Exhaust structure for combustion apparatus and construction method thereof

Abstract

An exhaust tube includes one end portion and the other end portion and is connected at one end portion to a combustion apparatus, of which inside is defined as an exhaust passage for combustion gas. An exhaust pipe has an outer diameter greater than that of exhaust tube, into which a part of exhaust tube on a side of the other end portion is introduced. An exhaust adapter is attached between an outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube and an inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe. On the side close to the other end portion in exhaust tube relative to exhaust adapter, an exhaust passage hole 1a is provided separately from an opening in the other end portion of exhaust tube. Exhaust passage hole has an opening area greater than a cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage and is in communication with the exhaust passage.

Claims

1. An exhaust structure for a combustion apparatus, comprising: an exhaust tube including one end portion and the other end portion and connected at said one end portion to said combustion apparatus, of which inside is defined as an exhaust passage for combustion gas; an exhaust pipe having an outer diameter greater than that of said exhaust tube, the exhaust tube penetrating the exhaust pipe, and the other end portion of the exhaust tube protruding from the exhaust pipe; and an exhaust adapter attached between an outer circumferential surface of said exhaust tube and an inner circumferential surface of said exhaust pipe, an exhaust passage hole being provided on a side closer to said other end portion in said exhaust tube relative to said exhaust adapter, the exhaust passage hole being provided separately from an opening in said other end portion of said exhaust tube, and having an opening area greater than a cross-sectional area of said exhaust passage, and being in communication with said exhaust passage.

2. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust passage hole is a through hole portion provided in said exhaust tube.

3. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said through hole portion includes a plurality of through holes provided in said exhaust tube so as to be spaced apart from each other.

4. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust passage hole is a hole of a cut portion in said exhaust tube, the cut portion being formed from said outer circumferential surface to an inner circumferential surface, and the cut portion is configured to open to form the hole when said exhaust tube is compressed.

5. An exhaust structure for a combustion apparatus, comprising: an exhaust tube including one end portion and the other end portion and connected at said one end portion to said combustion apparatus, of which inside is defined as an exhaust passage for combustion gas; an exhaust pipe having an outer diameter greater than that of said exhaust tube, into which a part of said exhaust tube on a side of said other end portion is introduced; and an exhaust adapter attached between an outer circumferential surface of said exhaust tube and an inner circumferential surface of said exhaust pipe, an exhaust passage hole being provided on a side closer to said other end portion in said exhaust tube relative to said exhaust adapter, the exhaust passage hole being provided separately from an opening in said other end portion of said exhaust tube, and having an opening area greater than a cross-sectional area of said exhaust passage, and being in communication with said exhaust passage, the exhaust structure further comprising a member attached to said other end portion of said exhaust tube, wherein said exhaust passage hole is provided in said member.

6. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said member includes an exhaust tube support portion supported by said exhaust tube, and a frame portion formed in a shape of an arch-shaped plate and supported by said exhaust tube support portion, and said exhaust passage hole is surrounded by said frame portion and said exhaust tube support portion.

7. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said member has an exhaust tube support portion supported by said exhaust tube, and a protruding portion protruding from said exhaust tube support portion to a side opposite to said exhaust tube, and said exhaust passage hole is provided in said protruding portion.

8. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said protruding portion includes a reduced diameter portion, a flange portion extending radially outward from said reduced diameter portion, and a curved portion curved in a convex shape toward a side opposite to said reduced diameter portion relative to said flange portion, and said exhaust passage hole is provided in one or more selected from a group consisting of said reduced diameter portion, said flange portion and said curved portion.

9. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said exhaust passage hole is provided at a position where said exhaust passage hole cannot be seen when said protruding portion is viewed from a side of said protruding portion toward a side of said exhaust tube support portion.

10. The exhaust structure for the combustion apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said protruding portion includes a cylindrical portion extending from said exhaust tube support portion and a tip end portion formed at a tip end of said cylindrical portion, and said exhaust passage hole is provided in at least one of said cylindrical portion and said tip end portion.

11. A method of constructing an exhaust structure for a combustion apparatus, by which an exhaust tube is inserted into an exhaust pipe extending from inside to outside of a building, an exhaust terminal being provided at a tip end portion of said exhaust pipe on the outside, said method comprising the steps of: providing an exhaust passage hole in said exhaust tube having one end portion and the other end portion so as to be located on a side of said other end portion separately from an opening in said other end portion of said exhaust tube, said exhaust passage hole having an opening area greater than a cross-sectional area of an exhaust passage and being in communication with an inner passage of said exhaust tube; inserting said exhaust tube into said exhaust pipe until a part of said exhaust tube on the side of said other end portion provided with said exhaust passage hole comes into contact with a ceiling wall of said exhaust terminal; and connecting said one end portion of said exhaust tube to said combustion apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the state where an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention is placed in a building.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a region III in FIG. 1 schematically showing the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of a water heater included as an example of a combustion apparatus in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view schematically showing the configuration of the water heater shown in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the first step of the construction method of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the second step of the construction method of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the first example of a space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the first example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to an exhaust tube.

(15) FIG. 15 is a bottom view schematically showing the configuration of the first example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the second example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to the exhaust tube.

(17) FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the third example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to the exhaust tube.

(18) FIG. 18 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the fourth example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention.

(19) FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the fourth example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to the exhaust tube.

(20) FIG. 20 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the fourth example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention.

(21) FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(22) FIG. 22 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the first example of a space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(23) FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the first example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the exhaust tube.

(24) FIG. 24 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the second example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(25) FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the second example of the space formation member included in the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the exhaust tube.

(26) FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

(27) FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

(28) FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where a cut portion used for a tube-diameter reducing process is formed in the other end portion of the exhaust tube.

(29) FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state where the other end portion of the exhaust tube is subjected to the tube-diameter reducing process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(30) The embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

(31) An exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the present embodiment will be first described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

(32) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment mainly has an exhaust adapter 3, an exhaust tube 20, an exhaust pipe 30, an exhaust terminal 40, and a combustion apparatus 50. This exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 serves to emit combustion gas produced in combustion apparatus 50 to the outside of a building 200.

(33) Combustion apparatus 50 is placed inside building 200. This combustion apparatus 50 serves as a water heater that heats water, for example, with combustion gas, and may be a heating apparatus or the like that warms up the inside of the building with combustion gas. Furthermore, in the case where a water heater is used as combustion apparatus 50, this water heater may be, for example, a water heater of a latent heat recovery type adapted to an exhaust suction and combustion system.

(34) Exhaust tube 20 includes one end portion 20a and the other end portion 20b. One end portion 20a of exhaust tube 20 is connected to combustion apparatus 50 and the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 extends to the outside of the building. The inside of exhaust tube 20 is defined as an exhaust path for the combustion gas exhausted from combustion apparatus 50. Thus, the combustion gas produced in combustion apparatus 50 can be guided to the outside through exhaust tube 20. Although exhaust tube 20 is implemented as a flexible pipe such as an accordion pipe, it may be a spiral pipe.

(35) Exhaust pipe 30 is attached to building 200 so as to extend from the inside to the outside, for example, through a roof 110 of building 200. Exhaust pipe 30 may extend from the inside to the outside through a wall. Exhaust pipe 30 has an outer diameter greater than that of exhaust tube 20. Into this exhaust pipe 30, a part of exhaust tube 20 on the other end portion 20b side is introduced.

(36) Exhaust terminal 40 is attached to a tip end of exhaust pipe 30 on the outside of the building. This exhaust terminal 40 has a ceiling wall 40b, a bottom wall 40c, a circumferential wall 40d, and a connection pipe portion 40e (FIG. 3). Ceiling wall 40b is attached to an upper end of circumferential wall 40d, and bottom wall 40c is attached to a lower end of circumferential wall 40d. Connection pipe portion 40e is formed in a cylindrical shape and attached to bottom wall 40c so as to penetrate bottom wall 40c. In circumferential wall 40d, an exhaust port 40a for exhausting the combustion gas to the outside (to the outside of the building) is formed. This exhaust port 40a allows the combustion gas guided through exhaust tube 20 to be exhausted from exhaust terminal 40 to the outside of building 200 through exhaust pipe 30.

(37) Connection pipe portion 40e of exhaust terminal 40 is connected to exhaust pipe 30. This connection pipe portion 40e may be an outer cover attached on an outer circumferential side of exhaust pipe 30 or an inner cover attached on an inner circumferential side of exhaust pipe 30. Exhaust terminal 40 is made, for example, of such a material as aluminum or stainless steel.

(38) Exhaust adapter 3 serves to fix exhaust tube 20 to exhaust pipe 30. This exhaust adapter 3 is fitted to an outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20 and fitted to an inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30. Exhaust adapter 3 has an inner circumferential surface pressing the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20 while it is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20, and has an outer circumferential surface pressing the inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30 while it is fitted to the inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30.

(39) Thus, the inner circumferential surface of exhaust adapter 3 is in intimate contact with the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20 while the outer circumferential surface of exhaust adapter 3 is in intimate contact with the inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30. Therefore, exhaust tube 20 can firmly be fixed to exhaust pipe 30 with exhaust adapter 3, and exhaust adapter 3 can prevent leakage of the combustion gas or drainage water from between exhaust tube 20 and exhaust pipe 30 and hence backflow thereof into the inside of building.

(40) Exhaust tube 20 has an exhaust passage hole 1a on the side close to the other end portion 20b relative to the position at which exhaust adapter 3 is attached to exhaust tube 20. This exhaust passage hole 1a is provided separately from an opening 20b1 provided in the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20, has an opening area greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage inside exhaust tube 20, and is in communication with the exhaust passage. In this case, the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage of exhaust tube 20 means an area of the internal space of exhaust tube 20 in the state where exhaust tube 20 is vertically cut in the direction in which exhaust tube 20 extends.

(41) Exhaust passage hole 1a is, for example, a through hole portion 1a formed in the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20. This through hole portion 1a includes a plurality of through holes 1a1 that are provided at a distance from each other in the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20. A plurality of (for example, eight) through holes 1a1 are arranged along the circumferential direction of exhaust tube 20 while a plurality of (for example, three) through holes 1a1 are arranged along the direction in which exhaust tube 20 extends. The plurality of through holes 1a1 may be arranged at regular intervals (every 45) along the circumferential direction of exhaust tube 20 or may be arranged at regular intervals along the direction in which exhaust tube 20 extends. The total sum of the opening areas of the plurality of through holes 1a1 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage inside exhaust tube 20.

(42) It is to be noted that the number of through holes 1a1 arranged in the circumferential direction and in the direction in which exhaust tube 20 extend is not limited to the above. Although each of the plurality of through holes 1a1 is implemented as a through hole in a shape, for example, of a circle (a perfect circle, an oval shape, or an elliptical shape), the shape is not limited as such and the through hole may be implemented as a through hole in a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape and a rectangular shape, or a through hole in any shape.

(43) Exhaust tube 20 is provided with a drainage water recovering hole 2 at the height level between exhaust adapter 3 and an upper end 30a of exhaust pipe 30. The drainage water accumulated in a space above exhaust adapter 3 and between the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20 and the inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30 can be recovered in exhaust tube 20 through this drainage water recovering hole 2. The number of drainage water recovering holes 2 provided in exhaust tube 20 may be more than one. For example, three drainage water recovering holes 2 may be arranged at regular intervals (every 120) in the circumferential direction of exhaust tube 20.

(44) Combustion apparatus 50 used in exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 set forth above may be a water heater of a latent heat recovery type, for example, adapted to an exhaust suction and combustion system, as described above. The configuration of water heater 50 of the latent heat recovery type adapted to the exhaust suction and combustion system will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

(45) Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, water heater 50 mainly has a burner 51, a primary heat exchanger 52, a secondary heat exchanger 53, an exhaust box 54, a fan 55, a connection pipe 56, a drainage water tank 57, a housing 58, and pipes 61 to 66.

(46) Burner 51 serves to produce a combustion gas by burning a fuel gas. A gas supply pipe 62 is connected to burner 51. This gas supply pipe 62 serves to supply a fuel gas to burner 51. A gas valve (not shown) implemented, for example, by an electromagnetic valve is attached to this gas supply pipe 62.

(47) A spark plug 51a is arranged above burner 51. This spark plug 51a serves to ignite an air fuel mixture injected from burner 51 to thereby produce a flame, by generating sparks between the plug and a target (not shown) provided in burner 51 by activating an ignition device (an igniter). Burner 51 generates a quantity of heat by burning a fuel gas supplied from gas supply pipe 62 (which is called a combustion operation).

(48) Primary heat exchanger 52 is a heat exchanger of a sensible heat recovery type. This primary heat exchanger 52 mainly has a plurality of plate-shaped fins 52b, a heat conduction pipe 52a penetrating the plurality of plate-shaped fins 52b, and a case 52c accommodating fins 52b and heat conduction pipe 52a. Primary heat exchanger 52 exchanges heat with the combustion gas generated by burner 51, and specifically, it serves to heat water which flows through heat conduction pipe 52a of primary heat exchanger 52 with the quantity of heat generated as a result of the combustion operation of burner 51.

(49) Secondary heat exchanger 53 is a heat exchanger of a latent heat recovery type. This secondary heat exchanger 53 is located downstream of primary heat exchanger 52 in a flow of the combustion gas and connected in series with primary heat exchanger 52. Since water heater 50 according to the present embodiment thus has secondary heat exchanger 53 of a latent heat recovery type, it is water heater 50 of the latent heat recovery type.

(50) Secondary heat exchanger 53 mainly has a drainage water discharge port 53a, a heat conduction pipe 53b, a sidewall 53c, a bottom wall 53d, and an upper wall 53g. Heat conduction pipe 53b is layered as it is spirally wound. Sidewall 53c, bottom wall 53d, and upper wall 53g are arranged to surround heat conduction pipe 53b.

(51) In secondary heat exchanger 53, water which flows through heat conduction pipe 53b is pre-heated (heated) through heat exchange with the combustion gas of which heat has been exchanged in primary heat exchanger 52. As a temperature of the combustion gas is lowered to approximately 60 C. through this process, moisture contained in the combustion gas is condensed so that latent heat can be obtained. In addition, latent heat is recovered in secondary heat exchanger 53 and moisture contained in the combustion gas is condensed, whereby drainage water is produced.

(52) Bottom wall 53d serves as a partition between primary heat exchanger 52 and secondary heat exchanger 53, and it also serves as an upper wall of primary heat exchanger 52. This bottom wall 53d is provided with an opening portion 53e, and this opening portion 53e allows communication between a space where heat conduction pipe 52a of primary heat exchanger 52 is arranged and a space where heat conduction pipe 53b of secondary heat exchanger 53 is arranged. As shown with hollow arrows in FIG. 5, the combustion gas can flow from primary heat exchanger 52 to secondary heat exchanger 53 through opening portion 53e. In this embodiment, although one common component is employed for bottom wall 53d of secondary heat exchanger 53 and the upper wall of primary heat exchanger 52 for the sake of simplification, an exhaust collection and guide member may be connected between primary heat exchanger 52 and secondary heat exchanger 53.

(53) Upper wall 53g is provided with an opening portion 53h, and this opening portion 53h allows communication between the space where heat conduction pipe 53b of secondary heat exchanger 53 is arranged and an internal space in exhaust box 54. As shown with hollow arrows in FIG. 5, the combustion gas can flow from secondary heat exchanger 53 into the internal space in exhaust box 54 through opening portion 53h.

(54) Drainage water discharge port 53a is provided in sidewall 53c or bottom wall 53d. This drainage water discharge port 53a opens at the lowest position in the space surrounded by side wall 53c, bottom wall 53d and upper wall 53g (at the lowermost position in the vertical direction in the state of placement of the water heater), which is lower than the lowermost portion of heat conduction pipe 53b. Thus, drainage water produced in secondary heat exchanger 53 can be guided to drainage water discharge port 53a along bottom wall 53d and sidewall 53c as shown with a black arrow in FIG. 5.

(55) Exhaust box 54 forms a path for a flow of the combustion gas between secondary heat exchanger 53 and fan 55. This exhaust box 54 can guide the combustion gas of which heat has been exchanged in secondary heat exchanger 53 to fan 55. Exhaust box 54 is attached to secondary heat exchanger 53 and located downstream of secondary heat exchanger 53 in the flow of the combustion gas.

(56) Exhaust box 54 mainly has a box main body 54a and a fan connection portion 54b. An internal space in box main body 54a communicates through opening portion 53h in secondary heat exchanger 53 with the internal space where heat conduction pipe 53b of secondary heat exchanger 53 is arranged. Fan connection portion 54b is provided so as to protrude from an upper portion of box main body 54a. This fan connection portion 54b has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and an internal space 54ba thereof communicates with the internal space in box main body 54a.

(57) Fan 55 serves to emit the combustion gas (of which heat has been exchanged in secondary heat exchanger 53) which has passed through secondary heat exchanger 53 to the outside of water heater 50 by suctioning the combustion gas. This fan 55 is located downstream of exhaust box 54 and secondary heat exchanger 53 in the flow of the combustion gas. Namely, in water heater 50, burner 51, primary heat exchanger 52, secondary heat exchanger 53, exhaust box 54, and fan 55 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the flow of the combustion gas produced in burner 51. Since the combustion gas is suctioned and exhausted by means of fan 55 as above in this arrangement, water heater 50 in the present embodiment is a water heater adapted to an exhaust suction and combustion system.

(58) Fan 55 mainly has an impeller 55a, a fan case 55b, a drive source 55c, and a rotation shaft 55d. Fan case 55b is attached to fan connection portion 54b of exhaust box 54 such that an internal space in fan case 55b and the internal space in fan connection portion 54b communicate with each other. Thus, as shown with hollow arrows in FIG. 5, the combustion gas can be suctioned from box main body 54a of exhaust box 54 through fan connection portion 54b into fan case 55b.

(59) Impeller 55a is arranged in fan case 55b. This impeller 55a is connected to drive source 55c with rotation shaft 55d interposed therebetween. Thus, impeller 55a is provided with drive force from drive source 55c and can rotate around rotation shaft 55d. With rotation of impeller 55a, the combustion gas in exhaust box 54 can be suctioned from the inner circumferential side of impeller 55a and can be emitted toward the outer circumferential side of impeller 55a.

(60) Connection pipe 56 is connected to a region within fan case 55b, on the outer circumferential side of a region where impeller 55a is arranged. Therefore, the combustion gas emitted to the outer circumferential side of impeller 55a by impeller 55a of fan 55 can be emitted into exhaust tube 20 through connection pipe 56.

(61) The combustion gas produced by burner 51 as above is suctioned by fan 55 with rotation of impeller 55a above, so that the combustion gas can reach fan 55 after passage through primary heat exchanger 52, secondary heat exchanger 53, and exhaust box 54 in this order as shown with the hollow arrows in the figure and can be exhausted to the outside of water heater 50.

(62) Drainage water tank 57 serves to store drainage water produced in secondary heat exchanger 53. This drainage water tank 57 is connected to secondary heat exchanger 53 through pipe 61. Pipe 61 is connected to drainage water discharge port 53a of secondary heat exchanger 53. Thus, the drainage water produced in secondary heat exchanger 53 can be discharged to drainage water tank 57. Pipe 66 extending to the outside of water heater 50 is connected to drainage water tank 57. The drainage water stored in drainage water tank 57 can be discharged to the outside of water heater 50 through this pipe 66.

(63) This drainage water tank 57 has a water seal structure. Namely, drainage water tank 57 has such a structure that, as a prescribed amount of drainage water is stored in drainage water tank 57, the stored drainage water cannot allow air to pass through drainage water tank 57. With such a water seal structure of drainage water tank 57, entry of air outside water heater 50 (outside air) into water heater 50 (secondary heat exchanger 53) through drainage water tank 57 via pipe 66 can be prevented.

(64) Water supply pipe 63 is connected to one end of heat conduction pipe 53b of secondary heat exchanger 53 and hot water delivery pipe 64 is connected to one end of heat conduction pipe 52a of primary heat exchanger 52. The other end of heat conduction pipe 52a of primary heat exchanger 52 and the other end of heat conduction pipe 53b of secondary heat exchanger 53 are connected to each other through connection pipe 65. Each of gas supply pipe 62, water supply pipe 63, and hot water delivery pipe 64 mentioned above leads to the outside, for example, in a top portion of water heater 50. Burner 51, primary heat exchanger 52, secondary heat exchanger 53, exhaust box 54, fan 55, drainage water tank 57, and the like are arranged in housing 58.

(65) Then, the method of constructing the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus according to the present embodiment will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 3.

(66) Referring to FIG. 6, exhaust pipe 30 is placed in a roof 110 of building 200 so as to extend from the inside of building 200 to the outside thereof. Exhaust terminal 40 is attached to a tip end portion (near an upper end 30a) of this exhaust pipe 30 on the outside of the building. In this state, a preparation for inserting exhaust tube 20 into exhaust pipe 30 is made. In preparation for this, through hole portion 1a, for example, consisting of a plurality of through holes 1a1 is provided as an exhaust passage hole on the other end portion 20b side of exhaust tube 20. As described above, through hole portion 1a is provided separately from opening 20b1 in the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20, and formed so as to have an opening area greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage inside exhaust tube 20 and so as to be in communication with the internal passage of exhaust tube 20. Furthermore, drainage water recovering hole 2 is provided on the side close to one end portion 20a of exhaust tube 20 relative to the plurality of through holes 1a1.

(67) Furthermore, on the side close to one end portion 20a in exhaust tube 20 relative to drainage water recovering hole 2, exhaust adapter 3 is fitted on the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20. Exhaust adapter 3 is fitted on the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20 such that the inner circumferential surface of exhaust adapter 3 presses the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20.

(68) Referring to FIG. 7, exhaust tube 20, which is provided with through hole portion 1a and drainage water recovering hole 2 described above and equipped with exhaust adapter 3, is inserted into exhaust pipe 30. In this insertion, exhaust adapter 3 is inserted into exhaust pipe 30 such that the outer circumferential surface of exhaust adapter 3 presses the inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30.

(69) Referring to FIG. 3, exhaust tube 20 is inserted into exhaust pipe 30 until the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 comes into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40. Then, when one end portion 20a of exhaust tube 20 is connected to the combustion apparatus (connection pipe 56 of water heater 50: FIG. 4), construction of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is completed.

(70) Then, the functions and effects of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

(71) According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, through hole portion 1a is provided as an exhaust passage hole on the side close to the other end portion 20b in exhaust tube 20 relative to exhaust adapter 3, and separately from opening 20b1 in the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20. Accordingly, even if the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 is blocked by ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40, combustion gas can be emitted to the outside of the building via through hole portion 1a as an exhaust passage hole.

(72) Furthermore, through hole portion 1a as an exhaust passage hole has an opening area greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage inside exhaust tube 20. Accordingly, exhaust resistance against the combustion gas is not caused by through hole portion 1a, so that combustion gas can be stably emitted to the outside of the building via through hole portion 1a.

(73) Furthermore, since exhaust passage hole 1a is formed by through hole portion 1a provided in the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20, combustion gas can be stably emitted to the outside of the building in such a simple configuration of providing through hole portion 1a. Furthermore, since through hole portion 1a includes a plurality of through holes 1a1 that are provided at a distance from each other in the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20, the strength of exhaust tube 20 required for insertion into exhaust pipe 30 can be readily ensured. Furthermore, by providing through hole portion 1a consisting of a plurality of separate through holes 1a1, emission of combustion gas from exhaust tube 20 can be readily controlled.

Second Embodiment

(74) Then, the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the second embodiment will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

(75) Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that exhaust tube 20 is not provided with a through hole portion, but instead, a space formation member 1 is attached to the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20. Space formation member 1 has an exhaust tube support portion 1b and a plate-shaped frame portion 1c. Exhaust tube support portion 1b is formed in an annular shape, and fitted on the outer circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20 and thereby supported by exhaust tube 20. Frame portion 1c extends above the region on the inner circumferential side in annular-shaped exhaust tube support portion 1b and is connected to one end portion and the other end portion of exhaust tube support portion 1b that are opposed to each other, thereby forming an arch shape.

(76) In the present embodiment, two frame portions 1c are connected to exhaust tube support portion 1b. Two frame portions 1c are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other in a plan view as shown in FIG. 10. The number of frame portions 1c is not limited to two, but may be one, or may be three or more.

(77) Exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in space formation member 1 and provided with a plurality of openings 1a1. Each of the plurality of openings 1a1 is provided so as to be surrounded by frame portion 1c and exhaust tube support portion 1b. As shown in FIG. 9, the opening area of each opening 1a1 is equal to an area of a plane that is surrounded by frame portion 1c and exhaust tube support portion 1b and curved along a dome shape formed by frame portion 1c (a plane with hatching lines in FIG. 9). The opening area of exhaust passage hole 1a is equal to the total sum of the opening areas of the plurality of openings 1a1.

(78) Referring to FIG. 11, exhaust tube 20 to which space formation member 1 is attached is inserted into exhaust pipe 30 until the arch-shaped top portion of frame portion 1c comes into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40.

(79) Since the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment other than those described above is almost the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

(80) In the present embodiment, space formation member 1 is provided separately from exhaust tube 20 and exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in this space formation member 1, thereby improving the flexibility of each of the shape and the arrangement position of exhaust passage hole 1a. Therefore, it becomes possible to achieve a structure that is more suitable for emission of combustion gas.

(81) Furthermore, since the space formation member includes a frame portion formed in the shape of an arch-shaped plate, the top portion of this arch can be brought into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40 as shown in FIG. 11 while combustion gas can be emitted through exhaust passage hole 1a between frame portion 1c and exhaust tube support portion 1b.

(82) Also, according to the present embodiment, the total sum of the opening areas of openings 1a1 included in exhaust passage hole 1a is greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage inside exhaust tube 20 as in the first embodiment. Accordingly, exhaust resistance against combustion gas is not caused by exhaust passage hole 1a consisting of the plurality of openings 1a1, so that combustion gas can be stably emitted to the outside of the building through the plurality of openings 1a1.

Third Embodiment

(83) Then, the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the third embodiment will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 20.

(84) Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that exhaust tube 20 is not provided with a through hole portion, but instead, space formation member 1 is attached to the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20. Space formation member 1 has an exhaust tube support portion 1d attached to exhaust tube 20 and a protruding portion 1e, 1f protruding from exhaust tube support portion 1d to the side opposite to exhaust tube 20. Exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in protruding portion 1e, 1f.

(85) Exhaust tube support portion 1d is provided at its end with an engaging portion 1d1 protruding to the outer circumferential side. By hooking this engaging portion 1d1 on the inner circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20, exhaust tube support portion 1d is supported by the inner circumferential surface of exhaust tube 20.

(86) Protruding portion 1e, 1f has a flange portion 1e and a curved portion 1f. Flange portion 1e is connected to exhaust tube support portion 1d and extends radially outward. Curved portion 1f is connected to the outer circumferential edge of flange portion 1e, and has a convex shape curved toward the side opposite to exhaust tube support portion 1d relative to flange portion 1e.

(87) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in flange portion 1e and has a plurality of openings 1a1. A plurality of (for example, four) openings 1a1 are arranged along the circumference of flange portion 1e as shown in FIG. 15. The opening area of exhaust passage hole 1a is equal to the total sum of the opening areas of the plurality of openings 1a1. Since exhaust passage hole 1a consisting of the plurality of openings 1a1 is provided in flange portion 1e, exhaust passage hole 1a is located at a position where exhaust passage hole 1a cannot be seen when curved portion 1f is viewed from the curved portion 1f side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 14.

(88) Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16 or 17, a reduced diameter portion 1g may be additionally provided between exhaust tube support portion 1d and flange portion 1e, and a plurality of openings 1a1 constituting exhaust passage hole 1a may be provided in reduced diameter portion 1g. Reduced diameter portion 1g shown in FIG. 16 is formed in an annular shape and has the same diameter as that of exhaust tube support portion 1d. Reduced diameter portion 1g shown in FIG. 17 is formed in an annular shape and has a diameter larger than that of exhaust tube support portion 1d. Accordingly, in space formation member 1 shown in FIG. 17, a first flange portion 1ea extending in the radial direction is provided between exhaust tube support portion 1d and reduced diameter portion 1g while a second flange portion 1eb extending in the radial direction is provided between reduced diameter portion 1g and curved portion 1f. In this configuration, the end face of the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 is brought into contact with first flange portion 1ea, so that exhaust passage hole 1a consisting of the plurality of openings 1a1 can be prevented from being blocked by exhaust tube 20.

(89) Also as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, a plurality of openings 1a1 constituting exhaust passage hole 1a may be provided in curved portion 1f. Each of the plurality of openings 1a1 is provided by cutting a part of the surface portion of curved portion 1f and bending this part. Accordingly, a bent portion 1f1 is located below opening 1a1 (on the exhaust tube support portion 1d side) and bent inside the dome shape of curved portion 1f (on the inner circumferential side).

(90) By forming bent portion 1f1 in this way, only bent portion 1f1 can be seen but the exhaust passage of exhaust tube 20 cannot be seen through opening 1a1 when curved portion 1f is viewed from the curved portion 1f side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side as indicated by an arrow B shown in FIG. 19.

(91) Since the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment other than those described above is almost the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

(92) In the present embodiment, space formation member 1 has protruding portion 1e, 1f (alternatively, protruding portion 1e, 1f, 1g) provided with exhaust passage hole 1a. Accordingly, the top portion of protruding portion 1e, 1f (alternatively, protruding portion 1e, 1f, 1g) (the top portion of curved portion 1f) can be brought into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40 while combustion gas can be emitted through exhaust passage hole 1a.

(93) Furthermore, curved portion 1f of space formation member 1 is curved in a convex shape. Accordingly, when the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 having this space formation member 1 attached thereto is inserted into exhaust pipe 30, the contact resistance between curved portion 1f and the inner circumferential surface of exhaust pipe 30 can be reduced. Furthermore, even if exhaust pipe 30 is curved, exhaust tube 20 can be smoothly moved through exhaust pipe 30. Consequently, exhaust tube 20 having space formation member 1 attached thereto can be smoothly inserted into exhaust pipe 30 and moved therethrough.

(94) Furthermore, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the configuration shown in FIG. 16, and the configuration shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of openings 1a1 constituting exhaust passage hole 1a each are provided at a position where the plurality of openings 1a1 cannot be seen when curved portion 1f is viewed from the curved portion 1f side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side. Accordingly, when the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 having this space formation member 1 attached thereto is inserted into exhaust pipe 30, foreign substances are less likely to come into exhaust tube 20 through each opening 1a1 of space formation member 1.

(95) Furthermore, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, only bent portion 1f1 can be seen but the exhaust passage of exhaust tube 20 cannot be seen through the plurality of openings 1a1 constituting exhaust passage hole 1a when curved portion 1f is viewed from the curved portion 1f side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side. Accordingly, when the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 having this space formation member 1 attached thereto is inserted into exhaust pipe 30, foreign substances are less likely to come into exhaust tube 20 through each opening 1a1 of space formation member 1 because bent portion 1f1 becomes an obstacle.

Fourth Embodiment

(96) Then, the configuration of the exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fourth embodiment will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 25.

(97) Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23, the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that a through hole portion is not provided in exhaust tube 20, but instead, space formation member 1 is attached to the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20. Space formation member 1 includes an exhaust tube support portion 1d attached to exhaust tube 20 and protruding portion 1e, 1h, 1i protruding from exhaust tube support portion 1d to the side opposite to exhaust tube 20.

(98) Protruding portion 1e, 1h, 1i has a flange portion 1e, a cylindrical portion 1h, and a tip end portion 1i. Flange portion 1e extends radially outward from exhaust tube support portion 1d. Cylindrical portion 1h is connected to the outer circumferential edge of flange portion 1e. Tip end portion 1i is connected to the end of cylindrical portion 1h and formed in a conical shape, for example. Exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in cylindrical portion 1h and includes a plurality of openings 1a1. As shown in FIG. 15, the plurality of openings 1a1 are arranged along the circumference of cylindrical portion 1h and also arranged along the direction in which cylindrical portion 1h extends (in the axial direction). The opening area of exhaust passage hole 1a is equal to the total sum of the opening areas of the plurality of openings 1a1.

(99) Each of the plurality of openings 1a1 is formed by cutting a part of the surface portion of cylindrical portion 1h and bending this part. Bent portion 1h1 obtained by this bending is located, for example, below opening 1a1 (on the exhaust tube support portion 1d side) and bent inward (on the inner circumferential side) relative to the outer circumferential surface having a cylindrical shape formed by cylindrical portion 1h.

(100) By forming bent portion 1h1 in this way, each of the plurality of openings 1a1 cannot be seen when cylindrical portion 1h is viewed from the cylindrical portion 1h side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side as shown by an arrow B shown in FIG. 23.

(101) Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, bent portion 1h1 may be located above opening 1a1 (on the tip end portion 1i side) and may be bent outward (on the outer circumferential side) relative to the outer circumferential surface having a cylindrical shape formed by cylindrical portion 1h. Also in this configuration, due to bent portion 1h1 formed in this way, the plurality of openings 1a1 cannot be seen when cylindrical portion 1h is viewed from the cylindrical portion 1h side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side as indicated by arrow B shown in FIG. 25.

(102) Although an explanation has been given in the above with regard to the configuration in which exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in cylindrical portion 1h, exhaust passage hole 1a only has to be provided at least one of cylindrical portions 1h and tip end portion 1i.

(103) Since the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment other than those described above is almost the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

(104) Although an explanation has been given in the above-described embodiment with regard to the case where tip end portion 1i has a conical shape, the shape of tip end portion 1i is not limited to a conical shape but may be a hemispherical shape or an elliptical hemispherical shape.

(105) In the present embodiment, exhaust passage hole 1a is provided in at least one of cylindrical portions 1h and tip end portion 1i of space formation member 1. Accordingly, the top portion of tip end portion 1i can be brought into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40 while combustion gas can be emitted through exhaust passage hole 1a.

(106) Furthermore, each of openings 1a1 is provided at a position where each opening 1a1 cannot be seen when cylindrical portion 1h is viewed from the cylindrical portion 1h side toward the exhaust tube support portion 1d side as indicated by arrow B shown in each of FIGS. 23 and 25. Accordingly, when the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 having this space formation member 1 attached thereto is inserted into exhaust pipe 30, foreign substances are less likely to come into exhaust tube 20 through each of the plurality of openings 1a1 of space formation member 1.

(107) Furthermore, space formation member 1 has cylindrical portion 1h and tip end portion 1i. Accordingly, when the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 having this space formation member 1 attached thereto is inserted into exhaust pipe 30, exhaust tube 20 can be inserted into exhaust pipe 30 in a highly straight manner.

Fifth Embodiment

(108) Then, the configuration of an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus in the fifth embodiment will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.

(109) Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the configuration of an exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in that exhaust tube 20 is provided with a plurality of cut portions 1a1 as an exhaust passage hole 1a in place of a through hole portion. Each of the plurality of cut portions 1a1 is obtained by cutting exhaust tube 20 from its outer circumferential surface to its inner circumferential surface. Each cut portion 1a is provided as a hole that is closed before the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 comes into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40 but opened when the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 comes into contact with ceiling wall 40b and compression force is exerted on exhaust tube 20, as shown in FIG. 27.

(110) Exhaust passage hole 1a in the present embodiment consists of a plurality of cut portions 1a1 that are opened when exhaust tube 20 receives compression force. In the state where each cut portion 1a1 is opened in this way, the total sum of the opening areas of the plurality of cut portions 1a1 that are opened is greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage of exhaust tube 20.

(111) Since the configuration of exhaust structure for combustion apparatus 100 in the present embodiment other than those described above is almost the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

(112) In the present embodiment, each cut portion 1a1 is closed before the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 comes into contact with ceiling wall 40b of exhaust terminal 40, as shown in FIG. 26. In this way, since each cut portion 1a1 is closed when inserting exhaust tube 20 into exhaust pipe 30, foreign substances can be prevented from coming into exhaust tube 20 through this each cut portion 1a1. Furthermore, when exhaust tube 20 comes into contact with ceiling wall 40b and compression force is exerted on exhaust tube 20, each cut portion 1a1 is opened, as shown in FIG. 27. After insertion of exhaust tube 20 into exhaust pipe 30 is completed in this way, each cut portion 1a1 is opened by compression force. Accordingly, even if the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 is blocked by ceiling wall 40b, combustion gas can be emitted from inside exhaust tube 20.

Others

(113) In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 may be subjected to a tube-diameter reducing process so as to reduce the diameter of the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 toward its end. This tube-diameter reducing process is carried out as in the following manner: for example, as shown in FIG. 28, a plurality of V-shaped cut portions 20b2 are formed in the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20, and then, the ends of a plurality of tip end portions 20b3 separated by these V-shaped cut portions 20b2 are inclined toward the inner circumferential side as shown in FIG. 29, so that tip end portions 20b3 adjacent to each other are connected to each other. By this tube-diameter reducing process, the other end portion 20b of exhaust tube 20 is reduced in diameter toward its end as shown in FIG. 29, so that the other end portion 20b can be readily inserted into exhaust pipe 30.

(114) Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.