Electric water heater and machine shell thereof

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric water heater and a machine shell thereof. The machine shell comprises a barrel, and a mounting hole used for mounting the panel assembly is formed in the barrel. The edge of the mounting hole is pressed along the circumference to form an annular protrusion, and the annular protrusion extends in the direction away from the interior of the machine shell. The circle of annular protrusion is additionally arranged on the periphery of the installation hole in the roller body, the strength of the periphery of the installation hole is enhanced, the tension of outward expansion of the periphery of the installation hole is reduced due to the large strength when the roller is wound, the deformation degree is reduced, and the service life of the roller is prolonged. The situation that after the panel assembly is installed, flash seams exist in the contact face of the panel assembly and the installation hole is effectively relieved, and the product percent of pass is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electric water heaters, in particular to an electric water heater and a casing thereof. Background Art

[0002] Electric water heaters are showing a strong growth momentum in the water heater market share due to their safety, hygiene and pollution-free nature.

[0003] Currently, in the process of producing the casing of an electric water heater, when the casing is rolled into an oval shape, the mounting holes for installing the display panel have been punched out on the plate. Due to the influence of tension in the process of the casing becoming a curved arc, the position of the casing mounting hole will expand outward, resulting in the periphery of the mounting hole being inconsistent with the overall shape. After the display panel is installed, there will be a flash gap between the contact surface of the display panel and the mounting hole, resulting in a lower product qualification rate.

[0004] Please refer to the attached Figures 1 to 4 This document describes the process for producing the cylinder of an electric water heater casing in the related art. It should be understood that this description of the related art is intended, in part, to provide useful background for understanding the technology. However, this background art section may also include ideas, concepts, or insights that were not known or understood by those skilled in the relevant art before the corresponding effective filing date of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0005] Reference Figure 1 As shown, first, punch out the required holes on the flat plate 1. It should be noted that the number and size of the punched holes on the plate 1 are related to the actual needs of the product. The figure is only an exemplary illustration, but it should be confirmed that the plate 1 will punch out the mounting hole 2 for mounting the display panel assembly 5. The mounting hole 2 is generally rectangular and has a large size. Then refer to Figure 2 As shown, the punched sheet 1 is rolled into an elliptical cylinder 3 by a tool. Since the punching area of the mounting hole 2 is too large, the tension at the mounting hole 2 is released during the rolling process, causing the long side area of the mounting hole 2 to expand outward, resulting in the shape within this range being inconsistent with the basic arc surface.

[0006] In addition, after the cylinder 3 is rolled, a baffle plate 4 will be installed on the inside, refer to Figure 3A and 3B As shown, the retaining plate is made of plastic and has four hooks on the retaining plate 4 that are hooked into the corresponding four hook holes 6 of the cylinder 3. After being installed, two stoppers engage in the stop holes 7 of the cylinder 3 to prevent them from retreating. The retaining plate 4 is used to close the mounting hole 2 to prevent the display panel assembly 5 from contacting the foam material.

[0007] Moreover, after the barrel 3 and the baffle plate 4 are installed, a concave area is formed for installing the display panel assembly 5. The display panel assembly 5 is installed from the front of the barrel 3. Figure 4 As shown, the display panel assembly 5 is hooked into corresponding holes in the barrel 3 by two rows of hooks. Once installed, it is locked into the housing holes by two stoppers to prevent it from falling back. Because the size of the display panel assembly 5 is very close to the area of the housing mounting hole 2, the resulting deformation of the mounting hole 2 directly affects the precise installation of the display panel assembly 5. After the display panel assembly 5 is installed on the barrel 3, the contact surface with the mounting hole 2 of the barrel 3 will have an irregular gap, which cannot meet the precise production requirements.

[0008] In view of this, the present utility model is proposed. Utility Model Content

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to at least overcome some of the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a casing of an electric water heater. By adding a circle of annular protrusions around the mounting hole on the cylinder, the strength of the mounting hole is enhanced. The greater strength reduces the tension of the mounting hole expanding outward when the cylinder is rolled, reduces the degree of deformation, effectively alleviates the situation where there is a flash gap on the contact surface between the panel assembly and the mounting hole after the panel assembly is installed, and improves the product qualification rate.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a casing of an electric water heater, comprising a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is provided with a mounting hole for mounting a panel assembly;

[0011] An annular protrusion is formed along the circumference of the edge of the mounting hole by press molding, and the annular protrusion extends in a direction away from the interior of the housing.

[0012] In some embodiments, the mounting hole is rectangular;

[0013] Wherein, a flange is provided on the edge of the mounting hole in the length direction, and the flange extends toward the interior of the housing.

[0014] In some embodiments, a material blocking box is sealedly connected to the inner side of the cylinder, and the material blocking box closes the mounting hole.

[0015] In some embodiments, the material blocking box is sealed and fixedly connected to the outer side of the mounting hole;

[0016] Wherein, the material blocking box is made of metal material.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cylinder is formed by rolling a plate.

[0018] In some embodiments, the material blocking box is connected to the inner side of the cylinder by spot welding or point pressing.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cylinder is provided with a plurality of snap-in holes for fixing the panel assembly;

[0020] The plurality of clamping holes are distributed around the mounting hole.

[0021] In some embodiments, the cylinder is provided with an embedding groove for the panel assembly to be at least partially embedded in the thickness direction;

[0022] Wherein, the mounting hole and the plurality of clamping holes are opened in the embedding groove.

[0023] In some embodiments, the inner side of the cylinder is sealed with a material blocking film, and the material blocking film closes the multiple clamping holes.

[0024] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide an electric water heater, comprising the casing of the electric water heater described above.

[0025] Furthermore, the electric water heater further comprises an inner tank, which is arranged in the casing and is connected to a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe;

[0026] The cylinder is provided with a cold water pipe installation port and a hot water pipe installation port corresponding to the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe respectively.

[0027] After adopting the above technical solution, the utility model has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0028] (1) The casing of the electric water heater provided by the present invention increases the strength of the installation hole by adding a circle of indentations around the installation hole to form an annular protrusion. The increased strength reduces the tension of outward expansion when the drum is rolled, reduces the degree of deformation, and effectively alleviates the problem of flash cracks on the contact surface between the panel assembly and the installation hole after the panel assembly is installed, thereby improving the product qualification rate.

[0029] (2) The casing of the electric water heater provided by the present invention can correct the outward expansion trend of the area at this location by arranging a flange extending toward the interior of the casing on the edge of the mounting hole in the longitudinal direction, so that the edge of the mounting hole is straighter and consistent with the overall arc shape to ensure that it does not bulge outward, further alleviating the problem of flash gaps on the contact surface between the panel assembly and the mounting hole after the panel assembly is installed.

[0030] (3) The casing of the electric water heater provided by the present invention constructs the retaining box as a metal stamping retaining box, and connects it to the inner side of the cylinder by spot welding or point pressing. By utilizing the characteristic of greater strength of the metal material, the slight deformation around the mounting hole is corrected, ensuring that the deformation of the mounting hole area is minimized, and the refinement of the mounting panel assembly is guaranteed.

[0031] (4) The casing of the electric water heater provided by the utility model prevents the foaming material from overflowing by sealing a material blocking film for closing a plurality of snap-in holes on the inner side of the cylinder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings are part of the present invention and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without inventive work. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of punching holes on a plate in the related art;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sheet metal rolled in the related art;

[0035] Figure 3A and 3B It is a structural diagram of the related art after the material blocking box is installed on the housing;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure after the panel display panel assembly is installed on the housing in the related art;

[0037] Figure 5A is a schematic structural diagram of a casing of an electric water heater provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0038] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A Right view of the middle structure;

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 5B AA section view of the middle structure;

[0040] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A local enlarged view of location I in FIG;

[0041] Figure 8 yes Figure 5B BB section view of the middle structure;

[0042] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A local enlarged view of point II in the figure.

[0043] In the figure: 1, plate; 2, mounting hole; 3, cylinder; 4, material blocking plate; 5, display panel assembly; 6, hook hole; 7, stop hole;

[0044] 100. Casing; 110. Cylinder; 111. Mounting hole; 112. Annular protrusion; 113. Cold water pipe mounting port; 114. Hot water pipe mounting port; 115. Snap-fit hole; 116. Stop hole; 117. Flanged edge; 120. Panel assembly; 130. Material blocking box.

[0045] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0048] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; and direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0049] As mentioned above, in the related art, due to the influence of tension during the process of the shell becoming a curved arc, the position of the shell mounting hole will expand outward, resulting in the periphery of the mounting hole being inconsistent with the overall shape. After the display panel is installed, there will be a flash crack on the contact surface between the display panel and the mounting hole, resulting in a decrease in the product qualification rate. Based on this, the utility model provides a casing of an electric water heater, including a cylinder, on which a mounting hole for mounting a panel assembly is provided; the edge of the mounting hole is press-formed along the circumference to form an annular protrusion, and the annular protrusion extends in a direction away from the interior of the casing. In this way, the annular protrusion can be used to enhance the strength of the circumference of the mounting hole, and the increased strength reduces the tension of the circumference of the mounting hole expanding outward when the drum is rolled, thereby reducing the degree of deformation, effectively alleviating the flash crack on the contact surface between the panel assembly and the mounting hole after the panel assembly is installed, and improving the product qualification rate.

[0050] The preferred technical solution of the casing 100 of the electric water heater provided by the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 5A 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a casing 100 of an electric water heater according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5B yes Figure 5A Right view of the middle structure; Figure 6 yes Figure 5B AA section view of the middle structure; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A local enlarged view of location I in FIG; Figure 8 yes Figure 5B BB section view of the middle structure; Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A local enlarged view of point II in the figure.

[0052] The electric water heater includes a housing 100 and an inner tank disposed in the housing 100, wherein the inner tank is connected to a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe. Figures 5A to 9 As shown, the housing 100 includes a cylinder 110, and end caps (not shown) are sealed at both ends of the cylinder 110 to form a mounting cavity for mounting the inner tank. In addition, the cylinder 110 is provided with a cold water pipe mounting port 113 and a hot water pipe mounting port 114 corresponding to the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe, respectively. A heating device (not shown) is provided in the inner tank, and the heating device is connected to a power supply wire for powering the heating device. The cylinder 110 is provided with a through hole for connecting the power supply wire to the power supply. When the electric water heater is working, water enters the inner tank through the cold water pipe, and the heated water flows out through the hot water pipe for use by the user.

[0053] Typically, after the inner tank is installed in the housing 100, a foam material is injected into the gap between the inner tank and the housing 100 to form a dense insulation layer. The foam material also acts as a secondary foam to cushion vibrations to the inner tank. Furthermore, the foam material is also flame-retardant, improving the safety of the electric water heater.

[0054] The cylinder 110 is provided with an embedding groove for the panel assembly 120 to be at least partially embedded in the thickness direction; the embedding groove is provided with a mounting hole 111 for mounting the panel assembly 120 and a plurality of clamping holes 115 for fixing the panel assembly 120, Figure 6 As shown, a plurality of snap-in holes 115 are evenly distributed around the mounting hole 111. This allows the panel assembly 120 to be as close to the cylinder 110 of the electric water heater as possible, reducing the size of the gap between the two and preventing the electric water heater from occupying too much installation space.

[0055] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, an annular protrusion 112 is formed along the circumference of the edge of the mounting hole 111 by press molding, and the annular protrusion 112 extends in a direction away from the interior of the housing 100 .

[0056] Specifically, after punching out the mounting hole 111 and the snap-on hole 115 on the flat plate, a pressing process is added to make indentations along the circumference of the mounting hole 111 to form an annular protrusion 112 extending away from the interior of the casing 100, so as to enhance the material strength of the circumference of the mounting hole 111. The greater strength reduces the tension of the circumference of the mounting hole 111 expanding outward when the next process is rolled up, thereby reducing the degree of deformation, effectively alleviating the situation where there is a flash gap on the contact surface between the panel assembly 120 and the mounting hole 111 after the panel assembly 120 is installed, thereby improving the product qualification rate.

[0057] In some embodiments, the rear side of the panel assembly 120 is provided with multiple hooks. When installing the panel assembly 120, it is installed from the front side of the barrel 110, and the multiple hooks on the rear side of the panel assembly 120 are hooked into the corresponding snap-in holes 115 of the barrel 110 to achieve the installation of the panel assembly 120. It should be noted that the number of mounting holes 111 provided on the barrel 110 matches the number of hooks, and this is not limited by the present invention. In this embodiment, the embedded groove is provided with four snap-in holes 115, and the four snap-in holes 115 are distributed at the four corners of the mounting hole 111. Correspondingly, the rear side of the panel assembly 120 is provided with four hooks.

[0058] In some embodiments, the embedding groove is further provided with a plurality of stop holes 116 for preventing the panel assembly 120 from retracting. The plurality of stop holes 116 are also distributed around the mounting hole 111. Correspondingly, the rear side of the panel assembly 120 is provided with a plurality of stop protrusions. When the plurality of hooks on the rear side of the panel assembly 120 are hooked into the corresponding engaging holes 115 of the barrel 110, the plurality of stop protrusions are correspondingly engaged with the plurality of stop holes 116, thereby preventing the panel assembly 120 from retracting.

[0059] In some embodiments, the mounting hole 111 is rectangular in shape, that is, the size of the mounting hole 111 in the length direction is larger than the size in the width direction. As an example, the ratio between the size of the mounting hole 111 in the length direction and the size in the width direction is in the range of 7:1 to 5:1. A flange 117 is provided on the edge of the mounting hole 111 in the length direction, and the flange 117 extends toward the interior of the housing 100, referring to FIG. Figure 9 shown.

[0060] Specifically, after the pressing process and before the rolling process, a bending process is added to bend the edge of the mounting hole 111 in the length direction toward the inside of the casing 100 to form a flange 117. In this way, by adding a flange 117 to the long side of the mounting hole 111, the outward expansion trend of the area at the mounting hole 111 is adjusted to achieve the purpose of making the edge of the mounting hole 111 straighter, consistent with the overall arc shape of the cylinder 110, ensuring that the long side edge of the mounting hole 111 is not convex, further alleviating the situation where there is a flash gap on the contact surface between the panel assembly 120 and the mounting hole 111 after the panel assembly 120 is installed.

[0061] In some embodiments, as Figures 6 to 9 As shown, the inner side of the cylinder 110 is sealed with a material blocking box 130, and the material blocking box 130 closes the mounting hole 111. Further, the inner side of the cylinder 110 is sealed with a material blocking film (not shown), and the material blocking film closes the multiple clamping holes 115 and the stop hole 116.

[0062] Specifically, as mentioned above, in the prior art, after the cylinder and the baffle plate are installed, a concave area is formed for installing the display panel assembly. Figure 3B It can be seen from the figure that the material blocking plate in the prior art covers all the mounting holes, hook holes and stop holes, thereby preventing material from overflowing.

[0063] In this embodiment, the components used to prevent material overflow from mounting hole 111, snap-fit hole 115, and stop hole 116 employ different structures. The component used to prevent material overflow from mounting hole 111 is a material-blocking box 130, while the components used to prevent material overflow from snap-fit hole 115 and stop hole 116 are material-blocking membranes. This is because mounting hole 111 is larger, while snap-fit hole 115 and stop hole 116 are smaller. Consequently, the foaming material exerts greater pressure on the material-blocking structure at mounting hole 111, while exerting less pressure on the material-blocking structure at snap-fit hole 115 and stop hole 116. Therefore, the blocking membrane with a membrane structure can fully withstand the pressure of the foaming material at the snap-on hole 115 and the stop hole 116, and the blocking box 130 with a boxed structure is only set at the mounting hole 111, which can not only withstand the pressure of the foaming material well and prevent overflow at the mounting hole 111, but also use the material strength of the blocking box 130 material itself to correct the deformation caused by the outward expansion tension around the mounting hole 111 during the rolling process.

[0064] The above solution not only solves the problem of overflow of foam material from the opening of the cylinder 110, but also solves the problem of flashing of the contact surface caused by deformation of the opening.

[0065] As an example, the material blocking box 130 is connected to the inner side of the cylinder 110 by spot welding or point pressing, and the material blocking film is sealed to the inner side of the cylinder 110 by strong glue.

[0066] In some embodiments, the material blocking box 130 can also be made of metal material, for example, by using a metal stamping process to produce the material blocking box 130. This can further increase the strength of the material blocking box 130, so that even if there is a slight deformation around the mounting hole 111 during the rolling process, it will be corrected by the metal material material material 130.

[0067] The above solution of the present invention can ensure that the deformation of the area with a larger hole on the cylinder 110 is minimized, so that the refined installation of the panel assembly 120 is guaranteed.

[0068] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the present invention can make slight changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments using the above-mentioned technical contents without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A casing of an electric water heater, comprising a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is provided with a mounting hole for mounting a panel assembly; characterized in that: An annular protrusion is formed along the circumference of the edge of the mounting hole by press molding, and the annular protrusion extends in a direction away from the interior of the housing.

2. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting hole is rectangular; Wherein, at least an edge of the mounting hole in the length direction is provided with a flange, and the flange extends toward the direction close to the interior of the housing.

3. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein: The inner side of the cylinder is sealed with a material blocking box, and the material blocking box closes the mounting hole.

4. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 3, characterized in that: The material blocking box is sealed and fixedly connected to the outer side of the mounting hole; Wherein, the material blocking box is made of metal material.

5. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cylinder is formed by rolling a plate.

6. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 5, characterized in that: The material blocking box is connected to the inner side of the cylinder by spot welding or point pressing.

7. The casing of the electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The cylinder is provided with a plurality of snap-in holes for fixing the panel assembly; The plurality of clamping holes are distributed around the mounting hole.

8. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cylinder is provided with an embedding groove for the panel assembly to be at least partially embedded in the thickness direction; Wherein, the mounting hole and the plurality of clamping holes are opened in the embedding groove.

9. The casing of the electric water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner side of the cylinder is sealed with a material blocking film, and the material blocking film closes the multiple clamping holes.

10. An electric water heater, characterized in that: The invention comprises a casing of the electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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