JP7729601B2 - water heater - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a water heater.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a gas appliance. The combustion device disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a combustion housing containing a burner, a fan that supplies combustion air into the combustion housing, a heat exchanger located above the combustion housing, and an exhaust hood located above the heat exchanger. This combustion device is equipped with an exhaust restriction tube inserted from below the exhaust port, and is designed to reduce fan noise and Helmholtz-type resonance noise.

JP 2013-120014 A

In the water heater disclosed in Patent Document 1, the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port is configured to always pass through either multiple vent holes or an exhaust restriction tube, which raises concerns about increased exhaust resistance due to some of the combustion exhaust gas passing through the vent holes.

One objective of this disclosure is to provide technology for water heaters that can easily suppress resonant vibrations caused by exhaust while reducing exhaust resistance.

The water heater according to the present disclosure includes:
a combustion device for burning gas;
a heat exchanger to which combustion exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion device is supplied;
an exhaust section that is a path for discharging the combustion exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger to the outdoors;
A water heater having
The exhaust section is
an outer wall portion having an inlet through which the combustion exhaust gas flows, at least a portion of which is disposed above the heat exchanger, and defining a space within which the combustion exhaust gas passes;
an exhaust passage including an inlet disposed within the outer wall portion and an outlet disposed outside and above the outer wall portion, the exhaust passage having a flow path for flowing the combustion exhaust gas from the inlet to the outlet so as to span the inside and outside of the outer wall portion;
a partition section including a plate-shaped partition wall that divides a space within the outer wall section;
and
The partition wall is provided with a plurality of through holes and openings each having an opening area larger than that of each of the through holes,
The opening and the exhaust path are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening flows through the flow path,
An area above the partition wall in the space within the outer wall portion is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust path, and an upper area of the plurality of through holes is separated from a downstream area of the opening portion, forming a non-communicating structure.

The technology disclosed herein makes it easier to suppress resonant vibrations caused by exhaust in water heaters while reducing exhaust resistance.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a water heater according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the water heater of FIG. 1 with the front cover removed. 3 is a perspective view partially and schematically showing the vicinity of the exhaust section and the heat exchanger of the water heater of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view partially and schematically showing the configuration of the exhaust unit and the heat exchanger of the water heater of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view partially and schematically showing the vicinity of the exhaust section and the heat exchanger of the water heater of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the configuration of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view partially showing the connection structure between the exhaust unit and the heat exchanger.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and exemplified below. Note that the features [1] to [7] exemplified below may be combined in any compatible combination.

[1] a combustion device that burns gas;
a heat exchanger to which combustion exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion device is supplied;
an exhaust section that is a path for discharging the combustion exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger to the outdoors;
A water heater having
The exhaust section is
an outer wall portion having an inlet through which the combustion exhaust gas flows, at least a portion of which is disposed above the heat exchanger, and defining a space within which the combustion exhaust gas passes;
an exhaust passage including an inlet disposed within the outer wall portion and an outlet disposed outside and above the outer wall portion, the exhaust passage having a flow path for flowing the combustion exhaust gas from the inlet to the outlet so as to span the inside and outside of the outer wall portion;
a partition section including a plate-shaped partition wall that divides a space within the outer wall section;
and
The partition wall is provided with a plurality of through holes and openings each having an opening area larger than that of each of the through holes,
The opening and the exhaust path are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening flows through the flow path,
A water heater in which an upper region of the partition wall in the space within the outer wall portion is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust path, and an upper region of the plurality of through holes is separated from a downstream region of the opening, forming a non-communicating structure.

The water heater described in [1] has a configuration in which a partition wall with multiple through holes divides the space within the outer wall portion, and the upper region of the partition wall is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust passage, and the lower region of the partition wall is connected to the exhaust passage. In other words, the upper region of the partition wall is structured to prevent gas that has flowed into the interior from escaping outside the upper region except through the through holes, and the lower region of the partition wall is structured so that exhaust gas flows into the exhaust passage via a route separate from the multiple through holes. With this structure, the multiple through holes are less likely to obstruct the exhaust of combustion exhaust gas from the exhaust passage, making it easier for the combustion exhaust gas to be discharged through the exhaust passage.
In particular, in the water heater described above, the gas storage section is configured above the partition wall so as to be blocked by the outer wall section and the exhaust passage, and the upper region of the plurality of through-holes is configured as a non-communicating structure separated from the downstream region of the opening, so that a state in which gas flowing upward through the plurality of through-holes flows directly into the exhaust passage is unlikely to occur, and a state in which gas flows in and out without a large flow near each through-hole is likely to occur. In such a configuration, even if there is a structure in which "resonance vibration" is a concern in the path that discharges combustion exhaust gas from the heat exchanger through the exhaust passage, the flow of gas in and out through each through-hole is likely to affect the establishment of "resonance vibration," and resonance vibration is likely to be suppressed.

[2] The partition wall has a plate-shaped portion with one plate surface facing upward and the other plate surface facing downward,
The water heater according to [1], wherein each of the through holes penetrates the plate-shaped portion between the one plate surface and the other plate surface.

The water heater described in [2] makes it easier to create a partition wall that easily adjusts vibrations.

[3] The partition has a cylindrical portion that is continuous with the partition wall so as to continue upward or downward from the partition wall, and an inner wall portion of the cylindrical portion is configured as the opening,
the exhaust path has a cylindrical body, and an inner circumferential portion of the cylindrical body is configured as the flow path,
The water heater according to [1] or [2], wherein the exhaust passage is fixed to the partition portion so that the cylindrical body and the cylindrical portion fit together.

The water heater described in [3] has a cylindrical section that is continuous with the partition wall and fits into the cylindrical body that forms the exhaust passage, so that the combustion exhaust gas flows more smoothly into the exhaust passage near the connection between the partition and the exhaust passage.

[4] The cylindrical portion is configured to rise upward from the partition wall and is continuous with the partition wall,
The water heater according to [3], wherein a lower end of the cylindrical body is positioned higher than a lower end of the opening.

The water heater described in [4] has a configuration in which the cylindrical body and cylindrical portion fit together, and the lower end of the cylindrical body is positioned higher than the lower end of the opening, so that combustion exhaust entering the opening flows more smoothly into the cylindrical body. This further reduces exhaust resistance.

[5] The partition wall includes a first partition wall and a pair of second partition walls respectively disposed on both left and right sides of the first partition wall,
Each of the second partition walls has one end in the left-right direction connected to the first partition wall,
The water heater according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the lower surface of each of the second partition walls is positioned so as to become lower as it becomes farther away from the first partition wall in the left-right direction.

The water heater described in [5] achieves the above-mentioned functions of the partition walls, while also using a pair of second partition walls to guide the combustion exhaust toward the first partition wall (i.e., the inlet side of the exhaust passage). Therefore, this water heater can discharge the combustion exhaust even more smoothly.

[6] The water heater according to [5], wherein the through-hole is provided in at least each of the second partition walls.

In the water heater described in [6], the pair of second partition walls can serve both the function of directing combustion exhaust toward the first partition wall and the function of suppressing vibration.

[7] The water heater according to [5], wherein the through-hole is provided in both the first partition wall and the second partition wall.

In the water heater described in [7], the pair of second partition walls can serve both the function of directing combustion exhaust toward the first partition wall and the function of suppressing vibration, and the first partition wall can also be given the function of suppressing vibration.

First Embodiment
The following description relates to the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment.
1. Overall configuration of the water heater 1 Fig. 1 is a front view illustrating the water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view illustrating a simplified configuration of the water heater 1 with the front cover 2A and the like removed from the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water heater 1 includes a housing 2, a combustion device 3, a heat exchanger 4, an exhaust section 5, a fan 7, and other components. The housing 2 is a box-shaped case made of metal and includes a housing main body 2B that is open at the front and a front cover 2A (FIG. 1) that is detachable from the housing main body 2B. The front cover 2A shown in FIG. 1 closes the housing main body 2B from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 houses various components, including the combustion device 3, heat exchanger 4, exhaust section 5, and fan 7. The combustion device 3 is located near the center of the housing 2. The heat exchanger 4 is located above the combustion device 3 inside the housing 2. The exhaust section 5 is located above the heat exchanger 4 inside the housing 2. The gas distribution unit 10 is located between the combustion device 3 and the front cover 2A. The fan 7 is located below the combustion device 3 inside the housing 2.

In the example shown in Figure 1 etc., the up-down direction of the water heater 1 is the longitudinal direction of the water heater 1 when viewed from the front as in Figure 1, and is, for example, the vertical up-down direction when the water heater 1 is installed. In the example of Figure 1, the up-down direction of the water heater 1 is the direction in which the cylindrical body 106 extends. In the example of Figure 1, the longitudinal direction (direction of the long side) of the rectangular front portion (front panel) of the front cover 2A is the up-down direction, the lateral direction (direction of the short side) of the front portion (front panel) is the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and left-right directions is the front-rear direction.

The combustion device 3 burns combustion gas supplied from outside (specifically, fuel gas supplied via the gas distribution unit 10) to generate combustion exhaust. The combustion exhaust is a high-temperature gas generated by the combustion of the combustion gas in the combustion device 3. The combustion device 3 includes an inner case 3A and a burner unit (not shown). The inner case 3A is a rectangular box-shaped case that fits within the housing 2. Inside the inner case 3A, a burner unit group is provided, consisting of flat, thick and thin burners arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Each thick and thin burner (not shown) has upper and lower thin and thick inlets (not shown) that open to the front and through which fuel gas and primary air are introduced. At the top, it has a flame port section consisting of a central thin flame port and thick flame ports on either side of it. An ignition discharge electrode, a flame rod for flame detection, and other components are provided at the upper front of the inner case 3A.

The heat exchanger 4 comprises a metal case 20 that forms its outer shell, heat transfer tubes 22 (Figure 4) housed inside the case 20, and a lower support member 80. The heat exchanger 4 introduces combustion exhaust from the combustion device 3 and passes it through its interior, where heat is exchanged between the combustion exhaust and water flowing inside the heat transfer tubes 22, heating the water flowing inside the heat transfer tubes 22. The combustion exhaust that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 is discharged to the exhaust section 5. In this embodiment, the case 20 of the heat exchanger 4 is box-shaped and has open lower and upper ends. Note that the heat transfer tubes 22 are not shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The exhaust section 5 functions to guide the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the heat exchanger 4 upward and discharge it to the outside of the water heater 1 via the cylindrical body 106. Details of the exhaust section 5 will be described later.

Fan 7 is a fan that supplies combustion air. Fan 7 is equipped with a drive unit including a motor and blades, and a supply port that supplies combustion air. Combustion air is sent from this supply port toward the combustion device 3. The supply port of fan 7 is fixed near the bottom end of the combustion device 3.

The water heater 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a gas inlet 91 to which an external gas pipe is connected, a water inlet 92 to which a water pipe is connected, and a hot water outlet 93 provided on the underside of the housing 2. The water inlet 92 is an inlet through which water is introduced from a water pipe provided outside the water heater 1. The water introduced into the water inlet 92 is supplied to the heat transfer tube 22 of the heat exchanger 4 (Figure 4) via a water supply pipe 115. Figure 2 shows a portion of the water supply pipe 115. The hot water outlet 93 is an outlet port through which hot water is discharged outside the water heater 1. Hot water discharged from the heat transfer tube 22 of the heat exchanger 4 is discharged from the hot water outlet 93 via a hot water outlet pipe 116 connected to the downstream end of the heat transfer tube 22.

In the water heater 1 shown in FIG. 2, the gas inlet 91 is an inlet through which gas is introduced from a gas pipe installed outside the water heater 1. The gas introduced into the gas inlet 91 is supplied to the gas distribution unit 10 via a gas supply section (not shown) equipped with a main valve, proportional valve, etc. The gas supplied to the gas distribution unit 10 is distributed to pass through multiple holes (not shown) installed in the combustion device 3 and supplied to the combustion device 3 via these holes. The combustion device 3 combusts the gas (fuel gas) supplied to the combustion device 3 via the gas distribution unit 10. The exhaust gas (combustion exhaust gas) generated by the combustion of the gas in the combustion device 3 is emitted upward from the combustion device 3 and flows into the heat exchanger 4 through an opening at the lower end thereof. The exhaust gas passes through the heat exchanger 4 and flows into the exhaust section 5. The combustion exhaust gas flowing from the heat exchanger 4 to the exhaust section 5 is introduced into the exhaust section 5 from the lower end thereof and discharged from the exhaust section 5 to the outside (outside the water heater 1).

2. Details of the Heat Exchanger The following description relates to details of the heat exchanger 4 in the water heater 1.
The heat exchanger 4 to which the exhaust section 5 is fixed has an open top with an opening 20A at its upper end, as shown in FIG. 4 . The case 20 of the heat exchanger 4 is, for example, a metal case made of a metal material. The case 20 includes a front wall 23, a rear wall 24, and a pair of side walls 25, 26, which are connected in an annular shape. The front wall 23 and the rear wall 24 are both arranged to extend laterally with their thickness directions parallel to the front-to-rear direction and face each other in the front-to-rear direction. The pair of side walls 25, 26 are both arranged to extend laterally with their thickness directions parallel to the left-to-right direction and face each other in the left-to-right direction. The opening 20A is formed by the upper ends of the front wall 23, the rear wall 24, and the pair of side walls 25, 26.

A flange-shaped protrusion 20B is provided at the upper end of the case 20 and protrudes outward. The protrusion 20B comprises a forward protrusion 23A, a rearward protrusion 24A, and side protrusions 25A and 26A. The forward protrusion 23A is bent forward from the upper end of the front wall 23, protruding forward from the front wall 23. The rearward protrusion 24A is bent rearward from the upper end of the rear wall 24, protruding rearward from the rear wall 24. The side protrusion 25A is bent from the upper end of the side wall 25 to one side in the left-right direction (left side when viewed from the front), protruding from the side wall 25 to one side in the left-right direction (left side when viewed from the front). The lateral protrusion 26A is provided so as to bend from the upper end of the side wall 26 to the other side in the left-right direction (right side when viewed from the front), and protrudes from the side wall 26 to the other side in the left-right direction (right side when viewed from the front).

3. Details of the Exhaust Section The following description relates to details of the exhaust section 5 in the water heater 1.
The exhaust unit 5 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is a device that forms a path for introducing the combustion exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 into the interior and discharging it outdoors. The exhaust unit 5 is fixed to the upper end of the heat exchanger 4 and is disposed above the heat exchanger 4. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the exhaust unit 5 mainly includes a case 30, a partition 50, and a packing 70.

The case 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a metal case made of, for example, a metal material. The case 30 is fixed to the upper end of the heat exchanger 4 and is positioned above the heat exchanger 4 so as to cover it. The case 30 includes an outer wall portion 32 and a fixing portion 34. The outer wall portion 32 includes a peripheral wall portion 35 that surrounds the front, rear, left, and right sides of the space into which combustion exhaust gas is released from the heat exchanger 4, and an upper wall portion 37 that is continuous with the upper side of the peripheral wall portion 35. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral wall portion 35 includes a front wall portion 35A, a rear wall portion 35B, and side wall portions 35C and 35D, which are integrally connected to surround the front, rear, left, and right sides of the space within the case 30. The front wall portion 35A, the rear wall portion 35B, and the side wall portions 35C and 35D are all arranged to rise upward from the annular fixing portion 34, and the upper wall portion 37 is connected to the upper end of each. The fixing portion 34 projects outward (specifically, on both the front and rear sides and the left and right sides) from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 35 in an annular shape, forming a flange. As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing portion 34 is disposed on the protruding portion 20B of the heat exchanger 4 and is fixed to the protruding portion 20B with a gasket 70 sandwiched therebetween (see also FIG. 7). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the fixing portion 34 and the protruding portion 20B are fixed together by a crimping process in which a crimped portion 34Z provided on the fixing portion 34 is bent. Note that FIG. 4 shows the state in which the crimped portion 34Z is not bent, while FIG. 3 shows the fixed state after the crimped portion 34Z has been bent.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper wall portion 37 of the case 30 includes a first upper wall portion 37Z that covers the upper side of the first partition wall 51, and second upper wall portions 37A and 37B that are disposed on both the left and right sides of the first upper wall portion 37Z. Both the first upper wall portion 37Z and the second upper wall portions 37A and 37B are plate-shaped. The first upper wall portion 37Z is disposed with its plate thickness oriented vertically. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the first upper wall portion 37Z has an opening 39 that penetrates the first upper wall portion 37Z. An exhaust passage 100 is inserted through the opening 39. Specifically, a cylindrical portion 38 is provided that rises upward from the first upper wall portion 37Z, and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 38 forms the opening 39. As shown in FIG. 3 , the cylindrical portion 38 and the cylindrical body 106 fit together, and the exhaust passage 100 and the cylindrical portion 38 are in close contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second upper wall portion 37A is arranged to cover the upper side of the second partition wall 52A. The second upper wall portion 37A is arranged at an angle along the second partition wall 52A, and the lower surface of the second upper wall portion 37A is angled downward in the left-right direction as it moves away from the first upper wall portion 37Z. The second upper wall portion 37B is arranged to cover the upper side of the second partition wall 52B. The second upper wall portion 37B is arranged at an angle along the second partition wall 52B, and the lower surface of the second upper wall portion 37B is angled downward in the left-right direction as it moves away from the first upper wall portion 37Z.

The case 30 configured in this manner is positioned entirely above the heat exchanger 4, and defines a space within itself through which the combustion exhaust gas passes. In the case 30, an opening provided at the lower end of the outer wall portion 32 is the inlet 42, which serves as an inlet through which the combustion exhaust gas flows in after passing through the heat exchanger 4. The inlet 42 is connected to the opening 20A of the heat exchanger 4, so that gas discharged upward from the heat exchanger 4 through the opening 20A flows into the case 30 (specifically, into the outer wall portion 32) through the inlet 42.

The exhaust path 100 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is a component for discharging the combustion exhaust gas that has entered the case 30 to the outside of the case 30, and is a path for releasing the combustion exhaust gas to the outside of the water heater 1. As shown in Figure 5, the exhaust path 100 includes an inlet 102 located within the outer wall portion 32, and an outlet 104 located on the outside and above the outer wall portion 32. The exhaust path 100 is configured as a flow path for flowing the combustion exhaust gas from the inlet 102 to the outlet 104, spanning the inside and outside of the outer wall portion 32.

As shown in Figure 4, the exhaust passage 100 includes a cylindrical body 106. A flow path for flowing the combustion exhaust gas is formed inside the cylindrical body 106. The inner wall of the cylindrical body 106 functions as the flow path. In the example of Figures 3 and 4, the cylindrical body 106 is cylindrical. The cylindrical body 106 has multiple cylindrical sections 106A, 106B, and 106C that are configured as cylinders centered on a predetermined central axis. The central axis is, for example, an axis in the vertical direction. The inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical sections 106A, 106B, and 106C are cylindrical surfaces centered on the central axis. The multiple cylindrical sections 106A, 106B, and 106C are integrally configured in a form that is connected vertically.

As shown in Figure 5, the inlet 102 is an opening provided at the lower end of the cylindrical body 106. The inlet 102 is an entrance for introducing gas present in the space outside the cylindrical body 106 within the outer wall portion 32 into the cylindrical body 106. The outlet 104 is an opening provided at the upper end of the cylindrical body 106. The outlet 104 is an exit for discharging gas within the cylindrical body 106 to the outside of the water heater 1. The cylindrical body 106 is configured so that at least a portion of its upper end is exposed to the outside of the housing 2 (Figure 1). Specifically, the outlet 104 and the area around the outlet 104 are exposed to the space outside the water heater 1. Due to this configuration, the combustion exhaust gas flowing upward through the cylindrical body 106 is discharged to the outside of the water heater 1 from the outlet 104.

The backwind suppression mechanism 90 shown in Figure 5 is a mechanism that suppresses the reverse flow of gas in the cylindrical body 106 toward the housing 2 (specifically, the flow of gas from the exhaust port 104 side toward the inlet port 102 side). The backwind suppression mechanism 90 is provided inside the cylindrical body 106. The backwind suppression mechanism 90 mainly comprises an attachment member 110 and a flap 120. The attachment member 110 is a member that is attached inside the cylindrical body 106. The attachment member 110 supports the flap 120 so that it can rotate freely. The flap 120 is configured as a plate overall, and is displaceable between a closed position that closes a predetermined position inside the cylindrical body 106, and an open position that opens the predetermined position to a greater degree than when in the closed position. When gas flows from the exhaust port 104 side to the inlet port 102 side, the flap 120 displaces to the closed position, and when gas flows from the inlet port 102 side to the exhaust port 104 side, the flap 120 displaces to the open position (see Figure 5).

As shown in Figure 5, the partition 50 is a section that separates the space within the outer wall 32 into upper and lower sections. The partition 50 includes a plate-shaped partition wall 50A that separates the space within the outer wall 32. The partition wall 50A is provided with a plurality of through holes 58 and openings 54 that have a larger opening area than each of the through holes 58 (see also Figures 4 and 6). In the configuration of Figure 5, the area above the partition wall 50A in the space within the outer wall 32 is blocked by the outer wall 32 and the exhaust path 100.

As shown in Figure 5, the partition wall 50A has a plate-shaped portion 60 with one plate surface 60A (upper surface) facing upward and the other plate surface (lower surface) facing downward. The plate-shaped portion 60 includes a plate-shaped portion that constitutes the first partition wall 51 and a plate-shaped portion that constitutes each of the second partition walls 52A and 52B. Each through-hole 58 penetrates the plate-shaped portion 60 between one plate surface 60A and the other plate surface (lower surface).

The partition 50 has a tubular portion 56 that continues upward or downward from the partition wall 50A. The tubular portion 56 is configured as a cylinder. The central axis of the cylinder of the tubular portion 56 coincides with the central axis of the cylinder of the tubular body 106. The inner wall of the tubular portion 56 is configured as an opening 54. The tubular portion 56 rises upward from the partition wall 50A and continues to the partition wall 50A. As shown in Figure 5, the tubular portion 56 and the tubular body 106 are fitted together so that the tubular portion 56 fits into the tubular portion 56 from the outside, and the exhaust path 100 is fixed to the partition 50. The lower end of the tubular body 106 is located above the lower end of the opening 54. With this configuration, the opening 54 and the exhaust path 100 are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening 54 flows through the flow path within the exhaust path 100.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the partition wall 50A comprises a first partition wall 51 and a pair of second partition walls 52A, 52B arranged on both left and right sides of the first partition wall 51. One left-right end of each of the second partition walls 52A, 52B is connected to the first partition wall 51. The lower surfaces of each of the second partition walls 52A, 52B are arranged so that they become lower as they move away from the first partition wall 51 in the left-right direction. The second partition wall 52A arranged on one left-right side is inclined so that one left-right side descends (specifically, a left-downward configuration) so that they become lower as they move toward one left-right side (as they move away from the first partition wall 51). The second partition wall 52B arranged on the other left-right side is inclined so that the other left-right side descends (specifically, a right-downward configuration) so that they become lower as they move toward the other left-right side (as they move away from the first partition wall 51).

In such a partition wall 50A, at least each of the second partition walls 52A and 52B has a through hole 58. In the example shown in Figures 4 to 6, the first partition wall 51 and the second partition walls 52A and 52B each have a through hole 58. Specifically, multiple rows (specifically, three rows) of through holes 58 aligned in the left-right direction are provided across the second partition wall 52A and the first partition wall 51. In each row of through holes 58, the through holes 58 are arranged at equal intervals. Similarly, multiple rows (specifically, three rows) of through holes 58 aligned in the left-right direction are provided across the second partition wall 52B and the first partition wall 51. In each row of through holes 58, the through holes 58 are arranged at equal intervals.

5 , the water heater 1 is configured such that a partition wall 50A having a plurality of through holes 58 divides the space within the outer wall portion 32, and the upper region of the partition wall 50A is blocked by the outer wall portion 32 and the exhaust path 100, while the lower region of the partition wall 50A is connected to the exhaust path 100. In other words, the upper region of the partition wall 50A is configured to prevent gas that has flowed into the interior from escaping outside the upper region except through the through holes 58, and the lower region of the partition wall 50A is configured so that exhaust gas flows into the exhaust path 100 via a route separate from the plurality of through holes 58. With this structure, the plurality of through holes 58 are less likely to obstruct the exhaust of combustion exhaust gas from the exhaust path 100, and the combustion exhaust gas is more likely to be discharged more smoothly through the exhaust path 100. In particular, in the water heater 1, the gas storage section is configured above the partition wall 50A so as to be blocked by the outer wall portion 32 and the exhaust path 100, and the upper region of the plurality of through holes 58 is configured as a non-communicating structure separated from the downstream region of the opening 54, so that a state in which gas flowing upward through the plurality of through holes 58 flows directly into the exhaust path 100 is unlikely to occur, and a state in which gas flows in and out without a large flow near each through hole 58 is likely to occur. In such a configuration, even if there is a structure in which "resonance vibration" is a concern in the path that discharges the combustion exhaust gas from the heat exchanger 4 via the exhaust path 100, the flow of gas in and out through each through hole 58 is likely to affect the establishment of "resonance vibration," and resonant vibration is likely to be suppressed.

In a water heater 1 configured in this manner, when gas flows into the upper region of the through hole 58 through the through hole 58, the internal pressure in the upper region, particularly the internal pressure near the through hole 58, increases. When this internal pressure becomes higher than the inflow pressure of the gas, the gas near the through hole 58 in the upper region overcomes the inflow pressure and is pushed back to the lower region of the through hole 58. When the gas is pushed back to the lower region of the through hole 58, the internal pressure near the through hole 58 in the upper region decreases, and when this internal pressure becomes lower than the inflow pressure, some of the gas flowing in the lower region of the through hole 58 overcomes the internal pressure and flows into the upper region through the through hole 58. In this way, repeated gas flow through the through holes 58 produces a spring-like effect (a sudden increase in internal pressure in the lower region is absorbed and reduced by the upper region, and then the internal pressure in the lower region is increased again by returning the gas from the upper region to the lower region, thereby suppressing a sudden increase or decrease in internal pressure in the lower region), thereby damping gas pressure fluctuations within the exhaust section 5 and suppressing resonant vibration within the exhaust section 5. Furthermore, in the partition wall 50A, the multiple through holes 58 are dispersed over a wide range, extending from one lateral end to the other lateral end of the space within the outer wall section 32, and also from the front end to the rear end of the space within the outer wall section 32. This makes it easy to achieve the suppression effect over a wide range within the space within the outer wall section 32.

When the upper end of the heat exchanger 4 is taken as the reference position, it is desirable that the height of the first partition wall 51 from this upper end be 30% or more of the maximum height (height of the highest part) of the outer wall portion 32. If it is lower than this, exhaust resistance is likely to increase, but if it is within the above range, it is easy to suppress the increase in exhaust resistance. On the other hand, when the upper end of the heat exchanger 4 is taken as the reference position, it is desirable that the height of the first partition wall 51 from this upper end be 70% or less of the maximum height (height of the highest part) of the outer wall portion 32. If it is higher than this, there is a concern that the resonant frequency f' will differ significantly from the frequency to be attenuated, reducing the effect of suppressing resonant vibration; however, if it is within the above range, this problem can be suppressed.

The area of the opening region at the lower end of each of the multiple through holes 58 is smaller than the area of the opening region at the lower end of the opening 45. The opening region at the lower end of each of the multiple through holes 58 is the area inside the inner periphery of the lower end of the through hole 58. The opening region at the lower end of the opening 45 is the area inside the inner periphery of the lower end of the opening 45. The area of the opening region at the lower end of each of the multiple through holes 58 is preferably 30% or less of the area of the opening region at the lower end of the opening 45, more preferably 10% or less, and particularly preferably 5% or less. However, the area of the opening region at the lower end of each of the multiple through holes 58 is preferably 0.05% or more of the area of the opening region at the lower end of the opening 45, more preferably 0.1% or more. The sum of the areas of the opening regions at the lower ends of each of the multiple through holes 58 is preferably smaller than the area of the opening region at the lower end of the opening 45. It is desirable that each through-hole 58 be sized so that a flow from the bottom to the top and a flow from the top to the bottom do not occur simultaneously within a single through-hole 58.

In the water heater 1, the partition wall 50A has a plate-shaped portion 60 with one plate surface 60A facing upward and the other plate surface facing downward. Each through-hole 58 penetrates the plate-shaped portion 60 between one plate surface 60A and the other plate surface. This water heater 1 makes it easier to create a partition wall 50A that is more likely to suppress vibration.

The water heater 1 is configured so that the cylindrical portion 56, which is continuous with the partition wall 50A, fits into the cylindrical body 106 that constitutes the exhaust path 100. This allows the combustion exhaust to flow more smoothly into the exhaust path 100 near the connection between the partition portion 50 and the exhaust path 100.

In addition to the water heater 1 having a configuration in which the cylindrical body 106 and the cylindrical portion 56 fit together, the lower end of the cylindrical body 106 is positioned higher than the lower end of the opening 54, allowing the combustion exhaust gas entering the opening 54 to flow more smoothly into the cylindrical body 106. This further reduces exhaust resistance.

The water heater 1 achieves the above-mentioned functions of the partition wall 50A, while the pair of second partition walls 52A, 52B can guide the combustion exhaust toward the first partition wall 51 (i.e., the inlet 102 side of the exhaust path 100). Therefore, this water heater 1 can discharge the combustion exhaust even more smoothly.

In the water heater 1, the pair of second partition walls 52A, 52B can serve both to direct combustion exhaust toward the first partition wall 51 and to suppress vibrations. Furthermore, the first partition wall 51 can also be given the function of suppressing vibrations.

<Other Embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, any combination of features of the above-described or following embodiments is possible within a range that does not contradict. Furthermore, any feature of the above-described or following embodiments may be omitted unless explicitly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be modified as follows.

In the embodiment described above, the entire outer wall portion 32 is positioned above the heat exchanger 4, but only a portion of the outer wall portion may be positioned above the heat exchanger 4, with the other portion not being positioned above the heat exchanger 4.

In the embodiment described above, the lower end of the exhaust path 100 is fixed to the partition wall 50A, and the lower end of the exhaust path 100 is positioned above the lower end of the opening 54. However, the exhaust path 100 may also be inserted through the opening 54 so that the lower end of the exhaust path 100 is positioned below the lower end of the opening 54.

In the embodiment described above, the tube 106 is configured in a cylindrical shape, but the tube may be any shape as long as it is cylindrical, and may be, for example, a rectangular tube.

In the embodiment described above, the first partition wall 51 and the second partition walls 52A and 52B both have through holes 58, but the first partition wall 51 does not necessarily have to have a through hole 58.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims.

1: Water heater 2: Housing 3: Combustion device 4: Heat exchanger 5: Exhaust section 32: Outer wall section 38: Cylindrical section 39: Opening 42: Inlet port 50A: Partition wall 51: First partition wall 52A: Second partition wall 52B: Second partition wall 54: Opening 56: Cylindrical section 58: Through hole 60: Plate-shaped section 60A: Plate surface 100: Exhaust path 102: Inlet port 104: Outlet port 106: Cylinder

Claims (6)

a combustion device for burning gas;
a heat exchanger to which combustion exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion device is supplied;
an exhaust section that is a path for discharging the combustion exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger to the outdoors;
A water heater having
The exhaust section is
an outer wall portion having an inlet through which the combustion exhaust gas flows, at least a portion of which is disposed above the heat exchanger, and defining a space within which the combustion exhaust gas passes;
an exhaust passage including an inlet disposed within the outer wall portion and an outlet disposed outside and above the outer wall portion, the exhaust passage having a flow path for flowing the combustion exhaust gas from the inlet to the outlet so as to span the inside and outside of the outer wall portion;
a partition section including a plate-shaped partition wall that divides a space within the outer wall section;
and
The partition wall is provided with a plurality of through holes and openings each having an opening area larger than that of each of the through holes,
The opening and the exhaust path are continuous so that the combustion exhaust passing through the opening flows through the flow path,
an upper region of the partition wall in the space within the outer wall portion is blocked by the outer wall portion and the exhaust path, and upper regions of the plurality of through holes are separated from a downstream region of the opening portion, forming a non-communicating structure ;
the partition wall includes a first partition wall and a pair of second partition walls respectively disposed on both left and right sides of the first partition wall,
Each of the second partition walls has one end in the left-right direction connected to the first partition wall,
The lower surface of each of the second partition walls is disposed so as to be lower as it becomes farther from the first partition wall in the left-right direction.
Water heater. the partition wall has a plate-shaped portion with one plate surface facing upward and the other plate surface facing downward,
The water heater according to claim 1 , wherein each of the through holes penetrates the plate-shaped portion between the one plate surface and the other plate surface. the partition wall has a cylindrical portion that is continuous with the partition wall so as to extend upward or downward from the partition wall, and an inner wall portion of the cylindrical portion is configured as the opening,
the exhaust path has a cylindrical body, and an inner circumferential portion of the cylindrical body is configured as the flow path,
The water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exhaust passage is fixed to the partition portion so that the cylindrical body and the cylindrical portion fit together. the cylindrical portion is continuous with the partition wall and rises upward from the partition wall,
The water heater according to claim 3 , wherein a lower end of the cylindrical body is positioned higher than a lower end of the opening. At least each of the second partition walls is provided with the through-hole.
The water heater according to claim 1 or 2 . The through-hole is provided in both the first partition wall and the second partition wall.
The water heater according to claim 1 or 2 .