Liquid heating device

Abstract

To provide a liquid heating device that achieves miniaturization and suppresses a short circuit between a pair of heater terminals of a ceramic heater.SOLUTION: A liquid heating apparatus 300 includes a container 100, three or more ceramic heaters 171 to 173, and a separator 240. The three or more ceramic heaters extend in a leading-trailing direction AX and have a pair of heater terminals 18a, 18b on a base end part 17R. The separator opposes the container and has holding portions 242a to 246a and 242b to 246b that surround at least a portion of each of the pair of the heater terminals to regulate the positions of the heater terminals. The ceramic heaters are aligned in the leading-trailing direction. When a cross-section crossing the leading-trailing direction is viewed, centers of gravity G1 to G3 of the plurality of ceramic heaters are located on the apexes of a polygon PL, respectively. A first heater terminal 18a, which is one of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located inside the polygon. A second heater terminal 18b is located outside the polygon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid heating device suitable for heating liquids such as water. [Background technology]

[0002] Hot water is required for warm water washing toilet seats, fuel cell systems, water heaters, 24-hour baths, heating vehicle washer fluid, in-vehicle air conditioners, etc. For these reasons, liquid heating devices that heat water using a built-in heater are used. In particular, when the purpose is rapid heating, a heater with a high watt density is required, so a rod-shaped ceramic heater is used, in which a heating element is embedded in a ceramic sheet wrapped around the outer periphery of a long, thin ceramic base (Patent Document 1). This ceramic heater has a pair of heater terminals at its base end, and the heat generating portion is heated by passing electricity between the heater terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-126844 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to miniaturize the liquid heating device, it is necessary to miniaturize the ceramic heater. However, when the ceramic heater is miniaturized, the distance between a pair of heater terminals also becomes smaller, which may cause the heater terminals to come into contact with each other and cause a short circuit. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid heating device that is miniaturized and that prevents short circuits between a pair of heater terminals of a ceramic heater. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a liquid heating device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a container having an internal space and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the internal space, three or more ceramic heaters extending in a front-to-rear direction, with their distal ends located within the internal space and their proximal ends located outside the container, each having a heat generating portion at the distal end and a pair of heater terminals at the proximal end, and a separator facing the container and having a holding portion surrounding at least a portion of each of the pair of heater terminals to regulate the positions of the heater terminals, wherein a liquid is introduced from the inlet and the ceramic heaters are heated by the heaters in the internal space. a liquid heating device that heats the liquid by the ceramic heaters while the liquid flows through the gap and to the discharge port, wherein the ceramic heaters are arranged in line with each other along the front-to-back direction, and when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-to-back direction, the centers of gravity of the plurality of ceramic heaters are located at the vertices of a polygon, and a first heater terminal, which is one of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located inside the polygon, and a second heater terminal, which is the other of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located outside the polygon.

[0006] According to this liquid heating device, in a liquid heating device having three or more ceramic heaters, a pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater is separated into a first heater terminal inside a polygon and a first heater terminal outside the polygon, so that even if the ceramic heaters are miniaturized, it is possible to prevent the pair of heater terminals in each ceramic heater from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0007] A liquid heating device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a container having an internal space and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the internal space; two or more ceramic heaters extending in a front-to-rear direction, with their distal ends located within the internal space and their proximal ends located outside the container, each having a heat generating portion at the distal end and a pair of heater terminals at the proximal end; and a separator surrounding at least a portion of each of the pair of heater terminals to regulate the positions of the heater terminals, wherein liquid is introduced from the inlet, passes through the internal space, and flows to the outlet. In the liquid heating process, the liquid is heated by the ceramic heaters, and the ceramic heaters are arranged along the front-to-rear direction, and when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-to-rear direction, the centers of gravity of the ceramic heaters are arranged on the same straight line, and a first heater terminal, which is one of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located on one side of the same straight line, and a second heater terminal, which is the other of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located on the other side of the same straight line.

[0008] According to this liquid heating device, in a liquid heating device having two or more ceramic heaters, a pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater is separated into first heater terminals separated by a straight line, so that even if the ceramic heaters are made smaller, it is possible to prevent the pair of heater terminals in each ceramic heater from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0009] In the liquid heating device of the first aspect of the present invention, a distance D1 between the first heater terminal and the corresponding ceramic heater may be shorter than a distance D2 between the second heater terminal and the corresponding ceramic heater. According to this liquid heating device, each ceramic heater can be placed close to the first heater terminal, i.e., on the inside, and thus three or more ceramic heaters can be placed close to each other in the radial direction, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the liquid heating device.

[0010] In the liquid heating device of the first aspect of the present invention, a taper may be provided around the holding portion surrounding the second heater terminal on the opposing surface of the separator facing the container, expanding from the ceramic heater toward the holding portion along the direction in which the pair of heater terminals are arranged and connecting to the holding portion. Normally, the distances D1 and D2 of the ceramic heater are equal, but when a pair of heater terminals are inserted into the separator's holding part, the tip of the second heater terminal hits the taper and passes through the holding part in a state where it is spread outward using the tapered slope as a guide. This allows the distance D1 to be reliably made shorter than the distance D2 when the separator is attached, using the taper as a guide, without having to make the distance D1 of the ceramic heater shorter than the distance D2 in advance.

[0011] In the liquid heating device of the first aspect of the present invention, the first heater terminals of each of the multiple ceramic heaters may all be at the same potential, and the distance D3 between any adjacent first heater terminals may be smaller than the distance D4 between any adjacent second heater terminals. Normally, to prevent discharge short circuits, it is stipulated that the distance between adjacent heater terminals that do not have the same potential must be a specified value (for example, a spatial distance of 3 mm) or more. Therefore, if all first heater terminals are set to the same potential, the distance D3 between adjacent first heater terminals can be narrowed, which in turn allows the ceramic heaters to be placed closer to each other in the radial direction, thereby making the liquid heating device more compact.

[0012] In the liquid heating device of the second aspect of the present invention, the first heater terminals or the second heater terminals of each of the multiple ceramic heaters may all be at the same potential, and the distance D3 between any of the adjacent heater terminals at the same potential may be smaller than the distance D4 between any of the adjacent heater terminals that do not have the same potential. Normally, to prevent discharge short circuits, it is stipulated that the distance between adjacent heater terminals that do not have the same potential must be a specified value (for example, a spatial distance of 3 mm) or more. Therefore, if all first heater terminals are set to the same potential, the distance D3 between adjacent first heater terminals can be narrowed, which in turn allows the ceramic heaters to be placed closer to each other in the radial direction, thereby making the liquid heating device more compact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a liquid heating device can be obtained that is miniaturized and that prevents short circuits between a pair of heater terminals of a ceramic heater. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a liquid heating device according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid heating device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ceramic heater. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the ceramic heater. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a separator. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of lead terminals within a separator. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a separator of a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a liquid heating device using the separator of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing yet another modified example of the embodiment of the first aspect. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a liquid heating device according to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid heating device according to an embodiment of the second aspect. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of lead terminals within a separator in an embodiment of the second aspect. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first heater terminals are set to the same potential and the distance D3 is made smaller than the distance D4 in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid heating device according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention applied to three ceramic heaters. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid heating device 300 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid heating device 300, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a ceramic heater 171, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ceramic heater 171.

[0016] In the embodiment of this first aspect, the liquid heating device 300 is installed on a warm-water washing toilet seat, and supplies warm water by heating room-temperature water with three built-in ceramic heaters 171 to 173.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid heating device 300 includes a container 100 that is generally triangular in shape (a cylinder with a triangular cross section) as a whole, three ceramic heaters 171 to 173, and a separator 240. The container 100 has an elongated cylindrical body 101 having an internal space 100i (Figure 3) for containing a liquid (water), a front end cap 107 and a rear end cap 108 that close the openings at both ends of the body 101 in the direction of the axis L, and an inlet 103 and an outlet 105 for the liquid W. The inlet 103 and outlet 105 are respectively formed integrally with the front end cap 107 and the body 101. The front end cap 107 is fitted to a flange 100F at the front end of the body 101 in the axial L direction (the end on the side where the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are exposed). On the other hand, a rear end cap 108 is liquid-tightly sealed at the rear end in the axial direction of the body portion 101 via a rubber seal such as a packing.

[0018] The three ceramic heaters 171-173 are each shaped like a rod extending in the front-to-rear direction AX, and extend in the same direction (parallel). The base end 17R of each of the ceramic heaters 171-173 penetrates three openings 107m1-107m3 of the front-end lid 107. The gaps between the ceramic heaters 171-173 and the openings 107m1-107m3 are sealed with a fixing member 160 made of epoxy resin, thereby fixing the ceramic heaters 171-173 to the container 100 in a cantilevered manner.

[0019] In this way, the tip portions 17T of the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are positioned within the internal space 100i as shown in Fig. 3. It goes without saying that the position of the fixing member 160 is closer to the base end than the heat generating portion 17a of the ceramic heater, which will be described later. Furthermore, lead wires 15 and 16 (described later) are connected to the base end portion 17R of the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 for supplying power from the outside. In this example, the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are housed in the internal space 100i of the body 101 such that the front-to-rear direction AX in which the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are arranged is aligned with the axis L of the body 101.

[0020] The inlet 103 and the outlet 105 are connected to the internal space 100i and are spaced apart in the direction of the axis L, and liquid introduced from the outside through the inlet 103 passes through the internal space 100i along the direction of the axis L and is discharged from the outlet 105. In addition, a gap is formed between the inner wall of the container 100 and the ceramic heaters 171-173, and the liquid introduced into the internal space 100i through the inlet 103 is heated while coming into contact with the outer surfaces of the ceramic heaters 171-173 along the axis L direction, and then flows to the outlet 105.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the front end cover 107 is in the form of a substantially triangular plate, and is provided with three openings 107m1 to 107m3, and an inlet 103 extending outward from between the openings 107m1 to 107m3. The three openings 107m1 to 107m3 are arranged near the vertices of a triangle and form circular holes. The inlet 103 extends from between the openings 107m1 to 107m3 along the plate surface to the outside of the outer periphery of the front end cover 107.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, an inner hole 103i (liquid flow path) of the inlet 103 is bent so as to be approximately perpendicular to the plate surface of the front end cap 107, and opens to an inner surface 107a of the front end cap 107. A fixing member 160 made of epoxy resin is filled not only in the gaps between the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 and the openings 107m1 to 107m3 but also so as to bury the front end cover 107. In this way, the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are embedded in the fixing member 160, while the lead terminals 18 (18a, 18b) and lead wires 15, 16, which will be described later, protrude outward from the fixing member 160 (to the right in FIG. 3). The separator 240 will be described later.

[0023] Next, the configuration of the ceramic heater will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Since the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 have the same shape, only the ceramic heater 171 will be described. 4, the ceramic heater 171 has a heating element 17h that generates heat when externally energized via lead wires 15 and 16. The heating element 17h has a heating portion 17a at its front end that is formed as a heating pattern by meandering a conductor in the front-to-rear direction L, and a pair of lead portions 17b that are drawn out from both ends of the heating portion 17a to the rear end side. The heat generating portion 17a has a length of Lh in the front-to-rear direction L.

[0024] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the heating element 17h has a heating portion 17a, two lead portions 17b, and an electrode pattern 17c formed at the rear ends of both lead portions 17b. The heating element 17h is sandwiched between two ceramic green sheets 17s1 and 17s2. The ceramic green sheets are made of alumina. The heating portion 17a and the lead portions 17b are made of tungsten, rhenium, or the like. Two electrode pads 17p to which a pair of lead terminals 18 (see FIG. 4) are brazed are formed on the surface of the ceramic green sheet 17s2. The electrode pattern 17c is connected to the electrode pads 17p via through-holes to form a laminate of ceramic green sheets.

[0025] Furthermore, by wrapping this laminate around a rod-shaped ceramic base 17g whose main component is alumina or the like with the ceramic green sheet 17s2 facing outward and firing it, the ceramic green sheets 17s1 and 17s2 become ceramic sheets 17s and are wrapped around the outer periphery of the ceramic base 17g to produce an integrated ceramic heater 171. The lead wires 15 and 16 are crimped to lead terminals 18 and electrically connected to them (see FIG. 4). In this example, the ceramic substrate 17g is solid, but it may be cylindrical, in which case it is desirable to seal the through-holes with resin or the like to prevent water from leaking.

[0026] Here, when the laminate is wound around the ceramic base 17g, a gap is left between both ends of the laminate along the front-to-back direction L. For this reason, a slit 17v, which serves as a recessed groove along the front-to-back direction L, is formed as a non-heat-generating portion in the wound portion on the outer surface of the ceramic heater 171.

[0027] Next, returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, the separator 240 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the separator 240 is attached to the flange portion 100F so as to cover the fixing member 160. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the separator 240 is provided with a total of six holding portions 242a to 244a and 242b to 244b, each forming an opening. Meanwhile, the three ceramic heaters 171 to 173 have a total of six lead terminals 18, and each lead terminal 18 is inserted into the holding portions 242a to 244a and 242b to 244b, respectively. This restricts the radial position (movement) of each lead terminal 18, and each lead terminal 18 is held by the separator 240.

[0028] 6, separator 240 has a substantially triangular plate shape, with three holding portions 242a, 244a, and 246a arranged near the vertices of the triangle to form circular holes, and the other three holding portions 242b, 244b, and 246b also arranged near the vertices of the triangle to surround holding portions 242a, 244a, and 246a and form circular holes. Of the holding portions, the holding portions 242a and 242b are closest to each other, the holding portions 244a and 244b are closest to each other, and the holding portions 246a and 246b are closest to each other.

[0029] Furthermore, two claws 248 extending toward the flange 100F side are integrally formed on the side of separator 240 connecting retaining portions 244b and 246b. Similarly, one claw 249 extending toward the flange 100F side is integrally formed on each of the sides connecting retaining portions 242b and 246b and the side connecting retaining portions 242b and 244b. Then, the tips 248c of the claws 248 bend inward and engage with two recesses 100r at corresponding positions on the flange 100F. The claws 249 similarly engage with recesses (not shown) on the flange 100F. In this way, the separator 240 is fixed to the flange 100F.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the arrangement of the lead terminals 18 within the separator 240 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-to-rear direction AX (which may be the appearance of the separator 240 viewed from the right in FIG. 1), the centers of gravity G1 to G3 of the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are located at the vertices of a polygon (a triangle in this example) PL. A total of three first heater terminals 18a, which are one of the pairs of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater 171-173, are located inside the polygon PL, and a total of three second heater terminals 18b, which are the other of the pairs of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater 171-173, are located outside the polygon PL.

[0031] In this way, in the liquid heating device 300 having three or more ceramic heaters 171-173, the pair of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater is separated into a first heater terminal 18a inside the polygon PL and a first heater terminal 18b outside the polygon PL. Therefore, even if the ceramic heaters 171-173 are made smaller, it is possible to prevent the pair of heater terminals 18a, 18b in each ceramic heater from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0032] In this example, the distance D1 between the first heater terminal 18a and the corresponding ceramic heater is shorter than the distance D2 between the second heater terminal 18b and the corresponding ceramic heater. This allows the individual ceramic heaters to be located close to the first heater terminal 18a, i.e., on the inside, and ultimately allows the three or more ceramic heaters 171 to 173 to be located close to each other in the radial direction, allowing the liquid heating device 300 to be made smaller.

[0033] 6, in this example, a taper 240t is provided around the holding portion 242b surrounding the second heater terminal 18b on the opposing surface 240F of the separator 240 facing the container 100. The taper 240t extends from the ceramic heater 171 toward the holding portion 242b along the direction R in which the pair of heater terminals 18 are arranged and is connected to the holding portion 242b. The taper 240t is also connected to the holding portions 244b and 246b in a similar manner.

[0034] Normally, the distances D1 and D2 of the ceramic heater are equal, but when a pair of heater terminals 18 are inserted into the holding portions 242a and 242b of the separator 240, the tip of the second heater terminal 18b hits the taper 240t and passes through the holding portion 242b in a state where it is spread outward using the slope of the taper 240t as a guide. As a result, even if the distance D1 of the ceramic heater is not previously set shorter than D2, the distance D1 can be reliably set shorter than the distance D2 by using the taper 240t as a guide when attaching the separator 240.

[0035] 8 is a perspective view showing a modified separator 250. Separator 250 differs from separator 240 in that holding portions 242r, 244r, and 246r surrounding second heater terminal 18b are not through-holes but grooves recessed from opposing surface 250F facing container 100. Even such a groove functions as a holding portion in that the second heater terminal 18b is held around the outer surface of the groove and restricted to a predetermined position. 9, however, this groove must be connected to the outer edge of the separator 250. This allows the second heater terminal 18b or the lead wire connected thereto to be guided from the outer edge of the separator 250 to the outside.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing yet another modification of the embodiment of the first aspect, and corresponds to FIG. 7; 10, even in a liquid heating device having four ceramic heaters, when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-to-back direction AX, the centers of gravity G1 to G4 of each ceramic heater are located at the vertices of a polygon (a rectangle in this example) PL. Restricted by the holding portions of the separator 260, the pair of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater is separated into a first heater terminal 18a inside the polygon PL and a first heater terminal 18b outside the polygon PL. This prevents the pair of heater terminals 18a, 18b in each ceramic heater from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0037] Next, a liquid heating device 300B according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the liquid heating device 300B, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid heating device 300B. The liquid heating device 300B has two ceramic heaters 171, 172 and a separator 200, and is similar to the liquid heating device 300 according to the first embodiment except that the configurations of the container 100B and the separator 200 are different. Therefore, the same components as those of the liquid heating device 300 are given the same symbols and will not be described.

[0038] The liquid heating device 300B has a generally elongated cylindrical shape (a cylindrical shape with a rounded rectangular cross section) extending in the direction of the axis L as a whole, and includes a container 100B, two ceramic heaters 171 and 172, and a separator 200. The container 100B has an elongated cylindrical body 101B having an internal space 100Bi for containing a liquid (water), a front end cap 107B and a rear end cap 109B that close both axial end openings of the body 101B, and a liquid inlet 103B and liquid outlet 105B that are integrally formed with the body 101B. Both ends of the body 101B, the front end cap 107B, and the rear end cap 109B are airtightly sealed by O-rings (not shown).

[0039] The ceramic heaters 171 and 172 are each rod-shaped and extend in the front-rear direction AX, and are aligned in the same direction (parallel) along the front-rear direction AX. The ceramic heaters 171 and 172 are attached to the container 100B by having their base ends 17R cantilevered by the sealing parts 160 at the openings of the front lid 107B of the container 100B.

[0040] As in the case of the liquid heating device 300, a gap is formed between the inner wall of the container 100B and the ceramic heaters 171, 172, and the liquid introduced into the internal space 100i through the inlet 103B is heated while coming into contact with the outer surfaces of the ceramic heaters 171, 172 along the axis L direction, and then flows to the outlet 105B.

[0041] Next, the separator 200 will be described. As shown in Fig. 11, separator 200 is attached to container 100B so as to cover front end lid 107B. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, separator 200 is provided with a total of four holding portions 202a, 204a, 202b, and 204b, each of which forms an opening. Furthermore, heater hole 202c is provided between holding portions 202a and 202b, through which the rear end of ceramic heater 172 passes. Similarly, heater hole 204c is provided between holding portions 204a and 204b, through which the rear end of ceramic heater 171 passes. On the other hand, the two ceramic heaters 171 and 172 have a total of four lead terminals 18, and each lead terminal 18 is inserted into the holding portions 202a, 204a, 202b, and 204b, respectively. This restricts the radial position (movement) of each lead terminal 18, and each lead terminal 18 is held by the separator 200.

[0042] 12, separator 200 has a generally oval plate shape, and two holding portions 202a and 202b are arranged along the minor axis of separator 200 to form circular holes. Heater hole 202c is provided between holding portions 202a and 202b. Similarly, two holding portions 204a and 204b are arranged along the minor axis, and heater hole 204c is provided between holding portions 202a and 202b.

[0043] Furthermore, two claws 201 extending toward the container 100B are integrally formed on the upper edge of the long axis of the separator 200. Also, protrusions 201p extending toward the container 100B are integrally formed on both short axis sides of the separator 200. Then, the tip 201c of the claw portion 201 bends inward and engages with the flange of the container 100B. When the claw portion 201 engages with the container 100B, the protrusion 201p abuts against the container 100B. In this way, the separator 200 is fixed to the container 100B.

[0044] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the arrangement of the lead terminals 18 within the separator 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-rear direction AX (which may be an external view of the separator 200 viewed from the left in FIG. 11), the centers of gravity G1 and G2 of the ceramic heaters 171-172 are aligned on the same straight line SL. A total of two first heater terminals 18a, which are one of the pair of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater 171-172, are located on one side of the same straight line SL, and a total of two second heater terminals 18b, which are the other of the pair of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater 171-172, are located on the other side of the same straight line SL.

[0045] In this way, in the liquid heating device 300 having two or more ceramic heaters 171-172, the pair of heater terminals 18 of each ceramic heater is separated into the first heater terminal 18a and the second heater terminal 18b, with the same straight line SL in between. Therefore, even if the ceramic heaters 171-172 are made smaller, it is possible to prevent the pair of heater terminals 18a, 18b in each ceramic heater from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0046] In addition, in the second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, the first heater terminals 18a of all the ceramic heaters 171-172 may be set to the same potential, and the distance D3 between adjacent heater terminals 18a, 18a having the same potential may be smaller than the distance D4 between adjacent heater terminals (second heater terminals 18b) that do not have the same potential. In order to prevent discharge short circuits, it is usually stipulated that the distance between adjacent heater terminals that are not at the same potential must be a predetermined value (for example, a spatial distance of 3 mm) or more.

[0047] Therefore, if all of the first heater terminals 18a are set to the same potential, the distance D3 between adjacent first heater terminals 18a can be narrowed, and the ceramic heaters 171 to 172 can be placed closer to each other in the radial direction, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the liquid heating device 300B. Note that the same potential is usually the ground potential. Also, in the embodiment of the second aspect, the first heater terminal 18a may be at the same potential, or the second heater terminal 18b may be at the same potential. Also, the first heater terminal 18a is a terminal with the same potential characteristics (e.g., on the ground potential side) among the ceramic heaters 171 to 172, and the second heater terminal 18 is also a terminal with the same potential characteristics (e.g., on the applied potential side).

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is needless to say that the present invention extends to various modifications and equivalents included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, in the embodiment of the second aspect, as long as the centers of gravity are aligned on the same straight line SL, three or more ceramic heaters 171 to 173 may be arranged in the separator 210. Also, in this case, as in the case of FIG. 14, the first heater terminals 18a of all the ceramic heaters 171 to 173 are set to the same potential, and the distances D31 and D32 may be made smaller than the distances D41 and D42 of the non - same - potential heater terminals (second heater terminals 18b) adjacent to them.

[0049] When there are three or more heater terminals 18a at the same potential and three or more heater terminals 18b not at the same potential, the distance D3 is for all the distances D31 and D32 between adjacent heater terminals 18a, and the distance D4 is for all the distances D41 and D42 between adjacent heater terminals 18b. And all of the distances D31 and D32 need to be smaller than any of the distances D41 and D42. Specifically, in all combinations of D3 and D4, D31 < D41, D32 < D41, D31 < D42, and D32 < D42 must hold.

[0050] Also, in the embodiment of the first aspect, the first heater terminals 18a inside the polygon PL can be set to the same potential, and the distance D3 between adjacent first heater terminals 18a can be made smaller than the distance D4 between adjacent second heater terminals 18b.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 17a Heat generating part 17T tip 17R proximal end 18a First heater terminal 18b Second heater terminal 100, 100B container 100i, 100Bi interior space 101r, 101Br1, 101Br2 recess 103, 103B entrance 105, 105B outlet 171~174 Ceramic heater 200, 210, 240, 250, 260 separator 202a, 204a, 202b, 204b, 242a~246a, 242b~246b, 242r~246r Holding part 240F, 250F facing side 240t tapered 300, 300B liquid heating device AX forward / backward direction G1~G4 Ceramic heater center of gravity PL polygon SL Same straight line

Claims

1. a container having an internal space and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the internal space; three or more ceramic heaters extending in a front-to-rear direction, with their tip ends located within the internal space and their base ends located outside the container, each having a heat generating portion at the tip end and a pair of heater terminals at the base end; a separator facing the container and having a holding portion surrounding at least a portion of each of the pair of heater terminals to regulate the positions of the heater terminals; Equipped with A liquid heating device that heats a liquid by the ceramic heater while the liquid is introduced from the inlet, passes through the internal space, and flows to the outlet, The ceramic heaters are aligned along the front-rear direction, a liquid heating device characterized in that, when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-to-rear direction, the centers of gravity of the plurality of ceramic heaters are located at the vertices of a polygon, a first heater terminal which is one of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater is located inside the polygon, and a second heater terminal which is the other of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater is located outside the polygon.

2. a container having an internal space and an inlet and an outlet communicating with the internal space; two or more ceramic heaters extending in a front-to-rear direction, with their tip ends located within the internal space and their base ends located outside the container, each having a heat generating portion at the tip end and a pair of heater terminals at the base end; a separator surrounding at least a portion of each of the pair of heater terminals to regulate the position of the heater terminal; Equipped with A liquid heating device that heats a liquid by the ceramic heater while the liquid is introduced from the inlet, passes through the internal space, and flows to the outlet, The ceramic heaters are aligned along the front-rear direction, a liquid heating device characterized in that, when viewed in a cross section intersecting the front-to-rear direction, the centers of gravity of the plurality of ceramic heaters are aligned on the same straight line, and a first heater terminal, which is one of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located on one side of the same straight line, and a second heater terminal, which is the other of the pair of heater terminals of each ceramic heater, is located on the other side of the same straight line.

3. 2. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein a distance D1 between the first heater terminal and the corresponding ceramic heater is shorter than a distance D2 between the second heater terminal and the corresponding ceramic heater.

4. The liquid heating device described in claim 3, characterized in that a taper is provided around the holding portion surrounding the second heater terminal on the opposing surface of the separator facing the container, which tapers in the direction in which the pair of heater terminals are arranged, expanding from the ceramic heater toward the holding portion and connecting to the holding portion.

5. 2. The liquid heating device according to claim 1, wherein the first heater terminals of each of the plurality of ceramic heaters are all at the same potential, and the distance D3 between any adjacent first heater terminals is smaller than the distance D4 between any adjacent second heater terminals.

6. 3. The liquid heating device according to claim 2, wherein the first heater terminals or the second heater terminals of each of the plurality of ceramic heaters are all at the same potential, and the distance D3 between any of the adjacent heater terminals at the same potential is smaller than the distance D4 between any of the adjacent heater terminals that are not at the same potential.

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