JP2008121944A - Hot water storage type electric water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water storage type electric water heater installable in a limited installation space and superior in extrusion performance of hot water in a hot water storage tank and a boiling-up performance. <P>SOLUTION: This hot water storage type electric water heater comprises the hot water storage tank 10, a water inlet portion 11 formed on the hot water storage tank, a hot water outlet portion 12 formed on a position different from the water inlet portion of the hot water storage tank, and a partitioning structure 20 forming a plurality of flow channels over the neighborhood of the water inlet portion to the neighborhood of the hot water outlet portion in the hot water storage tank. The hot water storage tank is installed with its lateral length longer than its vertical height with the hot water storage type electric water heater installed, and the resistance of the flow channels from a water inlet portion side to a hot water outlet portion side of the water and hot water flowing in each of the flow channels of the partitioning structure, is larger at lower-side flow channels where the water easily flows in by the action of gravity, than an upper-side flow channels where the water hardly flows in by the action of gravity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water storage type electric water heater in which a hot water storage tank is disposed so that the length in the lateral direction is longer than the vertical height of the hot water storage tank in the installed state, and can be installed in a limited installation space. .

  Conventionally, a hot water storage type electric water heater that is installed in a vertically long state on a wall of a building and puts water from a lower part of a hot water storage tank and discharges hot water from the upper part has been widely used. The reason why the hot water storage tank is so long in the installed state is that the hot water can be pushed out by using the action of the hot water naturally rising due to the difference in density between the hot water and the water when the water entered from the bottom of the hot water tank is warmed. That is, the performance of stably extruding high-temperature hot water is enhanced. In recent years, for example, an electric water heater is often installed directly in a toilet room in order to supply hot water to a faucet for hand-washing such as in a toilet room.

  When installing a hot water storage type electric water heater in a toilet room, the hot water storage type electric water heater itself is installed directly on the wall surface in a vertically long state as before, so as not to impair the aesthetics and unity of the interior of the toilet room. Instead, for example, it is desired that the hot water storage tank 50 be laid in a place where it cannot be seen from the toilet room on the back of the basin counter or cabinet as shown by a dotted line in FIG.

  Such a hot water storage type electric water heater is referred to as a so-called horizontal electric water heater, and in the state where the hot water storage type electric water heater is installed, the hot water storage tank has a horizontal length that is longer than the vertical height of the hot water storage tank. This is a hot water storage type electric water heater with a tank.

  In addition, the aspect which installs this hot water storage tank 50 in the state which laid down can be applied, for example, also when installing a hot water storage type electric water heater in the underside of a kitchen counter, the crack part of a kitchen cabinet, etc., and, thereby, on the wall surface of a kitchen room Such a configuration is widely desired because it is not necessary to install a hot water storage type electric water heater, and the beauty and interior of the kitchen room can be improved.

  In the case of a hot water storage type electric water heater installed in such a laid state, in order to install it in a narrow space such as the lower surface of the counter, it is necessary to make the hot water storage tank 50 quite flat and thin. However, in the case of a hot water type electric water heater having a horizontally long hot water storage tank 50 whose height in the vertical direction is reduced and flattened, if the amount of hot water is kept constant and the height is simply lowered, the hot water storage tank 50 is installed in the horizontal direction in the installed state. Therefore, the surface in contact with hot water becomes wider and the hot water and water can be mixed easily. Then, the special structure which improved the extrusion property of the laying-down type hot water storage type electric water heater provided with such a thin hot water storage tank is also considered (for example, refer patent document 1).

As shown in FIG. 19, the hot water storage type electric water heater described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a honeycomb body 51 having an elongated gap inside the hot water storage tank 50, and each channel cross-sectional area in the hot water storage tank is reduced. Thus, the water is not mixed with the hot water at the time of water supply, and the hot water is pushed out to the hot water outlet part side at a high temperature.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-12405 (FIG. 1)

  In the case of the conventional hot water storage type electric water heater shown in FIG. 19, a honeycomb body 51 having elongated thin tubes is provided inside the hot water storage tank 50, and the cross-sectional area of each flow path constituted by the honeycomb body 51 is reduced. At the same time, a space X is provided between the water inlet portion 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 and the inlet side opening 51a of the honeycomb body 51, and the water that has entered from the water inlet portion 52 is passed through the space X to each flow path of the honeycomb body 51. By distributing evenly, the water that has entered from the water inlet 52 during water supply is diffused in the vertical direction on the inlet side as seen in the direction of gravity of the honeycomb body 51 and flows into the honeycomb body, so that the water does not mix with the hot water. The hot water is pushed out to the hot water outlet 53 of the hot water storage tank 50 at a high temperature. And each flow path comprised with a honeycomb body is not made into such a thin tube, but as a flow path with a large cross-sectional area as shown in FIG. 20, the structure is simplified and the flow path of water or hot water in the flow path It is also considered to reduce the resistance.

  In the case of the hot water storage type electric water heater having the latter structure, the water that has actually entered from the water inlet portion is immediately in the space X between the water inlet portion and the channel inlet side of the honeycomb body immediately after entering due to the density difference with the hot water. It will fall to the bottom. (Refer to arrow P indicating the flow of water downward in the space X of FIG. 20). Then, the water that has fallen below the space X flows into the thick channel 61 of the honeycomb body 60 without resistance. As a result, in each channel 61 of the honeycomb body 60, the water in the lower channel precedes the water in the upper channel, and the average flow velocity difference in each channel of the honeycomb body 60 is different. (See arrow Q indicating the flow of water traveling through each flow path 61 of the honeycomb body 60 in FIG. 20).

  Therefore, in order to minimize the difference in the average flow rate of water flowing through the flow path in the honeycomb body against such a drop of water in the space X, a fine honeycomb body as in the above-described conventional example shown in FIG. When the entire flow path in the hot water storage tank is constituted by 51, the bulky honeycomb body 51 having a large volume must be accommodated in the hot water storage tank, and the honeycomb body 51 occupies most of the volume in the hot water storage tank. The amount of hot water stored in the tank is reduced, and it is necessary to boil hot water frequently.

  An object of the present invention is a horizontal-type hot water storage type electric water heater that can be installed in a limited installation space, and has excellent hot water push-out properties in hot water storage tanks and water and warm water boiling properties. Is to provide a vessel.

In order to solve the problems described above, a hot water storage type electric water heater according to the present invention is:
A hot water storage tank, a water inlet section provided at a predetermined position of the hot water storage tank, a hot water outlet section provided at a position different from the water inlet section of the hot water storage tank, and from the vicinity of the water inlet section in the hot water storage tank to the vicinity of the hot water outlet section. A hot water storage type electric water heater having a partition structure provided so as to form a plurality of flow paths, wherein the hot water storage type electric water heater is installed from the height in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank. In the hot water storage type electric water heater equipped with the hot water storage tank so that the length in the lateral direction becomes longer,
The flow resistance from the water inlet / outlet side to the water / hot water flowing through each channel of the partition structure is such that water easily flows in by the action of gravity in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater. The lower channel is characterized by being larger than the upper channel where water is difficult to flow in due to the action of gravity.

  Of the plurality of channels formed in the partition structure, gravity acts due to the density difference between the water and hot water, and the water or hot water inlet side that flows through the lower channel where water falls easily in the hot water storage tank. The flow resistance from the water inlet to the hot water side is larger than the flow resistance from the water or hot water inlet side to the hot water side flowing through the upper flow path. After the hot water goes to the lower side of the hot water storage tank, it does not flow in the lower flow path before the upper flow path. During this time, water fills the space between the water inlet portion side of the hot water storage tank and the water inlet side end surface of the partition structure, and the water in the upper part flows smoothly into the upper flow passage having a small flow passage resistance. As a result, the difference between the average flow rate of the water flowing in the upper channel of the partition structure and the average flow rate of the water flowing in the lower channel can be reduced (distributed at a constant speed). The pushability of hot water in the tank is improved.

  Furthermore, since the upper flow path of the partition structure actively reduces the flow resistance of the water and hot water flowing through the partition structure, the upper flow path can be a flow path having a sufficiently large flow cross-sectional area. . Thereby, it becomes possible to secure more hot water storage capacity in the hot water storage tank.

  More specifically, for example, in the case of a conventional hot water type electric water heater of a type in which the entire flow path in the hot water storage tank is configured with a fine honeycomb structure, the large volume honeycomb structure must be accommodated in the hot water storage tank. However, the honeycomb structure occupies most of the volume in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank has been reduced. However, in the configuration according to the present invention, most of the partition structure is rough. Since it can be configured with a flow path, a sufficient amount of hot water can be secured in the hot water storage tank.

The hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 2 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 1,
Among the channels formed in the partition structure, the average channel cross-sectional area of the upper channel is larger than the average channel cross-sectional area of the lower channel.

  The conventional hot water storage type electric water heater with a fine honeycomb structure as a partition structure has a problem that the flow passage resistance is increased because each flow passage is a thin tube as a whole. In this way, by making the average channel cross-sectional area of the upper channel among the channels formed in the partition structure larger than the average channel cross-sectional area of the lower channel, the water entering the hot water storage tank is partitioned. The average flow velocity difference between the flow paths when flowing through the flow paths of the structure can be reduced, and the pushability of hot water in the entire hot water storage tank is improved.

  In addition, the upper channel of the partition structure has a larger channel cross-sectional area so that the channel resistance is smaller than that of the lower channel and water and hot water can easily flow. As a result, more hot water storage capacity can be secured in the hot water storage tank.

Moreover, the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 3 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2,
Of the flow paths formed in the partition structure, the surface roughness of the inner wall of the lower flow path is rougher than the surface roughness of the inner wall of the upper flow path.

  By making the surface roughness of the inner wall surface of the flow path rougher in the lower flow path than in the upper flow path, the surface roughness of the lower flow path becomes a resistance when water or hot water flows. As a result, without decreasing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the lower flow path should be greater than the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the upper flow path. Thus, the pushability of hot water in the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure can be made uniform in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

Moreover, the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 4 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2,
Of each flow path formed in the partition structure, a protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the lower flow path.

By providing a protrusion on the inner wall of the lower flow path among the flow paths formed in the partition structure, the protrusion serves as resistance of water or hot water flowing through the lower flow path. As a result, without reducing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the lower flow path is greater than the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the upper flow path. The pushability of hot water in the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure can be made uniform in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.
It is a feature.

A hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 5 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2,
Among the flow paths formed in the partition structure, the downstream side of the lower flow path is narrowed to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

  Of each flow path formed in the partition structure, the downstream side of the lower flow path is narrowed down and the cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the upstream, thereby providing resistance to water and hot water in the lower flow path. As a result, without decreasing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the lower flow path is made larger than the flow path resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the upper flow path. It is possible to make the pushability of the hot water in the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure uniform in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

Moreover, the hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 6 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The water intake section is provided so as to be positioned on or near the upper surface of the hot water storage tank in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater.

  In a normal hot water storage type electric water heater, water that has entered the hot water storage tank from the hot water storage tank immediately falls downward due to the difference in water and hot water in the hot water storage tank, and does not easily flow into the upper channel of the partition structure. However, it is possible to positively enter the upper flow path by entering water from a water inlet provided so as to be located at or near the upper surface of the hot water storage tank, resulting in each flow of the partition structure. It becomes easy to distribute the water evenly over the road.

A hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 7 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The partition structure has a honeycomb body shape that does not cause a gap between the flow paths in the partition structure.

  Since the partition structure has such a honeycomb shape, the partition structure can be easily formed by extrusion molding, and the entire hot water storage tank can be easily assembled.

A hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 8 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The partition structure is characterized by comprising a plurality of pipe bodies arranged in parallel so that each form a flow path and at least some of the flow paths are separated.

  Since the partition structure has such a pipe shape, the material of the partition structure is easily available, and the component cost can be reduced.

  Further, by using the pipes separated in this way, water and hot water are easily convected in the hot water storage tank through this gap, and the boiling property of hot water is improved.

The hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 9 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A cutout is provided in at least a part of at least one flow path of the partition structure, and at least two adjacent flow paths sandwiching the cutout of the partition structure communicate with each other via the cutout. It is characterized by that.

  Hot water storage hot water with a heater built in a hot water storage tank that can generate convection in the vertical direction between at least some of the flow paths having the notches among the flow paths formed of the partition structure. The boiling property in the hot water storage tank in the vessel is improved.

A hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 10 of the present invention is the hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Dispersing material for allowing water entering from the water inlet of the hot water storage tank to flow out while distributing the water vertically to the respective flow paths of the partition structure is provided on the hot water tank water inlet side of the partition structure. It is a feature.

  By providing such a dispersing material on the entrance side of each flow path of the partition structure, water flowing out from the dispersion material can be distributed in the vertical direction of the partition structure. As a result, it is possible to allow water to flow in at an equal speed through each flow path of the partition structure, thereby achieving uniform extrusion of hot water in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

  According to the present invention, a horizontal type hot water storage type electric water heater that can be installed in a limited installation space, and is excellent in the pushability of hot water in a hot water storage tank and the boiling property of water and warm water. Can be provided.

  More specifically, among the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure, water flows through a lower flow path in which gravity acts due to a density difference between water and hot water and water easily falls in the hot water storage tank. The flow resistance from the water inlet to the hot water outlet is larger than that from the water or hot water inlet to the hot water flowing through the upper flow path. After the water that has entered the hot water storage tank from the section goes to the lower side of the hot water storage tank, it does not flow in the lower flow path ahead of the upper flow path. During this time, water fills the space between the water inlet portion side of the hot water storage tank and the water inlet side end surface of the partition structure, and the water in the upper part flows smoothly into the upper flow passage having a small flow passage resistance. As a result, the difference between the average flow rate of the water flowing in the upper flow path of the partition structure and the average flow rate of the water flowing in the lower flow path can be reduced (distributed at a constant speed). The pushability of the inner hot water is improved.

  Furthermore, since the upper flow path of the partition structure actively reduces the flow resistance of the water and hot water flowing through the partition structure, the upper flow path can be a flow path having a sufficiently large flow cross-sectional area. . Thereby, it becomes possible to secure more hot water storage capacity in the hot water storage tank.

  That is, for example, in the case of a conventional hot water storage type electric water heater of a type in which the entire flow path in the hot water storage tank is configured with a fine honeycomb structure, a large volume honeycomb structure must be accommodated in the hot water storage tank, The honeycomb structure has occupied most of the volume in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank has been reduced. However, in the configuration according to the present invention, most of the partition structure is configured with a coarse flow path. As a result, a sufficient amount of hot water can be secured in the hot water storage tank.

  Hereinafter, a hot water storage type electric water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The hot water storage type electric water heater 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a hot water storage tank 10 in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical height of the hot water storage tank 10 in a state where the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 is installed. (Hereinafter, this is simply referred to as “horizontal type”). The hot water storage type electric water heater 1 includes a hot water storage tank 10 having a substantially cylindrical shape whose both ends are closed except for the water inlet 11 and the hot water outlet 12, and a water inlet provided at one end of the hot water tank 10. 11, a hot water outlet 12 provided at the other end of the hot water storage tank 10, a hot water storage tank 10, which is provided in the hot water storage tank 10 in the installed state of the hot water storage tank 10, and near the water inlet in the tank longitudinal direction 2 to the vicinity of the hot water supply portion, a push pipe (partition structure) 20 having a predetermined length, a heater 40 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the hot water storage tank 10, and provided outside the hot water storage tank 10. A temperature sensor (not shown) is provided.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the extrusion pipe 20 is composed of a large number of cylindrical bodies 21 and 25 that are spaced apart from each other, and each cylindrical body 21 and 25 is in the vicinity of both ends thereof via a support body 31 and 32 and a hot water storage tank. Is housed inside. In addition, each cylindrical body 21 and 25 of the extrusion pipe 20 includes a plurality of upper cylindrical bodies (hereinafter referred to as “upper cylindrical bodies 25”) in which water is difficult to flow in due to the action of gravity in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater. The inner diameter of each of the cylinders 25 is large, and the flow resistance of the water and hot water passing through each of the cylinders 25 is made small. The inner diameter of the “lower cylinder 21” is small, and the flow resistance of water and hot water passing through each cylinder 21 is increased.

  And each cylindrical body 21 and 25 which comprises the extrusion pipe | tube 20, and each elongate space comprised by the clearance gap between each cylindrical body of the extrusion pipe | tube 20, and a hot water storage tank inner peripheral surface as a partition structure in a hot water storage tank. A plurality of independent flow paths provided in the extrusion pipe 20 are formed.

  In addition, a space A (see FIG. 1) is provided between the water inlet 11 of the hot water storage tank 10 and the water inlet side end of the push pipe 20 to temporarily store the water entered from the water inlet 11 in the vertical direction in the hot water storage tank. Is formed.

  As a result, the water that has entered the hot water storage tank once goes downward in the space A between the incoming water portion 11 of the hot water storage tank 10 and the incoming water side of the extrusion pipe 20 and then the lower cylinder of the extrusion pipe 20. The lower cylindrical body 21 has a small inner diameter and the flow resistance of water and hot water passing through the lower cylindrical body 21 is large, so that water cannot smoothly enter the hot water outlet side. The hot water pushed out by the water also does not move smoothly to the hot water side. During this time, water accumulates from the water inlet side end of the extrusion pipe 20 to the upper side of the space A of the hot water storage tank 10, and from this state, the water flows into the upper cylindrical body 25 of the extrusion pipe 20 having a relatively large inner diameter. As a result, the difference in flow rate between the average flow rate of water flowing into the upper cylindrical body 25 of the extruded tube 20 and the average flow rate of water flowing into the lower cylindrical body 21 is reduced.

  Moreover, the hot water side end of the extrusion pipe 20 is accommodated in the hot water storage tank so as to be slightly retracted from the hot water side end wall of the hot water storage tank 10, whereby the hot water side end of the extrusion pipe 20 (the right side end in FIG. 1). ) And a hot water storage side end wall of the hot water storage tank 10 is also formed with a space B (see FIG. 1) having a constant volume. In the case of the hot water storage type electric water heater in which the heater 40 is built in the hot water storage tank 10 as in the present embodiment, the space A and the space B are in the hot water storage tank after the water enters from the water inlet 11 of the hot water storage tank 10. It also serves as a convection space for efficiently boiling water when boiling water.

  And the hot water storage tank 10 is accommodated in the housing | casing which is not illustrated here. In the case, in addition to the hot water storage tank 10, a not-shown opening / closing valve interposed between the water inlet 11 or the hot water outlet 12 of the hot water tank 10 and the pipe connected thereto, and a heater drive (not shown) for driving the heater 40 are provided. A control unit is provided.

  The hot water storage tank 10 is made of a metal such as stainless steel (SUS), but may be made of a heat resistant resin instead. Moreover, although the extrusion pipe | tube 20 accommodated in the hot water storage tank is also made from SUS, this may also be made from heat resistant resin. When the hot water storage tank 10 and the extrusion pipe 20 are made of metal, these heat resistance and pressure resistance can be enhanced. On the other hand, when the hot water storage tank 10 and the extrusion pipe 20 are made of resin, these molding costs can be reduced.

  The heater 40 in the hot water storage tank is made of a rod-like body having the same length as that of the extruded tube 20 and has a heating element such as a nichrome wire inside, and the outside thereof is completely waterproof with an insulator having excellent waterproofness. The hot water storage tank 10 is enclosed and supported by the hot water storage tank 10 in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater 1, and is sandwiched between the lower part of the extrusion pipe 20 and the bottom surface of the hot water storage tank 10 in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater 1. Near the bottom (lower part in FIG. 1), that is, in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater 1, it is arranged below the extrusion pipe 20.

  And since the extrusion pipe | tube 20 and the heater 40 have the same length as mentioned above, a convection can be produced over the whole hot water storage tank by heating with such a heater 40, and the extrusion pipe inside and outside The water and hot water convection is most effectively generated, and the hot water can be evenly heated in the hot water storage tank.

  In addition, by increasing the length of the heater 40 in this way, local boiling on the heater surface can be suppressed by lowering the output (watt density) per unit surface area, thereby suppressing corrosion of the heater surface and scale adhesion. By doing so, the durability of the heater can be improved. Furthermore, the possibility that boiling noise is generated due to local boiling is kept low.

  In addition, the heater 40 does not need to extend over the whole longitudinal direction of the hot water storage tank 10 like the above-mentioned embodiment. That is, the heater may be installed in the hot water storage tank in a state where the heater length is shorter than the extruded pipe 20. In this case, the heater is difficult to bend, and the reliability of the hot water storage type electric water heater is improved by improving the vibration resistance during transportation of the hot water storage type electric water heater.

  A temperature sensor (not shown) is made of a temperature sensing element such as a bimetal, and is attached so as to be in direct contact with the outer surface of the hot water storage tank 10 when the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 is installed. Is detected to be below a certain temperature, this is notified to the heater control circuit, and the heater 40 is appropriately heated under the control of the heater control circuit to keep the hot water in the hot water storage tank at about 85 ° C. in this embodiment. I am doing so.

  In the present embodiment, “boiling” refers to heating the water in the hot water storage tank or so-called warm water having a relatively low temperature so that the hot water in the hot water storage tank becomes approximately 85 ° C. as a whole. Needless to say, the boiling temperature is appropriately changed according to various specifications of the hot water storage type electric water heater.

  Next, the method of installing the hot water type electric water heater 1 having the above-described configuration and the action when the hot water type electric water heater 1 is actually used will be described in more detail. When the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 is installed, the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 is placed in the lower part of the counter of the toilet room shown in FIG. Install in a horizontal position so that the length of the direction is long.

  Then, a pipe reaching the primary side of the tap water is connected to the water inlet 11 of the hot water storage tank 10, and a pipe reaching one of the mixing valves connected to the faucet is connected to the hot water outlet 12. In the conventional horizontal hot water storage type electric water heater shown in FIG. 17, a heater 930 is provided outside the hot water storage tank 910, and hot water is circulated between the hot water storage tank 910 and the heater via a circulation pump 951. Although required, the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a heater, a circulation pump, and a circulation pipe are provided outside the hot water storage tank 10, unlike the conventional horizontal hot water storage type electric water heater. Therefore, the overall size is reduced, and a sufficient space saving can be maintained even when installed horizontally in the place as described above.

  Next, by opening the faucet, water from the tap water flows into the hot water storage tank 10 through the water inlet 11 and fills the entire hot water storage tank with water. Next, the power is turned on to operate the heater 40 in the hot water storage tank via the heater control circuit.

  Then, the water filled in the hot water storage tank of the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 is heated to about 85 ° C. and heated up by the heater 40 as described above. Thereafter, when the user opens the faucet, water is supplied from the primary pipe of tap water into the hot water storage tank via the water inlet 11 by water pressure. As a result, the heated hot water is pushed out from the hot water outlet 12 of the hot water storage type electric water heater 1 by the supplied amount, mixed with water through the mixing plug, and supplied to the user from the faucet as hot water at an appropriate temperature. At the same time, water is supplied into the hot water storage tank from the primary side pipe of tap water through the water inlet 11 by the supplied amount.

  At this time, when the temperature sensor provided in the hot water storage tank detects the internal temperature and detects that the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the heater 30 in the hot water storage tank is operated via the heater control circuit, and is heated again.

  When water is supplied into the hot water storage tank, the water first enters the water entrance side space A of the hot water storage tank, and initially the water goes to the lower side of the space A due to the density difference between the hot water and the water. Then, the water directed to the lower side passes through the lower cylindrical body 21 of the extrusion pipe 20 and tries to escape to the hot water storage section side of the hot water storage tank 10, but the flow path of the lower cylindrical body 21 of the extrusion pipe 20 is interrupted. The area is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the upper cylindrical body 25 of the extruded tube 20, and the flow resistance of water and hot water passing through the lower cylindrical body 21 is increased. For this reason, the water directed downward cannot smoothly pass through the lower cylindrical body 21 of the extrusion pipe 20, and the water that has entered from the water inlet 11 during this time is totally filled in the space A.

  Since the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical body 25 of the extruded tube 20 is relatively large and the flow resistance of water and hot water passing through the upper cylindrical body 25 is relatively small, the water reaching the upper side of the space A is the upper cylinder of the extruded tube 20. It flows into the body without resistance. In this way, after the space A is once filled with water, the water that is totally filled with the space A is formed by the lower cylindrical body 21 of the extruded pipe 20 by the water pressure of the primary side tap water, and the upper cylindrical body. 25, the flow path formed between the cylindrical bodies, and the flow path formed by the gaps between the cylindrical bodies 21 and 25 and the hot water storage tank 10, the difference between the average flow velocities is small. Thus, the water flows in (distributes the water at a constant speed), so that the hot water is pushed out substantially evenly over the entire upper and lower sides of the push-out pipe as viewed in the direction of gravity.

  In other words, according to the present embodiment, water can be distributed at a constant speed to each flow path of the partition structure constituted by the extruded pipe 20, so that the hot water in the extruded pipe is pushed out almost uniformly throughout the hot water storage tank. It is. As a result, the lower water is pushed ahead of the upper water as in the conventional horizontal electric water heater shown in FIG. There is no risk of hot water coming out of the water in a state where hot water and water are mixed.

  Further, the flow path cross-sectional area of the upper cylindrical body 25 of the extruded tube 20 is large enough to minimize the flow path resistance generated when water or hot water passes through the upper cylindrical body 25. As a result, good hot water pushability of the hot water storage tank 10 can be ensured. Moreover, the fall of the extrusion property of the hot water accompanying the fall of the water pressure of the primary side tap water which arises when installing a hot water storage type electric water heater in a highland house is prevented.

  Further, even when the hot water storage type electric water heater according to the present embodiment has a structure in which hot water is circulated through a pump with a heater external type, which will be described later, a honeycomb in which a large number of relatively narrow channels are formed. In the present invention, the energy loss due to the flow path resistance that is always generated when a heater, a circulation pump, and a circulation pipe are externally attached in a conventional horizontal electric water heater (see FIG. 19) having only a body is minimized in the present invention. Keep it down.

  Subsequently, various modifications of the hot water storage type electric water heater according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In addition, about the structure equivalent to embodiment mentioned above, a corresponding code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Initially, the 1st modification of the above-mentioned embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 3, this first modification is an extrusion of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of flow paths having a lattice shape and a rectangular cross section in an end view, instead of the above-described extruded pipes 20 made of a plurality of cylindrical bodies. A structure 120 is provided. The extruded structure 120 includes a plurality of upper half flow paths (hereinafter referred to as “upper flow paths 125”) as viewed in the height direction of the hot water storage tank in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater. Each channel cross-sectional area is large, and each channel cross-sectional area of a plurality of channels (hereinafter referred to as “lower channel 121”) in the lower half as viewed in the height direction of the hot water storage tank is reduced. ing.

  The length of the extruded structure 120 is the same as that of the extruded tube 20 of the above-described embodiment, and the material of the extruded structure 120 can be the same material as that of the extruded tube 20 of the above-described embodiment. ing. Since the plurality of upper flow paths 125 formed in the upper half of the extruded structure 120 have a large flow path cross-sectional area, the flow resistance of water and hot water flowing therethrough is reduced. On the other hand, the plurality of lower channels 121 formed in the lower half of the extruded structure 120 have a small channel cross-sectional area, so that the channel resistance of water and hot water flowing therethrough is increased. Thus, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment, that is, the difference in flow rate between the average flow rate of water flowing into the lower flow path 121 of the extruded structure 120 and the average flow rate of water flowing into the upper flow path 125 is reduced ( It distributes at a constant speed), and produces an effect of improving the pushability of hot water in the hot water storage tank.

  The extruded structure 120 has its longitudinal edges fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank by appropriate means such as welding, so the support used in the above-described embodiment, that is, the extruded pipe. It is not necessary to provide the special support bodies 31 and 32 for supporting the cylindrical bodies 21 and 25 constituting the body 20 in the hot water storage tank.

  Then, the 2nd modification of embodiment mentioned above of this invention is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 4, the second modified example includes an extruded pipe 220 including a plurality of cylindrical bodies 221 and 225 inside the hot water storage tank 210 as in the above-described embodiment. The configuration is different from the above-described embodiment in that the outer diameter of 225 is equal.

  Of the cylindrical bodies 221 and 225, the upper cylindrical body 225 as viewed in the height direction of the hot water storage tank has the same configuration as the cylindrical body 25 of the above-described embodiment, but the lower cylindrical body. The inner peripheral surface 221 has different forms in the first pattern to the third pattern of the second modification shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

  First, the first pattern of the second modification will be described. In the first pattern of the second modified example, the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical body 225 of the extruded tube 220 is generally smooth, and the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical body 221 is generally uneven as shown in FIG. As a result, the surface roughness of the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical body 221 is rougher than the surface roughness of the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical body 225. As a result, the water and hot water flowing through the upper cylindrical body 225 of the extruded tube 220 do not receive a large resistance from the inner peripheral surface and the flow resistance becomes relatively small, but the water and hot water flowing through the lower cylindrical body 221 It becomes difficult to flow due to a large resistance from 221a, and the flow path resistance becomes relatively large.

  In this way, the outer cylindrical body 221 is lower than the upper cylindrical body 225 with respect to the surface roughness of the inner peripheral surface of each cylindrical body 221, 225 while making the outer diameter of each cylindrical body 221, 225 of the extruded tube 220 equal. By roughening the channel resistance, the channel resistance received by the water flowing into the lower cylindrical body 221 can be made larger than the channel resistance received by the water flowing into the upper cylindrical body 225, and an effect equivalent to that of the above-described embodiment. That is, the difference between the average flow velocity of the water flowing into the lower cylindrical body 221 of the extrusion tube 220 and the average flow velocity of the water and hot water flowing into the upper cylindrical body 225 is reduced (distributed at a constant speed), and the entire inside of the hot water storage tank. This produces the effect of improving the pushability of hot water.

  The unevenness 221a on the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical body 221 may be formed by any processing method. That is, for example, fine irregularities may be made by surface treatment such as sandblasting, and rough irregularities may be made over the entire inner peripheral surface during other machining or extrusion molding of the lower cylindrical body 221.

  Subsequently, the second pattern of the second modification will be described. The second pattern of the second modification example is such that the inner peripheral surface of each upper cylindrical body 225 is smooth as in the first pattern described above and has a constant inner diameter over the entire longitudinal direction, while the lower cylindrical body 22 is As shown in FIG. 6, protrusions 222 a that protrude toward the center of the lower cylindrical body 222 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of each lower cylindrical body 222 at appropriate intervals. By providing such a protrusion 222a in each lower cylindrical body 222, resistance can be given to water and hot water flowing through the lower cylindrical body 222, and each upper cylindrical body not having such a protrusion 222a. Compared to 225, the flow path resistance can be increased. As a result, the same effect as the first pattern as described above, that is, the difference between the average flow velocity of the water flowing into the lower cylindrical body 222 of the extrusion tube 220 and the average flow velocity of the water flowing into the upper cylindrical body 225 is reduced. (Distributed at a constant speed), and the effect of improving the pushability of hot water in the entire hot water storage tank is produced.

  Subsequently, the third pattern of the second modification will be described. While the 3rd pattern of the 2nd modification mentioned above has the inner diameter which the inner peripheral surface of each upper cylindrical body 225 is smooth like the 1st pattern and the 2nd pattern mentioned above, and has the fixed inner diameter over the whole longitudinal direction, As shown in FIG. 7, each lower cylindrical body 223 has a reduced diameter portion 223 a whose inner diameter is reduced by a predetermined length on the downstream side of the upstream side in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. The reduced diameter portion 223a serves as a throttle and provides resistance to water and hot water flowing through the lower cylindrical body 223.

  As a result of having such lower cylindrical bodies 223, the flow path resistance received by the water flowing into each lower cylindrical body 223 is greater than the flow path resistance received by the water flowing into each upper cylindrical body 225, The same effect as the first pattern and the second pattern of the second modification described above, that is, the average flow velocity of water flowing into the lower cylindrical body 223 of the extruded tube 220 and the average flow velocity of water flowing into the upper cylindrical body 225 The difference in flow velocity is reduced (distributed at a constant speed), and the effect of improving the pushability of hot water in the entire hot water storage tank is produced.

  Unlike the first to third patterns of the second modified example described above, as a further modified example of the second modified example, the upper cylindrical body 225 has the same shape as those of the first to third patterns. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower cylindrical body 224 has a reduced diameter portion 224a in which both the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the cylindrical body are reduced by a certain length on the downstream side in the longitudinal direction (right side in the figure). You may have.

  Also by having such a reduced diameter portion 224a, the reduced diameter portion 224a becomes a throttling of water or hot water flowing through the lower cylindrical body 224, and the same effect as each pattern of the second modified example described above, that is, extrusion The difference between the average flow velocity of the water flowing into the lower cylindrical body 224 of the pipe 220 and the average flow velocity of the water flowing into the upper cylindrical body 225 is reduced (distributed at a constant speed), and the pushability of hot water in the entire hot water storage tank is reduced. The effect is improved.

  Moreover, as a 3rd modification of embodiment mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 9, the disk-shaped dispersion material (baffle) is shown in the water inlet part side of the extrusion pipe | tube 320 equivalent to the extrusion pipe | tube 220 which concerns on the 2nd modification mentioned above. ) 330 may be provided in contact with each other.

  The dispersion material 330 has a large number of small through holes (not shown in FIG. 3) in the thickness direction. And this through-hole has the small internal diameter of the through-hole of a dispersion | distribution material lower half part, and the internal diameter of the through-hole of a dispersion | distribution material upper half part is large in the installation state of the hot water storage type electric water heater.

  As a result, water that enters from the water inlet 311 of the hot water storage tank 310 and goes to the lower side of the space A does not easily pass through the lower part of the dispersing material 330, and during this time, the water is filled up to the upper side of the space A and dispersed. Water is also passed through a through hole having a relatively large inner diameter on the upper side of the material, and as a result, the water flowing out to the side of the extruded tube is dispersed in the vertical direction as viewed in the direction of gravity.

  Then, in combination with the action of the extrusion pipe 320 of the third modified example described above, each flow path formed by a gap between each cylindrical body of the extrusion pipe 320 and these cylindrical bodies and the inner peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank 310. The pushability of hot water can be further improved.

  Note that the outlet side of the dispersion material 330 and the inlet side of the extrusion tube 320 are not necessarily in contact with each other, and a slight gap may be provided between them. However, it can be said that it is preferable to bring them into contact with each other in that the water flowing out of the dispersion material 330 does not flow downward through these gaps, and the pushability of hot water in the hot water storage tank is improved.

  Then, the 4th modification of a hot water storage type electric water heater is demonstrated. The fourth modification has a basic configuration equivalent to that of the above-described embodiment in which a heater is incorporated in a hot water storage tank, but the push-out pipe 420 is devised. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, end openings 420 a (421 a to 423 a) of the cylindrical bodies of the extruded pipe 420 (only some of the cylindrical bodies 421 to 423 are shown in FIG. 10) While opening downward from the horizontal direction in the installed state of the water heater, the upper end opening 421a (422a) is the lower end opening 422a (423a) of the end openings 420a of the extruded tube 420. The push-out pipe 420 is accommodated in the hot water storage tank so as to protrude more horizontally (toward the inner wall side of the longitudinal end of the hot water storage tank (right side in FIG. 10)).

  Since the heater is built in the hot water storage tank and the extrusion pipe 420 has such a configuration, the upward flow of the hot water in the hot water storage tank can be guided to each cylindrical body of the extrusion pipe 420 without any problem. The entire water and lukewarm water can be boiled efficiently with a simple structure. In particular, when a heater is arranged below such an opening 420a, the rising flow of hot water heated by the heater enters each opening 420a at the shortest distance as shown by the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the convection effect is increased.

  In this case, the end opening 420a on the heater installation side of the extruded tube 420 opens downward from the horizontal direction, and the upper end opening of each end opening 420a of the extruded tube 420 421a (422a) does not necessarily satisfy both of the configurations in which the hot water storage type electric water heater protrudes in the horizontal direction with respect to the lower end opening 422a (423a). If the configuration is satisfied, it is possible to improve the boiling property of water and hot water in the hot water storage tank.

  Further, as a further modification of the fourth modification, a modification as shown in FIG. 11 can be considered. In this further modification, in addition to the end openings 430a (431a to 433a) of each cylindrical body of the extruded tube 430 (only some of the cylindrical bodies 431 to 433 are shown in FIG. 11), the protruding portion of each extruded body 430 A convection promoting opening 430b (431b to 433b) is provided on the lower side. Then, hot water that has risen due to natural convection in the hot water storage tank flows into the extruded pipe through the convection promoting opening 430b.

  Since the heater is built in the hot water storage tank and the push pipe 430 has such a structure, the upward flow of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is positively introduced into each partition pipe in the same manner as the third modified example described above. The water and lukewarm water in the entire hot water storage tank can be boiled more efficiently with a simple structure.

  Then, the 5th modification of embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated. This fifth modified example is a modified example in which the arrangement of the hot water storage tank related to the present embodiment and the modified example is devised in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater, and as shown in FIG. The hot water storage part 512 of the hot water storage tank 510 is positioned higher than the incoming water part 511 in a state in which the electric water heater is attached to the attached object, for example, the counter lower surface of the toilet room or the kitchen counter part, and the hot water storage tank The lower surface 510a in the vicinity of the water inlet 510 is positioned lower than the lower surface 510b in the vicinity of the hot water outlet.

  In the case of a so-called horizontal hot water storage type electric water heater, since the whole is a flat type, the water entered from the water inlet 511 easily spreads to the entire bottom surface of the hot water storage tank. However, when the hot water storage tank 510 has such a configuration, when the water or hot water in the hot water storage tank convects, the difference in specific gravity will cause the hot water storage tank 510 to mix with the hot water from the hot water outlet 512. Only hot water that constantly rises toward the top can be reliably guided to the hot water outlet 512, and the pushability of hot water in the hot water storage tank is further improved.

  In this modification, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the hot water storage tank 510 is installed in a state of being inclined as a whole so that the end of the hot water storage tank 510 is higher than the end of the hot water storage section. However, it is not always necessary to install the hot water storage tank 510 in such an inclined manner. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12B, the hot water storage tank itself is not inclined, but the lower surface 520a of the hot water storage tank 520 near the water inlet 521 is lower than the lower surface 520b of the hot water outlet 522 near. In addition, only the lower surface of the hot water storage tank 520 may have a tapered surface that goes downward as it goes toward the water inlet. In this case, the entire lower surface of the hot water storage tank 520 may have a gentle step instead of forming a tapered surface, and the lower surface near the water inlet may be lower than the lower surface near the hot water outlet.

  Subsequently, a sixth modification and a seventh modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. The sixth modification and the seventh modification are modifications in a form in which the hot water storage type electric water heater does not house a single hot water storage tank in its housing but houses a plurality of hot water storage tanks. In the sixth modification, the hot water storage tanks 610, 620, 630 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 13 with the hot water storage type electric water heater installed, and the connecting pipes 601, 602, 611, 621 are connected. 631 are connected in parallel with each other via the H.631. Similarly, in the seventh modification of the above-described embodiment, the hot water storage tanks 710, 720, 730 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. It has the structure connected mutually in parallel via 711,721,731.

  By providing a plurality of hot water storage tanks and connecting them together, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the overall shape of the hot water type electric water heater while increasing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water type electric water heater. A hot water storage type electric water heater having a larger hot water storage capacity can be installed in a desired space while effectively utilizing a limited installation space such as a kitchen counter of the kitchen counter.

  Unlike these sixth and seventh modifications, the hot water storage type electric water heater is configured such that a plurality of hot water storage tanks are connected to each other in a state of being arranged in a matrix in series or in an end view and housed in a housing. Can exert the same effect. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, when hot water storage tanks 610, 620, 630 are connected in series by connecting pipes 603, 604, 605, 606, respectively, when hot water storage tanks are connected in parallel by connecting pipes as described above Since the average flow velocity of the water flowing into each hot water storage tank is faster than that of the hot water, it becomes difficult for hot water to be mixed during extrusion and the pushability is improved.

  In addition, about the embodiment mentioned above and its various modifications, the 8th modification as shown in FIG. 16 can be considered. In this modification, an extrusion pipe 820 (821 to 824) having an inner diameter and an outer diameter larger than the extrusion pipe 120 (cylindrical bodies 121 to 126) according to the first modification is provided in the hot water storage tank 810. The inside is partitioned by a partition plate 820a (821a to 824a) and divided into a plurality of flow paths (in this modification, each cylindrical body has four flow paths). Further, notches (not shown) are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the extruded tube 820, and rectangular communication openings (not shown) are also formed in the partition plates 820a (821a to 824a). .

  As described above, the inside of each extruded tube 820 is further divided into a plurality of flow paths by the partition plate 820a, so that the operation of the above-described sixth modified example is similarly exhibited, and the hot water storage tank 810 is accommodated. A large number of flow paths can be formed in the hot water storage tank 810 while reducing the total number of extruded pipes, thereby reducing the number of steps for assembling the hot water storage tank 810.

  Then, the further modification of embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated. Although not shown in detail here, this further modified example is a modified example in which the cross-sectional shape of each cylindrical body constituting the extruded tube is a regular hexagon instead of a circular shape. Even if each cylinder of the extrusion pipe accommodated in the hot water storage tank has such a shape, the flow path formed between the inside of the hot water storage tank and the outside of each cylindrical body supported in the hot water storage tank is cut off. The area can be further reduced, and as a result, the pushability of hot water in the hot water storage tank can be improved.

  In addition, instead of using a regular hexagon as the cross-sectional shape of each cylinder constituting the extruded tube, the cross-sectional shape of each cylinder may be any one of a triangle, a square, and a polygon other than a regular hexagon. good. Also, instead of making the cross-sectional shapes of each cylinder all the same, the cylinders having different cross-sectional shapes are combined so that the cross-sectional shape of each cylinder is a combination of at least two cross-sections of triangle, quadrangle, and polygon. May be.

  By appropriately storing the push-out pipe composed of such a combination of cylinders in a hot water storage tank having various outer shapes, the hot water tank's hot water pushability and water and hot water boiling characteristics are not impaired. Therefore, it is possible to achieve downsizing of the hot water storage type electric water heater.

  Further, as yet another modified example of the above-described embodiment, although not shown in detail here, among the above-described hot water storage tank according to the embodiment in which a heater is built in the hot water storage tank and various modified examples thereof, the following further Another variation is conceivable. In this further modification, instead of each cylindrical body constituting the extruded pipe provided in the hot water storage tank, a plurality of cylindrical bodies made of cylindrical bodies having notches over a part in the longitudinal direction of the circumferential surface are stored. It is housed inside the tank. Each cylindrical body is fixed by, for example, welding so that adjacent cylindrical bodies are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction, and is fixed by, for example, welding, so that the outer cylindrical body is in contact with the inner peripheral wall of the hot water storage tank. It is good to be housed inside.

  Accordingly, each cylindrical body forms a narrow passage having a small cross-sectional area, and the gap between the inner peripheral wall of the hot water storage tank and each cylindrical body also serves as a flow path. In addition, the notch formed in each cylindrical body should just be partially formed over the suitable length in the suitable place of a longitudinal direction.

  By forming such a notch in each cylindrical body in the hot water storage tank, a notch is formed from the space between adjacent cylindrical bodies or from the extruded convection space formed between the cylindrical body and the inner wall surface of the hot water storage tank. The hot water heated by the heater flows into the flow passages in each cylindrical body through each of the cylindrical bodies, and the water in the flow passages in each cylindrical body and the warm water having a relatively low temperature are notched through the notches. It flows out into the space for extrusion convection formed in the gap between the body and the inner peripheral wall of the hot water storage tank.

  As a result, when using the hot water storage type electric water heater, the vertical convection is positively observed between the cylinders or between the cylinder and the gap between the cylinder and the inner peripheral wall of the hot water tank as viewed in the direction of gravity of the water and hot water in the hot water tank. To make it happen. That is, in the hot water storage type electric water heater of the type in which the heater is built in the hot water storage tank, not only the convection spaces A and B shown in FIG. 1 in the hot water storage tank but also one of the convection spaces A (B). A large detour path along the vicinity of the inner peripheral wall of the hot water storage tank that reaches the other convection space B (A) through the upper and lower extrusion pipes, and water in the hot water storage tank through notches formed at appropriate positions of the respective extrusion pipes Alternatively, hot water is convected entirely in the tank.

  Instead of providing a notch in each cylindrical body of the extruded tube, a communication opening having a shape such as a long hole may be provided in each cylindrical body. Moreover, you may provide such a notch and a long hole in the cylindrical body of a part of extrusion pipe | tube. Through such a notch or slot, water or hot water heated by the heater enters each cylinder through the notch from the periphery of each cylinder, and is pushed out from the notch to the periphery of each cylinder. It is supposed to be.

  In addition, providing at least two notches at spaced positions in each flow path will serve as the respective inlet-side communication opening and outlet-side communication opening, and the water and hot water in the hot water storage tank Convection can be further promoted.

  Moreover, you may form such a notch over the full length of each cylindrical body. In this case, if each cylindrical body is in contact with the peripheral surfaces where notches are not formed, or is in contact with the peripheral surface where notches are not formed and the inner peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank, these are supported by a special support. It is not necessary to support the cylindrical body.

  When the notch is formed in each cylinder over the entire length, water and hot water inside and outside the cylinder communicate with each other through each notch. Therefore, the pushability of hot water in the hot water storage tank is slightly lower than when notches are formed in the longitudinal direction of each cylindrical body, but the convection effect of the hot water and hot water in the hot water storage tank is considerably increased. Can do.

  The notch is preferably formed above the half of the cylindrical body. When hot water flows out from the cylinder to the extruded convection space around the cylinder through such a notch, if the cold water instead flows into the cylinder, the notch is temporarily below the half of the partition tube. The cold water that has flowed into the cylindrical body easily flows out from the notch to the lower outside of the cylindrical body due to the density difference between the hot water and the water, and gradually accumulates in the lower part of the hot water storage tank. End up. As a result, the entire cylinder placed under the hot water storage tank is filled with cold water, and when hot water is discharged from the hot water outlet of the hot water storage tank, the cold water filled in the lower cylindrical body is mixed with hot water from the hot water outlet. There is a risk of getting out. On the other hand, by forming the notch above the half of the cylindrical body as in this modification, cold water that has flowed into the cylindrical body stays in the cylindrical body and does not actively head down below the hot water storage tank. Such inconvenience can be avoided.

  Further, the heater is not limited to the elongated cylindrical heater as shown in the above-described embodiment and its various modifications. For example, a nichrome wire as a heating element is completely made of a resin excellent in waterproofness and heat resistance. A so-called sheath heater that is surrounded by a flexible sheath (sheath tube) made of metal and inserted from one end of the hot water storage tank, and is U-shaped in the vicinity of the other end. It may be bent into a shape and led out from one end to the outside again.

  In addition, the heater is not necessarily provided inside the hot water storage tank. For example, a plate-like heater is brought into direct contact with the outside of the hot water storage tank so that the water and hot water in the hot water storage tank can conduct heat through the outer wall of the hot water storage tank. It may be provided. In this case, in order to eliminate the so-called dead water volume in the hot water storage tank, it is preferable to provide a heater on the bottom surface of the hot water storage tank with the hot water storage type electric water heater installed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and various modifications thereof, all the hot water storage tanks have a cylindrical shape with both ends closed. Although the hot water storage tank has a cylindrical shape, pressure resistance can be increased. However, the hot water storage tank is not limited to such a shape, and for example, the hot water storage tank may be configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this way, for example, by forming the hot water storage tank in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, when the hot water storage tank is generally housed in a box-shaped housing, the hot water storage tank is housed without causing a dead space inside the housing. Therefore, the hot water storage capacity can be increased while downsizing the entire hot water storage type electric water heater.

  As described above, among the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure, the gravity flows due to the difference in density between the water and the hot water, and the water flows through the lower flow path where water easily falls and flows in the hot water storage tank. The flow resistance from the water inlet to the hot water outlet is larger than that from the water or hot water inlet to the hot water flowing through the upper flow path. After the water that has entered the hot water storage tank from the section goes to the lower side of the hot water storage tank, it does not flow in the lower flow path ahead of the upper flow path. During this time, water fills the space between the water inlet portion side of the hot water storage tank and the water inlet side end surface of the partition structure, and the water in the upper part flows smoothly into the upper flow passage having a small flow passage resistance. As a result, the difference between the average flow rate of the water flowing in the upper channel of the partition structure and the average flow rate of the water flowing in the lower channel can be reduced (distributed at a constant speed). The pushability of hot water in the tank is improved.

  Furthermore, since the upper channel of the partition structure actively reduces the channel resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the partition structure, the upper channel can be a channel having a sufficiently large channel cross-sectional area. it can. Thereby, it becomes possible to secure more hot water storage capacity in the hot water storage tank.

  More specifically, for example, in the case of a conventional hot water type electric water heater of a type in which the entire flow path in the hot water storage tank is configured with a fine honeycomb structure, the large volume honeycomb structure must be accommodated in the hot water storage tank. However, the honeycomb structure occupies most of the volume in the hot water storage tank, and the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank has been reduced. However, in the configuration according to the present invention, most of the partition structure is rough. Since it can be configured with a flow path, a sufficient amount of hot water can be secured in the hot water storage tank.

  In addition, the conventional hot water storage type electric water heater that uses a fine honeycomb structure as a partition structure has a problem that the flow path resistance is increased because each flow path is a thin tube as a whole. Of each channel formed in the partition structure as in the invention, by making the average channel cross-sectional area of the upper channel of the partition structure larger than the average channel cross-sectional area of the lower channel of the partition structure, It is possible to reduce the average flow velocity difference when the water that has entered the hot water storage tank flows through each flow path of the partition structure, and the hot water pushability of the entire hot water storage tank is improved.

  In addition, the upper channel of the partition structure has a larger channel cross-sectional area so that the channel resistance is smaller than that of the lower channel and water and hot water can easily flow. As a result, more hot water storage capacity can be secured in the hot water storage tank.

  In addition, the surface roughness of the inner wall surface of the flow path is made rougher in the lower flow path of the partition structure than in the upper flow path of the partition structure, so that the surface roughness of the lower flow path can be reduced when water or hot water flows. It becomes resistance. As a result, without decreasing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the lower flow path should be greater than the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the upper flow path. Thus, the pushability of hot water in the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure can be made uniform in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

  In addition, by providing a protrusion on the inner wall of the lower flow path of the partition structure among the flow paths formed in the partition structure, the protrusion becomes a resistance to water and hot water flowing through the lower flow path. As a result, without decreasing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the lower flow path should be greater than the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the upper flow path. Thus, the pushability of hot water in the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure can be made uniform in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

  In addition, among the channels formed in the partition structure, the downstream side of the partition structure lower channel is squeezed and the cross-sectional area is smaller than the upstream, so that the water and hot water in the lower channel are reduced. It becomes resistance. As a result, without reducing the hot water storage capacity of the hot water storage tank, the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the partition structure upper flow path and the flow resistance received by the water and hot water flowing through the partition structure lower flow path are received. The resistance can be greater than the resistance, and the hot water pushability of the plurality of flow paths formed in the partition structure can be made uniform in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

  In addition, in a normal hot water storage type electric water heater, water that has entered the hot water storage tank from the hot water storage tank immediately falls downward due to the density difference between the hot water and the hot water and flows into the upper flow path of the partition structure. It was difficult to do so, by entering water from the water inlet provided so as to be located on the upper surface of the hot water storage tank or in the vicinity of the upper surface, it was possible to positively enter the upper flow path of the partition structure. It becomes easy to distribute water equally to each flow path of the partition structure.

  In addition, since the partition structure has a honeycomb body shape that does not cause a gap between the flow paths, the partition structure can be easily formed by extrusion molding and can be easily assembled.

  In addition, the partition structure is composed of a plurality of pipe bodies arranged in parallel so that each of them forms a flow path and at least a part of the flow paths are separated, so that the material of the partition structure is easily available Cost can be reduced.

  In addition, a cutout is provided in at least a part of at least one of the flow paths of the partition structure, and at least two adjacent flow paths sandwiching the cutout of the partition structure through the cutouts mutually. By communicating with each other, it is possible to cause vertical convection between at least some of the flow paths formed of the partition structure and having such a notch. The hot water storage tank inside the hot water storage type electric water heater is improved.

  In addition, a dispersion material that allows water that has entered from the water inlet of the hot water storage tank to flow out while distributing the water vertically to each flow path of the partition structure is provided on the water storage tank water inlet side of the partition structure. Then, the water flowing out from the dispersion material is distributed over the vertical direction of the partition structure. As a result, it is possible to allow water to flow in at an equal speed through each flow path of the partition structure, thereby achieving uniform extrusion of hot water in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the hot water storage tank of the hot water storage type electric water heater which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention with the internal structure. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which cut | disconnected the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1 perpendicularly | vertically with the tank center axis line in the position containing an extrusion pipe. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a first modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the 2nd modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 1st pattern of the 2nd modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 4 so that the center axis line of a lower side cylindrical body might be included. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 2nd pattern of the 2nd modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 4 so that the center axis line of a lower cylindrical body might be included. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 3rd pattern of the 2nd modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 4 so that the center axis line of a lower cylindrical body might be included. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected so that the further modification of the 2nd modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 4 might include the center axis line of a lower cylindrical body. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a third modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. 1. It is a schematic side view which shows partially the 4th modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1 with the effect | action. It is a schematic side view which shows partially the further modification of the 4th modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 10 with the effect | action. A schematic side view (FIG. 12 (a)) showing a fifth modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. 1, and a schematic side view showing a further modification of this fifth modification (FIG. 12 ( b)). It is a schematic perspective view which shows the 6th modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the 7th modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing a further modification of the sixth modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. 13. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing an eighth modification of the hot water storage tank shown in FIG. 1. It is a whole block diagram which shows schematically the structure of the conventional hot water storage type electric water heater relevant to FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly an example of the installation state of a horizontal installation type hot water storage type electric water heater. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure of the hot water storage tank with which the conventional hot water storage type electric water heater is equipped corresponding to FIG. It is a whole block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional hot water storage type electric water heater relevant to FIG. 19 with the flow of the water in a tank.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot water storage type electric water heater 10 Hot water storage tank 11 Water inlet 12 Hot water outlet 20 Extrusion pipe (partition structure)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Lower cylindrical body 25 Upper cylindrical body 31,32 Support body 40 Heater 50 Hot water storage tank 51 Honeycomb body 51a Inlet side opening 52 Water inlet part 53 Hot water outlet part 60 Honeycomb body 61 Flow path 120 Extrusion structure 121 Lower side flow path 125 Upper side Flow path 210, 220 Extrusion pipe 221 Lower cylindrical body 221a Concavity and convexity 222 Lower cylindrical body 222a Projection part 223 Lower cylindrical body 223a Reduced diameter part 224 Lower cylindrical body 224a Reduced diameter part 225 Upper cylindrical body 310 Hot water storage tank 311 Water inlet part 320 Extrusion pipe 330 Dispersing material (baffle)
420 Extrusion pipe 420a End opening 421-423 Cylindrical body 421a-423a End opening 430 Extrusion pipe 430a (431a-433a) End opening 430b (431b-433b) Convection promotion opening 431-433 Cylindrical body 510 Hot water storage tank 510a, 510b Lower surface 511 Water inlet 512 Hot water outlet 520 Hot water storage tank 520a, 520b Lower surface 521 Water inlet 522 Hot water outlet 610, 620, 630 Hot water storage tank 601-606, 611, 621, 631 Connection pipe 710, 720, 730 Hot water storage tank 701, 702, 711, 721, 731 Connection pipe 810 Hot water storage tank 820 Extrusion pipe 820a (821a to 825a) Partition plate 821, 822 (Upper side) cylindrical body 823 to 825 (Lower side) cylindrical body 910 Hot water storage tank 9 30 Heater 951 Circulation pump 952, 953 Circulation pipe A, B, X Space

Claims (10)

A hot water storage tank, a water inlet section provided at a predetermined position of the hot water storage tank, a hot water outlet section provided at a position different from the water inlet section of the hot water storage tank, and from the vicinity of the water inlet section in the hot water storage tank to the vicinity of the hot water outlet section. A hot water storage type electric water heater having a partition structure provided so as to form a plurality of flow paths, wherein the hot water storage type electric water heater is installed from the height in the vertical direction of the hot water storage tank. In the hot water storage type electric water heater equipped with the hot water storage tank so that the length in the lateral direction becomes longer,
The flow resistance from the water inlet / outlet side to the water / hot water flowing through each channel of the partition structure is such that water easily flows in by the action of gravity in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater. A hot water storage type electric water heater characterized in that the lower flow path is larger than the upper flow path where water hardly flows in due to the action of gravity.   The average channel cross-sectional area of the upper channel among the channels formed in the partition structure is larger than the average channel cross-sectional area of the lower channel. Item 2. A hot water storage type electric water heater according to item 1.   The surface roughness of the inner wall of the lower channel among the channels formed in the partition structure is rougher than the surface roughness of the inner wall of the upper channel. The hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2.   The hot water storage type electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a protrusion is provided on an inner wall of the lower flow path among the flow paths formed in the partition structure.   The flow path cross-sectional area is reduced by narrowing the downstream side of the lower flow path among the flow paths formed in the partition structure, according to claim 1 or 2. Hot water storage type electric water heater.   6. The water intake section according to claim 1, wherein the water storage section is provided so as to be located on an upper surface of the hot water storage tank or in the vicinity of the upper surface in the installed state of the hot water storage type electric water heater. The hot water storage type electric water heater described.   The hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the partition structure has a honeycomb body shape that does not cause a gap between the flow paths in the partition structure.   The partition structure is composed of a plurality of pipe bodies arranged in parallel so that each form a flow path and at least some of the flow paths are separated from each other. A hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of the above.   A cutout is provided in at least a part of at least one flow path of the partition structure, and at least two adjacent flow paths sandwiching the cutout of the partition structure communicate with each other via the cutout. The hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hot water storage type electric water heater is provided. Dispersing material for allowing water entering from the water inlet of the hot water storage tank to flow out while distributing the water vertically to the respective flow paths of the partition structure is provided on the hot water tank water inlet side of the partition structure. The hot water storage type electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hot water storage type electric water heater is characterized.

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