EP3462106A1 - Hot-water supply unit and maintenance method for a heating mechanism of the same - Google Patents
Hot-water supply unit and maintenance method for a heating mechanism of the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3462106A1 EP3462106A1 EP17193829.3A EP17193829A EP3462106A1 EP 3462106 A1 EP3462106 A1 EP 3462106A1 EP 17193829 A EP17193829 A EP 17193829A EP 3462106 A1 EP3462106 A1 EP 3462106A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- component box
- housing
- hot
- state
- water supply
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 132
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 113
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 97
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 title claims description 45
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims description 38
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 36
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 19
- 210000000078 claw Anatomy 0.000 description 9
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007688 edging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003779 heat-resistant material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/02—Casings; Cover lids; Ornamental panels
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H4/00—Fluid heaters characterised by the use of heat pumps
- F24H4/02—Water heaters
- F24H4/04—Storage heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/06—Arrangement of mountings or supports for heaters, e.g. boilers, other than space heating radiators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
- F24H9/2014—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using electrical energy supply
- F24H9/2021—Storage heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/20—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control inputs
- F24H15/281—Input from user
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/30—Control of fluid heaters characterised by control outputs; characterised by the components to be controlled
- F24H15/395—Information to users, e.g. alarms
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
- F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
- F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
- F24H15/45—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible
- F24H15/464—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based remotely accessible using local wireless communication
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Heat-Pump Type And Storage Water Heaters (AREA)
- Housings, Intake/Discharge, And Installation Of Fluid Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a hot-water supply unit having an electric component unit configured to operate a heating mechanism for heating up water stored in a tank.
- Hot-water supply units are usually each provided with a heating mechanism for heating up water stored in a tank and an electric component unit for operating the heating mechanism.
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EP 2 330 360 A1 discloses to dispose the heating mechanism and the electric component unit above the tank. With this arrangement structure, the hot-water supply unit can be designed narrow, and the installation area of the hot-water supply unit can be minimized. The installation area can be further minimized by arranging the electric component unit so as to extend in a vertical direction above the tank. - However, if the electric component unit is vertically long, the electric component unit would become an obstacle to perform a maintenance of the heating mechanism from the outside, and would also become difficult to be removed out from the housing. Hence, it is desirable that the installation area can be minimized without impairing the maintainability of the heating mechanism.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a hot-water supply unit and a maintenance method for a heating mechanism of a hot-water supply unit that can strike a balance of minimizing the installation area and improving the maintainability of the heating mechanism.
- A first aspect of the present invention provides a hot-water supply unit comprising: a housing; a tank disposed within the housing, and configured to store water; a heating mechanism disposed within a machine space which is formed by the housing therein and is positioned above the tank, and configured to heat up the water stored in the tank; and an electric component unit disposed within the machine space, and having a plurality of electric components configured to operate at least a part of the heating mechanism; wherein: the housing includes a removable side plate which covers at least a part of the machine space; the heating mechanism is positioned rearward of the electric component unit with respect to the removable side plate; the electric component unit has a lower component box accommodating at least one of the electric components, and an upper component box accommodating at least another of the electric components; and the upper component box is configured to be switched between a first state of being positioned on the lower component box within the housing and a second state of being positioned outside of the housing.
- With the above configuration, the electric component unit can be separated into at least two parts in the vertical direction, and the upper part is capable of being removed from the lower part and positioned outside the housing. Thus, the maintainability of the heating mechanism can be improved while minimizing the installation area of the hot-water supply unit.
- The installation area of the hot-water supply unit can be minimized, for instance, by disposing the heating mechanism and the electric component unit over the tank. Meanwhile, when the electric component unit extends vertically, the electric component unit would become an obstacle to access to other components behind the electric component from the outside even though the removable side plate is removable. Maintainability can be therefore improved by the above configuration in that at least a part of the electric component unit is removable from the other part to be positioned outside the housing. In this way, easy maintenance can be achieved as well as a minimal installation area.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the hot-water supply unit mentioned above, the housing is configured such that at least a part of the upper component box in the first state is exposed to outside of the housing when the removable side plate is removed.
- With the above configuration, the upper component box in the first state is easy to observe and touch from the outside. Thereby, the upper component box can be removed out more easily.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the removable side plate is configured to cover an inspection opening formed in the housing and leading to the machine space; and the housing is configured such that the upper component box can be switched between the first state and the second state through the inspection opening.
- With the above configuration, the inspection opening is utilized not only for performing the maintenance of the machine space from the outside but also for removing the upper component box out. Thereby, another opening just for removing the upper component box out does not need to be formed in the housing. Moreover, the upper component box can be easily removed out.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units with the inspection opening mentioned above, the position of the lower end of the upper component box in the first state is higher than or equal to the position of the lower end of the inspection opening.
- With the above configuration, it is less likely that the lower end of the inspection opening hampers the removal of the upper component box. Thereby, the upper component box can be removed out more easily.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the upper component box has an opening in a side surface, the side surface facing to the removable side plate when the upper component box is in the first state.
- With the above configuration, the inner part of the upper component box becomes exposed to outside just by removing the removable side plate. Thereby, the maintenance of the heating mechanism while checking the state of the electric components is facilitated.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the upper component box is movably supported such that the upper component box in the first state and the upper component box in the second state are substantially parallel.
- With the above configuration, the posture of the upper component box is kept even when the upper component box is switched between the first state and the second state. When the electric component unit in the first state is configured so as to be easy to observe from the outside of the housing, such observability can be maintained even when the upper component box is in the second state. Thus, the maintenance of the heating mechanism while checking the state of the electric components is facilitated.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the hot-water supply unit further comprising: a stabilizing member configured to stabilize the upper component box in the second state with respect to the housing.
- With the above configuration, the upper component box can be easily set to the second state close to the housing. Thereby, the upper component box can be easily shifted to the second state, and the maintenance of the heating mechanism while checking the state of the electric components is also facilitated.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the hot-water supply units mentioned above further comprises: connection elements connected to both the upper component box and the heating mechanism, wherein: each of the connection elements is made of a flexible material and has a length long enough to maintain the connection with both the upper component box and the heating mechanism when upper component box is in the second state, or is detachable from at least one of the upper component box and the heating mechanism.
- With the above configuration, it is possible to avoid damaging the connecting structure between the upper component box and the heating mechanism when the upper component box is shifted to the second state.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the electric component accommodated in the lower component box includes a transformer.
- The transformer is preferable not to be removed from the housing, since relatively thick cables from the heating mechanism side are connected. If such thick cables need to be elongated so as to remove the part including the transformer outside, more space is required to accommodate the thick cables. Thus, with the above configuration, an increase in the installation area due to such space can be prevented.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units mentioned above, the height of the electric component unit in the first state is greater than the height of the removable side plate.
- If the overall height of the electric component unit is greater, it is possible to increase the number of the electric components in the electric component unit. In this regard, even in a case where the overall height of the electric component unit is greater than the height of the removable side plate, the maintainability of the heating mechanism can be ensured since the electric component unit is vertically separable. Thus, with the above configuration, it is possible to increase the number of the electric components in the electric component unit without deteriorating the maintainability of the heating mechanism.
- According to another preferred embodiment of any one of the hot-water supply units with the inspection opening mentioned above, the height of the electric component unit in the first state is greater than the height of the inspection opening.
- Even in a case where the overall height of the electric component unit is greater than the height of the inspection opening, the maintainability of the heating mechanism can be ensured since the electric component unit is vertically separable. Thus, with the above configuration, it is possible to increase the number of the electric components in the electric component unit without deteriorating the maintainability of the heating mechanism.
- A second aspect of the present invention provides a maintenance method for a heating mechanism of a hot-water supply unit, the maintenance method comprising: a housing; a tank disposed within the housing, and configured to store water; the heating mechanism disposed within a machine space which is formed by the housing therein and is positioned above the tank, and configured to heat up the water stored in the tank; and an electric component unit disposed within the machine space, and having a plurality of electric components configured to operate at least a part of the heating mechanism, wherein: the housing includes a removable side plate which covers at least a part of the machine space; the heating mechanism is positioned rearward of the electric component unit with respect to the removable side plate; and the electric component unit has a lower component box accommodating at least one of the electric components and an upper component box accommodating at least another of the electric components, the maintenance method comprising: removing the removable side plate; and switching the state of the upper component box from a first state where the upper component box is positioned on the lower component box within the housing to a second state where the upper component box is positioned outside of the housing.
- Thereby, the electric component unit can be separated into at least two parts in the vertical direction, and the upper part is capable of being removed from the lower part and positioned outside the housing. Thus, the maintainability of the heating mechanism can be improved while minimizing the installation area of the hot-water supply unit.
- The installation area of the hot-water supply unit can be minimized, for instance, by disposing the heating mechanism and the electric component unit over the tank. Meanwhile, when the electric component unit extends vertically, the electric component unit would become an obstacle to access to other components behind the electric component from the outside even though the removable side plate is removable. Maintainability can be therefore improved by the above configuration in that at least a part of the electric component unit is removable from the other part to be positioned outside the housing. In this way, easy maintenance can be achieved as well as a minimal installation area.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the maintenance method mentioned above, the hot-water supply unit further comprises connection elements connected to both the upper component box and the heating mechanism when the upper component box is in the first state; and the switching switches the state of the upper component box from the first state to the second state while maintaining the connection of each of the connection elements with both the upper component box and the heating mechanism.
- Thereby, the heating mechanism can be subjected to maintenance without disconnecting the upper component box from the heating mechanism. Thus, the maintainability of the heating mechanism is enhanced.
- According to another preferred embodiment of the maintenance method mentioned above, the hot-water supply unit further comprises: connection elements connected to both the upper component box and the heating mechanism when the upper component box is in the first state, each of the connection elements being detachable from at least one of the upper component box and the heating mechanism; and the maintenance method further comprises disconnecting each of the connection elements from at least one of the upper component box and the heating mechanism after removing the removable side plate and before the switching the state of the upper component box.
- Thereby, the heating mechanism can be subjected to maintenance without damaging the connecting structure between the upper component box and the heating mechanism when the upper component box is shifted to the second state. Thus, the maintainability of the heating mechanism is enhanced.
-
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Fig. 1 is a top front perspective view of a hot-water supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 3 is a right side view of the hot-water supply unit in a use state according to the present embodiment, with a right side plate removed. -
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of a support plate according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the support plate according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of a main frame according to the present embodiment, along with the support plate, a rear upper plate and an electric component unit. -
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a front upper plate in a detached state, according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a second housing opening and a peripheral part thereof, according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment, with the front upper plate, a top front plate and the electric component unit removed. -
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the electric component unit according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the main frame according to the present embodiment. -
Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment, with the front upper plate and the top front plate removed. -
Fig. 16 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment, with an upper component box positioned outside of the housing. -
Fig. 17 is a flowchart of a maintenance process of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment. - A preferred embodiment of a hot-water supply unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
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Fig. 1 is a top front perspective view of a hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment.Fig. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of the hot-water supply unit. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 may constitute both a part of a heat pump system and a part of a hot-water supply system for domestic water (not shown). The hot-water supply system includes a hot-water destination, such as a floor heater and a faucet, and configured to supply the generated hot water to the hot-water destination. The hot-water supply unit 100 is configured to generate hot water to be used in the hot-water supply system by transferring heat supplied from the heat pump system to water. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 has ahousing 200 which accommodates most of the rest part of the hot-water supply unit 100. Thehousing 200 has a substantially right prism form. - The
housing 200 includes afront side plate 210, arear side plate 220, aright side plate 230R, aleft side plate 230L, abottom plate 240 and atop plate 250. Each of thefront side plate 210, therear side plate 220, theright side plate 230R and theleft side plate 230L (hereinafter referred to as "the four side plates") extends in a substantially vertical direction in a use state of the hot-water supply unit 100 (hereinafter referred to as "the use state"). Each of thebottom plate 240 and thetop plate 250 extends in a substantially horizontal direction in the use state. Each of the four side plates, thebottom plate 240 and the top plate 250 (hereinafter referred to as "the housing plates") has a substantially flat shape. Each of the housing plates may be mainly made of a steel plate. - In this embodiment, the terms related to directions are interpreted as follows, unless otherwise specified. The terms indicating linear directions are the linear directions in the use state and seen from a direction facing the
front side plate 210. The right direction when seen from a direction facing thefront side plate 210 may be set as an X-axis direction. The depth direction when seen from a direction facing thefront side plate 210 may be set as a Y-axis direction. The upward vertical direction when seen from a direction facing thefront side plate 210 may be set as a Z-axis direction. - The
front side plate 210 is arranged on the front side of the hot-water supply unit 100. Thefront side plate 210 may have a horizontal cross section curved outward (frontward) in the X-Y plane (in a horizontal plane). Thefront side plate 210 includes a frontlower plate 211 and a frontupper plate 212 which are continuously arranged flush with each other. The frontupper plate 212 is arranged above the frontlower plate 211. The frontupper plate 212 includes auser interface 213. The user interface may include a display device, operation buttons or the like. The frontupper plate 212 is preferably made from resin. Thereby, the appearance of the hot-water supply unit 100 can be enhanced. - The
rear side plate 220 is arranged on the opposite side of the hot-water supply unit 100 with respect to thefront side plate 210, i.e. on the back side of the hot-water supply unit 100. Therear side plate 220 may include a rearlower plate 221 and a rearupper plate 222 which are arranged flush with each other. The rearupper plate 222 is arranged above the rearlower plate 221. - The
right side plate 230R is arranged on the right side of the hot-water supply unit 100. Theright side plate 230R preferably connects the right ends of thefront side plate 210 and therear side plate 220. Theleft side plate 230L is arranged on the left side of the hot-water supply unit 100. Theleft side plate 230L preferably connects the left ends of thefront side plate 210 and therear side plate 220. - The four side plates have substantially the same height. Thus, the upper ends of the four side plates forms an upper horizontal rectangular-like frame, and the lower ends of the four side plates forms a lower horizontal rectangular-like frame.
- The
bottom plate 240 is arranged at the bottom of the hot-water supply unit 100. Thebottom plate 240 has a rectangular-like shape with four main edges. Thebottom plate 240 may have an outer shape corresponding to the lower horizontal rectangular-like frame of the four side plates. The four main edges of thebottom plate 240 may be connected to the lower ends of the four side plates, respectively. Thebottom plate 240 is provided with fourlegs 241 each extending downward. - The
top plate 250 is arranged at the top of the hot-water supply unit 100. Thetop plate 250 has a rectangular-like shape with four main edges. Thetop plate 250 may have an outer shape corresponding to the upper horizontal rectangular-like frame of the four side plates. The three among the four main edges of thetop plate 250 may be connected to the upper ends of therear side plate 220,right side plate 230R and leftside plate 230L, respectively. Thetop plate 250 includes a toprear plate 251, a topfront plate 252, and a topmain plate 253 which are arranged flush with each other. The toprear plate 251 is arranged on the rear side, the topfront plate 252 is arranged on the front side, and the topmain plate 253 is arranged between the toprear plate 251 and the topfront plate 252. However, some or all of them may be integrated as a single plate. - As detailed later, at least the front
upper plate 212 among the housing plates is configured to be easily removable from the rest part of the hot-water supply unit 100. -
Fig. 3 is a right side view of the hot-water supply unit in the use state, with theright side plate 230R removed and some parts omitted. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 is installed on an installation surface S which is a substantially horizontal plane such that thebottom plate 240 faces the installation surface S. Since thelegs 241 are in contact with the installation surface S, a clearance gap is formed between thebottom plate 240 and the installation surface S. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 includes a tank 300 (not shown inFig. 3 , seeFig. 4 ), athermal insulator 400, asupport plate 500, amain frame 600, aheating mechanism 700 and anelectric component unit 800. - The
tank 300 and thethermal insulator 400 are positioned at the lower inside of thehousing 200. In the hot-water supply unit 100, amachine space 110 is formed above thethermal insulator 400 andtank 300 by thehousing 200. Thus, themachine space 110 is positioned at the upper inside of thehousing 200. Themain frame 600 is disposed within themachine space 110 to support theheating mechanism 700 and theelectric component unit 800 substantially within themain frame 600. In other words, theheating mechanism 700 and theelectric component unit 800 are disposed in themachine space 110 above thethermal insulator 400. Thesupport plate 500 is disposed at between thethermal insulator 400 and themain frame 600. Thesupport plate 500 supports themain frame 600 with respect to thethermal insulator 400. - The
tank 300 is configured to store water. Thetank 300 may include a heating medium pipe configured to flow heating medium and perform a heat exchange between the heating medium and the stored water. The heating medium may be water or refrigerant. - The
thermal insulator 400 is made of a material with high thermal insulating properties, and substantially surrounding thetank 300. Thethermal insulator 400 has a substantially even thickness around thetank 300 such that the amount of foam filler is minimized while ensuring a desired thermal insulation performance. Consequently, as detailed later, four clearance spaces are formed between thehousing 200 and thethermal insulator 400 along the four inner corners of thehousing 200, respectively. - The
support plate 500 lies on or over the top of thethermal insulator 400. Thesupport plate 500 may be disposed on thethermal insulator 400. Thesupport plate 500 supports themain frame 600 from below. Thesupport plate 500 is hard enough to stabilize the position of themain frame 600 which supports theheating mechanism 700 and theelectric component unit 800. - The
heating mechanism 700 is configured to heat up the water stored in thetank 300. Theheating mechanism 700 may be configured to heat up the heating medium mentioned above by transferring heat supplied from the heat pump system to the heating medium by a heat exchanger. Theheating mechanism 700 may be configured to circulate the heating medium between the heating medium pipe of thetank 300 and the heat exchanger by a circulation pump. Theheating mechanism 700 also may include an auxiliary heater for supplementarily heating up the water or the heating medium. - The
electric component unit 800 is configured to electrically operate theheating mechanism 700. Theelectric component unit 800 has a plurality of electric components configured to operate at least a part of theheating mechanism 700, and two component boxes accommodating the electric components. - As shown in
Fig. 3 , the front upper plate 212 (a removable side plate) covers at least a part of themachine space 110. Thus, themachine space 110 becomes open to the outside (hereinafter simply referred to as "the outside") of thehousing 200 when the frontupper plate 212 is removed. Theheating mechanism 700 is positioned rearward of theelectric component unit 800 with respect to the frontupper plate 212. -
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the hot-water supply unit 100 when cut by a plane extending in parallel to the Y-Z plane and passing the centre of thetank 300, with some parts (particularly the heating mechanism 700) omitted. - The
tank 300 has a tubular shape with aprincipal axis 301 extending in the substantially vertical direction. Although thetank 300 may be partially connected to thebottom plate 240 at the bottom of thetank 300 and to thesupport plate 500 at the top of thetank 300, there are clearances between thetank 300 and both thebottom plate 240 and thesupport plate 500. Also, there is a clearance between thetank 300 and each of the four side plates. - The
thermal insulator 400 surrounds substantially all over the outside surface of thetank 300 from the bottom to the top so as to fill most of the above clearances. Thethermal insulator 400 may be adhered to thebottom plate 240, thetank 300 and thesupport plate 500. It is preferable that the material of thethermal insulator 400 is hard enough to stabilize the positions of thetank 400 and thesupport plate 500 with respect to thebottom plate 240 in the use state. - Such a configuration of the
thermal insulator 400 can be achieved by a production process of, for instance, defining a space by thetank 300, thebottom plate 240, thesupport plate 500 and one or a plurality of dies arranged around thetank 300, foaming a foam filler such as urethane within the defined space, drying the foam filler, and then removing the dies. - With the above configuration, the
bottom plate 240, thetank 400, thethermal insulator 400, thesupport plate 500, themain frame 600, theheating mechanism 700 and theelectric component unit 800 form a solid column-like structure as a whole. Each part of thehousing 200 other than thebottom plate 240 may be detachably attached to this solid column-like structure by hanging fixing or the like. - The component boxes of the
electric component unit 800 occupy mere a part of themachine space 100. Thus, a space (hereinafter referred to as "the box outside space") 111 which is a part of themachine space 100 and is outside of any one of the component boxes is formed within thehousing 200. Theheating mechanism 700 is disposed in the box outsidespace 111. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 has a plurality ofconnection elements 831 on the outer surface of the component boxes. Each of theconnection elements 831 may be connected to one of the component boxes and theheating mechanism 700. Theelectric component unit 800 performs the operation of theheating mechanism 700 via theconnection elements 831 and cables (not shown) connected to theconnection elements 831. Each of theconnection elements 831 connecting theupper component box 820 with theheating mechanism 700 is preferably detachable from at least one of theupper component box 820 and theheating mechanism 700. - The temperature of the
electric component unit 800 tends to become high. In this regard, the hot-water supply unit 100 includes a structure for ventilation of theelectric component unit 800. More specifically, the hot-water supply unit 100 forms continuous air passages from outside of thehousing 200 to theelectric component unit 800 by utilizing the above-mentioned clearance spaces between thehousing 200 and thethermal insulator 400. - In addition, it is desirable that at least a part of the
electric component unit 800 can be easily removed out from thehousing 200 in light of the maintainability of the heating mechanism 700 (seeFig. 3 ). In this regard, the hot-water supply unit 100 includes a unique structure for maintenance. More specifically, theelectric component unit 800 is configured to be separated into two parts in the vertical direction, and the upper part is configured to be removed out. -
Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the hot-water supply unit 100 when cut by a plane extending in parallel to the X-Y plane and passing the centre part of thetank 300, with some parts omitted, and when viewed from the lower side. - The cross section of the outer surface (hereinafter referred to as "the insulator outer surface") 401 of the
thermal insulator 400 has a circle-like shape. On the other hand, the cross section of the inner surface (hereinafter referred to as "the housing inner surface") 261 of the four side plates (the housing 200) has a rectangular-like shape. Consequently, the four clearance spaces 121 are formed between thehousing 200 and thethermal insulator 400 along the four inner corners of the four side plates (the housing 200), respectively. - The
tank 300 has a tubular shape, and thethermal insulator 400 has substantially even thickness around thetank 300. Thus, each of the clearance spaces 121 extends at least from the lower end of the thermal insulator to the upper end of the thermal insulator. In other words, each of the clearance spaces 121 ends on thebottom plate 240 at the bottom of the clearance space 121, and ends on thesupport plate 500 at the top of the clearance space 121. The insulatorouter surface 401 preferably has four planes respectively in contact with the four side plates, respectively. In this case, the clearance spaces 121 is formed between each pair of the adjacent planes. - As detailed later, the
support plate 500 definesplate openings 501 at positions corresponding to the positions of the clearance spaces 121 in top plan view, i.e. at the four inner corners of the housing 200 (the four side plates). Thus, the upper parts of the clearance spaces 121 end at theplate openings 501, respectively. - With regard to the lower parts of the clearance spaces 121, the
housing 200 defines first housing openings via which the clearance spaces 121 communicates with the outside, respectively. The first housing openings are formed in the bottom plate 240 (seeFigs. 2 to 4 ). -
Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hot-water supply unit 100. - The
bottom plate 240 has the rectangular-like outer shape along the above-mentioned lower horizontal rectangular-like frame of the four side plates. Meanwhile, thebottom plate 240 forms one or a plurality offirst housing openings 242 at each of the four corners of thebottom plate 240, respectively. As mentioned above, each of the clearance spaces 121 (seeFig. 5 ) extends along the corner of thehousing 200 to reach thebottom plate 240. Thus, the lower part of each clearance spaces 121 ends at the correspondingfirst housing opening 242. - Each the
first housing opening 242 may be a notch recessed from the corresponding inner corner of the lower horizontal rectangular-like frame of the four side plates, or an aperture defined by thebottom plate 240. - The four
legs 241 are preferably disposed near the four corners of thebottom plate 240, respectively, to form the above-mentioned clearance gap between thebottom plate 240 and the installation surface S (seeFig. 3 ). Thus, the clearance spaces 121 communicate with the outside via thefirst housing openings 242. - The
thermal insulator 400 may be formed such that the bottom part of thethermal insulator 400 extends outward along thebottom plate 240 such that thetank 300 and thethermal insulator 400 are more stabilized on thebottom plate 240. In this case, thethermal insulator 400 needs to be formed not to close thefirst housing openings 242. - As mentioned above, the upper parts of the clearance spaces 121 end at the
plate openings 501, respectively. The hot-water supply unit 100 is configured such that each clearance space 121 communicates with the box outside space 111 (seeFig. 4 ) through theplate openings 501 of thesupport plate 500. -
Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of thesupport plate 500.Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view of thesupport plate 500. - The
support plate 500 preferably includes anupper plate part 510 and alower plate part 520. The centre of theupper plate part 510 and the centre of thelower plate part 520 may be substantially aligned with the principal axis 301 (seeFigs.4-6 ). - The
upper plate part 510 has a substantially rectangular-like shape extending in a substantially horizontal plane. Each of the four main edges of theupper plate part 510 extends along the depth direction (i.e. the Y-axis direction) or the width direction (i.e. the X-axis direction). Thelower plate part 520 has a substantially rectangular-like shape extending in a substantially horizontal plane and with the four main corners chamfered. Each of the four main edges of thelower plate part 520 also extends along the depth direction or the width direction. - The
upper plate part 510 is smaller than thelower plate part 520 in both length and width (in sizes in the depth direction and the width direction). Thus, thelower plate part 520 extends outward with respect to theupper plate part 510 in a horizontal plane. Each one of the four main corners of theupper plate part 510 may protrude from the corresponding chamfered corner part of thelower plate part 520 in a horizontal plane. Yet, each main corner of theupper plate part 510 is recessed with respect to any one of the extended lines of the four main edges of thelower plate part 520. - The
upper plate part 510 may include awall part 511 defining adrain receiving part 512 with a square-like shape therein. Theupper plate part 510 may also include adrain discharge port 513 in thedrain receiving part 512, for instance, at one of the four corners thereof. In this case, it is preferable that the surface of thedrain receiving part 512 is slightly slanted downward towards thedrain discharge port 513 with respect to a horizontal plane. - A plate
convex part 514 which extends in parallel to the outer shape of the top part of tank 300 (seeFig. 4 ) may be formed in the middle of thedrain receiving part 512. Theupper plate part 510 is formed withplate apertures 515 corresponding to pipe ends (not shown) which protrudes from thetank 300 and are connected to the heating mechanism 700 (seeFig. 3 ). - The
upper plate part 510 may further include a rightframe receiving part 516R disposed on the right side of and outside of thedrain receiving part 512, and a leftframe receiving part 516L disposed on the left side of and outside of thedrain receiving part 512. Each of the rightframe receiving part 516R and the leftframe receiving part 516L may include a plurality of ribs with the same height. Each rib may be connected to both thewall part 511 and the upper surface of thelower plate part 520. Each of the rightframe receiving part 516R and the leftframe receiving part 516L may also include screw holes. - The
lower plate part 520 may include four extendingparts 521 extending outward with respect to theupper plate part 510 in a horizontal plane, and a reinforcingmember 522 extending downward and edging the outline of thelower plate part 520. Thelower plate part 520 may have a substantially octagon shape. - The
support plate 500 is configured such that the four main edges of thelower plate part 520 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the four side plates of thehousing 200, respectively. Even in this case, each main corner of theupper plate part 510 is spaced from the housing inner surface 261 (seeFig. 5 ). Thus, the four plate openings 501 (seeFig. 5 ) are formed at the four inner corners of the four side plates. Each plate opening 501 is defined by the housing inner surface 261 (seeFig. 5 ) and one of the four main corner parts of thesupport plate 500. - The
support plate 500 may be made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin) or the like. It is preferable that a material having a good adherence property with the material of thethermal insulator 400 is used for thesupport plate 500. - As mentioned above, the
support plate 500 supports themain frame 600. Themain frame 600 is set onto and fixed to the rightframe receiving part 516R and the leftframe receiving part 516L, for instance. -
Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of themain frame 600 along with thesupport plate 500, the rearupper plate 222 and theelectric component unit 800. - The
main frame 600 has aright frame 610R and aleft frame 610L. Each of theright frame 610R and theleft frame 610L is preferably a rectangular-like frame made of one or a plurality of metal angle bars. Theright frame 610R and theleft frame 610L are fixed to the rightframe receiving part 516R and the leftframe receiving part 516L (seeFig. 7 ) by screw fixing or the like so as to stand on thesupport plate 500, respectively. In this state, theright frame 610R and the aleft frame 610L are arranged substantially in parallel to each other, and substantially plane-symmetrical to each other about a plane (hereinafter referred to as "the centre Y-Z plane") in parallel to the Y-Z plane and passing the centre of the hot-water supply unit 100. The right end and the left end of the rearupper plate 222 may be fixed to the rear ends of theright frame 610R and theleft frame 610L by screw fixing or the like, respectively. - The
main frame 600 is substantially the same as theupper plate part 510 of thesupport plate 500 in size in a horizontal plane. Thus, themain frame 600 is spaced from the four side plates of thehousing 200. Moreover, themain frame 600 is positioned above theupper plate part 510 of thesupport plate 500. Thus, themain frame 600 is also spaced from thelower plate part 520 of thesupport plate 500. Hence, themachine space 110 communicates with the clearance spaces 121 via the plate openings 501 (seeFig. 5 ), respectively. - The
electric component unit 800 has alower component box 810 accommodating at least one of the above-mentioned electric components, and anupper component box 820 accommodating at least another of the electric components. Each of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 has a substantially cuboid shape. For each of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820, the length in the depth direction may be less than the length in the width direction and the length in the height direction (i.e. the Z-axis direction). The electric component difficult to be provided with thedetachable connection element 831 or is relatively heavy, such as a transformer for the above-mentioned auxiliary heater, is preferably accommodated in thelower component box 810. - The
lower component box 810 is disposed at a lower front position of the inner space of themain frame 600. Here, the inner space of themain frame 600 means a space defined by theright frame 610R and theleft frame 610L therebetween. Thelower component box 810 is fixed to themain frame 600. - The
upper component box 820 is disposed at an upper front position of the inner space of themain frame 600. Theupper component box 820 is positioned right above thelower component box 810. Theupper component box 820 is attached to themain frame 600 in a detachable manner as detailed later. - The
lower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 are arranged such that the front side surfaces thereof are substantially flush with the front side surface of themain frame 600. In addition, theupper component box 820 is arranged such that the top surface thereof is substantially flush with the top surface of themain frame 600. - Each of the
lower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 defines one or a plurality of front box openings 832 (a first box opening) and one or a plurality of side box openings 833 (a firs box opening or a second box opening). - The
front box openings 832 are formed on the front side surfaces of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820. Eachfront box opening 832 may be a slit extending horizontally and provided with an eave extending outward and downward from the upper edge of the slit. It is preferable that thefront box openings 832 are formed in the substantially entire range of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 in the width direction. It is also preferable that thefront box openings 832 are formed in the substantially entire range of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 in the height direction. - The
side box openings 833 are formed on the both lateral sides of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820. Eachside box opening 833 may be a slit extending horizontally. It is preferable that theside box openings 833 are formed in the substantially entire range of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 in the depth direction. It is also preferable that theside box openings 833 are formed in the substantially entire range of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 in the height direction. - Both the
front box openings 832 and theside box openings 833 are spaced from the housing inner surface 261 (seeFig. 5 ), and not covered by themain frame 600 and other elements in the box outsidespace 111. Thus, each of the insides of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 communicates with the box outsidespace 111 via each of thefront box openings 832 and theside box openings 833. - As mentioned above, the clearance spaces 121 communicate with the box outside
space 111. Hence, the inside of each of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 communicates with the outside via theside box openings 833, the box outsidespace 111, theplate openings 501, the clearance spaces 121 and the first housing openings 242 (seeFigs. 5 and6 ). - In addition to the
first housing openings 242, thehousing 200 defines a second housing opening via which the box outsidespace 111 communicates with the outside. The second housing opening is preferably formed in the top face of thehousing 200. Here, the second housing opening is defined by the front upper plate 212 (seeFigs. 1 ,3 and4 ). -
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the frontupper plate 212 in a detached state. - The front
upper plate 212 has aplate part 214, auser interface box 215 and anattachment frame 216. Theplate part 214 forms the front outer surface of the frontupper plate 212. Theuser interface box 215 is disposed on the back side of theplate part 214 at a position corresponding to the user interface 213 (seeFig. 1 ). Theuser interface box 215 is configured to communicate with theelectric component unit 800 by wireless communication or the like. Theuser interface box 215 is configured to accept a manual operation from a user and/or provide information to the user through theuser interface 213. - The
user interface box 215 may include an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a work memory used by the CPU, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a recording medium storing control programs and information used by the CPU, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), although they are not shown. It is preferable that theuser interface box 215 has a waterproof structure. - The
attachment frame 216 is arranged on the back side of theplate part 214 along the four main edges of theplate part 214, and extending backward from theplate part 214. - The
attachment frame 216 preferably forms twoclaw parts 217 in the top part of theattachment frame 216 at different positions in the width direction. Theclaw parts 217 are configured to engage with two snap locks detailed later which are arranged on the top plate 250 (seeFig. 1 ), respectively. The frontupper plate 212 is attached to theframe 600 by engagement of theclaw parts 217 and the snap locks. - The front
upper plate 212 preferably provided with one or more of engaging projection in the bottom face thereof which are fitted into corresponding engaging holes provided in the top face of the frontlower plate 211. - The
attachment frame 216 is configured such that the most part of the edge of theattachment frame 216 is in contact with the front surface of themain frame 600 and the electric component unit 800 (seeFig. 9 ) when theattachment frame 216 is attached to themain frame 600. Meanwhile, theattachment frame 216 forms one or a plurality of second housing opening 218 in a part of theattachment frame 216. Thesecond housing opening 218 may be a notch of theattachment frame 216 or an aperture defined by theattachment frame 216. Thesecond housing opening 218 is preferably arranged in the top part of theattachment frame 216. -
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of thesecond housing opening 218 and the peripheral part thereof in the use state. - The top
front plate 252 is preferably provided with twosnap locks 821 on the front edge thereof at different positions in the width direction. The snap locks 821 are disposed at the positions corresponding to the positions of theclaw parts 217 of the frontupper plate 212. The frontupper plate 212 is attached to the rest part of the hot-water supply unit 100 by snapping the snap locks 821 while hooking theclaw parts 217 on the snap locks 821, respectively. - Although the
front side plate 210 defines the box outside space 111 (seeFig. 4 ), the box outsidespace 111 opens to the outside via thesecond housing opening 218. - As mentioned above, each of the insides of the
lower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 communicates with the box outsidespace 111 via thefront box openings 832. Hence, the inside of each of thelower component box 810 and theupper component box 820 communicates with the outside via thefront box openings 832, the box outsidespace 111 and thesecond housing opening 218. - With the above-mentioned configuration, a continuous air passage running from the
first housing opening 242 through theelectric component unit 800 to thesecond housing opening 218 is formed. Thereby, a natural ventilation of theelectric component unit 800 is performed to cool theelectric component unit 800. - Moreover, each
first housing opening 242 is located lower than the position of theelectric component unit 800, and thesecond housing opening 218 is in a position higher than the position of theelectric component unit 800. Thereby, the chimney effect of the air passage can be promoted to efficiently ventilate theelectric component unit 800. - Furthermore, the clearance spaces 121 between the
housing 200 and thethermal insulator 400 and themachine space 110 are utilized to form the air passage. Thereby, the efficient ventilation of theelectric component unit 800 can be achieved without causing an increase in the volume of the hot-water supply unit 100. -
Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the hot-water supply unit 100 with the frontupper plate 212, the topfront plate 252 and theelectric component unit 800 removed. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 forms aninspection opening 262 in thehousing 200. Theinspection opening 262 is defined, for instance, by the top edge of the frontlower plate 211, the front edge of thetop plate 250, and the front edges of themain frame 600 which are facing to each other. Theinspection opening 262 leads to themachine space 110. The frontupper plate 212 is configured to cover at least a part of theinspection opening 262. The frontupper plate 212 is preferably configured to cover all the front side of theinspection opening 262. - Incidentally, the whole or a part of the top plate 250 (see
Fig. 1 ) may be detachably attached to themain frame 600. For instance, the topfront plate 252 is detachably attached to themain frame 600 and the top main plate 253 (seeFig. 11 ), and removed along with the frontupper plate 212 when the maintenance process is performed. In this case, the top opening of the frame which has been covered by the topfront plate 252 can be deemed as a part of theinspection opening 262. - The upper component box 820 (see
Fig. 9 ) is configured such that theupper component box 820 can be pulled out from themachine space 110 through theinspection opening 262. In other words, the upper component box is configured to be switched between a normal state (a first state) of being positioned on the lower component box 810 (seeFig. 9 ) within thehousing 200 and a maintenance state (a second state) of being positioned outside of thehousing 200. -
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of theelectric component unit 800. - As mentioned above, the
lower component box 810 is fixed to themain frame 600. The top face of thelower component box 810 and the bottom face of theupper component box 820 are configured to fit to each other. Theupper component box 820 preferably has abox fitting member 822 configured to position theupper component box 820 on thelower component box 810. Thebox fitting member 822 may be an angled bar which is disposed at the front bottom edge of theupper component box 820 such that the inner corner of thebox fitting member 822 fits with the front top edge of thelower component box 810. - The
upper component box 820 has a rightupper hook member 823R and a leftupper hook member 823L. The rightupper hook member 823R is disposed at the upper end of the back right edge of theupper component box 820. The leftupper hook member 823L is disposed at the upper end of the back left edge of theupper component box 820. Thus, the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L are disposed at positions which are close to the upper part of theright frame 610R and the upper part of theleft frame 610L of themain frame 600, respectively (seeFig. 9 ). - Each of the right
upper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L preferably includes a plate member extending backward and a projection member protruding from the plate member outward in the width direction. The projection member preferably has an enlarged part on the distal part thereof. It is preferable that the distance between the surface of the plate member of the rightupper hook member 823R which faces theright frame 610R and the surface of the plate member of the leftupper hook member 823L which faces theleft frame 610L is slightly smaller than or equal to the distance between theright frame 610R and theleft frame 610L. - The
upper component box 820 further has a rightlower hook member 824R and a leftlower hook member 824L. The rightlower hook member 824R is disposed at the lower end of the front right edge of theupper component box 820. The leftlower hook member 824L is disposed at the lower end of the front left edge of theupper component box 820. Thus, the rightlower hook member 824R and the leftlower hook member 824L are disposed at positions which are close to the front part of theright frame 610R and the front part of theleft frame 610L of themain frame 600, respectively (seeFig. 9 ). - Each of the right
lower hook member 824R and the leftlower hook member 824L preferably includes a plate member slightly extending frontward and a projection member protruding from the plate member outward in the width direction. The projection member preferably has an enlarged part on the distal part thereof. - It is preferable that the distance between the surface of the plate member of the right
lower hook member 824R which faces theright frame 610R and the surface of the plate member of the leftlower hook member 824L which faces theleft frame 610L is substantially the same as the above-mentioned distance between the plate members of the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L. It is also preferable that the projection members of the rightupper hook member 823R and the rightlower hook member 824R have substantially the same size and shape, and the projection members of the leftupper hook member 823L and the leftlower hook member 824L have substantially the same size and shape. -
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of themain frame 600. - The
right frame 610R defines a rightupper groove 611 R, and theleft frame 610L defines a leftupper groove 611L. - The right
upper groove 611 R is a groove formed on the inner face of theright frame 610R at a position corresponding to the position of the rightupper hook member 823R in the use state. More specifically, the rightupper groove 611 R extends from the middle of the upper part of theright frame 610R to the top face of theright frame 610R. The upper end of the rightupper groove 611 R is open to the outside at least when the frontupper plate 212 is removed. This may be achieved by the removal of the topfront plate 252 or the clearance between thetop plate 250 and the upper part of theright frame 610R (seeFigs. 11 and12 ). The width of the rightupper groove 611 R in the Y-Z plane is slightly greater than or equal to the width of the projection member of the rightupper hook member 823R in the Y-Z plane. - The position of the lower end of the right
upper groove 611 R corresponds to the position of the projection member of the rightupper hook member 823R in the use state. The rightupper groove 611 R is slanted frontward with respect to the position of the lower end of the right upper groove 611 R. Thus, the rightupper groove 611 R is configured so as to receive the rightupper hook member 823R and stabilize the position of the rightupper hook member 823R. - In the case the projection member of the right
upper hook member 823R has the enlarged part on the distal part thereof, the part of the rightupper groove 611 R which is at the inner face of theright frame 610R is preferably narrower than the other part of the right upper groove 611 R. Thereby, the movement of the rightupper hook member 823R in the width direction is effectively restricted. - The left
upper groove 611 L and the leftupper hook member 823L (seeFig. 13 ) are substantially plane-symmetrical to the rightupper groove 611 R and the rightupper hook member 823R, respectively, about the centre Y-Z plane. Thus, the leftupper groove 611 L is also configured so as to receive the leftupper hook member 823L and stabilize the position thereof. - Moreover, the distance between the ends of the projection members of the right
upper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L is slightly smaller than or equal to the distance between the bottom surfaces of the rightupper groove 611 R and the leftupper groove 611 L in the width direction. - Thus, the right
upper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L can be fitted into and removed from the rightupper groove 611 R and the leftupper groove 611 L via the upper ends thereof, respectively. - In addition to the right
upper groove 611 R and the leftupper groove 611 L, theright frame 610R and theleft frame 610L define a rightlower groove 612R and a leftlower groove 612L, respectively. The rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L (seeFig. 14 ) are formed at positions which are lower than the righthigher groove 611 R and the lefthigher groove 611 L. - The right
lower groove 612R is a groove formed on the inner face of theright frame 610R at a position corresponding to the position of the rightlower hook member 824R (seeFig. 13 ) in the use state. More specifically, the rightlower groove 612R extends from the middle of the front part of theright frame 610R to the front face of theright frame 610R. The front end of the rightlower groove 612R is open to the outside at least when the frontlower plate 212 is removed. - The width in the Y-Z plane, the length in in the Y-Z plane, the slant angle in the Y-Z plane, and the depth in the width direction (in the X-axis direction) of the right
lower groove 612R are substantially the same as those of the rightupper groove 611R, respectively. In other words, the rightlower groove 612R and the rightupper groove 611 R have substantially the same shape and extend substantially in parallel. - The position of the lower end of the right
lower groove 612R corresponds to the position of the projection member of the rightlower hook member 824R in the use state. Thus, the rightlower groove 612R is configured so as to receive the rightlower hook member 824R and stabilize the position of the rightlower hook member 824R. - The left
lower groove 612L and the leftlower hook member 824L (seeFig. 13 ) are substantially plane-symmetrical to the rightlower groove 612R and the rightlower hook member 824R, respectively, about the centre Y-Z plane. Thus, the leftlower groove 612L is also configured so as to receive the leftlower hook member 824L and stabilize the position thereof. - Moreover, the distance between the ends of the projection members of the right
lower hook member 824R and the leftlower hook member 824L is slightly smaller than or equal to the distance between the bottom surfaces of the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L in the width direction. - Thus, the right
lower hook member 824R and the leftlower hook member 824L can be fitted into and removed from the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L via the front ends thereof, respectively. - Furthermore, the right
upper groove 611 R, the leftupper groove 611 L, the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L extend substantially in parallel. Thus, theupper component box 820 can be detached from and attached to themain frame 600 while kept in the same attitude as being in the normal state. - As mentioned above, the top face of the
lower component box 810 and the bottom face of theupper component box 820 are configured to fit to each other. Thus, the position (hereinafter referred to as "the normal position") of theupper component box 820 in the normal state is stabilized by the engagement of the rightupper hook member 823R and the rightupper groove 611 R, the engagement of the leftupper hook member 823L and the leftupper groove 611 L, the engagement of the rightlower hook member 824R and the rightlower groove 612R, the engagement of the leftlower hook member 824L and the leftlower groove 612L, and the contact of theupper component box 820 with thelower component box 810. This positioning may be enhanced by the above-mentioned box fitting member 822 (seeFig. 13 ). -
Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the hot-water supply unit 100 with the frontupper plate 212 and the topfront plate 252 removed. - When the front
upper plate 212 is removed, theupper component box 820 in the normal state is exposed to the outside. The height of theelectric component unit 800 may be greater than the height of the inspection opening 262 or the frontupper plate 212. Meanwhile, the position of the lower end of theupper component box 820 in the normal state is higher than or equal to the position of the lower end of theinspection opening 262, i.e. the upper end of the frontlower plate 211. In other words, theupper component box 820 is smaller than or equal to the size of theinspection opening 262. - As mentioned above, the right
upper hook member 823R, the leftupper hook member 823L, the rightlower hook member 824R and the leftlower hook member 824L can be fitted into and removed from the rightupper groove 611 R, the leftupper groove 611 L, the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L, respectively (seeFigs. 13 and14 ). The connection of theupper component box 820 with theheating mechanism 700 is detachable by the above-mentioned connection elements 831 (seeFig.4 ). - Hence, the
upper component box 820 can be easily pulled out from themachine space 110 through theinspection opening 262, just by removing the frontupper plate 212 and pulling theupper component box 820 frontward while lifting it up. If the top front plate 252 (seeFigs. 1 and11 ) is further removed, theupper component box 820 can be pulled out more easily. - Particularly in the case where a heavy electric system is disposed in the
lower component box 810, a light electric system is disposed in theupper component box 820, and the frontlower plate 211 is made from steel, it is preferable that the height of theelectric component unit 800 is greater than the height of the frontupper plate 212. With such a configuration, at least a part of theelectric component unit 800 is covered not by the front upper plate 212 (seeFig. 3 ) but by the frontlower plate 211. In other words, the area of the frontupper plate 212 which is close to thelower component box 810 can be made small to reduce the effects of the heat from thelower component box 810 on the frontupper plate 212. Thereby, the flexibility in design of the frontupper plate 212 from the perspective of security can be improved. For instance, a low heat resistant material can be used for the frontupper plate 212. - The hot-
water supply unit 100 is also configured to hold the pulled-outupper component box 820 at a position close to theinspection opening 262. - As mentioned above, the right
lower groove 612R and leftlower groove 612L have substantially the same shape as the rightupper groove 611 R and left upper groove 611 L. Thus, the rightlower groove 612R and leftlower groove 612L are also configured so as to receive the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L, and stabilize the positions of the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L, respectively. Hence, the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L can be fitted into and removed from the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L via the front ends thereof, respectively. - The right
lower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L are formed slightly higher than the top face of thelower component box 810. The positions of the lower ends of the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L correspond to the positions of the projection members of the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L in a state where theupper component box 820 is disposed at a predetermined position outside of thehousing 200. The predetermined position is a position lower than the normal position. The predetermined position is preferably the position in which the top surface of theupper component box 820 is close to the top surface of thelower component box 810. - Thus, the position (hereinafter referred to as "the maintenance position") of the
upper component box 820 in the maintenance state is achieved by the engagement of the rightupper hook member 823R and the rightlower groove 612R, the engagement of the leftupper hook member 823L and the leftlower groove 612L. -
Fig. 16 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the hot-water supply unit 100 with theupper component box 820 positioned outside of the housing. - The
upper component box 820 is hanged from the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L, i.e. the front lower part of themain frame 600. In this state, theupper component box 820 is exerted with a rotation force by gravity about an axis line connecting the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L. Yet, at least the frontlower plate 211 restrain the rotation of theupper component box 820 at the front surface the frontlower plate 211. - The right
lower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L are preferably configured such that the distance in the depth direction between the centre of the outer surface of the frontlower plate 211 and each of the lower ends of the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L is substantially equal to the distance in the depth direction between the back surface of theupper component box 820 and each of the projection members of the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L (seeFig. 13 ) in the normal state. - Thereby, the back surface of the
upper component box 820 contacts with the outer surface of the frontlower plate 211 in a state where the back surface of theupper component box 820 is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the frontlower plate 211. Hence, theupper component box 820 can be movably supported outside of thehousing 200 such that theupper component box 820 in the normal state and theupper component box 820 in the maintenance state are substantially parallel. - It can be said that the right
upper hook member 823R, the leftupper hook member 823L, the rightlower groove 612R, the leftlower groove 612L, and the frontlower plate 211 are stabilizing members configured to stabilize theupper component box 200 at the maintenance state with respect to thehousing 200. - With the above configuration, the
upper component box 820 can be switched between the normal state and the maintenance state through theinspection opening 262. - Moreover, the
upper component box 820 can be hold at a position close to theinspection opening 262 and in the same attitude as being in the normal state. - Incidentally, it is also preferable that the
heating mechanism 700 itself has a configuration with which elements of theheating mechanism 700 are easy to observe and maintain from the inspection opening 262 side. - The
heating mechanism 700 may be configured such that the overlaps between the elements are minimized when viewed from the inspection opening 262 side (the front and/or the above of the housing 200). In particular, it is preferable that the elements with high maintenance frequency are not overlapped by the other element. In the case where such an overlap is inevitable, it is preferable that an element smaller than the other element is positioned on the front side and/or the upper side of the other element. The elements with high maintenance frequency may include a filter configured to remove impure substances in the heating medium pipe, a flow sensor configured to detect the state of the heating medium, the pump configured to circulate the heating medium, and a three-way valve configured to change the flow path of the heating medium, and so forth. -
Fig. 17 is a flowchart of a maintenance process of the hot-water supply unit 100. The maintenance process is performed by a maintenance person, for instance. - Firstly, the front
upper plate 212 is removed from the rest part of the hot-water supply unit 100 (S1000). As a result, theupper component box 820 becomes exposed to the outside through the inspection opening 262 (seeFig. 15 ). The frontupper plate 212 may be removed by loosening the snap locks 821 from the claw parts 217 (seeFig. 11 ), slightly lifting the frontupper plate 212 while drawing out the engaging projection of the frontupper plate 212 from the engaging holes of the frontlower plate 211, pulling the frontupper plate 212 frontward, and putting down the frontupper plate 212 onto the floor near the hot-water supply unit 100. - The
upper component box 820 is drawn out of thehousing 200 through the inspection opening 262 (S2000), and then the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L are attached to the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L, respectively (S3000). Theconnection elements 831 may be disconnected from theupper component box 820 or theheating mechanism 700. - Thus, the state of the
upper component box 820 is switched from the normal state where theupper component box 820 is positioned on thelower component box 810 within thehousing 200 to the maintenance state where theupper component box 820 is positioned outside of thehousing 200, and theheating mechanism 700 becomes accessible through theinspection opening 262. - Yet, in a case where each of the
connection elements 831 is made of a flexible material and has a length long enough to maintain the connection with both theupper component box 820 and theheating mechanism 700 when upper component box is in the maintenance state, theconnection elements 831 do not necessarily need to be disconnected. In such a case, the state of theupper component box 820 may be switched from the normal state to the maintenance state while maintaining the connection of each of theconnection elements 831 with both theupper component box 820 and theheating mechanism 700. - After the maintenance work of the
heating mechanism 700 is performed (S4000), the rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L are detached from the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L, respectively (S5000), and then theupper component box 820 is fitted into thehousing 200 through the inspection opening 262 (S6000). The rightupper hook member 823R and the leftupper hook member 823L may be attached to the rightupper groove 611 R and the leftupper groove 611 L, respectively. The rightlower hook member 824R and the leftlower hook member 824L may also be attached to the rightlower groove 612R and the leftlower groove 612L, respectively. Theconnection elements 831 may be reconnected to theupper component box 820 and/or theheating mechanism 700. As a result, theupper component box 820 is switched from the maintenance state to the normal state. - Lastly, the front
upper plate 212 is reattached to the rest part of the hot-water supply unit 100 (S7000). Thus, the hot-water supply unit 100 becomes to be in the use state. - Hence, the maintenance person can easily remove out the
upper component box 820 from thehousing 200 and put theupper component box 820 in a position which is close to the original position but does not overlap at least a part of theinspection opening 262. Thereby, the maintainability of theheating mechanism 700 is improved even in a case theelectric component unit 800 is vertically long to be greater than the inspection opening 262 in height. The installation area of the hot-water supply unit 200 can be reduced by the vertically long shape of theelectric component unit 800. Hence, it is possible to strike a balance of minimizing the installation area of the hot-water supply unit 100 and improving the maintainability of theheating mechanism 700. - As described above, the hot-
water supply unit 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the inside of thecomponent box 800 communicates with the outside via the clearance space 121 formed by thehousing 200 and thethermal insulator 400 and thefirst housing opening 242 defined by thehousing 200. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently cool the electric component unit without causing an increase in the volume of the hot-water supply unit. - Moreover, the hot-
water supply unit 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that theupper component box 820 can be switched between a first state of being positioned on thelower component box 810 within thehousing 200 and a second state of being positioned outside of thehousing 200. With this configuration, it is possible to strike a balance of minimizing the installation area of the hot-water supply unit 100 and improving the maintainability of theheating mechanism 700. - The configuration of the hot-water supply unit according to the present embodiment explained above may be modified. Some examples of such modifications are mentioned below. The each of modification examples may be combined with one or more of the other modification examples.
- Number, shape and position of each of the first housing opening and the second housing opening are not limited to the above-mentioned number, shape and position. For instance, any one of the first housing opening and the second housing opening may be formed in one of the four side plates, and the second housing opening may be formed in the top plate. In a case where the top plate is not provided, the upper ends of the four side plates may define the second housing opening. The first housing opening may be formed in the lower corner part or the side edge part of the side plate.
- The second housing opening does not necessarily need to be formed, particularly in a case where the average or minimum sectional area of the air passage from the first housing opening to the inside of the electric component unit is relatively large with respect to the length of the air passage.
- Number, shape and position of the clearance space communicating with the inside of the component box are not limited to the above-mentioned number, shape and position. The outer shape of the clearance space may be a substantially straight-cylindrical shape, a spiral-cylindrical shape or the like. Alternatively, the clearance space may be formed around substantially the entire circumference of the thermal insulator.
- Number, shape and position of the first box opening via which the inside of the component box communicates with a box outside space and the second box opening via which inside of the component box communicates with the clearance space are not limited to the above-mentioned number, shape and position. The first box opening and the second box opening may be the same opening or different openings. Any one of the first box opening and the second box opening may be formed in the top face or the bottom face of the component box. Any one of the first box opening and the second box may be punch hole formed in the component box.
- Particularly in a case where the clearance space reaches the component box, the second box opening may be directly open to the clearance space. In addition, in ca case where at least a part of the component box forms a part of the housing, the part of the component box may define the second housing opening. In any one of these cases, the first box opening is not necessarily required.
- The hot-water supply unit may be provided with a fan assembly in at least one of the air passage from the first housing opening to the inside of the electric component unit and the air passage from the inside of the electric component unit to the second housing opening. Thereby, the ventilation of the electric component unit.
- Position and configuration of each of the heating mechanism and the electric component unit are not limited to the above-mentioned and configuration. The electric component unit may be arranged along the side plate other than the front side plate, for instance. An inspection opening formed in the housing and leading to the machine space and a removable side plate which covers the inspection opening may be arranged on the side where the electric component unit is arranged. At least the upper component box may have an opening in a side surface facing to the removable side plate when the upper component box is in the first state.
- Number, shape and position of each of the parts of the hot-
water supply unit 100, including the leg, the claw part, the snap lock, the engaging projection, engaging hole, the upper groove, the lower groove, the upper hook member, the lower hook member and the box fitting member, are not limited to the above-mentioned number, shape and position. More specifically, each of the leg, the claw part, the snap lock, the engaging projection, engaging hole, the upper groove, the lower groove, the upper hook member, the lower hook member and the box fitting member is not necessarily required. - The specific configuration of the stabilizing member is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration.
- For instance, a hole may be formed in the top face of the
lower component box 810, and a hook member extending backward and configured to engage with the hole when theupper component box 820 is in the maintenance state may be disposed at the rear top edge of theupper component box 820. Thereby, theupper component box 820 can be hanged from the hole of thelower component box 810 just by inserting the end of the hook member into the hole. The hole may be formed in the other part of thelower component box 810, such as the front face thereof. The hook member also may be disposed at the other part of the hook member, such as the back face thereof. A plurality of set of the hole and the hook member may be provided. - The hook member may be configured such that the length in the depth direction and/or the angle in the Y-Z plane are adjustable. More specifically, the hook member may be converted to a form for engaging with the above-mentioned engaging holes provided in the top face of the front
lower plate 211. In this case, the engaging holes of the frontlower plate 211 may also be used for hanging and stabilizing theupper component box 820 at the maintenance position. - The specific configuration of the support plate is not limited to the above configuration. For instance, the support plate may be formed thicker and made of the same material as the thermal insulator. The support plate may be configured to be in contact with the housing only at two opposite plate side surfaces, or not be in contact with the housing. The support plate may have a flat shape instead of the convex and/or concave shape.
- The hot-water supply unit does not necessarily need to be provided with the support plate. The main frame may be arranged so as to extend from the bottom part of the housing to the top part of the housing.
- The specific configuration of the heating mechanism is not limited to the above configuration. For instance, the heating mechanism may include a compressor, a pump or the like of the heat pump system.
- The specific configuration of each of the tank and the thermal insulator is not limited to the above configuration. For instance, the tank may have a column shape, a cuboid shape and so forth.
- The specific configuration of the housing is not limited to the above configuration. For instance, the front lower plate and the upper plate may be integrated as a single plate. The rear lower plate and the rear upper plate may be integrated as a single plate. A part of the housing, e.g. the top plate, may be omitted. Two or more of the four side plates may be integrated as a single unit. Although it is preferable that the housing has a polygonal prism form, the housing also may have a cylindrical shape, a shape with three flat side faces and one curved face, and so on.
- The specific configuration for detachably attaching the side plate to the main frame is not limited to the above configuration. For instance, side plate may be fixed to the main frame by other fixing means, such as screw fixing, magnetic fixing, side clamping, snap locking, or the like.
- While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only.
-
- 100:
- Hot-Water Supply Unit
- 110:
- Machine Space
- 111:
- Box Outside Space
- 120:
- Clearance Space
- 200:
- Housing
- 210:
- Front Side Plate
- 211:
- Front Lower Plate
- 212:
- Front Upper Plate
- 213:
- User Interface
- 214:
- Plate Part
- 215:
- User Interface Box
- 216:
- Attachment Frame
- 217:
- Claw Parts
- 218:
- Second Housing Opening
- 220:
- Rear Side Plate
- 221:
- Rear Lower Plate
- 222:
- Rear Upper Plate
- 230R:
- Right Side Plate
- 230L:
- Left Side Plate
- 240:
- Bottom Plate
- 241:
- Leg
- 242:
- First Housing Opening
- 250:
- Top Plate
- 251:
- Top Rear Plate
- 252:
- Top Front Plate
- 253:
- Top Main Plate
- 261:
- Housing Inner Surface
- 262:
- Inspection Opening
- 300:
- Tank
- 301:
- Principal Axis
- 400:
- Thermal Insulator
- 401:
- Insulator Outer Surface
- 500:
- Support Plate
- 501:
- Plate Opening
- 510:
- Upper Plate Part
- 511:
- Wall Part
- 512:
- Drain Receiving Part
- 513:
- Drain Discharge Port
- 514:
- Plate Convex Part
- 515:
- Plate Aperture
- 516R:
- Right Frame Receiving Part
- 516L:
- Left Frame Receiving Part
- 520:
- Lower Plate Part
- 521:
- Extending Part
- 522:
- Reinforcing Member
- 600:
- Main Frame
- 610R:
- Right Frame
- 610L:
- Left Frame
- 611R:
- Right Upper Groove
- 611L:
- Left Upper Groove
- 612R:
- Right Lower Groove
- 612L:
- Left Lower Groove
- 700:
- Heating Mechanism
- 800:
- Electric Component Unit
- 810:
- Lower Component Box
- 820:
- Upper Component Box
- 821:
- Snap Lock
- 822:
- Box Fitting Member
- 823R:
- Right Upper Hook Member
- 823L:
- Left Upper Hook Member
- 824R:
- Right Lower Hook Member
- 824L:
- Left Lower Hook Member
- 831:
- Connection Element
- 832:
- Front Box Opening
- 833:
- Side Box Opening
Claims (14)
- A hot-water supply unit, comprising:a housing;a tank disposed within the housing, and configured to store water;a heating mechanism disposed within a machine space which is formed by the housing therein and is positioned above the tank, and configured to heat up the water stored in the tank; andan electric component unit disposed within the machine space, and having a plurality of electric components configured to operate at least a part of the heating mechanism;wherein:the housing includes a removable side plate which covers at least a part of the machine space;the heating mechanism is positioned rearward of the electric component unit with respect to the removable side plate;the electric component unit has a lower component box accommodating at least one of the electric components, and an upper component box accommodating at least another of the electric components; andthe upper component box is configured to be switched between a first state of being positioned on the lower component box within the housing and a second state of being positioned outside of the housing.
- The hot-water supply unit according to claim 1, wherein:the housing is configured such that at least a part of the upper component box in the first state is exposed to outside of the housing when the removable side plate is removed.
- The hot-water supply unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:the removable side plate is configured to cover an inspection opening formed in the housing and leading to the machine space; andthe housing is configured such that the upper component box can be switched between the first state and the second state through the inspection opening.
- The hot-water supply unit according to claim 3, wherein:the position of the lower end of the upper component box in the first state is higher than or equal to the position of the lower end of the inspection opening.
- The hot-water supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:the upper component box has an opening in a side surface, the side surface facing to the removable side plate when the upper component box is in the first state.
- The hot-water supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:the upper component box is movably supported such that the upper component box in the first state and the upper component box in the second state are substantially parallel.
- The hot-water supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:a stabilizing member configured to stabilize the upper component box in the second state with respect to the housing.
- The hot-water supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:connection elements connected to both the upper component box and the heating mechanism,wherein:each of the connection elements is made of a flexible material and has a length long enough to maintain the connection with both the upper component box and the heating mechanism when upper component box is in the second state, or is detachable from at least one of the upper component box and the heating mechanism.
- The hot-water supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:the electric component accommodated in the lower component box includes a transformer.
- The hot-water supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:the height of the electric component unit in the first state is greater than the height of the removable side plate.
- The hot-water supply unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:the height of the electric component unit in the first state is greater than the height of the inspection opening.
- A maintenance method for a heating mechanism of a hot-water supply unit,
the hot-water supply unit comprising:a housing;a tank disposed within the housing, and configured to store water;the heating mechanism disposed within a machine space which is formed by the housing therein and is positioned above the tank, and configured to heat up the water stored in the tank; andan electric component unit disposed within the machine space, and having a plurality of electric components configured to operate at least a part of the heating mechanism,wherein:the maintenance method comprising:the housing includes a removable side plate which covers at least a part of the machine space;the heating mechanism is positioned rearward of the electric component unit with respect to the removable side plate; andthe electric component unit has a lower component box accommodating at least one of the electric components and an upper component box accommodating at least another of the electric components,removing the removable side plate; andswitching the state of the upper component box from a first state where the upper component box is positioned on the lower component box within the housing to a second state where the upper component box is positioned outside of the housing. - The maintenance method according to claim 12, wherein:the hot-water supply unit further comprises
connection elements connected to both the upper component box and the heating mechanism when the upper component box is in the first state; andthe switching switches the state of the upper component box from the first state to the second state while maintaining the connection of each of the connection elements with both the upper component box and the heating mechanism. - The maintenance method according to claim 12, wherein:the hot-water supply unit further comprises
connection elements connected to both the upper component box and the heating mechanism when the upper component box is in the first state, each of the connection elements being detachable from at least one of the upper component box and the heating mechanism; andthe maintenance method further comprisesdisconnecting each of the connection elements from at least one of the upper component box and the heating mechanism after removing the removable side plate and before the switching the state of the upper component box.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP17193829.3A EP3462106B1 (en) | 2017-09-28 | 2017-09-28 | Hot-water supply unit and maintenance method for a heating mechanism of the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP17193829.3A EP3462106B1 (en) | 2017-09-28 | 2017-09-28 | Hot-water supply unit and maintenance method for a heating mechanism of the same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3462106A1 true EP3462106A1 (en) | 2019-04-03 |
EP3462106B1 EP3462106B1 (en) | 2020-12-02 |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3851762A1 (en) * | 2020-01-20 | 2021-07-21 | LG Electronics, Inc. | Liquid heater |
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EP2933580A1 (en) * | 2014-04-11 | 2015-10-21 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Hot water generator |
US20160178118A1 (en) * | 2014-12-22 | 2016-06-23 | Robert H. Arnold | Hinge apparatus |
EP3118538A1 (en) * | 2014-03-14 | 2017-01-18 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Heat exchanger for hot water supply and hot water supply device comprising same |
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EP2330360A2 (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2011-06-08 | Atlantic Industrie | Thermodynamic water heater with control of water heating |
US20120079995A1 (en) * | 2010-10-05 | 2012-04-05 | Laars Heating Systems Company | Water heating system and method for using the same |
US20130043252A1 (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2013-02-21 | Jonathan D. Nelson | Water seepage abatement in water heaters |
US20140209041A1 (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2014-07-31 | Ryan Hardesty | Companion Water Heater |
EP3118538A1 (en) * | 2014-03-14 | 2017-01-18 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Heat exchanger for hot water supply and hot water supply device comprising same |
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EP3851762A1 (en) * | 2020-01-20 | 2021-07-21 | LG Electronics, Inc. | Liquid heater |
US11391489B2 (en) | 2020-01-20 | 2022-07-19 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Liquid heater |
Also Published As
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EP3462106B1 (en) | 2020-12-02 |
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