JP2002221366A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater, in which an outside appearance, when it is installed, is good, the installation area can be minimized, piping work is simple and easy, an installation area necessary for the piping work can be reduced, and the orientation of a hot-water storage tank can be determined without reference to the direction of the pipe connection. SOLUTION: In the water heater S, a flow pipe 3a and a return pipe 3b are connected between a heating means 1 for a heating medium and a hot-water storage tank 7, and the tank 7 is housed in a casing 20. A recessed step face 22 or a recessed face is formed in a lower part of the outside periphery of the casing 20. In the recessed step face 22 or the recessed face, a piping connection part 23 is provided. The tank 7 and pipes 3a, 3b are connected through the connection part 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus comprising a heating medium circulation means and a return pipe connected between a heating medium heating means and a hot water storage tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 11, a forced circulation type solar hot water supply apparatus J has a structure in which a heat collector 1 serving as a heating medium heating means and a hot water storage tank K in which a hot water storage tank is housed in a casing. And a heating medium pipe 3 (outgoing pipe 3a, return pipe 3b) connected thereto, and the heating medium is circulated by an electric pump provided in the hot water storage tank K. Further, a hot water supply pipe 8 and a hot water supply pipe 9 are connected to the hot water storage tank K.

[0003] Here, the heat collector 1 is installed on the roof of the house H, and the hot water storage tank K is installed beside the house H, at the eaves, indoors, or the like so as not to obstruct traffic. The hot water storage tank K includes a hot water storage tank, a heat exchanger, and the like made of metal, resin, and the like. The hot water storage tank K is connected to the heat collector 1 by an outgoing pipe 3a and a return pipe 3b, and is heated by the heat collector 1. The heat medium is sent into the hot water storage tank by the pump in the hot water storage tank K, and heats the water in the hot water storage tank via the heat exchanger. The heated hot water is discharged from the hot water supply pipe 9 and consumed. The shortage of water in the hot water storage tank is reduced by the water supply pipe 8.
More replenished. The main flows of the heat medium and water are indicated by arrows in the figure.

Next, the operation of the solar water heater J will be described in accordance with the flow of the heat medium as follows.

[0005] A heat medium such as antifreeze is sent from the heat exchanger to the heat collector 1 via the outgoing pipe 3a by the operation of the pump. At this time, the solar energy applied to the heat collector 1 is absorbed, and the temperature of the heat medium flowing in the heat collector 1 rises.

[0006] The heat medium that has passed through the heat collector 1 is returned to the return pipe 3b.
And returns to the heat exchanger in the hot water storage tank K again.

When the heated heat medium passes through the heat exchanger, heat energy is exchanged with water in the hot water storage tank, and the water temperature in the hot water storage tank rises.

A heat pump system in which the heat collector 1 is replaced by an electric heating means, a combined hot water supply apparatus in which the heating means and the heat collector 1 are combined, and a heating means provided in the hot water storage tank K are provided. A hot water supply device that does not require the heat collector 1 is known.

[0009]

When the heating means such as the heat collector 1 is connected to the hot water tank K in the above-described solar water heating apparatus J, as shown in FIG. Since it has a structure protruding from the exterior panel and the maintenance door N, if piping is performed as it is, the protrusion of the piping connection portion M will be further increased, and the area occupied by the piping portion will increase.

[0010] Accordingly, it is necessary at least as a condition for installing the equipment that the area occupied by the pipe connection portion M can be ensured in addition to the area necessary for installing the main body of the hot water storage tank K. In order to solve the situation in which the equipment cannot be installed due to a shortage of the installation area, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-234016, a structure for reducing the outer dimensions of the casing by reducing the distance between the hot water storage tank and the casing is known. Although proposed, the area that can be reduced is small, and the cost increases due to an increase in structural materials. Further, the area occupied by the pipe connection part M and the routing of the pipe is required as it is conventionally.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), when the surface of the hot water storage tank K where the pipe connecting portion M and the maintenance door N are located on the passage side (the side opposite to the house H), the projecting portion of the pipe connecting portion M is formed. In addition, since the route of the pipes hinders passage, it is dangerous and such a state of the pipes also impairs the appearance of the entire installation location of the hot water storage tank K.

On the other hand, even if the surface of the hot water storage tank K where the pipe connection portion M is directed to the wall side of the house H or the like, on the contrary, FIG.
As shown in (b), not only the projecting portion of the pipe connection portion M and the routing portion of the pipe need an installation area as described above, but also the maintenance door N is located on the wall surface side of the house H or the like. Troubles such as maintenance work.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 (c) and 13 (d), even if the piping direction at the piping connection portion M is arranged so as to be parallel to the wall surface of the house H or the like, the case shown in FIG. Similarly, a projecting portion of the pipe connection portion M and a routing portion of the pipe are required as an installation area.

In any of the above-mentioned arrangements, a minimum work area required by an operator must be ensured widely around the pipe connection portion M in order to perform the pipe connection work. Restrict the installation location and direction of K.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an excellent installation appearance, can reduce the installation area as much as possible, can easily perform piping work, and is required for piping work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply apparatus which can minimize the required work area as much as possible and can also freely set the direction of a hot water storage tank regardless of the direction of a pipe connection part and has excellent versatility. .

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, a hot water supply apparatus comprising a hot water storage tank containing a hot water storage tank in a casing and heating medium heating means connected via a heat medium pipe. A stepped surface and / or a concave surface which is recessed inward at a lower portion of the side surface of the casing; a pipe connection portion is provided on the stepped surface and / or the concave surface; Are connected.

Further, a door is provided on the side surface of the casing to open the pipe connection portion, and a work table provided with an opening over the pipe connection portion is provided above the pipe connection portion. And

Further, a water supply pipe connected to the hot water storage tank and / or a through hole for inserting a hot water supply pipe is provided on the work table.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings schematically showing a forced circulation solar hot water supply system as an example. It is to be noted that the same members will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a solar hot water supply system S according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hot water storage tank P with the door 21 closed, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hot water storage tank P with the door 21 opened.

As already described with reference to FIG. 11, the heat collector 1 as a heating medium heating means installed on the roof of a house or the like.
And a hot water storage tank P installed so as not to obstruct passage beside a house, an eaves, indoors, etc., and a return pipe 3a and a return pipe 3a constituting a heat medium pipe 3 made of metal, rubber or the like for heat medium circulation. They are connected by a tube 3b. After the heat medium is heated by the heat collector 1, the heat medium is circulated by the operation of a pump 4 such as an electric pump provided in the outgoing pipe 3a, and is heated by the heat exchanger 5 provided in the hot water tank P. The water in the hot water storage tank 7 is heated. In some cases, the required amount of heat cannot be secured by the heat collector 1 alone, and in such a case, a secondary heating means may be used in combination.

Here, a temperature sensor 12 is attached to the heat collector 1, and the temperature sensor 12 transmits the heat medium only when the temperature of the heat medium is higher than the water temperature in the hot water storage tank 7. The temperature detection signal is input to the circuit of the control board 15. Then, by operating the pump 4 by operating the controller 16 for remote operation and the circuit of the control board 15, the heat medium having a low temperature is circulated in the heat medium pipe 3, and the water temperature in the hot water storage tank 7 is deprived. There is no.

Hot water heated in hot water storage tank 7 is discharged from hot water supply pipe 9. In this hot water supply, the hot water is appropriately cooled by the water drawn from the water supply pipe 8 to control the hot water temperature. The settings such as the tapping temperature can be set by the controller 16.

The temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 7 cannot be increased to infinity because the equipment is protected from restrictions such as the boiling temperature and the heat resistant temperature of the piping. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 7 is detected by the temperature sensor 13, and this detection signal is input to the control circuit 15. When the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 7 reaches a predetermined value by the temperature sensor 13, the operation of the pump 4 is stopped by the circuit of the control board 15 so that the hot water in the hot water storage tank 7 is not heated any more. Can be. In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes an expansion tank, which serves as a reservoir tank for storing a necessary amount of heat medium when the antifreeze is put into the heat medium pipe 3 and for absorbing an increased amount of the liquid when the antifreeze expands. Things.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hot water storage tank P houses a hot water storage tank 7 mainly made of metal or the like in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 20 mainly made of metal and resin. Further, a casing 20 is provided at a lower portion of the outer peripheral side surface of the casing 20.
A stepped surface 22 and / or a concave surface which is recessed is formed inside the inside, and the pipe connection portion 23 is formed on the stepped surface 22 and / or the concave surface.
(In addition to the connecting part 23a for the outgoing pipe, the connecting part 23b for the return pipe, the connecting part 23c for the water supply pipe, and the connecting part 23d for the hot water pipe, a drain port, a drain port, a pressure relief valve, a boiler connecting part, etc.) are provided.
The hot water storage tank 7 is connected to at least the outgoing pipe 3a and the return pipe 3b via the pipe connecting portion 23. In the present embodiment, the water supply pipe 8 provided on the water supply side and the hot water supply pipe 9 provided on the hot water supply side are also connected via the pipe connection portion 23. In addition, each connection part 23a-23d provided in the pipe connection part 23 is comprised from metal, such as cylindrical brass.

Further, one or more maintenance doors 21 for opening the hot water storage tank P are provided on the side of the casing 20 on the pipe connection part 23.
A work table 24 having an opening 25 that looks into the pipe connection portion 23 is provided on the top 3. As described above, since the casing 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the casing 20 can be suitably disposed on various wall surfaces and corners of a house.

Since the hot water storage tank P holds a large amount of water in the hot water storage tank 7 accommodated therein, the hot water storage tank P is not small and light, and the area required for installation is not small. For this reason, in a general house where the site area is not enough, it is not uncommon that the installation place is troublesome. In the worst case, the installation area may not be able to be secured and the installation may not be possible. Therefore, an ideal arrangement is to make the area as close as possible to the wall of a house or the like so as to reduce the occupied area including the piping. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. Since the pipe connection M is located outside the casing, the pipe connection M and the pipe occupy a large area including the hot water storage tank K.

On the other hand, in the hot water tank P constituting the hot water supply system S of the present invention, as described above,
Since 3 is provided on the step surface 22 formed inside the hot water storage tank P, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to reduce the occupation of the site area due to the piping arrangement after the piping connection. In the drawing, R is a passage having a width L0.

As shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c), the same applies to the arrangement in which the pipe connection portions are not concentrated on one surface, the arrangement of the pipe connection portions and / or the number of pipes to be symmetrical or asymmetric. The effect of is obtained. In particular, if the equipment to be connected to the pipe exists in the left and right directions, no extra piping is required, or an extra pipe area is not used, and the pipe protrudes into the passage R due to the protrusion of the pipe connection part 23. This is preferable in that no phenomena occur.

In the conventional pipe connection work, the pipe connection M is approached from outside the hot water storage tank K as shown in FIG. The width (or area) L2 required for performing the work must be secured. If this cannot be secured,
At the place desired by the user and with the hot water tank K and the pipe connection M
Even if the area of the protrusion can be secured, the hot water storage tank K cannot be installed.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, since the pipe connection portion 23 of the hot water tank P is disposed inside the installation width (or area) L4 of the hot water tank P,
It is sufficient to secure a width (or area) L5 capable of performing the pipe work above the pipe connection part 23, and instead of inserting a tool from the outside into the lower part of the hot water storage tank P, the pipe connection work is performed by using an exterior panel (the casing 20). 2), the maintenance door 21 is provided, and the pipe connection 23 is approached from the inside of the hot water storage tank P to the pipe connection 23 through the opening 25, whereby the area occupied by the protrusion of the pipe connection 23 can be minimized. Moreover, since a part of the work area used for the piping work is overlapped with the installation width (or area) L4 of the hot water storage tank P, the installation width (or area) of the hot water storage tank P and the required width (or area) of the piping work are required. ) The installation width (or area) L4 that satisfies the installation condition of the hot water storage tank P, including the L5, can be made as small as possible, and the restriction on the installation location of the hot water storage tank P can be reduced (reduction L6).

Further, the hot water storage tank P is often installed on an unpaved ground or in a place where the sun does not hit it, which is not preferable as a working environment. By making it possible to approach from above, in the pipe connection work, the worker U does not need to crawl on the ground to perform difficult work, and the working environment is significantly improved.

In a configuration in which only the pipe connecting portion M is retracted to leave the exterior panel while the lower exterior panel of the hot water storage tank K is kept as it is, the piping connection portion M is stored inside the hot water storage tank K. . For this reason, natural light does not reach, and the work cannot be performed without illumination during pipe connection work. In addition, a complicated sealing mechanism must be provided in order to prevent rain and small animals from entering from a gap between the piping inserted from outside and the hot water storage tank K, which increases costs.

On the other hand, in the present invention, only the lower exterior panel is retracted inward so that natural light from around the pipe connection portion 23 enters, so that the area around the pipe connection portion 23 during the pipe connection operation is reduced. Visibility can be significantly improved, and a new sealing structure can be dispensed with.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A cover 31 made of metal or resin is disposed in the opening 25 that enables the connection work 3 in the hot water storage tank P1 to prevent rain, small animals, and the like from entering from outside during normal use. The lid 31 is provided with through holes 31a to 31d so that piping can be performed.

As for the size, number, and opening structure of the maintenance door 21 and the work opening 25, for example, screwing, hinges, fitting structures, and the like are applicable. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the surface with the door 21 and the surface with the pipe connection 23 need not be the same.

As described above, by lowering the lower outer panel of the hot water tank P1 inward and disposing the pipe connection portion 23 inside the installation width (or area) of the hot water tank P, conventionally, Piping connection 2 required for installation of hot water storage tank P
3, it is possible to provide an excellent water heater in which the required area for the pipe connection work can be minimized, the installation appearance is excellent, the pipe work can be easily performed, and the restriction on the installation place is reduced.

Next, a modification of the hot water storage tank according to the present invention will be described.

The hot water storage tank P2 shown in FIG. 8 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 20 with a concave portion having a recessed surface 32 recessed inside the casing 20 and a step having a stepped surface 42 adjacent to each other. And a pipe connecting portion 33 for connecting the going pipe 3a and the returning pipe 3b to the concave surface 32.
(The connecting portion 33a for the outgoing pipe and the connecting portion 33b for the return pipe) are provided. Further, a work table 34 is provided on the concave surface 32, and an opening 35 is formed in the work table 34 in view of the pipe connection section 33. . Further, a pipe connection portion 43 (water supply pipe connection portion 43) for connecting the water supply pipe 8 and the hot water supply pipe 9 to the step surface 42 as well.
a, a hot water supply pipe connecting portion 43b) is provided, a work table 44 is provided on the step surface 42, and an opening 45 is formed in the work table 44 to view the pipe connection section 43.

According to this embodiment, for example, the house can be housed and installed at the corner where the house is bent at a right angle, and the piping can be routed along the wall as it is, which is unnecessary. There is an advantage that the pipe occupation area does not occur due to the pipe routing.

Further, a hot water storage tank P3 shown in FIG. 9 may be used. In the hot water storage tank P3, a step surface 52 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the casing 20, and the going pipe 3a, the return pipe 3
b (pipe connection section 5 for connecting pipe 5)
3a, a connecting portion 53b) for the return pipe is provided.
A work table 54 is provided on the work table 54, and an opening 55 is formed in the work table 54 to view the pipe connection portion 53. Then, the hot water tank-side water supply pipe 58 and the hot water tank-side hot water supply pipe 59 connected to the work table 54 above the hot water storage tank 7 are inserted into the through holes 5.
4a and 54b are provided. As shown in FIG.
Since the water supply pipe connection portion 53c and the hot water supply pipe connection portion 53d are taken out with the minimum number of pipe bendings, the effect of minimizing the water pressure loss due to the pipe bending and improving the water supply performance can be expected. .

As shown in FIG. 10, a hot water storage tank P4 may be used. In the hot water storage tank P4, one water supply hot water supply pipe 67 connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 7 and two hot water supply tank side water supply pipes are provided above a work table formed similarly to the hot water storage tank P3 shown in FIG. 68 and a hot-water tank side hot-water supply pipe 69, and hangs at an intermediate position in the casing 20. In this way, the water supply pipe on the water supply side and the water supply pipe on the hot water supply side are inserted into the through holes 54a and 54b of the work table 54, and the casing 2
Since it is possible to perform the plumbing operation in a standing posture within 0, the installation width (or area) can be further reduced. Note that 66 shown in FIG.
Is a bushing. By arranging the pipe connection portion in the hot water storage tank in this way, an effect of improving the workability of the pipe connection work can be expected.

In the present embodiment, a hot water supply system using solar heat has been described as an example of a hot water supply device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a heat pump type hot water supply device using atmospheric heat may be used. The present invention can be applied to any hot water supply apparatus in which a heat medium pipe is connected between the heating means and the heating means, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0044]

As described above in detail, according to the hot water supply apparatus of the present invention, a step surface or a concave surface which is recessed inward is formed at the lower part of the side surface of the casing, and a pipe connection portion is formed on the step surface or the concave surface. In addition to providing the hot water storage tank and the outgoing pipe and the return pipe via the pipe connection part, the area occupied by the protrusion of the pipe connection part can be eliminated, and the pipe absorbed in the installation area of the hot water storage tank can be eliminated. Also at the connecting portion, an excellent hot water supply device can be provided in which the pipe connection operation can be easily performed without the need for additional lighting. In addition, the unsightly appearance of pipes that have unnecessarily protruded can be eliminated, the appearance can be improved, and the connected pipes can be drawn into the hot water storage tank side. Can be reduced as much as possible, and the aesthetics of the entire system is also improved.

In addition, a door for opening the pipe connection portion is provided on the casing, and a work table having an opening for viewing the pipe connection portion is provided on the pipe connection portion, so that the pipe connection work is further improved. In addition to being simple, the installation area of the hot water storage tank can be further reduced by the piping work using the door and the opening. As a result, it is possible to install the device in a narrow place where the hot water storage tank could not be installed before, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on the installation location.

Further, since the pipe connection work can be performed from above, an excellent hot water supply apparatus that can perform simpler and safer pipe connection work can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an external configuration of a hot water storage tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state inside the hot water storage tank according to the present invention (a state in which a door is opened).

FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing a state in which piping work is performed on a hot water storage tank having a conventional configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing a state in which piping work is performed on the hot water storage tank according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6 (a), (b), and (c) are plan views schematically illustrating a state of piping of a hot water storage tank in the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an external configuration and an internal state (with a door opened) of another hot water storage tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an external configuration and an internal state (with a door opened) of another hot water storage tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an external configuration and an internal state (with a door opened) of another hot water storage tank according to the present invention;
(A) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view in A1 view in (a).

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an external configuration and an internal state (with a door opened) of another hot water storage tank according to the present invention;
(A) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view in A2 view in (a).

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the entire configuration of a conventional solar water heater.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an appearance configuration and a piping configuration of a conventional hot water storage tank.

13 (a) to 13 (d) are plan views each schematically illustrating a state of a pipe in a conventional hot water storage tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Heat collector 3: Heat medium pipe 3a: Outgoing pipe 3b: Return pipe 4: Pump 5: Heat exchanger 6: Expansion tank 7: Hot water storage tank 8: Water supply pipe 9: Hot water supply pipe 10: Control board 16: Remote control Means 20: Casing 21: Door 22, 42, 52: Stepped surface 32: Concave surface 23, 33, 43, 53, 56: Piping connection part 24, 44, 54: Work table 25, 35, 45, 55: Opening 54a, 54b: Through holes 58, 68: Hot water supply pipe in hot water tank 59, 69: Hot water supply pipe in hot water tank 67: Hot water supply pipe P, P1, P2, P3, P4: Hot water tank S: Hot water supply device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A hot water supply apparatus comprising a hot water storage tank containing a hot water storage tank housed in a casing, and a heating medium heating means connected via a heat medium pipe, wherein the hot water storage apparatus retreats inward at a lower side surface of the casing. A hot water supply apparatus comprising: a stepped surface and / or a concave surface; and a pipe connecting portion provided on the stepped surface and / or the concave surface, and the heat medium pipe is connected to the pipe connecting portion. 2. A door for opening the piping connection portion is provided on a side surface of the casing, and a work table having an opening on the piping connection portion is provided on the piping connection portion. The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein