Sauna Climate Control via Inverted Steam Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sauna technologies fail to uniformly distribute temperature and salt ions within steam rooms, leading to discomfort due to temperature differences between upper and lower air layers, and inefficient CO2 management, which can result in unhealthy CO2 levels.
Innovation Solution
A sauna indoor climate adjusting device with a salt generator that mixes steam vapor from upper layers with cooler air from lower layers using a controlled ventilation system, incorporating a CO2 sensor to regulate fresh air intake and a salt generator that disperses salt ions into the steam room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hot steam is generated in the upper air layers of the steam room, then the upper air layers are heated, but the lower air layers remain cooler creating temperature difference and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing hot steam to rise naturally to the upper air layers, the invention inverts this process by using a ventilation fan to actively draw hot steam from the upper layers and discharge it into the lower air layers, reversing the natural convection pattern to achieve more uniform temperature distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation fan acts as an intermediary device that mediates the heat transfer between upper and lower air layers by physically moving the hot steam vapor from one layer to another, facilitating thermal equilibrium without direct contact heating
2Productivity
If ventilation fan circulates hot air rapidly in the steam room, then air circulation is improved, but the rapid circulation causes hot wind that burns when exposed to the body
Solution Approach 1:
The lower air layers serve as an intermediary cooling zone where hot steam is mixed with cooler air before being redistributed, reducing the temperature of the circulated air to prevent burning while maintaining effective air circulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the circulated air by mixing hot steam with cooler lower air layers, transforming the harmful high-temperature hot wind into a comfortable tempered air flow that maintains circulation efficiency without causing burning
3Reliability
If fresh air is continuously ventilated to compensate CO2 level, then oxygen level is maintained, but additional heating is required and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The CO2 sensor provides feedback on the actual CO2 levels in the steam room, enabling the control unit to adjust the ventilation fan operation dynamically - increasing ventilation when CO2 levels are high and reducing or stopping ventilation when levels are acceptable, thereby maintaining oxygen levels while minimizing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system transitions from continuous static operation to dynamic operation controlled by CO2 sensor feedback, allowing the system to adapt its ventilation rate to actual air quality conditions, maintaining reliability while optimizing energy efficiency
4Quantity of substance
If salt is placed on basis in salt sauna, then saline environment is created, but salt ions are not effectively distributed in the steam room air
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the steam vapor flow (a gas fluid) to transport salt ions through the steam room air, leveraging pneumatic principles where the moving steam carries the salt particles effectively throughout the space, achieving uniform distribution without mechanical salt dispersal devices
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
The device creates a more comfortable sauna environment by reducing temperature differences and maintaining healthy CO2 levels, reducing energy consumption, and allowing for customizable temperature and salt levels, enhancing user safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the ventilation fan is steam-powered... generates a rapid circulation of hot air
Implementation Method 2
Halo generators (salts generators) used in salt chambers are crashing rock salt into dry, micrometer-size particles, which are ionized and flinged into air
Implementation Method 3
mix (cool) steam vapour with air from the lower air layers
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a sauna indoor climate adjusting device with a salt generator, which enables to compensate for the discomfort in the steam room of the sauna and to create an effect of a salt sauna. The invention enables to direct a portion of steam vapour into the lower air layers of the steam room and to mix with air taken from the lower air layers of the steam accordingly and with salt ions are flinged into steam room by a salt generator, which creates the effect of a salt sauna. The invention also mixes the air layers in the steam room, which creates a more extensive feeling of comfort in the steam room by decreasing the temperature differences between the air layers; the invention also allows to create a steam sauna effect in the steam room by making the cooling of steam vapour more efficient by combining the openness of the cold air valve and adjusting the rotation of the ventilation fan. The sauna indoor climate adjusting device saves the energy needed for heating the sauna and enables to have a personal salt sauna.