Instantaneous hot water generating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an instantaneous hot water generating device comprising: a hot water supply device housing having a water supply port provided at one side thereof and a water discharge port provided at the other side thereof, the hot water supply device housing having a water flow path formed therein through which water flows; and a heat exchange unit disposed on the water flow path of the hot water supply device housing to heat the water by exchanging heat with the supplied water. The heat exchange unit is formed of a heat transfer material configured such that, when a liquid refrigerant is phase-changed into a gaseous refrigerant by an induction heating element generating heat at one side of the internal space, an area for heat exchange with the water is increased corresponding to the diffusion region of the gaseous refrigerant that diffuses and moves to the other side of the inner space.

Description

Instant hot water generator

[0001] The present invention relates to an instantaneous hot water generating apparatus, and more specifically, to an instantaneous hot water generating apparatus capable of rapidly supplying hot water by inducing heat exchange with water through a plurality of heat exchange units utilizing a phase change cycle of a refrigerant.

[0002] Generally, a typical hot water supply device that uses electrical energy to provide room-temperature water utilizes a method where the water is heated directly by the heating coil itself. For instance, a hot water supply housing is provided to store water at room temperature, and a heating coil is installed to occupy a relatively large volume to heat the water within the housing. The structure is designed so that the water inside the housing is heated through direct surface thermal contact with the outer surface of the heating coil.

[0003] However, heating coils have the problem of increased material costs because they must be equipped in a state of multiple turns to ensure a large surface area for heating a large amount of water at once. Additionally, since heating coils utilize electrical resistance heating, there is a problem of significantly increased power consumption when heating water, which has a high specific gravity.

[0004] In addition, conventional water tanks have a very large overall volume, which poses a problem in that they are not easy to install in homes or offices.

[0005]

[0006] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned technical problems and aims to provide an instant hot water generating device capable of reducing the material cost of the heating coil and reducing power consumption.

[0007] In addition, another objective of the present invention is to provide an instant hot water generating device capable of improving hot water supply performance by maximizing the surface area of ​​the heat dissipation part through a refrigerant.

[0008] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be understood by those skilled in the art from the matters described below.

[0009]

[0010] An instant hot water generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a water supply housing having a water supply port on one side and a water discharge port on the other side, and a water flow path formed therein through which the water flows, and a heat exchange unit disposed on the water flow path of the water supply housing to heat the water by exchanging heat with the supplied water, wherein the heat exchange unit may be made of a heat transfer material that increases the heat exchange surface area with the water by the diffusion range of the gaseous refrigerant that diffuses and moves to the other side of the internal space by changing the phase of the liquid refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant by means of an induction heating element that generates heat on one side of the internal space.

[0011] Here, the heat exchange unit may include a unit heat dissipation fin comprising a refrigerant flow space in which a refrigerant is filled, a first-side heat conduction panel forming one side of the refrigerant flow space, and a second-side heat conduction panel forming the other side of the refrigerant flow space, and an induction heating coil portion wound to make surface heat contact with one end of the unit heat dissipation fin and supplying heat to the unit heat dissipation fin.

[0012] In addition, the heat exchange unit may be provided in the form of a module in which a number of induction heating coils are integrally wound at one end of each of a plurality of unit heat dissipation fins arranged spaced apart in the thickness direction in the water flow path of the water heater housing.

[0013] In addition, a plurality of the above-mentioned unit heat dissipation fins may be spaced apart in the front-rear thickness direction of the water heater housing.

[0014] In addition, the heat exchange unit may further include at least one assembly bracket that connects the other ends of a plurality of unit heat dissipation fins in a modular fashion.

[0015] In addition, the one side equipped with the induction heating element may correspond to the area where the induction heating coil is wound.

[0016] In addition, at least one of the above-mentioned induction heating elements may be stacked in the width direction of the unit heat dissipation fin.

[0017] In addition, the induction heating element is provided with one of steel or ferrite material and can generate heat at a frequency corresponding to the supply voltage supplied to the induction heating coil portion.

[0018] In addition, the induction heating coil unit can receive power from an external power source of the water heater housing.

[0019] In addition, the above unit heat dissipation fin is provided with SUS material, and the refrigerant filled in the above refrigerant flow space may be water.

[0020] In addition, a plurality of the heat exchange units may be arranged in multiple stages in the direction of gravity between the water supply port and the water discharge port in the water flow path.

[0021] Additionally, the water supply port may be positioned so that water is supplied to the heat exchange unit positioned on the lower side of the water flow path based on the direction of gravity, and the water discharge port may be positioned so that water is discharged from the heat exchange unit positioned on the upper side of the water flow path based on the direction of gravity.

[0022] Additionally, it may further include a plurality of water flow guide walls disposed on the water flow path, each partitioning each of the plurality of heat exchange units in the direction of gravity and having a communication hole formed therein for the continuous flow of water.

[0023] In addition, the above-mentioned communication hole may be formed at a location where the water flow path from the water supply port to the water discharge port is arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0024] Additionally, the water heater housing may include a housing body formed in the shape of a rectangular prism with an open front, a housing cover coupled to the open front of the housing body, and may further include an inverter device for frequency control according to the voltage of the induction heating coil section.

[0025] Additionally, the housing body includes a hot water generating space in which the water flow path is formed and an electrical unit receiving space in which the inverter device is built, and the hot water generating space and the electrical unit receiving space may be partitioned by a space partition wall.

[0026] In addition, the hot water generating space and the electrical unit receiving space can be watertightly sealed by the space partition wall and the housing cover.

[0027] According to an instantaneous hot water generating device of one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the induction heating coil section is reduced to reduce material costs, while also reducing power consumption and improving hot water supply performance.

[0028] In addition, the present invention has the effect of ensuring design diversity for product use and manufacturing, particularly in countries that regulate the use of refrigerants, in that the refrigerant can be limited to water.

[0029] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0030]

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an instantaneous hot water generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0032] FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1, and

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of FIG. 1 with the front cover removed, and

[0034] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the installation of a heat exchange unit in the configuration of FIG. 3, and

[0035] FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 3, and

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a water flow guide wall among the configurations of FIG. 3, and

[0037] FIG. 7 is a front view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchange unit in the configuration of FIG. 3, and

[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a heat exchange unit among the configurations of FIG. 3, and

[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a unit heat dissipation fin among the configurations of FIG. 8, and

[0040] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view with the induction heating coil part separated from the configuration of FIG. 9, and

[0041] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a unit heat dissipation fin among the configurations of FIG. 9.

[0042]

[0043] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0044] 5: Water heater housing 10: Housing body

[0045] 10S: Water flow path 10S1: Hot water generation space

[0046] 10S2: Front section accommodation space 20: Housing cover

[0047] 30: Panel control section 40: Water supply port

[0048] 50: Water drain 60: Power supply terminal

[0049] 70: Space partition wall 80: Water flow guide wall

[0050] 81: 1st Guide Wall 82: 2nd Guide Wall

[0051] 83: 3rd guide wall 80h: Chimney hole

[0052] 81h: 1st chimney hole 82h: 2nd chimney hole

[0053] 83h: 3rd chimney hole 100: Heat exchange unit

[0054] 180: Induction heating coil section 190: Assembly bracket

[0055] 200: Unit heat dissipation fin 210: First refrigerant flow path

[0056] 215: Inclined guide 220: Second refrigerant flow path

[0057] 230: Third refrigerant path 240: Strength reinforcement

[0058] 250: Induction heating element

[0059]

[0060] Hereinafter, an instantaneous hot water generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0061] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0062] In describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by these terms. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0063]

[0064] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an instant hot water generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of FIG. 1 with the front cover removed, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the installation of a heat exchange unit of the configuration of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 3.

[0065] An instant hot water generating device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include, as referenced in FIGS. 1 to 5, a water supply housing (5) having a water supply port (40) on one side and a water discharge port (50) on the other side, and a water flow path (10S) formed inside through which water flows, and a heat exchange unit (100) disposed on the water flow path of the water supply housing (5) and heat-exchanging with the supplied water to heat the water.

[0066] Here, the water supply port (40) is provided in a pipe shape that communicates with the water flow path (10S), and ambient temperature water can be supplied into the interior of the water heater housing (10, 20) through the water supply port (40). The water discharge port (50) can be provided in a pipe shape that communicates with the water flow path (10S) so that hot water, whose temperature has been raised by heat exchange with the heat exchange unit (100), can be discharged.

[0067] The water heater housing (5) may include a housing body (10) and a housing cover (20).

[0068] As referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing body (10) is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular prism, with the front open, and a housing cover (20) can be attached to the open front. The housing body (10) may be provided in the shape of a slim casing, with a thickness in the front-to-back direction that is very thin relative to the height in the vertical direction and the width in the left-to-right direction.

[0069] Thus, the instantaneous hot water generating device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention provides the advantage of being easily installed without spatial constraints on the installation location, as the water heater housing (5) constituting the outer shape is formed to have a slim thickness in the front-rear direction.

[0070] In addition, as referenced in FIGS. 3 to 5, the housing body (10) may include a hot water generating space (10S1) in which a water flow path (10S) through which water supplied through a water supply port (40) flows is formed, and an electrical unit receiving space (10S2) partitioned from the hot water generating space (10S1) and in which an inverter device (110) and a control board (120) are built.

[0071] The inverter device (110) may be a control device that allows an induction heating coil portion (180) wound on a unit heat dissipation fin (200) described later to apply a predetermined voltage and frequency to an induction heating element (250) disposed in the first refrigerant path (210) of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) described later.

[0072] Here, the housing body (10) can be divided into a hot water generating space (10S1) and an electrical unit receiving space (10S2) through a space partition wall (70), as referenced in FIG. 5. Here, the space partition wall (70) can be formed integrally with the housing body (10). For example, when the hot water generating space (10S1) is located in the left side of the housing body (10) in the width direction and the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) is located in the right side of the housing body (10) in the width direction, the space partition wall (70) can be vertically arranged in the up-down direction to divide the hot water generating space (10S1) and the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) left-right.

[0073] It is preferable that the hot water generating space (10S1) and the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) be completely waterproofed so that water from the hot water generating space (10S1) does not leak or flood into the electrical unit receiving space (10S2).

[0074] For example, when the space partition wall (70) is integrally formed with the housing body (10), the component penetrating the hot water generating space (10S1) and the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) among the components described later is the induction heating coil (180). Therefore, when the space partition wall (70) is provided with a coil penetration section (not shown) through which the induction heating coil (180) penetrates, the coil penetration section can be watertight.

[0075] Additionally, the hot water generating space (10S1) and the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) can be sealed watertight by a housing cover (20) that is connected to the open front of the housing body (10). At this time, although not shown, a waterproof seal member may be interposed at the front end of the space partition wall (70) that contacts the back surface of the housing cover (20).

[0076] Meanwhile, an operation panel (30) may be installed on the front of the housing cover (20). As referenced in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel (30) may be equipped with a temperature display unit (31) for displaying the temperature of the hot water supply, a power button (32) for turning the power on and off, and a temperature control unit (33, 34) for adjusting the temperature of the hot water supply upward and downward. Here, the temperature display unit (31), the power button (32), and the temperature control unit (33, 34) may all be provided in the form of a touch panel, or the power button (32) and the temperature control unit (33, 34), excluding the temperature display unit (31), may be provided in the form of buttons.

[0077] Such an operation panel (30) is provided on the front of the housing cover (20), and may be provided at a position corresponding in the front-rear direction to the area where the control board (120) is placed in the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) of the housing body (10) described later. A predetermined operation signal by the power button (32) or the temperature control unit (33, 34) of the operation panel (30) can be operated as a control signal by the control board (120).

[0078] The inverter device (110) may be installed on the upper part of the control board (120) in the electrical unit receiving space (10S2) of the housing body (10). The inverter device (110) can control the supply voltage and the corresponding frequency for the induction heating coil section (180) in the configuration of the heat exchange unit (100) installed in the hot water generation space (10S1). To this end, the inverter device (110) may be connected to be energized with the power supply terminal (60) described later.

[0079] Additionally, the water heater housing (5) may receive power from outside the housing body (10). To this end, a power supply terminal (60) may be further provided on the outside of the housing body (10). The power supply terminal (60) is electrically connected to an inverter device (110), and some of the power supplied to the water heater housing (5) may be used for the operation of the induction heating coil unit (180), which will be described later, through voltage supply and frequency control of the inverter device (110).

[0080] A water flow path (10S) may be formed in the hot water generating space (10S1) of the housing body (10). Here, the water flow path (10S) may be arranged to be divided into multiple sections in the direction of gravity from the water supply port (40) to the water discharge port (50) (see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4).

[0081] At this time, the water supply port (40) may be positioned so that water is supplied to the heat exchange unit (100-1) located at the lowest side of the water flow path (10S) based on the direction of gravity. Additionally, the water discharge port (50) may be positioned so that water is discharged from the heat exchange unit (100-4) located at the uppermost side of the water flow path (10S) based on the direction of gravity.

[0082] Therefore, water supplied through a water supply port (40) located relatively lower relative to the direction of gravity is heated while passing through a plurality of heat exchange units (100) arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction, and the heated hot water can be discharged through a water discharge port (50) located relatively higher.

[0083] Here, since the water supply port (40) is located relatively lower than the water discharge port (50) in the direction of gravity, a pumping force corresponding to the vertical displacement of the water supply port (40) and the water discharge port (50) can be required through a pump not shown to ensure smooth flow of water to be heated in the water flow path (10S).

[0084] At this time, due to the physical property that high-temperature water generally moves from the lower side to the upper side, when the water supplied through the water supply port (40) is heated, it naturally moves upward along the multi-stage water flow path (see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) on the upper side, thereby reducing the pumping power of the pump.

[0085] Meanwhile, the instantaneous hot water generating device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a water flow guide wall (80). The water flow guide wall (80) may serve to divide the water flow path (10S) into multiple sections so that the heat exchange unit (100) disposed in the water flow path (10S) as described above is arranged in multiple stages in the direction of gravity.

[0086] More specifically, the water flow guide walls (80) may be provided in three such that the water flow path (10S) is divided into four spaces (see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, and 10S-4). In this embodiment, three water flow guide walls (80) are required to form four divided water flow paths (10S) in a multi-stage arrangement of four heat exchange units (100), but the number of water flow guide walls (80) may be determined to be one less than the number of multi-stage arranged heat exchange units (100).

[0087] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, three water flow guide walls (80) may be arranged in a multi-stage configuration to divide the water flow path into four spaces. Here, a communication hole (80h) for communication flow with an adjacent water flow path (10S) may be formed through one end and the other end of each water flow guide wall (80).

[0088] At this time, the communication hole (80h) may be formed at a location where the water flow path (10S) from the water supply port (40) to the water discharge port (50) is arranged in a zigzag shape. That is, as referenced in FIG. 4, a first communication hole (81h) may be formed at the end side of the first guide wall (81) of the water flow guide wall (80) that is spaced apart from the water supply port (40), a second communication hole (82h) may be formed at the end side of the second guide wall (82) of the water flow guide wall (80) that is spaced apart from the first communication hole (81h) of the first guide wall (81), and a third communication hole (83h) may be formed at the end side of the third guide wall (83) of the water flow guide wall (80) that is spaced apart from the second communication hole (82h) of the second guide wall (82).

[0089] In this way, by providing a plurality of communication holes (81h, 82h, 83h) spaced apart from each other, a water flow path (10S, see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) through which water supplied through the water supply port (40) flows can be secured to a maximum length, and as many unit heat dissipation fins (200) or heat exchange units (100) as possible can be arranged.

[0090] More specifically, the water flow path (10S, see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) comprises, as referenced in FIGS. 3 to 5, a first stage water flow path (10S-1) formed horizontally and communicating with a water supply port (40), a second stage water flow path (10S-2) arranged horizontally above the first stage water flow path (10S-1) and communicating with the first stage water flow path (10S-1) through a first communication hole (81h) of a first guide wall (81), a third stage water flow path (10S-3) arranged horizontally above the second stage water flow path (10S-2) and communicating with the second stage water flow path (10S-2) through a second communication hole (82h) of a second guide wall (82), and a third stage It may include a fourth stage water flow path (10S-4) that is horizontally positioned above the water flow path (10S-3) and communicates with the third stage water flow path (10S-3) through the third communication hole (83h) of the third guide wall (83).

[0091] A plurality of heat exchange units (100) may be disposed in each of the water flow paths (10S, see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) divided into four spaces. The heat exchange units (100) are configured to heat water flowing through the water flow paths (10S), and are disposed to be immersed in the water flow paths (10S) divided into multiple spaces, so that water can be heated into hot water as it flows along the water flow paths (10S, see reference numerals 10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) of each space.

[0092] Here, a plurality of heat exchange units (100) are modularly assembled assemblies in which a plurality of unit heat dissipation fins (200) are arranged to have a predetermined spacing as described below, and a plurality of heat exchange units (100) can be arranged in each of the four stages of water flow paths (10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4).

[0093] Preferably, considering the flow and phase change structure of the refrigerant within the unit heat dissipation fin (200) described later, the first refrigerant flow path (210) equipped with an induction heating coil part (180) among the configurations of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) is designed to be positioned on the lower side with respect to the direction of gravity and is arranged in the 4-stage water flow path (10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4).

[0094] A plurality of heat exchange units (100) are assembled to form a spaced-apart space between each unit heat dissipation fin (200), and by having the heat dissipation surfaces (facing surfaces) that perform heat dissipation for the phase change of the refrigerant face each other in the spaced space, the surface area of ​​heat contact with the water flowing through the multi-stage water flow path (10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) is maximized, thereby allowing the temperature of the water to be raised step by step in a short period of time.

[0095] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a water flow guide wall in the configuration of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a front view, side view, and cross-sectional view showing a heat exchange unit in the configuration of FIG. 3, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a heat exchange unit in the configuration of FIG. 3, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a unit heat dissipation fin in the configuration of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view with the induction heating coil part separated in the configuration of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a unit heat dissipation fin in the configuration of FIG. 9.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, the heat exchange unit (100) may be made of a heat transfer material that increases the heat exchange area with water flowing through the water flow path (10S) by the diffusion range of the gaseous refrigerant that is diffused and moved to the other side of the refrigerant flow space (not indicated in the drawing, refer to the drawing symbols '210, 220, 230' in FIG. 10) by means of an induction heating element (250) that generates heat in one side of the internal space (refer to the refrigerant flow space described later).

[0097] Here, the heat exchange unit (100) may be provided in the form of a module in which a number of induction heating coils (180) are integrally wound at one end of a plurality of unit heat dissipation fins (200) arranged spaced apart in the thickness direction in the water flow path (10S) of the water heater housing (5).

[0098] More specifically, each of the plurality of heat exchange units (100) may include a unit heat dissipation fin (200) that further includes a refrigerant flow space in which a refrigerant is filled, a first-side heat conduction panel (200-1) forming one side of the refrigerant flow space, and a second-side heat conduction panel (200-2) forming the other side of the refrigerant flow space, and an induction heating coil portion (180) that is wound to make surface heat contact at one end of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) and supplies heat to the unit heat dissipation fin (200).

[0099] Meanwhile, the one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2) constituting the unit heat dissipation fin (200) may be made of SUS (stainless steel). At this time, the refrigerant filled in the refrigerant flow space formed between the one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2) may be water (H2O).

[0100] Generally, the most well-known material for heat transfer is aluminum (Al). However, while aluminum is advantageous as a conventional heat transfer material due to its inherently high thermal conductivity, it limits the selection of refrigerants. Specifically, aluminum possesses a chemical property where it transforms into aluminum oxide while generating hydrogen compounds upon contact with water. The generation of hydrogen compounds in a closed refrigerant flow space not only causes internal pressure to rise but also leads to external vibrations during the refrigerant's gas-liquid circulation, resulting in reduced heat transfer efficiency.

[0101] Therefore, there is a problem in that refrigerants suitable for aluminum materials are limited to special refrigerants such as Honeywell refrigerants or CFCs (Freon gases). However, as there has recently been a global trend to actively review regulations on refrigerant use for the purpose of preventing environmental pollution, there was a problem that conflicted with this trend.

[0102] In contrast, in one embodiment of the present invention, the material of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) is adopted as SUS material, and ordinary water is adopted as the refrigerant.

[0103] Here, the water constituting the refrigerant may include any one of natural water, distilled water, and ultrapure water. However, when water is adopted as the refrigerant, since natural water may contain organic and inorganic substances, it is preferable to use distilled water purified after steaming or ultrapure water from which internal organic and inorganic substances have been removed. Here, ultrapure water refers to pure water from which electrolytes, microorganisms, organic substances, and dissolved gases have been removed through advanced water purification methods such as reverse osmosis (RO), ion exchange resin, activated carbon filter, and sterilization, and means water with a resistivity of 18 MΩ·cm or higher. In this way, when water is selected as the refrigerant, the water does not cause any chemical reaction when in contact with the unit heat dissipation fin (200) made of SUS material.

[0104] Meanwhile, if the materials of the one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2) are adopted as SUS material, there is an advantage in that the first refrigerant passage (210), the second refrigerant passage (220), and the third refrigerant passage (230), as well as the multiple strength reinforcing parts (240), described later, can be manufactured using a press mold method.

[0105] Here, a plurality of unit heat dissipation fins (200) are arranged such that their respective heat dissipation surfaces face each other in the thickness direction of the water heater housing (10, 20), and then the aforementioned induction heating coil portion (180) is assembled to be wound onto each unit heat dissipation fin (200). Afterward, each unit heat dissipation fin (200) can be manufactured into a set of heat exchange units (100) via assembly brackets (190) and securely fixed to the housing body (10). At this time, the plurality of unit heat dissipation fins (200) can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the thickness direction of the water heater housing (10, 20) by at least one assembly bracket (190) and maintained in parallel. Then, as water flowing along the water flow path (10S) passes through the spaced-apart space of the unit heat dissipation fins (200), it exchanges heat with the surface of the unit heat dissipation fins (200) and is supplied as hot water.

[0106] Here, as referenced in FIG. 7, the induction heating coil portion (180) is configured to convert electrical energy into resistance heat and is wound at least once on each unit heat dissipation fin (200) to induce a phase change of the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant flow space of the unit heat dissipation fin (200).

[0107] More specifically, at least one induction heating element (250) may be disposed on one side of the refrigerant flow space of the unit heat dissipation fin (200), as referenced in FIGS. 8 to 11. Here, the side of the refrigerant flow space where the induction heating element (250) is provided may be a position corresponding to the part where the induction heating coil portion (180) is wound.

[0108] More specifically, the unit heat dissipation fin (200) may include a first refrigerant flow path (210) in which an induction heating coil portion (180) is wound outwardly and is provided on one side of the refrigerant flow space, a plurality of second refrigerant flow paths (220) formed inclined toward the other side of the refrigerant flow space from the side of the first refrigerant flow path (210), and partitioned by a plurality of inclined guides (215) formed recessed toward the refrigerant flow space side by a heat conduction panel (200-1) on one side and a heat conduction panel (200-2) on the other side, and a third refrigerant flow path (230) defined in the thickness direction of the refrigerant flow space between the plurality of second refrigerant flow paths (220).

[0109] Here, one side heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other side heat conduction panel (200-2) may further include a plurality of strength reinforcing members (240) formed by being recessed from a plurality of inclined guides (215) or each surface toward the refrigerant flow space, and having mutually opposing leading ends that are in contact with each other on the refrigerant flow space.

[0110] A plurality of strength reinforcing members (240) serve to reinforce the flat-shaped one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2), and the opposing leading ends are welded together to come into contact in the refrigerant flow space, thereby serving to combine the one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2).

[0111] The first refrigerant channel (210) is a portion where liquid refrigerant is filled and retained, and is a place where gaseous refrigerant is condensed into liquid refrigerant through heat exchange with water flowing outward from the second refrigerant channel (220) or the third refrigerant channel (230), and then flows down along a plurality of inclined guides (215) to be collected.

[0112] As described above, a refrigerant flow space is formed between the one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2), and at the same time, the first refrigerant flow path (210), a plurality of second refrigerant flow paths (220), a plurality of third refrigerant flow paths (230), and a plurality of strength reinforcing members (240) formed in the one-sided heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other-sided heat conduction panel (200-2), respectively, are molded within the thickness range of the refrigerant flow space, which is manufactured to be very slim.

[0113] In one embodiment of the present invention, the material of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) is adopted as SUS material. Unlike aluminum material manufactured through heat treatment, cold working, or alloying, which suffers from reduced machinability due to the press process, machinability can be secured through a precise press process.

[0114] Meanwhile, at least one induction heating element (250) may be disposed on the first refrigerant path (210). Preferably, a plurality of induction heating elements (250) may be stacked in the width direction of the unit heat dissipation fin (200). In one embodiment of the present invention, the description is based on the premise that two induction heating elements (250) are stacked in the width direction on the first refrigerant path (210).

[0115] Here, the induction heating element (250) may be made of steel or ferrite and may be configured to generate heat according to the principle of induction heating. More specifically, the induction heating element (250) is configured to generate heat in an instantaneous manner by the frequency according to voltage control generated in the induction heating coil section (180).

[0116] The liquid refrigerant introduced and stored in the first refrigerant path (210) by the induction heating element (250) undergoes a phase change into a gaseous refrigerant within a short period of time and spreads to the entire area within the refrigerant flow space, thereby increasing the heat exchange surface area formed by the heat conduction panel (200-1) and the other heat conduction panel (200-2) and instantaneously raising the temperature.

[0117] That is, the induction heating coil section (180) is wound on the side of the first refrigerant passage (210) of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) and performs the role of supplying a predetermined amount of heat to one side of the unit heat dissipation fin (200), and the refrigerant filled inside the unit heat dissipation fin (200) performs the role of increasing the heat exchange surface area with the water flowing through the water flow path (10S) by spreading heat from the side of the first refrigerant passage (210) to the entire remaining part equipped with the second refrigerant passage (220) and the third refrigerant passage (230) through phase change.

[0118] Therefore, the induction heating coil portion (180) does not need to be wound over the entire unit heat dissipation fin (200), and it is sufficient to be wound only on one side, which is the outer surface portion of the unit heat dissipation fin (200) forming the first refrigerant path (210). However, the induction heating coil portion (180) should be wound such that the surface heat contact area is maximized when wound over the unit heat dissipation fin (200). In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating coil portion (180) is wound twice on the outer end of the first refrigerant path (210) side where the induction heating element (250) is installed. At this time, the induction heating coil portion (180) can be wound in a stacked manner in the width direction of the unit heat dissipation fin (200), just like the induction heating element (250).

[0119] Here, since the induction heating coil section (180) and the induction heating element (250) are located relatively lower with respect to the direction of gravity, when placing the heat exchange unit (100) in each of the water flow paths (10S-1, 10S-2, 10S-3, 10S-4) of the housing body (10) among the hot water supply housings (10, 20), it is preferable to install the first refrigerant path (210) of each unit heat dissipation fin (200) so that it is located relatively lower with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0120] An instantaneous hot water generating device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, configured as such, induces a phase change of the refrigerant by utilizing the heat of an induction heating element (250) disposed at a limited location within the refrigerant flow space of a unit heat dissipation fin (200), and thereby can rapidly expand the large surface area of ​​the heat exchange, and can supply hot water at a rapid speed by securing a water flow path (10S) of sufficient length and allowing water to flow.

[0121] In addition, the instantaneous hot water generating device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention provides the advantage of reducing overall power consumption during the hot water supply process, as power consumption is expected only for the operation of the induction heating coil part (180).

[0122]

[0123] For the time being, an instantaneous hot water generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications and implementations within an equivalent scope are possible by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the true scope of the rights of the present invention shall be determined by the claims set forth below.

[0124]

[0125] The present invention provides an instant hot water generating device that reduces material costs, reduces power consumption, and improves hot water supply performance by reducing the length of the induction heating coil section.

Claims

1. A water heater housing having a water supply port on one side and a water discharge port on the other side, and a water flow path formed inside through which the water flows; and A heat exchange unit disposed on the water flow path of the water heater housing and heating the water by exchanging heat with the supplied water; comprising The above heat exchange unit is an instantaneous hot water generating device made of a heat transfer material that increases the heat exchange surface area with the water by the diffusion range of the gaseous refrigerant that diffuses and moves to the other side of the internal space by changing the phase of the liquid refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant by an induction heating element that generates heat on one side of the internal space.

2. In Claim 1, The above heat exchange unit is, A unit heat dissipation fin comprising a refrigerant flow space filled with refrigerant, wherein the unit further comprises a one-sided heat conduction panel forming one side of the refrigerant flow space and a other-sided heat conduction panel forming the other side of the refrigerant flow space; and An instant hot water generating device comprising: an induction heating coil portion wound to make surface heat contact with one end of the unit heat dissipation fin and supplying heat to the unit heat dissipation fin.

3. In Claim 2, The above heat exchange unit is an instantaneous hot water generating device provided in the form of a module in which a plurality of induction heating coils are integrally wound at one end of each of the plurality of unit heat dissipation fins arranged spaced apart in the thickness direction in the water flow path of the water heater housing.

4. In Claim 3, An instantaneous hot water generating device in which a plurality of the above-mentioned unit heat dissipation fins are spaced apart in the front-rear thickness direction of the above-mentioned water heater housing.

5. In Claim 3, The above heat exchange unit further comprises at least one assembly bracket connecting the other ends of a plurality of unit heat dissipation fins in a modular fashion; an instantaneous hot water generating device.

6. In Claim 2, An instantaneous hot water generating device in which the one side equipped with the above-mentioned induction heating element corresponds to the portion where the above-mentioned induction heating coil is wound.

7. In Claim 6, An instantaneous hot water generating device in which at least one of the above-mentioned induction heating elements is stacked in the width direction of the unit heat dissipation fin.

8. In Claim 2, The above induction heating element is, It is provided with one of steel or ferrite materials, and An instantaneous hot water generating device that generates heat at a frequency corresponding to the supply voltage supplied to the above-mentioned induction heating coil section.

9. In Claim 8, The above-mentioned induction heating coil section is an instantaneous hot water generating device that receives power from an external power source of the water heater housing.

10. In Claim 2, An instantaneous hot water generating device in which the above-mentioned unit heat dissipation fins are made of SUS material and the refrigerant filled in the above-mentioned refrigerant flow space is water.

11. In Claim 3, An instantaneous hot water generating device in which a plurality of the heat exchange units are arranged in a multi-stage manner in the direction of gravity between the water supply port and the water discharge port in the above water flow path.

12. In Claim 11, The above water supply port is positioned so that water is supplied to the heat exchange unit located on the lower side of the water flow path based on the direction of gravity, and An instantaneous hot water generating device, wherein the above-mentioned water outlet is positioned so that water is discharged from the heat exchange unit side located on the upper side of the water flow path based on the direction of gravity.

13. In Claim 11, An instantaneous hot water generating device further comprising: a plurality of water flow guide walls disposed on the water flow path, each dividing each of the plurality of heat exchange units in the direction of gravity and each having a communication hole formed therein for the continuous flow of water.

14. In Claim 13, An instant hot water generating device in which the above-mentioned connecting hole is formed at a location where the water flow path from the water supply port to the water discharge port is arranged in a zigzag shape.

15. In Claim 2, The above water heater housing comprises a housing body formed in the shape of a rectangular prism with an open front, and a housing cover coupled to the open front of the housing body. An instantaneous hot water generating device further comprising: an inverter device for frequency control according to the voltage of the induction heating coil portion.

16. In Claim 15, The above housing body includes a hot water generating space in which the water flow path is formed and an electrical unit receiving space in which the inverter device is built. An instantaneous hot water generating device in which the above-mentioned hot water generating space and the above-mentioned electrical unit receiving space are partitioned by a space partition wall.

17. In Claim 16, An instantaneous hot water generating device in which the above-mentioned hot water generating space and the above-mentioned electrical unit receiving space are watertightly sealed by the above-mentioned space partition wall and the above-mentioned housing cover.

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