HEAT-PUMP WATER HEATER

Abstract

 The invention relates to a field of water heater and provides a heat-pump water heater (10), which includes a head assembly (100), at least three mount brackets (200) and a tank (400). The head assembly (100) includes a top plate (110) which is formed with a mount surface (111). The mount brackets (200) are fixed at the mount surface (111) at an interval along a circumferential direction of the top plate (110), and a plurality of the mount brackets (200) and the top plate (110) collectively enclose a mount cavity (230). The tank (400) is fixedly connected to the mount brackets (200), and at least a portion of a bottom of the tank (400) is located in the mount cavity (230). In the invention a plurality of mount brackets (200) are disposed between the tank (400) and the head assembly (100), and buffering installations for the tank (400) and the head assembly (100) are performed through the mount cavity (230) formed by the mount brackets (200), to improve a durability and reliability of the heat-pump water heater (10), and prevent the head assembly (100) and the tank (400) from falling or being damaged.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a technical field of water heaters, and in particular to a heat-pump water heater.

BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, with an improvement in living standard of people, heat-pump water heaters are being used more and more widely. The heat-pump water heaters, in comparison with traditional electric water heaters and gas water heaters, have been well received by users for numerous advantages thereof such as high efficiency, energy saving, environmental protection, safety, comfort and so on.

[0003] Existing heat-pump water heaters are mainly divided into two types: an integral type and a split type, and are mainly composed of a head assembly (comprising a compressor, a four-way valve, a heat exchanger, a fan blade, and a throttle component) and a water tank assembly (comprising a water tank liner, an inlet water pipe, an outlet water pipe and a condenser assembly).

[0004] However, no matter whether the heat-pump water heater is the integral type or the split type, a connection and transition portion between the head assembly and the water tank assembly is prone to fracture due to a stress concentration therein. The fracture of the connection and transition portion will cause a mutual interference between the head assembly and the water tank assembly, and thus the heat-pump water heater has a poor anti-drop performance.

SUMMARY

[0005] The invention aims to solve at least one of the existing technical problems in the related art. To this end, the invention proposes a heat-pump water heater, to effectively improve a reliability of a connection between the head assembly and the inner tank, and thus an anti-drop performance the heat-pump water heater is improved.

[0006] The heat-pump water heater proposed by the invention comprises:

a head assembly, comprising a top plate wherein the top plate is formed with a mount surface;

at least three mount brackets, fixed at the mount surface at an interval along a circumferential direction of the top plate; and a plurality of mount brackets and the top plate collectively enclose a mount cavity; and

a tank, fixedly connected to the mount brackets, and at least a portion of a bottom of the tank is located in the mount cavity.

[0007] Optionally, the mount bracket comprises two front brackets and two rear brackets; an included angle α between the two front brackets along the circumferential direction is greater than or equal to 90° and less than or equal to 110°; and an included angle β between the two rear brackets along the circumferential direction is less than or equal to 90°.

[0008] Optionally, the mount bracket comprises a support plate and a limit plate; the support plate and the limit plate are connected and fixed; the support plate is extended along a radial direction of the mount surface; the limit plate is disposed to be inclined from the mount surface toward the tank toward a central axis of the tank; and an included angle is formed between the support plate and the limit plate.

[0009] Optionally, the support plate comprises a straight-plate portion and a fold-edge portion; the straight-plate portion is horizontally disposed at the mount surface; the fold-edge portion is disposed at an end of the straight-plate portion away from the limit plate; the fold-edge portion is bent toward the tank; and the fold-edge portion abuts against the tank.

[0010] Optionally, the limit plate comprises a first fold portion, an inclined portion and a second fold portion which are connected in sequence. The first fold portion is vertically disposed at the mount surface. An end of the first fold portion is connected to the support plate, and another end of the first fold portion is connected to the inclined portion. The inclined portion is obliquely connected between the first fold portion and the second fold portion. The second fold portion abuts against the tank.

[0011] Optionally, a plurality of lug bosses are disposed at an upper end surface of the top plate along the circumferential direction, and wherein the plurality of lug bosses are disposed in correspondence to the plurality of mount brackets; the lug boss is provided with a connection hole; the mount bracket is provided with a dock hole; and a fastener passes through the connection hole and the dock holes correspondingly to fix the mount bracket to the lug boss.

[0012] Optionally, the heat-pump water heater also comprises:

a housing, covering the tank at an outer peripheral side of the tank;

an outer periphery of the top plate is extended toward the tank to form a circle of side panel; several limitation protrusions are disposed at an inner side of the side panel; and an end of the housing is fixed between the limitation protrusions and the side panel.

[0013] Optionally, a guide surface is formed at an end of the limitation protrusion away from the top plate, and wherein the guide surface is inclined toward the side panel.

[0014] Optionally, several limitation protrusions comprise a plurality of limitation protrusions which are distributed at an interval along the circumferential direction of the top plate.

[0015] Optionally, a buckle is disposed at an inner wall of the side panel; a limit slot is disposed at an outer wall of an end of the housing; and the limit slot is snap-fitted with the buckle.

[0016] The above one or more technical solutions in the embodiments of the invention have at least one of the following technical effects.

[0017] In the invention, a stable support structure is formed by disposing at least three mount brackets between the head assembly and the tank and the at least three mount brackets are fixed at the mount surface along the circumferential direction of the top plate at an interval. Therefore, the head assembly and the tank can be effectively prevented from falling, and the plurality of mount brackets and the top plate collectively enclose a mount cavity, and the bottom of the tank is located in the mount cavity. The mount cavity limits the bottom of the tank, and thus the mount bracket can provide support to the tank and protect the tank from external impact. The tank is fixedly connected to the mount bracket, and thus a stability of the tank during an operation of the heat-pump water heater is ensured and a connection reliability between the tank and the head assembly is improved. In this way, as a plurality of mount brackets are disposed between the tank and the head assembly, as the tank and the head assembly are buffered and installed through the mount cavity formed by the mount bracket, and thus a durability and reliability of the heat-pump water heater is improved, and the head assembly and the tank 400 are prevented from falling or being damaged.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be given in part in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the following description, or will be learned through the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention or the technical solutions in the related art, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description for the embodiments or the related art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other accompanying drawings can be obtained according to these accompanying drawings without creative work.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a heat-pump water heater according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the heat-pump water heater in FIG.1 without a housing;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a connection structure between a head assembly and a tank in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the head assembly in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the housing in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the heat-pump water heater in FIG. 2.

[0020] Illustration of reference numerals:

10, heat-pump water heater;

100, head assembly; 110, top plate; 111, mount surface; 112, lug boss; 112a, connection hole; 113, side panel; 113a, buckle; 114, limitation protrusion; 114a, guide surface;

200, mount bracket; 210, support plate; 211, straight-plate portion; 211a, dock hole; 212, fold-edge portion; 220, limit plate; 221, first fold portion; 222, inclined portion; 223, second fold portion; 230, mount cavity;

300, housing; 310, limit slot;

400, tank.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The embodiments of the invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope sought for by the invention.

[0022] In the description of the embodiments of the invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" and so on indicates orientations or positional relationships based on orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation at the embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0024] In the embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "at" or "under" a second feature may indicate that the first feature and second feature are in direct contact, or the first feature and second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "over" and "at" the second feature may indicate that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in horizontal height than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "beneath," or "under" a second feature may indicate that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is lower in horizontal height than the second feature.

[0025] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and so on means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are comprised in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In the present specification, the exemplary expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may combine and associate different embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in this specification without mutual contradiction.

[0026] At present, with an improvement in living standard of people, heat-pump water heaters are being used more and more widely. The heat-pump water heaters, in comparison with traditional electric water heaters and gas water heaters, have been well received by users for numerous advantages thereof such as high efficiency, energy saving, environmental protection, safety, comfort and so on.

[0027] Existing heat-pump water heaters are mainly divided into two types: an integral type and a split type. and are mainly composed of a head assembly (comprising a compressor, a four-way valve, a heat exchanger, a fan blade, and a throttle component) and a water tank assembly (comprising a water tank liner, an inlet water pipe, an outlet water pipe and a condenser assembly).

[0028] However, no matter whether the heat-pump water heater is the integral type or the split type, there is a stress concentration at a connection and transition portion between the head assembly and the water tank assembly and the connection and transition portion tend to fracture. The fracture of the connection and transition portion will cause a mutual interference between the head assembly and the water tank assembly, and thus an anti-drop performance of the heat-pump water heater is poor.

[0029] A heat-pump water heater is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the embodiment of the invention, referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the heat-pump water heater 10 comprises a head assembly 100, at least three mount brackets 200 and a tank 400. The head assembly 100 comprises a top plate 110. The top plate 110 is formed with a mount surface 111. The at least three mount brackets 200 are fixed at the mount surface 111 at an interval along a circumferential direction of the top plate 110. A plurality of mount brackets 200 and the top plate 110 collectively enclose a mount cavity 230. The tank 400 is fixedly connected to the mount bracket 200, and at least a portion of a bottom of the tank 400 is located in the mount cavity 230.

[0031] The heat-pump water heater 10 may further comprise a housing 300 and a heat-pump system and so on. The tank 400 is configured to contain a water and is made of a heat-conducting material. The heat-pump system is configured to heat the water in the tank 400. The housing 300 protects the tank 400 and the heat-pump system. The tank 400 may be integrally formed, or may be provided with an end cover at an end, or may comprise a tank body and end covers disposed at two ends of the tank body. The heat-pump system may comprise a condenser and a heat-pump main unit mainly consisting of a compressor, a throttle device and an evaporator. Optionally, the compressor comprises an exhaust port and an air return port. An exhaust port of the evaporator is in communication with the air return port of the compressor. The exhaust port of the compressor is in communication with an air inlet of the condenser through a refrigerant inlet pipe. An exhaust port of the condenser is in communication with an air inlet of the evaporator through a refrigerant outlet pipe. The throttle device is disposed between the condenser and the evaporator. When the heat-pump water heater 10 operates, a refrigerant in the evaporator absorbs a heat from surrounding air and in turn is heated up and vaporized. The heated and vaporized refrigerant enters the compressor and becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant under an action of the compressor, and then the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is transported into a pipeline of the condenser through a refrigerant inlet pipe. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant directly or indirectly exchanges, in the condenser, heat with the water in the tank 400, to increase a temperature of the water in the tank 400. Thereafter, the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser is transported to the throttle device through a refrigerant outlet pipe. The refrigerant is depressurized and throttled by the throttle device and then flows back into the evaporator, to start a next cycle. The cycle continues to finally produce hot water. The head assembly 100 is configured to install and support most of components of the heat-pump system, and comprises a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe. Therefore, a connection and support between the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 is extremely important. The head assembly 100 and the tank 400 in the invention are vertically disposed, and the tank 400 is disposed at a top of the head assembly 100. The head assembly 100 comprises a top plate 110. A mount surface 111 is disposed on an upper end surface of the top plate 110 facing the tank 400, to facilitate the connection between the head assembly 100 and the tank 400. At least three brackets are disposed between the tank 400 and the top plate 110 and are located at the mount surface 111. In the invention, the number of mount brackets 200 is set as no less than three, to form a relatively stable support member among the plurality of mount brackets 200 to support the tank 400. At least three mount brackets 200 are fixed at the mount surface 111 at an interval along the circumferential direction of the top plate 110. The plurality of mount brackets 200 collectively enclose a mount cavity 230. A bottom of the tank 400 is located in the mount cavity 230, and the plurality of mount brackets 200 are fixedly connected to an outer peripheral side of the bottom of the tank 400, to reduce a contact area of a surface contact between the tank 400 and the top plate 110, and thus a stress concentration at a connection and transition portion between the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 is prevented. An anti-drop performance of the heat-pump water heater 10 is improved, and the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 are prevented from interfering with each other and damaging each other when shaking or falling. The number of mount brackets 200 can be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 and so on, and can be designed according to actual needs of the heat-pump water heater 10 to ensure that loads and stresses under various usage conditions can be withstood.

[0032] In the invention, a stable support structure is formed by disposing at least three mount brackets 200 between the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 and the at least three mount brackets 200 are fixed at the mount surface 111 along the circumferential direction of the top plate 110 at an interval. Therefore, the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 can be effectively prevented from falling. The plurality of mount brackets 200 and the top plate 110 collectively enclose a mount cavity 230, and the bottom of the tank 400 is located in the mount cavity 230. The mount cavity 230 limits the bottom of the tank 400, and thus the mount bracket 200 can provide support to the tank 400 and protect the tank 400 from external impact. The tank 400 is fixedly connected to the mount bracket 200, and thus a stability of the tank 400 during an operation of the heat-pump water heater 10 is ensured and a connection reliability between the tank 400 and the head assembly 100 is improved. In this way, as a plurality of mount brackets 200 are disposed between the tank 400 and the head assembly 100, and as the tank 400 and the head assembly 100 are buffered and installed through the mount cavity 230 formed by the mount bracket 200, and thus a durability and reliability of the heat-pump water heater 10 are improved, and the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 are prevented from falling or being damaged.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 6, according to one embodiment of the invention, the mount bracket 200 comprises two front brackets and two rear brackets. An angle α between the two front brackets along the circumferential direction is greater than or equal to 90° and less than or equal to 110°. An angle β between the two rear brackets along the circumferential direction is less than or equal to 90°. It can be understood that in this embodiment the number of mount brackets 200 being four is taken as an example, and in other embodiments the number of mount brackets 200 can be set with reference to this embodiment. The four mount brackets 200 comprise two front brackets and two rear brackets. An angle α between the two front brackets along the circumferential direction is greater than or equal to 90° and less than or equal to 110°. An angle β between the two rear brackets along the circumferential direction is less than or equal to 90°. In such way, a compressor and a speed matching box and so on can be avoided, to facilitate a maintenance operation of the heat-pump water heater 10. Furthermore, the angle α between the two front brackets is greater than or equal to 90° and less than or equal to 110°, to ensure that the front brackets provide sufficient support and stability at a front of the heat-pump water heater 10 to prevent the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 from falling at the front. The angle β between the two rear brackets is less than or equal to 90°, to ensure that the rear brackets provide sufficient support and stability at a rear of the heat-pump water heater 10 to prevent the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 from falling at the rear. Optionally, the angle α between the two front brackets may be 90°, 95°, 100°, 105° or 110° and so on, and the angle β between the two rear brackets along the circumferential direction may be 90°, 85°, 80°, 75°, 70°, 65° or 60° and so on. The number, length, shape and son on of the front brackets and the rear brackets can be further adjusted according to actual needs to meet requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention, the mount bracket 200 comprises a support plate 210 and a limit plate 220, and adjacent ends of the support plate 210 and the limit plate 220 are connected and fixed to each other. The support plate 210 is extended along a radial direction of the mount surface 111. The limit plate 220 is inclined, along a direction from the mount surface 111 toward the tank 400, toward a central axis of the tank 400. An angle is formed between the support plate 210 and the limit plate 220. It is understandable that the angle formed between the support plate 210 and the limit plate 220 can enable that a better support effect is achieved upon the mount bracket 200 bears load or stress, to prevent the head assembly 100 and the tank 400 from falling. Optionally, the limit plate 220 is inclined toward the central axis along a direction from the mount surface 111 toward the tank 400, and thus a thermal expansion and contraction generated during use of the heat-pump water heater 10 can be better adapted and the tank 400 can be protected from damage. Optionally, another end of the support plate 210 is disposed to extend along a radial direction of the mount surface 111 to further enhance a support effect of the mount bracket 200 on the head assembly 100 and prevent the head assembly 100 from moving or falling in a radial direction. An angle between the support plate 210 and the limit plate 220 and an inclination angle of the limit plate 220 can also be adjusted according to actual needs to meet requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention, the support plate 210 comprises a straight-plate portion 211 and a fold-edge portion 212. The straight-plate portion 211 is horizontally disposed at the mount surface 111, and the fold-edge portion 212 is disposed at an end of the straight-plate portion 211 away from the limit plate 220. The fold-edge portion 212 is bent toward the tank 400, and the fold-edge portion 212 abuts against the tank 400. It can be understood that as the fold-edge portion 212 is provided, the head assembly 100 can be prevented from moving or falling in the axial direction, and at the same time the tank 400 can be protected from damage. The fold-edge portion 212 is bent toward the tank 400, to be better adapted to a thermal expansion and contraction of the heat-pump water heater 10 during use and protect the tank 400 from damage. Optionally, an arc-shaped abutment sub-portion may be disposed at abutment portions of the fold-edge portion 212 and the tank 400, and thus the support plate 210 can match an outer shape of the abutment portion of the tank 400, to improve a stability and reliability of abutment. Optionally, the straight-plate portion 211 is disposed to be horizontal to further enhance a support effect of the mount bracket 200 on the head assembly 100 and prevent the head assembly 100 from moving or falling in the radial direction. The length, shape and so on of the straight-plate portion 211 and the fold-edge portion 212 may also be adjusted according to actual needs to meet the requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention, the limit plate 220 comprises a first fold portion 221, an inclined portion 222 and a second fold portion 223 which are connected in sequence. The first fold portion 221 is vertically disposed at the mount surface 111. An end of the first fold portion 221 is connected to the support plate 210, and another end of the first fold portion 221 is connected to the inclined portion 222. The inclined portion 222 is obliquely connected between the first fold portion 221 and the second fold portion 223. The second fold portion 223 abuts against the tank 400. It can be understood that as the first fold portion 221 and the second fold portion 223 are provided, the head assembly 100 can be prevented from moving or falling in the axial direction, and at the same time the tank 400 can be protected from damage. The inclined portion 222 is disposed to be inclined, and thus a thermal expansion and contraction generated during the operation of the heat-pump water heater 10 can be better adapted and the tank 400 can be protected from damage. Optionally, an arc-shaped abutment sub-portion may be disposed at abutment portions of the inclined portion 222 and the tank 400, and thus the support plate 210 can match an outer shape of the abutment portion of the tank 400, to improve a stability and reliability of abutment. Optionally, an arc-shaped abutment sub-portion may also be disposed at abutment portions of the second fold portion 223 and the tank 400, and thus the support plate 220 can match an outer shape of the abutment portion of the tank 400, to improve a stability and reliability of abutment. Optionally, the first fold portion 221 is disposed to be vertical to further enhance a support effect of the mount bracket 200 on the head assembly 100 and prevent the head assembly 100 from moving or falling in a radial direction. The length, shape and so on of the first fold portion 221, the inclined portion 222 may also be adjusted according to actual needs to meet the requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, according to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of lug bosses 112 are disposed at an upper end surface of the top plate 110 along the circumferential direction. The plurality of lug bosses 112 are disposed in correspondence to the plurality of mount brackets 200. The lug bosses 112 are provided with connection holes 112a, and the mount brackets 200 are provided with dock holes 211a. Fasteners pass through the connection holes 112a and the dock holes 211a correspondingly to fix the mount brackets 200 to the lug bosses 112. It can be understood that as the plurality of lug bosses 112 and connection holes 112a are provided, an accurate position and stability of the mount bracket 200 at the top plate 110 can be ensured, and a support effect of the top plate 110 on the mount bracket 200 can be enhanced, and the top plate 110 can be prevented from breaking during a fall to cause the tank 400 to fall. The fasteners passing through the connection holes 112a and the dock holes 211a can further strengthen a fixed connection between the mount bracket 200 and the top plate 110 and improve the anti-drop performance.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, according to one embodiment of the invention, the heat-pump water heater 10 further comprises a housing 300, which covers at an outer peripheral side of the tank 400. An outer periphery of the top plate 110 is extended toward the tank 400 to form a circle of side panel 113. Several limitation protrusions 114 are disposed at an inner side of the side panel 113. An end of the housing 300 is fixed between the limitation protrusions 114 and the side panel 113. It can be understood that the housing 300 can protect the tank 400 from external impact and damage. As the side panel 113 and the limitation protrusion 114 are provided, a connection stability between the housing 300 and the head assembly 100 can be further enhanced. An end of the housing 300 is fixed between the limitation protrusion 114 and the side panel 113, to further strengthen a fixed connection between the housing 300 and the top plate 110. At the same time, it is convenient for disassembly and maintenance between the housing 300 and the head assembly 100, and thus a maintainability of the heat-pump water heater 10 is improved. Optionally, the number and positions of the limitation protrusions 114 may be further increased or decreased according to actual needs to meet the requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the invention, a guide surface 114a is formed at an end of the limitation protrusion 114 away from the top plate 110, and the guide surface 114a is inclined toward the side panel 113. It can be understood that as the guide surface 114a is provided, the housing 300 when being assembled with the top plate 110 can be guided, and thus an assembly efficiency is improved. Optionally, an inclination angle and length of the guide surface 114a may be adjusted according to actual needs to meet the requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions. At the same time, as the guide surface 114a is provided, a disassembly and maintenance can also be facilitated, and thus a maintainability of the heat-pump water heater 10 can be improved.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, according to one embodiment of the invention, the number of the limitation protrusions 114 is multiple, and a plurality of limitation protrusions 114 are distributed at an interval along the circumferential direction of the top plate 110. It can be understood that as the plurality of limitation protrusions 114 are provided, the head assembly 100 and the housing 300 can be prevented from moving or being damaged in the circumferential direction. At the same time, the limitation protrusions 114 are distributed at an interval, and thus a phenomenon of thermal expansion and contraction generated during using the heat-pump water heater 10 can be better adapted, and an integrity of appearance of the heat-pump water heater 10 can be protected. Optionally, the number and distribution density of the limitation protrusions 114 may be increased or decreased according to actual needs to meet the requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions. At the same time, as the limitation protrusion 114 is provided, a disassembly and maintenance can also be facilitated, and thus the maintainability of the heat-pump water heater 10 can be improved.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, according to one embodiment of the invention, a buckle 113a is disposed at an inner wall of the side panel 113. A limit slot 310 is disposed at an outer wall of an end of the housing 300. The limit slot 310 is snap-fitted with the buckle 113a. It is understandable that as the buckle 113 a and the limit slot 310 are provided, a better fixation and stability between an end of the housing 300 and the side panel 113 can be provided. At the same time, a clamping and limiting cooperation of the limitation protrusion 114, the buckle 113a and the limit slot 310 can further improve a connection stability between the housing 300 and the side panel 113, and can facilitate a disassembly and maintenance, and thus the maintainability of the heat-pump water heater 10 can be improved. Optionally, this design can further increase or decrease the number and distribution density of the buckles 113a and the limit slots 310 according to actual needs to meet the requirements of the heat-pump water heaters 10 of different dimensions, shapes or functions.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the invention, rather than to limit the invention. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of the invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the invention and should be comprised in the scope sought for by the claims of the invention.

Claims

1. A heat-pump water heater (10), characterized by comprising:

a head assembly (100), comprising a top plate (110) wherein the top plate (110) is formed with a mount surface (111);

at least three mount brackets (200), fixed at the mount surface (111) at an interval along a circumferential direction of the top plate (110), wherein a plurality of mount brackets (200) and the top plate (110) collectively enclose a mount cavity (230); and

a tank (400), fixedly connected to the mount brackets (200), wherein at least a portion of a bottom of the tank (400) is located in the mount cavity (230).

2. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mount bracket (200) comprises two front brackets and two rear brackets; an included angle α between the two front brackets along the circumferential direction is greater than or equal to 90° and less than or equal to 110°; and an included angle β between the two rear brackets along the circumferential direction is less than or equal to 90°.

3. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mount bracket (200) comprises a support plate (210) and a limit plate (220); the support plate (210) and the limit plate (220) are connected and fixed; the support plate (210) is extended along a radial direction of the mount surface (111); the limit plate (220) is disposed to be inclined, along a direction from the mount surface (111) toward the tank (400), toward a central axis of the tank (400); and an included angle is formed between the support plate (210) and the limit plate (220).

4. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the support plate (210) comprises a straight-plate portion (211) and a fold-edge portion (212); the straight-plate portion (211) is horizontally disposed at the mount surface (111); the fold-edge portion (212) is disposed at an end of the straight-plate portion (211) away from the limit plate (220); the fold-edge portion (212) is bent toward the tank (400); and the fold-edge portion (212) abuts against the tank (400).

5. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the limit plate (220) comprises a first fold portion (221), an inclined portion (222) and a second fold portion (223) which are connected in sequence; the first fold portion (221) is vertically disposed at the mount surface (111); an end of the first fold portion (221) is connected to the support plate (210), and another end of the first fold portion (221) is connected to the inclined portion (222); and the second fold portion (223) abuts against the tank (400).

6. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to any one claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a plurality of lug bosses (112) are disposed at an upper end surface of the top plate (110) along the circumferential direction, and wherein the plurality of lug bosses (112) are disposed in correspondence to the plurality of mount brackets (200); the lug boss (112) is provided with a connection hole (112a); the mount bracket (200) is provided with a dock hole (211a); and a fastener passes through the connection hole (112a) and the dock hole (211a) correspondingly to fix the mount bracket (200) to the lug boss (112).

7. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by further comprising:

a housing (300), covering the tank (400) at an outer peripheral side of the tank (400);

an outer periphery of the top plate (110) is extended toward the tank (400) to form a circle of side panel (113); several limitation protrusions (114) are disposed at an inner side of the side panel (113); and an end of the housing (300) is fixed between the limitation protrusions (114) and the side panel (113).

8. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that a guide surface (114a) is formed at an end of the limitation protrusion (114) away from the top plate (110), and wherein the guide surface (114a) is inclined toward the side panel (113).

9. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the several limitation protrusions (114) comprise a plurality of limitation protrusions (114) which are distributed at an interval along the circumferential direction of the top plate (110).

10. The heat-pump water heater (10) according to any one of claim of 7 to 9, characterized in that a buckle (113a) is disposed at an inner wall of the side panel (113); a limit slot (310) is disposed at an outer wall of the end of the housing (300); and the limit slot (310) is snap-fitted with the buckle (113a).

Drawing