INSTANTANEOUS HEATING APPARATUS

Abstract

An instantaneous heating apparatus is disclosed. The instantaneous heating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a water inlet part into which water flows from the outside; a flow part in which the water, flowing into the water inlet part, flows; a heating part for heating the water flowing in the flow part; and a water outlet part for discharging, to the outside, the water heated by the heating part, wherein the flow part can comprise: a passage forming member disposed inside the heating part; and a close-pressing part for bringing the passage forming member into close contact with the heating part such that a heating passage is formed between the heating part and the passage forming member.

Claims

1. An instantaneous heating apparatus comprising: a water inlet part into which water flows from the outside; a flow part in which the water flowing into the water inlet part flows; a heating part for heating the water flowing in the flow part; and a water outlet part for discharging the water heated by the heating part to the outside, wherein the flow part comprises: a passage forming member disposed inside the heating part; and a close-pressing part for bringing the passage forming member into close contact with the heating part such that a heating passage is formed between the heating part and the passage forming member.

2. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the close-pressing part comprises a pressing member inserted in an insertion part formed inside the passage forming member so as to press the passage forming member toward the heating part.

3. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the close-pressing part further comprises a pressing force acting member applying pressing force to the pressing member.

4. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressing member is provided in plural, and a plurality of pressing members are coupled to each other to form a hollow, elliptical or polygonal cylinder corresponding to the shape of the insertion part.

5. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pressing force acting member has the shape of a cylindrical, elliptical or polygonal column corresponding to the hollow, elliptical or polygonal cylinder formed by coupling the pressing members.

6. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the external diameter of the pressing force acting member is greater than the internal diameter of the hollow, elliptical or polygonal cylinder formed by coupling the pressing members.

7. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressing force acting member has a fitting protrusion fitted into a fitting hole formed in the insertion part.

8. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the passage forming member is formed of silicon.

9. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a passage forming groove forming the heating passage is formed on the outer circumference of the passage forming member.

10. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the passage forming groove has a spiral shape.

11. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage are formed in the water inlet part and the water outlet part, respectively.

12. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 11, wherein a portion of the water inlet part and a portion of the water outlet part are inserted in one side and the other side of the insertion part, respectively, formed inside the passage forming member.

13. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first connection hole and a second connection hole, connecting each of the water inlet passage and the water outlet passage to the heating passage, are formed in the one side and the other side of the passage forming member, respectively.

14. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the water inlet part or the water outlet part comprises a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of water flowing in the water inlet passage or the water outlet passage.

15. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating part comprises: a heating member having the passage forming member disposed therein; and a heater attached to the heating member to heat the heating member.

16. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 15, wherein the heater is a surface-type heater.

17. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover part covering the water inlet part, the heating part and the water outlet part.

18. The instantaneous heating apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cover part comprises: a water inlet-side cover member covering the water inlet part and a portion of the heating part; and a water outlet-side cover member coupled to the water inlet-side cover member to cover the remainder of the heating part and the water outlet part.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of a heating passage formed between a heating part and a passage forming member by allowing the passage forming member to be in close contact with the heating part by a close-pressing part of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus, according to the present disclosure; and

[0043] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating operations of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR INVENTION

[0044] To help understand the foregoing features of the present invention, an instantaneous water heater in relation to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Thus, the present invention can be variably modified within the scope of the present invention through the embodiments described below, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. In order to help understand the embodiments described hereinafter, like or similar reference numerals are used for relevant components among the components having the same function in the respective embodiments in the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0048] In addition, FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of a heating passage formed between a heating part and a passage forming member by allowing the passage forming member to be in close contact with the heating part by a close-pressing part of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus, according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating operations of an embodiment of an instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0049] An embodiment of the instantaneous heating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a water inlet part 200, a flow part 300, a heating part 400, and a water outlet part 500.

[0050] Water may flow into the water inlet part 200 from the outside, as illustrated in FIG. 6. To this end, a water inlet passage 210 may be formed in the water inlet part 200.

[0051] The water inlet passage 210 may have, for example, an L shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the shape of the water inlet passage 210 is not particularly limited. Any shape may be used as long as water may be introduced to flow.

[0052] The water inlet part 200 may include a water inlet nipple 220. A portion of the foregoing water inlet passage 210 may be formed in the water inlet nipple 220. The water inlet nipple 220 may be connected to a water supply (not illustrated) such as a storage tank or a water filter by, for example, a fitting member (not illustrated) or the like.

[0053] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, water of the water supply maybe introduced into the water inlet passage 210 of the water inlet nipple 220 to flow in the water inlet passage 210.

[0054] A sealing member insertion groove 230 may be formed on the water inlet part 200. A sealing member O such as, for example, an O-ring or the like, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be inserted in the sealing member insertion groove 230. This may allow a space between the water inlet part 200 and a water inlet-side cover member 610 included in a cover part 600, to be described later, which covers the water inlet part 200, to be sealed.

[0055] The water inlet part 200 may include a temperature sensor (not illustrated). The temperature sensor may be provided in the water inlet part 200 in order to measure the temperature of water flowing in the water inlet passage 210 of the water inlet part 200.

[0056] For example, the temperature sensor may be provided in the water inlet nipple 220 of the water inlet part 200. However, the position of the temperature sensor in the water inlet part 200 is not particularly limited, and the temperature sensor may be provided in any position of the water inlet part 200.

[0057] In addition, the temperature of the water flowing in the water inlet passage 210, measured by the temperature sensor, may be used, for example, to adjust the heating value of the heating part 400 when water flowing in a heating passage R is heated by the heating part 400, to be described later.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 6, water introduced into the water inlet part 200, that is, the water inlet passage 210 of the water inlet part 200, may flow in the flow part 300.

[0059] For this purpose, the flow part 300 may include a passage forming member 310. The passage forming member 310, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may be disposed inside the heating part 400. In addition, a passage forming groove 312 may be formed on the outer circumference of the passage forming member 310.

[0060] Thus, the heating passage R may be formed between the heating part 400 and the passage forming member 310, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The water introduced into the water inlet passage 210 of the water inlet part 200 may flow in the heating passage R, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0061] The passage forming groove 312, formed on the passage forming member 310, may be, for example, spiral, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the heating passage R may also be spiral.

[0062] However, the shape of the passage forming groove 312 is not particularly limited, and any shape, such as a zigzag shape or the like, may be used as long as the heating passage R may be formed between the heating part 400 and the passage forming member 310.

[0063] A first connection hole 313, connecting the water inlet passage 210 to the heating passage R, may be formed in one side of the passage forming member 310, for example, a lower portion, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a portion of the water inlet part 200 may be inserted in one side of an insertion part 311 formed inside the passage forming member 310, for example, in a lower portion, so that the water inlet passage 210 may be connected to the heating passage R by the first connection hole 313.

[0064] Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the water introduced into the water inlet passage 210 of the water inlet part 200 may move to the heating passage R through the first connection hole 313 to flow in the heating passage R.

[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a second connection hole 314, connecting a water outlet passage 510, to be described later, which is formed in the water outlet part 500, to the heating passage R, may be formed in the other side of the passage forming member 310, for example, in an upper portion. In addition, a portion of the water outlet part 500 may be inserted in the other side of the insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310, for example, in an upper portion, so that the water outlet passage 510 may be connected to the heating passage R by the second connection hole 314.

[0066] Accordingly, the water flowing in the heating passage R may move to the water outlet passage 510 of the water outlet part 500 through the second connection hole 314 and flow in the water outlet part 500, to then be discharged to the outside.

[0067] A fitting hole 311a, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may be formed in the foregoing insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310. A fitting protrusion 322a, formed on a pressing force acting member 322 included in a close-pressing part 320, to be described later, which is included in the flow part 300, may be inserted in the fitting hole 311a of such an insertion part 311, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. This may allow the pressing force acting member 322 to be stably secured within the insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310.

[0068] The passage forming member 310 may be formed of silicon. Silicon may have a relatively low thermal deformation point, and does not have a bad influence on water, such as the emission of harmful substances such as a carcinogen or the like, when in contact with water.

[0069] In addition, since silicon has relatively high elasticity, silicon may allow a portion of the passage forming member 310, except for the passage forming groove 312, to readily come into close contact with the heating part 400 by the close-pressing part 320, as described below, to form the heating passage R.

[0070] Thus, when the passage forming member 310 is formed of silicon to form the heating passage R between the passage forming member 310 and the heating part 400, the heating passage R may not be deformed or closed due to thermal deformation and the water flowing in the heating passage R may not be corrupted.

[0071] In addition, the close-pressing part 320 may allow the portion of the passage forming member 310, except for the passage forming groove 312, to readily come into close contact with the heating part 400, to easily form the heating passage R.

[0072] However, a material forming the passage forming member 310 is not limited to the foregoing silicon, and any well-known material maybe used as long as it may have a relatively low thermal deformation point, does not corrupt water when in contact with the water, and may have relatively high elasticity.

[0073] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flow unit 300 may further include the close-pressing part 320. The close-pressing part 320 may allow the passage forming member 310 to come into close contact with the heating part 400 so as to form the heating passage R between the heating part 400 and the passage forming member 310, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0074] Accordingly, the deformation of the heating passage R may be significantly reduced as compared to a heating passage R, formed between the passage forming member 310 and the heating part 400, by inserting the passage forming member 310 in the heating part 400 in a fitting manner.

[0075] Thus, when the water flowing in the heating passage is locally overheated and discharged to the outside, the occurrence of water splashing may be significantly reduced and user accidents, such as burns caused by water splashed when water is locally overheated and discharged, may be prevented.

[0076] For this purpose, the close-pressing part 320 may include a pressing member 321. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing member 321 may be inserted in the insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310. In addition, the pressing member 321 may press the passage forming member 310 toward the heating part 400.

[0077] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the passage forming member 310 may expand by its elasticity so that the portion of the passage forming member 310, except for the passage forming groove 312, may come into close contact with the heating part 400.

[0078] Such a pressing member 321 may be provided in plural. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the number of pressing members 321 may be two. However, the number of pressing members 321 is not particularly limited, and any number of pressing members 321 may be provided.

[0079] In addition, the pressing members 321 may be coupled to each other to form a hollow, elliptical, or polygonal cylinder corresponding to the shape of the insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, because two pressing members 321 may have a shape in which a hollow cylinder is vertically cut in half, the pressing members 321 may be coupled to each other to form the hollow cylinder.

[0080] However, as described above, the number of pressing members 321 may be three or more, and the pressing members 321 may be coupled to each other to form an elliptical or polygonal cylinder.

[0081] The pressing member 321 of the foregoing configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, may press the passage forming member 310 radially, that is, in the outer direction of the radius of the pressing member 321, with all of the pressing members 321 inserted in the insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310. In addition, as described above, this may allow the portion of the passage forming member 310, except for the passage forming groove 312, to be expanded by elasticity to come into close contact with the heating part 400.

[0082] The close-pressing part 320 may further include the pressing force acting member 322. The pressing force acting member 322 may apply a pressing force to the pressing member 321.

[0083] To this end, the pressing force acting member 322 may have the shape of a cylindrical, elliptical, or polygonal column corresponding to the hollow, elliptical, or polygonal cylinder formed by coupling the pressing members 321, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0084] In addition, the external diameter D1 of the pressing force acting member 322 may be greater than the internal diameter D2 of the hollow, elliptical, or polygonal cylinder formed by coupling the pressing members 321.

[0085] Accordingly, when the pressing force acting member 322 is inserted in the hollow, elliptical, or polygonal cylinder formed of the pressing members 321 inserted in the insertion part 311 of the passage forming member 310, pressing force may act on the pressing members 321 to press the passage forming member 310 in the outer direction of the radius while the pressing members 321 are spread.

[0086] The heating part 400 may heat water flowing in the flow part 300. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the heating part 400 may heat the water flowing in the heating passage R, formed together with the passage forming groove 312 of the passage forming member 310.

[0087] As described above, since the water flowing in the heating passage R is directly heated by the heating part 400, the water may be heated to a desired temperature within a relatively short period of time.

[0088] The heating part 400 may include a heating member 410 and a heater 420.

[0089] The passage forming member 310 may be disposed inside the heating member 410. Accordingly, the portion of the passage forming member 310, except for the passage forming groove 312, may come into close contact with the inner surface of the passage forming member 310 to form the heating passage R.

[0090] The heating member 410, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may be, for example, the shape of a hollow cylinder. However, the shape of the heating member 410 is not particularly limited, and any shape, such as the shape of a hollow elliptical or polygonal cylinder, may be used as long as the passage forming member 310 may be disposed inside the heating member 410.

[0091] The heating member 410 may be formed of stainless steel. Accordingly, since the heating member 410 is heated relatively quickly by the heater 420, to be described below, due to a high thermal conductivity thereof, the heating member 410 may heat the water flowing in the heating passage R more quickly. In addition, the heating member 410 may not be corroded by water.

[0092] However, a material forming the heating member 410 is not particularly limited, and any material may be used as long as it may have a high thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance to water.

[0093] The heater 420, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may be attached to the heating member 410. In addition, the heater 420 may heat the heating member 410. Such a heater 420 may be a surface-type heater. However, the heater 420 is not particularly limited, and any well-known element such as an electric heating wire or the like that may heat the heating member 410 may be used.

[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 6, water heated by the heating part 400, that is, hot water, maybe discharged to the outside through the water outlet part 500.

[0095] For this purpose, the water outlet passage 510 may be formed in the water inlet part 500.

[0096] The water outlet passage 510 may have, for example, an L shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the shape of the water outlet passage 510 is not particularly limited, and any shape may be used as long as the water heated by the heating part 400 may be discharged to the outside.

[0097] The water outlet part 500 may include a water outlet nipple 520. A portion of the foregoing water outlet passage 510 may be formed in the water outlet nipple 520. In addition, the water outlet nipple 520 may be connected to a discharge member (not illustrated) such as a cock or a faucet by, for example, a fitting member (not illustrated) or the like.

[0098] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the water heated by the heating part 400, while flowing in the heating passage R, that is, hot water, may move to the water outlet passage 510 and may then be discharged to the outside through the water outlet passage 510 of the water outlet nipple 520.

[0099] A sealing member insertion groove 530 may be formed on the water outlet part 500. A sealing member O such as, for example, an O-ring or the like, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be inserted in the sealing member insertion groove 530. This may allow a space between the water outlet part 500 and a water outlet-side cover member 620 included in the cover part 600, to be described later, which covers the water outlet part 500, to be sealed.

[0100] The water outlet part 500 may also include a temperature sensor (not illustrated). The temperature sensor may be provided in the water outlet part 500 in order to measure the temperature of water flowing in the water outlet passage 510 of the water outlet part 500.

[0101] For example, the temperature sensor may be provided in the water outlet nipple 520 of the water outlet part 500. However, the position of the temperature sensor in the water outlet part 500 is not particularly limited, and the temperature sensor may be provided in any position of the water outlet part 500.

[0102] In addition, the temperature of the water flowing in the water outlet passage 510, measured by the temperature sensor, may be used to adjust the heating value of the heating part 400, such that the water flowing in the heating passage R may not be overheated, when the water flowing in the heating passage R is heated by the aforementioned heating part 400, for example.

[0103] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the instantaneous water heater 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the cover part 600.

[0104] The cover part 600, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, may cover the water inlet part 200, the heating part 400, and the water outlet part 500. Even when the pressure of water introduced into the water inlet part 200 is relatively high, such a cover part 600 may allow the water inlet part 200, the flow part 300, the heating part 400, and the water outlet part 500 to stably maintain the connections therebetween.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cover part 600 may include the water inlet-side cover member 610 and the water outlet-side cover member 620.

[0106] The water inlet-side cover member 610, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may cover the water inlet part 200 and a portion of the heating part 400. To this end, the water inlet-side cover member 610 may have the shape of a cylinder whose upper portion is open. However, the shape of the water inlet-side cover member 610 is not particularly limited, and any shape may be used as long as the water inlet-side cover member 610 may cover the portion of the heating part 400.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a first exposure hole 611 maybe formed in the water inlet-side cover member 610, for example, in a lower surface of the water inlet-side cover member 610. Accordingly, the water inlet nipple 220 of the water inlet part 200 may pass through the first exposure hole 611 to be exposed to the outside. This may allow the discharge member such as the cock or the faucet to be readily connected to the water inlet nipple 220.

[0108] A coupling groove 612 may be formed on the water inlet-side cover member 610, for example, on the inside of the open upper portion of the water inlet-side cover member 610. The coupling groove 612 may have an L shape, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0109] A coupling protrusion 622, to be described later, which is formed on the water outlet-side cover member 620, may be inserted in the coupling groove 612. Accordingly, the water outlet-side cover member 620 may be coupled to the water inlet-side cover member 610.

[0110] The shape of the coupling groove 612 is not particularly limited, and any well-known shape may be used as long as the coupling protrusion 622 of the water outlet-side cover member 620 may be inserted in the coupling groove 612, such that the water outlet-side cover member 620 may be coupled to the water inlet-side cover member 610.

[0111] The water outlet-side cover member 620 may be coupled to the water inlet-side cover member 610. In addition, the water outlet-side cover member 620 may cover the remainder of the heating part 400 and the water outlet part 500.

[0112] To this end, the water outlet-side cover member 620 may have the shape of a cylinder whose lower portion is open. However, the shape of the water outlet-side cover member 620 is not particularly limited, and any shape may be used as long as the water outlet-side cover member 620 may cover the remainder of the heating part 400 and the water outlet part 500.

[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a second exposure hole 621 may be formed in the water outlet-side cover member 620, for example, in an upper surface of the water outlet-side cover member 620. Accordingly, the water outlet nipple 520 of the water outlet part 500 may pass through the second exposure hole 621, to be exposed to the outside. This may allow the water outlet nipple 520 to be easily connected to the water supply.

[0114] The coupling protrusion 622 may be formed on the outside of the open lower portion of the water outlet-side cover member 620, for example.

[0115] In addition, the lower portion of the water outlet-side cover member 620 maybe inserted in the upper portion of the water inlet-side cover member 610. The coupling protrusion 622 of the water outlet-side cover member 620 may be inserted in the above-mentioned coupling groove 612 of the water inlet-side cover member 610 so that the water outlet-side cover member 620 may be coupled to the water inlet-side cover member 610.

[0116] The shape of the coupling protrusion 622 is not particularly limited, and any shape maybe used as long as the coupling protrusion 622 maybe inserted in the coupling groove 612 of the water inlet-side cover member 610.

[0117] An installation hole 623 maybe formed in the water outlet-side cover member 620. A bimetal (not illustrated) may be installed in the installation hole 623, or an electric wire or the like connected to the heater 420 may pass through the installation hole 623.

[0118] As described above, use of the instantaneous heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may allow the passage forming member to come into close contact with the heating part by the close-pressing part so as to form the heating passage, in which water is heated while flowing, formed between the heating part and the passage forming member, may significantly reduce the deformation of the heating passage, may significantly reduce the occurrence of water splashing when the water flowing in the heating passage is locally overheated and discharged to the outside, and may prevent user accidents such as burns caused by water splashed, caused by overheating.

[0119] The instantaneous water heater as described above is not limited in its application of the configurations of the foregoing embodiments, but the entirety or a portion of the embodiments can be selectively combined to be configured to have various modifications.