WATER HEATER

Abstract

WATER HEATER According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a water heater comprises an enclosure (11), a heating unit housed inside the enclosure, an expansion tank (50) housed inside the enclosure, a circulation path portion passing through the heating unit, a bypass path portion branching off from the circulation path portion and connected to the expansion tank, and a tank support portion (10A) supporting the expansion tank inside the enclosure. The tank support portion comprises a first support portion (90) located on a first side relative to the expansion tank in a first direction (X) orthogonal to a vertical direction (Z), and a second support portion (80) located on a second side relative to the expansion tank in the first direction.The first support portion comprises a first support surface supporting the expansion tank by a lower side. The second support portion comprises a second support surface supporting the expansion tank by an upper side.Abstract Figure: [Fig. 4].

Description

Title of the invention: WATER HEATER Field of invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water heater. Description of the state of the art

[0002] A water heater is provided with an expansion tank for releasing an expanded liquid to suppress an excessive increase in a pressure of a circulation path portion (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2012-220075). The expansion tank is disposed in an upper end portion inside the water heater. Summary of the invention

[0003] A prior art expansion tank is supported on a lower side by a support member located inside an enclosure, and the expansion tank vibrates in resonance with the vibrations of another member, such as a pump. It is therefore possible that the vibrations cause noise.

[0004] Furthermore, when the expansion tank is firmly fixed to the enclosure to suppress vibration of the expansion tank, a problem arises in that the assembly process of a water heater is complicated.

[0005] In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present disclosure relates to a water heater capable of suppressing the knocking of an expansion tank without complicating the assembly process.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a water heater comprising an enclosure, a heating unit housed within the enclosure, an expansion tank housed within the enclosure, a circulation path portion passing through the heating unit, a bypass path portion branching off from the circulation path portion and connected to the expansion tank, a tank support portion supporting the expansion tank within the enclosure, and a control unit housed within the enclosure. The tank support portion comprises a first support portion located on a first side relative to the expansion tank in a first direction orthogonal to a vertical direction, and a second support portion located on a second side relative to the expansion tank in the first direction.The first support portion comprises a first support surface supporting the expansion tank by a lower side. The second support portion comprises a second support surface supporting the expansion tank by an upper side. The control unit comprises: . a substrate, and a support structure supporting the substrate. In this case, the expansion tank comprises a manually operable valve portion protruding toward the second side from a surface facing the second side of the expansion tank. In addition, the second support portion is attached to an upper end portion of the support structure and is located on a lower side of the valve portion.

[0007] Optionally in the water heater of the invention, a cushioning material is disposed between the first support surface and the expansion tank, and a cushioning material is disposed between the second support surface and the expansion tank.

[0008] Optionally in the water heater of the invention, the first support portion comprises a third support surface supporting the expansion tank by the first side, and the second support portion comprises a fourth support surface supporting the expansion tank by the second side. In this case, optionally, a cushioning material is disposed between the third support surface and the expansion tank, and a cushioning material is disposed between the fourth support surface and the expansion tank.

[0009] Optionally in the water heater of the invention, the expansion tank comprises an upper member and a lower member which form a storage space. The upper member and the lower member respectively comprise flange portions coupled to face each other in the vertical direction. The first support portion supports the coupled flange portions by a lower side, and the second support portion supports the coupled flange portions by an upper side.

[0010] Optionally in the water heater of the invention, the tank support part comprises: two first support parts (90) which comprise the first support part (90), and the second support part (80). In this case, the first two support parts are located on both sides of the expansion tank in a second direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the first direction, and the second support part is located at a center of the expansion tank in the second direction.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a water heater capable of suppressing the knocking of an expansion tank without complicating the assembly process. Brief description of the drawings

[0012] [Fig.l] is a view schematically illustrating a water heater according to one embodiment. [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a main body of a water heater according to the embodiment. [Fig.3] is a front view of the main body of the water heater according to the embodiment. [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the water heater main body according to the embodiment and is a view illustrating a state in which a part of an enclosure is removed. [Fig.5] is an enlarged view of a region V of [Fig.4]. [Fig.6] is an exploded perspective view of a first support part according to the embodiment. [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a second support part according to the embodiment. [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the water heater main body around the second support portion according to the embodiment and is a view illustrating a portion of the water heater main body in a broken display mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment and may be modified in any way within the scope of technical ideas of the present disclosure.

[0014] Furthermore, in the drawings, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are shown as appropriate. The X-axis indicates one direction in a horizontal direction. The Y-axis indicates another direction in the horizontal direction. The Z-axis indicates a vertical direction. In the following description, the horizontal direction along the X-axis will be referred to as the "X-forward-backward direction," the horizontal direction along the Y-axis will be referred to as the "Y-right-left direction," and the vertical direction along the Z-axis will be referred to as the "Z-vertical direction." The X-forward-backward direction, the Y-right-left direction, and the Z-vertical direction are mutually orthogonal directions. In the following description, a side (+Z) in the direction of the Z-axis arrow in the Z-vertical direction will be defined as an upper side, and a side (-Z) opposite the side in the direction of the Z-axis arrow in the Z-vertical direction will be defined as a lower side.Additionally, a side (+X) in the direction of the X-axis arrow in the front-back X direction will be defined as a front side, and a side (-X) opposite the side in the direction of the X-axis arrow in the front-back X direction will be defined as a back side. Furthermore, the right-left direction Y will be defined as a right-left direction when the water heater main body 10 of the following embodiment is viewed from the front side (+X side). That is, a side (+Y) in the direction of the Y-axis arrow in the right-left direction Y will be defined as a right side, and a side (-Y) opposite to the side in the direction of the Y-axis arrow in the right-left direction Y will be defined as a left side. In the following embodiment, the front-back direction X corresponds to a “first direction,” the rear side corresponds to a “first side” in the first direction, and the front side corresponds to a “second side” in the first direction. Furthermore, in the following embodiment, the right-left direction Y corresponds to a “second direction.”

[0015] [Fig.l] is a view schematically illustrating a water heater 100 according to the present embodiment. The water heater 100 of the present embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l] is a heat pump water heater. As shown in [Fig.l], the water heater 100 comprises the water heater main body 10 and an outdoor unit 20. The water heater main body 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are connected to each other by a second circulation path portion 12B in which a refrigerant R circulates. For example, a fluorine-based refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP) and a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant are examples of refrigerant R.For example, a single refrigerant containing any one of R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, and R290, a mixed refrigerant containing two or more of these compounds, or a mixed refrigerant containing any one of these compounds and another refrigerant are an example of refrigerant R. In addition, for example, a mixed refrigerant containing RI 132 (E) or a mixed refrigerant containing RI 123 are an example of refrigerant R. In addition, for example, mixed refrigerants containing R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, and R459A are examples of the refrigerant R. .

[0016] The water heater main body 10 comprises an enclosure 11, a first circulation path portion (circulation path portion) 12A, a second circulation path portion 12B, a bypass path portion 17, a heat exchanger 31, a heating unit 13, a pump 15, a drain valve 16, a first pressure relief valve 18a, a second pressure relief valve 18b, a degassing valve 19, a control unit 70, and an expansion tank 50. The enclosure 11 houses the first circulation path portion 12A, the heat exchanger 31, the heating unit 13, the pump 15, the drain valve 16, the second pressure relief valve 18b, the degassing valve 19, the control unit 70, and the expansion tank 50.

[0017] A liquid W1 used for heating and cooling circulates in the first circulation path portion 12A. The heat exchanger 31, the drain valve 16, the pump 15, and the heating unit 13 are disposed on a path of the first circulation path portion 12A. The liquid W1 circulating in the first circulation path portion 12A is water, for example. The liquid W1 is discharged by opening the drain valve 16. The pump 15 is driven such that the liquid W1 circulates inside the first circulation path portion 12A.

[0018] An outlet pipe 12c and an inlet pipe 12d are connected to the first circulation path portion 12A. The outlet pipe 12c is a pipe allowing the liquid W1 to flow in the first circulation path portion 12A toward an air conditioner (not shown) and the heat exchanger. The inlet pipe 12d is a pipe allowing the liquid W1 to flow from the air conditioner and the heat exchanger into the first circulation path portion 12A.

[0019] The refrigerant R circulates in the second circulation path portion 12B. The heat exchanger 31 and the outdoor unit 20 are arranged on a path of the second circulation path portion 12B. The outdoor unit 20 comprises a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with the outdoor air and a compressor that circulates the refrigerant R of the second circulation path portion 12B.

[0020] The heat exchanger 31 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the liquid W1 flowing inside the first circulation path portion 12A and the refrigerant R flowing inside the second circulation path portion 12B. The heat exchanger 31 functions as a heating unit that heats the liquid W1 when heat moves from the second circulation path portion 12B to the first circulation path portion 12A.

[0021] The heating unit 13 is located in the first circulation path portion 12A and heats the liquid W1 flowing in the first circulation path portion 12A. The heating unit 13 of the present embodiment is a heating element. Electrical energy is supplied to the heating unit 13 so that the liquid W1 is heated by the heating unit 13.

[0022] The bypass path portion 17 branches off from the first circulation path portion 12A. The bypass path portion 17 comprises a first bypass path 17a, a second bypass path 17b, a third bypass path 17c and a fourth bypass path 17d which branch off more finely. An end portion of the first bypass path 17a is connected to the expansion tank 50. An end portion of the second bypass path 17b is connected to the first pressure relief valve 18a. An end portion of the third bypass path 17b is connected to the first pressure relief valve 18a. bypass 17c is connected to the second pressure relief valve 18b. An end portion of the fourth bypass path 17d is connected to the degassing valve 19.

[0023] The expansion tank 50 is configured to store the expanded liquid W1 that is in the first circulation path portion 12A. When a temperature increases after heating the liquid W1 inside the first circulation path portion 12A in the heat exchanger 31 or the heating unit 13, a volume of the liquid W1 increases. The expansion tank 50 stores the liquid W1 whose volume has increased, thereby eliminating a possibility that a load is applied to a pipe forming the first circulation path portion 12A. As will be described later, the expansion tank 50 is provided with a valve portion 59 (see [Fig. 4]) for extracting the liquid W1 inside the expansion tank 50. The valve portion 59 is opened by a maintenance operator when the expansion tank 50 is replaced.

[0024] The pressure limiters 18a and 18b reduce a pressure inside the first circulation path portion 12A when the pressure inside the first circulation path portion 12A is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. Since a plurality of the pressure limiters 18a and 18b are located in the bypass path portion 17 that branches off from the first circulation path portion 12A, even when a portion of the pressure limiter 18a is not operated, the pressure inside the first circulation path portion 12A can be lowered by another pressure limiter 18b. In the present embodiment, a threshold value of the pressure set in the second pressure limiter 18b is greater than a threshold value of the pressure set in the first pressure limiter 18a. The second pressure limiter 18b is provided in advance for the first pressure limiter 18a.The first pressure relief valve 18a is disposed outside the enclosure 11, and the second pressure relief valve 18b is disposed inside the enclosure 11. When a gas is mixed with the liquid W1 of the first circulation path portion 12A, the degassing valve 19 separates the liquid W1 and the gas to remove the gas from the liquid W1.

[0025] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the water heater main body 10. [Fig.3] is a front view of the water heater main body 10. As shown in [Fig.2], the water heater main body 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape which is long in the vertical direction Z. In addition, the enclosure 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape which is long in the vertical direction Z.

[0026] The enclosure 11 comprises a housing space A which houses each member of the main water heater body 10. The enclosure 11 comprises an upper wall portion 11a located on an upper side of the housing space A, two side wall portions 11b each located on a left side (-Y) and a right side of the housing space A, a bottom wall portion 11e located on a lower side of the housing space A, and a rear wall portion 11d located on a rear side (-X) of the housing space A. In addition, although not shown in [Fig.2], the enclosure 11 also includes a front cover located on a front side (+X) of the housing space A. The top wall portion 11a, the two side wall portions 11b, the bottom wall portion 11e, the rear wall portion 11d and the front cover are bodies separate from each other.

[0027] As shown in [Fig. 2], the control unit 70 comprises a substrate 72, a plurality of terminal blocks 73, and a support structure 71. The substrate 72 is arranged orthogonally to the front-rear direction X. A plurality of elements are mounted on the substrate 72. The plurality of terminal blocks 73 are arranged on a right side of the substrate 72. The plurality of terminal blocks 73 are connected to the substrate 72 via wires (not shown). Terminals of a plurality of wires are connected to the terminal block 73. In [Fig. 2], the plurality of wires connected to the terminal block 73 are not shown.

[0028] The support structure 71 supports the substrate 72 and the plurality of terminal blocks 73. The support structure 71 comprises a support plate portion 7 If, an upper structure portion 71a, two side structure portions 71b, two fixing portions 71c, and a lower structure portion 71d. The support plate portion 7 If has a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The support plate portion 7 If has a rectangular shape when viewed from a front side. The substrate 72 and the plurality of terminal blocks 73 are fixed to a surface of the front side of the support plate portion 7 If. The upper structure portion 71a and the lower structure portion 71d have a plate shape orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The two side structure portions 71b have a plate shape orthogonal to the right-left direction Y.The upper structure portion 71a protrudes forward from an upper end of the support plate portion 71f. The two side structure portions 71b each protrude forward from a right end and a left end of the support plate portion 71f. The lower structure portion 71d protrudes forward from a lower end of the support plate portion 71f.

[0029] The two fixing parts 71c each have a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The two fixing parts 71c each extend in the vertical direction Z. The two fixing parts 71c are arranged in parallel in the right-left direction Y. The fixing part 71c on the right side (+Y) projects toward the right side from a front end of the side structure part 71b on the right side. The fixing part 71c on the right side is screwed to a front edge of the side wall part 11b on the right side of the enclosure 11. The fixing part 71c on the left side (-Y) protrudes toward the left side from a front end of the side structure portion 71b on the left side. The fixing portion 71c on the left side is screwed to a front edge of the side wall portion 11b on the left side of the enclosure 11. In this way, the support structure 71 is fixed to the enclosure 11.

[0030] The expansion tank 50 is located in an uppermost portion of the housing space A. In other words, the expansion tank 50 is located on an upper side of each element of the water heater main body 10. The expansion tank 50 is arranged along the upper wall portion 11a on a lower side of the upper wall portion 11a of the enclosure 11.

[0031] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the water heater main body 10 in a state in which a portion of the enclosure 11 is removed. As shown in [Fig.4], the expansion tank 50 comprises an upper member 51, a lower member 52, and a first cushioning material 50C. A storage space B for storing the expanded liquid is located inside the expansion tank 50. The upper member 51 and the lower member 52 are coupled to each other to form the storage space B. The upper member 51 covers the storage space B from the upper side. The lower member 52 covers the storage space B from the lower side. The upper member 51 and the lower member 52 are made of a metal material to ensure sufficient heat resistance.

[0032] The upper member 51 comprises a recessed upper member main body 5la which is open toward the lower side and a first flange portion (flange portion) 5 If which surrounds an opening facing the lower side. The lower member 52 comprises a recessed lower member main body 52a which is open toward the upper side and a second flange portion (flange portion) 52f which surrounds an opening facing the upper side. The upper member main body opening 51a and the lower member main body opening 52a are arranged opposite each other to form the storage space B. The first flange part 5If and the second flange part 52f face each other in the vertical direction Z. The first flange part 5If and the second flange part 52f are coupled to each other by a connection, for example a weld, to form a coupling flange part (flange part) 50f.

[0033] The first cushioning material 50C is made of a porous resin material, for example. The first cushioning material 50C is an elastic member compressed along an outer shape of an object when receiving a force from the object. The first cushioning material 50C is attached to the coupling flange portion 50f. The first cushioning material 50C has a C-shaped cross-section. The first cushioning material 50C surrounds an upper surface, a lower surface, and a tip surface of the flange portion. coupling 50f. The first cushioning material 50C is glued and fixed to the upper surface, the lower surface and the tip surface of the coupling flange portion 50f.

[0034] The expansion tank 50 is provided with the valve portion 59. The valve portion 59 protrudes toward the front side from a surface facing the front side of the expansion tank 50. The valve portion 59 is located at a center in the right-left direction Y relative to the expansion tank 50. The valve portion 59 is located on the upper member main body 51a. That is, the valve portion 59 is located on the upper side relative to the coupling flange portion 50f. The valve portion 59 has a knob shape that can be manually rotated and operated about a center axis extending in the front-rear direction X. A maintenance operator can discharge the liquid stored in the storage space B by rotating and operating the valve portion 59.

[0035] <Partie de support de réservoir> A tank support portion 10A is disposed in the accommodation space A of the enclosure 11. That is, the water heater main body 10 comprises the tank support portion 10A. The tank support portion 10A supports the expansion tank 50 inside the enclosure 11. The tank support portion 10A comprises two first support portions 90 and a second support portion 80. The two first support portions 90 and the second support portion 80 are each fixed to the enclosure 11. That is, the tank support portion 10A is fixed to the enclosure 11.

[0036] The first two support parts 90 are located on the rear side relative to the expansion tank 50. In addition, the first two support parts 90 are located on both sides in the right-left direction Y relative to the expansion tank 50. The second support part 80 is located on the front side relative to the expansion tank 50. In addition, the second support part 80 is located in the center in the right-left direction Y relative to the expansion tank 50.

[0037] <Première partie de support> The first two support parts 90 have bilaterally symmetrical shapes with respect to each other when viewed in the front-rear X direction. In the following description, each part will be described by focusing on only one first support part 90 located on the left side (-Y) of the first two support parts 90, and the description of the other first support part 90 located on the right side (+Y) will be omitted.

[0038] [Fig-5] is an enlarged view of a region V of [Fig.4]. [Fig.6] is an exploded view in perspective of the first part of support 90. As shown in [Fig.6], the first support part 90 comprises a base part 97, a first support body 91 and a second cushioning material 90C. The base part 97 and the first support body 91 are each a plate member made of metal and formed by stamping. The second cushioning material 90C is made of the same material as the first cushioning material 90C.

[0039] The base portion 97 comprises a first fixing plate portion 97a, a second fixing plate portion 97b, two connecting plate portions 97c, and a first support plate portion 97d. The first fixing plate portion 97a, the second fixing plate portion 97b, and the first support plate portion 97d have a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X and are arranged along the rear wall portion 11d of the enclosure 11. The first fixing plate portion 97a is located on the upper side of the first support plate portion 97d. The second fixing plate portion 97b is located on the lower side of the first support plate portion 97d. The first fixing plate portion 97a and the second fixing plate portion 97b are welded and fixed to the rear wall portion 11d. In this way, the first support portion 90 is fixed to the enclosure 11.

[0040] The first support plate portion 97d is located on the front side relative to the first fixing plate portion 97a and the second fixing plate portion 97b. The first support plate portion 97d includes a third support surface 97f facing the front side. The third support surface 97f is a planar surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The second cushioning material 90C is glued and fixed to the front side of the third support surface 97f. In addition, the first support plate portion 97d is provided with two screw holes 97h. The screw hole 97h is located in a region on the left side (-Y) relative to a region to which the second cushioning material 90C of the first support plate portion 97d is fixed.

[0041] The two connecting plate parts 97c have a plate shape orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The two connecting plate parts 97c are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction Z. The connecting plate part 97c on the upper side connects a lower end portion of the first fixing plate part 97a and an upper end portion of the first support plate part 97d. The connecting plate part 97c on the lower side connects an upper end portion of the second fixing plate part 97b and a lower end portion of the first support plate part 97d.

[0042] The first support body 91 comprises two third fixing plate parts 96, an upper guide plate part 94, a side guide plate part 93 and a second support plate part 92. The first support body 91 is made projection towards the front side relative to the third support surface 97f of the base part 97.

[0043] The two third fixing plate parts 96 each have a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The two third fixing plate parts 96 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction Z. Each of the two third fixing plate parts 96 is provided with an insertion hole 96h. A fixing screw 99 tightened in the screw hole 97h is inserted into the insertion hole 96h. In this way, the first support body 91 is fixed to the base part 97.

[0044] The upper guide plate portion 94 and the second support plate portion 92 have a plate shape orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The side guide plate portion 93 has a plate shape orthogonal to the right-left direction Y. The upper guide plate portion 94 and the second support plate portion 92 face each other via a gap in the vertical direction Z. The upper guide plate portion 94 is located on the upper side of the second support plate portion 92. The upper guide plate portion 94 is connected to a lower end portion of the third fixing plate portion 96 on the upper side in both third fixing plate portions 96. The upper guide plate portion 94 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction Z.

[0045] The second support plate portion 92 is connected to an upper end portion of the third fixing plate portion 96 on the lower side in the two third fixing plate portions 96. The second support plate portion 92 includes a facing portion 92c that overlaps the upper guide plate portion 94 when viewed in the vertical direction Z, and a rail portion 92b that extends toward the front side from the facing portion 92c. The facing portion 92c has a substantially triangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction Z. The rail portion 92b has a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction X. The second support plate portion 92 includes a first support surface 92a facing the upper side. The first support surface 92a is a planar surface orthogonal to the vertical direction Z.The first support surface 92a is located on the entire second support plate portion 92 including the facing portion 92c and the rail portion 92b.

[0046] The side guide plate portion 93 has a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction X. The side guide plate portion 93 connects an end portion on the left side (-Y) of the upper guide plate portion 94 and an end portion on the left side (-Y) of the second support plate portion 92. In this way, the upper guide plate portion 94, the side guide plate portion 93 and the second support plate portion 92 are are in a C-shape which is open toward the right side (+Y). The side guide plate portion 93 extends forward relative to an end portion on the front side of the upper guide plate portion 94. The side guide plate portion 93 is connected to a total length in the front-rear direction X of the second support plate portion 92 including the facing portion 92c and the rail portion 92b.

[0047] As shown in [Fig. 5], the coupling flange portion 50f of the expansion tank 50 is inserted into an opening surrounded by the upper guide plate portion 94 and the side guide plate portion 93 and the second support plate portion 92 of the first support portion 90. The coupling flange portion 50f is mounted on the first support surface 92a of the second support plate portion 92. That is, the first support portion 90 supports the expansion tank 50 from the lower side on the first support surface 92a. As described above, the coupling flange portion 50f is covered by the first cushioning material 50C. Therefore, the first cushioning material 50C is disposed between the first support surface 92a and the expansion tank 50.The first cushioning material 50C is compressed in the vertical direction Z between the first support surface 92a and the coupling flange portion 50f.

[0048] The upper guide plate portion 94 covers the coupling flange portion 50f via a gap from the upper side. The side guide plate portion 93 covers the coupling flange portion 50f via a gap from the left (-Y) side. In this way, the upper guide plate portion 94 and the side guide plate portions 93 guide the coupling flange portion 50f to facilitate an assembly process of the expansion tank 50 relative to the first support portion 90.

[0049] The base portion 97 is disposed on the rear side of the expansion tank 50. The third support surface 97f of the base portion 97 faces the expansion tank 50 in the front-rear direction X. The expansion tank 50 is pressed against the third support surface 97f in a state of being mounted on the first support surface 92a. That is, the first support portion 90 supports the expansion tank 50 from the rear side on the third support surface 97f. As described above, the first cushioning material 50C is attached to the coupling flange portion 50f of the expansion tank 50. In addition, the second cushioning material 90C is attached to the first support surface 92a. The coupling flange portion 50f and the third support surface 97f contact each other while the first cushioning material 50C and the second cushioning material 90C are interposed therebetween.The first 50C padding material and the second 90C padding material are . compressed in the front-rear direction X between the coupling flange portion 50f and the third support surface 97f.

[0050] <Seconde partie de support> [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the second support portion 80. [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the water heater main body 10 around the second support portion 80 where the water heater main body 10 is broken along line VIII-VIII of [Fig.3].

[0051] As shown in [Fig.7], the second support part 80 comprises a second support body 89, two third cushioning materials 82C and a fourth cushioning material 83C. The second support body 89 is a plate member made of metal and formed by stamping. The third cushioning material 82C and the fourth cushioning material 83C are made of the same material as the first cushioning material 50C and the second cushioning material 90C.

[0052] The second support body 89 comprises a main body plate portion 81, two reinforcing plate portions 84, two fixing pieces 85, two first protruding pieces 82, and a second protruding piece 83. The main body plate portion 81 has a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The main body plate portion 81 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction X. The main body plate portion 81 includes a protruding portion 81a located in a lower end portion. The protruding portion 81a is located substantially in the center of the main body plate portion 81 in the right-left direction Y. In addition, the main body plate portion 81 is provided with a through hole 81h penetrating the main body plate portion 81 in the thickness direction.The through hole 81h has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction X. .

[0053] The two reinforcing plate parts 84 have a plate shape orthogonal to the right-left direction Y. The two reinforcing plate parts 84 are formed to be bent toward the front side from the two end parts of the main body plate part 81 in the right-left direction Y. The fixing piece 85 has a plate shape orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. Each of the two fixing pieces 85 is connected to a lower end part of the reinforcing plate parts 84 located on both sides in the right-left direction Y.

[0054] The first two protruding pieces 82 are arranged in parallel in the right-left direction Y. Each of the first two protruding pieces 82 is connected to an upper end edge of the main body plate portion 81. The first protruding piece 82 comprises a first rear protruding portion 82b and an upper protruding portion 82a. The first rear protruding portion 82b has an orthogonal plate shape. to the vertical direction Z. The upper protruding portion 82a has a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The first rear protruding portion 82b and the upper protruding portion 82a are formed to be bent into an L shape when viewed in the right-left direction Y. The first rear protruding portion 82b extends toward the rear side from the main body plate portion 81. The first rear protruding portion 82b includes a second support surface 82g facing the lower side. The upper protruding portion 82a extends toward the upper side from an end portion on the rear side of the first rear protruding portion 82b. The upper protruding portion 82a includes a fourth support surface 82f facing the rear side. In other words, the first protruding part 82 comprises a second support surface 82g and a fourth support surface 82f.The third cushioning material 82C is attached to the first protruding piece 82. The third cushioning material 82C is glued and attached to the second support surface 82g and the fourth support surface 82f.

[0055] The second protruding piece 83 is connected to an upper end edge of the through hole 81h of the main body plate portion 81. The second protruding piece 83 includes a second rear protruding portion 83b and a lower protruding portion 83a. The second rear protruding portion 83b has a plate shape orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The lower protruding portion 83a has a plate shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction X. The second rear protruding portion 83b and the lower protruding portion 83a are formed to be bent into an L shape when viewed in the right-left direction Y. The second rear protruding portion 83b extends toward the rear side from the main body plate portion 81. The lower protruding portion 83a extends toward the lower side from an end portion on the rear side of the second rear protruding portion 83b.The lower protruding portion 83a includes a fourth support surface 83f facing the rear side. That is, the second protruding piece 83 includes the fourth support surface 83f. The fourth cushioning material 83C is attached to the second protruding piece 83. The fourth cushioning material 83C is glued and attached to the fourth support surface 83f and to a surface facing the upper side of the second rear protruding portion 83b.

[0056] As shown in [Fig.8], a lower surface of the fixing piece 85 is mounted on an upper surface of the upper structure portion 71a of the support structure 71. The fixing piece 85 is connected to the upper structure portion 71a by a connection such as a weld. In this way, the second support portion 80 is fixed to an upper end portion of the support structure 71. As shown in [Fig.2], the support structure 71 is fixed to both side wall portions 11b of the enclosure 11. In other words, the second support portion 80 is fixed to the enclosure 11 via the support structure 71. The support structure 71 is fixed to the enclosure 11 in a state where the second support part 80 is welded and fixed in advance.

[0057] As shown in [Fig.8], the first protruding piece 82 is located on the upper side of the coupling flange portion 50f of the expansion tank 50. In addition, the second protruding piece 83 is located on the lower side of the coupling flange portion 50f. The second supporting surface 82g of the first protruding piece 82 contacts an upper surface of the coupling flange portion 50f via the first cushioning material 50C and the third cushioning material 82C from the upper side. The first cushioning material 50C and the third cushioning material 82C are compressed in the vertical direction Z between the coupling flange portion 50f and the second supporting surface 82g.

[0058] The fourth support surface 82f of the first protruding piece 82 contacts a facing surface on the front side of the expansion tank 50 via the third cushioning material 82C. The third cushioning material 82C is compressed in the front-rear direction X between the front surface of the expansion tank 50 and the fourth support surface 82f. The fourth support surface 83f of the second protruding piece 83 contacts a facing surface on the front side of the expansion tank 50 via the fourth cushioning material 83C from the front side. The fourth cushioning material 83C is compressed in the front-rear direction X between the front surface of the expansion tank 50 and the fourth support surface 82f.

[0059] The second support portion 80 supports the expansion tank 50 from the upper side on the second support surface 82g and supports the expansion tank 50 from the front on the fourth support surfaces 82f and 83f. In addition, the fourth support surfaces 82f and 83f of the present embodiment each support a region on the upper side and a region on the lower side of the expansion tank 50, while the coupling flange portion 50f is interposed therebetween.

[0060] As shown in [Fig.8], the valve portion 59 of the expansion tank 50 is disposed between the first two protruding pieces 82 in the right-left direction Y. An uppermost edge of the second support portion 80 is located on the lower side relative to the valve portion 59 in a region located between the first two protruding pieces 82. Therefore, the second support portion 80 is located on the lower side of the valve portion 59. According to the present embodiment, the second support portion 80 is not disposed on the upper side of the valve portion 59, and a maintenance operator can easily access the valve portion 59 from the upper side. According to the present embodiment, a operation of the valve portion 59 is less likely to be hindered by the second support portion 80, and the valve portion 59 can be easily operated by the maintenance operator.

[0061] <Résumé>As shown in [Fig.l], the water heater 100 of the embodiment described above comprises the enclosure 11, the heating unit 13 housed inside the enclosure 11, the expansion tank 50 housed inside the enclosure 11, the first circulation path portion 12A passing through the heating unit 13, the bypass path portion 17 branching from the first circulation path portion 12A and connected to the expansion tank 50, and the tank support portion 10A supporting the expansion tank 50 inside the enclosure 11 (see [Fig.4]). As shown in [Fig. 4], the tank support portion 10A comprises the first support portion 90 located on the rear side relative to the expansion tank 50, and the second support portion 80 located on the front side relative to the expansion tank 50. As shown in [Fig.5], the first support portion 90 comprises the first support surface 92a supporting the expansion tank 50 from the lower side. As shown in [Fig. 8], the second support portion 80 comprises the second support surface 82g supporting the expansion tank 50 from the upper side. According to this configuration, the expansion tank 50 is supported on both sides in the vertical direction Z by the first support surface 92a and the second support surface 82g. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rattling of the expansion tank 50 inside the enclosure 11, and it is possible to suppress a possibility that the expansion tank 50 vibrates in resonance with the vibrations of the pump 15 when the pump 15 is driven. In this way, the water heater 100 according to the invention can be very quiet.According to this configuration, the tank supporting portion 10A fixes the expansion tank 50 by pressing the first supporting surface 92a and the second supporting surface 82g against the surface of the expansion tank 50 from both sides in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, it is not necessary to include a complicated procedure, such as screwing, in a fixing process of the expansion tank 50, and an assembling process of the water heater 100 can be simplified. Therefore, the water heater 100 can suppress the rattling of the expansion tank without complicating the assembling process.

[0062] In the water heater 100 of the embodiment described above, as shown in [Fig. 5], the first cushioning material 50C is disposed between the first support surface 92a and the expansion tank 50. In addition, as shown in [Fig. 8], the first cushioning material 50C and the third cushioning material 82C are disposed between the second support surface 82g and the expansion tank 50. According to this configuration, an error in the assembly dimensions of the first support surface 92a and the second support surface 82g can be absorbed by the compression of the cushioning materials 50C and 82C, and the rattling of the expansion tank 50 can be advantageously suppressed.

[0063] As shown in [Fig. 5], in the water heater 100 of the embodiment described above, the first support portion 90 comprises the third support surface 97f supporting the expansion tank 50 from the rear side. As shown in [Fig. 8], the second support portion 80 comprises the fourth support surfaces 82f and 83f supporting the expansion tank 50 from the front side. According to this configuration, the expansion tank 50 is further supported on both sides in the front-rear direction X by the third support surface 97f and the fourth support surfaces 82f and 83f. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rattling of the expansion tank 50 in the front-rear direction X inside the enclosure 11.

[0064] As shown in [Fig. 5], in the water heater 100 of the above-described embodiment, the first cushioning material 50C and the second cushioning material 90C are disposed between the third support surface 97f and the expansion tank 50. As shown in [Fig. 8], the third cushioning material 82C or the fourth cushioning material 83C is disposed between the fourth support surfaces 82f, 83f and the expansion tank 50. According to this configuration, an error in the assembly dimensions of the third support surface 97f and the fourth support surfaces 82f and 83f can be absorbed by the compression of the cushioning materials 50C, 90C, 82C and 83C, and the rattling of the expansion tank 50 in the front-rear direction X can be advantageously suppressed.

[0065] As shown in [Fig.4], in the water heater 100 of the embodiment described above, the expansion tank 50 comprises the upper member 51 and the lower member 52 which form the storage space B. The upper member 51 and the lower member 52 respectively have the flange portion 5 If, 52f coupled to face each other in the vertical direction Z. The first support portion 90 supports the coupling flange portion 50f to which the flange portions 5 If and 52f are coupled from the lower side. The second support portion 80 supports the coupling flange portion 50f from the upper side. In general, the expansion tank 50 is made of a metallic material in order to ensure high thermal resistance. Therefore, the expansion tank 50 includes the coupling flange portion 50f provided when the lower member 52 and the upper member 51 are coupled to each other.According to this configuration, the expansion tank 50 can be supported by means of the coupling flange portion 50f of the expansion tank 50. Therefore, the manufacturing costs of the expansion tank 50 can be reduced compared to a support target body supported by the first. support part 90 and the second support part 80 which are brought separately into the expansion tank 50.

[0066] As shown in [Fig. 4], the water heater 100 of the above-described embodiment includes the control unit 70 housed inside the enclosure 11. As shown in [Fig. 4], the control unit 70 includes the substrate 72 and the support structure 71 supporting the substrate 72. The expansion tank 50 includes a manually operable valve portion 59 that protrudes toward the front side from the facing surface of the front side of the expansion tank 50. The second support portion 80 is attached to the uppermost portion of the support structure 71 and is located on the lower side of the valve portion 59. According to this configuration, the second support portion 80 is less likely to hinder manual actuation of the valve portion 59.Furthermore, when a maintenance operator manually operates the valve portion 59, the maintenance operator is less likely to come into contact with the second support portion 80. Therefore, manufacturing costs of the water heater 100 can be reduced without a measure of protecting an edge portion of the second support portion 80 being necessary.

[0067] As shown in [Fig. 4], in the water heater 100 of the embodiment described above, the tank support portion 10A comprises the first two support portions 90 and the second support portion 80. The first two support portions 90 are located on both sides in the right-left direction Y relative to the expansion tank 50. The second support portion 80 is located in the center in the right-left direction Y relative to the expansion tank 50. According to this configuration, in the tank support portion 10A, the two end portions in the right-left direction Y are supported on the rear side of the expansion tank 50, and the center in the right-left direction Y is supported on the front side. Therefore, the expansion tanks 50 can be supported by three points sufficiently far apart from each other.In this way, the expansion tank 50 can be stably supported by the tank support part 10A.

[0068] As described above, each configuration and method described in this specification may be suitably combined within the scope where they do not contradict each other. For example, in the embodiment described above, the heat exchanger and the heating unit (heating element) are both designed as devices for heating the liquid in the first circulation path portion. However, any device also functions as a "heating unit" for heating the liquid within the first circulation path portion. Therefore, any interpretation may be proposed. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are examples of the invention and should not be construed as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be construed as limited by the foregoing description and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

[0069] 10: Main body of water heater 10A: Tank support part 11: Pregnant 12A: First part of the traffic path (part of the traffic path) 13: Heating unit 17: Part of the bypass path 50: Expansion tank 50C: Padding material 51: Upper element 50f, 51f, 52f: Bridle part 52: Lower element 59: Valve part 70: Control unit 71: Support structure 72: Substrate 80: Second part of support 82f, 83f: Fourth support surface 82g: Second support surface 90: First part of support 92a: First support surface 97f: Third support surface 100: Water heater B: Storage space X: Forward-backward direction (first direction) +X: Front side (second side) -X: Back side (first side) Y: Right-left direction (second direction) Z: Vertical direction

Claims

Claims

1. A water heater (100), comprising: an enclosure (11); a heating unit (13) housed inside the enclosure (11); an expansion tank (50) housed inside the enclosure (11); a circulation path portion (12A) passing through the heating unit (13); a bypass path portion (17) branching off from the circulation path portion (12A) and connected to the expansion tank (50); a tank support portion (10A) supporting the expansion tank (50) inside the enclosure (11); and a control unit (70) housed inside the enclosure (11), wherein the tank support portion (10A) comprises: a first support portion (90) located on a first side relative to the expansion tank (50) in a first direction orthogonal to a vertical direction, and a second support portion (80) located on a second side relative to the expansion tank (50) in the first direction,the first support portion (90) comprising a first support surface (92a) supporting the expansion tank (50) by a lower side, the second support portion (80) comprising a second support surface (82g) supporting the expansion tank (50) by an upper side, and the control unit (70) comprising: a substrate (72), and a support structure (71) supporting the substrate (72), the expansion tank (50) comprising a manually operable valve portion (59) protruding toward the second side from a surface facing the second side of the expansion tank (50), and the second support portion (80) being fixed to an upper end portion of the support structure (71) and being located on a lower side of the valve portion (59).,

2. A water heater (100) according to claim 1, wherein a cushioning material (50C) is disposed between the first support surface (92a) and the expansion tank (50), and a cushioning material (50C, 82C) is disposed between the second support surface (82g) and the expansion tank (50).

3. The water heater (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first support portion (90) comprises a third support surface (97f) supporting the expansion tank (50) by the first side, and the second support portion (80) comprises a fourth support surface (82f, 83f) supporting the expansion tank (50) by the second side.

4. The water heater (100) of claim 3, wherein a cushioning material (50C, 90C) is disposed between the third support surface (97f) and the expansion tank (50), and a cushioning material (82C, 83C) is disposed between the fourth support surface (82f, 83f) and the expansion tank (50).

5. A water heater (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the expansion tank (50) comprises an upper member (51) and a lower member (52) which form a storage space (B), the upper member (51) and the lower member (52) respectively comprise flange portions (51f, 52f) coupled to face each other in the vertical direction, the first support portion (90) supports the coupled flange portions (51f, 52f) from a lower side, and the second support portion (80) supports the coupled flange portions (51f, 52f) from an upper side.

6. A water heater (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tank support portion (10A) comprises: two first support portions (90) which comprise the first support portion (90), and the second support portion (80), the two first support portions (90) being located on both sides of the expansion tank (50) in a second direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the first direction, and the second support portion (80) being located at a center of the expansion tank (50) in the second direction.