Sauna heater

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sauna heater for a sauna room with a housing containing a heating device and having an outlet opening from which the air heated by the heating device exits due to convection, wherein the sauna heater has a stone bed arranged in the outlet opening and an automatic infusion device having a reservoir, a pump and a liquid distribution device which are arranged such that liquid is distributed from the reservoir to the stone bed by means of the pump and the liquid distribution device.According to the invention, the liquid distribution device consists of a spray plate and a liquid opening, wherein the liquid opening is arranged below the spray plate surrounded by the stone bed in such a way that liquid can be sprayed from the liquid opening against the pointed plate from below, wherein the liquid opening is preferably aligned in such a way that the liquid emerges vertically upwards from it.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna heater for a sauna room according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] A sauna heater according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 20 2012 101501 U1.

[0003] A device for a sauna heater is known from EP 2 092 926 A1. The known device has a swiveling fan mounted on a swiveling arm at a distance above the sauna heater housing. The swiveling fan is volume-flow controlled, and the airflow direction can be adjusted via the swiveling arm. The device requires a large installation space and is prone to malfunction because the swiveling arm is very exposed and the fan is subjected to very high temperatures. Furthermore, the device directs only an unsatisfactory portion of the air heated by the sauna heater into the sauna room, resulting in an unsatisfactory sauna experience that is not comparable to manual air distribution, for example, by a sauna master after a sauna infusion.

[0004] The invention is defined by the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

[0005] In an embodiment that is not part of the invention, the sauna heater has a device comprising an air duct with at least one inlet opening below the housing and at least one outlet opening above an outlet opening of the housing, wherein the air heated by the heating device exits the housing from the outlet opening and in which a stone bed is preferably arranged, wherein the air duct and the fan are arranged such that the fan draws air into the at least one inlet opening, then conveys the air upwards in the air duct along the sauna heater to the at least one outlet opening, and blows the air out of the at least one outlet opening above the outlet opening of the housing of the sauna heater, and wherein a flow direction control component is arranged at / the outlet opening, which is arranged such that the direction of airflow is adjustable.

[0006] The fan is exposed to significantly lower and more consistent temperatures, and the air duct directs the air precisely to the outlet, which can be positioned closer to the exhaust vent. This allows the air from the outlet to carry significantly more heated air from the sauna heater housing and distribute it effectively throughout the sauna room via the airflow guidance system. Consequently, the device also enhances the sauna experience.

[0007] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flow direction always has a horizontal component that leads from the outlet opening, through the outlet opening of the housing, into the sauna room. This allows a larger proportion of the volume flow of heated air exiting the outlet opening to be directed specifically into the sauna room.

[0008] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one outlet opening is arranged at a height of 2 to 20 cm, preferably 4 to 10 cm, and particularly preferably 6 to 9 cm, above the outlet opening of the housing. At this distance, the heated air exiting the outlet opening can be carried away particularly efficiently and to a large extent by the air from the device. If a bed of stones is arranged in the outlet opening, the at least one outlet opening is preferably arranged at a height of 1 to 15 cm, preferably 1 to 10 cm, and particularly preferably 2 to 6 cm, above the highest point of a bed of stones located in the outlet opening. The bed of stones usually extends beyond the outlet opening.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the device is configured such that the air volume flow through the air duct is between 50 and 150 m³ / h, preferably between 80 and 120 m³ / h, and particularly preferably 100 m³ / h. This enables the most efficient and targeted distribution of the heated air in the sauna room.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the device has two outlet openings, each with a flow-guiding component, wherein the flow directions from the two outlet openings can be adjusted independently by the respective flow-guiding components. Through the two outlet openings, each with a flow-guiding component, the heated air can be directed to two positions in the sauna room, and the resulting volume flow per outlet remains within a range advantageous for the sauna experience.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the flow guidance component is designed such that both a vertical and a horizontal component of the flow direction can be adjusted. This allows the position in the sauna room to which the heated air is to be transported to be precisely set.

[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the flow-guiding component has horizontal and vertical lamellae, which are movably mounted relative to each other and to the outlet opening. Such flow-guiding components enable precise adjustment of the flow direction and can be robust, heat-resistant, and relatively inexpensive.

[0013] Preferably, the flow-aligning component comprises two horizontally arranged lamellae arranged one above the other in parallel, which are rigidly connected to each other at their longitudinal ends and are rotatably mounted in the outlet opening about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal orientation of the horizontal lamellae. The flow-aligning component also includes at least two vertical lamellae that are pivotably mounted between the horizontal lamellae and are preferably connected to each other such that adjusting one vertical lamella aligns the other vertical lamellae. This design enables a particularly robust and easily adjustable flow-aligning component. Furthermore, the flow-aligning component can be mounted relative to the outlet opening in such a way as to allow for large angles with respect to the horizontal component of the flow direction.Particularly preferred are the two horizontally arranged louvers, one above the other in parallel, mounted in the outlet opening in such a way that all the air passing through the air duct is directed between the two horizontally arranged louvers. This ensures that all the air leaving the at least one outlet opening is directed precisely to the desired location.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the device has a plastic clip that is extendably attached to one of the vertical slats, so that the plastic clip can be grasped and the vertical and horizontal slats can be moved over the plastic clip. This allows the slats to be made of materials with a high thermal conductivity coefficient, and the airflow direction can still be adjusted manually even at elevated temperatures in the sauna.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, one of the vertical louvers extends beyond the horizontal louvers and the outlet opening. This allows the user to manipulate the flow alignment component with a ladle or similar tool and adjust its orientation.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, the at least one fan is arranged at or in the at least one inlet opening. Here, the fan can draw in air from the area below the housing as efficiently as possible. Preferably, the air duct has at least two inlet openings below the sauna heater, and a fan is arranged at or in each of the at least two inlet openings. This makes the device less prone to malfunctions and allows it to continue to be used even if one fan fails.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, the volume flow rate generated by the at least one fan is adjustable.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the device includes a noise-canceling device that suppresses the noise generated by the at least one fan. This can be achieved, among other things, by integrating the fan noise into a pleasant background noise. This can improve the sauna experience, which aims at relaxation.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the device has a suspension on the air duct, with which the device can be attached to a first outer wall of the sauna heater housing. This allows the device to be retrofitted to existing sauna heaters.

[0020] In an embodiment not part of the invention, the sauna heater has a device according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the device is attached to a first outer wall of a housing of the sauna heater, which contains a heating device and has an outlet opening from which the air heated by the heating device exits the housing. Such a sauna heater enables an improved sauna experience, since heated air can be directed into the sauna room, thereby intensifying the sauna experience. This is also possible without a sauna master or manual effort. This is particularly advantageous for sauna users who use the sauna room alone, as they cannot simultaneously manipulate the heated air and enjoy the sauna experience.By combining the device with an automatic sauna infusion system, the sauna experience, especially for individual users, can be greatly enhanced, as a complete infusion ceremony, including air manipulation after the stone bed has been moistened, can be performed without manual intervention. Preferably, the sauna heater includes voice control for operating the pump. This allows the sauna user to conveniently start the infusion from their seated position. The amount of liquid dispensed is preferably adjustable via voice control, and the device itself is also preferably controllable via voice control. This enables a personalized sauna experience.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the voice control is configured such that different programs can be selected, containing varying amounts of dispensed liquid and device settings. This makes the voice control easy to use.

[0022] Preferably, the sauna heater also includes a control unit with a manual control interface, preferably with buttons, by which the sauna heater can be started. Preferably, the automatic infusion device and the device can be controlled and adjusted via the control interface.

[0023] The present invention relates to a sauna heater for a sauna room with a housing containing a heating device and having an outlet opening from which the air heated by the heating device exits due to convection, wherein the sauna heater has a stone bed arranged in the outlet opening and an automatic infusion device comprising a reservoir, a pump and a liquid distribution device, which are arranged such that liquid from the reservoir is distributed onto the stone bed by means of the pump and the liquid distribution device, wherein the liquid distribution device consists of a spray plate and a liquid opening, wherein the liquid opening is arranged below the spray plate surrounded by the stone bed such that liquid can be sprayed from the liquid opening against the spray plate from below, wherein the liquid opening is preferably oriented such thatthat the liquid exits vertically upwards from this. By using this liquid distribution device, the liquid can be distributed over a large area on the stone bed, and the automatic pouring device is also particularly low-maintenance, since the arrangement according to the invention eliminates the need for nozzles that are prone to calcification, and the water-conducting cross-sections can be made larger and better insulated.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the pump and reservoir are arranged separately from the heating elements, and a line leads from the pump through the stone bed to the liquid opening. The reservoir, pump, and line are preferably thermally insulated from the heating elements and the stone bed. This prevents the pump and reservoir from being exposed to excessively high temperatures, allowing for a wider selection of possible components. The insulation also reduces or eliminates water evaporation in the reservoir, pump, and line, resulting in less limescale buildup and lower maintenance requirements for the automatic brewing system.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, the underside of the spray plate is curved downwards in such a way that the liquid is distributed over at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, of the stone bed. The underside of the spray plate preferably has a honeycomb structure and / or spikes that cause the liquid to drip from the underside of the spray plate at predetermined positions above the stone bed. This allows the water to be distributed over the stone bed as evenly and precisely as possible, minimizing the risk of water splashing outwards or not onto the stone bed. In addition, the curvature also prevents the sauna infusion liquid from splashing laterally onto people in the sauna cabin.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, the pump has a delivery head of at least 15 cm and a maximum of 45 cm, and the spray plate is positioned between 0.5 cm and 4 cm away from the liquid opening. This ensures that the water is distributed over the spray plate with sufficient velocity and spread over a large area of ​​the stone bed.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir has a volume of 0.5 to 2 liters. This ensures that at least enough liquid is available for the infusions of a sauna session, while still allowing the sauna heater to be designed in a compact manner.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the reservoir is located in a flap in a second outer wall of the housing such that the reservoir can be filled when the flap is open. This makes handling the reservoir easy for the user.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the reservoir is located in a removable pouring tank, which is situated in a second outer wall of the housing and can be pulled out from it. This further simplifies filling the reservoir for the user.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the sauna heater has a vaporizer unit. This further expands the possible uses of the sauna heater.

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0032] The drawings show: Figure 1: An oblique view from above of an embodiment of a sauna heater with a device that is not part of the invention and an automatic infusion device, and without the representation of the stone bed; Figure 2: A side view of the embodiment; Figure 3: An oblique view from above of the device of the embodiment; Figure 4: A sectional view of the side view of an upper end of the device of the embodiment; Figure 5: A detailed oblique view from above of the embodiment; Figure 6: A schematic detailed oblique view from above of the embodiment with stone bed; Figure 7: A sectional view of the side view of the outlet opening and the automatic infusion device of the embodiment without stone bed.

[0033] In the following illustrations, identical parts are labelled with the same reference symbols. If a figure contains reference symbols that are not explicitly addressed in the corresponding figure description, reference is made to previous or subsequent figure descriptions.

[0034] The figures show views of an embodiment, which is not part of the invention, of a sauna heater 1 with a device 2 for a sauna heater 1 for a sauna room. The sauna heater 1 has a housing 3 that contains a heating element of the sauna heater 1 and has an outlet opening 4 through which the air heated by the heating element exits the housing 3. A [missing information - likely a specific component or element] is located in the outlet opening 4. Figure 6The depicted stone bed 17 is arranged, projecting beyond the outlet opening 4. The device 2 has an air duct 5, which is arranged along an outer wall of the housing 3 and has two inlet openings 6 below and two outlet openings 7 above the housing 3. Fans, not shown in the figures, are arranged in each of the inlet openings 6 and draw air from below the housing 3 into the air duct 5 of the device 2. From there, the air is directed through the air duct 5 to the two outlet openings 7, which are arranged just above the outlet opening 4 and are directed horizontally towards the outlet opening 4. A flow-guiding component 8 is arranged in each of the two outlet openings 7, which defines the direction of airflow from the outlet openings 7.

[0035] As in Figure 3As shown, the device 2 has at least one suspension 18 by which the device 2 is attached to the housing 3 of the sauna heater 1.

[0036] The functionality of the flow alignment component 8 is derived from the Figures 4 , 5 and 6The flow-aligning components 8 each have two parallel horizontal louvers 9 arranged one above the other, which are fixed at a fixed distance from each other and are rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis 10 in the respective outlet opening 7. The mounting is designed such that the entire airflow, which is guided through the air duct 5, is directed between the two horizontal louvers 9, the air duct 5 being designed upstream of this transition to achieve the most laminar airflow possible when the direction of movement changes. By mounting the horizontal louvers 9 about the horizontal axis 10, the direction of airflow from the outlet openings can be adjusted vertically, with the vertical adjustment being limited by the further course of the outlet openings 7.

[0037] Four vertical louvers 11 are arranged between the horizontal louvers 9, each pivotally movable about an axis parallel to a normal to the two horizontal louvers 9. The vertical louvers 11 are connected to each other in such a way that they are always aligned parallel to one another. By pivoting the vertical louvers 11, the horizontal component of the airflow direction from the outlet openings 7 can be adjusted. Each vertical louver 11 has a plastic clip 12 for each flow alignment component 8, which can be grasped by hand to align both the vertical and horizontal airflow direction from the outlet openings 7 by adjusting the flow alignment component 8.

[0038] In addition to the housing 3 and the device 2, the exemplary embodiment of the sauna heater 1 shown in the figures has an automatic infusion device 13, which includes a spray plate 14, a reservoir for infusion liquid, a pump, and a line 15 with a liquid opening. The reservoir is arranged in a removable infusion tank 16, which is easily accessible on a front side of the housing 3. The pump, which is separated from and insulated from the heating device of the special heater, pumps infusion liquid from the reservoir through the line 15, which runs through the stone bed 17, to the liquid opening. This opening is located below the spray plate 14 such that the infusion liquid is directed vertically from the opening towards the spray plate 14.

[0039] The spray plate 14 is curved downwards in such a way that it is particularly noticeable in Figure 7It is evident that the liquid can flow along this curvature and from there cover a large area of ​​the stone bed 17. The curved underside of the splash plate 14 can have additional elements that cause the pouring liquid to drip from the splash plate 14 at defined positions above the stone bed 17.

[0040] The embodiment of the sauna heater 1 according to the invention has a control interface with buttons and, in addition, a voice control, which are set up in such a way that a user of the sauna heater 1 can choose from various programs, which may include an infusion by means of the automatic infusion device with selectable intensity and / or the use of the device 2, also with intensity selectable by the airflow from the outlet openings 7. List of reference symbols

[0041] 1 Sauna heater 2 Device 3 Housing 4 Outlet opening 5 Air duct 6 Inlet opening 7 Outlet opening 8 Flow alignment component 9 Horizontal louver 10 Horizontal axis 11 Vertical louver 12 Plastic clip 13 Automatic infusion device 14 Splash plate 15 Pipe 16 Infusion tank 17 Stone bed 18 Suspension

Claims

1. Sauna stove (1) for a sauna room with a housing (3) containing a heating device and including a discharge opening (4) from which the air heated by the heating device exits due to convection, wherein the sauna stove (1) includes a bed of stones (17) which is arranged in the discharge opening (4), and an automatic infusion device (13) which includes a reservoir, a pump and a liquid distribution means which are configured such that liquid from the reservoir is distributed onto the bed of stones (17) by means of the pump and the liquid distribution means, characterized in that the liquid distribution means consists of a spray plate (14) and a liquid opening, wherein the liquid opening is arranged below the spray plate (14), surrounded by the bed of stones (17), such that liquid from the liquid opening is sprayable against the spray plate (14) from below, wherein the liquid opening is preferably oriented such that the liquid exits from the latter vertically to the top.

2. Sauna stove (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump and the reservoir are arranged separately from the heating elements, and a line (15) leads from the pump through the bed of stones (17) to the liquid opening, wherein the reservoir, the pump and the line (15) are preferably thermally insulated from the heating elements and the bed of stones (17).

3. Sauna stove (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that bottom side of the spray plate (14) is curved to the bottom such that the occurring liquid is distributed over at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, of the bed of stones (17), wherein the bottom side of the spray plate (14) preferably has a honeycomb structure by which a dripping off of the liquid from the bottom side of the spray plate (14) is caused at predetermined positions over the bed of stones (17).

4. Sauna stove (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pump has a discharge height of at least 15 cm and maximally 45 cm, and the spray plate (14) has a distance between 0.5 cm and 4 cm from the liquid opening.

5. Sauna stove (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sauna stove (1) includes a voice control by which the pump can be actuated, wherein preferably, the amount of the distributed liquid is adjustable by means of the voice controll.

6. Sauna stove (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reservoir has a volume of 0.5 to 2 l.

7. Sauna stove (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the reservoir is located in a flap in a second outer wall of the housing (3), such that the reservoir can be filled when the flap is open ,or in that the reservoir is located in a removable infusion tank (16), which is placed in the second outer wall of the housing (3) and is extendable from it.

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