Water heater and maintenance method for water heater

Abstract

A water heater (1A) comprises a heating device (21), a hot water storage tank (41), a plurality of plates, and a water receiver. The heating device (21) heats hot water. The hot water storage tank (41) is provided below the heating device (21). The hot water storage tank (41) stores hot water heated by the heating device (21). The plurality of plates are arranged while covering the upper side of the heating device (21). The water receiver is provided below gaps between the plurality of plates.

Description

Hot water supply machine and maintenance method thereof

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hot water supply machine and a maintenance method thereof.

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a hot water supply machine is described. In the hot water supply machine of Patent Document 1, a heating device for heating hot water is disposed above a hot water storage tank. In the hot water supply machine of Patent Document 1, a plate is disposed above the heating device.

[0003] European Patent No. 3462106

[0004] In the hot water supply machine described in Patent Document 1, for example, when water drips onto the top surface of the hot water supply machine due to water leakage, water may enter through the gap between the plates and the heating device may get wet.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a hot water supply machine that can prevent water from getting on the heating device. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a maintenance method for such a hot water supply machine.

[0006] The hot water supply machine according to the present disclosure includes a heating device for heating hot water, a hot water storage tank provided below the heating device for storing the hot water heated by the heating device, a plurality of plates arranged while covering the upper side of the heating device, and a water receiver provided below the gap formed by the plurality of plates. The maintenance method of the hot water supply machine according to the present disclosure is to perform maintenance on the devices located below the rear top plate after removing the front plate and the front top plate.

[0007] In the hot water supply machine according to the present disclosure, by providing a water receiver below the gap formed by the plurality of plates, it is possible to prevent water from getting on the heating device.

[0008] A perspective view of the water heater according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally above the front. A perspective view of the water heater according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally below the rear. A diagram showing the internal structure of the housing of the water heater according to Embodiment 1. A top view of the water heater according to Embodiment 1. A side cross-sectional view of the water heater according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the right side panel. A side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the dividing point between the front panel and the front top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the right side panel. A perspective view of the front top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 1. A perspective view of the rear top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 1. A perspective cross-sectional view of the first water receiver of the water heater according to Embodiment 2. A side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the dividing point between the front panel and the front top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 3, viewed from the right side panel. Perspective view of the front top panel of the water heater. Perspective view of the rear top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 3. Perspective view of the rear top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 4. Side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the division point between the front panel and the front top panel of the water heater as seen from the right side panel. Perspective view of the front top panel according to Embodiment 4. Perspective view of the rear top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 4. Side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the division point between the front panel and the front top panel of the water heater as seen from the right side panel according to Embodiment 5. Top view of the front top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 6. Top view showing the internal structure of the heating unit of the water heater according to Embodiment 6. Top view of the upper insulation member of the water heater according to Embodiment 6. Side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the division point between the front top panel and the rear top panel of the water heater according to Embodiment 7 as seen from the right side panel.

[0009] A detailed explanation will be provided below with reference to the drawings. Repetitive explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. In the Cartesian coordinate system XYZ shown in the drawings, when the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical hot water storage tank of the water heater is oriented vertically, the vertical direction is the Z-axis, and the horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is the XY-plane. This coordinate system will be referenced as appropriate in the following explanation.

[0010] Embodiment 1. In the water heater according to Embodiment 1, a heating unit equipped with a heating device is arranged on top of a hot water storage unit which comprises a hot water storage tank and an insulating member. The hot water storage unit and the heating unit are covered by a housing. In this water heater, the heating device of the heating unit is directly placed on top of the insulating member of the hot water storage unit.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the water heater 1A according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally above the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the water heater 1A, viewed from diagonally below the rear. The water heater 1A comprises a rectangular parallelepiped housing 100. The housing 100 comprises a front panel 110A, a right side panel 120, a left side panel 130, a rear panel 140, a bottom panel 150, and a top panel 160A.

[0012] Figure 3 shows the internal structure of the housing 100 of the water heater 1A. Note that Figure 3 shows the housing 100 with the front panel 110A shown in Figure 1 removed. As described above, the water heater 1A comprises a heating unit 20 and a hot water storage unit 40. The heating unit 20 is housed in the upper part of the internal space of the housing 100. The hot water storage unit 40 is housed in the lower part of the internal space of the housing 100.

[0013] The heating unit 20 includes a heating device 21 for heating hot water and a circuit for supplying hot water to the heating device 21. The heating device 21 includes a plurality of devices for heating the hot water. These plurality of devices include, for example, a heater, a pump, a removal device, and a maintenance monitoring device. The heater heats the hot water. The pump sends the heated hot water. The removal device removes foreign matter from the circuit. The maintenance monitoring device monitors the pressure in the circuit. The hot water heated by the heating device 21 is supplied to the heating device and the hot water storage unit 40. The heating device here includes radiators and floor heating, etc. The hot water storage unit 40 includes a hot water storage tank 41. The hot water storage tank 41 is located below the heating device 21 and stores the hot water heated by the heating device 21.

[0014] The top and front of the heating device 21 are covered by the front panel 110A. The top of the heating device 21 is also covered by the top panel 160A. The heating devices 21 are arranged spread out in the XY plane within the housing 100. Therefore, even if the front panel 110A is removed, it is not possible to reach the heating devices 21 located near the rear panel 140. Consequently, it is difficult to maintain some of the heating devices 21 located near the rear panel 140.

[0015] Figure 4 is a top view of the water heater 1A. As shown in Figure 4, the top panel 160A of the water heater 1A is composed of a front top panel 161A and a rear top panel 162A. The front top panel 161A is adjacent to the front panel 110A and is positioned behind the front panel 110A. The front top panel 161A is positioned to cover the upper front side of the heating device 21. The rear top panel 162A is adjacent to the front top panel 161A and is positioned behind the front top panel 161A. The rear top panel 162A is positioned to cover the upper rear side of the heating device 21. The rear top panel 162A has holes in the XY plane. Pipes 31 to 36 and wiring (not shown) that connect the water heater 1A to the outside pass through the rear top panel 162A.

[0016] On the other hand, since no piping or wiring connecting the water heater 1A to the outside passes through the front top panel 161A, the front top panel 161A can be easily removed. For example, when a worker performs maintenance on the water heater 1A, the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161A can be removed. Therefore, after removing the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161A, maintenance on equipment located below the rear top panel 162A can be easily performed. The front panel 110A, the front top panel 161A, and the rear top panel 162A are examples of multiple panels arranged to cover the top of the heating device 21.

[0017] In the water heater 1A, there is a first gap 163A (referred to as "163" in Figure 4) between the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161A, and a second gap 164A (referred to as "164" in Figure 4) between the front top panel 161A and the rear top panel 162A. The first gap 163A and the second gap 164A are directly above the heating unit 20. Therefore, if a water tray is not installed below the first gap 163A and the second gap 164A, water may enter the housing 100 through the first gap 163A and the second gap 164A when water drips from the top surface of the housing 100 due to rainwater leakage. If water enters, it may come into contact with the heating device 21 and cause the device to malfunction. Therefore, in order to prevent the heating device 21 from failing, devices that could fail due to water exposure must be placed away from the first gap 163A and the second gap 164A, which reduces the degree of freedom in placement.

[0018] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the water heater 1A as seen from the right side panel 120. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view when the water heater 1A is cut along the U-U plane of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view (part V in Figure 5) of the vicinity of the dividing point between the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161A as seen from the right side panel 120. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the front top panel 161A. The first water receiver 165A is connected to the front top panel 161A of the water heater 1A. The first water receiver 165A is positioned extending forward from the front top panel 161A. As shown in Figure 6, the first water receiver 165A has a U-shaped cross-section. For example, in this embodiment, the first water receiver 165A has a U-shaped cross-section that is bent at three bent sections R1, R2, and R3. More specifically, the first water receiver 165A has a U-shape, extending downward (-Z direction) from a base 165-1 attached to the front top panel 161A, bent at a bent portion R1 as the base point, extending forward (-Y direction) from a bent portion R2 as the base point, and further bent upward (+Z direction) from a bent portion R3 as the base point. Of the inner surface of the first water receiver 165A, the surface that constitutes the bottom surface is called the water receiver bottom surface 165Aa. The water receiver bottom surface 165Aa is located below the first gap 163A. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the first water receiver 165A extends in the left-right direction across the entire front surface of the front top panel 161A. The first water receiver 165A has a straight shape.

[0019] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear top panel 162A. A second water receiver 166A is connected to the rear top panel 162A of the water heater 1A. The second water receiver 166A extends forward from the rear top panel 162A. As shown in Figure 8, the second water receiver 166A has a U-shaped cross-section. The inner surface of the second water receiver 166A that forms the bottom surface is called the water receiver bottom surface 166Aa. The water receiver bottom surface 166Aa is located below the second gap 164A. The second water receiver 166A extends left to right across the entire front surface of the rear top panel 162A. The second water receiver 166A has a straight shape.

[0020] As described above, in the water heater 1A according to Embodiment 1, the first water receiver 165A is positioned over the entire area below the first gap 163A, so water that enters the housing 100 from the first gap 163A is collected in the first water receiver 165A. The water collected in the first water receiver 165A is discharged from the left and right ends of the first water receiver 165A and is discharged from the bottom of the housing 100 via the right side panel 120 and the left side panel 130. On the other hand, the second water receiver 166A is positioned over the entire area below the second gap 164A, so water that enters the housing 100 from the second gap 164A is collected in the second water receiver 166A. The water collected in the second water receiver 166A is discharged from the left and right ends of the second water receiver 166A and is discharged from the bottom of the housing 100 via the right side panel 120 and the left side panel 130. Therefore, there is no risk of water getting on the heating device 21 and other devices that are powered by the device's electricity, and they can be freely positioned.

[0021] In Embodiment 1, the first water tray 165A is screwed to the front top plate 161A, and the second water tray 166A is screwed to the rear top plate 162A. However, the first water tray 165A and the second water tray 166A may be connected by other methods such as riveting, welding, or adhesive bonding.

[0022] In Embodiment 1, the first water receiver 165A and the second water receiver 166A are formed from steel plates. However, the first water receiver 165A and the second water receiver 166A may be formed from aluminum plates. Furthermore, the first water receiver 165A and the second water receiver 166A may be formed from metal materials other than steel plates and aluminum plates, or from resin materials including polypropylene. However, if the first water receiver 165A and the second water receiver 166A are formed from resin materials, it is preferable not to use resin materials that are easily hydrolyzed, such as polybutylene terephthalate. If the first water receiver 165A and the second water receiver 166A are formed from steel plates, their surfaces may be plated to prevent rusting. Furthermore, the first water receiver 165A and the second water receiver 166A may be treated to be water-repellent so that water flows easily.

[0023] In addition, in Embodiment 1, the first water tray 165A is connected to the front of the front top panel 161A, but it may be connected to the rear of the front panel 110A instead. Also, in Embodiment 1, the second water tray 166A is connected to the front of the rear top panel 162A, but it may be connected to the rear of the front top panel 161A instead. However, in order to increase the rigidity of the front top panel 161A and suppress deformation when it is removed, it is preferable that the water tray be connected to at least one of the front or rear of the front top panel 161A.

[0024] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, an example of multiple plates arranged to cover the top of the heating device 21 was given that included three plates: a front plate 110A, a front top plate 161A, and a rear top plate 162A. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which only two plates, the front top plate 161A and the rear top plate 162A, are arranged to cover the top of the heating device 21. Alternatively, the top plate 160A may not be divided into two, and the two plates, the front plate 110A and the top plate 160A, may be arranged to cover the top of the heating device 21. The top plate 160A may also include three or more plates arranged to cover the top of the heating device 21. In such examples as well, the water tray is provided below the gap formed by the multiple plates.

[0025] In Embodiment 1, the first gap 163A and the second gap 164A are directly above the heating unit 20, but the first gap 163A and the second gap 164A may be provided directly above the heating device 21.

[0026] The heating devices 21 are arranged in an XY plane within the housing 100. Therefore, even if the front panel 110A is removed, it may be impossible to reach the heating devices 21 located below the front top panel 161A. In other words, it is difficult to maintain some of the heating devices 21 located below the front top panel 161A. Therefore, maintenance of the equipment located below the front top panel 161A may be performed after removing both the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161A.

[0027] Embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first water receiver 165B of the water heater 1B (however, the reference numeral "1B" is not shown in the drawing) according to Embodiment 2. Hereinafter, only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described, and explanations that overlap with Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0028] The first water receiver 165B according to Embodiment 2 is connected to a front top panel 161A (not shown). Similar to the first water receiver 165A according to Embodiment 1, the first water receiver 165B extends forward from the front top panel 161A (see Figure 1). Of the inner surfaces of the first water receiver 165B, the surface constituting the bottom surface is called the water receiver bottom surface 165Ba. The water receiver bottom surface 165Ba is located below the first gap 163A (not shown).

[0029] The difference between the first water receiver 165B in Embodiment 2 and the first water receiver 165A in Embodiment 1 lies in the shape of the first water receiver 165B. The first water receiver 165B in Embodiment 2 has an inclined surface for draining water outside the housing 100. In the example shown in Embodiment 2, the bottom surface 165Ba of the water receiver is this inclined surface. In Embodiment 1, the bottom surface 165Aa of the first water receiver 165A extended in a straight line along the longitudinal direction across the entire front surface of the front top panel 161A. On the other hand, the bottom surface 165Ba of the first water receiver 165B in Embodiment 2 has a mountain-like shape with a slope such that the center is the highest and the left and right ends are the lowest. Therefore, water accumulated in the first water receiver 165B is quickly drained outside the housing 100 from the left and right ends.

[0030] A second water receiver 166B (not shown) according to Embodiment 2 is connected to a front top plate 161A (not shown). Similar to the second water receiver 166A according to Embodiment 1, the second water receiver 166B extends forward from the rear top plate 162A as shown in Figure 6. Of the inner surfaces of the second water receiver 166B, the surface that constitutes the bottom surface is a water receiver bottom surface 166Ba (not shown). The water receiver bottom surface 166Ba is located below a second gap 164A (not shown).

[0031] The second water receiver 166B according to Embodiment 2 has an inclined surface for draining water outside the housing 100, similar to the first water receiver 165B. In the second water receiver 166B, the bottom surface 166Ba is the inclined surface. The bottom surface 166Ba has a mountain-like shape with a slope such that the center is the highest and the left and right ends are the lowest. Therefore, water accumulated in the second water receiver 166B is quickly drained outside the housing 100 from the left and right ends.

[0032] In Embodiment 2, the first water tray 165B is connected to the front of the front top panel 161A, but it may also be connected to the rear of the front panel 110A (not shown). Also, the second water tray 166B is connected to the front of the rear top panel 162A, but it may also be connected to the rear of the front top panel 161A. However, in order to increase the rigidity of the front top panel 161A and suppress deformation when it is removed, it is preferable that the water trays be connected to at least one of the front or rear of the front top panel 161A.

[0033] Embodiment 3. Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the dividing point between the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161B of the water heater 1C according to Embodiment 3, as seen from the right side panel 120. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the front top panel 161B. Hereinafter, only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described, and explanations that overlap with Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0034] The difference between the water heater 1C according to Embodiment 3 (where the reference numeral "1C" is not shown in the drawings) and the water heater 1A according to Embodiment 1 is that the first water tray 165C is integrally formed with the front top panel 161B. The first water tray 165C according to Embodiment 3 is bent to have a U-shaped cross-section that is open at the top. For example, in this embodiment, the first water tray 165C has a U-shaped cross-section that is bent at three bent portions R1, R2, and R3. Specifically, the first water tray 165C has a U-shape that extends downward (-Z direction) from the front top panel 161B by bending at bent portion R1, extends forward (-Y direction) by bending at bent portion R2, and further extends upward (+Z direction) by bending at bent portion R3. At the bent portions R1, R2, and R3, the material is bent at a 90-degree angle. Of the inner surface of the first water receiver 165C according to Embodiment 3, the water receiver bottom surface 165Ca, which constitutes the bottom surface, is located below the first gap 163B (not shown in Figure 10, corresponding to the reference numeral "163" in Figure 4). Also, as shown in Figure 11, the first water receiver 165C according to Embodiment 3 extends in the left-right direction across the entire front surface of the front top plate 161B.

[0035] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rear top panel 162B of the water heater 1C according to Embodiment 3. The second water receiver 166C is integrally formed with the rear top panel 162B. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the second water receiver 166C is bent to have a U-shaped cross-section that is open at the top, similar to the first water receiver 165C. Of the inner surface of the second water receiver 166C, the water receiver bottom surface 166Ca which constitutes the bottom surface is located below the second gap 164B (not shown in Figure 10, corresponding to the reference numeral "164" in Figure 4). The second water receiver 166C also extends in the left-right direction across the entire front surface of the rear top panel 162B.

[0036] Thus, in the water heater 1C according to Embodiment 3, the first water receiver 165C is integrally formed with the front top panel 161B, thereby reducing the number of parts compared to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the second water receiver 166C is integrally formed with the rear top panel 162B, thereby reducing the number of parts compared to Embodiment 1.

[0037] In Embodiment 3, the first water tray 165C is integrally formed with the front top panel 161B, but it may also be integrally formed with the front panel 110A. Thus, the first water tray 165C can be integrally formed with either the front panel 110A or the front top panel 161B. Also, in Embodiment 3, the second water tray 166C is integrally formed with the rear top panel 162B, but it may also be integrally formed with the front top panel 161B. Thus, the second water tray 166C can be integrally formed with either the front top panel 161B or the rear top panel 162B.

[0038] In Embodiment 3, it is assumed that three plates, the front plate 110A, the front top plate 161B, and the rear top plate 162B, cover the top of the heating device 21. However, if the top plate is covered by two plates, the front top plate 161B and the rear top plate 162B, the water tray may be integrally formed with either the front top plate 161B or the rear top plate 162B. Also, if the top plate is not divided and the top plate is covered by two plates, the front plate 110A and the top plate 160B, the water tray may be integrally formed with either the front plate 110A or the top plate 160B.

[0039] Embodiment 4. Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the dividing point between the front panel 110A and the front top panel 161C of the water heater 1D (however, the reference numeral "1D" is not shown in the drawing) according to Embodiment 4, as seen from the right side panel 120. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the front top panel 161C. Hereinafter, only the differences from Embodiment 3 will be described, and explanations that overlap with Embodiment 3 will be omitted. The difference between Embodiment 4 and Embodiment 3 is the shape of the first water receiver 165D.

[0040] In the front top panel 161C according to Embodiment 4, a first water receiver 165D, which has a V-shaped cross-section formed by bending the front 90 degrees downward and then bending it sharply upward, is integrally formed with the front top panel 161C. For example, in this embodiment, the first water receiver 165D has a V-shaped cross-section formed by bending at two bent portions R1 and R2. Specifically, the first water receiver 165D has a V-shape that extends downward (in the -Z direction) from the front top panel 161C, bent from the bent portion R1 as the base point, and extends forward (in the -Y direction) bent from the bent portion R2 as the base point. At the bent portion R1, it is bent at 90 degrees, and at the bent portion R2, it is bent at a sharp angle. Of the inner surface of the first water receiver 165D, the inclined water receiver bottom surface 165Da is located below the first gap 163B. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, the first water receiver 165D extends horizontally across the entire front surface of the front top panel 161C.

[0041] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the rear top panel 162C of the water heater 1D according to Embodiment 4. In the rear top panel 162C according to Embodiment 4, similar to the front top panel 161C, a second water receiver 166D, which has a V-shaped cross-section formed by bending the front 90 degrees downward and then bending it sharply upward, is integrally formed with the rear top panel 162C. Of the inner surface of the second water receiver 166D, the inclined bottom surface 166D is located below the second gap 164B. Also, as shown in Figure 15, the second water receiver 166D extends in the left-right direction across the entire front surface of the rear top panel 162C.

[0042] Thus, in the water heater 1D according to Embodiment 4, the first water receiver 165D and the second water receiver 166D are formed in a V-shaped cross-section, which reduces the number of bends compared to Embodiment 3.

[0043] Embodiment 5. FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the split position between the front panel 110B and the front top panel 161C of the water heater 1E according to Embodiment 5 (however, the reference numeral "1E" is not shown in the drawing), as viewed from the right side panel 120 side. Hereinafter, only the differences from Embodiment 4 will be described, and the descriptions overlapping with Embodiment 4 will be omitted. The water heater 1E according to Embodiment 5 is different from the water heater 1D according to Embodiment 4 in that the front panel 110B has a bent tip 180.

[0044] The front panel 110B according to Embodiment 5 has a bent tip 180, in which the end on the side adjacent to the front top panel 161C is bent downward by 90 degrees. The bent tip 180 is located above the first water receiver 165D of the front top panel 161C. The front panel 110B according to Embodiment 5 has a bent tip 180, so it has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0045] Thereby, even when the front panel 110B is disposed downward and the water heater 1E is installed in an inclined state, since the bent tip 180 is formed on the front panel 110B, the water that has entered from the first gap 163B surely falls onto the first water receiver 165D.

[0046] Embodiment 6. FIG. 17 is a top view of the front top panel 161D of the water heater 1F according to Embodiment 6 (however, the reference numeral "1F" is not shown in the drawing). Hereinafter, only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described, and the descriptions overlapping with Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0047] The first water receiver 165E formed on the front top panel 161D of the water heater 1F according to Embodiment 6 has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape like that of Embodiment 1 or a V-shaped cross-sectional shape like that of Embodiment 4. Drain holes 170 and 171 are formed in the water receiver bottom surface 165Ea that constitutes the bottom surface among the inner surfaces of the first water receiver 165E. In Embodiment 6, the first water receiver 165E has two drain holes, but it may have one or three or more drain holes.

[0048] FIG. 18 is a top view showing the internal structure of the heating unit 20 of the water heater 1F. Note that FIG. 18 shows the housing 100 with the front panel 110A removed. As shown in FIG. 18, the drain holes 170 and 171 are disposed downward, for example, at positions where there are no devices driven by electricity in the heating device 21. Therefore, in the water heater 1F according to Embodiment 6, the water stored in the first water receiver 165E falls onto the upper heat insulating member 42 of the hot water storage unit 40 through the drain hole 170 or the drain hole 171.

[0049] FIG. 19 is a top view of the upper heat insulating member 42 of the water heater 1F. As shown in FIG. 19, a drain discharge hole 43 is formed in the upper heat insulating member 42. Further, the drain discharge hole 43 is connected to the outside through a hose not shown. Therefore, the water that has fallen onto the upper heat insulating member 42 is discharged to the outside through the drain discharge hole 43. In Embodiment 6, only one drain discharge hole 43 is formed, but there may be a plurality of them.

[0050] In Embodiments 1 - 5, the water stored in the first water receivers 165A - 165D and the second water receivers 166A - 166D was discharged outside the housing 100 from the bottom along the right side panel 120 and the left side panel 130. Therefore, the floor on which the housing 100 was placed was wet when the water was discharged.

[0051] On the other hand, in Embodiment 6, since the water stored in the first water receiver 165E is discharged to the outside through the hose connected to the drain discharge hole 43 of the upper heat insulating member 42, the floor on which the housing 100 is placed does not get wet.

[0052] In Embodiments 3 - 6, the front top panels 161B - 161D and the rear top panels 162B - 162D are formed of steel plates, but they may be formed of aluminum plates. Further, the front top panels 161B - 161D and the rear top panels 162B - 162D may be formed of other metal materials other than steel plates and aluminum plates. Also, the first water receivers 165C - 165E may be integrally formed with the front top panels 161B - 161D and the second water receivers 166C - 166E may be integrally formed with the rear top panels 162B - 162D from a resin material containing polypropylene.

[0053] However, if the first water trays 165C to 165E and the second water trays 166C to 166E are made of resin material, it is preferable not to use resin material that is prone to hydrolysis, such as polybutylene terephthalate. Also, if the first water trays 165C to 165E and the second water trays 166C to 166E are made of steel plate, their surfaces may be plated or painted to prevent rusting. In addition, the first water trays 165C to 165E and the second water trays 166C to 166E may be treated with a water-repellent coating to allow water to flow easily.

[0054] In embodiments 3 to 6, the first water trays 165C to 165E are connected to the front top panels 161B to 161D, and the second water trays 166C to 166E are connected to the front of the rear top panels 162B to 162D. However, instead, the first water trays 165C to 165E may be connected to the rear of the front panels 110A and 110B, and the second water trays 166C to 166E may be connected to the rear of the front top panels 161B to 161D.

[0055] However, in Embodiment 6, it is preferable that the first water receiver 165E is connected to the rear of the front panel 110B, and the second water receiver 166E is connected to the front of the rear top panel 162D. An instruction manual or other accessories are placed on top of the front top panel 161D. When the first water receiver 165E and the second water receiver 166E, which have drainage holes 170 and 171 formed therein, are connected to the front top panel 161D, there is a risk that the front top panel 161D may sag from the drainage holes 170 and 171 due to the weight of the accessories. Furthermore, by forming bent ends 180 on the front and rear of the front top panel 161D, even if the front top panel 161D sags, the amount of sagging can be limited by the bent ends 180 contacting the first water receiver 165E on the front panel 110B and the second water receiver 166E on the rear top panel 162D.

[0056] Embodiment 7. Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the dividing point between the front top panel 161E and the rear top panel 162E of the water heater 1G (however, the reference numeral "1G" is not shown in the drawing) according to Embodiment 7, as viewed from the right side panel 120. Hereinafter, only the differences from Embodiment 6 will be described, and explanations that overlap with Embodiment 6 will be omitted.

[0057] The second water receiver 165F formed on the rear top panel according to Embodiment 7 has a V-shaped cross-section. A hemmed bend portion 181 (edge-non-exposed structure) is formed at the tip of the second water receiver 165F that extends in the -Y direction, and the edge is not exposed. The hemmed bend portion 181 is formed, for example, by bending the tip by 180°. This hemmed bend portion 181 is formed as a structure that enhances safety when workers are working.

[0058] When performing maintenance on the water heater 1G, the front top panel 161E is removed to perform maintenance on the equipment located below the rear top panel 162E. However, because a hemmed bend 181 is formed at the tip of the second water receiver 165F, workers do not need to be careful of the edge of the rear top panel 162E when performing the work. Furthermore, even if burrs are generated at the tip of the rear top panel 162E, the burrs are not exposed to the outside, so workers do not need to be careful of the burrs when performing the work.

[0059] In Embodiment 7, a hemmed bend 181 is formed at the tip of the second water receiver 165F extending in the -Y direction, as an edge-non-exposed structure where the edge is not exposed. However, the edge-non-exposed structure is not limited to this. The second water receiver 165F may have a curl bend formed at its tip extending in the -Y direction. Alternatively, the second water receiver 165F may have a structure in which protective tape is attached to its tip extending in the -Y direction. However, a hemmed bend is preferred considering processability and workability. These structures also enhance the safety of workers when performing tasks.

[0060] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. That is, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0061] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-194746, filed on November 6, 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-194746 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0062] 1A Water heater, 21 Heating device, 41 Hot water storage tank, 110 Front panel, 160A Top panel, 161A Front top panel, 162A Rear top panel, 163A First gap, 164A Second gap, 165A First water tray, 165Ba Bottom surface of water tray, 166A Second water tray, 170 Drain hole, 181 Hemming bend (edge ​​not exposed structure)

Claims

1. A water heater comprising: a heating device for heating hot water; a hot water storage tank provided below the heating device for storing the hot water heated by the heating device; a plurality of plates arranged to cover the top of the heating device; and a water receiver provided below the gaps formed by the plurality of plates.

2. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of plates include a front plate that covers the top and front of the heating device, and a top plate that covers the top of the heating device.

3. The water receiver is integrally formed with the front panel or the top panel of the water heater according to claim 2.

4. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of plates comprises a front top plate covering the front side above the heating device and a rear top plate covering the rear side above the heating device.

5. The water receiver is integrally formed with the front top panel or the rear top panel of the water heater according to claim 4.

6. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of plates comprises: a front plate covering the top and front of the heating device; a front top plate covering the top front side of the heating device; and a rear top plate covering the top rear side of the heating device, and the water tray comprises: a first water tray provided below the gap formed by the front plate and the front top plate; and a second water tray provided below the gap formed by the front top plate and the rear top plate.

7. The water heater according to claim 6, wherein the first water tray is integrally formed with the front panel or the front top panel, and the second water tray is integrally formed with the front top panel or the rear top panel.

8. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gap is provided directly above the heating device.

9. The water receiving has an inclined surface for draining water to the outside of the housing which is provided while covering the hot water storage tank, according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the water receiver has at least one drain hole at its bottom, and the drain hole is positioned below the heating device.

11. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the water tray has an edge-non-exposed structure formed on at least a portion of its end, so as not to expose the edge.

12. The water heater according to claim 11, wherein the edge non-exposed structure is formed by hemming bending.

13. The water heater according to claim 11, wherein the edge non-exposed structure is formed by curl bending.

14. The water heater according to claim 11, wherein the edge non-exposed structure is formed by affixing protective tape to at least a portion of the end portion.

15. A maintenance method for a water heater according to claim 6 or 7, wherein maintenance is performed on equipment located below the rear top panel after the front panel and the front top panel have been removed.

16. A maintenance method for a water heater according to claim 6 or 7, wherein maintenance is performed on equipment located below the front top panel after removing the front panel and the front top panel.

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