Water heater

Abstract

To fix a plate-like member to the interior of a case of an exhaust part with a structure that can achieve both securement of sealability and simple fixing in a water heater.SOLUTION: In a water heater 1, an exhaust part 5 includes a plate-like member 50. The plate-like member 50 includes: an inner arrangement part 50Z arranged at the inner side relative to a lower flange part 34 in a second case 30 of the exhaust part 5; and a fixing plate part 50X continuous from an outer edge part of the inner arrangement part 50Z. The lower flange part 34 of the exhaust part 5 has an expanding part 40 expanding to the opposite side of an upper flange part 20B of a heat exchanger 4. A packing 70 is sandwiched between the upper flange part 20B and the lower flange part 34 at the outer side of the expanding part 40. The upper flange part 20B and the packing 70 are fixed with a structure in which the fixing plate part 50X is sandwiched between an inner surface of the expanding part 40 and the packing 70 with the fixing plate part 50X entering the inside of the expanding part 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water heater.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a water heater. In the water heater of Patent Document 1, a burner unit, a heat exchanger, an exhaust hood, etc. are housed in a housing, and an exhaust pipe is provided at the upper end of the exhaust hood. In this water heater, the exhaust hood is directly fixed to the heat exchanger, forming a fixed structure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a water heater such as that of Patent Document 1, when fixing the exhaust hood to the heat exchanger, a fixed structure with high sealing performance is required. For example, if a flange portion is provided at the upper end portion of the heat exchanger and a flange portion is provided at the lower end portion of the exhaust hood, and the flange portions are connected with a packing interposed therebetween, the sealing performance can be improved well near the boundary between the heat exchanger and the exhaust hood.

[0005] However, in this type of water heater, it may be desirable to provide a plate-like member inside the exhaust hood that is separate from the outer shell (case) of the exhaust hood. In such a case, it is desirable that the plate-like member be fixed inside the exhaust hood with a configuration that can achieve both "ensuring sealing performance" and "simple fixing".

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can fix a plate-like member inside the case of the exhaust portion in a water heater with a configuration that can achieve both ensuring sealing performance and simple fixing.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] One of the water heaters of the present disclosure is a combustion device that burns gas, a heat exchanger including a first case into which combustion exhaust generated by combustion in the combustion device is introduced, and a heat transfer pipe at least partially accommodated in the first case, an exhaust section including a second case into which the combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger is introduced, a packing sandwiched between the heat exchanger and the exhaust section, and has the exhaust section includes a plate-like member accommodated in the second case, the first case includes a peripheral wall portion that forms a flow path through which the combustion exhaust passes, and an upper flange portion that projects outward at the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, the second case includes an outer wall portion that covers the heat exchanger from above, and a lower flange portion that projects outward at the lower end portion of the outer wall portion, the plate-like member includes an inner arrangement portion arranged inside the lower flange portion in the second case, and a fixing plate portion continuing from the outer edge portion of the inner arrangement portion, either one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion has a bulging portion that bulges to the opposite side of the other flange portion, the packing is sandwiched between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion outside the bulging portion, and the fixing plate portion is sandwiched between the inner surface of the bulging portion and the packing while the fixing plate portion enters the bulging portion, and the upper flange portion and the packing are fixed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The technology according to the present disclosure can fix a plate-like member in the case of the exhaust section in a configuration that can achieve both ensuring sealing performance and simple fixing in a water heater.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and exemplified. Note that the features [1] to [5] exemplified below may be combined in any combination without contradiction.

[0011] 〔1〕A combustion device that burns gas, a first case into which combustion exhaust generated by the combustion in the combustion device is introduced, and a heat exchanger including a heat transfer pipe at least partially housed in the first case, an exhaust portion including a second case into which the combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger is introduced, a packing sandwiched between the heat exchanger and the exhaust portion, and having the exhaust portion includes a plate-like member housed in the second case, the first case includes a peripheral wall portion that forms a flow path through which the combustion exhaust passes, and an upper flange portion that projects outward at the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, The second case includes an outer wall portion that covers the heat exchanger from above, and a lower flange portion that projects outward at the lower end portion of the outer wall portion. The plate-like member includes an inner arrangement portion that is arranged inside the lower flange portion within the second case, and a fixing plate portion that continues from the outer edge portion of the inner arrangement portion. One of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion has a bulging portion that bulges to the opposite side of the other flange portion. The packing is sandwiched between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion outside the bulging portion, and the fixing plate portion of the plate-like member is sandwiched between the inner surface of the bulging portion and the packing while the fixing plate portion enters the bulging portion, and the upper flange portion and the packing are fixed. Water heater.

[0012] The water heater according to [1] can be fixed in a configuration where the lower flange portion provided in the first case of the heat exchanger and the upper flange portion provided in the second case of the exhaust portion are overlapped and the packing is sandwiched between the lower flange portion and the upper flange portion, so that the two cases can be connected in a state with higher sealing performance. Further, this water heater can fix the plate-like member accommodated in the second case by sandwiching and fixing the fixing plate portion of the plate-like member between the packing and one of the flange portions, so that the plate-like member can be fixed with a simpler configuration. However, simply sandwiching the fixing plate portion may increase the step between one of the flange portions and the fixing plate portion, and there is a concern that it may affect the sealing function of the packing. In this regard, since the above water heater has a configuration in which the fixing plate portion enters the bulging portion and the fixing plate portion is sandwiched between the inner surface of the bulging portion and the packing, the step between the surface of the fixing plate portion on the packing side and the surface of one of the flange portions on the packing side outside the bulging portion can be suppressed. Therefore, this water heater is likely to suppress a decrease in the sealing performance of the packing due to the structure of sandwiching the fixing plate portion.

[0013] In the region of one of the flange portions that is separated from the bulging portion, a contact portion that contacts the packing is provided. The plate surface on the packing side in the fixed plate portion is flush with or located on the side opposite to the packing with respect to the contact surface that contacts the packing in the contact portion. The water heater according to [1].

[0014] In the water heater according to [2], since the plate surface on the packing side in the fixed plate portion is arranged flush with or on the side opposite to the packing with respect to the contact surface (the surface that contacts the packing) of one of the flange portions, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the plate surface on the packing side of the fixed plate portion toward the packing side. Therefore, this water heater can effectively suppress a decrease in sealing performance caused by the protrusion of the fixed plate portion toward the packing side.

[0015] 〔3〕The first case and the second case are fixed to each other by plastic deformation of caulking pieces provided on at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion in a state where the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion overlap. The water heater according to [1] or [2].

[0016] In the water heater according to [3], since the fixing by caulking (fixing by plastic deformation of caulking pieces) is performed in a form that suppresses the step between one of the flange portions and the fixed plate portion, it is possible to suppress the adverse effect of a large step on the caulking fixation.

[0017] 〔4〕Having an annular reinforcing member, The reinforcing member is arranged to overlap the other flange portion while pressing the surface of the other flange portion opposite to the one flange portion, The upper flange portion, the lower flange portion, and the reinforcing member are fixed to each other by plastic deformation of the caulking pieces provided on the one flange portion. The water heater according to [3].

[0018] The water heater according to [4] can realize all of a structure for fixing both flanges with high sealing performance, a structure for easily fixing a plate-like member, and a structure for reinforcing the vicinity of both flanges with a reinforcing member. Thus, both flanges, a packing, a plate-like member, and a reinforcing member can be easily and stably fixed with high sealing performance by caulking.

[0019] 〔5〕The exhaust portion has an exhaust passage including an inlet disposed inside the outer wall portion and an outlet disposed outside and above the outer wall portion. The exhaust passage is configured with an exhaust flow passage through which the combustion exhaust flows from the inlet to the outlet so as to straddle the inside and the outside of the outer wall portion. The plate-like member includes a plate-like partition wall that partitions the space inside the outer wall portion. The partition wall is provided with a plurality of through holes and openings each having an opening area larger than that of each of the through holes. The opening and the exhaust passage are continuous such that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening flows through the exhaust flow passage. The region above the partition wall in the space inside the outer wall portion is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust passage. The water heater according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0020] The water heater described in [5] is provided with a plate-shaped partition wall so as to partition the space inside the outer wall portion. The partition wall is provided with a plurality of through holes and openings, and the region above the partition wall in the space inside the outer wall portion is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust passage. Then, the opening and the exhaust passage are connected so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening flows through the exhaust passage in the exhaust passage. Since the water heater has such a configuration, a situation where the gas passing near the plurality of through holes is discharged from the exhaust passage as it is in the passed flow is unlikely to occur. That is, when the combustion exhaust is discharged from the exhaust passage, the presence of the plurality of through holes makes it difficult to inhibit the discharge in the exhaust passage, and the combustion exhaust is more likely to be discharged smoothly. On the other hand, due to the "configuration in which the partition wall provided with a plurality of through holes partitions the space inside the outer wall portion and the region above the partition wall is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust passage", the vibration near the partition wall can be adjusted, and the vibration of the exhaust portion can be adjusted. In particular, since the gas storage portion is configured above the partition wall so as to be blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust passage and the gas can pass through the plurality of through holes, an attenuation effect is likely to occur and noise is likely to be suppressed.

[0021] <First Embodiment> The following description relates to the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. 1. Overall Configuration of the Water Heater 1 FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration in which the front cover 2A and the like are removed from the housing 2 of the water heater 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the water heater 1 includes a housing 2, a combustion device 3, a heat exchanger 4, an exhaust section 5, a fan 7, etc. The housing 2 is a box-shaped case made of a metal material, and includes a housing main body 2B forming a box body with an open front, and a front cover 2A (FIG. 1) detachably attached to the housing main body 2B. The front cover 2A shown in FIG. 1 closes the housing main body 2B from the front side. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 houses various components such as the combustion device 3, the heat exchanger 4, the exhaust section 5, and the fan 7. The combustion device 3 is disposed near the center inside the housing 2. The heat exchanger 4 is disposed above the combustion device 3 inside the housing 2. The exhaust section 5 is disposed above the heat exchanger 4 inside the housing 2. The gas distribution unit 10 is disposed between the combustion device 3 and the front cover 2A. The fan 7 is disposed below the combustion device 3 inside the housing 2.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the vertical direction of the water heater 1 is the longitudinal direction of the water heater 1 when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the vertical direction when the water heater 1 is installed. In the example of FIG. 1, the vertical direction of the water heater 1 is the direction in which the cylindrical body 106 extends. In the example of FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction (the direction of the long side) of the rectangular front portion (front panel) of the front cover 2A is the vertical direction, the short side direction (the direction of the short side) of the front portion (front panel) is the left-right direction, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the left-right direction is the front-rear direction.

[0024] The combustion device 3 is a device that burns combustion gas (specifically, fuel gas supplied via the gas distribution unit 10) supplied from outside itself and generates combustion exhaust gas. The combustion exhaust gas is a high-temperature gas generated by the combustion of the combustion gas in the combustion device 3. The combustion device 3 includes an inner case 3A, a burner unit (not shown), etc. The inner case 3A is a rectangular box-shaped case that fits inside the housing 2. Inside the inner case 3A, a burner unit group is provided in which burner units, which are flat type lean-riched burners, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Each lean-riched burner (not shown) has a lean-side inlet and a rich-side inlet (not shown) that open forward and into which fuel gas and primary air are introduced, and at the upper end, it is provided with a flame hole portion composed of a central lean flame hole and rich flame holes on both left and right sides thereof. At the upper part of the front surface of the inner case 3A, a discharge electrode for ignition, a frame rod for flame detection, etc. are provided.

[0025] The heat exchanger 4 includes a metal first case 20 that constitutes its outer shell, and heat transfer tubes 22 (FIG. 4) accommodated inside the first case 20. The heat exchanger 4 introduces the combustion exhaust gas from the combustion device 3 and passes it through the inside, performs heat exchange between this combustion exhaust gas and the water flowing inside the heat transfer tubes 22, and heats the water flowing inside the heat transfer tubes 22. The combustion exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 is discharged to the exhaust section 5. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the first case 20 of the heat exchanger 4 is configured in a box shape and has a configuration in which the lower end portion and the upper end portion are open. The first case 20 is a case into which combustion exhaust gas (combustion exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion device 3) is introduced inside itself. The heat exchanger 4 shown in FIG. 4 etc. has a configuration in which a part of the heat transfer tubes 22 is accommodated inside the first case 20 and a predetermined region of the heat transfer tubes 22 is arranged outside the first case 20.

[0026] The exhaust section 5 is a part that functions to guide the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the heat exchanger 4 upward and discharge it to the outside of the water heater 1 via the cylindrical body 106. Details of the exhaust section 5 will be described later.

[0027] The fan 7 is a fan that supplies combustion air. The fan 7 includes a drive unit having a motor, blades, etc., and a supply port that supplies combustion air, and sends the combustion air from this supply port toward the combustion device 3. The supply port of the fan 7 is fixed near the lower end of the combustion device 3.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water heater 1 is provided with a gas inlet 91 to which an external gas pipe is connected, a water inlet 92 to which a water pipe is connected, and a hot water outlet 93 on the lower side of the housing 2. The water inlet 92 is an inlet through which water is introduced from a water pipe provided outside the water heater 1. The water introduced into the water inlet 92 is supplied to the heat transfer pipe 22 (FIG. 4) of the heat exchanger 4 via the water supply pipe 115. A part of the water supply pipe 115 is shown in FIG. 2. The hot water outlet 93 is an outlet for leading hot water to the outside of the water heater 1. The hot water led out from the heat transfer pipe 22 of the heat exchanger 4 is discharged from the hot water outlet 93 via the hot water discharge pipe 116 connected to the downstream end of the heat transfer pipe 22.

[0029] In the water heater 1 shown in FIG. 2, the gas inlet 91 is an inlet through which gas is introduced from a gas pipe provided outside the water heater 1. The gas introduced into the gas inlet 91 is supplied to the gas distribution unit 10 via a gas supply unit (not shown) provided with an original valve, a proportional valve, etc. The gas supplied to the gas distribution unit 10 is distributed so as to pass through a plurality of holes (not shown) provided in the combustion device 3, and is supplied to the combustion device 3 through these holes. The combustion device 3 burns the gas (fuel gas) supplied into the combustion device 3 via the gas distribution unit 10. The exhaust gas (combustion exhaust gas) generated by the combustion of the gas in the combustion device 3 is discharged upward from the combustion device 3 and flows into the heat exchanger 4 through the opening at the lower end of the heat exchanger 4, and flows into the exhaust unit 5 through the heat exchanger 4. The combustion exhaust gas flowing from the heat exchanger 4 to the exhaust unit 5 side is introduced into the exhaust unit 5 from the lower end of the exhaust unit 5 and is discharged from the exhaust unit 5 to the outside (outside the water heater 1).

[0030] 2. Details of the heat exchanger The following description relates to the details of the heat exchanger 4 in the water heater 1. The heat exchanger 4 to which the exhaust section 5 is fixed has an open upper form with an opening 20A provided at the upper end as shown in FIG. 4. The first case 20 of the heat exchanger 4 is, for example, a metal case made of a metal material. The first case 20 includes a front wall portion 23, a rear wall portion 24, and a pair of side wall portions 25 and 26. The front wall portion 23, the rear wall portion 24, and the pair of side wall portions 25 and 26 are connected in an annular configuration to form a peripheral wall portion 20Z. The peripheral wall portion 20Z forms a flow path through which the combustion exhaust passes. Both the front wall portion 23 and the rear wall portion 24 extend horizontally with the front-rear direction as the plate thickness direction, and are arranged facing each other in the front-rear direction. Both of the pair of side wall portions 25 and 26 extend vertically with the left-right direction as the plate thickness direction, and are arranged facing each other in the left-right direction. The opening 20A is formed by the upper end portions of the front wall portion 23, the rear wall portion 24, and the pair of side wall portions 25 and 26 respectively.

[0031] At the upper end of the first case 20, an upper flange portion 20B is provided in a flange shape that projects outward. The upper flange portion 20B is provided to project outward at the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 20Z. The upper flange portion 20B includes a front projecting portion 23A, a rear projecting portion 24A, and side projecting portions 25A and 26A. The front projecting portion 23A is provided to bend forward from the upper end of the front wall portion 23 and projects forward from the front wall portion 23. The rear projecting portion 24A is provided to bend backward from the upper end of the rear wall portion 24 and projects forward from the front wall portion 23. The side projecting portion 25A is provided to bend in one side in the left-right direction (left side in front view) from the upper end of the side wall portion 25 and projects in one side in the left-right direction (left side in front view) from the side wall portion 25. The side projecting portion 26A is provided to bend in the other side in the left-right direction (right side in front view) from the upper end of the side wall portion 26 and projects in the other side in the left-right direction (right side in front view) from the side wall portion 26.

[0032] 3. Details of the Exhaust Section The following description relates to the details of the exhaust section 5 in the water heater 1. The exhaust section 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a device that forms a path for introducing the combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 into the interior and discharging it outdoors. The exhaust section 5 is fixed to the upper end of the heat exchanger 4 and is disposed above the heat exchanger 4. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the exhaust section 5 mainly includes a second case 30, a plate-like member 50, a packing 70, and a reinforcing member 80. Note that the reinforcing member 80 may be configured as a part of the heat exchanger 4 or may be configured independently of the heat exchanger 4 and the exhaust section 5.

[0033] The second case 30 shown in FIG. 3 is, for example, a metal case made of a metal material. The second case 30 is fixed to the upper end of the heat exchanger 4 and is disposed above the heat exchanger 4 so as to cover the heat exchanger 4. The second case 30 is a case into which the combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 is introduced into its interior. The second case 30 includes an outer wall portion 32 and a lower flange portion 34. The outer wall portion 32 is configured such that a peripheral wall portion 35 is formed to surround the front and rear sides and the left and right sides of the space where the combustion exhaust is discharged from the heat exchanger 4, and an upper wall portion 37 is formed to be continuous with the upper side of the peripheral wall portion 35. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral wall portion 35 includes a front wall portion 35A, a rear wall portion 35B, and side wall portions 35C and 35D, which are integrally connected to surround the front, rear, left, and right of the space inside the second case 30. The front wall portion 35A, the rear wall portion 35B, and the side wall portions 35C and 35D are all provided so as to rise upward from the annular lower flange portion 34, and the upper wall portion 37 is connected to the upper end of each of them. The lower flange portion 34 projects annularly outward (specifically, the front and rear sides and the left and right sides) from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 35 and has a flange-like form. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower flange portion 34 is disposed on the upper flange portion 20B of the heat exchanger 4 and is fixed to the upper flange portion 20B in a form sandwiching the packing 70 (see also FIG. 7). In the example of FIG. 3, the lower flange portion 34 and the upper flange portion 20B are fixed by caulking the caulking piece 34Z provided on the lower flange portion 34. Note that FIG. 4 shows a state where the caulking piece 34Z is not bent, and FIG. 3 shows a fixed state after the caulking piece 34Z is bent.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper wall portion 37 of the second case 30 has a first upper wall portion 37Z that covers the upper side of the first partition wall 51, and second upper wall portions 37A and 37B that are disposed on both the left and right sides of the first upper wall portion 37Z. Both the first upper wall portion 37Z and the second upper wall portions 37A and 37B are configured in a plate shape. The first upper wall portion 37Z is provided in an arrangement where the plate thickness direction is the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, an opening 39 that penetrates the first upper wall portion 37Z is provided in the first upper wall portion 37Z. An exhaust passage 100 is inserted through the opening 39. Specifically, a cylindrical portion 38 is provided so as to rise upward from the first upper wall portion 37Z, and the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 38 is the opening 39. As shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust passage 100 and the cylindrical portion 38 are in close contact with each other so that the cylindrical portion 38 and the cylindrical body 106 are fitted together.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the second upper wall portion 37A is arranged to cover the upper side of the second partition wall 52A. The second upper wall portion 37A is arranged to be inclined along the second partition wall 52A, and the lower surface of the second upper wall portion 37A is inclined so as to be in a lower position as it moves away from the first upper wall portion 37Z in the left - right direction. The second upper wall portion 37B is arranged to cover the upper side of the second partition wall 52B. The second upper wall portion 37B is arranged to be inclined along the second partition wall 52B, and the lower surface of the second upper wall portion 37B is inclined so as to be in a lower position as it moves away from the first upper wall portion 37Z in the left - right direction.

[0036] The second case 30 configured in this way is entirely arranged above the heat exchanger 4, and a space through which the combustion exhaust passes is formed inside itself. In the second case 30, the opening provided at the lower end portion of the outer wall portion 32 is the inlet 42, and the inlet 42 is an inlet through which the combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 flows in. The inlet 42 communicates with the opening 20A of the heat exchanger 4, and the gas discharged upward from the heat exchanger 4 through the opening 20A flows into the second case 30 (specifically, inside the outer wall portion 32) through the inlet 42.

[0037] The exhaust passage 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a component for discharging the combustion exhaust introduced into the second case 30 (specifically, the combustion exhaust that entered the second case 30 from the first case 20 of the heat exchanger 4) to the outside of the second case 30, and is a path for discharging the combustion exhaust to the outside of the water heater 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust passage 100 includes an inlet 102 disposed inside the outer wall portion 32 and an outlet 104 disposed outside and above the outer wall portion 32. The exhaust passage 100 forms an exhaust flow path 100A through which the combustion exhaust flows from the inlet 102 to the outlet 104 so as to straddle the inside and outside of the outer wall portion 32.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust passage 100 includes a cylindrical body 106. An exhaust flow path 100A through which the combustion exhaust flows is formed inside the body 106. The inner wall portion of the body 106 functions as the exhaust flow path 100A. In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the body 106 has a cylindrical shape. The body 106 has a plurality of cylindrical portions 106A, 106B, 106C configured as cylinders centered on a predetermined central axis. The central axis is, for example, a vertical axis. The inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portions 106A, 106B, 106C are cylindrical surfaces centered on the central axis. The plurality of cylindrical portions 106A, 106B, 106C are integrally formed in a form that is connected vertically.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the inlet 102 is an opening provided at the lower end of the body 106. The inlet 102 is an inlet for introducing the gas existing in the space outside the body 106 within the outer wall portion 32 into the body 106. The outlet 104 is an opening provided at the upper end of the body 106. The outlet 104 is an outlet for discharging the gas inside the body 106 to the outside of the water heater 1. The body 106 is configured such that at least a part of the upper end side is exposed outside the housing 2 (FIG. 1). Specifically, the outlet 104 and the vicinity of the outlet 104 are exposed to the space outside the water heater 1. Due to this configuration, the combustion exhaust flowing upward through the body 106 is discharged from the outlet 104 to the outside of the water heater 1.

[0040] The reverse wind suppression mechanism 90 shown in Fig. 5 is a mechanism that suppresses the reverse flow of gas in the cylindrical body 106 toward the housing 2 side (specifically, the flow of gas from the discharge port 104 side to the inlet port 102 side). The reverse wind suppression mechanism 90 is provided inside the cylindrical body 106. The reverse wind suppression mechanism 90 mainly includes a mounting member 110 and a flap 120. The mounting member 110 is a member mounted inside the cylindrical body 106. The mounting member 110 rotatably supports the flap 120. The flap 120 is generally configured in a plate shape and is displaced between a closed position where it closes a predetermined position inside the cylindrical body 106 and an open position where the opening degree of the predetermined position is larger than that in the closed position. When gas flows from the discharge port 104 side to the inlet port 102 side, the flap 120 is displaced to the closed position, and when gas flows from the inlet port 102 side to the discharge port 104 side, the flap 120 operates so as to be displaced to the open position (see Fig. 5).

[0041] As shown in Fig. 5, the plate-like member 50 is a part that partitions the space inside the outer wall portion 32. The plate-like member 50 is housed inside the second case 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the plate-like member 50 includes an inner arrangement portion 50Z arranged inside the lower flange portion 34 inside the second case 30 and a fixing plate portion 50X continuing from the outer edge portion of the inner arrangement portion 50Z. The inner arrangement portion 50Z includes a partition wall 50A and connecting portions 50B and 50C. The partition wall 50A is a plate-like wall portion that partitions the space inside the outer wall portion 32. A plurality of through holes 58 and openings 54 having an opening area larger than each through hole 58 are provided in the partition wall 50A (see also Fig. 4 and Fig. 6). In the configuration of Fig. 5, the upper region of the partition wall 50A in the space inside the outer wall portion 32 is blocked by the outer wall portion 32 and the exhaust passage 100.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 5, the partition wall 50A has a plate-like portion 60 in which one plate surface 60A (upper surface) faces upward and the other plate surface (lower surface) faces downward. The plate-like portion 60 includes a plate-like portion constituting the first partition wall 51 and plate-like portions respectively constituting the second partition walls 52A and 52B. Each through hole 58 penetrates the plate-like portion 60 between one plate surface 60A and the other plate surface (lower surface).

[0043] The inner arrangement part 50Z has a cylindrical part 56 continuous with the partition wall 50A so as to continue upward or downward from the partition wall 50A. The cylindrical part 56 is configured as a cylinder. The central axis of the cylinder of the cylindrical part 56 coincides with the central axis of the cylinder of the cylindrical body 106. The inner wall part of the cylindrical part 56 is configured as an opening 54. The cylindrical part 56 is continuous with the partition wall 50A in a configuration that rises upward from the partition wall 50A. As shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical part 56 and the cylindrical body 106 are fitted so as to fit into the cylindrical part 56 from the outside, and the exhaust passage 100 is fixed to the plate-like member 50. The lower end of the cylindrical body 106 is located above the lower end of the opening 54. With such a configuration, the opening 54 and the exhaust passage 100 are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening 54 flows through the flow path in the exhaust passage 100.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the partition wall 50A includes a first partition wall 51 and a pair of second partition walls 52A and 52B respectively arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first partition wall 51. Each of the second partition walls 52A and 52B has one end in the left-right direction connected to the first partition wall 51. The lower surfaces of the second partition walls 52A and 52B are arranged so as to be in a lower position as they move away from the first partition wall 51 in the left-right direction. The second partition wall 52A arranged on one side in the left-right direction is inclined in a configuration in which one side in the left-right direction descends (specifically, a configuration that descends to the lower left) so as to be in a lower position as it moves to one side in the left-right direction (as it moves away from the first partition wall 51). The second partition wall 52B arranged on the other side in the left-right direction is inclined in a configuration in which the other side in the left-right direction descends (specifically, a configuration that descends to the lower right) so as to be in a lower position as it moves to the other side in the left-right direction (as it moves away from the first partition wall 51).

[0045] In such a partition wall 50A, through holes 58 are provided in at least each of the second partition walls 52A and 52B. In the examples of FIGS. 4 to 6, through holes 58 are provided in both the first partition wall 51 and the second partition walls 52A and 52B. Specifically, columns of through holes 58 arranged in a plurality of rows (specifically, three rows) in the left-right direction are provided in a configuration that straddles the second partition wall 52A and the first partition wall 51. In each of those columns of through holes 58, the through holes 58 are arranged at equal intervals. Similarly, columns of through holes 58 arranged in a plurality of rows (specifically, three rows) in the left-right direction are provided in a configuration that straddles the second partition wall 52B and the first partition wall 51. In each of those columns of through holes 58, the through holes 58 are arranged at equal intervals.

[0046] The connecting portions 50B and 50C shown in FIG. 6 are portions connected to the partition wall 50A and are portions that extend downward along the vertical direction from respective ends of the second partition walls 52A and 52B. The connecting portion 50B is a portion that connects the partition wall 50A and the fixed plate portion 50X and is a portion that extends downward from an end on one side in the left-right direction of the partition wall 50A. The connecting portion 50C is a portion that connects the partition wall 50A and the fixed plate portion 50Y and is a portion that extends downward from an end on the other side in the left-right direction of the partition wall 50A. The connecting portions 50B and 50C constitute both ends of the inner arrangement portion 50Z.

[0047] The fixing plate portions 50X and 50Y are the portions that function to fix the plate-like member 50 to the heat exchanger 4 and the exhaust portion 5. Specifically, they are the portions sandwiched and fixed between the upper flange portion 20B and the lower flange portion 34. Both of the fixing plate portions 50X and 50Y are plate-like portions that extend so as to continue from the outer edge portion of the inner arrangement portion 50Z. The fixing plate portion 50X is a plate-like portion that extends from the outer edge portion on one side in the left-right direction of the inner arrangement portion 50Z to one side in the left-right direction (the side opposite to the inner arrangement portion 50Z), specifically, it extends from the lower end portion of the connecting portion 50B to one side in the left-right direction (the side opposite to the inner arrangement portion 50Z). The fixing plate portion 50Y is a plate-like portion that extends from the outer edge portion on the other side in the left-right direction of the inner arrangement portion 50Z to the other side in the left-right direction (the side opposite to the inner arrangement portion 50Z), specifically, it extends from the lower end portion of the connecting portion 50C to one side in the left-right direction (the side opposite to the inner arrangement portion 50Z). The fixing plate portions 50X and 50Y are arranged, for example, such that the up-down direction is the plate thickness direction. In either of the fixing plate portions 50X and 50Y, one plate surface (upper surface) faces upward and the other plate surface (lower surface) faces downward.

[0048] 4. Details of the fixing structure The packing 70 is a sealing member sandwiched between the heat exchanger 4 and the exhaust portion 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the packing 70 is configured in an annular shape. Specifically, the packing 70 forms a rectangular frame shape along the shape of the upper flange portion 20B and forms a rectangular frame shape along the shape of the lower flange portion 34. The packing 70 may be a known material having a sealing property, and known sealing materials such as rubber, elastomer, and other resin materials can be adopted.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the second case 30 of the exhaust portion 5 includes an outer wall portion 32 that covers the heat exchanger 4 from above, and a lower flange portion 34 that projects outward at the lower end portion of the outer wall portion 32. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower flange portion 34 has a bulging portion 40 and a contact portion 48.

[0050] The bulging portion 40 is a portion formed to bulge on the side opposite to the upper flange portion 20B of the heat exchanger 4. The inner surface 40A, which is the lower surface of the bulging portion 40, has a concave shape recessed upward. The upper wall surface 40B, which is the upper end surface of the inner surface 40A, is a flat surface (for example, a flat surface in a direction perpendicular or intersecting the vertical direction). In the bulging portion 40, the space surrounded by the inner surface 40A is a space for accommodating the fixing plate portion 50X.

[0051] The contact portion 48 is a portion provided in a region of the lower flange portion 34 that is separated from the bulging portion 40 and is a portion that contacts the packing 70. Both the bulging portion 40 and the contact portion 48 are configured in a plate shape and are configured in a stepped manner such that the bulging portion 40 is in an upper position with respect to the contact portion 48. The lower surface of the contact portion 48 includes a contact surface 48A that extends over the entire circumference of the lower flange portion 34. The contact surface 48A is a surface that contacts the upper surface of the packing 70 and is, for example, a flat surface. The contact surface 48A and the upper wall surface 40B are parallel or substantially parallel. The upper wall surface 40B is disposed at a position higher than the contact surface 48A.

[0052] In the fixing structure of FIG. 7, the packing 70 is sandwiched between the upper flange portion 20B and the lower flange portion 34 outside the bulging portion 40. Specifically, the packing 70 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20B configured in a plate shape and the above-described contact surface 48A, and the upper surface of the upper flange portion 20B and the contact surface 48A are in close contact with the packing 70. Further, with a configuration in which the fixing plate portion 50X enters the bulging portion 40 and the fixing plate portion 50X is sandwiched between the inner surface 40A (specifically, the upper wall surface 40B) of the bulging portion 40 and the packing 70, the upper flange portion 20B and the packing 70 are fixed. The fixing plate portion 50X is fixed in a configuration sandwiched between the upper wall surface 40B and the upper surface of the packing 70.

[0053] The plate surface 68 (the surface that contacts the packing 70) on the packing 70 side in the fixed plate portion 50X is flush with the contact surface 48A that contacts the packing 70 in the contact portion 48 or is positioned on the side opposite to the packing 70 (upper side) from the contact surface 48A. In the example of FIG. 7, the plate surface 68 is positioned above the contact surface 48A, and a part of the packing 70 has entered the bulging portion 40, but the plate surface 68 and the contact surface 48A may be flush in the vertical direction.

[0054] The reinforcing member 80 shown in FIG. 7 is a member that reinforces the fixing structure by the upper flange portion 20B and the lower flange portion 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing member 80 is configured in an annular shape. The reinforcing member 80 is in close contact with the entire circumference of the upper flange portion 20B so as to support the upper flange portion 20B over the entire circumference of the upper flange portion 20B. As shown in FIG. 7, the reinforcing member 80 is disposed so as to overlap the upper flange portion 20B while pressing the lower surface 28 (the lower surface) of the upper flange portion 20B (the other flange portion) opposite to the lower flange portion 34 (one flange portion). The reinforcing member 80 includes an annular plate portion 82, an inner downwardly extending portion 84, and an outer downwardly extending portion 86. The annular plate portion 82 is configured to be annular and plate-shaped and is disposed so as to be in close contact with the upper flange portion 20B over the entire circumference of the upper flange portion 20B. The inner downwardly extending portion 84 is provided so as to extend downward from the inner edge portion of the annular plate portion 82 and is provided along the peripheral wall portion 20Z. The outer downwardly extending portion 86 is provided so as to extend downward from the outer edge portion of the annular plate portion 82 and is provided adjacent to the outer downwardly extending portion 46 of the second case 30 so as to follow the outer downwardly extending portion 46.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the lower flange portion 34, the contact portion 48 is provided in an annular (specifically, rectangular frame shape) and plate shape around the outer wall portion 32, and the outer downwardly extending portion 46 is provided annularly so as to extend downward from the outer edge portion of the annular contact portion 48. The outer downwardly extending portion 46 is configured as an annular peripheral wall portion that surrounds the packing 70, the upper flange portion 20B, and the reinforcing member 80 in the front, rear, left, and right directions. And caulking pieces 34Z are provided at a plurality of locations at the lower end portion of the outer downwardly extending portion 46. The shape of each caulking piece 34Z before fixation is the shape as shown in FIG. 4, and the shape after fixation is the shape as shown in FIG. 3 (a shape plastically deformed from the shape as shown in FIG. 4).

[0056] In the configuration of FIG. 7, the first case 20 and the second case 30 are fixed to each other by the plastic deformation of the caulking piece 34Z (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided on the lower flange portion 34 in a state where the upper flange portion 20B and the lower flange portion 34 overlap. Specifically, the upper flange portion 20B, the lower flange portion 34, the packing 70, and the reinforcing member 80 are fixed to each other by the plastic deformation of the caulking piece 34Z provided on one of the flange portions. In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 7, in a state where the reinforcing member 80 is fitted outside the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 20Z and the upper flange portion 20B and the packing 70 are sandwiched between the annular plate portion 82 of the reinforcing member 80 and the contact portion 48, the shape of the caulking piece 34Z (specifically, a shape bent inward from the outer downwardly extending portion 46) is set so as to restrict the downward movement of the outer downwardly extending portion 86, and the reinforcing member 80 is prevented from coming off downward. Since such a sandwiching structure is maintained, the fixing plate portion 50X is held in a fixed state sandwiched between the inner wall upper surface 40B of the bulging portion 40 and the packing 70.

[0057] 5. Examples of effects The water heater 1 can be fixed in a configuration where a packing 70 is sandwiched between a lower flange portion 34 provided on a first case 20 of a heat exchanger 4 and an upper flange portion 20B provided on a second case 30 of an exhaust portion 5 while overlapping the lower flange portion 34 and the upper flange portion 20B. Therefore, the two cases can be connected in a state with higher sealing performance. Further, in the water heater 1, since a fixing plate portion 50X of a plate-like member 50 can be sandwiched and fixed between the packing 70 and one flange portion when fixing the plate-like member 50 housed in the second case 30, the plate-like member 50 can be fixed with a simpler configuration. However, if the fixing plate portion 50X is merely sandwiched, there is a concern that the step between one flange portion and the fixing plate portion 50X becomes large and the sealing function of the packing 70 is affected. In this regard, in the water heater 1, since the fixing plate portion 50X enters the bulging portion 40 and the fixing plate portion 50X is sandwiched between the inner surface of the bulging portion 40 and the packing 70, the step between the surface of the fixing plate portion 50X on the packing 70 side and the surface of one flange portion on the packing 70 side outside the bulging portion 40 can be suppressed. Therefore, the water heater 1 is likely to suppress a decrease in the sealing performance of the packing 70 due to the structure of sandwiching the fixing plate portion 50X.

[0058] In the water heater 1, since the plate surface 68 of the fixing plate portion 50X on the packing 70 side is arranged at a flush position or at a position on the side opposite to the packing 70 with respect to the contact surface 48A (the surface that contacts the packing 70) of one flange portion (lower flange portion 34), it is possible to suppress the plate surface 68 from protruding toward the packing 70 side. Therefore, the water heater 1 can effectively suppress a decrease in the sealing performance caused by the fixing plate portion 50X protruding toward the packing 70 side.

[0059] In the water heater 1, since caulking (fixing by plastic deformation of a caulking piece 34Z) is performed in a form that suppresses the step between one flange portion (lower flange portion 34) and the fixing plate portion 50X, it is possible to suppress a large step from having an adverse effect on the caulking fixation.

[0060] The water heater 1 can easily and stably fix both flanges, the packing 70, the plate-like member 50, and the reinforcing member 80 by caulking so as to realize a structure for fixing both flanges with high sealing performance, a structure for easily fixing the plate-like member 50, and a structure for reinforcing the vicinity of both flanges with the reinforcing member 80.

[0061] In the water heater 1, a plate-like partition wall 50A is provided so as to partition the space inside the outer wall portion 32. A plurality of through holes 58 and an opening 54 are provided in the partition wall 50A. The region above the partition wall 50A in the space inside the outer wall portion 32 is blocked by the outer wall portion 32 and the exhaust passage 100. The opening 54 and the exhaust passage 100 are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening 54 flows through the exhaust passage 100A in the exhaust passage 100. Since the water heater 1 has such a configuration, a situation where the gas passing through the vicinity of the plurality of through holes 58 is discharged from the exhaust passage 100 as it is in the passed flow hardly occurs. That is, when the combustion exhaust is discharged from the exhaust passage 100, the water heater 1 is hardly inhibited from discharging in the exhaust passage 100 due to the presence of the plurality of through holes 58, and the combustion exhaust is more likely to be discharged smoothly. On the other hand, with the configuration in which "the partition wall 50A provided with the plurality of through holes 58 partitions the space inside the outer wall portion 32 and the region above the partition wall 50A is blocked by the outer wall portion 32 and the exhaust passage 100", the vibration near the partition wall 50A can be adjusted, and the vibration of the exhaust portion 5 can be adjusted. In particular, since the gas storage portion is configured above the partition wall 50A so as to be blocked by the outer wall portion 32 and the exhaust passage 100 and the gas can pass through the plurality of through holes 58, a damping action is likely to occur and noise is likely to be suppressed.

[0062] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described by the above description and drawings. For example, the features of the above-described or below-described embodiments can be combined in any combination within a non-contradictory range. Also, any feature of the above-described or below-described embodiments can be omitted if it is not explicitly specified as essential. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the bulging portion is provided on the lower flange portion 34, but the bulging portion may be provided on the upper flange portion 20B. In this case, the bulging portion may be configured to bulge downward. Even with this configuration, the bulging portion may be sized to accommodate the fixed plate portion 50X in its internal space and may be configured to bulge. In this case, the fixed plate portion 50X may be sandwiched between the inner surface of the bulging portion and the packing 70 while the fixed plate portion 50X enters the bulging portion, and the lower flange portion 34 and the packing 70 may be fixed.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, a part of the heat transfer tube 22 is accommodated in the first case 20, and a predetermined region of the heat transfer tube 22 is arranged outside the first case 20. However, at least a part of the heat transfer tube may be arranged in the first case. For example, the entire heat transfer tube of the heat exchanger may be accommodated in the first case.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the entire outer wall portion 32 is arranged above the heat exchanger 4. However, only a part of the outer wall portion may be arranged above the heat exchanger 4, and the other part may be arranged offset from above the heat exchanger 4.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the cylindrical body 106 is configured in a cylindrical shape. However, the cylindrical body may be in a cylindrical shape, for example, a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0067] It should be considered that all aspects of the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed this time, and it is intended that all modifications within the scope shown by the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1: Water heater 2: Housing 3: Combustion device 4: Heat exchanger 5: Exhaust portion 20: First case 20B: Upper flange portion (the other flange portion) 20Z: Peripheral wall portion 22: Heat transfer tube 30: Second case 32: Outer wall portion 34: Lower flange portion (one flange portion) 34Z: Crimping piece 40: Bulging portion 48: Contact portion 48A: Contact surface 50: Plate-like member 50A: Partition wall 50X: Fixed plate portion 50Z: Inner arrangement portion 54: Opening 58: Through hole 70: Packing 80: Reinforcing member 100: Exhaust passage 100A: Exhaust flow path 102: Inlet 104: Outlet

Claims

1. A combustion device for burning gas, a heat exchanger comprising a first case into which combustion exhaust generated by combustion in the combustion device is introduced, and a heat transfer tube at least partially accommodated in the first case, an exhaust section comprising a second case into which the combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger is introduced, a packing sandwiched between the heat exchanger and the exhaust section, and having the exhaust section includes a plate-like member accommodated in the second case, the first case includes a peripheral wall portion constituting a flow path through which the combustion exhaust passes, and an upper flange portion provided to project outward at an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, the second case includes an outer wall portion covering the heat exchanger from above, and a lower flange portion provided to project outward at a lower end portion of the outer wall portion, the plate-like member includes an inner arrangement portion arranged inside the lower flange portion in the second case, and a fixing plate portion continuing from an outer edge portion of the inner arrangement portion, either one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion has a bulging portion that bulges to the opposite side of the other flange portion, the packing is sandwiched between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion outside the bulging portion, and the fixing plate portion is sandwiched between the inner surface of the bulging portion and the packing while the fixing plate portion enters the bulging portion, and the upper flange portion and the packing are fixed A water heater.

2. In a region of the one flange portion that is separated from the bulging portion, a contact portion that contacts the packing is provided, a plate surface of the fixing plate portion on the packing side is flush with or positioned on the side opposite to the packing with respect to a contact surface that contacts the packing at the contact portion The water heater according to claim 1.

3. The first case and the second case are fixed to each other by plastic deformation of caulking pieces provided on at least one of the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion in a state where the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion overlap each other The water heater according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. having an annular reinforcing member, the reinforcing member is arranged to overlap the other flange portion while pressing a surface of the other flange portion on the side opposite to the one flange portion The upper flange portion, the lower flange portion, and the reinforcing member are fixed to each other by plastic deformation of the caulking piece provided on the one flange portion. The water heater according to claim 3.

5. The exhaust portion has an exhaust passage including an inlet disposed inside the outer wall portion and an outlet disposed outside and above the outer wall portion. The exhaust passage forms an exhaust flow passage through which the combustion exhaust flows from the inlet to the outlet so as to straddle the inside and the outside of the outer wall portion. The plate-like member includes a plate-like partition wall that partitions the space inside the outer wall portion. The partition wall is provided with a plurality of through holes and an opening having an opening area larger than that of each of the through holes. The opening and the exhaust passage are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening flows through the exhaust flow passage. A region above the partition wall in the space inside the outer wall portion is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust passage. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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