Sauna stove and method for replacing a heating device of such a sauna stove

Abstract

The invention relates to a sauna heater (2) comprising a housing (4), a heating element (6), and an electrical connector with a plug element (22) arranged on the heating element and a mating plug element (24) located inside the housing. The housing has a heating element opening through which the heating element can be inserted into the housing (4) such that the plug element (22) engages with the mating plug element (24). The invention further relates to a method for replacing a heating element of such a sauna heater.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna heater comprising a housing, a heating element, and an electrical connector. The invention further relates to a method for replacing the heating element of such a sauna heater.

[0002] Sauna heaters are known in various designs from the prior art. These known sauna heaters typically consist of a housing and a heating element located within the housing. During assembly, the heating element is installed in the housing and connected to a power source via wiring, such as a terminal block.

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

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a sauna heater which allows for easy maintenance and replacement of a heating element by a single technician. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for replacing a heating element of such a sauna heater.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the sauna stove with the features of claim 1 and the method with the features of claim 10.

[0006] According to the invention, a sauna heater is provided, comprising a housing, a heating device, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector has a plug element arranged on the heating device and a mating plug element located inside the housing. The housing includes an opening for the heating device. The heating device can be inserted into the housing through this 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 connector is designed such that the plug element automatically engages with the mating plug element when the heating device is located inside the housing. Thus, when the heating device is inserted into the housing, it is automatically connected to a power source via the plug connection, without the need for a qualified electrician to connect the heating device to a power source. The heating device is therefore 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 taken out of the housing through the heating device opening.

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

[0010] The cover can be moved and / or swivelled relative to the housing.

[0011] The cover can be fixed to the heating device 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 is engaged with the plug-in counterpart element when the heating device is inserted into the housing.

[0014] The positioning arrangement makes it possible, for example, to guide the movement of the heating device relative to the housing when inserting the heating device into the housing and / or to limit the relative movement of the heating device to the housing.

[0015] The positioning arrangement can therefore 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-in element is engaged with the plug-in counterpart element.

[0016] The positioning arrangement can include 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 may also be or include a stop element against which the heating device rests when it is completely enclosed 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, guide or running rail(s) connected to the housing and at least one, in particular two or a plurality, guide element(s) guided in the guide or running rail(s).

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

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

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

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

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

[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 stove according to the invention, the heating device opening is formed on a side wall or on the top 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 may also include a guide system that allows for a defined insertion of the heating device from above, i.e. by moving it in a vertical direction, in particular through an opening in the housing.

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

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

[0034] The heating device can be removed from the base plate by movement relative to the base plate in a vertical direction.

[0035] The heating device can be mounted on the base plate so that it can be moved along exactly one horizontal axis. This allows the heating device to be easily inserted into and removed from the housing.

[0036] The axis of movement extends, for example, through the heating device opening.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the sauna stove according to the invention comprises an insert for receiving heat storage materials, 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 opening for insertion, so that the insert can be inserted into and removed from the housing.

[0039] The insertion opening can correspond to the heating device opening.

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

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

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

[0043] The process includes the following steps: (a) removing a heating device from the housing through a heating device opening in the housing, and (b) inserting another heating device into the housing through the heating device opening.

[0044] For example, by removing the heating device from the housing according to step (a), a contact between a plug element located on the heating device and a plug counterpart located in the housing is automatically released.

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

[0046] By inserting the additional heating device into the housing according to step (b), contact can automatically be established between an additional plug element arranged on the additional heating device and the corresponding plug element arranged in the housing.

[0047] The mating connector, for example, forms an electrical connector or another electrical connector together with the connector and the other connector.

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

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

[0050] In particular, this involves, for example, removing or moving a cover that closes the heating device opening so that the heating device opening is exposed.

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

[0052] After step (b), the heating device 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 further 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 heating device 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, in step (b) the additional heating device is placed on a rail system.

[0056] The procedure may further include removing an insert for holding heat storage media from a housing of the sauna heater and subsequently inserting another insert into the housing.

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

[0058] The remaining 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 drawing. It shows: Figure 1 a perspective view of a sauna stove according to the invention in an assembled state; Figure 2 another perspective view of the sauna stove from Figure 1 in an unassembled state; Figure 3 another perspective view of the sauna stove from Figure 1 in an unassembled state, Figure 4 a perspective view of another sauna stove according to the invention in an assembled state Figure 5 another perspective view of the other sauna stove from Figure 4 in an unassembled state; and Figure 6another perspective view of the other sauna stove from Figure 4 in an unassembled state.

[0060] In the Figures 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] During the Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated embodiment of the sauna heater 2, the housing 4 is open on one side, forming a heating element opening. The heating element 6 can be inserted into and removed from the interior of the housing 4, or into a cavity defined by the housing 4, through this opening. The heating element 6 can thus be easily replaced through the heating element opening 26, particularly without requiring the disassembly of other components of the sauna heater 2. The heating element opening 26 can be closed, for example, by means of a cover.

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

[0063] The connector comprises a plug element 22 and a mating plug element 24. The plug element 22 is fixedly connected to the heating device 6. In particular, the plug element 22 is fixed to an underside of the heating device 6. The mating plug element 24 is fixedly connected to the housing 4, in particular its position relative to the housing 4 is secured. For example, the mating plug element 24 is fixed to a base plate 42 that closes the bottom of the housing vertically. The plug element 22 and the mating plug element 24 are aligned with each other such that the plug element 22 can be brought into engagement with the mating plug element 24 by a movement relative to the mating plug element 24 in a horizontal direction.

[0064] In an installation position of the heating device 6, which is in Figure 1 As shown, the plug-in element 22 is engaged with the plug-in counterpart element 24.

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

[0066] The housing 4 is open at its top, i.e., in the vertical direction at the top, 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 elements (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] In contrast to the embodiment shown, it is also conceivable that the insert 8 can be inserted so far into the housing 4 that the insert 8 rests on a support element firmly connected to the housing 4.

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

[0069] In contrast to the embodiment shown, it is also conceivable that the insert comprises a lateral projection or flange which rests on the housing, in particular such that the insert is arranged at least largely, in particular the area 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. Each handle element 10 has an angular, inverted U-shape. The handle elements 10 thus each comprise two legs 16 and a transverse element 18 connecting the legs 16 at their 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, particularly in the vertical direction. Thus, when the insert 8 is installed in the housing 4 in its intended functional position, the handle elements 10 can be arranged completely inside the housing 4; that is, the handle elements 10 do not protrude from the top of the housing 4.

[0072] In the Figures 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 Figures 1 to 3The sauna heater shown in section 2. Therefore, only the distinguishing features will be explained below, while the above statements apply accordingly.

[0073] As can be seen particularly from the Figures 5 and 6 As can be seen, the other sauna heater 20 differs from the one in the Figures 1 to 3 The sauna heater 2 shown is distinguished by the fact that the heating element 6 can be inserted into the housing from above, i.e., not from the side as with sauna heater 2. The insertion opening 14 thus simultaneously forms an opening for the heating element.

[0074] While sauna heater 2 comprises the plug-in element 22 and the plug-in counterpart element 24, which can be engaged and detached from each other by a relative movement in a horizontal direction, the other sauna heater 20 comprises a plug-in element 26 and a plug-in counterpart element 28. The plug-in element 26 and the plug-in counterpart element 28 can be engaged and detached from each other by a relative movement in a 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 counterpart element (24, 28) arranged inside the housing (4), wherein marked , that the housing (4) includes a heating device opening through which the heating device (6) can be inserted into the housing (4) in such a way that the plug-in element (22, 26) engages with the plug-in counterpart 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 heating device opening can be closed with a cover, wherein the cover is in particular movable and / or pivotable relative to the housing (4) and / or the cover is fixed to the heating device (6) or the housing (4).

4. Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a positioning arrangement configured 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-in element (22, 26) engages with the plug-in counterpart element (24, 28), wherein the positioning arrangement in particular comprises a positioning element fixed to the heating device (6) and a positioning counterpart element connected to the housing (4).

5. Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 4, 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), wherein the heating device (6) is displaceable, in particular 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 engaged with a plug-in counterpart element (24, 28).

6. Sauna heater according to claim 5, characterized by a receiving element which is movable by means of the rail system and on which the heating arrangement can be arranged, wherein the positioning arrangement is in particular designed such that the heating device (6) can be arranged in exactly one defined position on the receiving element.

7. Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the heating device opening is formed on a side wall or on the top of the housing (4).

8. Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 7, 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 a horizontal or a vertical direction.

9. Sauna heater according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by an 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 and removed from the housing (4), wherein the insert (8) is connected to at least one handle element (10), wherein the insert opening (14) corresponds in particular to the heating device opening.

10. Method for replacing a heating device of a sauna heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: (a) removing a heating device (6) from a housing (4) through a heating device opening of the housing (4), and (b) inserting another heating device (6) into the housing (4) through the heating device opening.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized by that In step (a) a contact of a plug element (22, 26) arranged on the heating device (6) and a plug counterpart element (24, 28) arranged in the housing (4) is automatically released.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that By inserting the additional heating device (6) into the housing (4) according to step (b), a contact is automatically established between an additional plug element (22, 26) arranged on the additional heating device (6) and the plug counterpart element (24, 28) arranged in the housing (4).

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that in step (a) the heating device (6) is moved translationally relative to the housing (4), in particular in a horizontal and / or vertical direction.

14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by that the heating device opening is opened before step (a), in particular by translationally moving a cover and / or pivoting the cover about a pivot axis extending in a vertical or horizontal direction.

15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by that after step (b) the heating device opening is closed by means of the cover or a further cover, wherein in particular the cover is fixed to the heating device (6) before step (a) and / or the cover or a further cover is fixed to the further heating device (6) before step (b).

16. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by that the further heating device (6) is placed on a rail system of the sauna heater (2, 20) in step (b).

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