WATER HEATER

Abstract

Disclosed is a water heater including a pipe part, into which a fluid is introduced through one end thereof, and from which the fluid is discharged through an opposite end thereof, a heating part that heats the fluid in the pipe part, a sensor part that senses a flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part, and a storage part connected to the pipe part, and that stores the fluid introduced from the pipe part.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0193583 and 10-2024-0178136, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 27, 2023 and Dec. 4, 2024, respectively the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a water heater.

BACKGROUND

A water heater refers to a device that generates and provides hot water by heating direct water supplied from a tap or direct water stored in a water tank, and the like. Among these water heaters, an electric water heater refers to a water heater that uses electricity as a heat source for heating raw water.

An electric water heater is provided with a heater as a heat source in an interior thereof to use the principle of heating the raw water by bringing the raw water into direct or indirect contact with the heater.

These electric water heaters may be largely divided into storage-type electric water heaters and instantaneous electric water heaters. A storage-type electric water heater refers to an electric water heater having a structure, in which a heater that transmits heat energy is provided in an interior of a tank, in which water is stored, and heats the water stored in the tank.

Unlike this, an instantaneous electric water heater refers to an electric water heater, in which a heater instantaneously heats water that passes through a pipe to supply hot water. The instantaneous electric water heater uses a heater with a small amount of fresh water and a high power density to reduce a product size.

However, the instantaneous electric heater controls an operation of the heater by a flow rate sensor. In the case of an instantaneous electric heater using a high power density heater, a temperature of a surface of the heater increases during a time period, for which the heater was turned off after the flow is stopped, whereby the water is caused to boil, instantaneous overheating occurred, the performance and life of the heater is decreased.

In addition, when hard water, such as groundwater, is used, the heater surface with an increased temperature accelerates generation and fixation of scale, and the performance and life of the heater is decreased.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a water heater, in which the performance and life of a heater may be improved

The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a water heater may include a pipe part, into which a fluid is introduced through one end thereof, and from which the fluid is discharged through an opposite end thereof, a heating part that heats the fluid in the pipe part, a sensor part that senses a flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part, and a storage part connected to the pipe part, and that stores the fluid introduced from the pipe part.

In another example, the pipe part may include a heating portion connected to the heating part, an upstream portion located on an upstream side of the heating portion, and a downstream portion located on a downstream side of the heating portion, and the storage part may be connected to the downstream portion.

In another example, the sensor part may be disposed on a downstream side of a point of the downstream portion, to which the storage part is connected.

In another example, a gas may be filled in an interior of the storage part, and an internal pressure of the storage part, which is formed by the gas, may be 0 bar to 3.0 bar.

In another example, the storage part may connect one point of the upstream portion and one point of the downstream portion.

In another example, the sensor part may be disposed on an upstream side of a point of the upstream portion, to which the storage part is connected.

In another example, the storage part may include a body member, a partition member disposed in the body member, and that partitions a space in an interior of the body member, and an elastic member that elastically supports the partition member.

In another example, the storage part may further include an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion, and a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion, and the elastic member may elastically support the partition member along a direction facing the upstream portion connecting passage from the downstream portion connecting passage.

In another example, the storage part may include a body member, an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion, a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion, and a storage member disposed in the body member, communicated with the upstream portion connecting passage, and a volume of which is changeable.

In another example, the storage part may include a body member, an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion, a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion, and a diaphragm disposed in the body member, having a cylindrical shape having the same center as that of the body member inside the body member, and that is expanded or contracted by a difference between pressures of the upstream portion connecting passage and the downstream portion connecting passage.

In another example, when an upward/downward direction may be defined with respect to a vertical direction, the upstream portion may be located on a lower side of the downstream portion.

In another example, the storage part may include a body member, an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion, a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion, and a partition member disposed in the body member, and that partitions a space in an interior of the body member.

In another example, the water heater may further include a controller electrically connecting the sensor part and the heating part, and the controller may stop an operation of the heating part when a flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part, which is sensed by the sensor part, is a reference flow rate or less.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a water pipe diagram conceptually illustrating a water heater according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state before water is stored in a storage part of the water heater according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is stored in the storage part of the water heater according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a water pipe diagram conceptually illustrating a water heater according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of the water heater according to a (2-1)-th embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating the storage part of the water heater according to the (2-1)-th embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a shape when water is introduced into the storage part of the water heater according to the (2-1)-th embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of the water heater according to a (2-2)-th embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of a water heater according to a (2-3)-th embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of a water heater according to a (2-4)-th embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘A-A’ of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘B-B’ of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent components.

In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions associated with well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if they may make subject matters of the present disclosure unnecessarily obscure.

As an example, a water heater of the application may be an instantaneous electric water heater. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be applied to all devices including a means for heating water.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a water pipe diagram conceptually illustrating a water heater according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the water heater according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a pipe part 10, a heating part 20, a sensor part 30, and a storage part 40. A fluid may be introduced into the pipe part 10 through one end and a fluid may be discharged through an opposite end. A faucet that is a water opening/closing device may be connected to the opposite end of the pipe part 10. The fluid may be water “w” (FIG. 3), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that the fluid is water “w”.

The heating part 20 may be configured to heat the fluid in the pipe part 10. As an example, direct water introduced into the pipe part 10 may be heated through the heating part 20 to become hot water. As an example, the heating part 20 may be electrically connected to an external power source “P” to receive electricity from the power source P to generate heat. For example, the heating part 20 may be an electric heater. Alternatively, the heating part 20 may utilize a thermoelectric element. The type of the heating part 20 is not limited thereto, and any structure that may generate heat may be applied without limitation.

The sensor part 30 may be configured to sense a flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part 10. The sensor part 30 may include a flow switch.

The storage part 40 may be a configuration that is connected to the pipe part 10 to provide a space, in which the fluid introduced from the pipe part 10 may be stored. The storage part 40 may provide a space that accommodating the water w introduced from one end of the pipe part 10 after the faucet is closed.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state before water is stored in a storage part of the water heater according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is stored in the storage part of the water heater according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, because the storage part 40 is provided to a space that accommodates the water “w” introduced from one end of the pipe part 10 even after the faucet is closed, the water “w” that flows in the heating part 20 may be supplied further for a period of time even after the faucet is closed, so that overheating of the heating part 20 may be prevented. Accordingly, a performance and a life of the heating part 20 may be improved.

Furthermore, the water heater according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a controller 50. The controller 50 may electrically connect the sensor part 30 and the heating part 20. The controller 50 may stop an operation of the heating part 20 when the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part 10, which is sensed by the sensor part 30, is a reference flow rate or less.

The controller 50 may include a processor and a memory. The processor may include a microprocessor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a central processing unit (CPU), and the like. The memory may store control instructions that are based in generating instructions for determining whether the heating part 20 is operated, in the processor. The memory may be a data store such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a volatile medium, a nonvolatile medium, and the like.

Hereinafter, the structure of the present disclosure will be described in detail. For convenience of description, the pipe part 10 is divided into a heating portion 11, an upstream portion 12, and a downstream portion 13. The heating portion 11 may be a portion of the pipe part 10, which is connected to the heating part 20. The connection here will be regarded as a concept including both a direct connection and an indirect connection.

The upstream portion 12 may be a portion of the pipe part 10, which is located on an upstream side of the heating portion 11. Furthermore, the downstream portion 13 may be a portion of the pipe part 10, which is located on a downstream side of the heating portion 11. In the present specification, the terms of the upstream side and the downstream side may be with respect to a flow direction of a fluid. For example, when the fluid flows from a left side to a right side, the left side may correspond to the upstream side and the right side may correspond to the downstream side.

The storage part 40 may be connected to the downstream portion 13. Furthermore, the sensor part 30 may be disposed on a downstream side of a point of the downstream portion 13, to which the storage part 40 is connected. As the sensor part 30 is disposed on a downstream side of a point of the downstream portion 13, to which the storage part 40 is connected, a time point, at which the operation of the heating part 20 is stopped after the faucet is closed, may be accelerated.

Gas “g” may be filled in an interior of the storage part 40. The gas “g” may be nitrogen, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may not be limited as long as it is an insoluble gas. An internal pressure of the storage part 40, which is formed by the gas “g”, may be 0 bar to 3.0 bar.

First, it is assumed that there is no storage part 40. When the faucet is closed, the flow of the water “w” in the pipe part 10 is stopped, and the flow of the water “w” that passes through the heating part 20 is also stopped. In this case, the sensor part 30 senses that the flow of the water “w” is stopped, and the controller 50 stops the heating part 20. In the process, for a time period, for which the heating part 20 is stopped after the flow of water “w” is stopped, the flow of water “w” in the heating part 20 is stopped, and the stopped water “w” is heated and boiled. In particular, when hard water, such as groundwater, is used, generation and fixation of scale may be accelerated.

According to the present disclosure, because the water “w” may be introduced into the storage part 40 even when the faucet is closed, the flow of the fluid in the pipe part 10 may not be stopped for a specific time period. Accordingly, a phenomenon, in which the water “w” is boiled due to the stopping of the fluid flow in the heating part 20 may be reduced.

Hereinafter, a method for improving the performance and life of the heating part 20 by the water heater according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

When the faucet is first closed, the flow rate in the fluid in the pipe part 10, which is sensed by the sensor part 30, is reduced to a reference flow rate or less. Accordingly, the sensor part 30 stops the operation of the heating part 20.

Meanwhile, although the operation of the heating part 20 is stopped, the water “w” may be continuously introduced into the pipe part 10 due to the presence of the storage part 40. In this case, the internal gas “g” may be compressed by water “w”. This may be understood that the state of FIG. 2 is switched to the state of FIG. 3.

Accordingly, a flow may occur in the pipe part 10 while the water “w” is filled in the storage part 40. Because the flow of the water “w” may continuously occur in the vicinity of the heating part 20, the possibility of the water “w” boiling may be reduced, and the performance and life of the heating part 20 may be improved.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a water pipe diagram conceptually illustrating a water heater according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, a water heater according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The water heater according to the second embodiment is different from the storage part 40 according to the first embodiment in terms of the shapes of the storage parts 40′, 40″, and 40′″ The same or corresponding reference numerals are assigned to the same or corresponding configurations to those of the water heater according to the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The storage parts 40′, 40″, and 40″′ of the water heater according to the second embodiment may have a shape, in which one point of the upstream portion 12 and one point of the downstream portion 13 are connected to each other. In this case, the sensor part 30′ may be disposed on an upstream of a point of the upstream portion 12, to which the storage part 40 is connected. However, the sensor part 30′ may be disposed on a downstream of a point of the downstream portion 13, to which the storage part 40 is connected, as in the case of the first embodiment.

In the case of the water heater according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage parts 40′, 40″ , and 40″′ store the water “w” due to the pressure difference between the upstream portion 12 and the downstream portion 13 during operations thereof, and when the faucet is closed, the pressure difference between the upstream portion 12 and the downstream portion 13 is reduced, and a secondary flow from the storage parts 40′, 40″, and 40′″ toward the heating part 20 may be generated. Accordingly, the performance and life of the heating part 20 may be improved.

The water heater according to the second embodiment may have various modifications of the storage parts 40′, 40″, and 40″′. Hereinafter, the water heater according to the second embodiment will be classified into the water heaters according to the (2-1)-th, the (2-2)-th, and (2-3)-th embodiments depending on the types of the storage parts, respectively, and will be described in detail.

(2-1)-th Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of the water heater according to a (2-1)-th embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG.

6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating the storage part of the water heater according to the (2-1)-th embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a shape when water is introduced into the storage part of the water heater according to the (2-1)-th embodiment.

The storage part 40′ may include a body member 41, a partition member 42, and an elastic member 43. The body member 41 may have a space in an interior thereof. The partition member 42 may be disposed in the body member 41 to divide a space in the interior of the body member 41. The elastic member 43 may elastically support the partition member 42. The elastic member 43 may be disposed in any one of spaces of the body member 41, which are divided by the partition member 42.

The storage part 40′ may further include an upstream portion connecting passage 44 and a downstream portion connecting passage 45. The upstream portion connecting passage 44 may be a flow path that connects the body member 41 and the upstream portion 12. The downstream portion connecting passage 45 may be a flow path that connects the body member 41 and the downstream portion 13.

The elastic member 43 may elastically support the partition member 42 along a direction from the downstream portion connecting passage 45 toward the upstream portion connecting passage 44. The elastic member 43 may be disposed in a space that is adjacent to the downstream portion connecting passage 45, among the spaces of the body member 41, which are divided by the partition member 42.

As an example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the storage part 40′ may include a pipe member 46. The pipe member 46 may be connected to the partition member 42 and extend toward the downstream portion 13. The pipe member 46 may be communicated with the downstream portion 13. The elastic member 43 may have a shape that surrounds the pipe member 46.

A communication hole 47 may be formed in an area of the pipe member 46, which is adjacent to the partition member 42. The communication hole 47 may be a configuration for delivering a specific pressure to the downstream portion 13. As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the water “w” is introduced into the storage part 40′, the partition member 42 may move toward the downstream portion 13.

In the case of the water heater of the (2-1) embodiment, before the faucet is closed, the water “w” may be stored in a space that is adjacent to the upstream portion connecting passage 44 due to the pressure difference as illustrated in FIG. 6, and in this process, the elastic member 43 may be compressed. After the faucet is closed, the pressure difference disappears, and the partition member 42 is pushed out by the elasticity of the elastic member 43, and the water “w” may flow toward the heating part 20. In this case, the water “w” may be introduced into the space of the storage part 40′, which is adjacent to the downstream portion connecting passage 45. This may be the same state as that of FIG. 7.

(2-2)-th Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of the water heater according to a (2-2)-th embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 11.

The storage part 40″ of the water heater of the (2-2)-th embodiment may include a storage member 48 instead of the elastic member 43 and the partition member 42. The storage member 48 may be disposed in the body member 41. The storage member 48 may be communicated with the upstream portion connecting passage 44 and may be changeable in volume. The storage member 48 may change in volume as the water “w” is filled in an interior thereof. The storage member 48 may have a structure having a specific elasticity.

In the case of the water heater of the (2-2)-th embodiment, before the faucet is closed, the water “w” may be stored in the storage member 48 due to the pressure difference as illustrated in FIG. 11, and in this process, the storage member 48 may be expanded. After the faucet is closed, the pressure difference disappears, and the water “w” may flow toward the heating part 20 by the elasticity of the storage member 48. In this case, the water “w” may pass through the heating part 20 and be introduced into the space of the storage part 40″, which is adjacent to the downstream portion connecting passage 45. This may be the same state as that of FIG. 12.

(2-3)-th Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of a water heater according to a (2-3)-th embodiment. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 14.

For convenience of description of the water heater of the (2-3)-th embodiment, an upward/downward direction is defined with respect to the vertical direction. The upstream portion 12 of the water heater of the (2-3)-th embodiment may be located on a lower side of the downstream portion 13.

Furthermore, the storage part 40″′ may include a body member 41 and a partition member 42′. In this case, because the elastic member 43 does not exist, the partition member 42′ may be moved to a lower side of the body member 41 by its own weight when the water “w” is not introduced. The partition member 42′ may serve as a kind of weight.

The water heater of the (2-3)-th embodiment may be in a state as illustrated in FIG. 14 before the faucet is closed. That is, the partition member 42′ may be moved downward by its own weight, but the partition member 42′ may be moved upward by the pressure difference between the upstream portion 12 and the downstream portion 13. FIG. 14 illustrates a state, in which the partition member 42′ is located at the uppermost end of the body member 41.

After the faucet is closed, the pressure difference disappears, and the partition member 42′ pushes out the water “w” by its own weight, and the water “w” may be discharged toward the heating part 20. In this case, the water “w” may pass through the heating part 20 and be introduced into the space of the storage part 40″, which is adjacent to the upstream portion connecting passage 44. This may be the same state as that of FIG. 15. FIG. 15 illustrates a state, in which the partition member 42′ is located at the lowermost end of the body member 41.

In the water heater of the (2-3)-th embodiment, because the movement path of the partition member 42′ may be formed from the uppermost end to the lowermost end of the body member 41, the space of the body member 41 may be utilized as a maximum.

(2-4)-th Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a view conceptually illustrating a storage part of a water heater according to a (2-4)-th embodiment, FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a state, in which water is introduced into the storage part in FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘A-A’ of FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a state, in which a secondary flow toward the heating part occurs in FIG. 17, and FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line ‘B-B’ of FIG. 19.

The storage part 40″″ may include a body member 41 and a diaphragm 42″.

The diaphragm 42″ may be disposed in the cylindrical body member 41, and may be formed inside of the body member 41 in a cylindrical shape that forms the same center as that of the body member 41.

The diaphragm 42″ may be expanded or contracted by selective opening and closing the upstream port connecting passage 44 and the downstream portion connecting passage 45.

In the case of the water heater of the (2-4)-th embodiment, before the faucet is closed, that is, when the water heater is being operated, it may be in a state as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

When direct water is introduced into the upstream portion 12 due to a flow of the water, the diaphragm 42″ may be expanded outward due to a pressure difference between the upstream portion 12 and the downstream portion 13. FIG. 18 illustrates a state, in which the diaphragm 42″ is expanded in an outward direction of the body member 41.

When the water heater is stopped, the faucet is closed and a pressure difference disappears, and as the diaphragm 42″ is restored to its original state by an elastic restoring force and is contracted, the water “w” is pushed outward from the inside of the body member 41 of the storage part 40″″. In this case, the water “w” may pass through the upstream portion connecting passage 44 and be discharged toward the heating part 20. In this case, the water “w” may pass through the heating part 20 and be introduced into the space of the storage part 40″″ which is adjacent to the downstream portion connecting passage 45. This may be the same state as that of FIG. 19. FIG. 20 illustrates a state, in which the diaphragm 42″ is restored to its original state.

According to the water heater of the (2-4)-th embodiment, when the diaphragm 42″ is restored to its original state, the faucet is closed and the direct water is not introduced, so that the sensor part 30′ cannot sense the flow rate of the water “w”, and thus, the heating part 20 is prevented from being operated.

Accordingly, the water “w” that passes through the upstream portion connecting passage 44 and is discharged toward the heating part 20 in the storage part 40″″ may cool the heating part 20 to prevent it from overheating.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water that flows through the heater may be supplied to the heater further for a specific time period even after the faucet is closed, so that overheating of the heater may be prevented, and thus, the performance and lifespan of the heater may be improved.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristic of the present disclosure. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are intended not to limit but to explain the technical idea of the present disclosure, and the scope and spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by the above embodiments. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be construed by the attached claims, and all equivalents thereof should be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A water heater comprising: a pipe part, into which a fluid is introduced through one end thereof, and from which the fluid is discharged through an opposite end thereof;a heating part configured to heat the fluid in the pipe part;a sensor part configured to sense a flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part; anda storage part connected to the pipe part, and configured to store the fluid introduced from the pipe part.

2. The water heater of claim 1, wherein the pipe part includes: a heating portion connected to the heating part;an upstream portion located on an upstream side of the heating portion; anda downstream portion located on a downstream side of the heating portion, andwherein the storage part is connected to the downstream portion.

3. The water heater of claim 2, wherein the sensor part is disposed on a downstream side of a point of the downstream portion, to which the storage part is connected.

4. The water heater of claim 2, wherein a gas is filled in an interior of the storage part, and wherein an internal pressure of the storage part, which is formed by the gas, is 0 bar to 3.0 bar.

5. The water heater of claim 2, wherein the storage part connects one point of the upstream portion and one point of the downstream portion.

6. The water heater of claim 5, wherein the sensor part is disposed on an upstream side of a point of the upstream portion, to which the storage part is connected.

7. The water heater of claim 5, wherein the storage part includes: a body member;a partition member disposed in the body member, and configured to partition a space in an interior of the body member; andan elastic member configured to elastically support the partition member.

8. The water heater of claim 7, wherein the storage part further includes: an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion; anda downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion, andwherein the elastic member elastically supports the partition member along a direction facing the upstream portion connecting passage from the downstream portion connecting passage.

9. The water heater of claim 5, wherein the storage part includes: a body member;an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion;a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion; anda storage member disposed in the body member, communicated with the upstream portion connecting passage, and a volume of which is changeable.

10. The water heater of claim 5, wherein the storage part includes: a body member;an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion;a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion; anda diaphragm disposed in the body member, having a cylindrical shape having the same center as that of the body member inside the body member, and configured to be expanded or contracted by a difference between pressures of the upstream portion connecting passage and the downstream portion connecting passage.

11. The water heater of claim 5, wherein when an upward/downward direction is defined with respect to a vertical direction, the upstream portion is located on a lower side of the downstream portion.

12. The water heater of claim 11, wherein the storage part includes: a body member;an upstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the upstream portion;a downstream portion connecting passage connecting the body member and the downstream portion; anda partition member disposed in the body member, and configured to partition a space in an interior of the body member.

13. The water heater of claim 1, further comprising: a controller electrically connecting the sensor part and the heating part,wherein the controller stops an operation of the heating part when a flow rate of the fluid in the pipe part, which is sensed by the sensor part, is a reference flow rate or less.