Attachment metal fitting

Abstract

To stably maintain an attitude of an attachment metal fitting during a soldering process of the attachment metal fitting when the attachment metal fitting is mounted on a straight pipe part of a metallic water pipe and soldered.SOLUTION: An attachment metal fitting 94 comprises: a flat plate part 110 which is arranged on a front side of a straight pipe part 93A of a metallic connection pipe 93 included in a hot water supply heating device 1 so that a thickness direction is directed toward a front-rear direction, in a state of being mounted on the straight pipe part 93A, and has an abutting part 110A and an electric wire fixation part 110B; a pair of bent piece parts 111 which extend backward from both end parts in a vertical direction of the electric wire fixation part 110B; and an elastically deformable elastic plate part 112 which connects with a right-side end part of the abutting part 110A, wherein a distance W between a circular-arc portion of the elastic plate part 112 and a circular-arc portion of the bent piece part 111 is shorter than an external diameter of the straight pipe part 93A to be mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a mounting fixture. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an attachment member that can be attached to curved pipe parts of different diameters. The attachment member described in Patent Document 1 includes a clip part formed in a C-shape that can grip curved pipe parts of different diameters from the outside, and a fixing member that is connected to the clip part at an acute angle, and when the clip part is gripped on the curved pipe part, two points on the clip part and one point on the fixing member come into contact with three points on the curved pipe part, making it possible to stabilize the posture of the attachment member relative to the curved pipe part until brazing is completed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-101848 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The mounting member described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot be mounted to a straight pipe section because the clip portion and the fixing member are connected at an acute angle. This specification discloses a technique for stably maintaining the posture of a mounting fitting during the brazing process when the mounting fitting is attached to and brazed to a straight pipe section of a metal water pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The hot water heater / heating apparatus of the present disclosure is a mounting bracket that is attached to a straight pipe section of a metal water pipe included in a hot water heater, and when an axial direction of the straight pipe section is defined as a first direction, a specific direction among directions perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the mounting bracket includes a flat plate portion that is arranged on one side of the straight pipe section in the second direction so that its thickness direction faces the second direction, and the flat plate portion has an abutment portion whose surface on the straight pipe section side abuts against an outer surface of the straight pipe section, and an electric wire fixing portion that is connected to one side of the abutment portion in the third direction and has a through hole, and a pair of bent pieces that extend from both ends of the electric wire fixing portion in the first direction to the other side in the second direction and have a thickness direction facing the first direction, and a pair of bent pieces that are connected to an end of the abutment portion on the other side in the third direction and have an inner surface that faces the straight pipe section and that elastically deform in the third direction. and an elastic plate portion that can be moved in the third direction, and the end edges of the pair of bent pieces on the other side in the third direction and the elastic plate portion are formed in an arc shape that corresponds to the outer surface shape of the straight pipe portion, the distance between the arc portion of the elastic plate portion and the arc portion of the bent pieces is shorter than the outer diameter of the straight pipe portion to be attached, and the portion of the elastic plate portion on the other side in the second direction than the arc portion is an expanding plate portion that expands to the other side in the third direction toward the end, and when the flat plate portion is pressed toward the straight pipe portion, the expanding plate portion is pressed and expanded to the other side in the third direction by the straight pipe portion, and the straight pipe portion is received between the elastic plate portion and the bent pieces, and the straight pipe portion is further pressed into a state in which it abuts against the flat plate portion, and when the straight pipe portion overcomes the expanding plate portion, the elastic plate portion urges the straight pipe portion to one side in the third direction by its own restoring force, and the straight pipe portion is sandwiched from both sides in the third direction between the pair of bent pieces. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the mounting metal fitting is attached to the straight pipe portion of the metal water pipe and brazed, the posture of the mounting metal fitting can be stably maintained during the brazing process of the mounting metal fitting. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the hot water heater according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the hot water heater without the front cover. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the hot water heater. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the heating tank and the control board. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the hot water heater excluding the front cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of the mounting bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0009] (1) A mounting fitting disclosed herein is a mounting fitting to be attached to a straight pipe section of a metal water pipe included in a water heating apparatus, and in the case where an axial direction of the straight pipe section is defined as a first direction, a specific direction among directions perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the mounting fitting comprises: a flat plate portion arranged on one side of the straight pipe section in the second direction so that its thickness direction faces the second direction, with the straight pipe section side surface of the flat plate portion being in contact with an outer surface of the straight pipe section, and a wire fixing section connected to one side of the abutment portion in the third direction and having a through hole; a pair of bent pieces extending from both ends of the wire fixing section in the first direction to the other side in the second direction and having a thickness direction facing the first direction, and a pair of bent pieces connected to an end of the abutment portion on the other side in the third direction, the inner surface of the bent piece extending toward the other side in the second direction so as to face the straight pipe section, and the bent piece portion being elastic in the third direction and a deformable elastic plate portion, wherein the end edges on the other side in the third direction of the pair of bent pieces and the elastic plate portion are formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the straight pipe portion, the distance between the arc-shaped portion of the elastic plate portion and the arc-shaped portion of the bent pieces is shorter than the outer diameter of the straight pipe portion to be attached, and the portion of the elastic plate portion on the other side in the second direction than the arc-shaped portion is an expanding plate portion that expands to the other side in the third direction toward the end, and when the flat plate portion is pressed toward the straight pipe portion, the expanding plate portion is pressed and expanded to the other side in the third direction by the straight pipe portion, and the straight pipe portion is received between the elastic plate portion and the bent pieces, and the straight pipe portion is further pressed into a state in which it abuts against the flat plate portion, and when the straight pipe portion overcomes the expanding plate portion, the elastic plate portion urges the straight pipe portion to one side in the third direction by its own restoring force, and the straight pipe portion is sandwiched from both sides in the third direction between the pair of bent pieces.

[0010] According to the mounting fitting described in (1) above, when the mounting fitting is attached to the straight pipe section, the elastic plate portion urges the straight pipe section toward one side in the third direction, so that even if the straight pipe section has a different diameter, the straight pipe section can be clamped from both sides in the third direction by the elastic plate portion and the bent piece portion. Therefore, according to the mounting fitting described in (1) above, when the mounting fitting is attached to and brazed to a straight pipe section of a metal water pipe, the posture of the mounting fitting can be stably maintained during the brazing process of the mounting fitting. (2) In the mounting fitting described in (1) above, when it is assumed that a virtual perpendicular line is drawn from the axis of the straight pipe section to the abutment portion, the abutment portion may extend to the other side in the third direction beyond the intersection of the virtual perpendicular line.

[0011] According to the mounting fitting described in (2) above, when the elastic plate portion is deformed, the abutting portion is prevented from elastically deforming, so that the abutting portion can be prevented from floating up relative to the straight pipe portion and the elastic plate portion can be smoothly wrapped around the straight pipe portion, thereby making it possible to further stabilize the posture of the mounting member.

[0012] It is preferable that a step is formed between the bent portion of the bent piece and both end edges in the first direction of the abutment portion. By placing brazing material in this step and heating it, the molten brazing material will flow around to the back side of the bent portion and into the gap between the end face of the bent piece and the straight pipe portion, so that the straight pipe portion and the mounting bracket can be brazed without any gaps.

[0013] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0014] (1) Overall structure of the hot water heater A hot water heater 1 as a hot water supply device according to embodiment 1 will be outlined with reference to Fig. 1. The hot water heater 1 has a hot water supply function of heating supplied tap water and supplying hot water to the outside, and a heating function of supplying hot water to a radiator installed indoors or under a floor to heat the indoors or floor. The hot water heater 1 has a front cover 72. The front cover 72 has an exhaust port 73 in which an exhaust pipe 16, which will be described later, is accommodated, an air intake port 74 for taking in outside air, and the like.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water heater 1 includes a housing 70, an inner body 2 housed in the housing 70, a control board 79, and the like. The housing 70 includes a box-shaped housing main body 71 having an opening 71A on the front surface, and a front cover 72 (see FIG. 1) that closes the opening 71A of the housing main body 71. The housing body 71 comprises a bottom plate 71B located on the lower side when viewed from the front, a left side plate 71C located on the left side when viewed from the front, a right side plate 71D located on the right side when viewed from the front, a top plate 71E located on the upper side when viewed from the front, and a rear wall 71F located on the rear side.

[0016] The inner body 2 is equipped with a hot water supply combustion chamber 4, a heating combustion chamber 5, a hot water supply primary heat exchanger 11, a heating primary heat exchanger 13, a hot water supply secondary heat exchanger 12, a heating secondary heat exchanger 14, and an exhaust hood 15. The inner body 2 is partitioned into left and right parts by a partition member 3 (see FIG. 3 ) described later, with the hot water supply combustion chamber 4, the hot water supply primary heat exchanger 11, and the hot water supply secondary heat exchanger 12 provided on the right side, and the heating combustion chamber 5, the heating primary heat exchanger 13, and the heating secondary heat exchanger 14 provided on the left side.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the hot water supply / heating apparatus 1 has a hot water supply circuit A, a heating circuit B, and a bath circuit C. The heating circuit B at least partially includes a metallic piping member.

[0018] The hot water heater 1 has a hot water supply combustion chamber 4 and a heating combustion chamber 5 separated by a partition member 3 within an inner body 2, and a burner 6. The burner 6 includes a hot water supply burner 6A disposed at the bottom of the hot water supply combustion chamber 4, and a heating burner 6B disposed at the bottom of the heating combustion chamber 5. Each combustion chamber 4, 5 is provided with an ignition plug 8 and a flame rod 9. A combustion fan 10 is provided at the bottom of the inner body 2 to supply combustion air to each burner 6A, 6B.

[0019] A hot water supply primary heat exchanger 11 and a hot water supply secondary heat exchanger 12 through which the combustion exhaust gas of the hot water supply burner 6A passes are provided at the upper part of the hot water supply combustion chamber 4. A heating primary heat exchanger 13 and a heating secondary heat exchanger 14 through which the combustion exhaust gas of the heating burner 6B passes are provided at the upper part of the heating combustion chamber 5. Each secondary heat exchanger 12, 14 is housed in an exhaust hood 15 provided at the upper part of the inner body 2. The exhaust hood 15 is formed with an exhaust pipe 16 that discharges the combustion exhaust gas that has passed through each secondary heat exchanger 12, 14.

[0020] A gas pipe 17, to which gas piping from the outside is connected, is connected to a gas inlet provided on the bottom plate 71B of the housing 70. Gas branch pipes 18, 18, ... branching off from the gas pipe 17 are connected to each of the hot water supply burners 6A and the heating burner 6B, and each gas branch pipe 18 is provided with a gas solenoid valve 19 for opening and closing the gas flow path. In addition, a main gas solenoid valve 20 and a gas proportional valve 21 are provided from the upstream side on the gas pipe 17 before branching.

[0021] A water supply pipe 22, which is connected to a water inlet 78 of the bottom plate 71B, is connected to the inlet of the heat absorption pipe of the hot water secondary heat exchanger 12. From the upstream side, the water supply pipe 22 is provided with a strainer 23 equipped with a drain plug, a hot water supply water volume sensor 24 that detects the volume of water flowing through the water supply pipe 22, a hot water supply inlet thermistor 25 that detects the inlet water temperature, and a water volume control valve 26 that controls the volume of water flowing through the water supply pipe 22.

[0022] The outlet of the heat absorption tube is connected to the inlet of the heat transfer tube of the hot water primary heat exchanger 11, and the outlet of the heat transfer tube is connected to the hot water outlet of the bottom plate 71B. The hot water outlet pipe 27 is provided with a hot water heat exchanger thermistor 28 that detects the outlet temperature from the hot water primary heat exchanger 11, and a hot water outlet thermistor 29 that detects the hot water temperature from the fixture downstream of the hot water heat exchanger thermistor 28. A bypass pipe 30 that bypasses the hot water primary and secondary heat exchangers 11 and 12 is connected between the upstream side of the hot water outlet thermistor 29 in the hot water outlet pipe 27 and the downstream side of the water volume control valve 26 in the water supply pipe 22, and the bypass pipe 30 is provided with a water distribution valve 31 that controls the bypass flow rate. Thus, within the housing 70, a hot water supply circuit A is formed in which water from the water supply pipe 22 passes through the hot water supply secondary heat exchanger 12 and the hot water supply primary heat exchanger 11 in that order, is heated by heat exchange with the combustion exhaust gas from the hot water supply burner 6A, and is then discharged from the hot water supply pipe 27.

[0023] On the other hand, the heating return pipe 32, which is connected to the heating return port 76 of the bottom plate 71B, is connected to the inlet of the heat absorption pipe of the heating secondary heat exchanger 14. The heating return port 76 is connected to the downstream end of the pipe extending from the high-temperature radiator 33 and the low-temperature radiator 34 outside the hot water heater 1. The high-temperature radiator 33 is, for example, a heating blower that blows warm air into the room. The low-temperature radiator 34 is, for example, a floor heater. The outlet of the heat absorption pipe of the heating secondary heat exchanger 14 is connected to the intermediate pipe 35 (intermediate pipes 35A, 35B). The intermediate pipe 35 is provided with a heating tank 69 and a heating circulation pump 36. A mounting bracket 94 is attached to the intermediate pipe 35A. The heating tank 69, the intermediate pipe 35A, and the mounting bracket 94 will be described later.

[0024] The downstream end of the intermediate piping 35 is connected to the heating low-temperature outgoing pipe 38 and the inlet of the heat transfer pipe of the heating primary heat exchanger 13. A thermal valve 39 is disposed downstream of the heating low-temperature outgoing pipe 38, and branches off the heating low-temperature outgoing pipe 38. The downstream end of the thermal valve 39 is a heating low-temperature outgoing port 77. The heating low-temperature outgoing port 77 is connected to the low-temperature radiator 34.

[0025] The outlet of the heat transfer tube of the heating primary heat exchanger 13 is connected to the heating high-temperature forward pipe 40. The downstream end of the heating high-temperature forward pipe 40 is a heating high-temperature forward port 75 provided in the bottom plate 71B. The heating high-temperature forward port 75 is connected to the high-temperature radiator 33. The heating high-temperature forward pipe 40 is provided with a heating high-temperature thermistor 41. The heating high-temperature forward pipe 40 and the heating return pipe 32 are connected by a bath heating pipe 42. The bath heating pipe 42 is provided with a reheating flow control valve 43. A heating bypass pipe 44 that bypasses the heating primary and heating secondary heat exchangers 13 and 14 is connected between the upstream side of the heating tank 69 in the intermediate pipe 35 and the heating high-temperature forward pipe 40, and the heating bypass pipe 44 is provided with a bypass thermo-operated valve 45 that controls the bypass flow rate.

[0026] Therefore, in the heating circuit B, the hot water heated in the heating secondary heat exchanger 14 circulates to the heating return pipe 32 via the intermediate piping 35, the heating tank 69, the heating low-temperature forward pipe 38, and the low-temperature radiator 34, and also flows into the heating primary heat exchanger 13 via the intermediate piping 35. The hot water heated in the heating primary heat exchanger 13 returns to the heating return pipe 32 via the heating high-temperature forward pipe 40 and the high-temperature radiator 33, and circulates to the heating primary heat exchanger 13 via the heating secondary heat exchanger 14, the intermediate piping 35, and the heating tank 69.

[0027] The bath circuit C is provided with a bath heat exchanger 46 into which the bath heating pipe 42 is inserted. The inlet of the bath heat exchanger 46 is connected to a bath return pipe 47 connected to the bath return port of the bottom plate 71B. The bath return port is connected to the bathtub 49 via an external bath return pipe 48. A bath circulation pump 50 is provided downstream of the bath return pipe 47. A bath return thermistor 51 that detects the bath return temperature is provided upstream of the bath circulation pump 50. A water flow switch 52 and a water level sensor 53 are provided downstream of the bath circulation pump 50. The outlet of the bath heat exchanger 46 is connected to a bath supply pipe 54 that is connected to the bath supply port of the bottom plate 71B. The bath supply port is connected to the bathtub 49 via an external bath supply pipe 55. A bath supply thermistor 56 that detects the bath supply temperature is provided in the bath supply pipe 54.

[0028] A drop pipe 57 is connected between the downstream side of the bypass pipe 30 in the hot water outlet pipe 27 and the upstream side of the bath circulation pump 50 in the bath return pipe 47. A drop water solenoid valve 58 that opens and closes the drop pipe 57 and a bath water volume sensor 59 that detects the amount of water flowing through the drop pipe 57 are provided on the upstream side (hot water outlet pipe 27 side) of this drop pipe 57. The drop pipe 57 makes it possible to supply hot water heated in the hot water supply circuit A to the bathtub 49. Three check valves 60, 60, 60 are provided downstream of the bath water volume sensor 59. A cutoff valve 61 is connected between these check valves 60. This cutoff valve 61 is connected to a drain pipe 62 connected to an overflow outlet provided in the bottom plate 71B and an introduction pipe 63 connected to the downstream side of the strainer 23 in the water supply pipe 22. When the internal pressure of the hot water in the drop pipe 57 increases due to the back pressure from the bath return pipe 47 and becomes greater than the back pressure from the inlet pipe 63, the cut-off valve 61 discharges the hot water that flows back from the drop pipe 57 through the drain pipe 62 to the overflow outlet. In this way, a bath circuit C that circulates hot and cold water in the bathtub 49 is formed by the bath heat exchanger 46, the bath supply pipe 54, the bath return pipe 47, etc.

[0029] A neutralizer 64 for neutralizing drain generated in the hot water secondary heat exchanger 12 and the heating secondary heat exchanger 14 is provided within the housing 70. This neutralizer 64 is connected to a drain receiver 66 provided on the bottom surface of the exhaust hood 15 via a drain inlet pipe 65, and is also connected to the drain pipe 62 of the cut-off valve 61 via a drain outlet pipe 67. The neutralizer 64 is provided with a water level electrode 68 for detecting the water level.

[0030] The control board 79 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. A control unit such as a CPU, a microcomputer (a so-called microcomputer), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) as well as various electronic components are mounted on the control board 79. The control board 79 receives detection signals from thermistors, sensors, etc. and operates various valves to control the outlet hot water temperature, fill bathtub 49 with hot water, and control the heating temperature. Although not shown, the hot water heater 1 is equipped with a remote control etc. that is communicatively connected to the control board 79.

[0031] (2) Heating tank The heating tank 69 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The heating tank 69 is intended to prevent the pipes and the like constituting the heating circuit B from being damaged when the liquid (water in this embodiment) circulating through the heating circuit B is heated and expands.

[0032] The heating tank 69 comprises a resin casing 69E and two water level electrodes 90 (a first water level electrode 90A and a second water level electrode 90B) disposed within the casing 69E. The two water level electrodes 90 are provided so as to penetrate the ceiling wall 69A of the casing 69E. The two water level electrodes 90 are each rod-shaped, and the heights of their lower ends (in other words, the vertical positions of their lower ends) are different from each other. Specifically, the second water level electrode 90B extends below the first water level electrode 90A. The first water level electrode 90A is connected to the control board 79 via a first electric wire 91A. The second water level electrode 90B is connected to the control board 79 via a second electric wire 91B.

[0033] Two connection ports 69C, 69D are formed in a bottom wall 69B of the heating tank 69. Intermediate pipe 35A is connected to connection port 69C, and intermediate pipe 35B is connected to connection port 69D. Although omitted in Fig. 4, heating low-temperature thermistor 37 (see Fig. 3) is provided in the bottom wall 69B of the heating tank 69.

[0034] (3) Intermediate piping The intermediate pipe 35A will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The intermediate pipe 35A is mainly made of resin, but includes some metal pipe members. The intermediate pipe 35A has a connection pipe 93 that forms part of the metal pipe member, and the connection pipe 93 is connected to a connection port 69C of the heating tank 69. Hot and cold water in the heating circuit B is led out from the connection pipe 93 to the heating tank 69. The connection pipe 93 is an example of a metal water pipe. Connection pipe 93 has straight pipe portion 93A extending in the vertical direction. The diameter of straight pipe portion 93A differs depending on the model of hot water heater 1. Therefore, straight pipe portion 93A may have a large diameter or a small diameter.

[0035] (4) Mounting bracket The mounting metal fitting 94 attached to the connection pipe 93 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The mounting metal fitting 94 is a metal member for fixing the piping component electric wire 91C (see Fig. 4) to the connection pipe 93. The mounting metal fitting 94 is attached to the straight pipe section 93A by brazing. The mounting metal fitting 94 will be described in detail later. 4, a piping member electric wire 91C is fixed to the mounting fixture 94. The other end of the piping member electric wire 91C is connected to the control board 79.

[0036] (5) Detection of water level in heating tank Detection of the water level in the heating tank 69 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The water level in the heating tank 69 is detected in three stages: low, medium, and high. High is a state in which the water level in the heating tank 69 is higher than the bottom end of the first water level electrode 90A, medium is a state in which the water level is lower than the bottom end of the first water level electrode 90A and higher than the bottom end of the second water level electrode 90B, and low is a state in which the water level is lower than the bottom end of the second water level electrode 90B.

[0037] The piping component electric wire 91C is connected to one end of a first current path 100 formed on the control board 79. A power source 101 is connected to the first current path 100. The negative side of the power source 101 is grounded. The other end of the first current path 100 branches into a second current path 102 and a third current path 103. A current sensor 104 is provided on the second current path 102. A current sensor 105 is provided on the third current path 103.

[0038] The first electric wire 91A connected to the first water level electrode 90A is connected to the second current path 102. When the water level is high, the first water level electrode 90A and the metal connecting pipe 93 are electrically connected by the hot or cold water, and a current flows between the connecting pipe 93 and the first water level electrode 90A. The control board 79 (more specifically, the control unit mounted on the control board 79) uses a current sensor 104 to detect the presence or absence of current flowing between the connecting pipe 93 and the first water level electrode 90A (in other words, whether or not current is flowing in the second current path 102). In the following explanation, a state in which current is flowing is referred to as "on," and a state in which current is not flowing is referred to as "off."

[0039] The second electric wire 91B connected to the second water level electrode 90B is connected to the third current path 103. When the water level is high or medium, the second water level electrode 90B and the metal connecting pipe 93 are electrically connected by the hot or cold water, and a current flows between the connecting pipe 93 and the second water level electrode 90B. The control board 79 uses a current sensor 105 to detect the presence or absence of a current flowing between the connecting pipe 93 and the second water level electrode 90B (in other words, whether or not a current is flowing in the third current path 103).

[0040] The method of detecting whether or not a current is flowing is not limited to the method using a current sensor, and can be appropriately selected. For example, a resistor may be provided in the second current path 102 (or the third current path 103), and a voltage sensor may be provided in parallel with the resistor. Then, the control board 79 may determine that a current is flowing when a potential difference occurs before and after the resistor.

[0041] As shown in Table 1 below, the control board 79 determines that the water level is high when the first current sensor 104 is on, determines that the water level is medium when the first current sensor 104 is off and the second current sensor 105 is on, and determines that the water level is low when both the first current sensor 104 and the second current sensor 105 are off. [Table 1]

[0042] (6) Mounting hardware details The details of mounting metal fitting 94 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As described above, mounting metal fitting 94 is a metal fitting that is attached to straight pipe section 93A of connection pipe 93 that hot water heater 1 has. For convenience, the axial direction of the straight pipe section 93A is defined here as the up-down direction (an example of the first direction), a specific direction among the directions perpendicular to the up-down direction is defined as the front-to-back direction (an example of the second direction), and a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction is defined as the left-to-right direction (an example of the third direction).

[0043] The mounting metal fitting 94 includes a flat plate portion 110 , a pair of bent pieces 111 , and an elastic plate portion 112 . The flat plate portion 110 is disposed on the front side (one example of the second direction side) of the straight pipe portion 93A with the mounting metal fitting 94 attached to the straight pipe portion 93A so that the thickness direction faces the front-rear direction (second direction). The flat plate portion 110 has an abutment portion 110A whose surface on the straight pipe portion 93A side (i.e., the surface facing the rear side in the flat plate portion 110) abuts against the outer surface of the straight pipe portion 93A, and an electric wire fixing portion 110B which is connected to the left side of the abutment portion 110A (one example of the third direction side) and has a through hole 110C. In FIG. 6, the dotted line 110D indicates the boundary between the abutment portion 110A and the electric wire fixing portion 110B. The through hole 110C is a hole for fixing the piping member electric wire 91C to the mounting metal fitting 94.

[0044] The pair of bent pieces 111 extend rearward (an example of the other side in the second direction) from both ends in the up-down direction (first direction) of the electric wire fixing part 110B, and have a thickness direction aligned in the up-down direction (first direction). The elastic plate portion 112 is connected to the end portion on the right side (an example of the other side in the third direction) of the abutting portion 110A. The elastic plate portion 112 extends toward the rear side (the other side in the second direction) so that the inner surface faces the straight pipe portion 93A, and is elastically deformable in the left-right direction (the third direction). The portion of the elastic plate portion 112 that is rearward (the other side in the second direction) of the arc-shaped portion 112A is an expanding plate portion 112B that expands toward the right side (the other side in the third direction) toward the end portion.

[0045] The edge 111A on the right side (the other side in the third direction) of the pair of bent pieces 111 is formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the straight pipe section 93A. The elastic plate 112 is also formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the straight pipe section 93A. The maximum distance W (see FIG. 7) in the left-right direction (third direction) between the arc-shaped portion 112A of the elastic plate 112 and the arc-shaped portion of the bent piece 111 is shorter than the outer diameter of the straight pipe section 93A to be attached.

[0046] The positional relationship between the axis of straight pipe section 93A and abutment section 110A will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As described above, the diameter of straight pipe section 93A varies depending on the model of hot water heater 1. In Fig. 7, point 120 indicates the axis of straight pipe section 93A with the smallest diameter among the straight pipe sections 93A that may be installed in hot water heater 1. As shown in Fig. 7, assuming that an imaginary perpendicular line 121 is drawn from the axis of straight pipe section 93A with the smallest diameter to abutment section 110A, abutment section 110A extends to the right (the other side in the third direction) of intersection point 121A of imaginary perpendicular line 121.

[0047] Attachment of the mounting fitting 94 to the straight pipe section 93A will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the flat plate section 110 is pushed toward the straight pipe section 93A, the widening plate section 112B is pushed outward to the right (the other side in the third direction) by the straight pipe section 93A, and the straight pipe section 93A is received between the elastic plate section 112 and the bent piece section 111. When the straight pipe section 93A is further pushed in until it abuts against the flat plate section 110, the straight pipe section 93A overcomes the widening plate section 112B. When the straight pipe section 93A overcomes the widening plate section 112B, the elastic plate section 112 urges the straight pipe section 93A to the left (one side in the third direction) by its own restoring force. As a result, the elastic plate section 112 clamps the straight pipe section 93A from both sides in the left-right direction (the third direction) between the pair of bent pieces 111.

[0048] (7) Effects of the embodiment According to the mounting bracket 94 of embodiment 1, when the mounting bracket 94 is attached to the straight pipe section 93A, the elastic plate portion 112 urges the straight pipe section 93A toward the left side (one side in the third direction), so that even if the straight pipe section 93A has a different diameter, the straight pipe section 93A can be clamped from both the left and right sides in the third direction (third direction) by the elastic plate portion 112 and the folded piece portion 111. Therefore, when the mounting metal fitting 94 is attached to the straight pipe portion 93A of the water pipe and brazed, the mounting metal fitting 94 can be stably maintained in its position during the brazing process.

[0049] According to the mounting metal fitting 94, when it is assumed that a virtual perpendicular line is drawn from the axis of the straight pipe section 93A to the abutment section 110A, the abutment section 110A extends to the right (the other side in the third direction) of the intersection point of the virtual perpendicular line. According to the mounting metal fitting 94, when the elastic plate section 112 is deformed, the abutment section 110A is prevented from elastically deforming, so that the abutment section 110A can be prevented from floating up relative to the straight pipe section 93A, and the elastic plate section 112 can be suitably wrapped around the straight pipe section 93A. This makes it possible to further stabilize the posture of the mounting member.

[0050] It is preferable to form a step between the bent portion 111B of the bent piece 111 and both edge portions in the front-rear direction (first direction) of the abutting portion 110A. By disposing and heating brazing material at this step, the molten brazing material flows around to the back surface of the bent portion 111B and flows between the end face of the bent piece 111 and the straight pipe portion 93A, so that the straight pipe portion 93A and the mounting bracket 94 can be brazed without any gaps.

[0051] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the case has been illustrated in which the piping member electric wire 91C is connected to the connection pipe 93 constituting part of the intermediate pipe 35 that delivers hot and cold water in the heating circuit B to the heating tank 69. In contrast, a connection pipe may be provided in the intermediate pipe 35B from which the hot and cold water in the heating tank 69 is discharged, and the piping member electric wire 91C may be connected to the connection pipe. In other words, the piping member electric wire 91C may be connected to the intermediate pipe 35A or to the intermediate pipe 35B.

[0052] (2) In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a metallic connection pipe 93 is connected to the connection port 69C. However, a resin connection pipe may be connected to the connection port 69C, and a part of a metallic piping member may be connected to the connection pipe. Then, the mounting bracket 94 may be attached to a part of the metallic piping member. This is because, even when a resin connection pipe is interposed between the heating tank 69 and a part of the metallic piping member, the water level electrode 90 and the mounting bracket 94 are electrically connected via hot water.

[0053] (3) In the above embodiment, the mounting metal fitting 94 is attached to the straight pipe section 93A by brazing, but the mounting metal fitting 94 may be attached by a method other than brazing as long as the mounting metal fitting 94 is attached in a state of electrical contact with the straight pipe section 93A. For example, the mounting metal fitting 94 may be attached to the straight pipe section 93A by welding. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Hot water heater (example of hot water equipment) 93: Connection pipe (example of metal water pipe) 93A: Straight pipe section 94: Mounting hardware 110: Flat plate part 110A: Contact part 110B: Wire fixing part 110C: Through hole 111: Bending piece 111A: Edge 112: Elastic plate 112B: Expansion plate part 121: Virtual Perpendicular 121A: Intersection

Claims

1. A mounting bracket to be attached to a straight pipe section of a metal water pipe provided in a hot water supply device, When the axial direction of the straight pipe portion is defined as a first direction, a specific direction among directions perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, a flat plate portion that is arranged on one side of the straight pipe portion in the second direction with the mounting fitting attached to the straight pipe portion, with a thickness direction facing the second direction, an abutting portion whose surface on the straight pipe portion side abuts against an outer surface of the straight pipe portion; a wire fixing portion connected to one side of the abutting portion in the third direction and having a through hole; A flat plate portion having a pair of bent pieces extending from both ends of the electric wire fixing portion in the first direction to the other side in the second direction and having a thickness direction facing the first direction; an elastic plate portion connected to an end portion on the other side in the third direction of the abutting portion, extending toward the other side in the second direction so that an inner surface of the elastic plate portion faces the straight pipe portion, and elastically deformable in the third direction; Equipped with the end edges of the pair of bent pieces on the other side in the third direction and the elastic plate are formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the straight pipe section, and a distance between the arc portion of the elastic plate and the arc portion of the bent pieces is shorter than an outer diameter of the straight pipe section to be attached; a portion of the elastic plate portion on the other side in the second direction than the arcuate portion is an expanding plate portion that expands toward the other side in the third direction toward an end portion, When the flat plate portion is pushed towards the straight pipe portion, the widening plate portion is pushed open to the other side in the third direction by the straight pipe portion, so that the straight pipe portion is received between the elastic plate portion and the folded piece portion, and the straight pipe portion is further pushed into a state where it abuts the flat plate portion. When the straight pipe portion overcomes the widening plate portion, the elastic plate portion urges the straight pipe portion to one side in the third direction by its own restoring force, and the straight pipe portion is clamped from both sides in the third direction between the pair of folded pieces.

2. 2. The mounting hardware according to claim 1, A mounting fitting, wherein, when it is assumed that an imaginary perpendicular line is drawn from the axis of the straight pipe section to the abutment section, the abutment section extends to the other side in the third direction beyond the intersection of the imaginary perpendicular line.

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