Water heater

Abstract

To provide a technology which can easily remove a foreign substance such as moisture from the air taken in from the outside, and which can easily suppress radiation heat generating in a water heater.SOLUTION: In a water heater 1, a combustion device 3 is arranged above a blower 7, and the blower 7 is arranged in a third internal space 193 at the back of a second plate part 52. A front side cover includes: a front side cover body 20 having a first plate part 31 and a peripheral edge part 33; and a second plate part 52 overlapped frontward / backward with respect to the first plate part 31 so as to partially cover a rear surface of the first plate part 31. Between the first plate part 31 and the second plate part 52, a first internal space 191 is formed where a gas flows. At a predetermined portion on one side in the left-to-right direction of the front side cover body 20, a hole part 35 is provided. Above the hole part 35, a communication port 80 is provided for communicating a second internal space 192 and the first internal space 191. A shielding wall 60 is provided which blocks or suppresses the air passing the first internal space 191 flowing into the blower 7 from a vent port 75 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to water heaters. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water heater with a rainproof function. The outdoor water heater disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a rainproof plate with an open top with a certain gap inside an air supply gallery formed in the lower part of the front cover, and a recess that bulges backward is provided in the rainproof plate at a position facing the air supply gallery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-263824 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A water heater generally has a configuration in which a combustion device and a blower are housed in a housing, and the housing is often configured with a front cover that can be attached and detached to a housing main body having an opening. In this type of water heater, in order to supply air from the blower to the combustion device, it is necessary to introduce air from the outside of the water heater into the housing, and for this purpose, many water heaters have holes for ventilation in the front cover. However, simply providing holes in the front cover means that if the air introduced through the holes contains foreign matter (such as moisture from rainwater), it will be directly supplied to the blower, so some kind of measure is necessary. On the other hand, water heaters also have the problem that radiant heat is generated when fuel gas is burned in the combustion device, and the temperature of the housing rises due to this radiant heat.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide technology that can easily remove foreign matter such as moisture from air taken in from the outside and can easily suppress radiant heat generated within the water heater. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The water heater according to the present disclosure is A blower and a combustion device into which at least a portion of the air supplied from the blower flows and which burns gas; a housing body having an opening and housing the blower and the combustion device, and a front cover attached to a front side of the housing body body in a configuration that closes the opening; A water heater comprising: The combustion device is disposed above the blower, The front cover includes a front cover body having a plate-shaped first plate portion and a peripheral portion that constitute a front portion of the front cover, and a second plate portion that overlaps the first plate portion in the front-rear direction so as to partially cover a back surface of the first plate portion, A first internal space through which a gas flows is formed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, In the front cover body, at least one hole portion is provided in a predetermined portion on one side in the left-right direction, the hole portion communicating an external space outside the housing portion with the first internal space, a communication port is provided above at least any one of the holes, the communication port communicating the first internal space with a second internal space above the second plate portion and above the first internal space in the housing portion, At least a part of the blower is disposed in a third internal space behind the second plate portion, an airflow adjustment section having an air vent that communicates the first internal space and the third internal space is provided on one side of the second plate section in the left-right direction and on the other side of the hole in the left-right direction; A shielding wall is provided to block or inhibit air passing through the first internal space from flowing into the blower from the ventilation port side. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The technology disclosed herein makes it easy to remove foreign matter such as moisture from air taken in from the outside, and also makes it easy to suppress radiant heat generated within the water heater. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a water heater according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the water heater of FIG. 1 with the front cover omitted. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration of the water heater in FIG. 1 with the front cover omitted. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view that diagrammatically illustrates a front cover of the water heater of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the front cover of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the front cover of FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a side view of the front cover of FIG. 4 as viewed from the opposite side to that of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front cover of FIG. 4 as viewed from the front and above. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the front cover of FIG. 4 as viewed from the rear and above. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the configuration of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the configuration of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram mainly conceptually showing the relationship between the second plate portion and the housing main body portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram mainly conceptually showing the relationship between the second plate portion and the housing main body from a different direction than FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the front cover of FIG. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration in which a part of the front cover in FIG. 4 is cut along a cut surface perpendicular to the left-right direction at a position between the left hole and the left airflow adjustment portion. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration in which a part of the front cover in FIG. 4 is cut along a cut surface perpendicular to the left-right direction at the position of the airflow adjustment portion on the left side. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration in which a part of the front cover in FIG. 4 is cut along a cut surface perpendicular to the left-right direction near the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration in which a part of the front cover in FIG. 4 is cut along a cut surface perpendicular to the left-right direction at the position of the airflow adjustment portion on the right side. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration in which a part of the front cover in FIG. 4 is cut along a cut surface perpendicular to the left-right direction at a position between the right-side hole and the right-side airflow adjustment portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Each of the following [1] to [9] is an example of a characteristic technique included in this disclosure.

[0010] [1] A blower; a combustion device into which at least a portion of the air supplied from the blower flows and which burns gas; a housing body having an opening and housing the blower and the combustion device, and a front cover attached to a front side of the housing body body in a configuration that closes the opening; A water heater comprising: The combustion device is disposed above the blower, The front cover includes a front cover body having a plate-shaped first plate portion and a peripheral portion that constitute a front portion of the front cover, and a second plate portion that overlaps the first plate portion in the front-rear direction so as to partially cover a back surface of the first plate portion, A first internal space through which a gas flows is formed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, In the front cover body, at least one hole portion is provided in a predetermined portion on one side in the left-right direction, the hole portion communicating an external space outside the housing portion with the first internal space, a communication port is provided above at least any one of the holes, the communication port communicating the first internal space with a second internal space above the second plate portion and above the first internal space in the housing portion, At least a part of the blower is disposed in a third internal space behind the second plate portion, an airflow adjustment section having an air vent that communicates the first internal space and the third internal space is provided on one side of the second plate section in the left-right direction and on the other side of the hole in the left-right direction; A shielding wall is provided to block or inhibit the air passing through the first internal space from flowing into the blower from the ventilation port side. Water heater.

[0011] In the water heater of [1] above, one or more holes are provided in the front cover body constituting the front surface and the peripheral edge of the front cover. The holes communicate the external space with the first internal space, so that a path for introducing air from the external space to the first internal space is secured. Since the first internal space is a space between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the air introduced from the external space is guided between the first plate portion and the second plate portion. Furthermore, since the communication port communicates the first internal space with the second internal space above the second plate portion, the introduced air can be guided above the second plate portion. Meanwhile, since at least a part of the blower is disposed in the third internal space below the second internal space, a flow that guides air to the periphery of the blower is easily generated in the second internal space and the third internal space by the suction of air by the blower. That is, by covering the second plate portion, it is possible to prevent foreign objects contained in the air from directly hitting the parts on the rear side of the second plate portion, while generating a forward air flow that guides air from the first internal space to the second internal space through the communication hole, and a rear air flow that guides air to the periphery of the blower by sucking air with the blower. Moreover, an airflow adjustment section having an air vent is provided on one side of the second plate portion in the left-right direction and on the other side of the hole in the left-right direction, and the airflow adjustment section is arranged to communicate the first internal space with the third internal space behind the second plate portion. Due to this configuration, even if foreign objects (such as moisture due to rain) are mixed in the air that enters through the hole on one side of the left-right direction and flows to the other side in the left-right direction, if a part of the introduced air is guided to the third internal space through the air vent of the airflow adjustment section, the movement of the foreign objects is hindered during the guiding process, and the foreign objects are removed from the airflow and tend to fall. Therefore, a large air flow can be generated within the housing with a configuration that makes it easy to remove foreign matter contained in the air introduced from the outside while preventing the foreign matter from directly hitting the components on the rear side of the second plate.The air flow generated within the housing tends to generate an air flow in which fresh air introduced from the external space through the hole is supplied to the second internal space through the first internal space on the front side, and then is guided from the second internal space through the third internal space to the periphery of the blower, so that the newly supplied air tends to remove heat near the combustion device on the upper side, and radiant heat generated near the combustion device is easily suppressed.Therefore, problems caused by increased radiant heat are easily suppressed or eliminated. Furthermore, the water heater is provided with a shielding wall, which can block or prevent the air that has flowed into the first internal space through the hole from flowing directly into the blower via the shortest route, thereby increasing the amount of air from the first internal space to the second internal space. Therefore, in the water heater, fresh air introduced from the external space through the hole is supplied to the vicinity of the combustion device through the first internal space on the front side, and then the air flow is more easily generated, which is led to the vicinity of the blower through the third internal space on the rear side. Therefore, the newly supplied air is more likely to remove heat from the vicinity of the combustion device, and problems caused by increased radiant heat are more effectively suppressed or eliminated.

[0012] [2] The shielding wall is formed by a part of the second plate portion, The blower is disposed on the other side in the left-right direction relative to the airflow adjustment unit on one side in the left-right direction, The shielding wall includes a one-side shielding wall that guides air passing through the first internal space upward on one side of the blower in the left-right direction while restricting the air from flowing in the other side in the left-right direction. The water heater described in [1].

[0013] In the water heater of [2] above, it is possible to restrict air that has passed through an area in the first internal space on one side of the blower in the left-right direction from flowing directly toward the blower, while guiding the air in that area upward, thereby promoting the flow of air into the second internal space.

[0014] [3] At least a portion of the combustion device is disposed in the third internal space. A water heater according to [1] or [2].

[0015] In the water heater of [3] above, at least a part of the combustion device is disposed in the third internal space, so that the fresh air supplied from the first internal space to the second internal space easily absorbs heat near the combustion device in the process of moving from the second internal space to the third internal space. Therefore, the water heater can more easily suppress the radiant heat generated within the water heater.

[0016] [4] The airflow adjustment portion on one side in the left-right direction receives air entering through the hole portion on one side in the left-right direction and releases it to the one side in the left-right direction through the ventilation opening, The blower is disposed on the other side in the left-right direction of the ventilation opening on one side in the left-right direction of the front cover. A water heater according to any one of [1] to [3].

[0017] In the water heater of [4] above, the airflow adjustment section on one side in the left-right direction is provided to receive air entering through the hole on one side in the left-right direction and release it from the vent to one side in the left-right direction. Because of this configuration, even if foreign matter (such as moisture due to rain, etc.) is mixed in the air that enters through the hole on one side in the left-right direction and flows to the other side in the left-right direction, if a part of the introduced air is turned back to one side in the left-right direction through the vent of the airflow adjustment section, the movement of the foreign matter is hindered by the airflow hitting it during the turning back process, or the turned back airflow hitting a wall, etc., and the foreign matter is removed from the airflow and is likely to fall. Moreover, since the airflow adjustment section on one side in the left-right direction can release air to the opposite side to the blower in the left-right direction, it is possible to prevent the air released into the third internal space through the airflow adjustment section from directly entering the blower. Therefore, the shielding wall and the airflow adjustment section have a synergistic effect, and it is possible to more effectively prevent air mixed with foreign matter such as moisture from being sucked into the blower and blown.

[0018] [5] The ventilation opening on one side in the left-right direction of the front cover is arranged to face the one side in the left-right direction and an upward side, The airflow adjustment portion on one side of the front cover in the left-right direction discharges the air received by the airflow adjustment portion from the ventilation hole to the one side in the left-right direction and to an upward direction. The water heater according to [4].

[0019] The water heater of [5] above can turn back the air that enters through the hole on one side in the left-right direction and flows to the other side in the left-right direction by the airflow adjustment unit, and release it to one side in the left-right direction and to the upper side. Because of this configuration, the air that is guided to the third internal space by the airflow adjustment unit is also likely to flow upward. Therefore, this water heater can promote the flow of air to the upper side in the third internal space while producing the effect of removing foreign matter such as moisture from the introduced air.

[0020] [6] The peripheral portion has a pair of side edges arranged on both the left and right sides of the first internal space, One or more of the holes are provided in at least one of the pair of side edge portions on one side in the left-right direction. A water heater according to [4] or [5].

[0021] In the water heater of the above [6], the hole is provided on one of the left and right side edges of the periphery of the front cover body, so that the hole is difficult to see from the front side. Furthermore, since the hole is provided on one of the left and right side edges, it is easy to generate a flow from a position close to one of the left and right ends of the front cover body toward the other left and right side over as wide an area as possible, and it is easy to promote the introduction and turning back of air.

[0022] [7] One or more holes are provided in the other side edge portion in the left-right direction of the pair of side edge portions, the airflow adjustment portion is also provided on the other side in the left-right direction of the front cover and on the one side in the left-right direction of the hole portion on the other side in the left-right direction, The airflow adjustment portion on the other side in the left-right direction of the front cover receives air entering through the hole on the other side in the left-right direction and releases the air to the other side in the left-right direction through the ventilation hole. The water heater according to [6]

[0023] The water heater of the above [7] can introduce air at the side edges on both the left and right sides and allow foreign objects to fall by folding back at the airflow adjustment section.

[0024] [8] A plurality of the airflow adjustment units are provided on one side of the front cover in the left-right direction, the airflow adjustment units being offset in the up-down direction. A water heater according to any one of [1] to [7].

[0025] In the water heater of the above [8], the air entering through the hole on one side in the left-right direction can be turned back by the airflow adjustment parts at each position in the up-down direction, so that more air can be turned back and guided to the third internal space. Furthermore, if multiple airflow adjustment parts are provided at different positions in the up-down direction, the air entering through the hole can be easily guided by the airflow adjustment parts even if the direction of the air changing.

[0026] [9] The housing body has a pair of side plate portions, The air discharged from the ventilation port on one side in the left-right direction is received by the side plate portion on one side in the left-right direction. A water heater according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0027] In the water heater described above in [9], the air discharged from the vent of the airflow adjustment unit toward one of the left and right directions can be received by the side panel on one of the left and right directions, so that foreign matter (moisture, etc.) contained in the air turned back by the airflow adjustment unit is likely to hit the side panel. Therefore, in this water heater, the speed of the foreign matter is likely to decrease and fall, or the foreign matter is likely to remain in contact with the surface of the side panel.

[0028] First Embodiment The following description relates to a water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. 1. Overall configuration of water heater 1 Fig. 1 is a front view illustrating a water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view illustrating a simplified configuration of the water heater 1 with a front cover 2A removed from a housing 2. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a simplified configuration of the water heater 1 with a front cover 2A removed from a housing 2.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the water heater 1 includes a housing 2, a combustion device 3, a heat exchanger 4, an exhaust unit 5, a blower 7, and the like. The housing 2 is a box-shaped case made of a metal material, and includes a housing body 2B that is a box-shaped body with an open front, and a front cover 2A (Fig. 1) that is attached to and detached from the housing body 2B. The housing 2 includes an opening 2Z. Specifically, a rectangular opening 2Z is ​​formed at the front end of the housing body 2B. The opening 2Z is ​​formed by the front end of a peripheral wall that forms the top, bottom, left and right walls of the housing body 2B. Specifically, the peripheral wall is formed by an upper plate 12 (top plate), a bottom plate 13 (lower plate), and a pair of side plates 14 and 15, and a rear plate 16 is provided in a configuration that is connected to the rear end side of the peripheral wall. The opening 2Z is ​​formed by the front ends of the upper plate 12, the bottom plate 13, and the pair of side plates 14 and 15.

[0030] The upper plate 12 (top plate) constitutes the upper surface of the housing body 2B, covers the storage space in the housing 2 from above, and is disposed extending in the left-right direction. The bottom plate 13 (lower plate) constitutes the bottom of the housing body 2B, covers the storage space from below, and is disposed extending in the left-right direction. The side plate 14 constitutes a side surface on one side of the left-right direction of the housing body 2B, covers the storage space from one side of the left-right direction, and is disposed extending in the up-down direction. The side plate 15 constitutes a side surface on the other side of the left-right direction of the housing body 2B, covers the storage space from the other side of the left-right direction, and is disposed extending in the up-down direction. The back plate 16 constitutes a back surface of the housing body 2B, covers the storage space from the rear side, and is disposed opposite the front cover 2A in the front-rear direction. The housing main body 2B houses the components such as the blower 7 and the combustion device 3 so as to surround these components from above, below, left and right.

[0031] The front cover 2A shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the front side of the housing body 2B in a configuration that closes the opening 2Z of the housing body 2B. The front cover 2A is also called a front cover. The front cover 2A is a cover that covers the above-mentioned accommodated components such as the blower 7 and the combustion device 3 from the front side, and is a cover that covers the accommodation space inside the housing body 2B from the front side. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 accommodates each component such as the combustion device 3, the heat exchanger 4, the exhaust section 5, and the blower 7. The combustion device 3 is disposed near the center inside the housing 2. The heat exchanger 4 is disposed above the combustion device 3 inside the housing 2. The exhaust section 5 is disposed above the heat exchanger 4 inside the housing 2. The gas distribution section 10 is disposed between the combustion device 3 and the front cover 2A in the front-rear direction. That is, the gas distribution section 10 is disposed behind the front cover 2A, and the combustion device 3 is disposed behind the gas distribution section 10. The blower 7 is disposed inside the housing 2 and below the combustion device 3.

[0032] In this specification, the longitudinal direction of the rectangular front cover 2A (FIG. 1) is the up-down direction, and for example, the vertical up-down direction when the water heater 1 is installed is the up-down direction. The direction in which the side wall parts (side plate parts 14, 15) provided on both the left and right sides of the housing main body part 2B shown in FIG. 2 extend is the up-down direction. The short side direction of the front cover 2A (FIG. 1) is the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction is the front-rear direction. The upper edge and the lower edge of the front cover 2A extend along the left-right direction, and the left edge and the right edge of the front cover 2A extend along the up-down direction. In the example of FIG. 1, the direction perpendicular to the flat surface with the largest area on the front surface of the front cover 2A is the front-rear direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2, etc., the shaft part of the motor in the blower 7 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis, and the direction of the rotation axis is the front-rear direction.

[0033] The gas distribution section 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is a flat gas distribution unit. The gas distribution section 10 is a flow path that divides fuel gas supplied from the outside inside itself and discharges the divided fuel gas into the combustion device 3 by a nozzle (not shown). The gas distribution section 10 is configured to cover a plurality of inlets (not shown) provided in the front wall of the case 3A, and is attached to the lower part of the front wall of the case 3A. The gas discharged by the gas distribution section 10 is supplied into the case 3A.

[0034] The combustion device 3 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is configured to receive at least a portion of the air supplied from the blower 7, and combusts the fuel gas supplied via the gas distribution unit 10. The combustion device 3 includes a case 3A and a burner group (not shown). The case 3A is a square box-shaped case that fits inside the housing unit 2. The burner group is a burner group in which gas burners, for example, flattened light-and-shape burners, are arranged in the left-right direction. An ignition discharge electrode, a flame rod for flame detection, and the like are provided on the upper front surface of the case 3A. The combustion device 3 is configured to receive at least a portion of the air supplied from the blower 7, and is configured to combust the gas in the burner group in a state in which air is supplied from the blower 7 and gas (fuel gas) is supplied from the gas distribution unit 10.

[0035] The heat exchanger 4 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a device to which combustion exhaust gas resulting from the combustion of gas in the combustion device 3 is supplied. The heat exchanger 4 includes a metal casing 4A constituting its outer shell, and a heat transfer tube at least a part of which is housed inside the casing 4A. The heat exchanger 4 introduces the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustion device 3, passes it through its interior, and heats the water in the heat transfer tube by performing heat exchange between the combustion exhaust gas and the water flowing inside the heat transfer tube. In the example of FIG. 2, the lower end of the heat exchanger 4 is fixed to the upper end of the combustion device 3. The combustion exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 is discharged to the exhaust section 5. The exhaust section 5 is a device having a flow path that guides the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the heat exchanger 4 to the outside of the housing section 2.

[0036] The blower 7 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a fan that supplies air for combustion. The blower 7 includes a drive unit having a motor, blades, etc., and a supply port (not shown) that is an opening for supplying air for combustion. The supply port of the blower 7 is disposed below the combustion device 3. The supply port of the blower 7 communicates with the space in the case 3A of the combustion device 3, so that, for example, most or all of the air discharged upward from the supply port of the blower 7 is supplied to the space in the case 3A. In the blower 7, for example, a drive shaft of a motor rotates, and multiple blades linked to the drive shaft rotate, and the rotation of the multiple blades creates an air flow that forcibly flows air toward the upper side (combustion device 3 side). Note that the configuration of the blower 7 described above is merely an example, and blowers of various known configurations may be adopted as long as they are configured to forcibly supply air.

[0037] The water heater 1 is provided with a gas inlet to which an external gas pipe is connected, a water inlet to which a water pipe is connected, and a hot water outlet on the lower side of the housing 2. The water inlet is an inlet through which water is introduced from a water pipe provided outside the water heater 1. The water introduced into the water inlet is supplied to the heat transfer tube of the heat exchanger 4 through a water supply pipe. The hot water outlet is an outlet through which hot water is discharged to the outside of the water heater 1. The hot water introduced by the heat transfer tube of the heat exchanger 4 is discharged from the hot water outlet through a hot water outlet pipe connected to the downstream end of the heat transfer tube. The gas inlet is an inlet through which gas is introduced from a gas pipe provided outside the water heater 1. The gas introduced into the gas inlet is supplied into the gas distribution unit 10 through a gas supply unit equipped with a main valve, a proportional valve, etc., and is supplied from the gas distribution unit 10 to the combustion device 3.

[0038] 2. Details of front cover 2A The front cover 2A has an appearance as shown in Figs. 4 to 9. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the front cover 2A has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front and from the back. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the front cover 2A has a longitudinal shape when viewed from the side. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the front cover 2A includes a front cover main body 20 (Fig. 8) and a second plate portion 52 (Fig. 9). As shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the second plate portion 52 is fixed to the back side of the front cover main body 20.

[0039] 10 and 11, the front cover body 20 has a plate-shaped first plate portion 31 that constitutes the front portion of the front cover 2A, and a peripheral edge portion 33 that is arranged in a ring shape around the first plate portion 31. The first plate portion 31 and the peripheral edge portion 33 are integrally formed from, for example, a metal material.

[0040] The first plate portion 31 is mostly flat and plate-like with a predetermined thickness, and partly deformed. The flat plate-like portion with a predetermined thickness constituting the majority of the first plate portion 31 is arranged in a configuration in which the thickness direction is the front-rear direction. In the first plate portion 31, a substantially rectangular opening is formed below the center of the front cover 2A in the vertical direction, and a blocking plate 46 is fixed in a configuration that blocks this opening. It is preferable that the blocking plate 46 is detachable from the opening formed in the first plate portion 31, but it may be fixed so as not to be detachable. In the first plate portion 31, horizontally elongated through holes 42, 42 are provided on the upper side of the blocking plate 46. The through holes 42, 42 are configured to communicate the external space outside the housing portion 2 with the internal space inside the housing portion 2. Specifically, the through holes 42, 42 communicate between the external space 190 outside the housing unit 2 and the first internal space 191, and function as an intake port that takes in air from the external space 190 into the first internal space 191.

[0041] The peripheral portion 33 is connected to the outer edge of the first plate portion 31, and constitutes the peripheral portion of the portion where the first plate portion 31 and the peripheral portion 33 are integrally constituted (specifically, the portion that protrudes forward from the inner edge of the protruding portion 32 described below). The peripheral portion 33 constitutes a part of the peripheral region of the front cover main body 20. The peripheral portion 33 includes an upper edge portion 38 that bends rearward from the upper end of the first plate portion 31, a lower edge portion 39 that bends rearward from the lower end of the first plate portion 31, and a pair of side edges 36, 37 that bend rearward from both the left and right ends of the first plate portion 31.

[0042] The peripheral portion 33 is configured as an outer wall surrounding the space on the rear side of the first plate portion 31 from above, below, left and right, and the rear end of the peripheral portion 33 has an open opening shape. The front end of the peripheral portion 33 is connected to the edges of the first plate portion 31 from above, below, left and right. The pair of side edges 36, 37 are wall portions arranged on both the left and right sides of the first internal space 191 described below. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the side edge portion 36 has a plate-like shape bent rearward from the outer edge portion of one side in the left-right direction of the first plate portion 31 (the left side in the representative example of this embodiment), and extends in the up-down direction from one side in the up-down direction to the other side. The outer surface of the side edge portion 36 faces one side in the left-right direction (the left side in the representative example of this embodiment), and the inner surface of the side edge portion 36 faces the other side in the left-right direction (the right side in the representative example of this embodiment). 4, 5 and 7, side edge 37 has a plate-like shape bent rearward from the outer edge of the other left-right side (the right side in the representative example of this embodiment) of first plate portion 31, and extends vertically from one side to the other side in the vertical direction. The outer surface of side edge 37 faces the other left-right side (the right side in the representative example of this embodiment), and the inner surface of side edge 37 faces one side in the left-right direction (the left side in the representative example of this embodiment).

[0043] The front cover body 20 is provided with a protruding portion 32 that protrudes outward from the rear end of the peripheral portion 33. The protruding portion 32 is arranged in a ring shape that protrudes upward, downward, left, and right from the rear end of the peripheral portion 33. The protruding portion 32 is arranged in front of the front ends of the top plate portion 12, bottom plate portion 13, and side plate portions 14 and 15 of the housing main body 2B so as to overlap these front ends.

[0044] 10 and 11, one or more holes 35 that communicate between an external space 190 outside the housing 2 and a first internal space 191 are provided in a predetermined portion on at least one of the left and right sides. In this embodiment, the left side when the water heater 1 is viewed from the front as in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of one of the left and right sides. And the right side when the water heater 1 is viewed from the front as in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of one of the left and right sides.

[0045] In the example of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, one or more (specifically, a plurality of) holes 35 are provided in at least one side (left side) of the pair of side edges 36, 37 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, one or more (specifically, a plurality of) holes 35 are also provided in the other side (right side) of the pair of side edges. The side of the hole 35 facing the outside of the housing 2 communicates with the external space 190, and the side facing the inside of the housing 2 communicates with the first internal space 191, forming a flow path for introducing air from the external space 190 to the first internal space 191. In the following description, the hole 35 on one side (left side) in the left-right direction is the one-side hole 35A. And the hole 35 on the other side (right side) in the left-right direction is the other-side hole 35B. Four one-side holes 35A are provided in the side edge 36 at a position lower than the upper end of the second plate 52. All holes 35 (specifically, all four one-side holes 35A) in the side edge 36 are disposed at a position lower than the communication opening 80. The one-side holes 35A are configured as long holes and through holes, and extend along the direction in which the side edge 36 extends (specifically, the vertical direction). Four other-side holes 35B are provided in the side edge 37 at a position lower than the upper end of the second plate 52. All holes 35 (specifically, all four other-side holes 35B) in the side edge 37 are disposed at a position lower than the communication opening 80. The other-side holes 35B are configured as long holes and through holes, and extend along the direction in which the side edge 36 extends (specifically, the vertical direction).

[0046] 9 to 11, the second plate portion 52 is arranged to overlap the first plate portion 31 from the front to the rear and partially covers the rear surface of the first plate portion 31. The second plate portion 52 has a shape obtained by deforming a metal plate material by known processing, for example.

[0047] As shown in Figs. 15 to 19, a first internal space 191 through which gas flows is formed between the first plate portion 31 and the second plate portion 52. The first internal space 191 is a space between a portion (first portion) of the first plate portion 31 overlapping the second plate portion 52 in the front-rear direction and a portion (second portion) of the second plate portion 52 overlapping the first plate portion 31 in the front-rear direction, and is a space through which gas introduced from the hole portion 35 can flow. Specifically, there is a certain amount of space between the first predetermined area portion of the first plate portion 31 and the second predetermined area portion of the second plate portion 52 in the front-rear direction, and a part or all of the space between them communicates with the hole portion 35, and corresponds to the first internal space 191. A communication port 80 that communicates the second internal space 192 (Fig. 3) with the first internal space 191 is provided above at least one of the holes 35. The second internal space 192 is a space in the housing 2 that is above the second plate 52 and above the first internal space 191. Specifically, the second internal space 192 is a space surrounded by "a portion of the front cover 2A that is above the upper end of the second plate 52," "the upper plate 12," "each portion of the pair of side plates 14, 15 that is above the upper end of the second plate 52," and "a portion of the rear plate 16 that is above the upper end of the second plate 52." At least an area of ​​the second internal space 192 where various components such as the heat exchanger 4 and the exhaust unit 5 are not arranged is connected to the first internal space 191, and gas can flow at least in this area.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the second plate portion 52 is provided with a plurality of airflow adjustment units 70. In this embodiment, the airflow adjustment unit 70 includes a first airflow adjustment unit 71 and a second airflow adjustment unit 72. The first airflow adjustment unit 71 is an airflow adjustment unit provided on one side (left side) of the second plate portion 52 in the left-right direction and on the other side (right side) of the one-side hole portion 35A among the plurality of airflow adjustment units 70. As shown in Fig. 10, the first airflow adjustment unit 71 is provided on one side of the left-right direction from the center position in the left-right direction of the second plate portion 52. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the second plate portion 52 is provided with an opening 64 blocked by a blocking plate 46, and the plurality of first airflow adjustment units 71 are arranged on one side of the opening 64 in the left-right direction. More specifically, the plurality of first airflow adjustment units 71 are arranged on one side of the one-side shielding wall 61 described later in the left-right direction. The multiple first airflow adjustment sections 71 are provided on the other left-right side (right side) of the side edge section 36. The multiple first airflow adjustment sections 71 are disposed at a position rearward of the one side hole section 35A.

[0049] The second airflow adjustment section 72 is an airflow adjustment section provided on the other left-right side (right side) of the second plate section 52 and on one left-right side (left side) of the other side hole section 35B among the multiple airflow adjustment sections 70. As shown in FIG. 10, the second airflow adjustment section 72 is provided on the other left-right side of the center position in the left-right direction of the second plate section 52. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the second plate section 52 has an opening 64 blocked by a blocking plate 46, and the multiple second airflow adjustment sections 72 are arranged on the other left-right side of the opening 64. More specifically, the multiple second airflow adjustment sections 72 are arranged on the other left-right side of the other side shielding wall 62 described later. The multiple second airflow adjustment sections 72 are provided on one left-right side (left side) of the side edge section 37. The multiple second airflow adjustment sections 72 are arranged at a position rearward of the other side hole section 35B.

[0050] 12 and 13, each airflow adjustment section 70 has an air vent 75 that communicates between the first internal space 191 and the third internal space 193. Furthermore, each airflow adjustment section 70 has an introduction hole 77 recessed from the flat plate surface of the second plate section 52 (see FIGS. 16 and 18). In each airflow adjustment section 70, air that has entered the introduction hole 77 from the first internal space 191 is discharged outward and upward from the air vent 75.

[0051] The third internal space 193 is a space behind the second plate portion 52 in the space inside the housing portion 2 (see also FIG. 3). The third internal space 193 is a space behind the first internal space 191, and the first internal space 191 and the third internal space 193 are divided into front and rear spaces by the second plate portion 52 inside the housing portion 2. The third internal space 193 is a space below the upper end of the second plate portion 52 in the space inside the housing portion 2. Specifically, the third internal space 193 is a space surrounded by the "second plate portion 52", the "bottom plate portion 13", "each part of the pair of side plate portions 14, 15 that is below the upper end of the second plate portion 52", and "a part of the back plate 16 that is below the upper end of the second plate portion 52". At least an area of ​​the third internal space 193 where various components such as the blower 7 are not arranged communicates with the second internal space 192, and gas can flow at least in this area.

[0052] 9 to 11, a plurality of first airflow adjustment units 71 are provided at one side in the left-right direction (left side) of the front cover 2A, with their positions shifted in the up-down direction. At least one first airflow adjustment unit 71 is an intermediate airflow adjustment unit with other first airflow adjustment units 71 arranged on both sides above and below. The first airflow adjustment unit 71 serving as an intermediate airflow adjustment unit has its upper end positioned in the up-down direction at the same position as or higher than the lower end of the first airflow adjustment unit 71 located adjacent to it above, and its lower end positioned in the up-down direction at the same position as or lower than the upper end of the first airflow adjustment unit 71 located adjacent to it below.

[0053] Similarly, on the other left-right side (right side) of the front cover 2A, a plurality of second airflow adjustment sections 72 are provided at vertically shifted positions. At least one second airflow adjustment section 72 is an intermediate airflow adjustment section with other second airflow adjustment sections 72 arranged on both upper and lower sides. The second airflow adjustment section 72 serving as an intermediate airflow adjustment section has an upper end whose vertical position is the same as or higher than the lower end of the second airflow adjustment section 72 located adjacent to it above, and has a lower end whose vertical position is the same as or lower than the upper end of the second airflow adjustment section 72 located adjacent to it below.

[0054] The introduction hole 77 of the first airflow adjustment section 71 is an opening formed on the flat plate surface of the second plate section 52 on one side in the left-right direction of the second plate section 52, and a recess 76 is formed so as to recess from the introduction hole 77 to the rear side (see FIG. 16). An opening formed in the recess 76 on the rear side of the introduction hole 77 is an air vent 75. In this way, a gas flow path is configured so as to continue from the introduction hole 77 to the air vent 75 in the recess 76. The first airflow adjustment section 71 on one side in the left-right direction (left side) is structured so that air entering from one side hole section 35A, which is the hole section 35 on one side in the left-right direction (left side), enters the rear side from the introduction hole 77, and the air entering from the introduction hole 77 is received by the front part of the recess 76, and the received air is discharged from the air vent 75 to one side in the left-right direction (left side) and upward (see also FIG. 5). In the examples of Fig. 5 and Fig. 12, the main direction of air discharged from the ventilation opening 75 of the first airflow adjustment section 71 is indicated by each arrow near the first airflow adjustment section 71. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the ventilation opening 75 on one side (left side) in the left-right direction provided in the first airflow adjustment section 71 is arranged facing one side (left side) in the left-right direction and upward. In the recess 76 of the first airflow adjustment section 71, a portion (a portion other than the ventilation opening 75 and the introduction hole 77) constituting the front surface portion (inner surface portion) is arranged diagonally lower than the ventilation opening 75 (specifically, the diagonally lower side that is the lower side of the ventilation opening 75 and the other side in the left-right direction of the ventilation opening 75), and air is easily allowed to flow from the vicinity of the front surface portion (inner surface portion) toward the ventilation opening 75 on one side in the left-right direction and upward. The ventilation opening 75 of the first airflow adjustment section 71 is configured to be elongated overall, and has an opening structure that is inclined so as to be positioned on the other side in the left-right direction as it approaches the upper end, and is disposed facing one side in the left-right direction (left side) and upward with such an opening structure. Because of this configuration, in the first airflow adjustment section 71, air that has entered the introduction hole 77 from the first internal space 191 passes near the front surface (inner surface) of the recess 76, and is easily discharged from the ventilation opening 75 in a flow toward the outside (one side in the left-right direction) and upward.

[0055] The introduction hole 77 of the second airflow adjustment section 72 is an opening formed on the flat plate surface of the second plate section 52 on the other side in the left-right direction of the second plate section 52, and a recess 76 is formed so as to recess from the introduction hole 77 to the rear side (see FIG. 18). An opening formed in the recess 76 on the rear side of the introduction hole 77 is an air vent 75. In this way, a gas flow path is configured so as to continue from the introduction hole 77 to the air vent 75 in the recess 76. The second airflow adjustment section 72 on the other side in the left-right direction (right side) is structured so that air entering from the other side hole section 35B, which is the hole section 35 on the other side in the left-right direction (right side), enters the rear side from the introduction hole 77, and the air entering from the introduction hole 77 is received by the front part of the recess 76, and the received air is discharged from the air vent 75 to the other side in the left-right direction (right side) and upward (see also FIG. 5). In the examples of Fig. 5 and Fig. 12, the main direction of air discharged from the ventilation opening 75 of the second airflow adjustment section 72 is indicated by each arrow near the second airflow adjustment section 72. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, the ventilation opening 75 on the other side (right side) in the left-right direction provided in the second airflow adjustment section 72 is arranged facing the other side (right side) in the left-right direction and upward. In the recess 76 of the second airflow adjustment section 72, a portion (a portion other than the ventilation opening 75 and the introduction hole 77) constituting the front surface portion (inner surface portion) is arranged diagonally lower than the ventilation opening 75 (specifically, a diagonally lower side that is lower than the ventilation opening 75 and one side in the left-right direction of the ventilation opening 75), and air easily flows from the vicinity of the front surface portion (inner surface portion) toward the ventilation opening 75 on the other side in the left-right direction and upward. The ventilation opening 75 of the second airflow adjustment section 72 is configured to be elongated overall, and has an opening structure that is inclined so as to be positioned to one side in the left-right direction as it approaches the upper end, and is disposed facing the other side in the left-right direction (the right side) and upward with such an opening structure. Because of this configuration, in the second airflow adjustment section 72, air that has entered the introduction hole 77 from the first internal space 191 passes near the front surface (inner surface) of the recess 76, and is easily discharged from the ventilation opening 75 in a flow toward the outside (the other side in the left-right direction) and upward.

[0056] 12 and 13, the housing main body 2B has a pair of side plate portions 14, 15 (see also FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 12, air discharged from an air vent 75 provided in a first airflow adjustment portion 71 on one side in the left-right direction (the left side) is received by the side plate portion 14 on one side in the left-right direction (the left side). The air vents 75 provided in each first airflow adjustment portion 71 and the inner surface of the side plate portion 14 are arranged to face each other, so that the air discharged from the air vent 75 of each first airflow adjustment portion 71 is easily guided upward along the inner surface of the side plate portion 14.

[0057] 13, air discharged from the ventilation openings 75 provided in the second airflow adjustment section 72 on the other side in the left-right direction (right side) is received by the side plate section 15 on the other side in the left-right direction (right side). The ventilation openings 75 provided in each second airflow adjustment section 72 and the inner surface of the side plate section 15 are arranged to face each other, so that the air discharged from the ventilation openings 75 of each second airflow adjustment section 72 is easily guided upward along the inner surface of the side plate section 15.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, at least a part of the blower 7 is disposed in the third internal space 193, and the combustion device 3 is disposed above the blower 7. The blower 7 is disposed on the other left-right side (right side) of the vent 75 provided in the first airflow adjustment section 71 on one left-right side (left side). The blower 7 is disposed on one left-right side (left side) of the vent 75 provided in the second airflow adjustment section 72 on the other left-right side (right side). At least a part of the combustion device 3 is disposed in a position above the communication port 80 (FIG. 9) in the second internal space 192. Also, at least a part of the combustion device 3 is disposed in a position below the communication port 80 (FIG. 9) in the third internal space 193. In a representative example, the combustion device 3 is disposed across the second internal space 192 and the third internal space 193, but the combustion device 3 may be disposed only in the third internal space 193.

[0059] The blower 7 has a configuration in which the front side is covered by the second plate portion 52, and sucks in air in the third internal space 193 and blows it upward. The blower 7 has an air outlet (opening) that communicates with an inlet (opening) provided on the bottom surface of the case 3A of the combustion device 3, so that the air supplied by the blower 7 is supplied into the case 3A of the combustion device 3. The case 3A and the casing 4A communicate with each other so that the gas in the combustion device 3 is supplied into the casing 4A of the heat exchanger 4, and the gas that has passed through the casing 4A of the heat exchanger 4 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 2 through the exhaust section 5. In this way, a gas flow path is configured to pass through the blower 7, the combustion device 3, the heat exchanger 4, and the exhaust section 5, so that the gas passing through the inside of these and the gas passing through the outside of these are less likely to interfere with each other. Therefore, most of the gas that has entered through the holes 35 passes through the first internal space 191, and is then released into the area outside the combustion device 3, heat exchanger 4, and exhaust section 5 in the second internal space 192, and a gas flow is likely to occur from this outside area into the third internal space 193. Furthermore, the gas (mainly air) sucked into the blower 7 in the third internal space 193 flows through the blower 7, the combustion device 3, the heat exchanger 4, and the exhaust section 5, as described above. In the process of passing through the combustion device 3, the proportion of the combustion exhaust gas in the gas increases, and the combustion exhaust gas flows through the heat exchanger 4 and the exhaust section 5.

[0060] 9, a shielding wall 60 is provided between the ventilation opening 75 and the blower 7 to block or suppress the air passing through the first internal space 191 from flowing from the ventilation opening 75 side through the first internal space 191 into the blower 7. The shielding wall 60 is a wall portion that blocks or suppresses the air passing through the first internal space 191 from flowing directly from the first internal space 191 into the blower 7 without passing through the ventilation opening 75 of the airflow adjustment section 70.

[0061] The blower 7 is disposed on the other left-right side (right side) of the first airflow adjustment section 71 on one left-right side (left side) of the front cover 2A, and disposed on the other left-right side of the ventilation opening 75 on one left-right side (ventilation opening 75 of the first airflow adjustment section 71). The blower 7 is also disposed on the one left-right side (left side) of the airflow adjustment section 70 (second airflow adjustment section 72) on the other left-right side of the front cover 2A, and disposed on the one left-right side of the ventilation opening 75 on the other left-right side (ventilation opening 75 of the second airflow adjustment section 72).

[0062] The shielding wall 60 is formed by a part of the second plate portion 52. The shielding wall 60 has a one-side shielding wall 61. As shown in Figs. 9, 15, and 16, the one-side shielding wall 61 is provided on one side (left side) in the left-right direction. The one-side shielding wall 61 guides the air passing through the first internal space 191 on one side (left side) in the left-right direction from the blower 7 to the upper side while restricting the air from flowing in the other left-right direction. Specifically, the one-side shielding wall 61 blocks the air passing near the first airflow adjustment unit 71 in the first internal space 191 from flowing across the one-side shielding wall 61 to the other left-right side (right side). The one-side shielding wall 61 extends from one side to the other side in the up-down direction, and when air flowing in the first internal space 191 flows toward the one-side shielding wall 61, the one-side shielding wall 61 functions to receive the air and guide it to the upper side or lower side (mainly the upper side). Due to the presence of the one-side shielding wall 61, the air flowing in from the one-side hole portion 35A (FIG. 11) and passing through the first internal space 191 does not flow to the other side (right side) in the left-right direction of the one-side shielding wall 61 in the first internal space 191, but is guided to the upper side. In the vicinity of the side edge portion 36 of the front cover 2A, the left and right sides are partitioned by the side edge portion 36 and the one-side shielding wall 61, and the front and rear sides are partitioned by a part of the first plate portion 31 close to the side edge portion 36 and a part of the second plate portion 52 on one side in the left-right direction of the one-side shielding wall 61, and a gas flow path (first flow path 91) is configured so as to extend from the lower side to the upper side. This gas flow path (first flow path 91) has an upwardly expanding shape in which the left-right width increases toward the upper side. The space inside this gas flow path is a part of the first internal space 191. In this configuration, the one-side shielding wall 61 and the portion of the second plate portion 52 on one side in the left-right direction of the one-side shielding wall 61 constitute at least a part of the shielding wall 60, blocking or preventing air passing through the first internal space 191 from flowing from the ventilation opening 75 side into the blower 7.

[0063] The shielding wall 60 has a second-side shielding wall 62. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 18, the second-side shielding wall 62 is provided on the second side (right side) in the left-right direction. The second-side shielding wall 62 guides the air passing through the first internal space 191 upward while restricting the air from flowing to one side in the left-right direction on the second side (right side) of the blower 7. Specifically, the second-side shielding wall 62 blocks the air passing near the second airflow adjustment unit 72 in the first internal space 191 from flowing across the wall to one side in the left-right direction (left side). The second-side shielding wall 62 extends from one side to the other side in the up-down direction, and when air flowing in the first internal space 191 flows toward the wall, the wall receives the air and guides it to the upper or lower side (mainly the upper side). Due to the presence of the other-side shielding wall 62, the air flowing in from the other-side hole 35B and passing through the first internal space 191 does not flow to one side in the left-right direction (the left side) of the other-side shielding wall 62 in the first internal space 191, but is guided to the upper side. In the vicinity of the side edge 37 of the front cover 2A, the left and right sides are partitioned by the side edge 37 and the other-side shielding wall 62, and the front and rear sides are partitioned by a part of the first plate portion 31 close to the side edge 37 and a part of the second plate portion 52 on the other side in the left-right direction of the other-side shielding wall 62, and a gas flow path (second flow path 92) is configured to run from the lower side to the upper side. The space inside this gas flow path (second flow path 92) is part of the first internal space 191. In this configuration, the other-side shielding wall 62 and the portion of the second plate portion 52 on the other side in the left-right direction from the other-side shielding wall 62 constitute at least a part of the shielding wall 60, blocking or preventing air passing through the first internal space 191 from flowing from the ventilation opening 75 side into the blower 7.

[0064] A third flow path 93 is configured to be partitioned into front and rear by a portion of the second plate portion 52 above the opening 64 and a portion of the first plate portion 51 above the closing plate 46. The space inside the third flow path 93 is part of the first internal space 191. The third flow path 93 communicates with the first flow path 91 and the second flow path 92, and gas that flows upward through the first flow path 91 and the second flow path 92 flows into the third flow path 93. The communication port 80 constitutes the upper end of the third flow path 93 and constitutes an outlet for gas from the third flow path 93.

[0065] A restricting wall 66 is provided above the first airflow adjustment units 71. A lower end wall of the restricting wall 66 extends in the left-right direction, and this lower end wall is a wall that guides the air that has flowed upward through the vicinity of the first airflow adjustment units 71 laterally (specifically, to the right side, which is the other left-right side). This lower end wall is a wall that restricts (blocks) the air flowing in the first internal space 191 from moving upward beyond itself. The restricting wall 66 constitutes an inner wall on one side of the third flow path 93 in the left-right direction, and restricts the gas flowing in the third flow path 93 from flowing beyond the restricting wall 66 in the left-right direction.

[0066] A restricting wall 67 is provided above the second airflow adjustment units 72. A lower end wall of the restricting wall 67 extends in the left-right direction, and this lower end wall is a wall that guides the air that has flowed upward through the vicinity of the second airflow adjustment units 72 laterally (specifically, to the right side, which is the other left-right side). This lower end wall is a wall that restricts (blocks) the air flowing in the first internal space 191 from moving upward beyond itself. The restricting wall 67 constitutes an inner wall on one side of the third flow path 93 in the left-right direction, and restricts the gas flowing in the third flow path 93 from flowing beyond the restricting wall 67 in the left-right direction.

[0067] Due to this configuration, of the air that has entered through the one side hole portion 35A (FIG. 11), other than that which has been guided to the third internal space 193 by the first airflow adjustment portion 71, is mainly guided upward through the first flow path 91 shown in FIG. 9, and is guided in the third flow path 93 toward the communication port 80, for example, in the flow indicated by the arrow F1 (see also FIGS. 12 and 13). Moreover, of the air that has entered through the other side hole portion 35B (FIG. 10), other than that which has been guided to the third internal space 193 by the second airflow adjustment portion 72, is mainly guided upward through the second flow path 92 shown in FIG. 9, and is guided in the third flow path 93 toward the communication port 80, for example, in the flow indicated by the arrow F2 (see also FIGS. 12 and 13).

[0068] 3.Examples of effects In the water heater 1, one or more holes 35 are provided in the front cover body 20 constituting the front surface and peripheral edge of the front cover 2A. The holes 35 communicate the external space 190 with the first internal space 191, so that a path for introducing air from the external space 190 to the first internal space 191 is secured. Since the first internal space 191 is a space between the first plate portion 31 and the second plate portion 52, the air introduced from the external space 190 is guided between the first plate portion 31 and the second plate portion 52. Furthermore, since the communication port 80 communicates the first internal space 191 with the second internal space 192 above the second plate portion 52, the introduced air can be guided above the second plate portion 52. On the other hand, since at least a part of the blower 7 is disposed in the third internal space 193 below the second internal space 192, a flow of air that guides air to the periphery of the blower 7 is easily generated in the second internal space 192 and the third internal space 193 by the suction of air by the blower 7. In other words, by covering with the second plate portion 52, it is possible to create a front air flow that guides air from the first internal space 191 through the communication port 80 to the second internal space 192, and a rear air flow that guides air to the periphery of the blower 7 by the suction of air by the blower 7.

[0069] Moreover, an airflow adjustment section 70 having an air vent 75 is provided on one side in the left-right direction of the second plate section 52 and on the other side in the left-right direction of the hole 35, and the airflow adjustment section 70 is arranged to communicate the first internal space 191 with a third internal space 193 behind the second plate section 52. Due to this configuration, even if foreign matter (such as moisture due to rain) is mixed in the air that enters through the hole 35 on one side in the left-right direction and flows to the other side in the left-right direction, if a part of the introduced air is guided to the third internal space 193 through the air vent 75 of the airflow adjustment section 70, the movement of the foreign matter is hindered during the guiding process, and the foreign matter is removed from the airflow and becomes easy to fall.

[0070] Therefore, a large air flow can be generated in the housing 2 with a configuration that prevents foreign objects contained in the air introduced from the outside from directly hitting the components on the rear side of the second plate portion 52 while easily removing the foreign objects. The air flow generated in the housing 2 is such that fresh air introduced from the external space 190 through the hole portion 35 is supplied to the second internal space 192 through the first internal space 191 on the front side, and then the air flow is easily generated such that the air is guided from the second internal space 192 through the third internal space 193 to the periphery of the blower 7, so that the newly supplied air easily takes away heat near the combustion device 3 on the upper side, and the radiant heat generated near the combustion device 3 is easily suppressed. Therefore, problems caused by increased radiant heat are easily suppressed or eliminated.

[0071] In this embodiment, a substantially rectangular opening is formed below the center of the first plate portion 31 in the vertical direction, and a blocking plate 46 is fixed in a configuration that blocks this opening. In a configuration in which an opening is provided in the front plate (first plate portion 31) of the front cover 2A and is blocked by the blocking plate 46 in this way, the opening can be used for purposes such as an inspection window or for other purposes. Alternatively, it is possible to share some of the design by using the design concept of the front cover of another model that actively uses the opening. However, in a configuration in which an opening is provided in the front plate (first plate portion 31) in this way, the first internal space 191 (a flow path that guides gas upward) must be secured mainly in an area other than the opening, and the first internal space 191 tends to be narrow. In such a case, if no measures are taken, the speed of the airflow is likely to increase, and rainwater and the like are likely to enter along with the airflow. This problem becomes more pronounced the larger the opening is made. However, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, while allowing the opening to be used, it is possible to easily disperse the flow of air that has entered the water heater and to easily remove rainwater, etc. from the air flow, thereby achieving a synergistic effect.

[0072] Furthermore, the water heater 1 is provided with the shielding wall 60, which can block or prevent the air that has flowed in through the hole 35 from flowing directly into the blower 7 via the shortest route, thereby increasing the amount of air from the first internal space 191 to the second internal space 192. Therefore, in the water heater 1, fresh air introduced from the external space 190 through the hole 35 is supplied to the vicinity of the combustion device 3 through the first internal space 191 on the front side, and then the air flow is more likely to occur, which is led to the vicinity of the blower 7 through the third internal space 193 on the rear side. Therefore, the newly supplied air is more likely to take away heat near the combustion device 3, and problems caused by increased radiant heat are more likely to be effectively suppressed or eliminated.

[0073] In water heater 1, at least a part of combustion device 3 is disposed in third internal space 193, so that fresh air supplied from first internal space 191 to second internal space 192 tends to absorb heat near combustion device 3 in the process of moving from second internal space 192 to third internal space 193. Thus, water heater 1 is more likely to suppress radiant heat generated within water heater 1.

[0074] In the water heater 1, the airflow adjustment unit 70 on one side in the left-right direction is provided to receive air entering through the hole 35 on one side in the left-right direction and release it from the vent 75 to one side in the left-right direction. Because of this configuration, even if foreign matter (moisture due to rain, etc.) is mixed in the air that enters through the hole 35 on one side in the left-right direction and flows to the other side in the left-right direction, if a part of the introduced air passes through the vent 75 of the airflow adjustment unit 70 and turns back to one side in the left-right direction, the airflow hits the foreign matter during the turning back process, or the turned back airflow hits a wall, etc., thereby hindering the movement of the foreign matter, and the foreign matter is removed from the airflow and easily falls. Moreover, since the airflow adjustment unit 70 on one side in the left-right direction can release air to the opposite side to the blower 7 side in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the air that has been released into the third internal space 193 through the airflow adjustment unit 70 from directly entering the blower 7. Therefore, the shielding wall 60 and the airflow adjustment section 70 exert a synergistic effect, and it is possible to more effectively prevent air containing foreign matter such as moisture from being sucked into the blower 7 and blown out.

[0075] In the water heater 1, air that enters through the hole 35 on one side in the left-right direction and flows to the other side in the left-right direction can be turned around by the airflow adjustment unit 70 and released to one side in the left-right direction and to the upper side. Because of this configuration, the air guided to the third internal space 193 by the airflow adjustment unit 70 is also likely to flow upward. Therefore, this water heater 1 can promote the flow of air upward in the third internal space 193 while producing the effect of dropping foreign matter such as moisture from the introduced air.

[0076] In the water heater 1, the holes 35 are provided in the side edge portion on one of the left and right sides of the peripheral portion 33 of the front cover body 20, so that the holes 35 can be made difficult to see from the front side. Furthermore, since the holes 35 are provided in the side edge portion on one of the left and right sides, a flow from a position close to one left and right end of the front cover body 20 toward the other left and right side can be easily generated over as wide an area as possible, and the introduction and turning back of air can be easily promoted.

[0077] Water heater 1 can introduce air at both left and right side edge portions and allow foreign objects to fall by being turned back at airflow adjustment section 70.

[0078] In the water heater 1, the air entering through the hole 35 on one side in the left-right direction can be turned back by the airflow adjustment parts 70 at each position in the up-down direction, so that more air can be turned back and guided toward the third internal space 193. Furthermore, if multiple airflow adjustment parts 70 are provided at staggered positions in the up-down direction, the air can be easily guided by the airflow adjustment parts 70 even if the direction of the air entering through the hole 35 changes.

[0079] In the water heater 1, the air discharged from the vent 75 of the airflow adjustment unit 70 toward one side in the left-right direction can be received by the side plate on one side in the left-right direction, so that foreign matter (moisture, etc.) contained in the air turned back by the airflow adjustment unit 70 is likely to hit the side plate. Therefore, in this water heater 1, the speed of the foreign matter is likely to decrease and fall, or the foreign matter is likely to remain in contact with the surface of the side plate.

[0080] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, the features of the above or later described embodiments can be combined in any combination within a range that does not contradict. Furthermore, any feature of the above or later described embodiments can be omitted unless it is clearly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above described embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0081] In the above embodiment, holes are provided on both left and right sides of the front cover body 20, but holes may be provided on only one left and right side.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the left side when viewed from the front was one side in the left-right direction, but the right side when viewed from the front may be one side in the left-right direction to realize the contents described in each claim.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the hole 35 is provided in the peripheral portion 33 of the front cover main body 20, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the hole may be provided in a boundary portion between the first plate portion 31 and the peripheral portion 33, or in a portion of the first plate portion 31 closer to one end in the left-right direction or in a portion of the first plate portion 31 closer to the other end in the left-right direction.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, multiple holes are provided on both the left-right side and the other left-right side, but there may be only one hole on either side or both sides, or the number may be any number other than four.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the communication opening is provided above all of the holes provided on one side in the left-right direction, but the configuration may also be such that any of the multiple holes provided is positioned above the communication opening.

[0086] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1: Water heater 2: Housing 2A: Front cover 2B: Housing body 2Z: Opening 3: Combustion equipment 7: Blower 14: Side plate part 15: Side plate part 20: Front cover body 31: 1st plate part 33: Periphery 35: Hole 36: Side edge 37: Side edge 52:Second plate part 60: Shielding wall 70: Air flow adjustment section 75: Ventilation hole 80: Connecting port 190: External space 191: 1st internal space 192:Second internal space 193:Third internal space

Claims

1. A blower and a combustion device into which at least a portion of the air supplied from the blower flows and which burns gas; a housing body having an opening and housing the blower and the combustion device, and a front cover attached to a front side of the housing body body in a configuration that closes the opening; A water heater comprising: The combustion device is disposed above the blower, The front cover includes a front cover body having a plate-shaped first plate portion and a peripheral edge portion that constitute a front portion of the front cover, and a second plate portion that overlaps the first plate portion in the front-rear direction so as to partially cover a back surface of the first plate portion, A first internal space through which a gas flows is formed between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, In the front cover body, at least one hole portion is provided in a predetermined portion on one side in the left-right direction, the hole portion communicating an external space outside the housing portion with the first internal space, a communication port is provided above at least any one of the holes, the communication port communicating the first internal space with a second internal space above the second plate portion and above the first internal space in the housing portion, At least a part of the blower is disposed in a third internal space behind the second plate portion, an airflow adjustment portion having an air vent that communicates the first internal space and the third internal space is provided on one side of the second plate portion in the left-right direction and on the other side of the hole in the left-right direction; A shielding wall is provided to block or inhibit the air passing through the first internal space from flowing into the blower from the ventilation port side. Water heater.

2. The shielding wall is formed by a part of the second plate portion, The blower is disposed on the other side in the left-right direction relative to the airflow adjustment unit on one side in the left-right direction, The shielding wall includes a one-side shielding wall that guides air passing through the first internal space upward on one side of the blower in the left-right direction while restricting the air from flowing in the other side in the left-right direction. The water heater according to claim 1.

3. The combustion device is at least partially disposed in the third internal space. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the airflow adjustment portion on one side in the left-right direction receives air entering through the hole portion on one side in the left-right direction and releases the air to the one side in the left-right direction through the ventilation opening; The blower is disposed on the other side in the left-right direction of the ventilation opening on one side in the left-right direction of the front cover. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The ventilation opening on one side in the left-right direction of the front cover is arranged to face the one side in the left-right direction and an upward side, The airflow adjustment portion on one side of the front cover in the left-right direction discharges the air received by the airflow adjustment portion from the ventilation opening to the one side in the left-right direction and to an upward direction. The water heater according to claim 4.

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