Sauna stove

Abstract

We provide a sauna stove with a simple configuration that supplies appropriate humidity to the sauna room. [Solution] The sauna stove 1 comprises a heater element 2 for heating the sauna room, a metal housing 3 for housing the heater element 2, and a metal water storage container 6 attached to the outer surface of the housing 3, having an opening 5 at the top and storing water W inside. Therefore, the thermal energy of the housing 3 heated by the heater element 2 can be transferred to the water storage container 6, thereby heating the water storage container 6. As a result, the water W inside the water storage container 6 is heated, and steam can be supplied into the sauna room through the opening 5.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna stove, particularly a sauna stove that supplies appropriate humidity to a sauna room.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various configurations have been proposed as sauna stoves that evaporate steam in a sauna room to increase humidity. For example, in Patent Document 1, a container, a heater element installed in the container, a container attached above the container, and sauna stones filled in the gap between the heater element and the container, receives the falling water spray from the water spray device installed above with the container, and discloses a sauna stove that evaporates the falling water spray in the container so that the falling water spray does not directly contact the heater element.

[0003] The same document describes that since a container is attached above the heater element, it is possible to prevent the direct scattering of the water spray to the heater element and suppress the deterioration of the heater element.

[0004] Also, in Patent Document 2, a container, a heater element installed in the container, an element cover attached above the container, and sauna stones filled in the gap between the heater element and the container, receives the falling water spray from the water spray device installed above with the element cover, and discloses a sauna stove that suppresses the deterioration of the heater element caused by rapid cooling due to the falling water spray so that the falling water spray does not directly contact the heater element.

[0005] The document states that because an element cover is provided above the heater element, rapid cooling by water droplets is controlled, thereby suppressing deterioration of the heater element.

[0006] However, these documents describe a configuration where dripping water is directly directed onto the sauna stove for evaporation, which could lead to a rapid increase in the sauna room temperature due to the sudden generation of a large amount of high-temperature steam. Furthermore, since water is still being sprayed directly onto the sauna stove, water exposure to the heater element is unavoidable, raising concerns about its deterioration. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 3253143 Gazette [Patent Document 2] Registered Utility Model No. 3252684 Gazette [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a sauna stove that supplies appropriate humidity to the sauna room with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to this invention, the sauna stove comprises a heater element for heating the sauna room, a metal housing for housing the heater element, and a metal water storage container attached to the outer surface of the housing, having an opening at the top and storing water inside.

[0010] The sauna stove is equipped with a water storage container attached to the outer surface of the enclosure. Therefore, the heat energy of the storage container heated by the heater element can be transferred to the water storage container, and the water storage container can be heated. As a result, the water inside the water storage container is heated, and water vapor can be supplied from the opening into the sauna room.

[0011] Here, the water inside the water storage container is configured to be indirectly heated through the storage container. Therefore, the amount of water vapor generated is gentler compared to the case of directly spraying water on the sauna stove. As a result, the generation of rapid high-temperature steam can be suppressed, and with a simple configuration, an appropriate humidity can be supplied to the sauna room.

[0012] Furthermore, when generating water vapor by the water storage container, direct spraying of water on the sauna stove is not performed. In other words, since no water splashing on the heater element occurs, deterioration of the heater element can also be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] (a) is a side view of the sauna stove, and (b) is a plan view of the storage container (Example 1). [Figure 2] It is a side view of the sauna stove (Example 2).

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, the modes for carrying out the invention will be described based on examples.

Examples

[0015] [Configuration of Example 1] The sauna stove 1 according to Example 1 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that the following examples disclose a specific example, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0016] The sauna stove 1 includes a heater element 2 for heating the sauna room and a metal container 3 for housing the heater element 2. The heater element 2 is a so-called sheath heater of the electric heating type in which a conductive heating element is embedded in a metal sheath via an insulator.

[0017] The container 3 may house one heater element 2 or a plurality of heater elements 2. Here, as the material of the container 3, in view of use in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, it is preferably made of stainless steel such as SUS304 or 316.

[0018] Also, the gap between the heater element 2 and the container 3 may be filled with sauna stones. As the sauna stones, natural stones, ceramic artificial stones, etc. can be used. As the natural stones, it is preferable to use those with high heat resistance and durability such as granite derived from magma and dense basalt.

[0019] The sauna stove 1 is attached on the outer surface of the container 3, has an opening 5 at the upper part, and includes a metal water storage container 6 for storing water W inside. Here, as the material of the water storage container 6, in view of use in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, it is preferably made of stainless steel such as SUS304 or 316.

[0020] Also, the water W may contain a hot spring component or an aroma component. Here, examples of the hot spring component include carbonic acid (carbon dioxide gas), chloride ions, sulfate ions, hydrogen carbonate ions, iron ions, sulfur, etc. Also, examples of the aroma component include terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, phenols, etc.

[0021] Further, the sauna stove 1 is provided outside the sauna room and further includes a makeup water container 8 that can supply water W to the water storage container 6 when the water W inside the water storage container 6 decreases. Here, the internal space of the water storage container 6 and the internal space of the replenishment water container 8 are connected by a connecting pipe 10. As a result, the internal space of the water storage container 6 and the internal space of the replenishment water container 8 are connected by the connecting pipe 10, so that the water level WL inside the replenishment water container 8 is equal to the water level WL inside the water storage container 6. The water supply container 8 is fixed to the partition wall B that separates the sauna room into an interior and exterior section.

[0022] Here, the replenishment water container 8 is equipped with an automatic valve 11 that maintains the height of the internal water level WL at a predetermined position. The automatic valve 11 is a self-operating automatic valve 12. The self-operated automatic valve 12 uses a so-called ball tap, and the descent of the float ball supplies water W to the replenishment water container 8, and the rise of the float ball stops the supply of water W to the replenishment water container 8.

[0023] [Effects of Example 1] The sauna stove 1 is attached to the outer surface of the container 3, has an opening 5 at the top, and includes a metal water storage container 6 for storing water W inside. Therefore, the thermal energy from the container 3, heated by the heater element 2, can be transferred to the water storage container 6, thereby heating the water storage container 6. As a result, the water W in the water storage container 6 is heated, allowing steam to be supplied into the sauna room through the opening 5.

[0024] In this configuration, the water W inside the water storage container 6 is indirectly heated via the container 3. Therefore, the amount of steam generated is milder compared to when water is sprayed directly onto the sauna stove 1. As a result, the rapid generation of high-temperature steam can be suppressed, and a suitable humidity level can be supplied to the sauna room with a simple configuration in which a water storage container 6 is attached to the outer surface of the containment unit 3.

[0025] Furthermore, since water is not directly sprayed onto the sauna stove 1 when steam is generated by the water storage container 6, in other words, the heater element 2 is not exposed to water, the deterioration of the heater element 2 can also be suppressed.

[0026] Here, water W may contain hot spring components. This allows the water vapor from opening 5 to be imparted with heat retention and moisturizing effects, thereby promoting the user's health.

[0027] Furthermore, water W may contain aromatic components. This allows the water vapor from opening 5 to be imparted with antibacterial, antiviral, and sedative effects, thereby promoting the user's health.

[0028] Furthermore, the sauna stove 1 is provided with a replenishment water container 8 located outside the sauna room, which can supply water to the water storage container 6 when the amount of water W inside the water storage container 6 decreases. This makes it possible to compensate for the decrease in water W inside the water storage container 6.

[0029] Furthermore, since the water supply container 8 is located outside the sauna room, it is possible to suppress excessive evaporation of the water W inside the water supply container 8 as the temperature rises. Furthermore, adding hot spring components or aromatic components to the water (W) can be easily done from outside the sauna room.

[0030] Furthermore, since the internal space of the water storage container 6 and the internal space of the replenishment water container 8 are connected by the connecting pipe 10, the water level WL inside the replenishment water container 8 is equal to the water level WL inside the water storage container 6. In other words, by adjusting the water level WL inside the water supply container 8, it is possible to adjust the water level WL inside the water storage container 6.

[0031] Here, the replenishment water container 8 is equipped with a self-operating automatic valve 12 that maintains the height of the internal water level WL at a predetermined position. As a result, even if the water level WL inside the water storage container 6 decreases due to evaporation from the opening 5, the water level WL inside the replenishment water container 8 decreases, and water W is automatically supplied to the replenishment water container 8 by the self-operating automatic valve 12.

[0032] As a result, the water level WL inside the replenishment water container 8 is maintained at a predetermined position, and consequently, the water level WL inside the storage container 6 is also maintained at a predetermined position. In other words, the self-operating automatic valve 12 installed in the replenishment water container 8 indirectly maintains the water level WL inside the water storage container 6 at a predetermined position.

[0033] [Configuration of Example 2] The sauna stove 1 of Example 2 will be explained using Figure 2, focusing on the differences from the sauna stove 1 of Example 1. Furthermore, components with the same function as those in Example 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0034] The replenishment water container 8 is equipped with an automatic valve 11 that maintains the height of the internal water level WL at a predetermined position. Here, the automatic valve 11 is a manually operated automatic valve 13. More specifically, the externally operated automatic valve 13 is equipped with a contact-type water level sensor 14, and opens and closes the flow path by driving an electric motor M in response to the signal from the water level sensor 14. The water level sensor 14 is of the so-called electrode type.

[0035] [Effects of Example 2] The replenishment water container 8 is equipped with an externally operated automatic valve 13 that maintains the internal water level at a predetermined position. Generally, self-operated automatic valves have more mechanical drive components, which leads to a higher frequency of mechanical failures. On the other hand, with externally operated automatic valves, the number of mechanical drive components can be reduced, thus lowering the frequency of mechanical failures. As a result, by using a manually operated automatic valve 13 as the automatic valve 11, the frequency of mechanical failures in the sauna stove 1 can be suppressed.

[0036] [Differentiation] This invention can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence. In this embodiment, the water storage container 6 was provided on the side of the container 3, but it may also be provided on the top plate of the container 3. This increases the flexibility in the installation of the water storage container 6.

[0037] In the embodiment, the container 3 was a hollow rectangular parallelepiped, but the container 3 may also be a hollow cylindrical shape. This allows for more homogenization of heat radiation to the surroundings.

[0038] In the embodiment, the water supply container 8 was fixed to the partition wall B, but it may also be configured to have legs and be self-supporting. This increases the flexibility in installing the water supply container 8, even if the strength of the partition wall B is weak.

[0039] In Example 2, the water level sensor 14 provided by the externally operated automatic valve 13 was of the electrode type, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. The water level sensor 14 may be a float type, bubble type, ultrasonic type, or the like. This increases the degree of freedom in selecting the externally operated automatic valve 13.

[0040] In Embodiment 2, the externally operated automatic valve 13 was equipped with an electrically operated on-off valve driven by an electric motor, but the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The externally operated automatic valve 13 may be equipped with a so-called solenoid valve as an on / off valve. This increases the degree of freedom in selecting the externally operated automatic valve 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Sauna stove 2. Heater element 3. Enclosure 5. Opening 6. Water storage container

Claims

1. A heater element that heats the sauna room, A metal enclosure for housing the heater element, A metal water storage container is attached to the outer surface of the aforementioned container, has an opening at the top, and stores water inside. A sauna stove equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The sauna stove according to claim 1, wherein the water contains hot spring components.

3. The sauna stove according to claim 1, wherein the water contains an aromatic component.

4. A sauna stove according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a replenishment water container provided outside the sauna room, which can supply water to the water storage container when the amount of water inside the water storage container decreases.

5. The sauna stove according to claim 4, wherein the water level inside the supply water container is equal to the water level inside the storage container.

6. The sauna stove according to claim 5, wherein the replenishment water container is equipped with an automatic valve that maintains the water level inside at a predetermined position.

7. The sauna stove according to claim 6, wherein the automatic valve is a self-operating automatic valve.

8. The sauna stove according to claim 6, wherein the automatic valve is a manually operated automatic valve.

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