Outer case for hot water unit, and hot water unit provided therewith

Abstract

This outer case (C) for a hot water unit, configured using a metal plate ( 30 a ), is provided with a paint layer ( 30 b ) which is provided to cover the front surface and/or back surface of the metal plate ( 30 a ), an inkjet printing layer ( 4 ) which is laminated on the paint layer ( 30 b ) and which shows text, symbols, figures and/or patterns, and a clear layer ( 5 ) which covers the inkjet printing layer ( 4 ). By means of this configuration, the outer case (C) can be produced with high productivity and at a low cost, and with excellent design and resistance properties.

1 . An outer case for a hot water unit configured using a metal plate, the outer case comprising:
 a paint layer provided to cover at least one of a front surface and a back surface of the metal plate;   an inkjet printing layer which is laminated on the paint layer and represents at least one of text, symbols, figures or a pattern; and   a clear layer which covers the inkjet printing layer.   
     
     
         2 . The outer case for a hot water unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the clear layer contains an ultraviolet absorber. 
     
     
         3 . The outer case for a hot water unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer case includes an outer case main body having an opening on at least one surface, and a cover body attached to the outer case main body to close the opening, and
 at least one of the outer case main body and the cover body has a configuration in which the paint layer, the inkjet printing layer, and the clear layer are provided on an outer surface of the metal plate.   
     
     
         4 . The outer case for a hot water unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal plate is provided with a drawing portion, and
 in a portion of the drawing portion in which a plate thickness of the metal plate is thinner than that of another portion, a thickness of the inkjet printing layer is also thinner than that of the other portion.   
     
     
         5 . The outer case for a hot water unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal plate is provided with a burring hole into which a burring portion protrudes on a peripheral portion,
 a first inkjet printing layer provided in a peripheral portion of the burring hole and a second inkjet printing layer provided in the burring portion to be connected to the first inkjet printing layer are included as the inkjet printing layer, and the first inkjet printing layer and the second inkjet printing layer are covered serially by the clear layer.   
     
     
         6 . The outer case for a hot water unit according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some component parts of the outer case are pressed products, and
 a positioning mark for pressing of the component parts is provided as the inkjet printing layer.   
     
     
         7 . A hot water unit comprising the outer case for a hot water unit according to  claim 1 .