Sauna heater, sauna heater system having the same, and sauna heater installation method

Abstract

To provide a sauna heater that is easy to install and replace.SOLUTION: A sauna heater includes a heater that generates heat when supplied with power, a cable 16 that transmits power to the heater, and a plug 17 that is connected to the cable. It is preferable that the plug is a waterproof plug. In this case, it is preferable that the waterproof plug includes a body, a shell that covers an outer periphery of the body, and a plug blade that protrudes from an end face of the body, and the shell is made of a waterproof material. It is also preferable that the sauna heater includes a heater cover that has a space inside, a heater that is arranged in the space of the heater cover and generates heat by electricity, a terminal block that includes multiple terminals connected to the heater, and a cable whose one end is connected to the multiple terminals and whose other end is connected to the plug 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna heater, a sauna heater system including the same, and a method for installing a sauna heater.

Background Art

[0002] A sauna is a steam bath that warms the user's body and causes sweating in a hot and humid room. In a sauna, a sauna heater (also called a stove) is heated to a high temperature, and steam is generated by pouring water on the sauna heater or the like, thereby increasing the temperature and humidity in the room. Since entering a sauna can provide effects such as relaxation and fatigue recovery, it is popular among a wide range of age groups. For this reason, the demand for sauna heaters is also increasing. The present applicant has also previously invented and filed a patent application for a gas combustion heater for saunas (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Fig. 7 shows the principle of supplying power to a conventional sauna heater. As shown in this figure, in a conventional power supply system, a sauna heater 101 is installed in a room surrounded by a wall W, an electromagnetic switch box 103 is arranged outdoors, and the heater and the electromagnetic switch are directly connected by an electric wire cable 102. An electric wire cable 104 for supplying power from outdoors and a control panel 105 for controlling the temperature of the sauna heater 101 are connected to the electromagnetic switch box 103. When a new sauna is installed, a professional technician performs work on-site to connect the cable 104 to the terminal board of the sauna heater 101.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional system, since a technician with expertise in electrical work has to work on-site, the labor cost is high. Also, the sauna room where the sauna heater is installed is partitioned by a fence, and it is necessary to perform detailed work within such a narrow heater compartment, which has made the work difficult and contributed to an increase in the labor cost. Furthermore, when replacing the sauna heater, it has been time-consuming to disconnect the cable from the sauna heater and reconnect it to the new heater. Especially in recent years, more and more individuals own saunas, and the demand for heater replacement has increased. There is a need to simplify the installation and replacement of heaters.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sauna heater that is easy to install and replace, a sauna heater system including the same, and a method for installing a sauna heater.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] 〔1〕A sauna heater characterized by comprising a heater that generates heat upon receiving power supply, a cable that transmits power to the heater, and a plug connected to the cable.

[0008] According to the present invention, since the cable and the plug are pre-connected to the heater, it is possible to connect to the power supply simply by inserting the plug into a connector (outlet) on-site, which facilitates the installation work of the sauna heater. Also, when replacing the sauna heater, there is no need to disconnect the cable and attach it to a new sauna. The replacement work of the sauna can be easily performed by simply removing the plug of the existing sauna from the connector and inserting the plug pre-connected to the new sauna into the connector.

[0009] Also, it is preferable that the plug is a waterproof plug.

[0010] In this way, since the plug for connecting to the power supply is waterproof, deterioration and leakage of the plug are less likely to occur even in a high-humidity environment. Therefore, it is possible to provide a safe sauna heater with less risk of electric shock to the user.

[0011] 〔2〕The sauna heater according to the above [1], wherein the waterproof plug includes a body, a shell covering the outer periphery of the body, and a plug blade protruding from an end face of the body, and the shell is made of a waterproof material.

[0012] In this way, in the body (core) - shell type plug, since the shell is made of a waterproof material, it is easier to connect to the power supply, and it is less likely to cause deterioration or leakage of the plug, further enhancing the safety of the user.

[0013] 〔3〕The sauna heater according to the above [1], further comprising a heater cover having a space inside, a heater disposed in the space of the heater cover and generating heat by electricity, a terminal block having a plurality of terminals connected to the heater, and a cable having one end connected to the plurality of terminals and the other end connected to the plug.

[0014] In this way, in the type of sauna heater that heats the inside of the heater cover, the installation and replacement work of the sauna can be easily performed.

[0015] 〔4〕A sauna heater system, comprising the sauna heater according to the above [1] and a connector connectable to the plug.

[0016] According to the present invention, the sauna heater can be easily installed or replaced simply by inserting the plug of the sauna heater into the connector.

[0017] 〔5〕A method for installing the sauna heater according to the above [1], comprising: a step of preparing in advance a sauna heater including a heater that generates heat by receiving power supply, a cable that transmits power to the heater, and a plug connected to the cable; a step of transporting the sauna heater to the location where the sauna heater is to be installed; a step of connecting the plug to a connector installed at the location.

[0018] According to the present invention, a sauna heater equipped with a cable and a plug is prepared in advance, transported to the site, and the sauna heater can be easily installed and replaced simply by inserting the plug of the sauna heater into the connector.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sauna heater that is easy to install and replace, a sauna heater system equipped with the same, and a method for installing a sauna heater.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the members, arrangements, etc. described below do not limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made along the gist of the present invention.

[0022] 1. Sauna Heater Figs. 1 to 5 are drawings for explaining a sauna heater and a sauna heater system according to an embodiment of the present embodiment. The sauna heater of the present embodiment is a floor-standing lock tower heater, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various types of sauna heaters.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the sauna heater 1 includes a cylindrical heater cover 11. The heater cover 11 has a cross-sectional shape that is a rounded rectangle and is open at the top. The heater cover 11 is provided with a space inside the side wall that can accommodate sauna stones S or the like. The heater cover 11 has a mesh structure in which hexagonal holes are continuously provided over the entire side surface, but no holes are provided in an area of about 1 / 5 on the bottom side. As the material of the heater cover 11, aluminum, stainless steel, stainless steel (SUS), etc. can be used. Examples of stainless steel include austenitic stainless steel (e.g., SUS304, SUS316), ferritic stainless steel (e.g., SUS430), and martensitic stainless steel (e.g., SUS410, SUS420).

[0024] At two corners on the back side of the front bottom of the heater cover 11, adjusters 18 for height adjustment are provided. The adjuster 18 has a circular bottom view and is conical (or funnel-shaped) with the base side (the heater cover 11 side) becoming thinner, and constitutes the legs of the heater cover 11. On the side of the adjuster 18, holding brackets 19 for suppressing the adjuster 18 are respectively provided. The holding bracket 19 is composed of a single plate and has a so-called Z-shaped longitudinal cross-sectional shape of a horizontal part, a vertical part, and a horizontal part when viewed from the adjuster 18 side, and through holes are provided in the plate surface of the outermost horizontal part so that it can be screwed to the floor or the like.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2(a), a casing 12 is stored at the bottom of the space of the heater cover 11. The casing 12 is disposed inside an area on the bottom side of the heater cover 11 where no hexagonal holes are provided. The casing 12 is box-shaped, and pipe-shaped heaters 14a to 14c stand upright upward (toward the opening side of the heater cover 11) from its upper surface. As shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2(b), the heater 14b has a shape in which three consecutive hairpin shapes extend vertically toward the upper opening in the space inside the heater cover 11 and then fold back and extend vertically downward. The other heaters 14a and 14c have the same shape. The heaters 14a to 14c are composed of nichrome wire, carbon fiber, or the like. A circuit (not shown) is provided inside the casing 12, and the heaters 14a to 14c generate heat by this circuit.

[0026] Fig. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view seen from above the sauna heater 1 and shows a cross-section taken in the direction A-A of Fig. 3(b). As shown in this Fig. (a), a terminal block 15 is provided on the inner wall of the side surface of the casing 12, and the above-mentioned circuit is provided on this terminal block 15. A cable 16 shown in Fig. 4 is connected to the back side of the heater cover 11 on the terminal block 15. The cable 16 has a plurality of wirings bundled together, and each wiring is connected to terminals 31a to 31c (Fig. 6) of the terminal block 15. The cable 16 is led out to the outside through an opening provided on the lower back side of the heater cover 11, and a plug 17 is connected to the tip thereof.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the plug 17 of this embodiment is a waterproof plug. The plug 17 includes a waterproof shell 17a, and has a structure in which the outer periphery of a resin body 17b such as urea is covered with a shell 17a (cover) made of rubber such as butadiene. Examples of the waterproof material constituting the waterproof shell 17a (waterproof cover) include rubbers such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in addition to butadiene, and resins such as polyvinyl chloride, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, and acrylic. Further, as the material of the shell 17a, a material having not only waterproofness but also insulating properties is preferable.

[0028] The end face of the body 17b is covered with an insulating plate 17d made of an insulating material, and three plug blades 17c and one ground pin 17e project from this end face in the circumferential direction. These plug blades 17c are connected to the connector 2. The ground pin 17e has a folded-back portion at its tip, and has a function as an earth for discharging current and a function of preventing the plug 17 from coming off the connector 2. Examples of the material constituting the insulating plate 17d include the same materials as the above-mentioned waterproof materials such as butadiene rubber and silicone rubber. Examples of the material constituting the plug blade 17c include copper and brass. Specific examples of the preferable waterproof plug 17 include WF8420K, WF8430 (both manufactured by Panasonic), and the like.

[0029] Next, a circuit for driving the heaters 14a to 14c of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the sauna heater 1 of this embodiment is configured to obtain power from the connector 2 by a three-phase delta connection. The heaters 14a to 14c are connected to terminals 31a to 31c provided on the terminal block 15, and the wiring of the cable 16 is connected to these terminals 31a to 31c. Three potential phases (R, S, T) shifted from each other by 120 degrees are supplied from the connector 2, and these are supplied to the heaters 14a to 14c through the terminals 31a to 31c, causing the heaters 14a to 14c to generate heat.

[0030] By having such a configuration, the power from the connector P is supplied from the plug 17 through the cable 16 and the terminal block 15 to the heaters 14a to 14c, and the heaters 14a to 14c generate heat. When the sauna stone S is filled in the casing 12, the sauna stone S is heated by the heaters 14a to 14c, and when water is poured on it, steam is generated.

[0031] 2. Sauna Heater System Next, the sauna heater system will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the sauna heater system 3 is a system composed of a sauna heater 1 and a connector 2. The connector 2 is an insertion port installed in advance in a sauna room or the like, and may be called an "outlet" when attached to a wall or the like. An electric wire cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 2, and power is supplied from the outside through indoor wiring or the like. It is preferable that the connector 2 is also waterproof like the plug 17. The connector 2 corresponding to the plug 17 in the above embodiment has four insertion ports corresponding to the three plug blades 17c and one ground pin 17e. Specific examples of such a preferable connector 2 include WA5429K (manufactured by Panasonic).

[0032] To connect the connector 2 and the plug 17, insert the three plug blades 17c and one ground pin 17e of the plug 17 into the four insertion ports of the connector 2 respectively. Next, by rotating the plug 17, the folded part of the ground pin 17e is hooked inside the connector 2 so that it cannot come out.

[0033] As described in the prior art, the electric wire cable connected to the connector 2 may be connected to the electromagnetic switch box. Further, a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor may be connected to the electromagnetic field switch box to measure the indoor temperature, humidity, etc. Further, a control panel may be connected to the electromagnetic switch box so that the user can control the sauna heater 1 and other devices.

[0034] 3. Installation Method of Sauna Heater Next, a method for installing the sauna heater will be described. This installation method is a method for installing the above-described sauna heater 1 at the installation location, and includes cases where a newly purchased sauna heater is installed, etc., and cases where an existing sauna heater that has already been installed is replaced with a new sauna heater.

[0035] First, a step of preparing the above-described sauna heater 1 in advance is provided. This involves performing at a factory or the like the work of connecting a plug 17 to one end of the cable 16 and the work of connecting the other end of the cable 16 to the terminal block 15. In the case of the cable 16 covered with an insulating cover, the covers at both ends are respectively peeled off to expose the electric wires, and the one end side is connected to the plug 17 and the other end side is connected to the terminal block 15 respectively.

[0036] Next, the sauna heater 1 prepared above is transported to the site by a truck or the like. At the site, a connector 2 (power outlet) is installed in advance, and power is supplied through this. By inserting the plug of the sauna heater 1 transported to the site into the connector 2, power is supplied to the sauna heater 1, and the heaters 14a to 14c generate heat.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, since the cable 16 and the plug 17 are pre-connected to the sauna heater 1, it can be connected to the power supply simply by inserting the plug into the connector 2 at the site. For this reason, operations such as installing a sauna heater without a cable connected as in the prior art and having a technician connect the cable at the site are not required, and the work of installing or replacing the sauna heater can be easily performed. In particular, since the sauna room is designed to keep people away from the sauna heater 1, the area around the sauna heater 1 is often partitioned by a fence, and the sauna heater 1 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for work in such a narrow space.

[0038] Also, in this embodiment, the plug for connecting to the connector 2 is made into a waterproof plug. As a result, even in an environment with high humidity, the metal part of the plug is less likely to be exposed to steam, and deterioration of the plug can be prevented. In addition, by making it a waterproof plug, the risk of electric leakage due to moisture is reduced, and as a result, it is less likely for the user to get an electric shock, so safety can be enhanced.

Explanation of Signs

[0039] 1 Sauna heater, 2 Connector, 3 Sauna heater system, 11 Heater cover, 12 Casing, 13 Bottom cover, 14a - 14c Heater, 15 Terminal block, 16 Cable, 17 Plug, 17a Shell, 17b Body, 17c Plug blade, 17d 17e Grounding pin, Insulating plate, 18 Adjuster, 19 Pressing metal fitting, 30 Heater wiring diagram, 31a - 32c Terminals, 101 Sauna heater, 102 Electric wire cable, 103 Electromagnetic switch box, 104 Electric wire cable, 105 Control panel, S Sauna stone, W Wall

Claims

1. A sauna heater, comprising: a heater that generates heat upon receiving power supply; a cable that transmits power to the heater; and a plug connected to the cable.

2. The sauna heater according to Claim 1, wherein the plug is a waterproof plug.

3. The sauna heater according to Claim 2, wherein the waterproof plug comprises: a body; a shell that covers the outer periphery of the body; and a plug blade that protrudes from an end face of the body, and the shell is made of a waterproof material.

4. The sauna heater according to Claim 1, comprising: a heater cover having a space inside; a heater disposed in the space of the heater cover and powered by electricity; a terminal block having a plurality of terminals connected to the heater; and a cable having one end connected to the plurality of terminals and the other end connected to the plug.

5. A sauna heater system, comprising: the sauna heater according to Claim 1; and a connector connectable to the plug.

6. A method for installing the sauna heater according to Claim 1, comprising: a step of preparing in advance a sauna heater comprising: a heater that generates heat upon receiving power supply; a cable that transmits power to the heater; and a plug connected to the cable; a step of transporting the sauna heater to a site where the sauna heater is to be installed; and a step of connecting the plug to a connector installed at the site.

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