A drip-proof member and a hot water supply device equipped with the drip-proof member.

Abstract

The present invention provides a drip-proof member 1 that guides condensation water generated in the water inlet 64 to the inner wall 611 of the housing 61 and directs the condensation water in a direction that prevents it from coming into contact with the electrical components 62. [Solution] The drip-proof member 1 comprises a guide portion 3 that receives the condensed water and a tip portion 5 that guides the condensed water received by the guide portion 3 to the inner wall 611, the tip portion 5 includes a tongue portion 51, a valley portion 53 provided at the side end of the tongue portion 51 and a bent portion 52 that bends from the valley portion 53, With the drip-proof member 1 attached to the hot water supply device WH, The tongue portion 51 and the bent portion 52 form a drainage path DR for condensation water between them and the inner wall 611. The tip 532 of the valley portion 53 is positioned so as to be further away from the electrical components than the base end 531 of the valley portion 53 in a plan view of the hot water supply device WH.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drip-proof member and a water supply device provided with the drip-proof member.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a water supply device provided with a heat exchanger, it has been known that condensed water occurs in the water inlet portion where unheated water is introduced into the heat exchanger. There has been a problem that this condensed water causes corrosion, short circuit, or other failures of the electrical components of the water supply device by directly dripping onto the electrical components or contacting the electrical components by running along the inner wall.

[0003] As a solution, for example, it is conceivable to attach a drip-proof member as described in Patent Document 1. The drip-proof member described in Patent Document 1 is configured to receive water droplets such as condensed water and rainwater at a water droplet receiving portion and discharge them to the outside along the wall surface through a drainage guide portion.

[0004] According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent the condensed water generated in the water inlet portion from directly dripping onto the electrical components. However, the possibility that the condensed water generated in the water inlet portion contacts the electrical components via the inner wall or the like has not been solved yet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] [[ID=?]] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drip-proof member that guides the condensed water generated in the water inlet portion where water enters the heat exchanger to the inner wall of the water supply device and flows the condensed water in a direction that does not contact the electrical components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The drip-proof member according to the present invention is attached to a hot water supply device comprising a housing, electrical components provided inside the housing, and a heat exchanger provided inside the housing above the electrical components, and guides condensation water generated at the water inlet portion into the heat exchanger to the inner wall of the housing, comprising a guide portion that receives the condensation water and guides it to the inner wall, and a tip portion that directs the condensation water received by the guide portion to the inner wall, wherein the tip portion has a groove from its base to its tip, and when the drip-proof member is attached to the hot water supply device, the groove forms a drainage path for the condensation water between the tip portion and the inner wall, and the tip of the groove is provided in a direction away from the electrical components in a plan view from the base of the groove.

[0008] Furthermore, when the drip-proof member is attached to the hot water supply device, the first end of the guide portion that is closer to the electrical component in a plan view may be provided such that the tip of the first end is positioned further away from the electrical component in a plan view than the base end of the first end.

[0009] Furthermore, the tip of the first edge may be connected to the base end of the valley.

[0010] Furthermore, the drip-proof member may be formed by bending a flexible sheet-like member.

[0011] Furthermore, in the hot water supply device according to the present invention, the tip portion may be inserted between the neutralizer and the inner wall. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a hot water supply device equipped with a drip-proof member according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view explanatory diagram of the area around the drip-proof member 1 in a hot water supply device equipped with a drip-proof member according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a plan view of the drip-proof member according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a drip-proof member according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the drainage route according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of a drip-proof member according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. When referring to the "mounted state of the drip-proof member 1," it means the state in which the drip-proof member 1 is attached to the hot water supply device WH. Furthermore, when referring to the "front" and "rear," it means the front and rear directions of the hot water supply device WH, specifically the front side of the page in Figure 1 and the rear side of the page in Figure 1.

[0014] The hot water supply system WH shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a latent heat recovery type hot water supply system.

[0015] This hot water supply system WH includes electrical components 62, a heat exchanger 63, a water inlet 64, a fixing member 65, a neutralizer 66, a burner 67, a fan (not shown), and a drip-proof member 1, all located inside the housing 61.

[0016] The housing 61 is formed as a roughly rectangular parallelepiped with elongated and rounded corners, and houses the components of the hot water supply device WH inside. The housing 61 has inner walls 611 on its inner surfaces in the left-right direction. The neutralizer 66 is attached to the inner walls 611, and a part of the tip 5 of the drip-proof member 1, which will be described later, also abuts against them. If an insulating plate is provided along the inside of the housing 61, the side of the insulating plate that is not in contact with the housing 61 may be used as the inner wall 611.

[0017] The electrical component 62 is inside the housing 61, below the heat exchanger 63 and on the front side of the heat exchanger 63. In the present embodiment, the electrical component 62 is a controller that controls the operation of the water supply device, but it may also be other electrical components such as a pump motor, solenoid valve, sensor, connector of electrical wiring, terminal, etc.

[0018] The heat exchanger 63 is inside the housing 61 and is provided above the electrical component 62. The heat exchanger is made of copper, stainless steel or other metals. The heat exchanger 63 includes a primary heat exchanger and a secondary heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 63 is provided with a heat transfer tube such as a finned tube, for example, and can heat the water passing through the heat transfer tube by recovering sensible heat and latent heat from the combustion gas generated by the burner 67. Also, the heat exchanger 63 includes a header portion 631. The header portion 631 branches the water from the water inlet pipe to a plurality of heat transfer tubes.

[0019] The water inlet portion 64 is a portion for introducing water into the heat exchanger 63. The water inlet portion 64 includes a part of the water inlet pipe and the header portion 631 of the heat exchanger 63. The unheated water is, for example, tap water. The water inlet portion 64 is at a position higher than the electrical component 62. The water inlet portion 64 may include a fixing member 65.

[0020] The fixing member 65 is a fastener that fixes the connection between the water inlet pipe and the header portion 631. The fixing member 65 is, for example, a thin plate spring (so-called quick fastener) made of copper, stainless steel or other metals. Note that the fixing member 65 is not limited to this as long as it can fix the connection between the water inlet pipe and the header portion 631, and it may be, for example, a joint or a flange. Also, the fixing member 65 is not necessarily required, and it may be omitted when, for example, the water inlet pipe and the header portion 631 are connected by welding or brazing.

[0021] The neutralizer 66 is a member that neutralizes the drain generated inside the heat exchanger 63. The neutralizer 66 is made of a material such as plastic that is resistant to water wetting and corrosion. The neutralizer 66 is provided on the inner wall 611. The neutralizer 66 has a configuration in which granular neutralizing agent is accommodated in a container, and strongly acidic drain generated along with latent heat recovery by the secondary heat exchanger is guided thereto. The strongly acidic drain flowing into the neutralizer 66 is neutralized by contact with the neutralizing agent and then drained to the outside from the outlet of the neutralizer 66. A water level electrode for detecting the water level of the flowing-in drain is provided in the neutralizer 66, and a terminal connected to the water level electrode is provided on the upper surface of the neutralizer 66.

[0022] The burner 67 is, for example, a gas burner that burns fuel gas. The fan supplies combustion air to the burner 67.

[0023] Hereinafter, the drip-proof member 1 will be described in detail using FIGS. 3 and 4. The drip-proof member 1 is a member that receives the condensed water generated at the water inlet 64, guides it to the inner wall 611, and prevents the condensed water from flowing in a direction where it contacts the electrical component 62. It may also be configured to receive the condensed water generated at the fixing member 65. The drip-proof member 1 includes a mounting portion 2, a guiding portion 3, side walls 41 and 42, and a tip portion 5. The tip portion 5 includes a tongue piece portion 51 and a bent portion 52 bent by a valley portion 53 extending from the tip to the base end of the tongue piece portion 51.

[0024] Note that the drip-proof member 1 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the heat exchanger 63 in a direction corresponding to that the left direction of the paper surface of FIG. 3 is "front" in FIG. 2 and the front direction of the paper surface of FIG. 3 is "up" in FIG. 1.

[0025] The drip-proof member 1 is formed by cutting and bending a single flexible sheet-like member. The material of the drip-proof member 1 may be plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. Also, other materials (for example, metal, water-resistant paper, etc.) may be adopted.

[0026] Furthermore, although this embodiment is formed from a single sheet-like member, it may also be formed by joining multiple sheet-like members, or from one or more block-like members, or by a combination of a sheet-like member and a block-like member.

[0027] Mounting portion 2 is the part that attaches the drip-proof member 1 to the hot water supply device WH. In this embodiment, mounting portion 2 is the part that attaches the drip-proof member 1 to the heat exchanger 63.

[0028] The mounting portion 2 is formed in a roughly U-shape with a pointed tip. The roughly U-shaped internal opening has a fitting portion 21. The fitting portion 21 fits into a part of the heat transfer tube that is branched by the header portion 631. This allows the drip-proof member 1 to be attached to the heat exchanger 63.

[0029] The guide section 3 is a member that guides condensation water generated in the water inlet section 64 to the tip section 5. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the guide section 3 extends from the mounting section 2 and has a trapezoidal shape that narrows from the base end to the tip. When the drip-proof member 1 is mounted, the tip of the guide section 3 is lower than the base end. The angle of inclination is, for example, 45 degrees. The guide section 3 also has a first end edge 31 and a second end edge 32 along the direction of extension.

[0030] The first edge 31 is the edge closer to the electrical component 62 in a plan view, and the second edge 32 is the edge further away from the electrical component 62 in a plan view. Both the first edge 31 and the second edge 32 are positioned so that, in a plan view, their tips are further away from the electrical component 62 than their bases. Furthermore, the first edge 31 is formed to have a larger difference in distance between its tip and base in the front-to-back direction of the hot water heater WH compared to the second edge 32.

[0031] In this way, because the first edge 31 is formed, some of the condensation water received by the guide portion 3 flows along the first edge 31, so the flow of condensation water can be collected at the tip of the first edge 31 and the base end 531 of the valley portion 53 of the tip portion 5 connected thereto, and the condensation water can be guided smoothly. In addition, since a flow of water can be created in the direction away from the electrical components 62, when the condensation water is guided to the inner wall 611, it is possible to prevent the condensation water from coming into contact with the electrical components 62 and causing corrosion, short circuits, or other malfunctions.

[0032] The positional relationship of the guide section 3 will be explained in detail using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the installation state of the drip-proof member 1 from a plan view, with the top plate of the housing 61 removed.

[0033] Guide section 3 is the part that receives condensation water generated in the water inlet section 64. Guide section 3 extends downward from the water inlet section 64.

[0034] Furthermore, a neutralizer 66 is provided below the guide section 3. As described above, the upper side of the neutralizer 66 has a terminal (not shown) that connects to the water level electrode of the drain that flows into the neutralizer 66, and the guide section 3 extends above the terminal. Therefore, even if condensation water generated at the water inlet section 64 drips down, the condensation water is received by the guide section 3, so the condensation water does not adhere to the terminal, preventing corrosion of the terminal, short circuits, and other malfunctions.

[0035] First side walls 41 and second side walls 42 are erected from both ends of the guide section 3, specifically from the first end edge 31 and the second end edge 32, respectively (Figures 3 and 4).

[0036] The first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 prevent condensation water received by the guide section 3 from flowing out from the first edge 31 and the second edge 32. Furthermore, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 increase the rigidity and strength of the guide section 3, preventing it from sagging or bending, and ensuring that it reliably receives condensation water. Moreover, as in this embodiment, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 may themselves receive condensation water and guide it to the guide section 3.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 are formed by bending, for example, 60 degrees along the first edge 31 and the second edge 32 from the guide portion 3. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent condensation water from flowing out from the guide portion 3, and the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 can receive the dripping condensation water and guide the received condensation water back to the guide portion 3.

[0038] Furthermore, the first side wall 41 is formed in a horizontally elongated, roughly triangular shape with chamfered corners. By chamfering the tip 411 of the first side wall 41, the tip 411 comes into contact with the inner wall 611 when the drip-proof member 1 is installed. This limits the spillage of condensation water over the side wall 41 as it moves from the guide portion 3 to the tip portion 5. Note that the configuration may be such that only the tip of the first side wall 41 is chamfered, or the tip of the second side wall 42 is also chamfered.

[0039] A flexible tip portion 5 is provided at the end of the guide portion 3. The tip portion 5 is a member that guides the condensation water guided from the guide portion 3 to the inner wall 611. When the drip-proof member 1 is installed, at least a portion of the tip portion 5 is pressed against and in contact with the inner wall 611.

[0040] The tip portion 5 is composed of a tongue portion 51, a bent portion 52, and a valley portion 53. The tongue portion 51 is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular tongue. The tongue portion 51 has a valley portion 53 at its side end, extending from the base end to the tip. The bent portion 52 is also provided from the valley portion 53. Therefore, the tip portion 5 has a V-shaped cross-section.

[0041] The contact portion between the tip 5 and the inner wall 611 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the contact portion (and drainage path DR) between the tip 5 and the inner wall 611. For simplicity of explanation, the guide portion 3 and other components are omitted.

[0042] When the tip portion 5 and the inner wall 611 come into contact, a roughly triangular drainage path DR for condensation water is formed, enclosed by the tongue portion 51, the bent portion 52, and the inner wall 611. That is, condensation water guided from the guide portion 3 to the tip portion 5 enters the drainage path DR from the base end of the tip portion 5, passes through the drainage path DR, flows out from the tip of the tip portion 5, and is guided to the inner wall 611.

[0043] Because of this configuration, condensation does not overflow and flow out from the tip of the guide section 3 (the base end of the tip section 5) onto the inner wall 611, but rather flows out from the base end of the tip section 5, through the drainage path DR, and then out from the tip of the tip section 5 onto the inner wall 611. Therefore, the condensation can be directed in the intended direction on the inner wall 611, and it is possible to prevent condensation that overflows from the tip of the guide section 3 from dripping onto the electrical components 62 via the inner wall 611 and the neutralizer 66.

[0044] The tip of the first edge 31 is connected to the base end 531 of the valley 53. Therefore, condensed water guided along the first edge 31 on the guide section 3 flows into the drainage path DR without interruption of flow.

[0045] Furthermore, in the installed state of the drip-proof member 1, in a plan view, the tip 532 of the valley portion 53 is positioned further away from the electrical component 62 than the base end 531 of the valley portion 53. Therefore, condensation water guided from the tip portion 51 to the inner wall 611 flows away from the electrical component 62, thus preventing corrosion, short circuits, and other malfunctions caused by condensation water adhering to the electrical component 62.

[0046] Furthermore, the tip 5 is inserted between the neutralizer 66 and the inner wall 611. This configuration allows the tip 5 to be fixed without the need for special fixing members, thus reducing the number of fixing parts for the tip 5. In addition, since the neutralizer 66 is made of a material that is resistant to water and corrosion, there is no problem even if condensation water adheres to the side of the neutralizer 66.

[0047] The following explains the effects and benefits of the drip-proof material.

[0048] When the hot water supply unit WH is used, and unheated water at a lower temperature than the ambient temperature inside the hot water supply unit WH is supplied to the heat exchanger 63 through the water inlet section 64, condensation water is generated in the water inlet section 64 (water inlet pipe, header section 631, and fixing members 65 in contact with these). The generated condensation water drips down due to gravity.

[0049] In the installed state of the drip-proof member 1, the guide portion 3 of the drip-proof member 1 extends below the water inlet portion 64, so it receives the dripping condensation water and guides the condensation water to the tip. At this time, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 may also be configured to receive the condensation water.

[0050] Furthermore, since the guide section 3 extends above the terminals of the neutralizer 66, it is possible to prevent condensation from dripping onto the terminals. In this case, the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42 may also be provided to cover the area above the terminals of the neutralizer 66.

[0051] The first end edge 31 of the guide section 3 is positioned such that, in a plan view, its tip is further away from the electrical component 62 than its base. Therefore, condensation water flowing along the first end edge 31 of the guide section 3 is guided to the tip 5 with a flow away from the electrical component 62.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the tip of the first edge 31 is connected to the base end 531 of the valley 53 of the tip portion 5. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the tip portion 5, the inner wall 611, and the bent portion 51 form a drainage path DR for condensation water surrounded by them. Therefore, the condensation water guided along the first edge 31 to the tip portion 5 is smoothly guided to the drainage path DR, passes through the drainage path DR, and flows out from the tip of the tip portion 5. Here, the tip 532 of the valley 53 is positioned further away from the electrical components 62 than the base end 531 in a plan view. Therefore, the condensation water flowing out from the tip of the tip portion 5 flows along the inner wall 611 in a direction away from the electrical components 62.

[0053] Through the above actions, condensation water is guided to the inner wall 611 of the hot water supply unit WH, preventing it from dripping onto the electrical components 62 or the terminals of the neutralizer 66, and allowing the condensation water to flow to the inner wall 611 without coming into contact with the electrical components 62.

[0054] In this embodiment, the electrical components 62 were mounted at the front of the housing, but they may also be mounted at the rear.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drip-proof member 1 is attached to the header portion 631, but the attachment location is not limited to the header portion 631, and may be other locations inside the housing 61.

[0056] Other embodiments will be described below with reference to Figure 6.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, only one bent portion 52 was provided, but in other embodiments, multiple bent portions 53 and 54 are provided. In such a configuration, a drainage path DR with a substantially rectangular cross-section is formed between the tongue portion 51, the bent portions 53 and 54, and the inner wall 611. Both the bent portions 53 and 54 are provided such that, in a plan view, their tips are further away from the base end and further away from the electrical components 62. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in this embodiment can be achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] WH hot water heater 1. Drip-proof member 2 Mounting part 3 Information department 31 First edge 5 Tip 51 Tongue piece 52 Bending section 53 Tanibe 61 cabinets 611 Inner wall 62 Electrical components 63 Heat exchanger 64 Water entry section 65 Fixing member 66 Neutralizer

Claims

1. A drip-proof member is attached to a hot water supply system comprising a housing, electrical components provided inside the housing, and a heat exchanger provided inside the housing above the electrical components, and guides condensation water generated at the water inlet that enters the heat exchanger to the inner wall of the housing, A guide portion that receives the condensed water and guides it to the inner wall, The guide portion comprises a tip portion that directs the condensed water received by the guide portion to the inner wall, The aforementioned tip portion has a groove extending from the base to the tip. With the drip-proof member attached to the hot water supply device, The valley portion forms a drainage path for the condensation water between the tip portion and the inner wall. The tip of the valley portion is provided in a direction away from the electrical component in a plan view compared to the base end of the valley portion, and is a drip-proof member.

2. With the drip-proof member attached to the hot water supply device, The drip-proof member according to claim 1, wherein of the two ends of the guide portion, the first end that is closer to the electrical component in a plan view is provided such that the tip of the first end is positioned further away from the electrical component in a plan view than the base end of the first end.

3. The drip-proof member according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the first edge is connected to the base end of the valley portion.

4. The drip-proof member according to claim 1, wherein the drip-proof member is formed by bending a flexible sheet-like member.

5. The hot water supply device according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the tip portion is inserted between the neutralizer and the inner wall.

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