air intake and the bottom shell air intake, a narrow air intake channel, and high air intake resistance. At the same time, the noise generated by the airflow can easily propagate outward through the air intake path, affecting the overall quietness performance of the unit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide a water heater that reduces noise while improving air intake efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a water heater comprising:

[0005] The casing is equipped with a main air inlet and a smoke exhaust outlet;

[0006] A combustion heat exchange assembly is disposed inside the housing. The combustion heat exchange assembly forms a flue that communicates with the exhaust port. An air duct that communicates with the main air inlet is formed between the housing and the combustion heat exchange assembly.

[0007] A fan is installed inside the casing. The fan's air inlet is connected to the air duct, and the fan's air outlet is connected to the flue. The air inlet direction of the fan intersects with the air inlet direction of the main air inlet.

[0008] In one embodiment, the housing has opposing bottom and top walls, the top wall is provided with the main air inlet, and the fan is located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly near the bottom wall.

[0009] In one embodiment, the housing has a first sidewall that connects the bottom wall and the top wall, the main air inlet is disposed facing the bottom wall, and the air inlet of the fan is disposed facing the first sidewall.

[0010] In one embodiment, the main air inlet is located close to the first sidewall.

[0011] In one embodiment, the housing further has a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and the water heater further includes an electronic control component disposed between the second sidewall and the combustion heat exchange component.

[0012] In one embodiment, the main air inlet is strip-shaped, and the width of the main air inlet is no more than 10 millimeters.

[0013] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the main air inlet is not less than twice the area of ​​the air inlet of the fan.

[0014] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a main water inlet pipe, the outlet end of which is connected to the inlet end of the combustion heat exchange component, the casing is provided with an inlet connector, the inlet end of the main water inlet pipe is connected to the inlet connector, and the fan is located near the inlet connector.

[0015] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a gas distribution assembly disposed inside the housing. The gas distribution assembly and the water inlet connector are arranged on opposite sides of the fan, and the gas outlet of the gas distribution assembly is connected to the gas inlet of the combustion heat exchange assembly.

[0016] In one embodiment, the water heater further includes a smoke collection hood, which is disposed inside the housing and located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly away from the fan. The smoke collection hood connects the flue to the exhaust port and is positioned facing the main air inlet.

[0017] The technical solution of this invention involves setting a main air inlet and a flue gas outlet on the casing, and installing a combustion heat exchange component inside the casing. This combustion heat exchange component forms a flue gas duct that communicates with the flue gas outlet, while a duct connecting the casing and the combustion heat exchange component is formed between them, communicating with the main air inlet. A fan is installed inside the casing, with its air inlet connected to the ventilation duct and its air outlet connected to the flue gas duct. The air inlet direction of the fan intersects with the air inlet direction of the main air inlet of the casing. This changes the existing layout where the air inlet direction of the fan and the air inlet direction of the bottom casing are on the same side, spatially offsetting the air inlet direction of the fan and the main air inlet of the casing, increasing the distance between them, widening the air intake channel, reducing air intake resistance, and improving air intake efficiency. At the same time, due to the directional deflection of the airflow path, airflow noise is blocked and refracted during propagation by the duct structure, making it difficult for it to be transmitted directly outward from the main air inlet in a straight line, thereby suppressing the noise leakage path and enhancing the overall quietness of the machine. 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 1A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of an embodiment of the water heater provided by the present invention;

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

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the 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 structure of a fan according to an embodiment of 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] 100. Water heater; 10. Housing; 101. Main air inlet; 102. Exhaust outlet; 103. Air duct; 11. Bottom wall; 12. Top wall; 13. First side wall; 14. Second side wall; 20. Combustion heat exchange assembly; 201. Flue; 202. Combustion chamber; 203. Mounting port; 204. Disassembly port; 205. First opening; 206. Second opening; 21. Burner; 2101. Air inlet; 22. Main heat exchanger; 23. Frame; 231. First frame ; 2311, Top plate; 2312, Back plate; 23121, First side edge; 23122, Second side edge; 232, Second frame; 2321, Bottom plate; 2322, First side plate; 2323, Second side plate; 233, Front panel; 234, Limiting rib; 2341, First limiting rib; 2342, Second limiting rib; 2343, Third limiting rib; 2344, Fourth limiting rib; 235, Limiting part; 2351, First folded edge; 235 2. Second folded edge; 30. Fan; 301. Air cavity; 302. Air inlet; 303. Air outlet; 31. Volute; 311. Volute tongue; 312. First shell sidewall; 3121. Air guide surface; 40. Electrical control assembly; 50a. Water inlet main pipe; 50b. Water outlet main pipe; 60. Water inlet connector; 70. Air distribution assembly; 80. First positioning part; 81. First flanged part; 82. Second flanged part; 90. Second positioning part; 91. Second positioning flange; 911. Third flange Edge; 912, Fourth flange; 9101, Flanged hole; 9102, Second assembly part; 92, Tongue; 921, First guide section; 922, Second guide section; 110, First positioning protrusion; 111, First positioning mating part; 1101, Groove; 1111, First groove wall; 11111, Guide surface; 1112, Second groove wall; 1113, Groove bottom wall; 120, Second positioning protrusion; 121, Second positioning mating part; 1211, Second mating part.

[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 employ a bottom shell rear air intake structure with a sound-absorbing plate inside the bottom shell. A cavity is formed between the bottom shell and the sound-absorbing plate, and part of the cavity is used to absorb airflow noise, achieving a certain noise reduction effect. However, in this design, the air intake direction of the fan and the air intake direction of the bottom shell are on the same side, resulting in a close distance between the fan air intake and the bottom shell air intake, a narrow air intake channel, and high air intake resistance. At the same time, the noise generated by the airflow can easily propagate outward through the air intake path, affecting the overall quietness performance of the unit.

[0043] Based on this, the present invention proposes a water heater 100.

[0044] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the water heater 100 includes a casing 10, a combustion heat exchange assembly 20, and a fan 30. The casing 10 is provided with a main air inlet 101 and a flue 102. The combustion heat exchange assembly 20 is disposed inside the casing 10 and forms a flue 201 communicating with the flue 102. A duct 103 communicating with the main air inlet 101 is formed between the casing 10 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 20. The fan 30 is disposed inside the casing 10. The air inlet 302 of the fan 30 is connected to the duct 103, and the air outlet 303 of the fan 30 is connected to the flue 201. The air inlet direction of the fan 302 intersects with the air inlet direction of the main air inlet 101.

[0045] The water heater 100 can be a condensing gas water heater, which may include a casing 10, a combustion heat exchange assembly 20, and a fan 30. The casing 10 has a main air inlet 101 and a flue 102. A duct 103, communicating with the main air inlet 101, is constructed between the casing 10 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 to guide external air in. The combustion heat exchange assembly 20 may include a frame 23, with a flue 201 communicating with the flue 102 inside. An installation port 203 is provided at the bottom of the frame 23, communicating with the air outlet 303 of the fan 30. The air inlet 302 of the fan 30 is connected to the duct 103 to achieve airflow transmission. Due to the different types of condensing gas water heaters, the arrangement of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 and the fan 30 may differ. This solution is applicable to forced draft or forced blast type gas water heaters 100. Taking a forced-draft gas water heater 100 as an example, the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 may further include a burner 21 and a main heat exchanger 22. The fan 30, burner 21, and main heat exchanger 22 are arranged sequentially from bottom to top along the height direction of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 within the casing 10. The burner 21 is located within the frame 23 near the mounting port 203 and is connected to the inlet end of the flue 201. The outlet end of the flue 201 is connected to the exhaust port 102 of the casing 10. The main heat exchanger 22 is located at the top of the frame 23 and includes a main heat exchange tube that extends at least partially into the flue 201 to absorb heat from the high-temperature flue gas to heat the water flowing through the tube. The space inside the frame 23 between the burner 21 and the main heat exchanger 22 forms a combustion chamber 202. This combustion chamber 202 is connected to the mounting port 203, allowing air blown in by the fan 30 to enter the combustion chamber 202 through the mounting port 203, providing the primary air required for combustion in the burner 21. The flame burns fully in the combustion chamber 202, producing high-temperature flue gas. Driven by the fan 30, the flue gas flows upward through the flue 201, heating the water in the main heat exchange tubes, achieving efficient heat exchange. At the same time, the fan 30 can also guide air entering from the main air inlet 101 to the area around the burner 21, providing secondary air and promoting more complete and stable combustion.

[0046] However, as mentioned earlier, when the air intake direction of the air inlet 302 is on the same side as the air intake direction of the main air inlet 101, such as both being in the front-to-back direction, the distance between the air inlet 302 and the main air inlet 101 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 propagate directly outward along the air intake path without effective blocking, which will seriously affect the quiet performance of the whole machine.

[0047] To address the aforementioned issues, in this design, the air intake direction of the fan 30's air inlet 302 intersects with the air intake direction of the housing 10's main air inlet 101. If the air intake direction of the housing 10's main air inlet 101 is vertical, the air intake direction of the fan 30's air inlet 302 can be designed to be horizontal; similarly, if the air intake direction of the main air inlet 101 is set to front-back, the fan 30's air inlet 302 can be adjusted to a horizontal direction. This layout adjustment not only increases the spatial distance between the fan 30's air inlet 302 and the housing 10's main air inlet 101 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 to diffuse directly outward from the main air inlet 101, thereby reducing the possibility of noise leakage and improving the overall noise reduction effect of the unit.

[0048] It should also be noted that the air duct 103 in this solution is formed by the space between the casing 10 and the combustion heat exchange component 20. Compared with the prior art which requires an internal air duct 103 component, this solution eliminates the need for an additional air duct 103 component, directly utilizing the space inside the casing 10 for air intake. This not only simplifies the internal structure of the water heater 100 and reduces the number of parts, but also reduces assembly difficulty and cost. In addition, since there is no need to reserve installation space for an additional air duct 103 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 spatial layout inside the casing 10 to form the air duct 103, airflow can be guided more effectively, reducing energy loss caused by poor airflow and improving combustion efficiency and heat exchange efficiency.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 10 has a bottom wall 11 and a top wall 12 opposite to each other. The top wall 12 is provided with a main air inlet 101, and the fan 30 is located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 near the bottom wall 11.

[0050] In this embodiment, the casing 10 has a bottom wall 11 and a top wall 12, which are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction. The main air inlet 101 is located on the top wall 12, and the fan 30 is located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 near the bottom wall 11, that is, on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 away from the main air inlet 101. In this way, by arranging the fan 30 in the bottom area of ​​the casing 10 and placing the main air inlet 101 in the top area of ​​the casing 10, the air intake path can be longitudinally separated in space, increasing the straight-line distance between the air inlet 302 and the main air inlet 101. This staggered vertical layout requires external air to enter from the top of the casing 10, flow downward through the air duct 103 between the casing 10 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 20, and then enter the air inlet 302 from below, thus forming a deflected air intake channel, avoiding airflow short-circuiting and air intake congestion, significantly reducing air intake resistance, and improving the uniformity and stability of air intake. Meanwhile, because the airflow needs to travel a long and winding path before entering the fan 30, the aerodynamic noise generated during operation is reflected, absorbed, and attenuated multiple times by the structure of the duct 103 during propagation, making it difficult to radiate directly outward in a straight line, thus enhancing the overall noise reduction capability of the machine. At this time, the air intake direction of the main air inlet 101 can be either vertical or horizontal. When the main air inlet 101 is vertical, the air inlet 302 of the fan 30 can be designed to be horizontal; when the main air inlet 101 is horizontal, the air inlet 302 of the fan 30 can be either vertical or horizontal. As long as the air intake direction of the fan 30's air inlet 302 intersects spatially with the air intake direction of the main air inlet 101, the air intake paths can be spatially staggered, achieving the technical effect of optimizing the airflow field and reducing noise propagation efficiency.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 10 has a first sidewall 13 that connects the bottom wall 11 and the top wall 12. The main air inlet 101 is disposed facing the bottom wall 11, and the air inlet 302 of the fan 30 is disposed facing the first sidewall 13.

[0052] In this embodiment, by oriented the main air inlet 101 towards the bottom wall 11 (i.e., the air intake direction of the main air inlet 101 is vertical), and simultaneously oriented the air inlet 302 of the fan 30 towards the first side wall 13 (i.e., the air intake direction is horizontal), air enters from the main air inlet 101 on the top wall 12 of the housing 10 and flows directly downwards. Then, it is guided to the air inlet 302 of the fan 30 via the air duct 103 near the first side wall 13. 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.

[0053] It is worth noting that the main air inlet 101 can be located close to or away from the first sidewall 13. When the main air inlet 101 is located away from the first sidewall 13, the air enters from the main air inlet 101 on the top wall 12 of the casing 10 and flows directly downwards, potentially taking a relatively long path, first moving away from the first sidewall 13 and then approaching it again, finally being guided to the air inlet 302 of the fan 30. 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 4 As shown, when the main air inlet 101 is positioned close to the first side wall 13, the airflow path between the main air inlet 101 and the air inlet 302 of the fan 30 is approximately a straight path. This not only reduces the energy loss of the airflow during transmission, but also avoids other devices in the duct 103 from obstructing the airflow path, making the airflow smoother and more efficient.

[0054] Furthermore, positioning the main air inlet 101 close to the first sidewall 13 optimizes internal airflow organization, reduces energy loss, and helps improve combustion and heat exchange efficiency. Specifically, when air enters the fan 30 in a more straight line, a more stable airflow supply is ensured, which is crucial for maintaining the optimal operating condition of the burner 21. 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 30 blades, thereby extending the service life of the fan 30 and reducing maintenance costs.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 10 also has a second sidewall 14 opposite to the first sidewall 13, and the water heater 100 also includes an electronic control component 40, which is disposed between the second sidewall 14 and the combustion heat exchange component 20.

[0056] In this embodiment, the housing 10 also has a second sidewall 14 opposite to the first sidewall 13, and the second sidewall 14 and the first sidewall 13 are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. The water heater 100 also includes an electronic control component 40, 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 21 to realize the operation control of the electronic components such as the burner 21. In order to optimize the internal layout and make full use of space, the electronic control component 40 is disposed between the second sidewall 14 and the combustion heat exchange component 20. This arrangement not only makes the internal structure of the housing 10 more compact and reasonable, which helps to reduce the overall volume of the water heater 100, but also effectively utilizes the internal space of the housing 10.

[0057] More importantly, the space between the second sidewall 14 and the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 forms an air duct 103 that communicates with the main air inlet 101. When air enters from the main air inlet 101 and flows through this air duct 103, it can dissipate heat from the electronic control assembly 40 located within the air duct 103. The electronic control assembly 40 generates heat during actual operation. If this heat accumulates inside the housing 10, it may adversely affect sensitive electronic components in the electronic control assembly 40 and components such as the fan 30 within the housing 10, even shortening their service life. Through the above design, the air flowing through the air duct 103 not only provides the necessary oxygen for the combustion process but also carries away excess heat generated by the electronic control assembly 40, achieving an effective cooling effect. At the same time, this layout facilitates maintenance personnel in inspecting and repairing the electronic control assembly 40, allowing them to access the electronic control assembly 40 without disassembling the complex combustion heat exchange assembly 20, greatly improving maintenance convenience.

[0058] It is understandable that the main air inlet 101 can be circular, square, strip-shaped, or other irregular shapes. For example... Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the main air inlet 101 is strip-shaped, and the width of the main air inlet 101 is no more than 10 mm.

[0059] In this embodiment, by setting the shape of the main air inlet 101 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 under the same opening area and reduce the turbulence intensity when the airflow enters, thereby helping to reduce air intake noise. At the same time, the strip-shaped main air inlet 101 can be arranged to extend along the thickness direction of the top wall 12 of the casing 10, forming a slit-type air intake channel with a certain depth. This structure has a good blocking effect on sound wave propagation and can suppress the mid-to-high frequency airflow noise generated by the fan 30 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.

[0060] Furthermore, multiple strip-shaped main air inlets 101 can be provided, and these main air inlets 101 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 103 simultaneously from multiple main air inlets 101. This avoids airflow concentration at a single main air inlet 101, 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 302, further reducing airflow impact noise and enhancing the quietness effect.

[0061] Meanwhile, the width of the main air inlet 101 is no more than 10 millimeters. While ensuring sufficient airflow, this effectively prevents adults or children from accidentally inserting their fingers into the casing 10, avoiding contact with high-temperature or moving parts inside the casing 10, thus improving the safety of the water heater 100. Furthermore, the narrow, strip-shaped main air inlet 101 effectively blocks external objects from entering the casing 10. For example, pests such as rats and cockroaches cannot easily enter the equipment through this type of main air inlet 101, thereby 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 103 by dust, fallen leaves, debris, and other debris, 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 30, this design also reduces the risk of foreign objects being sucked in and getting stuck in the impeller or volute 31, preventing abnormal vibration, increased noise, or even fan 30 stopping, thereby improving the reliability and durability of the whole machine.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the area of ​​the main air inlet 101 is not less than twice the area of ​​the air inlet 302 of the fan 30.

[0063] In this embodiment, the area of ​​the main air inlet 101 is no less than twice the area of ​​the air inlet 302 of the fan 30. This means that the main air inlet 101 has a larger cross-sectional size, much larger than the area of ​​the air inlet 302 of the fan 30. On the one hand, the larger area of ​​the main air inlet 101 ensures 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 101, 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.

[0064] Furthermore, the larger main air inlet 101 area reduces air intake resistance, making it easier for air to be drawn into the casing 10 and smoothly pass through the entire air duct 103 to reach the air inlet 302 of the fan 30. This is crucial for improving the operating efficiency of the fan 30, as it reduces the energy consumed by the fan 30 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 30 and extend its service life, because the fan 30 does not need to operate at higher power to compensate for excessive air intake resistance.

[0065] like Figure 1As shown, in one embodiment, the water heater 100 further includes a main water inlet pipe 50a, the outlet end of the main water inlet pipe 50a is connected to the inlet end of the combustion heat exchange component 20, the casing 10 is provided with an inlet connector 60, the inlet end of the main water inlet pipe 50a is connected to the inlet connector 60, and the fan 30 is located near the inlet connector 60.

[0066] In this embodiment, the casing 10 is provided with an inlet main pipe 50a and an outlet main pipe 50b, which are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet ends of the main heat exchanger 22. When the condensing gas water heater is running, the burner 21 generates high-temperature flue gas. Under the action of the fan 30, this high-temperature flue gas is guided to the main heat exchanger 22 for heat exchange, thereby heating the cold water flowing through the main heat exchange tubes. The heated hot water is then output to the user through the outlet main pipe 50b. The casing 10 is also provided with an inlet connector 60, and the inlet end of the inlet main pipe 50a is directly connected to the inlet connector 60, allowing cold water to smoothly enter the water heater 100 for heating. In particular, the fan 30 is arranged close to the inlet connector 60, which can utilize the inlet pipe as a natural radiator to a certain extent, helping to reduce the temperature generated by the fan 30 during operation and extending its service life. Since the area through which the chilled water passes before entering the main heat exchanger 22 is usually at a lower temperature, this arrangement can provide a relatively cool working environment for the fan 30, which is especially important during long-term operation or high-load operation.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the water heater 100 further includes a gas distribution assembly 70, which is disposed inside the housing 10. The gas distribution assembly 70 and the water inlet connector 60 are arranged on opposite sides of the fan 30, and the gas outlet end of the gas distribution assembly 70 is connected to the gas inlet end of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20.

[0068] In this embodiment, the water heater 100 also includes a gas distribution assembly 70, which can be implemented using a distributor or a gas collection box. The gas distribution assembly 70 is located inside the casing 10, and its outlet is connected to the inlet of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20. Its main function is to evenly distribute pre-treated air and introduce it into the burner 21, ensuring sufficient oxygen supply during combustion to support a stable and efficient combustion process. The gas distribution assembly 70 and the water inlet connector 60 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the fan 30, which helps improve space utilization and makes the internal structure of the casing 10 more compact and reasonable, thus reducing equipment size and facilitating installation and maintenance.

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the gas distribution assembly 70 is arranged close to the combustion heat exchange assembly 20, so that the gas can be delivered to the burner 21 in the shortest distance, reducing energy loss and potential safety risks.

[0070] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the water heater 100 also includes a smoke hood, which is disposed inside the housing 10 and located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 away from the fan 30. The smoke hood connects the flue 201 with the exhaust port 102 and is positioned towards the main air inlet 101.

[0071] In this embodiment, the water heater 100 also includes a smoke collection hood, which is disposed inside the casing 10 and located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly 20 away from the fan 30. The smoke collection hood connects the smoke outlet of the flue 201 to the exhaust port 102 on the casing 10, enabling the orderly guidance and efficient discharge of high-temperature flue gas. The smoke collection hood faces the main air inlet 101. When air enters the casing 10 from the main air inlet 101, 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 10; even if wind blows towards the smoke collection hood and rebounds, its reflection path remains entirely within the casing 10, preventing noise from being radiated or amplified outwards.

[0072] Understandably, in existing technologies, condensing gas water heaters typically fix the fan 30 by welding an additional bracket to the metal frame 23. 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 30 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 23 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.

[0073] To improve the above problems, such as Figures 5 to 7As shown, in one embodiment, a first positioning part 80 and a second positioning part 90 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the frame 23 corresponding to the mounting port 203. Simultaneously, a first positioning mating part 111 and a second positioning mating part 121 are provided on opposite sides of the volute 31 corresponding to the air outlet 303. During installation, the frame 23 is placed flat at the assembly station, and then the air outlet 303 of the fan 30 is aligned with the mounting port 203 at the bottom of the frame 23. The first positioning mating part 111 engages with the first positioning part 80, and the second positioning mating part 121 engages with the second positioning part 90, thereby achieving rapid positioning and installation of the fan 30.

[0074] The first positioning part 80, the second positioning part 90, the first positioning mating part 111, and the second positioning mating part 121 can be implemented in various forms, such as positioning buckles, positioning flanges, or positioning protrusions. Specifically, one of the first positioning part 80 and the second positioning part 90 can be configured as a first positioning buckle, while the other of the first positioning mating part 111 and the second positioning mating part 121 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 80 and the second positioning part 90 can also be configured as a positioning flange. This positioning flange is directly folded from the frame 23 plate to form a side structure with a certain height and a guide slope. Correspondingly, the other of the first positioning mating part 111 and the second positioning mating part 121 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 80 and the second positioning part 90 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 above structural forms can be selected according to actual needs, and the specific form is not limited here.

[0075] Crucially, since the first positioning mating part 111 and the second positioning mating part 121 are respectively located on opposite sides of the air outlet 303, this arrangement can evenly distribute the weight of the fan 30 during installation, effectively balancing its gravity 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 30, enabling one-handed operation or fully automated precise assembly, improving assembly efficiency and operational safety. Moreover, after the first positioning part 80 and the first positioning mating part 111, and the second positioning part 90 and the second positioning mating part 121 have completed their positioning and mating, the fan 30 is pre-positioned and installed on the frame 23, preventing loosening or displacement. Building upon this foundation, if further tightening with screws, clips, or other fasteners is required, operators no longer need to support the fan 30 by hand; they can directly perform the tightening operation, avoiding the inefficient "one hand supporting the machine, the other tightening screws" operation mode of traditional installation and optimizing the assembly process. Furthermore, during later maintenance or replacement of the fan 30, it can be easily disassembled along its original positioning direction simply by loosening the fasteners, avoiding disassembly difficulties caused by welding brackets or weld residue, thus improving maintenance convenience. In addition, this solution eliminates the need for additional brackets 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.

[0076] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning part 80 is configured as a first positioning flange provided on one side edge of the frame 23 and extending toward the combustion chamber 202, the volute 31 is provided with a first positioning protrusion 110 extending toward the combustion chamber 202, the first positioning mating part 111 is a positioning groove provided on the first positioning protrusion 110, and the first positioning flange is accommodated in the positioning groove.

[0077] In this embodiment, the first positioning flange is directly formed from the metal sheet of the frame 23 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 23 into the combustion chamber 202, 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 202, which helps to maintain the smooth flow of air in the combustion chamber 202, reduce the generation of eddies and local pressure loss, thereby ensuring the stability and efficiency of the combustion process.

[0078] The first positioning protrusion 110 is located on one side of the volute 31 corresponding to the air outlet 303 and extends towards the combustion chamber 202, with a positioning groove formed thereon. The positioning groove is located on the side of the first positioning protrusion 110 opposite to the air outlet 303, and the groove opening 1101 is also oriented away from the edge of the air outlet 303. This structural design allows the frame 23 to be placed flat at the assembly station when installing the fan 30, and the operator or automated assembly equipment can push the fan 30 into the frame 23 along the first direction. During this process, the first positioning flange slides into the groove opening 1101 along the positioning groove and is finally fully embedded in the groove, achieving rapid guidance and precise positioning.

[0079] More importantly, since part of the locating groove 1101 faces the interior of the combustion chamber 202, once the blower 30 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 30 from loosening or falling off due to vibration, impact, or external forces 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 30, operators or automated assembly equipment do not need to manually support the blower 30, 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.

[0080] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning flange is configured as a multi-layered overlapping structure.

[0081] In this embodiment, the first positioning flange includes a first flange portion 81 and a second flange portion 82 stacked along a first direction. Depending on actual needs, the number of the first flange portion 81 and the second flange portion 82 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 81 and one second flange portion 82 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the positioning groove has opposing first groove walls 1111 and second groove walls 1112, as well as opposing groove bottom walls 1113 and groove openings 1101. The first groove wall 1111 has a guide surface 11111, which extends from the groove opening 1101 toward the groove bottom wall 1113 and is inclined toward the second groove wall 1112.

[0084] In this embodiment, the positioning groove has a first groove wall 1111 and a second groove wall 1112, which are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction, the same vertical direction as the water heater 100 after installation. The positioning groove also has a bottom wall 1113 and an opening 1101, 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 100 after installation. The guide surface 11111 on the first groove wall 1111 extends from the edge of the opening 1101 towards the bottom wall 1113 and gradually slopes towards the second groove wall 1112, so that the opening width of the positioning groove at the entrance is slightly larger than the width of its interior area near the bottom, presenting an overall "trumpet mouth" or wedge-shaped narrowing structure. When the fan 30 is installed from top to bottom, the first positioning flange first contacts the opening 1101 of the positioning groove. Due to the presence of the guide surface 11111, even if there is a slight positional deviation between the first positioning flange and the positioning groove, the guide surface 11111 can guide the first positioning flange to be smoothly inserted into the positioning groove.

[0085] More importantly, the design of the guide surface 11111 inclined towards the second groove wall 1112 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 1113, its sides are clamped by the first groove wall 1111 and the second groove wall 1112. In particular, the angled area formed between the guide surface 11111 and the second groove wall 1112 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 30. 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 30 installation.

[0086] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the second positioning part 90 includes a second positioning flange 91 provided on the other side edge of the frame 23 and extending toward the side opposite to the combustion chamber 202, and a latch 92 provided on the second positioning flange 91. The volute 31 is also provided with a second positioning protrusion 120 extending toward the combustion chamber 202. The second positioning mating part 121 is a positioning hole provided on the second positioning protrusion 120, and the latch 92 is inserted into the positioning hole.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second positioning part 90 includes a second positioning flange 91 and a latch 92. The second positioning flange 91 is directly formed from the metal sheet of the frame 23 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 91 extends from the other edge of the frame 23 corresponding to the mounting port 203 into the combustion chamber 202. Its extension direction is basically consistent with the flue gas flow path, and it will not form an abrupt obstruction structure in the combustion chamber 202. This helps to maintain the smooth flow of air in the combustion chamber 202, reduce eddy current generation and local pressure loss, thereby ensuring the stability and combustion efficiency of the combustion process. The second positioning flange 91 and the first positioning flange also enclose the mounting port 203 of the frame 23. The latch 92 is provided on the side of the second positioning flange 91 opposite to the mounting port 203.

[0088] The second positioning protrusion 120 is located on the opposite side of the volute 31 corresponding to the air outlet 303 and extends towards the combustion chamber 202. The second positioning protrusion 120 is positioned opposite the first positioning protrusion 110 along the first direction and has a positioning hole on it, the channel of which extends along the first direction. This structural design allows the frame 23 to be placed flat at the assembly station during fan 30 installation, enabling operators or automated assembly equipment to push the fan 30 into the frame 23 along the first direction. During this process, the latch 92 first contacts the opening of the positioning hole. As the fan 30 continues to move downwards, the latch 92 smoothly slides along the channel until it is fully inserted into the positioning hole, achieving rapid guidance and precise positioning.

[0089] More importantly, once the fan 30 is fully installed, the latch 92 is securely inserted into the positioning hole. This not only ensures that the fan 30 is not easily loosened or detached during handling, vibration, or external impact, but also provides additional stability to ensure the accuracy of the fan 30's position.

[0090] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the positioning hole extends through both sides of the volute 31 along the first direction. The second positioning flange 91 includes a third flange portion 911 and a fourth flange portion 912 stacked along the first direction. The third flange portion 911 is located on the side of the fourth flange portion 912 close to the positioning hole. The third flange portion 911 is provided with a flange hole 9101. The flange of the flange hole 9101 is bent toward the side away from the fourth flange portion 912 to form a latch 92.

[0091] In this embodiment, by bending the edge of the flanged hole 9101 to form the latch 92, the ductility and strength of the metal sheet of the frame 23 can be fully utilized. The latch 92 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 92 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 92. Since the latch 92 is formed directly from the material of the third flange 911, the connection strength between the latch 92 and the third flange 911 is further enhanced, avoiding loosening or detachment problems that may occur due to the use of independent parts.

[0092] It is worth noting that the second positioning flange 91 includes a third flange portion 911 and a fourth flange portion 912 stacked along the first direction. Depending on actual needs, the number of the third flange portion 911 and the fourth flange portion 912 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 911 and one fourth flange portion 912 as an example, the second positioning flange 91 is configured as a double-layered flange structure. This structure can increase the overall rigidity and bending resistance of the second positioning flange 91, making it particularly suitable for application environments that require withstanding large external forces or vibrations.

[0093] More importantly, traditional single-layer flanged structures are prone to poor sealing after the flanged hole 9101 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 202 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 100. In this solution, the double-layer or multi-layer overlapping structure of the third flanged part 911 and the fourth flanged part 912 can form an effective barrier to prevent air from leaking from the flanged hole 9101, thus ensuring the combustion efficiency of the combustion chamber 202.

[0094] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the latch 92 includes a first guide segment 921 and a second guide segment 922 connected to each other along a first direction. The first guide segment 921 is connected to the second positioning flange 91 and extends along the first direction. The second guide segment 922 is inclined relative to the first guide segment 921 toward the side away from the frame 23.

[0095] In this embodiment, the latch 92 includes a first guide section 921 and a second guide section 922, which are connected to each other along a first direction. The first guide section 921 serves as the base section of the latch 92, directly connected to the second positioning flange 91 and extending along the first direction. This ensures that the latch 92 can be securely fixed to the second positioning flange 91, providing sufficient structural strength and stability to prevent deformation or breakage during installation or use. The second guide section 922 can be considered as the guide section of the latch 92, which is inclined relative to the first guide section 921 towards the side away from the frame 23. When the operator or automated assembly equipment pushes the fan 30 into the frame 23 from top to bottom, the inclined surface of the second guide section 922 first contacts the edge of the positioning hole. Due to the inclined design, even with slight positional deviations, the latch 92 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 922 can provide additional elastic deformation space to a certain extent, so that the latch 92 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.

[0096] like Figures 8 to 11 As shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning part 80 is provided with a first assembly part, the first positioning mating part 111 is provided with a first mating part, the first assembly part and the first mating part are connected by fasteners to fix the fan 30 to the frame 23; and / or, the second positioning part 90 is provided with a second assembly part 9102, the second positioning mating part 121 is provided with a second mating part 1211, the second assembly part 9102 and the second mating part 1211 are connected by fasteners to fix the fan 30 to the frame 23.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first assembly part, the first mating part, the second assembly part 9102, and the second mating part 1211 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 30, the fan 30 is first positioned on the frame 23 by the positioning engagement of the first positioning part 80 with the first positioning mating part 111 and the second positioning part 90 with the second positioning mating part 121. This positioning process ensures that the air outlet 303 of the fan 30 is accurately aligned with the mounting port 203 of the frame 23, and the aforementioned flange and slot mating structure achieves anti-detachment and limiting. On this basis, the fan 30 is finally fixed by fasteners passing through the first assembly part and the first mating part, as well as the second assembly part 9102 and the second mating part 1211. 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.

[0098] Of particular note is that, since the blower 30 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 30. 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.

[0099] like Figures 8 to 11 As shown, in one embodiment, the second assembly part 9102 is configured as a first fixing hole in the second positioning part 90, and the second mating part 1211 is a second fixing hole in the second positioning mating part 121; the frame 23 has a back plate 2312 and a front panel 233 arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, the first positioning part 80 is provided on the side of the air outlet 303 near the back plate 2312, the second positioning part 90 is provided on the side of the air outlet 303 near the front panel 233, 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.

[0100] In this embodiment, the fan 30 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 30 into the mounting port 203 at the bottom of the frame 23 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.

[0101] More importantly, during the installation of the fan 30 in the first direction, the second positioning protrusion 120 on it simultaneously engages with the latch 92 of the second positioning part 90. As the fan 30 gradually moves downward, the latch 92 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 30 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 30 always maintains an accurate installation position before locking.

[0102] Based on this, once the fan 30 has completed its pre-positioning via the first positioning flange and positioning groove, and the latch 92 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 2312 to the front panel 233 or from the front panel 233 to the back plate 2312, achieving a final rigid connection. Since the fan 30 is already pre-positioned at this point, 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 30. The entire process is smooth and unobstructed, improving the maintainability of the water heater 100.

[0103] It should also be noted that in the prior art, the blower 30 is positioned on the left side of the frame 23 relative to the burner 21. In this case, the air outlet 303 of the blower 30 is directly opposite the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21 via the mounting port 203. The blower 30 supplies air to the burner 21 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 formed by the forward blowing method can easily cause local overpressure at the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21, disrupting the normal airflow field, inhibiting the intake of primary air, resulting in a low primary air coefficient, insufficient air in the mixture, and ultimately causing 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.

[0104] To address the problems in existing technologies caused by the side-mounted fan 30 and forward-blowing 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 3121 on one edge of the volute 31 near the air outlet 303. The air guide surface 3121 is inclined relative to the plane where the mounting port 203 is located. Taking the axis of the mounting port 203 extending in the vertical direction as an example, the plane where the mounting port 203 is located is perpendicular to the axis; based on this, the air guide surface 3121 gradually deflects towards the side near the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21 along the airflow direction, forming an inclined guide structure with a guiding function, used to guide the outlet airflow to the area of ​​the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21.

[0105] Through the design of the inclined air guide surface 3121, although the fan 30 is still arranged on one side of the burner 21 (such as the left side), its outlet airflow is no longer directly facing or parallel to the plane of the mounting port 203, but is rectified by the air guide surface 3121 into an oblique jet pointing towards the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21. This directional airflow method can significantly enhance the disturbance and mixing effect of air with 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.

[0106] like Figure 12 As shown, in some embodiments, the air guide surface 3121 can constitute a partially obliquely cut structure of the volute 31 itself. That is, the volute 31 is provided with a first shell sidewall 312, which is inclined relative to the plane where the mounting port 203 is located, and its inner wall surface directly serves as the air guide surface 3121. This integrated design allows the air guide surface 3121 to be processed simultaneously during the forming process of the volute 31, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs without weakening the structural strength of the volute 31.

[0107] In other embodiments, the air guide surface 3121 can be achieved by adding additional structures such as guide plates and guide ribs to the edge of the air outlet 303 of the volute 31. Such detachable or adjustable air guide elements not only facilitate flexible adaptation to different burner 21 models and air intake directions, but also benefit subsequent maintenance and structural iteration optimization, thereby improving the product's versatility, manufacturability, and assembly flexibility.

[0108] The surface of the air guide surface 3121 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.

[0109] It is worth noting that the tilt angle of the air guide surface 3121 needs to be optimized based on specific air volume and pressure requirements, as well as the structural parameters of the burner 21. Experiments have verified that the angle θ formed between the air guide surface 3121 and the plane containing the mounting port 203 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 3121 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 303, 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 21 inlet 2101, 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.

[0110] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the frame 23 includes a back plate 2312 and a front panel 233, and a bottom plate 2321 connecting the back plate 2312 and the front panel 233. The air inlet 2101 is disposed facing the front panel 233, and the mounting port 203 is disposed on the bottom plate 2321.

[0111] In this embodiment, the frame 23 includes a back plate 2312, a front panel 233, and a bottom plate 2321. The back plate 2312 and the front panel 233 are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, and the bottom plate 2321 connects the back plate 2312 and the front panel 233. In this structural layout, the axis of the air inlet 2101 extends in the front-rear direction and is perpendicular to the plane where the front panel 233 is located, ensuring that the gas or mixture flows smoothly into the burner 21 from the front. The axis of the mounting port 203 extends in the vertical direction and is used to install the fan 30, so that it takes in air from the bottom of the frame 23 and forms a vertically upward air outlet path. Combined with the guiding effect of the aforementioned air guide surface 3121, the airflow of the fan 30 outlet 303 is deflected into a forward and upward oblique jet, accurately pointing to the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21 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 30 on the burner 21 airflow field, but also forms a more uniform and sufficient air-fuel premix in the air inlet 2101 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.

[0112] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the back plate 2312 and the front panel 233 are arranged opposite to each other along a first direction. The volute 31 is also provided with an air inlet 302 that communicates with the air cavity 301. The axis of the air inlet 302 extends along a second direction. The side of the volute 31 away from the back plate 2312 does not exceed the plane where the front panel 233 is located. The first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0113] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the back panel 2312 and the front panel 233 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 302 of the volute 31 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 31 away from the back panel 2312 does not exceed the plane where the front panel 233 is located. This indicates that the side of the volute 31 away from the back panel 2312 can be located between the back panel 2312 and the front panel 233 and close to the front panel 233, or flush with the plane where the front panel 233 is located. This design benefits from the presence of the air guide surface 3121. The air guide surface 3121 allows the volute 31 to be compactly arranged on the side away from the back panel 2312 without having to extend outward beyond the position of the front panel 233. Under the premise that the airflow can be accurately guided to the air inlet 2101 of the burner 21, the space utilization inside the casing 10 is optimized, so that the whole machine is not too thick. Therefore, it can be said that the design of the air guide surface 3121 allows the volute 31 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 exhaust", promoting the uniform mixing of air and gas in the air intake 2101 area, and achieving more complete combustion.

[0114] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the side of the volute 31 facing away from the back plate 2312 is flush with the plane where the panel 233 is located.

[0115] In this embodiment, by aligning the side of the volute 31 away from the back plate 2312 flush with the plane containing the panel 233, a larger internal space can be provided for the volute 31 compared to a configuration where the side of the volute 31 away from the back plate 2312 is located between and close to the panel 233. This means that the volute 31 has more internal volume for optimizing the air cavity 301, reducing airflow resistance, and improving the operating efficiency of the fan 30.

[0116] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in one embodiment, the volute 31 has a volute tongue 311 and a first shell sidewall 312 opposite to the volute tongue 311, the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 312 having an air guide surface 3121.

[0117] Further illustrating the above embodiments, the volute 31 in this embodiment has a volute tongue 311 and a first shell sidewall 312, which are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction. The volute tongue 311 is positioned closer to the panel 233 relative to the first shell sidewall 312, while the first shell sidewall 312 is positioned further away from the panel 233 relative to the volute tongue 311. Near the air outlet 303, the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 312 has a guide surface 3121. This means that the guide surface 3121 is not achieved by adding additional guide plates or guide ribs, but is formed locally from the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 312 itself. By directly molding the air guide surface 3121 onto the inner wall of the first shell sidewall 312, an effective airflow guiding function can be directly formed on the original structure of the volute 31 without the need for an independent guide plate or guide rib. This maintains the integrity and strength of the overall structure of the volute 31 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 3121 is integrally molded with the volute 31, the surface can achieve a smooth and continuous transition, reducing airflow separation and eddy current loss, improving airflow guiding efficiency, and helping to reduce wind noise and energy loss.

[0118] like Figure 12 and Figure 13As shown, in one embodiment, the first shell sidewall 312 is inclined towards the side closer to the back plate 2312 from the plane where the mounting port 203 is located. This means that the entire inner wall of the first shell sidewall 312 constitutes the air guide surface 3121, rather than the air guide surface 3121 formed only on the inner wall. Compared with the method of additionally setting the air guide surface 3121 on the inner wall of the already formed first shell sidewall 312, designing the entire first shell sidewall 312 as an inclined structure, so that it undertakes the air guiding function as a whole, has significant manufacturing and structural advantages: the air guide surface 3121 can be completed simultaneously during the overall forming process of the volute 31, 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 31. 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.

[0119] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in some embodiments, the first shell sidewall 312 can adopt a broken line segment structure or an arc segment structure. When the first shell sidewall 312 is a broken line segment, its inner wall is composed of multiple connected planar segments, forming a stepped or broken line air guide surface 3121. This structure facilitates mold demolding, has good manufacturability, and can provide a clear airflow guiding angle. When the first shell sidewall 312 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 312 can be flexibly selected, ensuring good airflow guiding effect while taking into account production feasibility and cost control.

[0120] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, in one embodiment, the frame 23 includes a first frame 231, a second frame 232 and a panel 233. The second frame 232 is connected to the first frame 231 to form a combustion chamber 202, and a disassembly port 204 is connected to the combustion chamber 202. The combustion chamber 202 is connected to the air intake 2101, and the panel 233 covers the disassembly port 204.

[0121] It is understandable that existing condensing gas water heaters 100 typically use a panel 233 and three or more independent frames to form the frame 23. 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 23 into a first frame 231, a second frame 232, and a panel 233. By assembling the main structure of the frame 23 in a single connection operation between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232, the number of connection points and assembly steps can be reduced. After installing the burner 21 below the combustion chamber 202 and placing the main heat exchanger 22 in the flue 201 above the combustion chamber 202, the panel 233 is finally closed onto the disassembly port 204, achieving the assembly and overall sealing of components such as the burner 21 and the main heat exchanger 22. This frame 23 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 23.

[0122] To further explain, the specific structures of the first frame 231 and the second frame 232 can be implemented in multiple ways. For example... Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, in one embodiment, the first frame 231 includes an integrally bent top plate 2311 and a back plate 2312, while the second frame 232 includes a bottom plate 2321 and first side plates 2322 and second side plates 2323 located on opposite sides of the bottom plate 2321. The bottom plate 2321 is positioned opposite the top plate 2311, and the disassembly port 204 is located on the opposite side of the back plate 2312, facilitating the installation and subsequent maintenance of components such as the burner 21 and the main heat exchanger 22. The bottom plate 2321 also has an installation port 203 for installing the fan 30. The first frame 231, with its integrally bent top plate 2311 and back plate 2312, reduces the use of welds or fasteners, improving the overall integrity and rigidity of the frame 23. The second frame 232, through the bottom plate 2321 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 204 is closed by the panel 233, thus forming a complete combustion chamber 202 that is easy to assemble and maintain.

[0123] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, in one embodiment, the first frame 231 is riveted to the second frame 232.

[0124] In this embodiment, the first frame 231 and the second frame 232 are fixed together by riveting. The connection between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232 can be achieved in two ways: one way is to wrap the edge of the first frame 231 around the corresponding edge of the second frame 232, meaning that a portion of the structure of the first frame 231 surrounds and secures the edge of the second frame 232, thus forming a stable connection point. This method utilizes the edge of the first frame 231 to enhance the stability and rigidity of the overall structure. The other way is the opposite operation, where the edge of the second frame 232 wraps around the corresponding edge of the first frame 231. This means that a portion of the structure of the second frame 232 surrounds and secures the edge of the first frame 231, also forming a stable connection point. This design not only ensures a tight connection between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232, but also allows for flexible selection of which side is the main load-bearing surface according to actual needs.

[0125] By employing either or both of these riveting methods, sufficient mechanical strength and stability can be ensured between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232, 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.

[0126] To improve the riveting accuracy of the first frame 231 and the second frame 232, such as Figure 15 As shown, in one embodiment, at least one edge of the back plate 2312 is provided with a limiting rib 234, which engages with the second frame 232 to limit the installation of the second frame 232 on the back plate 2312.

[0127] In this embodiment, at least one edge of the back plate 2312 is provided with a limiting rib 234. For example, the limiting rib 234 may be provided on one edge of the back plate 2312 corresponding to the bottom plate 2321, or on one edge of the back plate 2312 corresponding to the first side plate 2322, or on one edge of the back plate 2312 corresponding to the second side plate 2323, or on one edge of both the back plate 2312 corresponding to the bottom plate 2321 and the first side plate 2322. Other cases are similar and will not be listed here. Each edge of the back plate 2312 may be provided with one or more limiting ribs 234 as needed. When multiple limiting ribs 234 are provided on one side edge, the multiple limiting ribs 234 can be arranged in one or more rows along the length of the back plate 2312 on that side edge, or in one or more rows along the width of the back plate 2312, without specific restrictions. By limiting the ribs 234 and the second frame 232 in a limiting engagement, the second frame 232 can be fixedly installed on the back plate 2312. After the second frame 232 is fixed, it is convenient to rivet the first frame 231 and the second frame 232, preventing unnecessary displacement of the first frame 231 or the second frame 232 during the riveting process, thereby avoiding poor riveting problems caused by position changes.

[0128] like Figure 15 As shown, in one embodiment, the back plate 2312 has a first side edge 23121 and a second side edge 23122 opposite to each other. The first side edge 23121 is provided with a first limiting rib 2341 and a second limiting rib 2342 at intervals. The first limiting rib 2341 and the second limiting rib 2342 respectively limit and cooperate with the first side plate 2322 to limit and install the first side plate 2322 onto the back plate 2312. The second side edge 23122 is provided with a third limiting rib 2343 and a fourth limiting rib 2344 at intervals. The third limiting rib 2343 and the fourth limiting rib 2344 respectively limit and cooperate with the second side plate 2323 to limit and install the second side plate 2323 onto the back plate 2312.

[0129] In this embodiment, the first side plate 2322 is positioned and installed on the back plate 2312 by the first limiting rib 2341 and the second limiting rib 2342 respectively engaging with the first side plate 2322. Similarly, the second side plate 2323 is positioned and installed on the back plate 2312 by the third limiting rib 2343 and the fourth limiting rib 2344 respectively engaging with the second side plate 2323. Because both the first and second side plates 2322 and 2323 are effectively positioned, the entire second frame 232 can be relatively balanced on the back plate 2312, providing a stable foundation for the riveting between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232, and avoiding poor riveting or errors caused by relative movement between the two.

[0130] Furthermore, by providing limiting ribs 234 on the opposite side edges of the back panel 2312, the assembly process can be simplified and production efficiency can be improved. This is because the design of the limiting ribs 234 reduces the need for manual or mechanical adjustments and calibrations, allowing the first frame 231 and the second frame 232 of each frame 23 to be assembled quickly and accurately. Each limiting rib 234 fits tightly with the corresponding side panel, further enhancing the rigidity and stability of the entire frame 23.

[0131] like Figure 15 As shown, in one embodiment, the first limiting rib 2341 and the third limiting rib 2343 are arranged opposite to each other along the second direction; and / or, the second limiting rib 2342 and the fourth limiting rib 2344 are arranged opposite to each other along the second direction.

[0132] In this embodiment, the relative arrangement of the first limiting rib 2341 and the third limiting rib 2343 ensures that the first side plate 2322 and the second side plate 2323 receive balanced support and positioning on opposite sides of the back plate 2312, thereby preventing the second frame 232 from tilting or becoming asymmetrical during assembly. Similarly, if the second limiting rib 2342 and the fourth limiting rib 2344 are also arranged opposite each other along the second direction, the symmetry and stability between the first side plate 2322 and the second side plate 2323 can be further enhanced, helping to maintain the balance of the second frame 232.

[0133] like Figures 15 to 17 As shown, in one embodiment, the back panel 2312 is provided with a limiting part 235, which cooperates with the first side panel 2322 and / or the second side panel 2323 to limit the first side panel 2322 and / or the second side panel 2323 to the back panel 2312.

[0134] In this embodiment, the limiting part 235 can be a groove or a protrusion provided on the back plate 2312. Correspondingly, at least one of the first side plate 2322 and the second side plate 2323 is also provided with a matching groove or protrusion. The positioning of the first side plate 2322 and the second side plate 2323 relative to the back plate 2312 is achieved through the cooperation of the groove and the protrusion. For example, when the limiting part 235 includes a groove provided on the back plate 2312, the first side plate 2322 is equipped with a corresponding protrusion, so that the protrusion of the first side plate 2322 can be embedded in the groove of the back plate 2312, thereby achieving the positioning of the first side plate 2322 relative to the back plate 2312. Similarly, if the second side plate 2323 also adopts the same structure, that is, it has a protrusion, the protrusion can cooperate with the corresponding groove on the back plate 2312 to achieve the limiting effect. This ensures that the first side plate 2322 and the second side plate 2323 can be accurately installed on the back plate 2312, thereby improving the riveting accuracy between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232 and reducing assembly errors caused by misalignment of at least one of the first frame 231 and the second frame 232.

[0135] In addition, the limiting part 235 may also include other limiting devices such as a buckle provided on the back plate 2312. The buckle can provide additional fixing force during the initial assembly process to ensure that the first side plate 2322 and / or the second side plate 2323 will not move accidentally, which facilitates the subsequent riveting operation between the first frame 231 and the second frame 232 and improves the accuracy and reliability of the riveting.

[0136] like Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, in one embodiment, the back panel 2312 is provided with a first opening 205, and the limiting part 235 includes a first folded edge 2351 provided on the back panel 2312. The first folded edge 2351 is bent from the edge of the first opening 205 toward the direction close to the top panel 2311, and the first side panel 2322 abuts against the side of the first folded edge 2351 away from the top panel 2311.

[0137] In this embodiment, the back panel 2312 has a first opening 205, and the limiting part 235 includes a first folded edge 2351 provided on the back panel 2312. The first folded edge 2351 is bent from the edge of the first opening 205 toward the direction close to the top panel 2311, so that the first side panel 2322 can abut against the side of the first folded edge 2351 away from the top panel 2311. By using the first folded edge 2351 as the limiting part 235, it can be ensured that the first side panel 2322 can be accurately positioned on the back panel 2312 during assembly, and additional support and stability can be provided to prevent the first side panel 2322 from shifting or tilting during assembly, thereby improving the riveting accuracy of the first frame 231 and the second frame 232. At the same time, the presence of the first folded edge 2351 can also reduce the need for additional fasteners, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the frame 23 and reducing costs.

[0138] like Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, in one embodiment, the back panel 2312 has a second opening 206, and the limiting portion 235 includes a second folded edge 2352 provided on the back panel 2312. The second folded edge 2352 is bent from the edge of the second opening 206 toward the top panel 2311, and the second side panel 2323 abuts against the side of the second folded edge 2352 away from the top panel 2311. Similarly, the second folded edge 2352 can provide positioning and support for the second side panel 2323, maintain the positional accuracy of the second side panel 2323, and ensure that the second side panel 2323 will not shift or tilt on the back panel 2312 during installation, thereby improving the riveting accuracy of the first frame 231 and the second frame 232.

[0139] 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's 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 water heater, characterized in that, include: The casing is equipped with a main air inlet and a smoke exhaust outlet; A combustion heat exchange assembly is disposed within the housing. The combustion heat exchange assembly forms a flue that communicates with the exhaust port. An air duct that communicates with the main air inlet is formed between the housing and the combustion heat exchange assembly. The combustion heat exchange assembly includes a burner, which has an air inlet. A fan is disposed within the housing. The fan's air inlet is connected to the air duct, and the fan's air outlet is connected to the flue. The air inlet direction of the fan intersects with the air inlet direction of the main air inlet. The fan includes a volute, which has a volute tongue and a first shell sidewall opposite to the volute tongue. The inner wall of the first shell sidewall has a guide surface, which is inclined relative to the plane where the air outlet is located, for guiding the airflow from the air outlet toward the side closer to the air inlet.

2. The water heater as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The casing has a bottom wall and a top wall, the top wall is provided with the main air inlet, and the fan is located on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly near the bottom wall.

3. The water heater as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing has a first sidewall that connects the bottom wall and the top wall. The main air inlet is positioned facing the bottom wall, and the air inlet of the fan is positioned facing the first sidewall.

4. The water heater as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The main air inlet is located close to the first side wall.

5. The water heater as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The housing also has a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and the water heater also includes an electronic control component, which is disposed between the second sidewall and the combustion heat exchange component.

6. The water heater as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main air inlet is strip-shaped, and its width is no more than 10 millimeters.

7. The water heater as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The area of ​​the main air inlet is not less than twice the area of ​​the air inlet of the fan.

8. The water heater as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water heater also includes a main water inlet pipe, the outlet end of which is connected to the inlet end of the combustion heat exchange component. The casing is provided with an inlet connector, the inlet end of the main water inlet pipe is connected to the inlet connector, and the fan is located near the inlet connector.

9. The water heater as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The water heater also includes a gas distribution assembly, which is located inside the casing. The gas distribution assembly and the water inlet connector are arranged on opposite sides of the fan. The gas outlet of the gas distribution assembly is connected to the gas inlet of the combustion heat exchange assembly.

10. The water heater as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The water heater also includes a smoke collection hood, which is located inside the housing and on the side of the combustion heat exchange assembly away from the fan. The smoke collection hood connects the flue to the exhaust port and is oriented towards the main air inlet.

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