Sauna stove

Abstract

Sauna heater comprising a housing (4), a heating device (6) and an electrical plug connection with a plug element (22, 26) arranged on the heating device (6) and a plug counterpart element (24, 28) arranged inside the housing (4), characterized in that the housing (4) comprises a heating device opening through which the heating device (6) can be inserted into the housing (4) in such a way that the plug element (22, 26) engages with the plug counterpart element (24, 28).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna heater comprising a housing, a heating device and an electrical connector.

[0002] Sauna heaters in various designs are known from the prior art. These heaters typically comprise a housing and a heating device located within the housing. The heating device is inserted into the housing during assembly and connected to a power source via wiring, such as a terminal block.

[0003] With conventional sauna heaters, assembling and disassembling the heating device is therefore time-consuming and labor-intensive. In particular, this requires a qualified electrician to disconnect and connect the heating device to the power source.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a sauna heater which allows easy maintenance and replacement of a heating device by a technician.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the sauna heater having the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, a sauna heater is provided, comprising a housing, a heating device, and an electrical plug connection. The electrical plug connection has a plug element arranged on the heating device and a mating plug element arranged in the interior of the housing. The housing includes a heating device opening. The heating device can be inserted into the housing through the heating device opening in such a way that the plug element engages with the mating plug element, in particular automatically.

[0007] The core idea of ​​the invention is therefore to provide a heating device opening in the housing, which allows the heating device to be easily inserted into the housing. The electrical plug connection is designed such that, when the heating device is arranged inside the housing, the plug element automatically engages with the mating plug element. Thus, when the heating device is inserted into the housing, the plug connection automatically connects the heating device to a power source, without the need for a qualified electrician to connect the heating device to a power source. The heating device is thus easy to install.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the sauna heater according to the invention, the heating device and thus also the plug-in element arranged on the heating device can be removed or brought out of the housing through the heating device opening.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the sauna heater according to the invention, the heater opening can be closed with a cover.

[0010] The cover can be movable and / or pivotable relative to the housing.

[0011] The cover can be fixed to the heater or to the housing.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the sauna heater according to the invention comprises a positioning arrangement for positioning the heating device relative to the housing.

[0013] The positioning arrangement is designed, for example, such that the plug-in element engages with the plug-in counter-element when the heating device is inserted into the housing.

[0014] By means of the positioning arrangement, for example, a movement of the heating device relative to the housing can be guided when the heating device is introduced into the housing and / or a relative movement of the heating device to the housing can be limited.

[0015] The positioning arrangement can thus be designed such that the heating device, when it is completely arranged in the housing, is in a defined position relative to the housing in which the plug element is in engagement with the plug counter element.

[0016] The positioning arrangement may comprise a positioning element and a positioning counter-element.

[0017] The positioning element is, for example, fixed to the heating device.

[0018] The positioning counter element can be connected to the housing, in particular fixed directly to the housing.

[0019] For example, the positioning element or the positioning counter-element is a positioning pin and the positioning counter-element or the positioning element is a positioning hole, in particular in the form of a blind hole.

[0020] The positioning arrangement can also be or comprise a stop element against which the heating device rests when it is completely arranged in the housing.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the sauna heater according to the invention comprises a rail system.

[0022] The rail system can have at least one, in particular two or a plurality of guide or running rail(s) connected to the housing and at least one, in particular two or a plurality of guide element(s) guided in the guide or running rail(s).

[0023] The guide elements can be or include running elements, sliding pieces or gliders and / or (sliding) carriages.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment of the sauna heater according to the invention, the heating device is movable by means of the rail system between an extended position, in which the heating device is arranged outside the housing, and an installed position. In the installed position, the heating device is arranged completely inside the housing, and the plug-in element engages with the plug-in counter-element.

[0025] For example, the cover is connected to the rail system, in particular to the guide elements, directly or indirectly, in particular immovably relative to the guide elements.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the sauna heater according to the invention comprises a receiving element which is displaceable by means of the rail system and on which the heating arrangement can be arranged.

[0027] The receiving element can be designed in a plate-like manner.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the sauna heater according to the invention, the positioning arrangement is designed such that the heating device can be arranged in exactly one defined position on the receiving element.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the sauna heater according to the invention, the heater opening is formed on a side wall or a top side of the housing.

[0030] The heating device can therefore be inserted into and removed from the housing, for example by translational movement in a horizontal or vertical direction relative to the housing.

[0031] The sauna heater can also comprise a guide system which enables a defined insertion of the heating device from above, i.e. by moving it in a vertical direction, in particular through an insertion opening in the housing.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the sauna heater according to the invention, the housing comprises a base plate.

[0033] The heating device can be moved translationally on the base plate, for example.

[0034] The heating device may be removable from the base plate by movement relative to the base plate in a vertical or perpendicular direction.

[0035] The heating device can be mounted on the base plate so that it can be displaced along a single horizontally extending axis. This allows the heating device to be easily inserted into and removed from the housing in a defined manner.

[0036] The displacement axis extends, for example, through the heater opening.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the sauna heater according to the invention comprises an insert for receiving heat storage media, such as sauna stones, lava stones, soapstone or the like.

[0038] The housing can be designed to be open at the top or to have an insert opening so that the insert can be inserted into and removed from the housing.

[0039] The insert opening can correspond to the heater opening.

[0040] The insert is connected, for example, to at least one handle element. The handle element allows for easy insertion and removal of the insert from within the housing.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the sauna heater according to the invention comprises a steam generating device that includes at least one liquid receptacle. The liquid contained in the liquid receptacle can be vaporized by means of the heating device.

[0042] Furthermore, a method for replacing a heating device of a sauna heater, in particular as described above, is provided.

[0043] The procedure includes the following steps: (a) removing a heater from the housing through a heater opening of the housing, and (b) introducing a further heater into the housing through the heater opening.

[0044] By removing the heating device from the housing according to step (a), for example, a contact between a plug-in element arranged on the heating device and a plug-in counter-element arranged in the housing is automatically released.

[0045] The additional heating device, for example, is identical in construction to the heating device.

[0046] By introducing the further heating device into the housing according to step (b), contact can be automatically established between a further plug-in element arranged on the further heating device and the plug-in counter-element arranged in the housing.

[0047] The plug-in counter element forms, for example, with the plug-in element and the further plug-in element, an electrical plug-in connection or a further electrical plug-in connection.

[0048] Step (a) is carried out, for example, by translational movement of the heating device relative to the housing, in particular in the horizontal and / or vertical direction.

[0049] For example, before step (a) the heater opening is opened.

[0050] In particular, for example, a cover closing the heater opening is removed or moved in such a way that the heater opening is exposed.

[0051] For this purpose, the cover is moved, for example, translationally and / or pivoted about a pivot axis extending in a vertical or horizontal direction.

[0052] After step (b), the heater opening can be closed, for example, by means of the cover or another cover.

[0053] For example, the cover is fixed to the heating device before step (a) and / or the cover or another cover is fixed to the other heating device before step (b).

[0054] If the cover is fixed to the heating device and / or the cover or the further cover is fixed to the further heating device, the heater opening is automatically opened by removing the heating device from the housing or closed by inserting the further heating device into the housing according to step (b).

[0055] For example, the additional heating device in step (b) is placed on a rail system.

[0056] The method may further comprise removing an insert for receiving heat storage means from a housing of the sauna heater and then inserting another insert into the housing.

[0057] For example, the insert is removed from the housing through an insert opening in the housing.

[0058] The additional insert can be inserted into the housing through the insert opening.

[0059] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a sauna heater according to the invention in an assembled state; Fig. 2 another perspective view of the sauna heater from Fig. 1 in a non-assembled state; Fig. 3 another perspective view of the sauna heater from Fig. 1 in a non-assembled state, Fig. 4 a perspective view of another sauna heater according to the invention in an assembled state Fig. 5 another perspective view of the other sauna heater from Fig. 4 in a non-assembled state; and Fig. 6 another perspective view of the other sauna heater from Fig. 4 in a non-assembled state.

[0060] In the Fig. 1 to 3, a sauna heater 2 according to the invention is shown. The sauna heater 2 comprises a housing 4, a replaceable heating device 6, and a replaceable insert 8.

[0061] In the Fig. In the embodiment of the sauna heater 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 4 is open on a first side, so that a heater opening is formed. The heater 6 can be inserted into and removed from the interior of the housing 4 or into a cavity defined by the housing 4 through the heater opening. The heater 6 can thus be easily replaced through the heater opening 26, in particular without requiring the disassembly of other components of the sauna heater 2. The heater opening 26 can be closed, for example, by means of a cover.

[0062] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the heating device 6 comprises a plurality of serpentine heating elements 34. The heating elements are connected to a connecting cable or a power cable via an electrical plug connection. The connecting cable, in turn, can be connected to a power source.

[0063] The plug connection has a plug element 22 and a plug counter element 24. The plug element 22 is firmly connected to the heating device 6. In particular, the plug element 22 is fixed to an underside of the heating device 6. The plug counter element 24 is firmly connected to the housing 4, in particular secured in position relative to the housing 4. For example, the plug counter element 24 is fixed to a base plate 42 that closes the housing at the bottom in the vertical direction. The plug element 22 and the plug counter element 24 are aligned with one another such that the plug element 22 can be brought into engagement with the plug counter element 24 by a movement relative to the plug counter element 24 in the horizontal direction.

[0064] In an installation position of the heating device 6, which is in Fig. 1, the plug element 22 is engaged with the plug counter element 24.

[0065] To ensure correct positioning of the heating device 6 relative to the housing 4 in the installed position, the housing 4 comprises a positioning arrangement. The positioning arrangement comprises a positioning element that is rigidly connected to the heating device 6 or forms part of the heating device 6, and a positioning counter-element. The positioning counter-element is secured in position relative to the housing 4. In particular, the positioning counter-element is rigidly connected to the housing 4 or is part of the housing 4.

[0066] The housing 4 is open at its top, ie, vertically upwards, so that an insert opening 14 is formed. The insert 8 can be inserted into the housing 4 from above through the insert opening 14. Heat storage means (not shown) can be arranged in the insert 8. The insert 8 can be inserted into the housing 4 until it rests on the heating device 6.

[0067] Deviating from the embodiment shown, it is also conceivable that the insert 8 can be inserted into the housing 4 until the insert 8 rests on a support element firmly connected to the housing 4.

[0068] When the insert 8 rests against the heating device 6 or the support element, the insert 8 is completely arranged within the housing 4. The insert 8 therefore does not protrude from the top of the housing 4.

[0069] Deviating from the illustrated embodiment, it is also conceivable that the insert comprises a lateral projection or flange which rests on the housing, in particular in such a way that the insert is arranged at least for the most part, in particular the region of the insert in which the heat storage means 12 are arranged, in the housing.

[0070] To facilitate insertion and removal of the insert 8 into and from the housing 4, the insert 8 is connected to two handle elements 10. The handle elements 10 each have a square, inverted U-shape. The handle elements 10 each comprise two legs 16 and a transverse element 18 connecting the legs 16 to each other at the ends.

[0071] The legs 16 are each connected to the insert 8 in such a way that they can be displaced by a defined distance relative to the insert 8, in particular in the vertical direction. Thus, when the insert 8 is in the functionally correct installation position in the housing 4, the handle elements 10 can be arranged entirely within the interior of the housing 4, i.e., the handle elements 10 do not protrude from the top of the housing 4.

[0072] In the Fig. 4 to 6, another sauna heater 20 according to the invention is shown. The further sauna heater 20 essentially corresponds to the one shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 shown sauna heater 2. Therefore, only the distinguishing features are explained below, whereby the above statements otherwise apply accordingly.

[0073] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the further sauna heater 20 differs from the one shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 in that the heating device 6 can be inserted into the housing from above, i.e., not from the side as in the case of sauna heater 2. The insertion opening 14 thus simultaneously forms a heating device opening.

[0074] While the sauna heater 2 comprises the plug-in element 22 and the plug-in counter-element 24, which can be engaged with one another and released from one another by a relative movement in the horizontal direction, the further sauna heater 20 comprises a plug-in element 26 and a plug-in counter-element 28. The plug-in element 26 and the plug-in counter-element 28 can be engaged with one another and released from one another by a relative movement in the vertical direction.

Claims

[1] Sauna heater, comprising a housing (4), a heating device (6) and an electrical plug connection with a plug element (22, 26) arranged on the heating device (6) and a plug counter element (24, 28) arranged in the interior of the housing (4), characterized by that the housing (4) comprises a heating device opening through which the heating device (6) can be introduced into the housing (4) in such a way that the plug element (22, 26) is in engagement with the plug counter element (24, 28). [2] Sauna heater according to claim 1, characterized by that the heating device (6) can be removed from the housing (4) through the heating device opening. [3] Sauna heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the heater opening can be closed with a cover. [4] Sauna heater according to claim 3, characterized by that the cover is displaceable and / or pivotable relative to the housing (4). [5] Sauna heater according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the cover is fixed to the heating device (6) or the housing (4). [6] Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a positioning arrangement which is designed such that the heating device (6), when it is completely arranged in the housing (4), is arranged in a defined position relative to the housing (4), in which the plug element (22, 26) is in engagement with the plug counter element (24, 28). [7] Sauna heater according to claim 6, characterized by that the positioning arrangement comprises a positioning element fixed to the heating device (6) and a positioning counter-element connected to the housing (4). [8] Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bya rail system comprising at least one, in particular two, guide or running rail(s) connected to the housing (4) and at least one, in particular two, guide element(s) guided in the guide or running rail(s). [9] Sauna heater according to claim 8, characterized by that the heating device (6) is displaceable by means of the rail system between a removal position in which the heating device (6) is arranged outside the housing (4), and an installation position in which the heating device (6) is arranged completely inside the housing (4) and the plug-in element (22, 26) is in engagement with a plug-in counter-element (24, 28). [10] Sauna heater according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by a receiving element which can be moved by means of the rail system and on which the heating arrangement can be arranged. [11] Sauna heater according to claim 10 in conjunction with claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat the positioning arrangement is designed such that the heating device (6) can be arranged in exactly one defined position on the receiving element. [12] Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the heater opening is formed on a side wall or a top of the housing (4). [13] Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the heating device (6) is displaceable on a base plate (42) of the housing (4) or between side walls of the housing (4), in particular along a displacement axis extending in the horizontal or vertical direction. [14] Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized byan insert (8) for receiving heat storage medium, wherein the housing (4) comprises an insert opening (14) through which the insert (8) can be inserted into the housing (4) and removed from the housing (4), wherein the insert (8) is connected to at least one handle element (10). [15] Sauna heater according to claim 14, characterized by that the insert opening (14) corresponds to the heater opening.

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