Electric water heater

Abstract

To provide an electric water heater capable of properly selecting an installation form according to a situation of an installation place, and capable of restraining product cost and construction cost.SOLUTION: The hot water storage type electric water heater 1 includes a casing 24, and a fixing member 2628 which can be used both when the casing is fixed to a wall surface W and when the casing is fixed to a flooring surface F, and which can be fixed to any of the wall and the flooring, and the casing includes wall fixing parts 46a and 46b which can be fixed to the wall via the fixing member when a rear wall 36 of the casing is fixed to the wall. The wall-fixing part can be engaged with a fixing member fixed to the wall, the casing is provided with floor-fixing parts 60a, 60b, 62a, 62b which can be fixed to the floor through the fixing member when the bottom wall 38 is fixed to the floor, and the floor-fixing part can be engaged with the fixing member fixed to the floor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric water heater, and more particularly to a storage-type electric water heater that can supply stored hot water. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a storage-type electric water heater that can supply stored hot water has been known, such as that described in Patent Document 1, which is attached to a vertical wall below a wall-mounted or counter-type washbasin. Such a conventional storage-type electric water heater is installed on a vertical wall in a limited space below a washbasin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-164077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional storage-type electric water heater cannot be installed on the floor, and therefore, depending on the site where there is little installation space available, such as below the washbasin, it may be necessary to install a new wall for wall-mounting in another space, etc. This poses a problem of a large construction burden.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a storage-type electric water heater that allows the installation form to be selected appropriately depending on the installation location conditions, and that can reduce product costs and installation costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a hot water storage type electric water heater capable of supplying stored hot water, comprising a water passage through which water supplied from a water supply source flows, a tank for storing water supplied from the water passage, an electric heating unit for electrically heating the water in the tank, a water supply system function unit for opening and closing the water passage or the tank, a casing provided so as to cover the water passage, the tank, the electric heating unit, and the water supply system function unit from the outside, and a fixing member that can be used when the casing is fixed to either a wall or a floor and can be fixed to either the wall or the floor. The casing has a front wall and a rear wall respectively provided in the front-to-rear direction, a bottom wall and a top wall respectively provided in the up-down direction, and side walls provided on both sides in the left-to-right direction, and the casing has a wall fixing part that can be fixed to the wall via the fixing member when fixing the rear wall to the wall, and this wall fixing part can engage with the fixing member when fixed to the wall, and the casing has a floor fixing part that can be fixed to the floor via the fixing member when fixing the bottom wall to the floor, and this floor fixing part can engage with the fixing member when fixed to the floor. In the present invention configured in this manner, by using a fixing member that can be used both when the casing is fixed to a wall and when it is fixed to a floor, the casing can be fixed to a wall or floor via a common fixing member. Furthermore, when the rear wall of the casing is fixed to a wall, the wall fixing portion of the casing can be engaged with the fixing member in a state where it is fixed to the wall. Furthermore, even when the bottom wall of the casing is fixed to the floor, the same fixing member can be used to engage the floor fixing portion of the casing with the fixing member in a state where it is fixed to the floor. Therefore, the same fixing members can be used regardless of whether the casing is fixed to a wall or to a floor, thereby reducing product costs and installation costs. In addition, depending on the installation location of the electric water heater, the installation form can be selected as appropriate, either fixing the casing to the wall or fixing it to the floor, thereby improving the ease of installation of the electric water heater.

[0007] In the present invention, preferably, the fixing member comprises a first fixing member and a second fixing member capable of fixing the casing to a first fixing position and a second fixing position on the wall or the floor, respectively, and the wall fixing portion comprises, when fixing the rear wall of the casing to the wall, a first wall fixing portion provided on the rear wall of the casing so as to be fixable to the first fixing position of the wall via the first fixing member, and a second wall fixing portion so as to be fixable to the second fixing position of the wall via the second fixing member, and the second fixing member and the second wall fixing portion are fixed to the wall. The floor fixing portion is provided with a first floor fixing portion provided on the bottom wall so as to be fixable to the first fixed position on the floor via the first fixing member when the bottom wall of the casing is fixed to the floor, and a second floor fixing portion so as to be fixable to the second fixed position on the floor via the second fixing member when the bottom wall of the casing is fixed to the floor, and the second fixing member and the second floor fixing portion are configured to prevent the two from being disengaged when the first floor fixing portion is engaged with the first fixing member when the casing is fixed to the floor. In the present invention configured as described above, when the first fixing portion is engaged with the first fixing member fixed to the wall, the second fixing member and the second fixing portion are fixed together. This reliably prevents the first fixing member from being disengaged from the first fixing portion. This allows the electric water heater to be stably fixed to the wall. Furthermore, when the first floor fixing part is engaged with the first fixing member fixed to the floor, the second fixing member and the second floor fixing part are fixed together. This reliably restricts disengagement between the first fixing member and the first floor fixing part. This allows the electric water heater to be stably fixed to the floor.

[0008] In the present invention, the second wall fixing portion is preferably provided on the rear wall of the casing, and the second floor fixing portion is preferably provided on the bottom wall of the casing. In the present invention configured as described above, the second wall fixing portion is provided on the rear wall of the casing, and therefore when the rear wall of the casing is fixed to the wall, the second wall fixing portion and the second fixing member can be concealed between the casing and the wall. As a result, when the electric water heater is installed, the second wall fixing portion and the second fixing member are not exposed, and the appearance is not impaired. Similarly, because the second floor fixing part is provided on the bottom wall of the casing, when the bottom wall of the casing is fixed to the floor, the second floor fixing part and the second fixing member can be concealed between the casing and the floor. As a result, when the electric water heater is installed, the second floor fixing part and the second fixing member are not exposed, and the appearance is not impaired.

[0009] In the present invention, preferably, the first wall fixing portion and the second wall fixing portion are respectively provided in a first recess and a second recess formed so as to be recessed forward relative to the rear wall surface of the casing, and each of the first fixing member and the second fixing member can be fitted into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, when the rear wall of the casing is fixed to the wall, and the wall side surfaces of the first fixing member and the second fixing member when fitted into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, and the rear wall surface of the casing are set to be flush with each other. In the present invention configured as described above, when the casing is fixed to a wall, the first and second wall fixing portions of the casing are fixed to the wall via the first and second fixing members, respectively. During such fixing, the first and second fixing members fit into the first recesses of the first and second wall fixing portions, respectively, so that the wall-side surfaces of the first and second fixing members and the rear wall surface of the casing are flush with each other. Therefore, the casing can be stably fixed to the wall with almost no gap between the rear wall surface of the casing and the wall.

[0010] In the present invention, the first floor fixing portion is preferably provided on the rearmost side of the bottom wall of the casing, and is engageable from the front side with the first fixing member in a state fixed to the floor. In the present invention configured as described above, when the casing is fixed to the floor, the first floor fixing part provided on the rearmost side of the bottom wall of the casing is moved toward the first fixing member fixed to the floor, which allows the first floor fixing part to easily engage with the first fixing member from the front side. Therefore, the ease of installation when fixing the electric water heater to the floor can be improved.

[0011] In the present invention, the first wall fixing portion is preferably located above the center of gravity of the electric water heater when the tank is full of water. In the present invention configured as described above, when the casing is fixed to a wall, the first wall fixing portion of the casing is located above the center of gravity of the electric water heater when the tank is full of water. This makes it possible to suppress the force that tilts the casing away from the wall compared to when the first wall fixing portion of the casing is located at the same height as or lower than the center of gravity of the electric water heater when the tank is full of water, thereby allowing the electric water heater to be installed stably on the wall. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to the first wall fixing portion or the first fixing member due to tilting of the casing, which would otherwise cause damage to the first wall fixing portion or the first fixing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the storage type electric water heater of the present invention, an appropriate installation form can be selected depending on the conditions of the installation location, and product costs and installation costs can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]This is a schematic oblique view showing the state before the main body of the electric water heater is fixed to the wall via a fixing member when installing the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention on a wall. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a main body of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from diagonally below and behind. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a main body of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from diagonally below and behind, showing the main body fixed to a wall via a fixing member. [Figure 5] 1 is a rear view of a storage type electric water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the main body is fixed to a wall via a fixing member. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5, and is a partially enlarged view showing the state in which the wall mounting part and the first solid member of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention are engaged. [Figure 7] This is a schematic oblique view showing the state before the main body of the electric water heater is fixed to the floor via a fixing member when installing the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention on the floor. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of a main body of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from diagonally below and behind, showing the main body fixed to the floor via a fixing member. [Figure 9] This is a partial side cross-sectional view of the bottom of a storage tank type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line IX-IX in Figure 8, showing the state in which the floor fixing part of the electric water heater and the first solid member are engaged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. First, as shown in FIG. 1, a hot water storage type electric water heater 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electric water heater main body 2 and an operating unit 4 that enables the electric water heater main body 2 to be operated. Next, as shown in Figure 1, inside the electric water heater main body 2, there are provided a water passage 6, a hot water side solenoid valve 8, a cold water side solenoid valve 10, a hot water storage tank 12, an electric heater 14, a hot water / cold water mixing valve 16, an air intake valve 18, an air intake passage 20, and a control unit 22, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric water heater main body 2 also includes a casing 24 provided to cover the outside of these internal elements 6 to 22. Furthermore, the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment is provided with a first fixing member 26 and a second fixing member 28 (details will be described later) that enable the electric water heater main body 2 to be fixed to a wall surface or a floor surface. This allows the electric water heater 1 to be fixed to a wall surface or a floor surface by using the common first fixing member 26 and second fixing member 28 in combination, depending on the installation conditions of the installation location. Details of the specific fixing structure of the electric water heater 1 when the electric water heater main body 2 is fixed to a wall surface and when it is fixed to a floor surface using the common first fixing member 26 and second fixing member 28 will be described later.

[0015] 1, the operating unit 4 allows for the operation of several settings of the electric water heater 1. Specifically, the operating unit 4 can electrically operate the settings relating to the operation of each part of the electric water heater 1 using power supplied from a power source (not shown), and can operate each of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 and the air intake valve 18, which are water supply system functional parts.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the water passage 6 is connected at its upstream side to a water supply source (not shown) such as a tap, and water supplied from this water supply source (not shown) flows through it, and the downstream end of the water passage 6 is an outlet 6a for hot or cold water at the appropriate temperature. As shown in FIG. 1, the water passage 6 includes a hot water passage 30 and a cold water passage 32. As shown in FIG. The hot water side water passage 30 includes a tank water passage 30a and a tank bypass water passage 30b. The tank water passage 30a is connected to the hot water storage tank 12, and the tank bypass water passage 30b bypasses the hot water storage tank 12 and is connected to the hot water / cold water mixing valve 16. The cold water side water passage 32 branches off independently from the hot water side water passage 30 upstream of the water passage 6, and is then connected so as to rejoin the downstream side of the hot water side water passage 30 downstream of the cold water side water passage 32. Furthermore, the hot water side water passage 30 and the cold water side water passage 32 are provided with a hot water side solenoid valve 8 and a cold water side solenoid valve 10, respectively. These solenoid valves 8 and 10 function as on-off valves that open and close the water passages 30 and 32, respectively, and function as part of the water supply system functional section.

[0017] Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the hot water storage tank 12 is a tank that stores water supplied from the tank water passage 30a. 1, the electric heater 14 is provided in the hot water storage tank 12. The electric heater 14 functions as an electric heating unit that electrically heats the water in the hot water storage tank 12. 1, the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 is provided at the connection between the downstream side of the tank water passage 30a downstream of the hot water storage tank 12 and the downstream side of the tank bypass water passage 30b. This hot and cold water mixing valve 16 opens and closes the hot water side water passage 30 downstream of the hot water storage tank 12, and functions as a mixing valve that mixes hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 12 with water supplied from the tank bypass water passage 30b, and functions as part of the water supply system function section.

[0018] Next, as shown in Figure 1, the intake valve 18 and the intake passage 20 enable air to be drawn into the hot water storage tank 12 by opening the intake valve 18, for example, when draining water from the hot water storage tank 12 during maintenance of the electric water heater 1, and function as part of the water supply system functional section that opens and closes the hot water storage tank 12. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 22 is provided in the casing 24 and functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the electric water heater 1 in response to the operation of the operating unit 4.

[0019] Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 9, the details of the fixing structure for fixing the electric water heater main body 2 to the wall surface W or floor surface F using a common first fixing member 26 and second fixing member 28 for the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment will be described. First, with reference to Figs. 2 to 6, a fixing structure for fixing and installing the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment to a wall surface will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the main body of the electric water heater is fixed to the wall via fixing members when the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed on the wall. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body of the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from the rear below. Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body of the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from the rear below, showing a state in which the main body is fixed to a wall via fixing members. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the main body is fixed to a wall via a fixing member. Furthermore, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5, and is a partially enlarged view showing the state in which the wall-mounted fixing portion and the first solid member of a hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention are engaged.

[0020] 2 and 3, the casing 24 of the electric water heater main body 2 includes a front wall 34 and a rear wall 36 extending in the front-rear direction, a bottom wall 38 and a top wall 40 extending in the up-down direction, and side walls 42, 44 extending on both sides in the left-right direction. An operating unit 4 is provided on the front wall 34 of the casing 24. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear wall 36 of the casing 24 includes a rearmost wall surface 36a located at the rearmost end side, and a recess 36b recessed forward from the rearmost wall surface 36a. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the recess 36b of the rear wall 36 of the casing 24 is formed with a pair of left and right wall fixing holes 46a, 46b (first wall fixing portions).

[0021] 2, the first fixing member 26 is a metal plate-shaped member. Before the electric water heater main body 2 is fixed to the wall surface W, the first fixing member 26 is fixed to the wall surface W at a first fixing position P1 via a pair of mounting holes 26a, 26b of the first fixing member 26 with screws 48. 2, the first fixing member 26 has a pair of left and right engagement protrusions 26c, 26d. Each of these engagement protrusions 26c, 26d protrudes obliquely forward and upward from its lower base end to its upper tip. As shown in Figure 6, when fixing the electric water heater main body 2 to the first fixing member 26 fixed to the wall surface W, each of the pair of engaging protrusions 26c, 26d can be inserted into each of the pair of wall fixing holes 46a, 46b in the rear wall 36 of the casing 24. 6, when the engaging projections 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 are inserted into the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b, respectively, they can engage with the rear wall portions 36c above the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b of the electric water heater main body 2. This allows the electric water heater main body 2 to be fixed to the wall surface W via the first fixing member 26 in a wall-hanging state.

[0022] Next, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second fixing member 28 is a plate-like member made of metal or resin that enables the casing 24 of the electric water heater main body 2 to be fixed at a second fixing position P2 that is lower than the first fixing position P1 on the wall surface W. 3, a recess 50 and a pair of protrusions 52, 52 for attaching the second fixing member are provided at the center of the left and right of the lower end of the rearmost wall surface 36a of the casing 24 as a second wall fixing portion to which the second fixing member 28 is attached. This allows the upper portion of the second fixing member 28 to fit into the recess 50 and the protrusions 52, 52. The recess 50 is also provided with a screw hole 50a. 4 and 5, a pair of fitting holes 28a, 28a and a single screw hole 28b are provided in the upper portion of the second fixing member 28. Before the casing 24 is fixed to the wall surface W, the upper portion of the second fixing member 28 is fitted in advance into the recess 50 of the casing 24 for attaching the second fixing member, and the pair of fitting holes 28a, 28a of the second fixing member 28 is fitted in advance into the pair of protrusions 52 of the casing 24 for attaching the second fixing member. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a screw 54 is attached from the rear side to a screw hole 28b of the second fixing member 28 that coincides with the screw hole 50a of the recess 50, thereby fixing the upper portion of the second fixing member 28 to the recess 50.

[0023] Next, as shown in Figure 6, when each of the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b of the casing 24 engages with each of the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 fixed to the wall surface W, each of the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b of the casing 24 is fixed to the first fixing position P1 on the wall surface W. 4 and 5, screws 48 are attached from the front toward the wall surface W into the elongated holes 28c in the lower portion of the second fixing member 28, thereby fixing the second fixing member 28 to the second fixing position P2 on the wall surface W. The casing 24 is then completely fixed to the wall surface W at both the first fixing position P1 and the second fixing position P2.

[0024] In particular, the recess 50 and the pair of protrusions 52, 52 for attaching the second fixing member, which is the second wall fixing portion, and the second fixing member 28 function to regulate the disengagement of the first fixing member 26 when the first fixing member 26 is fixed to the wall surface W and engaged with the first wall fixing holes 46a, 46b of the casing 24. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a recess 50 for attaching the second fixing member and a second wall fixing portion A similar to the pair of protrusions 52, 52 described above are provided on both the left and right sides of the rearmost wall surface 36a of the casing 24, making it possible to attach the second fixing member 28 to the second wall fixing portion A. As a result, the second wall fixing portion A, together with the second fixing member 28, functions to regulate the disengagement of the first fixing member 26, which is fixed to the wall surface W, from the first wall fixing holes 46a, 46b of the casing 24.

[0025] Here, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, when the first fixing member 26 is fitted into the recess 36b of the casing 24 and the second fixing member 28 is fitted into the recess 50 and the protrusion 52 of the casing 24, the surfaces A1 and A2 on the wall surface W side of each of the first fixing member 26 and the second fixing member 28 are set to be flush with each other relative to the rearmost wall surface 36a of the casing 24. This allows the casing 24 to be stably fixed to the wall surface W with almost no gap between the rearmost wall surface 36a of the casing 24 and the wall surface W.

[0026] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the wall fixing holes 46a and 46b of the casing 24 are located above the center of gravity G of the electric water heater 1 when the hot water storage tank 12 is full of water. This makes it possible to suppress the force that tilts the casing 24 away from the wall surface W compared to when the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b of the casing 24 are located at the same height as or lower than the center of gravity G of the electric water heater 1 when the hot water storage tank 24 is full of water, thereby allowing the electric water heater 1 to be installed stably on the wall surface W. In addition, by tilting the upper part of the casing 24 forward, excessive force is applied to the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b and the first fixing member 26, which prevents the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b and the first fixing member 26 from being damaged.

[0027] Next, with reference to Fig. 3 and Figs. 7 to 9, a fixing structure for fixing and installing the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment to the floor surface F will be specifically described. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before the main body of the electric water heater is fixed to the floor via fixing members when the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed on the floor. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main body of the hot water storage type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from below and behind, showing the main body fixed to the floor via fixing members. Furthermore, Figure 9 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the bottom of a storage tank type electric water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention taken along line IX-IX in Figure 8, showing the state in which the floor fixing part of the electric water heater and the first solid member are engaged.

[0028] 7, before the electric water heater main body 2 is fixed to the floor surface F, the first fixing member 26 is fixed to the first fixing position Q1 on the floor surface W by screws 48 via the pair of mounting holes 26a, 26b of the first fixing member 26. This makes it possible to use the first fixing member 26 both when the casing 24 is fixed to the wall surface W and when it is fixed to the floor surface F. As shown in FIG. 7, when the first fixing member 26 is fixed to the floor F, the engaging projections 26c and 26d each protrude obliquely forward and upward from a base end on the rear side to a tip end on the front side.

[0029] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of legs 58, 60, 62 are provided on the bottom wall 38 of the casing 24 of the electric water heater main body 2. 3, 8, and 9, the leg portion 58 is provided on the bottom wall 36 of the casing 24 at a position closest to the rear wall 36. Furthermore, on the rear side of the leg portion 58, floor fixing engagement portions 64b, 64a (first floor fixing portions) are provided which can be engaged from the front side with the pair of engagement protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 fixed to the floor surface F, respectively. As shown in Figures 3 and 7 to 9, when fixing the casing 24 to the floor surface F, the engagement portions 64b, 64a provided on the bottom wall 36 of the casing 24 closest to the rear wall 36 can be moved from the front side to the rear side toward the first fixing member 26 fixed to the floor surface F, so that they can engage with the engagement protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 from the front side. Furthermore, when the engaging portions 64b, 64a and the engaging projections 26c, 26d are engaged with each other, the electric water heater main body 2 is fixed to the floor surface F via the first fixing members 26.

[0030] Next, as shown in Figures 3, 8 and 9, each leg 60, 62 has a recess 60a, 62a (second floor fixing portion) for attaching a second fixing member that is recessed upward from its lower end side, and the second fixing member 28 can be fitted into each recess 60a, 62a from below. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, each recess 60a, 62a is provided with a pair of protrusions 60b, 60b and a pair of protrusions 62b, 62b for attaching the second fixing member, as well as screw holes 60c, 62c. As a result, before the casing 24 is fixed to the floor surface F, a portion of the second fixing member 28 is pre-fitted into the recess 60a or 62a for attaching the second fixing member of the casing 24, and a pair of mating holes 28a, 28a (see Figure 8) of the second fixing member 28 is pre-fitted into a pair of protrusions 60b, 60b or protrusions 62b, 62b for attaching the second fixing member of the casing 24. As shown in FIG. 8, a screw 54 is attached from below to a screw hole 28b of the second fixing member 28 that coincides with the screw hole 60c or 62c in the recess 60a or 62a, thereby fixing a portion of the second fixing member 28 to the recess 60a or 62a. In the present embodiment shown in Figure 8, the second fixing member 28 is described as being fixed to the recess 60a of only the leg 60, but the second fixing member 28 may also be fixed to the recess 62a of the leg 62, or may be fixed to each of the recesses 60a, 62a of both legs 60, 62.

[0031] Next, as shown in Figure 9, when each of the floor fixing engagement portions 64b, 64a of the casing 24 engages with each of the engagement protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 fixed to the floor surface F, each of the floor fixing engagement portions 64b, 64a of the casing 24 is fixed to the first fixing position Q1 on the floor surface F. 8 and 9, screws 48 are then attached from above toward the floor F into the elongated holes 28c of the second fixing member 28, thereby fixing the second fixing member 28 to the second fixing position Q2 on the floor F. The casing 24 is then completely fixed to the floor F at both the first fixing position Q1 and the second fixing position Q2.

[0032] In particular, the recess 60a (or 62a) and the pair of protrusions 60b, 60b (or 62b, 62b) for attaching the second fixing member, which is the second wall fixing portion, and the second fixing member 28 function to regulate the disengagement between the first fixing member 26, which is fixed to the floor surface F, and the floor fixing engagement portions 64a, 64b of the casing 24, when they are engaged with each other.

[0033] Here, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when each engagement protrusion 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 engages with each of the engagement portions 64b, 64a of the casing 24 for floor fixing, and the second fixing member 28 is fitted into the recess 60a and protrusion 60b of the casing 24 for attaching the second fixing member, the lower end surfaces of each leg 58, 60, 62 and the surfaces A1, A2 of the first fixing member 26 and the second fixing member 28 facing the floor surface F are set to be flush with each other relative to the floor surface F. This allows the casing 24 to be stably fixed to the floor surface W with almost no gap between the lower end surfaces of each leg 58, 60, 62 of the casing 24 and the surfaces A1, A2 of the first fixing member 26 and the second fixing member 28 facing the floor surface F and the floor surface F.

[0034] Next, the operation of the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. According to the storage type electric water heater 1 of the embodiment of the present invention described above, by using fixing members 26, 28 that can be used both when the casing 24 is fixed to a wall surface W and when it is fixed to a floor surface F, the casing 24 can be fixed to the wall surface W or the floor surface F via the common fixing members 26, 28. Furthermore, when fixing the rear wall 36 of the casing 24 to the wall surface W, the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) of the casing 24 can be engaged with the first fixing member 26 fixed to the wall surface W. Furthermore, even when fixing the bottom wall 38 of the casing 24 to the floor surface F, the same first fixing member 26 can be used to engage the first floor fixing portion of the casing 24 (floor fixing engagement portions 64a, 64b) with the first fixing member 26 fixed to the floor surface F. Therefore, the first fixing member 26 can be made common regardless of whether the casing 24 is fixed to the wall surface W or the floor surface F, thereby making it possible to reduce product costs and installation costs. In addition, depending on the installation location of the electric water heater 1, an installation form in which the casing 24 is fixed to a wall surface W or to a floor surface F can be selected as appropriate, thereby improving the ease of installation of the electric water heater 1.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment, when the first fixing member 26 is fixed to the wall surface W and the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) is engaged with the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26, the second fixing member 28 and the second wall fixing portion (the recessed portion 50 and the protruding portion 52 for attaching the second fixing member) are fixed together. This reliably restricts disengagement between the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 and the first wall fixing portion (the wall fixing holes 46a, 46b). Therefore, the electric water heater 1 can be stably fixed to the wall surface W. Furthermore, when the first floor fixing portions (floor fixing engaging portions 64b, 64a) are engaged with the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 fixed to the floor surface F, the second fixing member 28 and the second floor fixing portions (second fixing member mounting recesses 60a, 62a and protrusions 60b, 62b) are fixed together. This reliably restricts disengagement between the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 and the first floor fixing portions (floor fixing engaging portions 64b, 64a). Therefore, the electric water heater 1 can be stably fixed to the floor surface F.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment, the second wall fixing portion (recessed portion 50 and protruding portion 52 for attaching the second fixing member) is provided on the rear wall 36 of the casing 24, so when the rear wall 36 of the casing 24 is fixed to the wall surface W, the second wall fixing portion (recessed portion 50 and protruding portion 52 for attaching the second fixing member) and part of the second fixing member 28 can be concealed between the casing 24 and the wall surface W. As a result, in the installed state of the electric water heater 1, the second wall fixing portion (recessed portion 50 and protruding portion 52 for attaching the second fixing member) and part of the second fixing member 28 are not exposed, and the appearance is not impaired. Similarly, because the second floor fixing portions (recesses 60a, 62a and protrusions 60b, 62b for attaching the second fixing members) are provided on the legs 60, 62 of the bottom wall 38 of the casing 24, when the bottom wall 38 of the casing 24 is fixed to the floor surface F, the second floor fixing portions (recesses 60a, 62a and protrusions 60b, 62b for attaching the second fixing members) and part of the second fixing member 28 can be concealed between the casing 24 and the floor surface F. As a result, in the installed state of the electric water heater 1, the second floor fixing portions (recesses 60a, 62a and protrusions 60b, 62b for attaching the second fixing members) and part of the second fixing member 28 are not exposed, and the appearance is not impaired.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment, when the casing 24 is fixed to a wall surface W, the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) and the second wall fixing portion (recessed portion 50 and protruding portion 52 for attaching the second fixing member) of the casing 24 are fixed to the wall surface W via the first fixing member 26 and the second fixing member 28, respectively. During such fixing, the first fixing member 26 and the second fixing member 28 are fitted into the first recessed portion 36b of the first wall fixing portion and the second recessed portion 50 of the second wall fixing portion, respectively, so that the surfaces A1, A2 of the first fixing member 26 and the second fixing member 28 on the wall surface W side and the rearmost wall surface 36a of the casing 24 are flush with each other. Therefore, there is almost no gap between the rearmost wall surface 36a of the casing 24 and the wall surface W, and the casing 24 can be stably fixed to the wall surface W.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment, when the casing 24 is fixed to the floor surface F, the first floor fixing portion (floor fixing engaging portions 64b, 64a) provided on the bottom wall 38 of the casing 24 closest to the rear wall 36 is moved toward the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26 fixed to the floor surface F. This allows the first floor fixing portion (floor fixing engaging portions 64b, 64a) to easily engage with the first fixing member 26 from the front side. Therefore, the ease of installation when fixing the electric water heater 1 to the floor surface F can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 of this embodiment, when the casing 24 is fixed to the wall surface W, the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) of the casing 24 is located above the center of gravity G of the electric water heater 1 when the hot water storage tank 12 is full of water. This makes it possible to suppress the force that tilts the casing 24 in a direction away from the wall surface W compared to when the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) of the casing 24 is located at the same height as or lower than the center of gravity G of the electric water heater when the hot water storage tank 12 is full of water, and therefore the electric water heater 1 can be installed stably on the wall surface W. In addition, tilting of the casing 24 can prevent excessive force from acting on the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) or the engaging protrusions 26c, 26d of the first fixing member 26, which could result in damage to the first wall fixing portion (wall fixing holes 46a, 46b) or the first fixing member 26.

[0040] In the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention and the hot water storage type electric water heater 100 according to the second embodiment described above, a configuration has been described that employs a so-called "stop-mains type" in which water can be stopped by operating the hot water side solenoid valve 8 on the upstream side (primary side) of the hot water storage tank 12, but other configurations can also be employed. That is, as another embodiment, a so-called "first stop type" may be adopted, in which water can be stopped by operating an on-off valve or the like on the downstream side (secondary side) of the hot water storage tank 12. When such a "first stop type" is adopted, for example, a relief valve may be provided in the hot water storage tank 12, and a relief valve lever for manually operating the relief valve may be provided in the operation unit 4. In this way, when the relief valve malfunctions due to the valve body of the relief valve sticking or the like, the valve body of the relief valve may be opened by operating the relief valve lever, thereby resolving the malfunction of the relief valve. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Storage-type electric water heater 2 Electric water heater body 4 Control section 6 Waterway 6a exit 8 Hot water side solenoid valve (water supply system function part) 10 Water side solenoid valve (water supply system function part) 12 Hot water tank (tank) 14 Electric heater (electric heating section) 16 Hot and cold water mixing valve (water supply system function part, mixing valve) 18 Intake valve (water supply system function part) 20 Intake passage (water supply system function part) 22 Control unit (control section) 24 Casing 26 First fixing member 26a Mounting hole 26b mounting hole 26c Engagement protrusion 26d Engagement protrusion 28 Second fixing member 28a Mating hole 28b screw hole 28c long hole 30 Hot water side water channel 30a Tank waterway 30b Tank bypass waterway 32 Water side waterway 34 Casing front wall 36 Rear wall of casing 36a Last wall 36b Recess (first recess of first wall fixing part) 36c rear wall 38 Casing bottom wall 40 Casing top wall 42 Casing sidewall 44 Casing sidewall 46a Wall fixing hole (first wall fixing part, first recess) 46b Wall fixing hole (first wall fixing portion, first recess) 48 bis 50 Recessed portion for attaching second fixing member (second wall fixing portion, second recessed portion) 50a screw hole 52 Convex portion for attaching second fixing member (second wall fixing portion) 54 bis 58 Legs 60 Legs 60a: Recess for mounting the second fixing member (second floor fixing portion) 60b: Convex portion for attaching second fixing member (second floor fixing portion) 60c screw hole 62 Legs 62a: Recess for mounting the second fixing member (second floor fixing portion) 62b Convex portion for attaching second fixing member (second floor fixing portion) 62c screw hole 64a Engagement portion for floor fixing (first floor fixing portion) 64b Engagement portion for floor fixing (first floor fixing portion) A Fixing part for second wall A1 Wall side surface of the first fixing member A2 Wall side of second fixing member P1 1st fixed position P2 2nd fixed position Q1 1st fixed position Q2 2nd fixed position W wall F Floor

Claims

1. A hot water storage type electric water heater that can supply stored hot water, a waterway through which water supplied from a water supply source flows; A tank that stores water supplied from this waterway, an electric heating unit that electrically heats the water in the tank; a water supply system function unit that opens and closes the water passage or the tank; a casing provided to externally cover the water passage, the tank, the electric heating unit, and the water supply system functional unit; The casing can be used both when it is fixed to a wall and when it is fixed to a floor, and a fixing member that can be fixed to either the wall or the floor, The casing includes a front wall and a rear wall provided in a front-rear direction, a bottom wall and a top wall provided in a top-bottom direction, and side walls provided on both sides in a left-right direction, the casing includes a wall fixing portion that can be fixed to the wall via the fixing member when fixing the rear wall to the wall, and the wall fixing portion can be engaged with the fixing member in a state where the wall is fixed; The casing is provided with a floor fixing portion that can be fixed to the floor via the fixing member when the bottom wall of the casing is fixed to the floor, and the floor fixing portion is capable of engaging with the fixing member when the casing is fixed to the floor.

2. the fixing member includes a first fixing member and a second fixing member capable of fixing the casing to a first fixing position and a second fixing position on the wall or the floor, respectively; When the rear wall of the casing is fixed to the wall, the wall fixing portion comprises a first wall fixing portion provided on the rear wall of the casing so as to be fixable to the first fixing position of the wall via the first fixing member, and a second wall fixing portion so as to be fixable to the second fixing position of the wall via the second fixing member, and the second fixing member and the second wall fixing portion restrict disengagement between the first wall fixing portion and the first fixing member when the first wall fixing portion is engaged with the first fixing member when the first fixing member is fixed to the wall, The electric water heater of claim 1, wherein the floor fixing portion comprises a first floor fixing portion provided on the bottom wall so as to be fixable to the first fixed position on the floor via the first fixing member when the bottom wall of the casing is fixed to the floor, and a second floor fixing portion so as to be fixable to the second fixed position on the floor via the second fixing member, and the second fixing member and the second floor fixing portion regulate disengagement between the first floor fixing portion and the first fixing member when the first floor fixing portion is engaged with the first fixing member when the first fixing member is fixed to the floor.

3. 3. The electric water heater according to claim 2, wherein the second wall fixing portion is provided on a rear wall of the casing, and the second floor fixing portion is provided on a bottom wall of the casing.

4. the first wall fixing portion and the second wall fixing portion are respectively provided in a first recess and a second recess formed so as to be recessed forward relative to the rear wall surface of the casing, and the first fixing member and the second fixing member can be fitted into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, when fixing the rear wall of the casing to the wall; An electric water heater as described in claim 3, wherein the wall-side surfaces of the first fixing member and the second fixing member when fitted into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, and the rear wall surface of the casing are set to be flush with each other.

5. An electric water heater as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first floor fixing portion is provided on the rearmost wall side of the bottom wall of the casing and is engageable from the front side with the first fixing member when it is fixed to the floor.

6. 5. The electric water heater according to claim 2, wherein the first wall fixing portion is located above a center of gravity of the electric water heater when the tank is full of water.

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