FI20245836A1 - System, sauna stove and method for detecting throwing water on the stones - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for detecting a sauna blast, which system comprises a heater (10) fitted to a sauna room (8), which heater (10) comprises a stone chamber (14) comprising a storage mass which is adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C and which is adapted to vaporize water dispensed into the stone chamber (14). The system comprises a sensor (50) for detecting the physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone chamber (14) to the sauna room (8) and software means for detecting the physical phenomenon. The invention also relates to a corresponding heater and method.

Description

SYSTEM, HEATER AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SAUNA THROW

The invention relates to a system for detecting the onset of a sauna, which system comprises a heater fitted to a sauna room, which heater comprises a stone chamber which comprises a storage mass which is adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200-700 *C and which is adapted to vaporize water dispensed into the stone chamber.

The invention also relates to a heater and a method for detecting a sauna bath.

The so-called Finnish sauna heater comprises a stone chamber filled with heat-retaining stones or other mass, such as ceramic. The mass in the stone chamber is typically heated to a temperature of approximately 200-700 °C in use. In use, water is dispensed into the hot stone chamber in individual doses, i.e., steam is thrown. The steam can be thrown, for example, manually with a bucket or automatically by controlling a valve. In use, the water dispensed into the stone chamber of the heater evaporates quickly and forms steam that rises and spreads from the stone chamber into the room, i.e., steam.

The hot stone space of the sauna heater also contributes to heating the air in the sauna room, which is typically heated to a temperature of approximately 60-120 °C. x < 25 Steaming, i.e. dosing and evaporating water into the sauna heater

O in the stone space causes physical phenomena in the sauna room. 2 The throw of the steam bath leads, among other things, to a change in the sauna room

E in air humidity. The condensation of water vapor on the user's skin © transfers thermal energy to the user's skin and thus causes the sensation of a & 30 sauna. In addition, the dosing of water and the

N crunching in the stone space produces, among other things, a sound that the user

N is able to detect.

The state of the art does not know automated systems that could detect and identify a steam jet, and that could utilize information about the steam jet for the selected purpose.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a system, a heater and a method by which the sauna exhaust can be detected and identified.

The characteristic features of the system according to the invention are set out in the accompanying patent claim 1, the characteristic features of the heater in patent claim 11, and the characteristic features of the method in patent claim 12.

The system according to the invention for detecting the throw of a sauna comprises a heater adapted to a sauna room, which heater comprises a stone space, which comprises a storage mass, which is adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C and which is adapted to vaporize water dispensed into the stone space. The system comprises a sensor for detecting the physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone space in the sauna room and software means for detecting the physical phenomenon.

The physical phenomenon caused by the throw of the sauna can be, for example, a change in the humidity of the sauna room or a change in the air temperature < or a change in the optical properties of the air or sound. As a sensor

Any state-of-the-art sensor can be used for S 25,

O which can produce a detectable signal from the physical phenomenon caused by the sauna throw 2. The selected sensor can be = adapted to observe the sauna room for the entire duration of the sauna session.

W In this case, the system must have software tools that identify the change produced by the & 30 heat in the sensor's continuous output.

N in the measurement signal. Software tools are referred to as

N here broadly means any computer program comprising program code means arranged to identify a change in the sensor measurement signal caused by a throw of the steam.

when a computer program is running on a computer. The software tools can be adapted, for example, to the control unit of the sauna heater or to a separate computer. The information detected by the system about the sauna throw can be utilized for a selected purpose, such as controlling the functions of the sauna heater, or for lifestyle use by providing the sauna user with data about sauna bathing. Generally, for each phenomenon, the profile characteristic of the phenomenon in the recognition can either be taught or defined deterministically.

The heater used in the system can be any prior art heater. The stone chamber of the heater can be adapted to be heated by resistors or by burning wood or gas or a combustible liquid such as oil, or by friction generated by an electrically driven turbine. In this way, the required temperature can be produced in the stone chamber.

In one embodiment, the sensor is a humidity sensor that is adapted to measure the air humidity in the sauna room. The water evaporated in the stone space of the heater is transferred to the air in the sauna room, where it momentarily increases the air humidity in the sauna room.

A humidity sensor measuring the air humidity in a sauna room can detect a momentary increase in air humidity as a result of a sauna session, which can be used to identify a sauna session. < Air humidity typically changes continuously

S 25 during sauna bathing, but with software tools from the sauna throw

O the next momentary increase in air humidity can be identified from 2 long-term changes in air humidity. 7 © In one embodiment, the sensor is a sensor, such as a microphone, that detects the sound produced by evaporating water & 30 . In this way, it can be

N to observe the emission of steam, i.e. the evaporation of water in a stone space

N the sound generated, based on which the sauna throw can be detected and identified. Instead of a microphone, any other sound-detecting sensor can also be used. The sensor can be adapted to monitor selected frequencies, so that the sound caused by the sauna throw can be better identified from other sounds in the sauna room. In sound recognition, the sound profile of the sauna throw is also very specific and easy to identify.

In one embodiment, the sensor is a temperature sensor. The release of the steam creates a small momentary change in the local temperature levels of the sauna room, which can be detected by a temperature sensor and identified by software tools from long-term temperature changes.

In one embodiment, the sensor is an optical sensor, preferably an infrared sensor. Water vapor evaporating in the stone space and spreading away from the stone space causes momentary changes in the optical properties of the air in the sauna room, such as absorption or emission or reflection, which changes can be detected by an optical sensor and identified by software tools.

In one embodiment, the sensor is a sensor that measures electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the air in the sauna room depends on the humidity of the air, which changes as a result of the sauna session. In this way, the change in the electrical conductivity of the air caused by the sauna session can be detected. x < 25 Alternatively, the sensor can also be a sensor that detects micromotion

O radar or video camera. 2 = Alternatively, the sensor can also be a mechanical sensor, such as

W a switch & 30 or valve that moves under the pressure generated by the evaporating water. In this case, the heater may, for example, comprise a current-

N back channel, which includes a valve that opens with steam pressure,

N which is adapted to open the flow channel passing through the heater when the sauna is thrown. The opening of the valve can then be identified by software tools for the selected purpose.

A mechanical steam pressure-driven switch can also be used without a separate flow channel.

The sensor can be placed on the ceiling or wall of the sauna room. 5 The water evaporated in the stone space spreads from the heater mainly upwards towards the ceiling of the sauna room and the upper parts of the walls, whereby the physical phenomena caused by the steam jet are stronger in the upper part of the sauna. Therefore, it is easier to detect the phenomena in the upper part of the sauna. However, the sensor can be placed in any position in the sauna room where the signal caused by the steam jet can be generated in the sensor. The sensor can also be placed near the stone space of the heater.

The sensors may be one or more different types of sensors.

If more than one sensor measuring different quantities is used, the steam throw can be detected more reliably. Any of the sensors described above can be used together or separately.

Preferably, the software means comprise artificial intelligence for recognizing the physical phenomenon caused by water evaporating in the stone space. In this case, the < signal measured by a sensor from the selected sauna room can be used as teaching material for the artificial intelligence of the software means, and the artificial intelligence can be used to teach the system to recognize

S 25 to describe the phenomenon caused by the steam throw in that particular sauna

O is the change in the signal produced by the selected sensor. For example, if sensor 2 is a microphone, using artificial intelligence the system can be taught to = recognize each individual sauna room in the soundscape

W The signal caused by the throw of the sound in the measurement signal of the microphone in question. & 30 <

S

Instead of artificial intelligence, a software algorithm with similar properties can also be used.

In one embodiment, the heater comprises a flow channel comprising a valve adapted to open when the system detects a steam jet, allowing air to flow through the stone space. In this way, the flow of air flowing through the stone space of the heater can be kept low in principle, making it easier to store a temperature significantly higher than the temperature of the sauna room in the stone space. When a steam jet is detected in the system, the valve and the flow channel can be opened and thus increase the flow of air flowing through the stone space.

This increases the transfer of heat from the stone space to the room air in the sauna room, which increases the intensity of the sauna and thus the sauna effect experienced by the user.

In one embodiment, the system comprises memory means and the software means are adapted to store the sauna throw detected by the sensor and identified by the software means in memory with the memory means together with the time corresponding to the detected sauna throw, and the system comprises display means for displaying the sauna throw stored by the memory means and its time. In this way, for example, measured data on the sauna throw can be produced for the sauna user and the data can be displayed visually to the user, for example in connection with other health benefits of sauna bathing. x < 25 The heater according to the invention comprises a stone space, which comprises

O storage mass, which is adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200—700 °C 2 and which is adapted to vaporize in the stone space = water to be dispensed. The heater comprises a sensor in the stone space

W for detecting the physical phenomenon caused by evaporating water and software tools for identifying the physical phenomenon

N. In this way, the system presented above can be

N be integrated into the sauna heater, which eliminates the need to install a separate sensor and control equipment in the sauna room. The advantageous application forms of the system described above can be integrated into the sauna heater with the necessary modifications.

In the method according to the invention for detecting the steam throw, a heater is fitted to the sauna room, which heater comprises a stone space, which comprises a storage mass, which is heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C and into which water is dosed for evaporation. The physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone space into the sauna room is detected by a sensor and identified by software means. In this way, the steam throw can be detected and identified in the sauna in an automated manner and the information can be used for a selected application.

In one embodiment, when the steam throw is detected by the sensor and identified by software intervals, a valve in the sauna heater is simultaneously opened, which opens a flow channel in the sauna heater, through which air is supplied through the stone space of the sauna heater. In this way, the flow of air flowing through the stone space can be temporarily increased, which can enhance the heat transfer from the stone space to the air in the sauna room.

In one embodiment, the steam throw detected by the sensor and identified by software means is stored in memory < together with the storage means corresponding to the steam throw detected

S 25 with the time, and the recorded sauna throw and its time

O is presented by display means. In this way, measured data can be produced from the throw of the sauna to the user, which data can be presented

E visually to the user. > 8 30 Preferably, artificial intelligence is used in the software tools, which

N artificial intelligence is taught to recognize the sound generated by the throw of a ball into the sensor

N signal in the selected sauna room. In this way, the method can be reliably applied to separate individual sauna rooms, in each of which the signal measured by the sensor and the momentary change in the signal caused by the sauna bath can be individual.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating some applications of the invention, in which

Figure 1 shows a system according to the invention for detecting a sauna throw,

Figure 2 shows the signal produced by a sensor of a system according to the invention as a function of time,

Figure 3 shows a sauna heater according to the invention for detecting the throw,

Figure 4 shows another system according to the invention for detecting a sauna throw.

Figure 1 shows a system according to the invention for detecting the release of a sauna, which system comprises a heater 10 fitted to a sauna room 8. The heater 10 comprises a stone chamber 14 which comprises a storage mass which is adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C and which is adapted to vaporize water to be dispensed into the stone chamber 14. The system here comprises a sensor 50 fitted to the ceiling of the sauna room 8 in the stone chamber 14 < the physical pressure caused by the evaporating water in the sauna room 8

S 25 for detecting the phenomenon and adapted to the control unit 60 of the heater 10

O software tools for identifying a physical phenomenon. 2 The stone space 14 is adapted to be heated by resistors 16. The invention = is not dependent on the method of heating the stone space 14 and is therefore

W adaptable to any state-of-the-art heater & 30. The stone space 14 here comprises heat-storing stones as a mass

N 15 fitted inside the body 12 of the heater 10.

OF

In this embodiment, the sensor 50 is a humidity sensor that is adapted to measure the air humidity of the sauna room 8. Figure 2 shows the signal produced by the sensor 50 as a function of time. Changes occur in the signal measured by the sensor 50 also when the sauna is not being used, i.e. in Figure 2 during periods t1 and t3, which is the so-called background signal. During the sauna use, i.e. in Figure 2 during periods t2 and t4, however, a momentary change is seen in the signal that differs from the signal changes during periods t1 and t3. Using software, the system can identify the sauna use periods t2 and t4 from the signal. For example, existing peak detection algorithms for identifying the sauna use by identifying local peaks from the measurement signal according to a selected criterion can be used for the signal according to Figure 2.

The sensor 50 of Figure 1 may also be a microphone or a temperature sensor or an optical sensor, such as an infrared sensor. When using alternative sensors 50, such as a microphone, the signal may differ significantly from the signal shown in Figure 2 in terms of both the background signal and the change caused by the throw of the sauna.

Therefore, the algorithm used by the software means must be adapted to the measurement signal of the sensor 50 used in the system. The measurement signal can also be unique for each sauna room 8, whereby the system can be calibrated to be suitable for the sauna room 8 in question. < Preferably, the software means in the system comprise

S 25 artificial intelligence in the stone space 14 physical effects caused by evaporating water

O to identify the cal phenomenon. In this case, the system 2 uses 8 measured signals in each sauna room to teach the system's software tools, whereby the system

The system can be easily and reliably calibrated to suit each & 30 — sauna room 8.

Figure 3 shows a heater 10 according to the invention, which comprises the features of the system described above in connection with Figure 1.

The heater 10 comprises a stone chamber 14, which comprises a storage mass,

which is adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200—700 *C and which is adapted to vaporize water to be dispensed into the stone chamber 14.

The stone space 14 is adapted to be heated by resistors 16. The invention is not dependent on the heating method of the stone space 14 and can therefore be adapted to any prior art heater. The stone space 14 here comprises heat-storing stones 15 arranged as a mass inside the body 12 of the heater 10.

The heater 10 comprises a sensor 50 for detecting the physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone space 14 and software means for identifying the physical phenomenon. The sensor 50 is here placed in the upper part of the stone space 14 on the inside of the body 12, where the physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone space 14 is strongest. The sensor 50 is here a humidity sensor, but other sensors mentioned above are also possible. The software means can be placed, for example, in the lower part of the heater 10, where the temperature is lowest, and thus the most advantageous place to place the software means.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the system according to the invention. Here, the detection of a steam jet is used to control the operation of a heater 10. The heater 10 comprises a flow channel 20 extending through a body 12 and a valve 30 which is adapted to open when the system detects a steam jet. The valve 30

S 25 opening allows air flow from flow channel 20

O into the stone room 14 and further through the stone room 14. As it passes through the stone room 14, the air coming from outside the stone room 14 warms up = and as it leaves the stone room 14, it mixes with the air from the stone room 14

W to the escaping water vapor, i.e. the steam. Thus, the heat transfer & 30 from the stone space 14 to the air of the sauna room 8 is enhanced and the steam

The intensity of N increases.

OF

The stone space 14 is here adapted to be heated by resistors 16.

The stone space 14 is here partially closed so that the body 12 of the heater 10 covers more than 50% of the stone space 14. The stone space 14 here comprises stones 15 as a heat-storing mass. The cross-section of the heater 10 shown in the figure is a principle one and the body 12 does not have to be continuous around the stone space 14, but the body 12 may comprise, in addition to the flow channel 20, other openings from which air can flow through the stone space 14. The heater 10 may also be a so-called cage heater, in which the body of the heater is formed at least partially from a metal mesh.

In the system according to Figure 4, the position of the valve 30 is controlled by a motor 34. Motor 34 is a general term for any electronic or mechanical actuator that can be used to change the opening degree of the valve 30.

The motor 34 may be, for example, an electric motor, such as a servo motor, or a solenoid valve may be used. The motor 34 may also be a thermomechanical component, such as a capillary thermostat or a bimetallic thermostat. The motor 34 and the valve 30 are connected to the control means of the system. When the system detects and recognizes the steam jet, the control system is arranged to open the valve 30 by the motor 34 and thus open the flow channel 20. The valve 30 may be programmed to remain open for a selected time, typically a few seconds, after which the valve 30 is closed. When the valve 30 is closed, the air in the stone space 14 heats up and the valve

S 25 30 opens again, cooler air flows from flow channel 20

O pushes this warm air out of the stone space 14 while the air flowing from the 2 flow channels 20 into the stone space 14 is heated. = The warm air flowing out of the stone space 14 is mixed with the air from the stone space

W 14 to the escaping water vapor, i.e. the sauna, and thus enhances the & 30 sauna effect. <

S

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the system also comprises a temperature sensor 40 measuring the temperature of the sauna room 8 and a temperature sensor 18 measuring the temperature of the stone compartment 14 of the heater 10.

In this case, the measurement data of the temperature sensors 40, 18 can be used together with the steam release detected by the sensor 50 and the control means to control the heater 10. For example, in connection with the steam release, the duration of the opening of the valve 30 can be adjusted to depend on the readings of the temperature sensors 40, 18. Preferably, the control unit 60 comprises input means with which the user can adjust the operation of the heater 10 according to the desired criteria according to the measurement data of the sensor 50 and the temperature sensors 40, 18.

In one embodiment, the system comprises memory means and said software means are adapted to store the sauna throw detected by the sensor 50 and identified by the software means in the memory by the memory means together with the time corresponding to the detected sauna throw, and the system comprises display means for displaying the sauna throw stored by the memory means and its time. In this case, the system can be adapted for example for lifestyle use, and the number and times of sauna throws can be displayed visually to the user. <t

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Claims (15)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A system for detecting a sauna bath, the system comprising a heater (10) arranged in a sauna room (8), the heater (10) comprising a stone space (14) comprising a storage mass which is arranged to be heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C and which is arranged to vaporize water to be dispensed into the stone space (14), characterised in that the system comprises a sensor (50) for detecting the physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone space (14) in the sauna room (8) and software means for identifying the physical phenomenon. 2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the stone space (14) of the stove (10) is adapted to be heated by resistors (16) or by burning wood or gas or a combustible liquid, such as oil, or by friction generated by an electrically driven turbine. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor (50) is a humidity sensor adapted to measure the air humidity of the sauna room (8). < 4. A system according to claim 1 or 2, S 25 characterized in that said sensor (50) is a sensor, such as a microphone, that detects the sound produced by evaporating water O. 2 = 5. A system according to claim 1 or 2, W characterized in that said sensor (50) is a temperature sensor. 3 30 6. A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said sensor (50) is an optical sensor, preferably an infrared sensor. 7. A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said sensor (50) is a sensor measuring electrical conductivity. 8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said software means comprise artificial intelligence for recognizing the physical phenomenon caused by water evaporating in the stone space (14). 9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the heater (10) comprises a flow channel (20) comprising a valve (30) adapted to open when the system detects a steam release, allowing air to flow through the stone space (14). 10. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the system comprises memory means and said software means are adapted to store the steam throw detected by the sensor (50) and identified by the software means in the memory by the memory means together with the time corresponding to the detected steam throw, and the system comprises display means for displaying the steam throw stored by the memory means and its time. x < 25 11. A heater (10) comprising a stone space (14) comprising a storage mass O adapted to be heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C 2 and adapted to vaporize water to be dispensed into the stone space (14), characterized in that the heater (10) comprises a sensor W (50) for detecting a physical phenomenon & 30 caused by water evaporating in the stone space (14) and software means N for identifying the physical phenomenon. N 12. A method for identifying the throw of a sauna, in which method a heater (10) is fitted to a sauna room (8), which heater (10) comprises a stone space (14) which comprises a storage mass which is heated to a temperature of 200-700 °C and into which stone space (14) water is dosed for evaporation, characterised in that the physical phenomenon caused by the water evaporating in the stone space (14) in the sauna room (8) is detected by a sensor (50) and identified by software means. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that when the steam discharge is detected by the sensor (50) and identified by software intervals, a valve (30) in the heater (10) is simultaneously opened, which opens a flow channel (20) in the heater (10), through which air is supplied through the stone space (14) of the heater (10). 14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the steam throw detected by the sensor (50) and identified by software means is stored in memory by memory means together with the time corresponding to the detected steam throw, and the stored steam throw and its time are displayed by display means. 15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that artificial intelligence is used in the software means, < which artificial intelligence is taught to recognize the signal generated by the sauna throw on the sensor (50) N < 25 in the selected sauna room (8). O <Q 00 N I [an a O O 00 O + N O N