JP2004011966A - Hydrostat for water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrostat for a water heater surely discharging dew condensation water, preventing it from misunderstanding for water leakage, and surely detecting the water leakage before the leaked water overflows by exceeding the discharge capacity of the whole hydrostat. <P>SOLUTION: This hydrostat is provided with a bowl-shaped leaked water receiver 13; a small scupper 14 and a large scupper 15 formed in the bottom of the leaked water receiver 13; a partitioning plate 17 provided between the small scupper 14 and the large scupper 15, halving a space in the leaked water receiver 13, and formed with a temporary leaked water storage region 16 temporarily storing the leaked water in the inner space of the leaked water receiver 13 in a side having the small scupper 14; and a leaked water detecting sensor 18 provided in the temporary leaked water storage region 16 and detecting that the stored leaked water reaches a prescribed level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water leak detection device for a water heater such as an electric water heater or a heat pump water heater.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-66499, this type of device has been conventionally described with reference to FIG. 8. In this case, a drain pan 101 provided with a drain port 102 in a drain pan 101 receiving water leakage from a hot water storage tank is provided. A water leak detection sensor 104 is provided in the water leak receiver 103. In some cases, when the water leak detection sensor 104 detects water, it is determined that the water is leaking and is notified.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional device, when the amount of generated water leaks and exceeds the drainage capacity of the drain outlet 102, water is stored in the water leak receiver 103, and the water stored in the water receiver 103 is detected by the water leak detection sensor 104. Therefore, if the leakage of water continues from the hot water storage tank even after the leakage is detected, the water overflows from the leakage receiver 103 to the drain pan 101, the water also spills from the drain pan 101, and the floor or the like where the water heater is installed is flooded. It was something to end up with.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the present invention, in claim 1, a bowl-shaped leak receiver, a small drain port and a large drain port provided at the bottom of the leak receiver, and between the small drain port and the large drain port are provided. A partition plate that forms a temporary leak storage area that temporarily divides the leak receiver internal space provided and bisects the leak receiver internal space on the side with the small drainage port, and that is provided and stored in the temporary leak storage area. And a water leakage detection sensor for detecting that the water leakage has reached a predetermined water level.
[0005]
As a result, the condensed water flows into the temporary leak storage area inside the leak receiver and is drained from the small drainage port. At this time, since the generated amount of the condensed water does not accumulate to the predetermined water level in the temporary leak storage area, the leak detection sensor is used. If the leak does not detect a leak and the amount of water leaks exceeds the drainage capacity of the small drain, the leak overflows from the temporary leak storage area and is drained from the large drain. Since there is water leakage above a predetermined water level, the water leakage detection sensor can reliably detect the occurrence of water leakage.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a cutout portion is provided at an upper end edge of the water leakage receiver on the side of the temporary water storage area to guide water leaking into the water leakage receiver to the temporary water storage area. did.
[0007]
As a result, the leaked water flowing into the leak receiver is reliably guided from the notch to the temporary leak storage area.
[0008]
According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the upper edge of the partition plate is positioned below the lowermost height of the notch.
[0009]
This prevents water leaked from the temporary leak storage area from flowing back through the cutout portion and returning to the water heater.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, a drain nipple is provided on a bottom rear surface of the water leakage receiver, and the small drain port and the large drain port are located right above the drain nipple.
[0011]
Thereby, the drainage from the small drainage port and the large drainage port can be combined and drained from one drainage nipple.
[0012]
In a fifth aspect, a bowl-shaped leak receiver, a temporary leak storage area formed in the leak receiver internal space for temporarily storing the leak, and a drain provided in the temporary leak storage area for draining the stored leak are provided. A small drain port, a large drain port for discharging the leaked water whose leakage generation exceeds the drainage capacity of the small drain port and overflowing from the temporary leak storage area, and a predetermined amount of the leak water stored in the temporary leak storage area. And a water leakage detection sensor for detecting that the water level has been reached.
[0013]
As a result, the condensed water flows into the temporary leak storage area inside the leak receiver and is drained from the small drainage port. At this time, since the generated amount of the condensed water does not accumulate to the predetermined water level in the temporary leak storage area, the leak detection sensor is used. If the leak does not detect a leak and the amount of water leaks exceeds the drainage capacity of the small drain, the leak overflows from the temporary leak storage area and is drained from the large drain. Since there is water leakage above a predetermined water level, the water leakage detection sensor can reliably detect the occurrence of water leakage.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 is a hot water tank for storing hot water heated by a heating unit (not shown), 2 is a water inlet pipe connected to the lower part of the hot water tank 1, 3 is connected to the upper part of the hot water tank 1, and This is a tapping pipe from which hot water stored in the hot water tank 1 is pushed out to discharge hot water. 4 is a tank supporting leg connected to the lower portion of the hot water tank 1 and supporting the hot water tank 1, 5 is an outer casing of the hot water tank 1, 6 is provided at a bottom of the outer casing 5, and is a hot water tank 1, a water inlet pipe 2, a hot water pipe 3, and the like. This is a drain pan that receives water leakage or condensation water from
[0015]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a control unit for controlling the water heater, 8 denotes an operation unit 9 for inputting various operation instructions, a display unit 10 for displaying control indices such as an operation state and tapping temperature, and an alarm means 11 comprising a buzzer and the like. And a remote control 12 for discharging water leaking or condensed water flowing into the drain pan 6 and detecting the presence or absence of water leakage. When the water leak detecting device 12 detects water leakage, the remote control 8 displays In addition to displaying characters indicating that water leakage has occurred in the unit 10 or displaying an error code corresponding to water leakage detection, an alarm sound is output from the alarm means 11 to notify the user of the occurrence of water leakage. It is what you are doing.
[0016]
The water leak detecting device 12 includes a bowl-shaped water leak receiver 13, a small drain port 14 provided at the bottom of the water leak receptacle 13, a large drain port 15 which is larger than the small drain port 14, and the small drain port 14 and the large drain port. A partition plate 17 which is provided between the water outlet 15 and the water leakage receiver, and forms a temporary leak storage area 16 for temporarily storing water in the water receiver 13 on the side where the small drainage port 14 is provided; A water leakage detection sensor 18 is provided in the temporary water leakage storage area 16 and detects that stored water has reached a predetermined water level.
[0017]
Here, the water leak detection sensor 18 is constituted by a float switch, and a shaft 22 having a reed switch 21 is suspended from a fixing bracket 20 fixed to a flange 19 of the water leak receiver 13, and a float 23 having a magnetic material is suspended. The shaft 22 is slidably provided.
[0018]
A cutout portion 24 is provided at the upper end edge of the water leakage receiver 13 on the side of the temporary water leakage storage area 16 to guide the water leaking from the drain pan 6 into the water leakage reception area 13 to the temporary water leakage storage area 16. The upper end of the partition plate 17 is positioned lower than the lowermost end of the notch 24 so that the water leaking from the temporary leak storage area 16 does not flow to the drain pan 6 side.
[0019]
Further, a drain nipple 25 is provided on the bottom rear surface of the water leak receiver 13, and the small drain port 14 and the large drain port 15 are opened right above the drain nipple 25, and drainage can be performed from the same drain nipple 25. Leakage does not scatter around the lower part of the water heater, and water leakage from the small drainage port 14 and water leakage from the large drainage port 15 can be drained to one place only by connecting a hose or the like to the drainage nipple 25. . Furthermore, since there is no projecting portion on the outer periphery of the water leakage receiver 13, when the water leakage receiver 13 is mounted on the drain pan 6, it can be easily mounted simply by inserting it from above the drain pan 6, and assembling workability is improved.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the water leakage detection device 12 will be described.
Dew condensation may occur in the water inlet pipe 2 due to the temperature difference. The dew water flows through the drain pan 6 and flows into the temporary leak storage area 16 from the cutout portion 24 of the leak receiver 13. At this time, the condensed water from the drain pan 6 is blocked by the upper end of the water leak receiver 13 and flows only from the cutout portion 24, so that the dew water can reliably flow into the temporary leak storage area 16. . The condensed water that has flowed into the temporary leak storage area 16 is drained to the outside from the small drain port 14 through the drain nipple 25. At this time, even if a small amount of water, such as dew condensation water, temporarily flows into the water leakage storage area 16, the water leak detection sensor 18 does not store enough water to detect a predetermined water level. There will be no false alarm warning.
[0021]
When water leaks from the hot water tank 1, the water inlet pipe 2, the hot water pipe 3, and the like, the leak water flows through the drain pan 6 and flows into the temporary leak storage area 16 from the cutout portion 24 of the leak receiver 13. At this time, since the water leak from the drain pan 6 is blocked by the upper end of the water leak receiver 13 and flows only from the cutout portion 24, the dew condensation water can surely flow into the temporary water leak storage area 16. The leaked water that has flowed into the temporary leak receiving portion 16 is drained from the small drain port 14, and the excess exceeding the drainage capacity of the small drain port 14 is stored in the temporary leak receiving portion 16.
[0022]
When a large amount of water leakage occurs and the water level of the water temporarily stored in the water leakage receiving portion 16 reaches a predetermined water level, the float 23 floats and the magnetic substance turns on the reed switch 21 of the shaft 22, so that the water leakage detection sensor 18 Detecting that water has accumulated up to a predetermined water level, it is determined that water leakage has occurred, and this is transmitted to the control unit 7, and the control unit 7 displays on the display unit 10 that the water leakage has occurred on the remote control 8. At the same time, the alarm means 11 issues a sound alarm.
[0023]
When the water leaking from the temporary leak receiving section 16 exceeds the capacity of the temporary leak storing area 16, the water overflows from the partition plate 17 and flows into the internal space of the water leak receiving section 13 on the side where the large drainage port 15 exists. At this time, since the upper end height of the partition plate 17 is lower than the lower end height of the cutout portion 24, the water stored in the temporary water storage area 16 does not flow backward to the drain pan 6. Then, the water is drained from the large drain port 15 having a large drainage capacity opened at the bottom. As described above, in the case of water leakage, since the water is drained from the large drain port 15 having a large drainage capacity, even if the water leaks, the water does not overflow into the drain pan 6, and the floor on which the water heater is installed is flooded. It is something that does not end up.
[0024]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
In the second embodiment, the bowl-shaped leak receiver 13, a temporary leak storage area 16 formed in the inner space of the leak receiver 13 for temporarily storing leak water, and the temporary leak storage area 16 are provided and stored in the temporary leak storage area 16. A small drain port 14 for draining the leak, a large drain port 15 for draining a leak overflowing from a temporary leak storage area 16 when the amount of leak exceeds the drain capacity of the small drain 14, and the temporary leak A water leakage detection sensor 18 for detecting that the water stored in the storage area 16 has reached a predetermined water level.
[0025]
The small drain port 14 is opened at the bottom of the water leak receiver 13, and the large drain port 15 is opened at the side trunk of the water leak receiver 13. A temporary leak storage area 16 is formed in a space from the bottom surface of the water leak receiver 13 to the lower edge of the large drain port 15. The water leak detection sensor 18 is composed of a pair of electrodes 26 and 27, and the lower end thereof is located at the upper part in the temporary water leak storage area 16.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
Dew condensation may occur in the water inlet pipe 2 due to the temperature difference. The dew water flows through the drain pan 6 and flows into the temporary leak storage area 16 below the leak receiver 13. The condensed water flowing into the temporary leak storage area 16 is drained to the outside from the small drain port 14. At this time, even if a small amount of water, such as dew condensation water, temporarily flows into the water leakage storage area 16, the water leak detection sensor 18 does not store enough water to detect a predetermined water level. There will be no false alarm warning.
[0027]
Then, when water leaks from the hot water tank 1, the water inlet pipe 2, the hot water pipe 3, and the like, the leak water flows through the drain pan 6 and flows into the temporary leak storage area 16 below the leak receiver 13. The leaked water flowing into the temporary leak storage area 16 is drained from the small drain port 14, and the excess exceeding the drainage capacity of the small drain port 14 is stored in the temporary leak storage area 16.
[0028]
When a large amount of water leaks and the water level of the water temporarily stored in the water leak storage area 16 reaches a predetermined water level, the presence of water leakage between the pair of electrodes 26 and 27 causes electricity to flow, and the water leakage detection sensor 18 Detecting that water has accumulated up to a predetermined water level, it is determined that water leakage has occurred, and this is transmitted to the control unit 7, and the control unit 7 displays on the display unit 10 that the water leakage has occurred on the remote control 8. At the same time, the alarm means 11 issues a sound alarm.
[0029]
When the water stored in the temporary water storage area 16 exceeds the capacity of the temporary water storage area 16, the water overflows to the large water outlet 15 having a large drainage capacity opened at the bottom and is drained. As described above, in the case of water leakage, since the water is drained from the large drain port 15 having a large drainage capacity, even if the water leaks, the water does not overflow into the drain pan 6, and the floor on which the water heater is installed is flooded. It is something that does not end up.
[0030]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
In the third embodiment, the large drain port 15 is formed as an upper open end of a drain nipple 25 whose upper end protrudes into the water leakage receiver 13, and a small drainage nipple 25 is formed by opening a side surface inside the water leakage receiver 13. The mouth 14. The area from the bottom of the water leak receiver 13 to the height of the large drainage port 15 is a temporary water leak storage area 16.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
Dew condensation may occur in the water inlet pipe 2 due to the temperature difference. The dew water flows through the drain pan 6 and flows into the temporary leak storage area 16 below the leak receiver 13. The condensed water that has flowed into the temporary leak storage area 16 is drained to the outside from the small drain port 14 through the drain nipple 25. At this time, even if a small amount of water, such as dew condensation water, temporarily flows into the water leakage storage area 16, the water leak detection sensor 18 does not store enough water to detect a predetermined water level. There will be no false alarm warning.
[0032]
Then, when water leaks from the hot water tank 1, the water inlet pipe 2, the hot water pipe 3, and the like, the leak water flows through the drain pan 6 and flows into the temporary leak storage area 16 below the leak receiver 13. The leaked water flowing into the temporary leak storage area 16 is drained from the small drain port 14, and the excess exceeding the drainage capacity of the small drain port 14 is stored in the temporary leak storage area 16.
[0033]
When a large amount of water leaks and the water level of the water temporarily stored in the water leak storage area 16 reaches a predetermined water level, the float 23 floats and the magnetic substance turns on the reed switch 21 of the shaft 22. Detecting that water has accumulated up to a predetermined water level, it is determined that water leakage has occurred, and this is transmitted to the control unit 7, and the control unit 7 displays on the display unit 10 that the water leakage has occurred on the remote control 8. At the same time, the alarm means 11 issues a sound alarm.
[0034]
When the leaking water stored in the temporary leak storage area 16 exceeds the capacity of the temporary leak storage area 16, the water overflows to the large drain port 15 having a large drainage capacity opened at the open end inside the leak receiver 13 of the drain nipple 25 and drained. It is something to be done. As described above, in the case of water leakage, since the water is drained from the large drain port 15 having a large drainage capacity, even if the water leaks, the water does not overflow into the drain pan 6, and the floor on which the water heater is installed is flooded. It is something that does not end up.
[0035]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the three embodiments described so far, but can be changed without changing the gist of the invention. The heating unit for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 may be configured such that an electric heater is directly inserted into the hot water storage tank 1 or a circulation circuit is attached to the hot water storage tank 1 and heat is circulated by a heat pump unit separately provided outside. It is a good thing.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably drain the dew condensation water and not to mistakenly determine that the water is leaking, and the water overflows beyond the drainage capacity of the entire water leakage detection device. Water leaks can be reliably detected before they are lost.
[0037]
Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably guide water leakage to the temporary water leakage storage area by the notch portion, and to improve the accuracy of water leakage detection.
[0038]
Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the water leaked from the temporary water storage area does not flow backward from the notch portion and returns to the water heater, and the water leak is surely drained from the predetermined drain port. be able to.
[0039]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the drainage from the small drainage port and the large drainage port can be combined and drained from one drainage nipple with a simple structure.
[0040]
Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably drain the dew condensation water and not to mistakenly judge that the water is leaking, and to prevent the water leakage from overflowing beyond the drainage capacity of the entire water leakage detection device. Water leakage can be detected reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the water leakage detection device according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the water leakage detection device according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an essential part cross-sectional view of a water leakage detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the water leakage detection device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a water leakage detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the water leakage detection device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional water leakage detection device.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Leakage detecting device 13 Leakage receiver 14 Small drainage port 15 Large drainage port 16 Temporary leakage storage area 17 Partition plate 18 Leakage detection sensor 24 Notch 25 Drain nipple

Claims (5)

A bowl-shaped leak receiver, a small drain port and a large drain port provided at the bottom of the leak receiver, and a half of the leak receiver internal space provided between the small drain port and the large drain port. A partition plate forming a temporary leak storage area for temporarily storing the leak in the leak receiving internal space, and a leak detection sensor for detecting that the stored leak provided in the temporary leak storage area has reached a predetermined water level. A water leak detection device for a water heater, comprising: The water leak of the water heater according to claim 1, wherein a cutout portion is provided at an upper end edge of the water leak receiver on the side of the temporary water leak storage area to guide water leaking into the water leak receiver to the temporary water leak storage area. Detection device. The water leak detection device for a water heater according to claim 2, wherein an upper edge of the partition plate is positioned below a lowermost height of the notch. 4. A water leak detecting device for a water heater according to claim 1, wherein a drain nipple is provided on a bottom rear surface of the water leak receiver, and the small drain port and the large drain port are located right above the drain nipple. A bowl-shaped leak receiver, a temporary leak storage area formed in the leak receiver internal space for temporarily storing leak water, a small drain port provided in the temporary leak storage area for draining the stored leak water, Detects that the amount of water that exceeds the drainage capacity of the small drainage outlet drains the overflowing water from the temporary leakage storage area, and that the leakage stored in the temporary leakage storage area reaches a predetermined water level. A water leak detection device for a water heater, comprising:

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