Sauna Heating System with Accumulator for Single-Phase Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sauna heating systems with single-phase AC connections are limited in volume due to insufficient power supply, making it difficult to heat larger saunas efficiently without the need for expensive and time-consuming multi-phase AC installations.
Innovation Solution
A heating system that utilizes both mains power and an accumulator to provide additional electrical power, allowing the oven to operate at higher thermal power levels, thereby enabling the heating of larger saunas with a single-phase AC connection, and includes a control unit with a power converter for efficient energy management and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-phase AC connection is used to power the oven, then the installation is simple and cost-effective, but the thermal power is limited and cannot sufficiently heat large-volume saunas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the single-phase AC power supply with an accumulator (battery) to create a hybrid power system. The accumulator supplements the limited power from the single-phase connection, enabling the oven to achieve high thermal power output without requiring complex multi-phase installations. This merging of power sources resolves the contradiction between installation simplicity and sufficient heating power.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator is charged in advance during periods when full power is not needed, storing energy that can be discharged during the heating phase. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to deliver high thermal power when required while maintaining simple single-phase infrastructure throughout.
2Productivity
If the thermal power of the oven is increased to heat large-volume saunas, then the heating efficiency improves, but the power supply requirements exceed what a single-phase AC connection can provide
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the single-phase AC power supply with an accumulator to meet the high power demands of efficient heating. The accumulator bridges the gap between the limited single-phase power availability and the high thermal power needed for rapid heating of large-volume saunas, enabling high productivity without exceeding single-phase power supply capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator charges during off-peak periods when full power is not required and discharges during the heating phase when high power is needed. This periodic charge-discharge cycle allows the system to achieve high heating efficiency temporarily without requiring the power infrastructure to continuously support such high demands.
3Quantity of substance
If the heating phase is extended to heat large-volume saunas with available power, then more energy can be supplied, but heat losses increase and the heating process becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulator stores energy in advance during periods when the sauna is not being heated or when power demand is lower. This preliminary energy storage enables the system to deliver high power output during the heating phase without extending the heating duration, thereby reducing cumulative heat losses while still providing sufficient total energy for large-volume saunas.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the accumulator's stored energy, the system can rush through the heating phase more quickly at higher power levels, rather than extending the heating period at lower power levels. This reduces the time during which heat losses occur, improving overall heating efficiency for large-volume saunas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient heating of larger saunas by increasing thermal power during the heating phase, reducing heat loss, and allowing the accumulator to serve as both a backup power source and energy storage device, while simplifying retrofitting and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the accumulator provides a second electrical power, whereby the stove can be operated with the first and second electrical power to increase the thermal power
Implementation Method 2
the control unit preferably comprises a power converter, the accumulator being electrically connected to the power converter. In a charging process of the accumulator, such a power converter converts an alternating current provided by the mains into direct current or in a discharging process of the accumulator converts a direct current provided by the accumulator into alternating current
Implementation Method 3
the stove can be operated with the first and second electrical power to increase the thermal power. In particular, such an oven may simultaneously receive the first power provided by the mains and the second power provided by the accumulator so that the thermal power of the oven corresponds to the sum of the first and second electrical powers
Data Source
AI summary
The heating system for a sauna comprises an oven and an accumulator. The heating system is electrically connectable to a mains which provides a first electrical power. The accumulator is provided to provide a second electrical power. The oven is operable with the first and second electrical powers to increase the thermal power.