BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an electric sauna oven comprising a stone chamber, a first
set of heating elements, a second set of heating elements and a control unit.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0002] In relation to sauna ovens, and especially electric sauna ovens, heating of the sauna
space is typically arranged using a relatively simple heater structure. In a typical
electric sauna oven structure, all heating elements are located inside an open stone
chamber in a more or less uniform manner and controlled simultaneously, so that the
space heating takes place primarily via heating of stones or other ceramic elements
placed in the stone chamber to surround the heating elements. In such an arrangement,
the intensity of space heating is therefore tightly related to the temperature of
the stones placed in the stone chamber, so that control over the temperature of the
stones without greatly influencing the temperature of the space being heated, or vice
versa, is not possible.
[0003] Due to this shortcoming, a typical sauna oven arrangement does not offer an optimal
sauna experience to the user. That is, with the temperature of the sauna space being
tied to the temperature of the stones, it often becomes impossible to reach the desired
temperature of the space without overly heating up the stones. This, in turn, may
result in overly aggressive steaming of water tossed over the stones, said water tossing
being part of the standard use practice of a Finnish-type sauna. On the other hand,
also the opposite situation is possible, wherein the stones of the sauna oven cannot
be brought to the desired temperature without overly heating up the sauna space. This
is often the case, for example, when the stones have cooled down as a result of excessive
amounts of water being tossed on them.
[0004] Another problem associated with the described sauna oven arrangement is the suboptimal
use of energy, specifically electric power. That is, the necessity to overly heat
either the stones arranged in the stone chamber or the sauna space itself in order
to obtain the desired heat conditions, inevitably leads to higher levels of energy
use than would be the case with optimized heating conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and
to provide an electric sauna oven for more precise control over the temperature of
the sauna space and the stones or other ceramic elements placed in the stone chamber.
This object is achieved with an electric sauna oven according to independent claim
1.
[0006] By utilizing an electric sauna oven having a first set of heating elements, a second
set of heating elements and a control unit adapted to control a first and a second
switch independently of each other to adjust heating of the first and the second set
of heating elements, it is possible to obtain an electric sauna oven for an improved
user experience, while also avoiding unnecessary heating of the sauna space.
[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] In the following the present invention will be described in closer detail by way
of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which
Figure 1 illustrates an electric sauna oven as seen from above,
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-cut section the electric sauna oven of Figure 1 along
the line A - A,
Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the electric sauna oven, and
Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the electric sauna oven.
DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT
[0009] Figure 1 illustrates schematically an electric sauna oven 1 according to one embodiment
of the invention, as seen from above. The illustration of Figure 1 serves only to
showcase the key structural elements of the electric sauna oven, and therefore the
exact dimensions or positioning of the structural elements presented in the figure
do not necessarily correspond to the actual construction. Also, the illustration of
Figure 1 does not correspond to the ready-to-use -state of the electric sauna oven,
as a plurality of stones or some other form of ceramic component typically provided
in the sauna oven before use are not illustrated to better demonstrate the structure.
[0010] As seen in the example of Figure 1, the electric sauna oven 1 comprises a stone chamber
2, the stone chamber 2 being open to the outside of the electric sauna oven 1 and
limited by a housing 3. More precisely, the stone chamber 2 of said example is formed
as a cylinder having a middle axis 11 extending in vertical direction, wherein the
housing 3 limits the stone chamber 2 in a radial direction of the middle axis 11.
In other words, the stone chamber 2 is in said example arranged to be open upwards
in the vertical direction at the top part of the electric sauna oven 1, so that the
inside of the stone chamber is exposed to the surrounding space. The housing 3 also
extends to cover the bottom part of the stone chamber 2 opposite the open top part.
In other embodiments of the electric sauna oven, however, the shape of the housing
3, and thereby also the shape of the stone chamber 2, may deviate from said example.
For example, the housing 3 may be formed to have an elliptical or rectangular cross
section, rather than circular as illustrated in Figure 1. The stone chamber 2 may
also be arranged such that only part of it is made available for the stones or other
ceramic elements.
[0011] Figure 2 illustrates schematically a cross-cut section the electric sauna oven of
Figure 1. The cross-cut section follows the line A - A illustrated in Figure 1, corresponding
to a vertical middle plane of the electric sauna oven. Similarly to Figure 1, the
illustration of Figure 2 serves only to showcase the key structural elements of the
electric sauna oven, without the purpose of accurately illustrating the dimensions
or positioning of the structural elements presented in the figure. Furthermore, some
non-crucial or technically less relevant components that may be included in the actual
construction, have been left out of the figure to better illustrate the key structural
elements. Some structural elements embedded within the housing have been illustrated
with a dashed line.
[0012] As best seen in the example of Figure 2, the electric sauna oven 1 further comprises
a first set of heating elements 4 extending in the vertical direction in the stone
chamber 2 and connected to a first switch 5. More precisely, in said example heating
elements 12 comprised in the first set of heating elements 4 extend in the stone chamber
2 through the housing 3 at the bottom part of the stone chamber, such that the heating
elements 12 extend to at least a part of the height of the stone chamber. The first
set of heating elements 4 connects to the first switch 5 that is arranged in the electric
sauna oven 1 outside the stone chamber 2, for example in a space provided below the
stone chamber, such that the first set of heating elements 4 and the first switch
5 are formed as parts of a same electric circuit. In the example of Figures 1 and
2, the heating elements 12 are formed as resistors comprising several vertically adjoined
rod sections, but their shape may deviate from said example in other embodiments of
the electric sauna oven.
[0013] Similarly, the electric sauna oven 1 also comprises a second set of heating elements
6 extending in vertical direction in the stone chamber 2 and connected to a second
switch 7. In other words, the second set of heating elements 6 and the second switch
7 according to the examples of Figures 1 and 2 form a similar arrangement to the first
set of heating elements 4 and the first switch 5, wherein the first set of heating
elements 4 is arranged closer to the middle section of the stone chamber 2 than the
second set of heating elements 6. The electric sauna oven 1 further comprises a control
unit 8 adapted to control the first 5 and the second switch 7 independently of each
other to adjust heating of the first 4 and the second set of heating elements 6. In
other words, the control unit 8 is adapted to control the first 5 and the second switch
7 independently in order to allow or disallow electric current to pass through the
vertically adjoined rod sections comprised in the heating elements of the first 4
and the second set of heating elements 6.
[0014] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the electric sauna oven 1 further comprises a
third set of heating elements 9 extending in vertical direction in the stone chamber
2 and connected to a third switch 10. In other words, the third set of heating elements
9 together with the third switch 10 according to the examples of Figures 1 and 2 form
a similar arrangement to the first set of heating elements 4 together with the first
5 switch or the second set of heating elements 6 together with the second switch 7,
wherein the third set of heating elements 9 is arranged further from the middle section
of the stone chamber 2 than the first set of heating elements 4. More precisely, in
said example the second 6 and the third set of heating elements 9 are arranged to
an equal distance from the middle section of the stone chamber 2, to form a symmetrical
pattern around the middle axis 11. The control unit 8 is arranged to control the third
switch 10 independently of the first 5 and the second switch 7 to adjust heating of
the third set of heating elements 9, in other words so as to allow or disallow electric
current to pass through the vertically adjoined rod sections comprised in the heating
elements of the third set of heating elements 9.
[0015] Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the electric sauna oven 1, which deviates
from the example of Figures 1 and 2 in that the cross section of the housing 3 has
been arranged in an elliptical shape. Also, in said example, the third set of heating
elements 9 has been arranged further from the middle section of the stone chamber
2 than the second set of heating elements 6, as opposed to the previous example in
which they are arranged to an equal distance from the middle section of the stone
chamber 2.
[0016] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, each of the first 4, the second 6 and the third
set of heating elements 9 comprises two heating elements 12. In the case of the second
6 and the third set of heating elements 9, said two heating elements are arranged
to opposite sides of the stone chamber 2, so that in the symmetrical pattern formed
by the heating elements around the middle axis 11, each heating element is neighboring
on two sides a heating element belonging to a different group of heating elements.
In said example, the two heating elements 12 comprised in the first set of heating
elements 4 are arranged to different sides of a vertical middle plane defined by the
middle axis 11 in the middle section of the stone chamber 2 parallel to each other.
However, the number of heating elements 12 comprised in each set of heating elements,
being preferably at least two, as well as their exact positioning, may be arranged
differently in other embodiments of the electric sauna oven 1. Also, the third set
of heating elements 9 may be entirely excluded in some embodiments of the electric
sauna oven, such that the symmetrical pattern of heating elements 12 around the middle
axis 11 is only comprised of the second set of heating elements 6.
[0017] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the electric sauna oven 1 further comprises several
vertical channels 13 located in the stone chamber 2 in the vicinity of the second
set of heating elements 6. More precisely, they have been located between the second
set of heating elements 6 and the housing 3. Similarly, several more vertical channels
13 have been arranged in the stone chamber 2 between the third set of heating elements
9 and the housing 3, such that the vertical channels 13 together with the second 6
and third set of heating elements 9 form a symmetrical pattern around the middle axis
11. The vertical channels 13 are open to the outside of the electric sauna oven 1
and limited by an inner wall 14 on one side and by the housing 3 on another side.
In other words, the inner wall 14 at each of the vertical channels 13 is formed as
a uniform wall structure extending to the stone chamber 2 from the inner surface of
the housing 3, and together with the housing limits in the radial direction of the
middle axis 11 a space separate from the main volume of the stone chamber 2. In said
example, the inner wall 14 is arranged in the vicinity of the heating elements 12
of the second 6 and the third set of heating elements 9, meaning that the distance
between the inner wall 14 and the heating elements 12 is in the range of some centimeters,
to receive thermal energy from said heating elements.
[0018] The number of the vertical channels 13, as well as their structural arrangement,
may be arranged differently in other embodiments of the electric sauna oven 1, such
that the electric sauna oven 1 preferably comprises at least one vertical channel
13. In a preferable embodiment of the electric sauna oven, the at least one vertical
channel 13 is limited by the inner wall 14 on at least one side and by the housing
3 on at least one side, the inner wall 14 being arranged in vicinity of at least one
heating element 12 of the second set of heating elements 6. In the example of Figures
1 and 2, the vertical channels 13 are also supplemented by another means of providing
a vertical passage separated from the main volume of the stone chamber 2. This has
been accomplished by utilizing housing 3 comprising several vertical layers, said
layers defining a convection gap 101 between them surrounding the main volume. Said
layers may also comprise openings to form a connection between the main volume and
the convection gap. In some embodiments of the electric sauna oven, the functionality
of the vertical channels 13 may even be entirely actualized by the convection gap
101, such that the vertical channels 13 may be completely omitted. Such variation
of the electric sauna oven is illustrated in Figure 4.
[0019] In the ready-to-use -state of the electric sauna oven 1, the vertical channels 13
are preferably arranged free of stones or other ceramic elements placed in the stone
chamber 2 to promote free passage of air through the channels. With an arrangement
as described, the heating elements 12 of the second 6 and the third set of heating
elements 9 in the vicinity of the vertical channels 13 are particularly suited for
heating of the space surrounding the electric sauna oven 1 via the vertical channels
13, as opposed to the first set of heating elements 4 in which the heating elements
12 are primarily suited for heating of the stones or other ceramic elements placed
in the stone chamber 2. Naturally, however, heating of the surrounding space is also
possible using the first set of heating elements 4, which setup corresponds to the
arrangement found in a typical electric sauna oven. More precisely, due to the vicinity
of the vertical channels 13 to the second 6 and the third set of heating elements
9, a significant portion of the thermal energy produced by these sets of heating elements
during use is passed on to the vertical channels 13, promoting heating up of air within
these channels. This, in turn, promotes the formation of an upwardly directed flow
of air, wherein cooler air enters the vertical channel 13 at its lower part and progresses
towards the open upper end while receiving thermal energy produced by the heating
elements. Thereby, the delivery of heat from the second 6 and the third set of heating
elements 9 into the surrounding space takes place primarily through convection. To
further promote the entrance of air into the vertical channels 13, an additional opening
or openings to the surrounding space may be provided at their vertical surface.
[0020] Similar arrangement is found also between the second 6 and the third set of heating
elements 9 and the convection gap 101, such that the convection gap 101, being provided
in the vicinity of these sets of heating elements, or at least the second set of heating
elements 4, is suited for receiving and passing thermal energy produced by the heating
elements to the space surrounding the electric sauna oven 1 during use.
[0021] In the electric sauna oven 1 according to the example of Figures 1 and 2, the control
unit 8 is adapted to control the first switch 5 based on at least a temperature value
received from a thermometer 15 and a first target temperature value, and the second
switch 7 based on at least the temperature value received from the thermometer 15
and a second target temperature value. Said thermometer 15, which may be provided
within the housing 3 of the electric sauna oven, as illustrated in Figure 2, or as
a separate unit connected to the electric sauna oven, is arranged to measure a temperature
outside the electric sauna oven 1. In other words, the control unit 8 is arranged
to control the heating of the first 4 and the second set of heating elements 6 based
on their dedicated target temperature values and the measured temperature of the space
surrounding the electric sauna oven 1. Similarly to the control of the second switch
7, in said example the control unit 8 is adapted to control also the third switch
10 based on at least the temperature value received from the thermometer 15 and the
second target temperature value, such that the second 6 and the third set of heating
elements 9 are operated to carry out the same target heating pattern. However, in
order to implement the basic operating principal of the electric sauna oven 1, it
is sufficient to operate only the first 5 and the second switch 7 as described.
[0022] An advantage of the electric sauna oven 1 as described over a standard electric sauna
oven is that it allows for more precise control over the thermal- and humidity conditions
of the space surrounding the electric sauna oven. Said control is accomplished through
the separately operable first 4, second 6 and third set of heating elements 9, such
that the first target temperature, determining the intensity of heating of the first
set of heating elements 4, may be chosen to be different from the second target temperature,
determining the intensity of heating of the second 6 and the third set of heating
elements 9. The second 6 and the third set of heating elements 9, which are primarily
responsible for heating of the space surrounding the electric sauna oven, are controlled
so as to bring the temperature of said surrounding space, as measured by the thermometer
15, to the first target temperature value, whereas the first set of heating elements
4 is controlled so as to bring the temperature of the space towards the second target
temperature value.
[0023] When using the electric sauna oven 1 as described, the first and the second target
temperature value are chosen based on the desired temperature of the space to be heated,
as well as the desired intensity of steam forming as an outcome of water being tossed
on the electric sauna oven. More precisely, the second target temperature is set to
match the desired temperature of the space to be heated, whereas the first target
temperature may be set to be higher or lower than the second target temperature. In
case the first target temperature is set to be higher, for example by 3 ºC, the resulting
intensity of said steam forming is also higher, providing a more intense and immediate
feeling of heat to the user. On the other hand, in case the first target temperature
is set to be lower than the second target temperature, for example by 3 ºC, the resulting
intensity of steam forming is also lower, providing a softer, more lingering heat
experience. In other embodiments of the electric sauna oven, the control unit 8 may
be adapted to adjust the heating of the heating elements 12 based on more variables
than the ones disclosed herein, for even further optimization of the thermal- and
humidity conditions of the space surrounding the electric sauna oven. Naturally, the
first and the second target temperature values may also be set to be equal, in which
case the operation of the electric sauna oven 1 corresponds to that of a typical electric
sauna oven arrangement.
[0024] In the electric sauna oven 1 according to the example of Figures 1 and 2, the control
unit 8 may be adapted to further control at least one of the first 5 and the second
switch 7, wherein at least one of the first 5 and the second switch 7 disallows passing
of electric current when the temperature value received from the thermometer 15 ascends
to the first or the second target temperature value, and at least one of the first
5 and the second switch 7 allows passing of electric current when the temperature
value received from the thermometer 15 descends to a predetermined difference value
between the first or the second target temperature value and the temperature value
received from the thermometer 15. Said predetermined difference value of temperatures,
known as the hysteresis value, is thereby also a factor influencing the user experience
of the electric sauna oven, having an influence similar to that described before in
relation to the first and the second target temperature values. In other words, when
the hysteresis value is set to be small, the electric sauna oven is operated such
as to follow the target temperature value with a higher precision, such that a small
decrease in the temperature of the surrounding space from the target temperature value
causes the heating to be actuated again. This, in turn, may result in more intense
heating of the surrounding space or more intense steam forming as an outcome of water
being tossed on the electric sauna oven, depending on which set of heating elements
is operated. Correspondingly, when the hysteresis value is set to be large, the electric
sauna oven is operated such as to follow the target temperature value with a lower
precision, such that a larger decrease in the temperature of the surrounding space
from the target temperature value is needed to cause the heating to be actuated again.
Typically, the hysteresis value may be set to approximately 3 ºC, and it may be arranged
to be defined by the user or it may be a non-user-alterable value.
[0025] In some embodiments of the electric sauna oven 1, said first and second target temperature
values may be provided to the electric sauna oven directly by a user, whereas in some
other embodiments, they may be provided by a software implemented to control the electric
sauna oven. In both cases, the control unit 8 may be adapted to further control at
least the second switch 7 based on a predetermined target time for reaching the second
target temperature value. For example, when a desired time of entering a sauna heated
by the electric sauna oven 1 has been determined, the target time for reaching the
second target temperature value, in other words the desired temperature of the sauna,
may be set accordingly to either speed up or delay the heating of the sauna. Alternatively,
or additionally to the control mechanism as described, the control unit 8 may be adapted
to further control at least the second switch 7 based on a predetermined target time
curve of the temperature value received from the thermometer 15. In other words, the
control of the second switch 7 in this case is done based on a predetermined heating
profile of the sauna space, said heating profile characterizing the target temperature
of the sauna space at any given moment after initiation of the heating. In all said
cases, the control unit 8 may be adapted to control also the third switch 10 in a
manner identical to the control of the second switch 7. With an arrangement as described,
also the consumption of electricity by the electric sauna oven may be optimized, such
that any undesired, excessive heating of the sauna space is avoided.
[0026] In the electric sauna oven 1 according to the example of Figures 1 and 2, the control
unit 8 may also be adapted to control the first 5, the second 7 and the third switch
10 based on a predetermined power input limit, so as to limit the number of heating
elements 12 being heated simultaneously. In other words, a preferably non-user-alterable
power input limit may be determined for the electric sauna oven based on, for example,
a desired power classification of the electric sauna oven, which also dictates the
size range of spaces in which the sauna oven is suited to be used. Thereby, by determining
the maximum power input of the electric sauna oven by limiting the maximum number
of heating elements 12 being heated simultaneously, the same mechanical configuration
of the electric sauna oven 1 may be adjusted to be suitable for several size ranges
of sauna spaces.
[0027] In the electric sauna oven 1 according to the example of Figures 1 and 2, the control
unit 8 may also be adapted to further control the second 7 and the third switch 10,
so as to periodically switch the heating elements 12 being heated. In other words,
there may be circulation of the heating elements being heated at a given moment, for
example such that at one moment the heating elements of the second set of heating
elements 6 are being heated while the third set of heating elements 9 is inactive,
and at another moment the heating elements of the third set of heating elements 9
are being heated while the second set of heating elements 6 is inactive. This way,
a more uniform heating pattern of the stones or other ceramic elements placed in the
stone chamber 2 may be achieved, while maintaining the desired maximum number of heating
elements 12 being heated simultaneously. In some embodiments of the electric sauna
oven, at least one of the first 5 and the second switch 7 may also comprise a TRIAC
(Triode for Alternating Current), wherein the control unit 8 is adapted to control
the TRIAC to adjust pulse width of current supplied to at least the first 4 or the
second set of heating elements 6. In other words, the TRIAC may be used for pulsed
operation of the heating elements 12, so as to further adjust the power input of the
electric sauna oven. Thereby, the TRIAC may be used for fine adjustment of the heating
power of the electric sauna oven 1.
[0028] It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying figures are
only intended to illustrate the present invention. It will be obvious to a person
skilled in the art that the invention can be varied and modified without departing
from the scope of the invention.
1. An electric sauna oven (1) comprising a stone chamber (2), the stone chamber (2) being
open to the outside of the electric sauna oven (1) and limited by a housing (3),
characterized in that the electric sauna oven (1) further comprises:
a first set of heating elements (4) extending in vertical direction in the stone chamber
(2) and connected to a first switch (5),
a second set of heating elements (6) extending in vertical direction in the stone
chamber (2) and connected to a second switch (7), and
a control unit (8) adapted to control the first (5) and the second switch (7) independently
of each other to adjust heating of the first (4) and the second set of heating elements
(6), wherein
the first set of heating elements (4) is arranged closer to the middle section of
the stone chamber (2) than the second set of heating elements (6).
2. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the electric sauna oven (1) further comprises:
a third set of heating elements (9) extending in vertical direction in the stone chamber
(2) and connected to a third switch (10), wherein
the control unit (8) is arranged to control the third switch (10) independently of
the first (5) and the second switch (7) to adjust heating of the third set of heating
elements (9), and
the third set of heating elements (9) is arranged further from the middle section
of the stone chamber (2) than the first set of heating elements (4).
3. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second (6) and the third set of heating elements (9) are arranged to an equal
distance from the middle section of the stone chamber (2).
4. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that
the third set of heating elements (9) is arranged further from the middle section
of the stone chamber (2) than the second set of heating elements (6).
5. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stone chamber (2) is formed as a cylinder having a middle axis (11) extending
in vertical direction, wherein the housing (3) limits the stone chamber (2) in at
least a radial direction of the middle axis (11).
6. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claims 3 and 5,
characterized in that the second (6) and the third set of heating elements (9) are arranged to a symmetrical
pattern around the middle axis (11), wherein
the second set of heating elements (6) comprises at least two heating elements (12)
arranged to opposite sides of the stone chamber (2), and
the third set of heating elements (9) comprises at least two heating elements (12)
arranged to opposite sides of the stone chamber (2).
7. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electric sauna oven (1) further comprises:
at least one vertical channel (13) limited by an inner wall (14) on at least one side
and located in the stone chamber (2) in the vicinity of the second set of heating
elements (6), the at least one vertical channel (13) being open to the outside of
the electric sauna oven (1).
8. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one vertical channel (13) is limited by the housing (3) on at least
one side, and
the inner wall (14) is arranged in vicinity of at least one heating element (12) of
the second set of heating elements (6) to receive thermal energy from the at least
one heating element.
9. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the control unit (8) is adapted to control the first switch (5) based on at least
a temperature value received from a thermometer (15) and a first target temperature
value, and
the control unit (8) is adapted to control the second switch (7) based on at least
the temperature value received from the thermometer (15) and a second target temperature
value, wherein
the thermometer (15) is arranged to measure a temperature outside the electric sauna
oven (1).
10. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 2 to 4, or 6,
characterized in that the control unit (8) is adapted to control the first switch (5) based on at least
a temperature value received from a thermometer (15) and a first target temperature
value, and
the control unit (8) is adapted to control the second (7) and the third switch (10)
based on at least the temperature value received from the thermometer (15) and a second
target temperature value, wherein
the thermometer (15) is arranged to measure a temperature outside the electric sauna
oven (1).
11. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that the control unit (8) is adapted to further control at least one of the first (5)
and the second switch (7), wherein
at least one of the first (5) and the second switch (7) disallows passing of electric
current when the temperature value received from the thermometer (15) ascends to the
first or the second target temperature value, and
at least one of the first (5) and the second switch (7) allows passing of electric
current when the temperature value received from the thermometer (15) descends to
a predetermined difference value between the first or the second target temperature
value and the temperature value received from the thermometer (15).
12. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 2 to 4, 6 or 10, characterized in that the control unit (8) is adapted to control the first (5), the second (7) and the
third switch (10) based on a predetermined power input limit, so as to limit the number
of heating elements (12) being heated simultaneously.
13. The electric sauna oven (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the control unit (8) is adapted to further control the second (7) and the third switch
(10), so as to periodically switch the heating elements (12) being heated.
14. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the control unit (8) is adapted to further control at least the second switch
(7) based on at least one of a predetermined target time for reaching the second target
temperature value and a predetermined target time curve of the temperature value received
from the thermometer (15).
15. The electric sauna oven (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one of the first (5) and the second switch (7) comprise a TRIAC, wherein
the control unit (8) is adapted to control the TRIAC to adjust pulse width of current
supplied to at least the first (4) or the second set of heating elements (6).