Hot water supply system

The hot water supply device addresses harness misalignment by intersecting the lid sliding and harness pulling directions, facilitating smooth and reliable connector extraction through a step and notch design, enhancing operational efficiency.

JP2026070380APending Publication Date: 2026-04-27PALOMA CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
PALOMA CO LTD
Filing Date
2024-10-15
Publication Date
2026-04-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing hot water supply devices face issues with harness misalignment and difficulty in reliably pulling out connectors due to the same directional alignment of the harness and lid, leading to inefficiencies in the drawing work.

Method used

A hot water supply device design where the sliding direction of the lid and the pulling direction of the harness intersect, with a tangential lid sliding direction and radial harness pulling direction, and a configuration that includes a step portion and notch to guide the harness into a pull-out opening, ensuring smooth and reliable connector extraction.

Benefits of technology

This configuration prevents harness misalignment and ensures easy, efficient pulling out of connectors, improving workability by guiding the harness into the pull-out opening, even when passing through insulating material.

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  • Figure 2026070380000001_ABST
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Abstract

Even with a structure where the temperature sensor harness is routed through insulation along with the connector and then sealed with a cover, the design prevents the harness from shifting position and ensures that the connector can be reliably routed from the desired location. [Solution] The heat pump heat source unit 1 includes a tank body 20 for storing hot water, a tank temperature sensor 23 attached to the outer surface of the tank body 20, and an insulating material 115 covering the outer surface of the tank body 20. The insulating material 115 is provided with an opening 116 for exposing a temperature sensing section 130, and a lid 121 that can open and close the opening 116 by sliding in direction A. In the closed position where the lid 121 closes the opening 116, an outlet 126 is formed between the opening 116 and the lid 121 for pulling the harness 131 out of the insulating material 115, and the sliding direction of the lid 121 and the pulling direction of the harness 131 from the outlet 126 intersect with each other.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hot water supply device that heats water with a heating means such as a heat pump, stores the hot water in a tank, and enables hot water to be discharged from the tank.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a hot water supply device that heats water to a predetermined temperature using a heating means such as a heat pump, stores the hot water in a tank, and enables hot water to be discharged to the outside. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a hot water supply machine that heats the water in a hot water storage tank housed in a hot water storage device with a heat pump unit, keeps it warm at a predetermined temperature, and enables hot water to be discharged. In this hot water supply machine, a plurality of temperature sensors for detecting the remaining amount are provided on the side wall of the hot water storage tank, and the outer peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank is covered with a heat insulating material. The heat insulating material has an opening for attaching the temperature sensor and a lid for closing the opening after the temperature sensor is attached. The harness of the temperature sensor is housed in the opening, drawn out to the outside from between the opening and the lid, and a connector is connected to the end.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above hot water supply machine, since the drawing direction of the harness from the opening and the direction of attaching the lid are the same (both in the radial direction of the hot water storage tank), there is a risk that the harness will interfere with the lid when the harness is drawn out together with the connector and the lid is attached, causing the harness to be displaced. In this case, if the connector cannot be drawn out from the desired position, it is necessary to remove the lid once and do the work again, which takes time for the harness drawing work.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a hot water supply device that prevents misalignment of the harness and ensures that the connector can be reliably pulled out from a desired position, even in a structure where the harness of the temperature sensor is pulled out together with the connector through an insulating material and then closed with a cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, this disclosure provides a hot water supply system comprising a tank for storing hot water, A heating means for heating the hot water in the tank, A temperature sensor including a temperature sensing unit attached to the outer surface of the tank and a connector connected to the temperature sensing unit via a harness, The system includes an insulating material that covers the outer surface of the tank, including the temperature measuring section. Furthermore, the insulation material is provided with an opening that exposes the temperature measuring section and a lid that can open and close the opening by sliding in a predetermined direction, and in the closed position where the lid closes the opening, an exit is formed between the opening and the lid for pulling the harness out of the insulation material. The sliding direction of the lid and the pulling direction of the harness from the outlet intersect with each other. Another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the tank is circular in plan view, the sliding direction of the lid is tangential to the tank, and the pulling direction of the harness is radial to the tank. Another aspect of the present disclosure is the above configuration, wherein a step portion projecting upward is formed on the lower surface of the opening, The lower part of the lid is characterized in that, in the sliding direction toward the closed position, a notch is formed at the front portion, into which the stepped portion fits when the lid is closed, and the rising surface of the notch extends parallel to the pulling direction, facing the stepped portion without contact, and forming the pull-out opening between it and the stepped portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, since the sliding direction of the lid and the pulling direction of the harness intersect, when the lid is slid to the closed position, the harness can be pushed out towards the exit point by the lid and positioned, making it less likely for the harness to shift position when the lid is attached. Therefore, even in a structure where the temperature sensor harness is pulled out together with the connector through the heat insulating material and closed with the lid, it is possible to prevent the harness from shifting position and to reliably pull out the connector from the desired position. According to another aspect of this disclosure, in addition to the above effects, the sliding direction of the lid is tangential to the circular tank in plan view, and the pulling direction of the harness is radial to the tank, so that the pulling of the harness and the sliding of the lid can be performed smoothly and without force. According to another aspect of this disclosure, in the above configuration, the rising surface of the notch provided in the lid extends parallel to the pulling direction, facing the stepped portion provided in the opening without contact when the lid is closed, and a pull-out opening is formed between the stepped portion and the rising surface. Therefore, a pull-out opening for the harness can be easily formed by utilizing the stepped portion and the rising surface. Furthermore, when the lid is slid to the closed position, the rising surface pushes out the harness, so even if the harness is slack, it can be automatically guided to the pull-out opening. Consequently, the workability related to pulling out the harness is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply system consisting of a heat pump heat source unit and a water heater. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a heat pump heat source unit (the front panel is omitted). [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the opening in the insulation material with the cover removed. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the state of attaching a cover to the opening in the insulation material. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA in Figure 2, showing the state in which a cover is attached to the opening of the insulation material. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hot water supply system S consisting of a heat pump heat source unit (hereinafter simply referred to as "heat source unit") 1, which is an example of a hot water supply device of this disclosure, and a water heater 70 connected to the heat source unit 1. The heat source unit 1 comprises a heat pump unit 2, a tank unit 3, a tank drain pipe 4, a heat source side water supply pipe 5, a heat source side hot water outlet pipe 6, and a heat source unit controller 7. The heat pump unit 2 comprises a compressor 10, a water heat exchanger 11, an expansion valve 12, a heat absorption section 13, and a loop-shaped circulation path 14 connecting these in series. A heat transfer medium (e.g., a refrigerant alternative) can circulate through the circulation path 14. The heat pump unit 2 is an example of a heating means of this disclosure. The compressor 10 compresses the heat transfer medium absorbed in the heat absorption section 13, making it high temperature and high pressure, and sends it to the water heat exchanger 11. The water heat exchanger 11 is equipped with a heat-side pipe 15 and a water-side pipe 16. The heat-side pipe 15 is incorporated into the circulation path 14. The water-side pipe 16 is incorporated into the tank circulation path 28, which will be described later. The expansion valve 12 depressurizes the heat transfer medium from which heat has been removed in the water heat exchanger 11, making it low temperature and low pressure, and sends it to the heat absorption section 13. The heat absorption section 13 has a fan 17 and performs heat exchange between the outside air and the heat transfer medium.

[0010] The tank unit 3 comprises a tank body 20, a supply pipe 21, and a return pipe 22. The tank body 20 is capable of storing a predetermined capacity (e.g., 25 L) of hot water and is equipped with a tank temperature sensor 23 for detecting the temperature of the hot water. The tank body 20 is an example of the tank of this disclosure. The tank temperature sensor 23 is an example of the temperature sensor of this disclosure. The supply pipe 21 is connected to the bottom of the tank body 20. The supply pipe 21 is connected to the upstream end of the water side piping 16. The supply pipe 21 is equipped with a pump 25, a flow switch 26 for detecting water flow, and a supply temperature sensor 27 for detecting the temperature of the hot water. The return pipe 22 is connected to the upper part of the tank body 20. The return pipe 22 is connected to the downstream end of the water-side pipe 16 of the water heat exchanger 11 of the heat pump unit 2. A return temperature sensor 24 for detecting the temperature of the hot water is provided on the return pipe 22. The forward pipe 21, the return pipe 22, and the water-side pipe 16 form a tank circulation path 28 through which the hot water in the tank body 20 circulates. A drain pipe 29 for the forward pipe is connected to the forward pipe 21 on the upstream side of the pump 25. A drain plug 30 is provided at the downstream end of the drain pipe 29 for the forward pipe.

[0011] The drain pipe 4 for the tank is connected to the lowermost part of the tank body 20. The drain pipe 4 for the tank is provided with a throttle portion 35 for flow control and a first solenoid valve 36 for opening and closing the flow path in order from the upstream side. A branch portion 4a is provided between the throttle portion 35 and the first solenoid valve 36, and a branch pipe 4b is connected to the branch portion 4a. A drain plug 37 is provided at the outlet of the branch pipe 4b. The heat source side water supply pipe 5 has its upstream end connected to a water inlet 38 provided in the housing. An external water pipe (not shown) is connected to the water inlet 38. The heat source side water supply pipe 5 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 39 for adjusting the water inlet pressure to the tank body 20, a heat source side flow sensor 40 for detecting the water flow rate, and a heat source side inlet water temperature sensor 41 for detecting the temperature of the water, from the upstream side.

[0012] The heat source side water supply pipe 5 branches into a first water supply branch pipe 42 and a second water supply branch pipe 43 on the downstream side of the heat source side inlet water temperature sensor 41. The first water supply branch pipe 42 is connected to a mixing valve 56 (described later) provided in the heat source side hot water pipe 6. The first water supply branch pipe 42 is provided with a check valve 44 and a throttle portion 45 for flow control. A drain pipe 46 for the water supply pipe is connected between the check valve 44 and the throttle portion 45. A drain plug 47 is provided at the downstream end of the drain pipe 46 for the water supply pipe. The second water supply branch pipe 43 is connected to the lowermost part of the tank body 20. The second water supply branch pipe 43 is provided with a second solenoid valve 48 for opening and closing the flow path and a check valve 49 from the upstream side.

[0013] The hot water outlet pipe 6 on the heat source side includes a first partial pipe 55, a mixing valve 56, and a second partial pipe 57. The upstream end of the first partial pipe 55 is connected to the upper part of the tank body 20, and the downstream end is connected to the first inlet of the mixing valve 56. A pressure relief pipe 58 is connected to the first partial pipe 55. A pressure relief valve 59 is provided on the pressure relief pipe 58. An upstream temperature sensor 60 for detecting the hot water temperature in the first partial pipe 55 is provided on the first partial pipe 55 on the downstream side of the pressure relief pipe 58. The mixing valve 56 is an electric type that can drive the valve body of the T-port by a motor and can adjust the opening degree of the flow path together with the switching of the flow path. The downstream end of the first water supply branch pipe 42 is connected to the second inlet of the mixing valve 56. The upstream end of the second partial pipe 57 is connected to the outlet of the mixing valve 56. A downstream temperature sensor 61 for detecting the hot water temperature in the second partial pipe 57 is provided on the second partial pipe 57. A hot water outlet 62 is provided at the downstream end of the second partial pipe 57.

[0014] The heat source controller 7 is composed of a CPU and a memory connected to the CPU. The heat source controller 7 is electrically connected to the compressor 10, the expansion valve 12, the fan 17 of the heat pump unit 2, and a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the circulation path 14. The heat source controller 7 is electrically connected to the pump 25, the first and second solenoid valves 36, 48, and the mixing valve 56 to control the operation of each component, and the detection signals of each sensor and switch are respectively input. Based on the operation command set by the remote controller 74 described later and each detection signal, the heat source controller 7 controls the operation of the heat pump unit 2 and the hot water outlet operation of the hot water in the tank body 20 according to a program stored in a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium including a memory connected to the CPU. Note that the first solenoid valve 36 of the tank water drain pipe 4 is closed during the hot water outlet operation.

[0015] The water heater 70 includes a gas burner 71, a heat exchanger 72, a water heater controller 73, and a remote control 74. A water supply pipe 75 is connected to the inlet end of the heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger 72. The upstream end of the water supply pipe 75 is connected to the hot water outlet 62 of the heat source unit 1 via a connecting pipe 76. A hot water outlet pipe 77 is connected to the outlet end of the heat exchanger 72. An external pipe 78 is connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet pipe 77. A hot water tap 79 is provided on the external pipe 78. A bypass pipe 80 that bypasses the heat exchanger 72 is connected between the water supply pipe 75 and the hot water outlet pipe 77. Upstream of the bypass pipe 80, the water supply pipe 75 is equipped with a flow sensor 81 for detecting water flow, an inlet water temperature sensor 82 for detecting water temperature, and a water flow control valve 83 for controlling the flow rate in the water supply pipe 75. The hot water outlet pipe 77 is equipped with an outlet water temperature sensor 84 for detecting the outlet water temperature. The bypass pipe 80 is equipped with a bypass control valve 85 for controlling the bypass amount. The gas pipe supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 71 is equipped with a main valve, a proportional valve, and a main valve (none of which are shown) from the upstream side.

[0016] The water heater controller 73 consists of a CPU and memory connected to the CPU. The water heater controller 73 is electrically connected to the water volume control valve 83, the bypass control valve 85, the valves of the gas pipe and the igniter for ignition, and a fan (not shown), and controls the operation of each component, and also receives detection signals from each sensor. The water heater controller 73 controls the operation of the water heater 70 according to a program stored in a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium, including memory connected to the CPU, based on the operation commands set by the remote control 74 and each detection signal. The water heater controller 73 is electrically connected to the heat source unit controller 7, enabling them to communicate with each other. The remote control 74 allows the hot water supply system S to be controlled by switches (not shown) to perform both a heat retention operation and a hot water supply operation. The heat retention operation is the operation of the heat pump unit 2 to heat and maintain the temperature of the hot water in the tank body 20. The hot water supply operation is the operation of supplying the hot water in the tank body 20 via the water heater 70.

[0017] In the hot water supply system S configured as described above, when the heat source controller 7 receives an instruction from the remote control 74 to perform a heat retention operation for the heat pump unit 2, it activates the compressor 10 and expansion valve 12 of the heat pump unit 2 and the pump 25 of the tank unit 3. Then, in the heat pump unit 2, the heat transfer medium is compressed by the compressor 10 to become high temperature and high pressure, dissipates heat in the water heat exchanger 11, becomes low temperature and low pressure in the expansion valve 12, and circulates through the circulation path 14 while absorbing heat in the heat absorption section 13. Meanwhile, in the tank unit 3, the operation of the pump 25 causes the hot water in the tank body 20 to circulate through the tank circulation path 28. That is, the hot water circulates from the supply pipe 21 through the water-side pipe 16 of the heat exchanger 11 and back to the tank body 20 through the return pipe 22. As a result, heat exchange takes place in the heat exchanger 11 between the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat-side pipe 15 and the hot water flowing through the water-side pipe 16, heating the hot water in the tank body 20. After the hot water in the tank body 20 is heated to a high temperature (e.g., 75°C), the compressor 10 is controlled ON / OFF based on the temperature detected by the supply temperature sensor 27 to maintain a predetermined temperature (e.g., 65°C).

[0018] Then, when hot water operation is selected on the remote control 74, the heat source unit controller 7 opens the second solenoid valve 48 while keeping the first solenoid valve 36 closed, and switches the mixing valve 56 to a state where the first section pipe 55 and the second section pipe 57 are in communication. When the hot water tap 79 is opened in this state, tap water is supplied from the water inlet 38 to the heat source side water supply pipe 5. This tap water is supplied from the second water supply branch pipe 43 to the lower part of the tank body 20. Then, due to this supply pressure, the hot water in the tank body 20 is pushed out into the first section pipe 55 of the heat source side hot water outlet pipe 6, and flows through the mixing valve 56 to the second section pipe 57. The hot water flowing through the second section pipe 57 then flows through the connecting pipe 76 to the water supply pipe 75 of the water heater 70, and is discharged from the hot water tap 79 after passing through the heat exchanger 72, the hot water outlet pipe 77, and the external piping 78.

[0019] If the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 84 is lower than the set temperature set by the remote control 74, the water heater controller 73 opens the main valve and the main valve to ignite the gas burner 71 and heat the hot water passing through the heat exchanger 72. At the same time, based on the inlet water temperature obtained from the inlet water temperature sensor 82, it adjusts the opening of the water volume control valve 83, the bypass control valve 85, and the proportional valve to perform hot water temperature control to match the hot water temperature to the set temperature. On the other hand, if the hot water temperature is higher than the set temperature, the heat source controller 7 switches the mixing valve 56 to a state where the first section pipe 55, the second section pipe 57, and the first water supply branch pipe 42 are in communication, thereby increasing the amount of water supplied from the first water supply branch pipe 42. When the hot water tap 79 is closed and the flow sensor 81 detects that water has stopped flowing through the water heater 70, the water heater controller 73 closes the main valve and the source valve to stop the combustion of the gas burner 71.

[0020] Next, the specific structure of the heat source unit 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a front view of the heat source unit 1. The housing 100 of the heat source unit 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends vertically. However, the housing 100 is divided into a cubic frame-shaped upper frame 101 and a lower frame 102. Here, the upper frame 101 and the lower frame 102 are stacked vertically and joined together with bolts to form a single unit. A partition plate 103 is provided on the lower surface of the upper frame 101, and a bottom plate 104 and legs 105, 105 are provided on the lower surface of the lower frame 102. The front, rear, left, right, and top surfaces of the housing 100 are closed off by panels 106. In Figure 2, the front panel 106 is omitted.

[0021] In this configuration, the heat pump unit 2 is housed in the upper frame 101, and the tank unit 3 is housed in the lower frame 102. In the upper frame 101, the heat absorption unit 13 is located on the left side, with the fan 17 facing forward. To the right of the heat absorption unit 13 is the heat source controller 7. To the right of the heat source controller 7 is the water heat exchanger 11. Behind the heat source controller 7 are the compressor 10 (not shown in Figure 2) and the expansion valve 12. In the lower frame 102, the tank body 20 is positioned on the left side. The tank body 20 is fixed to the bottom plate 104 via a support base (not shown) provided on the bottom surface, and fixed to the partition plate 103 via a fitting (not shown) provided on the top surface. The supply pipe 21 is branched and connected to the tank drain pipe 4, which is connected to the center of the bottom surface of the tank body 20, and its upstream end is shared with the tank drain pipe 4. The supply pipe 21 is drawn out to the right side of the tank body 20 and routed upward via the pump 25, passes through the partition plate 103 and enters the upper frame 101, and is connected to the lower part of the water heat exchanger 11. The return pipe 22 is connected to the right side of the tank body 20 and routed upward, passes through the partition plate 103 and enters the upper frame 101, and is connected to the upper part of the water heat exchanger 11.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, a pipe connection section 110 is provided at the bottom of the right-side panel 106 of the lower frame 102. In addition to a water inlet 38 and a hot water outlet 62, the pipe connection section 110 is equipped with a drain port 111 from the pressure relief pipe 58, drain plugs, and a drain port 112 from the tank drain pipe 4. The pipe connection section 110 is covered by a cover 113 attached to the panel 106. The cover 113 has an opening 114 on its rear side. Each pipe and electrical wiring connected to the pipe connection section 110 is routed to the rear through the opening 114.

[0023] The outer perimeter of the tank body 20 is covered with an insulating material (e.g., polystyrene foam) 115. As shown in Figure 3, the insulating material 115 has an octagonal shape in plan view and is divided into two halves, left and right. The insulating material 115 covers the circumferential and top surfaces of the tank body 20 by assembling the left and right halves 115a and 115b onto the circular tank body 20 from the left and right. The right-hand half of the insulating material 115b has a cutout formed therein for attaching a tank temperature sensor 23. As also shown in Figure 4, the opening 116 is cut out in the tangential direction of the tank body 20, straddling two octagonal planes 117A and 117B adjacent in the circumferential direction in the half 115b. The opening 116 penetrates the tank body 20 radially in plane 117A, and penetrates the tank body 20 tangentially in plane 117B, exposing the circumferential surface of the tank body 20. Hereafter, the tangential direction parallel to plane 117A will be referred to as direction A. As shown in Figure 3, a lower step portion 118 projecting upward is formed in the A direction at a position on the outer side of the lower end surface of the opening 116 on the plane 117A side. Similarly, as shown in Figure 5, an upper step portion 119 projecting downward is formed in the A direction at a position on the outer side of the upper end surface of the opening 116 on the plane 117A side. The ends 120 of the lower step portion 118 and the upper step portion 119 on the plane 117B side have a radial width that decreases towards the plane 117B side, and are triangular in plan view with their vertices located towards the back. The lower step portion 118 is an example of a step portion of this disclosure.

[0024] A lid 121 is provided in the opening 116. The lid 121 is a block body cut out from the split material 115b when the opening 116 is formed, and at the closed position of the opening 116, its outer surface 122A is flush with the plane 117A and its outer surface 122B is flush with the plane 117B. A pull handle 123 is recessed in the vertical direction on the outer surface 122A. By pulling the lid 121 toward the plane 117B side in direction A via the pull handle 123, the lid 121 can be removed from the opening 116 and the opening 116 can be opened, as shown in Figure 4. Direction A is an example of the sliding direction of the lid in this disclosure. At the end of the lid 121, which is the terminal end of the opening 116, a lower notch 124 is formed along the entire radial length to avoid interference with the lower step portion 118 when the opening 116 is closed. In the lower notch 124, the radially extending rising surface 125 is not in contact with the end portion 120 of the lower step portion 118 when the opening is closed. Therefore, in the closed position shown in Figure 3, a radially penetrating outlet 126 is formed between the rising surface 125 and the end portion 120. The lower notch 124 is an example of a notch in this disclosure. Similarly, at the end of the lid 121, an upper notch 127 is formed at the top to avoid interference with the upper stepped portion 119 when it is closed. Unlike the lower notch 124, the upper notch 127 is not formed along its entire radial length, but is partially provided at the outer corner where the upper stepped portion 119 fits, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The radially extending downward surface of the upper notch 127 is also in non-contact with the end 120 of the upper stepped portion 119 when it is fitted into the opening 116.

[0025] The tank temperature sensor 23 includes a temperature sensing unit 130, a harness 131 connected to the temperature sensing unit 130, and a connector 132 connected to the harness 131. The temperature sensing unit 130 is attached to the outer surface of the tank body 20 by adhesive or the like within the opening 116, with the lid 121 removed and the opening 116 open. The harness 131 is then routed from the outer surface of the tank body 20 to the lower surface of the opening 116, and pulled radially outward on the lower surface of the opening 116, causing the connector 132 to protrude outside the opening 116. At this time, the harness 131 on the lower surface of the opening 116 is positioned on the flat surface 117B side of the lower stepped portion 118. The radial direction of the tank body 20 is an example of the harness pulling direction in this disclosure. In this state, the lid 121 is fitted from the plane 117B into the opening 116, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, and slid in direction A until it fits into the opening 116 and closes. Then, the harness 131 on the lower surface of the opening 116 is pulled out to the outside from the outlet 126. At this time, even if the position of the harness 131 on the lower surface of the opening 116 is shifted toward the plane 117B side away from the lower step 118 as shown by the dashed line in Figure 7, the rising surface 125 of the sliding lid 121 pushes it toward the lower step 118 side, and it is finally guided between the end 120 and the rising surface 125 and pulled out from the outlet 126.

[0026] Thus, the heat source unit 1 in the above configuration includes a tank body 20 for storing hot water, a heat pump unit 2 for heating the hot water in the tank body 20, a tank temperature sensor 23 including a temperature sensing unit 130 attached to the outer surface of the tank body 20 and a connector 132 connected to the temperature sensing unit 130 via a harness 131, and an insulating material 115 covering the outer surface of the tank body 20 including the temperature sensing unit 130. The insulation material 115 is provided with an opening 116 that exposes the temperature sensing section 130, and a lid 121 that can open and close the opening 116 by sliding in direction A. In the closed position when the lid 121 closes the opening 116, an outlet 126 is formed between the opening 116 and the lid 121 for pulling the harness 131 out of the insulation material 115, so that the sliding direction of the lid 121 (direction A) and the pulling direction of the harness 131 from the outlet 126 (radial direction) intersect with each other.

[0027] With this configuration, the sliding direction of the lid 121 and the pulling direction of the harness 131 intersect. Therefore, when sliding the lid 121 to the closed position, the harness 131 can be pushed out towards the outlet 126 by the lid 121 and positioned, making it less likely for the harness 131 to shift position when the lid 121 is installed. Thus, even with a structure in which the harness 131 of the tank temperature sensor 23 is pulled out together with the connector 132 via the heat insulating material 115 and closed by the lid 121, the harness 131 can be prevented from shifting position and the connector 132 can be reliably pulled out from the desired position.

[0028] The tank body 20 is circular in plan view, the direction A in which the lid 121 slides is tangential to the tank body 20, and the direction in which the harness 131 is pulled out is radial to the tank body 20. Therefore, the harness 131 can be drawn out and the lid 121 can be slid out smoothly without any difficulty. An upwardly projecting lower step portion 118 is formed on the lower surface of the opening 116, while a lower notch 124 is formed at the front of the lower part of the lid 121 in the sliding direction toward the closed position, into which the lower step portion 118 fits when the lid is closed. The rising surface 125 of the lower notch 124 extends parallel to the pulling direction, facing the lower step portion 118 without contact when the lid is closed, and forms a pull-out opening 126 between it and the lower step portion 118. Therefore, the lower stepped portion 118 and the rising surface 125 can be used to easily form the exit 126 for the harness 131. In addition, when the lid 121 is slid to the closed position, the rising surface 125 pushes out the harness 131, so even if there is slack in the harness 131, it can be automatically guided to the exit 126. Thus, the workability related to pulling out the harness 131 is improved.

[0029] The following describes examples of changes to this disclosure. The stepped portion provided on the lower surface of the opening is not limited to the lower stepped portion of the above form. The stepped portion may be shorter or longer in the sliding direction, or wider in the radial direction than the lower stepped portion. The end portion facing the rising surface is not limited to a triangular shape in plan view, but may also be trapezoidal, semicircular, rectangular, or the like in plan view. The notch in the lid can also be modified to match the stepped section. The rising surface does not need to be parallel to the direction of the drawer. However, the stepped portion and the notch in the lid are not mandatory; for example, the harness outlet may be formed in a semi-circular or circular shape on either the lid in the closed position or the opening. The upper stepped portion and upper notch in the opening can also be omitted. The shape of the opening and lid is not limited to the above form. The position of the opening may be on a different plane of the insulation material, and the height may also be changed. The insulation material is not limited to an octagon in plan view; it may also be circular, rectangular, or have other polygonal shapes in plan view. The material for the insulation material is not limited to expanded polystyrene.

[0030] The lid may slide in the opposite direction to the above configuration, closing the opening by sliding from the right side. Furthermore, the opening may be closed not only by sliding horizontally, but also by sliding vertically or diagonally, as long as it intersects with the harness pulling direction. The harness pulling direction can also be the tangential direction, and the lid sliding direction can be the radial direction. The position and shape of the lid pull tab can be changed, and if sliding operation is possible, the pull tab can be omitted. Multiple temperature sensors can be attached to the tank.

[0031] The heating method is not limited to a heat pump. The heating method may also be a gas combustion type, such as a water heater. Either the heat source controller or the water heater controller can be omitted, and the entire hot water supply system can be controlled by a single controller. The tank capacity is not limited to 25L as described above; it may be increased or decreased as appropriate. The heat exchanger of a water heater may consist of a primary heat exchanger that recovers sensible heat and a secondary heat exchanger that recovers latent heat. Alternatively, a drop-in pipe connected to the bathtub may be branched off from the hot water outlet pipe of the water heater, and a valve installed in the drop-in pipe may be used to fill the bathtub with hot water. In this case, a bath heating unit may be installed alongside the hot water supply unit so that the water in the bathtub can be reheated by the bath heating unit. The external heat source connected to the hot water outlet is not limited to a water heater. This disclosure is not limited to a hot water supply system consisting of a hot water supply device and an external heat source, but may also refer to a configuration in which an external heat source is not connected to the hot water outlet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Heat pump heat source unit, 2. Heat pump unit, 3. Tank unit, 4. Tank drain pipe, 4a. Branch section, 4b. Branch pipe, 5. Heat source side water supply pipe, 6. Heat source side hot water outlet pipe, 7. Heat source unit controller, 14. Circulation path, 20. Tank, 25. Pump, 28. Tank circulation path, 36. First solenoid valve, 38. Water inlet, 42. First water supply branch pipe, 43. Second water supply branch pipe, 48. Second solenoid valve, 55. 1st section pipe, 56... Mixing valve, 57... 2nd section pipe, 58... Pressure relief pipe, 59... Pressure relief valve, 62... Hot water outlet, 63... Lever, 70... Water heater, 100... Housing, 101... Upper frame, 102... Lower frame, 115... Insulation, 116... Opening, 117A, 117B... Flat surface, 118... Lower step, 119... Upper step, 120... End, 121... Cover, 124... Lower notch, 125... Rising surface, 126... Outlet, 127... Upper notch, 130... Temperature sensing section, 131... Harness, 132... Connector, S... Hot water supply system.

Claims

1. A tank for storing hot water, A heating means for heating the hot water in the tank, A temperature sensor including a temperature sensing unit attached to the outer surface of the tank and a connector connected to the temperature sensing unit via a harness, The tank includes an insulating material that covers the outer surface of the tank, including the temperature measuring section, The insulation material is provided with an opening for exposing the temperature measuring section and a lid that can open and close the opening by sliding in a predetermined direction, and in the closed position where the lid closes the opening, an exit is formed between the opening and the lid for pulling the harness out of the insulation material. A hot water supply device in which the sliding direction of the lid and the pulling direction of the harness from the outlet intersect with each other.

2. The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the tank is circular in plan view, the sliding direction of the lid is tangential to the tank, and the pulling direction of the harness is radial to the tank.

3. A step portion projecting upward is formed on the lower surface of the opening, The hot water supply device according to claim 2, wherein, in the lower part of the lid, a notch is formed at the front in the sliding direction toward the closed position, into which the stepped portion fits when the lid is closed, and the rising surface of the notch extends parallel to the pulling direction, facing the stepped portion without contact when the lid is closed, and the outlet is formed between it and the stepped portion.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Water heater

    JP2009121719A