Heating device, method for carrying out an infusion and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating device (10), in particular for infrared cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, and a method for carrying out an infusion with a heating device, in particular for infrared cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, wherein the heating device has a heating device (11) for emitting heat energy and a storage device (12), wherein the storage device has at least one storage medium (13) for storing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion can be supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid can be applied to the storage medium, wherein the storage medium is made of a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or a sintered ceramic.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heating device, in particular for heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, and a method for carrying out an infusion, in particular in heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like with a heating device, wherein the heating device has a heating device for emitting heat energy and a storage device, wherein the storage device has at least one storage means for storing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion can be supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid can be applied to the storage means.The invention further relates to the use of a suitable material for forming a storage medium for storing heat energy in a storage device of a heating appliance, in particular for heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, wherein the heating appliance has a heating device for releasing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion can be supplied to the storage device, such that the liquid can be applied to the storage medium.

[0002] Heating devices known from the prior art are regularly installed within infrared cabins, saunas, steam baths, or similar facilities and, as a storage medium for thermal energy, consist of a layer of stones forming a storage device, which are also referred to as sauna stones. Users of the heating device or the cabin perform so-called "infusions" by applying a liquid, preferably water, to the hot stones of the stone layer. The liquid evaporates and increases the relative humidity in the cabin.

[0003] A rapid, noticeable increase in humidity in the cabin is only possible to a limited extent when using the stones as a moisture storage medium. Furthermore, the pores of the stones clog relatively quickly, preventing them from properly fulfilling their purpose. This is due to deposits and / or residues that accumulate in the pores during use. These can include, for example, limescale from the water or residues from oils used in sauna infusions. Therefore, the stones often require extensive cleaning and replacement after a relatively short period of use, increasing operating costs. Additionally, the stones are relatively heavy and therefore not very easy to handle.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of proposing a heating device, a method for carrying out an infusion and a use which enables an optimized carrying out of an infusion, simplified maintenance of the heating device and more cost-effective operation of the heating device.

[0005] This problem is solved by a heating device having the features of claim 1, a method having the features of claim 10 and a use having the features of claim 11.

[0006] The heating device according to the invention, in particular for heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, has a heating device for emitting heat energy and a storage device, wherein the storage device has at least one storage medium for storing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion can be supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid can be applied to the storage medium, wherein the storage medium is made of a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or a sintered ceramic.

[0007] Accordingly, the heating device is designed to heat the storage medium. The heating device can, for example, be an electric resistance heater, which is preferably located below the storage device. The storage device can be designed so that the storage medium is accessible from the top of the heating device. Preferably, the storage device and the storage medium have a comparatively large specific heat capacity, so that the storage device can continue to emit heat radiation via the storage medium for a limited period even when the heating device is switched off, thus heating the cabin in question by convection. The heating device is designed so that a liquid, preferably water, can be supplied to the storage device and applied, in particular directly or indirectly, to the storage medium.The liquid can then evaporate and spread within a cabin, in which the heating unit may be located. The storage medium consists of a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal, or sintered ceramic. Due to their comparatively high porosity relative to their volume, these materials have a relatively large surface area, especially compared to stones, which is available for evaporating the liquid. This allows for a relatively rapid and noticeable increase in humidity within the cabin.Furthermore, the pores of the storage medium formed from these materials are comparatively less susceptible to the accumulation and clogging of deposits and / or residues, such as those resulting from limescale in the liquid or traces of oils used in the infusion. Consequently, the storage medium requires less frequent cleaning. Cleaning is also comparatively less complex. Additionally, the storage medium made from these materials has a comparatively longer lifespan. Finally, the storage medium made from these materials is comparatively lighter, resulting in easier handling.Overall, this results in optimized execution of the infusion, simplified maintenance of the heating device, and more cost-effective operation of the heating device.

[0008] In this context, the terms "metal foam" and "ceramic foam" refer to a metal or ceramic material with a cellular structure of pores and struts. These pores and struts can form an open or hollow skeleton or network. Preferably, the metal foam or ceramic foam has a porosity of at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and more preferably between 90% and 98%. Alternatively, the skeleton or network can be open or hollow within the range of these percentages. The metal foam can be produced, for example, by a melt metallurgy process, particularly a placeholder process, or by a powder metallurgy process or sintering, particularly the Schwartzwalder process. The ceramic foam can be produced, for example, by sintering, particularly the Schwartzwalder process.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the storage medium can be designed as a plate or as a block, particularly a cuboid or a sphere, which may be round or angular. The plate can have a thickness of, for example, 10 mm or 20 mm. Of course, the plate can also have a different thickness. The storage medium can also be designed with a different geometric shape.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the metal foam can be a stainless steel foam, in particular a nickel-chromium foam or nickel-chromium-aluminum foam, an aluminum foam, or a non-ferrous metal foam, in particular a copper foam or nickel foam. If the metal foam is a stainless steel foam, the storage medium is particularly resistant to chemical cleaning agents, especially descalers, and has a comparatively long service life. Similarly, the sintered metal can be based on the aforementioned metals or metal alloys. The metal foam or the sintered metal can also be made of another suitable metal or metal alloy.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the ceramic foam can be an oxide ceramic foam, in particular aluminum oxide foam or zirconium dioxide foam, or a carbide ceramic foam, in particular silicon carbide foam. Similarly, the sintered ceramic can be based on the aforementioned ceramics. The ceramic foam or the sintered ceramic can also be made of another suitable ceramic.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the metal foam or the ceramic foam can have an open-cell or open-pore structure. Furthermore, the sintered metal or the sintered ceramic can have an open-pore structure. The respective material can then be permeated by the liquid. This provides a particularly large surface area for the evaporation of the liquid.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the storage device can have at least one further storage medium for storing thermal energy, wherein the liquid for carrying out the infusion can be supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid can be applied to the further storage medium, which can be a stone. The stone, which is also referred to as a sauna stone, can be lava rock or soapstone. The stone can also be a stone of another type. The liquid can be applied directly or indirectly to the further storage medium.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the storage device can have a plurality of storage means and / or a plurality of further storage means. If the storage device has a plurality of storage means, each designed as a disk, the storage means or disks can be arranged in layers one above the other and / or next to each other. The storage device can also have only a single storage means.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the heating device, in particular the storage device, can have a receptacle, especially a basket, for receiving the storage medium. The receptacle can be arranged above the heating device. The additional storage medium can also be received by means of the receptacle. The storage medium can be arranged below the additional storage medium, preferably within the receptacle, out of sight of a user of the heating device or of a cabin in which the heating device may be located. This allows for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example, a single storage medium designed as a plate or a plurality of storage media, each designed as a plate, can be provided at the bottom of the receptacle, with a plurality of additional storage media arranged on or above the storage medium(s).This eliminates the need for a collection container for catching liquid, especially non-evaporated liquid, which is usually located below the heating device.

[0016] In In an advantageous embodiment, the heating device may have a heating device housing which can at least partially accommodate the heating device and / or the storage device.

[0017] In In one possible embodiment, the heating appliance housing can form the storage medium. In particular, at least one wall or at least one wall section of the heating appliance housing, especially at least one side wall and / or at least one bottom wall, can form the storage medium.

[0018] In In an advantageous embodiment, the heating device can have a pouring device by means of which the liquid can be supplied to the storage device, wherein the pouring device can include a pouring mechanism by means of which the liquid can be applied to the storage medium. Furthermore, the liquid can be applied to the additional storage medium by means of the pouring mechanism. Alternatively, the pouring can be carried out manually.

[0019] The inventive method for carrying out an infusion, in particular in heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, is carried out with a heating device, wherein the heating device has a heating device for releasing heat energy and a storage device, wherein the storage device has at least one storage medium for storing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion is supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid is applied to the storage medium, wherein the storage medium is formed from a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or a sintered ceramic.

[0020] Regarding the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the heating device according to the invention.

[0021] Further advantageous embodiments of the method result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to device claim 1.

[0022] According to the invention, a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or sintered ceramic is used to form a storage medium for storing heat energy in a storage device of a heating appliance, in particular for heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, wherein the heating appliance has a heating device for releasing heat energy, and wherein a liquid can be supplied to the storage device for carrying out an infusion, such that the liquid can be applied to the storage medium.

[0023] Regarding the advantageous effects of the use according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the heating device according to the invention.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments of the use result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to device claim 1.

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] They show: Fig. 1 a partial sectional view of a heating device in a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a partial sectional view of a heating device in a second embodiment.

[0027] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 schematically shows a heating device 10, wherein the heating device 10 comprises a heating element 11 and a storage device 12 arranged above the heating element 11. The storage device 12 comprises a storage medium 13, designed as a plate and made of metal foam, and a plurality of further storage mediums 14, designed as stones, arranged on or above the storage medium 13. The storage medium 13 and the further storage mediums 14 are received in a receptacle 15 of the heating device 10, which is designed as a basket.

[0028] The Fig. 2Figure 16 schematically shows a heating device 16, wherein the heating device 16 has a heating element (not shown) and a storage device 17 arranged above the heating element. The storage device 17 has storage elements 18 formed as angular blocks and made of metal foam. The storage elements 18 are received in a receptacle 19 of the heating device 16, which is designed as a basket.

Claims

1. Heating device (10, 16), in particular for heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, wherein the heating device has a heating device (11) for emitting heat energy and a storage device (12, 17), wherein the storage device has at least one storage medium (13, 18) for storing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion can be supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid can be applied to the storage medium, characterized by that the storage medium is made of a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or sintered ceramic.

2. Heating device according to claim 1, characterized by that the storage medium (13, 18) is designed as a plate or as a block, in particular round or angular.

3. Heating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by thatthe metal foam is a stainless steel foam, in particular nickel-chromium foam or nickel-chromium-aluminium foam, an aluminum foam, or a non-ferrous metal foam, in particular copper foam or nickel foam, or that the ceramic foam is an oxide ceramic foam, in particular aluminum oxide foam or zirconium dioxide foam, or a carbide ceramic foam, in particular silicon carbide foam.

4. Heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that The metal foam or the ceramic foam has an open-cell structure.

5. Heating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the storage device (12, 17) has at least one further storage means (14) for storing heat energy, wherein the liquid for carrying out the infusion can be supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid can be applied to the further storage means, wherein the further storage means is a stone.

6. Heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the heating device (10, 16) has a receptacle (15, 19), in particular a basket, for receiving the storage medium (13, 18).

7. Heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the heating device (10, 16) has a heating device housing which at least partially accommodates the heating device (11) and / or the storage device (12, 17).

8. Heating device according to claim 7, characterized by that the heating appliance housing forms the storage medium (13, 18).

9. Heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the heating device (10, 16) has a pouring device by means of which the liquid can be supplied to the storage device (12, 17), wherein the pouring device has a pouring unit by means of which the liquid can be applied to the storage medium (13, 18).

10. Method for performing an infusion, in particular in heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, with a heating device (10, 16), wherein the heating device has a heating device (11) for releasing heat energy and a storage device (12, 17), wherein the storage device has at least one storage medium (13, 18) for storing heat energy, wherein a liquid for performing an infusion is supplied to the storage device in such a way that the liquid is applied to the storage medium. characterized by that the storage medium is made of a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or sintered ceramic.

11. Use of a metal foam, ceramic foam, sintered metal or sintered ceramic for forming a storage medium (13, 18) for storing heat energy of a storage device (12, 17) of a heating device (10, 16), in particular for heat cabins, saunas, steam baths or the like, wherein the heating device has a heating device (11) for releasing heat energy, wherein a liquid for carrying out an infusion can be supplied to the storage device, such that the liquid can be applied to the storage medium.

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