Heating device

Abstract

The present invention provides a heating device. The heating device includes a cylinder body, a door body, an electromagnetic generating module, and a radiation antenna. A heating chamber with a loading and unloading opening is defined in the cylinder body, and the heating chamber is used for placing an object to be processed. The door body is arranged at the loading and unloading opening for opening and closing the loading and unloading opening. The electromagnetic generating module is configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal. The radiation antenna is arranged in the cylinder body and electrically connected to the electromagnetic generating module to generate electromagnetic waves with a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal. The periphery of the radiation antenna is formed by a smooth curve, which can increase the distribution area of the electromagnetic waves in the plane parallel to the radiation antenna, avoid the over-concentration of the electromagnetic waves, and thus avoid the problems of local overheating and uneven temperature of food.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to kitchen utensils, and particularly to an electromagnetic wave heating device. Background Art

[0002] During the freezing process of food, the quality of the food is maintained. However, frozen food needs to be thawed before processing or consumption. To facilitate the freezing and thawing of food by users, the prior art generally uses an electromagnetic wave device to thaw food.

[0003] The temperature uniformity of the food after thawing is closely related to the uniformity of the electromagnetic wave distribution in the heating chamber. When there is a gap between the radiation antenna and the inner wall of the heating chamber located in its circumferential direction, the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber will be concentrated at the periphery of the radiation antenna due to the edge effect of the radiation antenna. Considering comprehensively, a design of an electromagnetic wave heating device with uniform electromagnetic wave distribution is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a heating device with uniform electromagnetic wave distribution.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to improve the assembly efficiency of the heating device.

[0006] Another further object of the present invention is to improve the heating efficiency.

[0007] In particular, the present invention provides a heating device, comprising:

[0008] A cylinder body, which defines a heating chamber with a loading and unloading opening therein, and the heating chamber is used for placing the object to be processed;

[0009] A door body, arranged at the loading and unloading opening, for opening and closing the loading and unloading opening;

[0010] An electromagnetic generating module, configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal; and

[0011] A radiation antenna, arranged in the cylinder body and electrically connected to the electromagnetic generating module, to generate electromagnetic waves with a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal; wherein,

[0012] The periphery of the radiation antenna is composed of a smooth curve, so that the electromagnetic wave distribution in the heating chamber is more uniform.

[0013] Optionally, the geometric center of the radiation antenna coincides with the center of the cross-section of the heating chamber intercepted along the installation plane of the radiation antenna.

[0014] Optionally, the radiation antenna is in a perfect circle shape.

[0015] Optionally, the radius of the radiation antenna is 5 / 13 to 13 / 20 of the shortest distance from the periphery of the cross-section to its center.

[0016] Optionally, the cross-section is rectangular or oblong; and

[0017] The radiation antenna is oblong, and the length direction of the radiation antenna is parallel to the length direction of the cross-section.

[0018] Optionally, the length of the radiation antenna is 9 / 20 to 7 / 10 of the length of the cross-section; and

[0019] The width of the radiation antenna is 3 / 10 to 13 / 20 of the width of the cross-section

[0020] The fillet of the radiation antenna is 2 / 7 to 1 / 2 of the width of the radiation antenna.

[0021] Optionally, the cylinder is made of metal; and

[0022] The radiation antenna is horizontally arranged at 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the height of the cylinder.

[0023] Optionally, the heating device further includes:

[0024] A radome, made of insulating material, is arranged to divide the internal space of the cylinder into the heating chamber and the electrical chamber, wherein the radiation antenna is arranged in the electrical chamber and fixedly connected to the radome.

[0025] Optionally, the radiation antenna is formed with a plurality of clamping holes; and

[0026] The radome is correspondingly formed with a plurality of buckles, and the plurality of buckles are arranged to respectively pass through the plurality of clamping holes and be clamped with the radiation antenna; wherein

[0027] The buckle is composed of two barbs arranged at intervals and mirror-symmetrical; or

[0028] The buckle is composed of a fixing part perpendicular to the radiation antenna and hollow in the middle, and an elastic part extending from the inner edge of the fixing part obliquely to the radiation antenna.

[0029] Optionally, the heating device further includes:

[0030] A signal processing and measurement and control circuit, arranged in the electrical chamber, includes:

[0031] A detection unit, connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiation antenna, and the detection unit is configured to detect specific parameters of the incident wave signal and the reflected wave signal passing through it;

[0032] A control unit configured to calculate the electromagnetic wave absorption rate of the object to be processed according to the specific parameters; and

[0033] A matching unit connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiation antenna, and the matching unit is configured to adjust the load impedance of the electromagnetic generating module according to the electromagnetic wave absorption rate.

[0034] Since the circumference of the radiation antenna of the present invention is composed of a smooth curve, it can increase the distribution area of electromagnetic waves in the plane parallel to the radiation antenna, avoid the over-concentration of electromagnetic waves, and thus avoid the problems of local overheating and uneven temperature of food.

[0035] Furthermore, the heating device of the present invention covers and fixes the radiation antenna through an antenna cover, which can not only separate the object to be processed from the radiation antenna, prevent the radiation antenna from being soiled or damaged by accidental touch, but also simplify the assembly process of the heating device and facilitate the positioning and installation of the radiation antenna.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention sets the antenna cover at the height of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the cylinder body, which can not only avoid damaging the antenna cover and the radiation antenna due to the user placing too high objects to be processed, but also make the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber have a higher energy density, so that the object to be processed can be heated quickly.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention adjusts the load impedance of the electromagnetic generating module through the matching unit, improves the matching degree of the output impedance and the load impedance of the electromagnetic generating module, and more electromagnetic wave energy can be radiated in the heating chamber when different foods with fixed attributes (such as type, weight, volume, etc.) are placed in the heating chamber, or when the food is in the process of temperature change.

[0038] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more clear about the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in an exemplary but non-limiting manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating device shown, in which the electromagnetic generating module and the power supply module are removed;

[0042] Figure 3 isFigure 2 Schematic enlarged view of the middle region A;

[0043] Figure 4 Schematic structural diagram of an electrical appliance chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 is Figure 4 Schematic enlarged view of the middle region B;

[0045] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of an electrical appliance chamber according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 is Figure 6 Schematic enlarged view of the middle region C.

[0047] Figure 8 is Figure 4 3D magnetic field simulation diagram of the radiation antenna in the middle;

[0048] Figure 9 is Figure 8 2D magnetic field simulation diagram of the radiation antenna in its plane in the middle;

[0049] Figure 10 is Figure 8 and Figure 9 Color and magnetic field intensity comparison diagram in. Detailed implementation manners

[0050] Figure 1 Schematic structural diagram of a heating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the heating device 100 shown, in which the electromagnetic generating module 161 and the power supply module 162 are removed. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the heating device 100 may include a cylinder body 110, a door body 120, an electromagnetic generating module 161, a power supply module 162, and a radiation antenna 150.

[0051] A heating chamber 111 with a loading / unloading opening is defined inside the cylinder body 110, and the heating chamber 111 is used for placing the object to be processed. The loading / unloading opening may be opened on the front wall or the top wall of the heating chamber 111 to load / unload the object to be processed.

[0052] The door body 120 may be installed with the cylinder body 110 by an appropriate method, such as slide rail connection, hinge connection, etc., for opening and closing the loading / unloading opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating device 100 further includes a drawer 140 for carrying the object to be processed, the front end plate of the drawer 140 is set to be fixedly connected with the door body 120, and the two lateral side plates are movably connected with the cylinder body 110 through slide rails.

[0053] The power supply module 162 can be set to be electrically connected to the electromagnetic generation module 161 to provide electrical energy for the electromagnetic generation module 161, so that the electromagnetic generation module 161 generates electromagnetic wave signals. The radiation antenna 150 can be arranged in the cylinder 110 and electrically connected to the electromagnetic generation module 161 to generate electromagnetic waves of a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signals and heat the object to be processed in the cylinder 110.

[0054] In some embodiments, the cylinder 110 and the door 120 can be respectively provided with electromagnetic shielding features, so that the door 120 is electrically connected to the cylinder 110 when in the closed state to prevent electromagnetic leakage.

[0055] In some embodiments, the cylinder 110 can be made of metal to serve as a receiving electrode to receive the electromagnetic waves generated by the radiation antenna 150. In other embodiments, a receiving electrode plate can be arranged on the top wall of the cylinder 110 to receive the electromagnetic waves generated by the radiation antenna 150.

[0056] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the electrical appliance chamber 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the electrical appliance chamber 112 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the periphery of the radiation antenna 150 can be formed by a smooth curve, so that the distribution of electromagnetic waves in the cylinder 110 is more uniform, and further improve the temperature uniformity of the object to be processed. Among them, the smooth curve refers to a curve whose curve equation is continuously differentiable. In engineering, it means that there are no sharp corners at the periphery of the radiation antenna 150.

[0057] Figure 8 is Figure 4 the three-dimensional magnetic field simulation diagram of the radiation antenna in Figure 10 is Figure 8 and Figure 9 the color and magnetic field intensity comparison diagram in Figure 8 and Figure 10 It can be seen that when the periphery of the radiation antenna is formed by a smooth curve, the distribution of electromagnetic waves above the radiation antenna (in the heating chamber 111) is relatively uniform. Not only does the electromagnetic wave have a large distribution range in the horizontal direction, but the electromagnetic wave distribution is uniform and the magnetic field intensity is basically equal.

[0058] Figure 9 is Figure 8 the two-dimensional magnetic field simulation diagram of the radiation antenna in its plane in Figure 9 and Figure 10 It can be seen that when the periphery of the radiation antenna is formed by a smooth curve, the area of the region where the electromagnetic waves are more concentrated in the plane of the radiation antenna is smaller, and the distribution of electromagnetic waves at the periphery of the radiation antenna is relatively uniform, and no local heating or even arcing phenomenon will occur.

[0059] The geometric center of the radiation antenna 150 coincides with the center of the cross-section with the largest area intercepted by the heating chamber 111 along a hypothetical plane parallel to the mounting plane of the radiation antenna 150, so as to further improve the uniformity of the distribution of electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber 111.

[0060] In some embodiments, the radiation antenna 150 may be circular. In this embodiment, the radius of the radiation antenna 150 is 5 / 13 to 13 / 20 of the shortest distance from the periphery of the aforementioned cross-section to its center, such as 5 / 13, 16 / 31 or 13 / 20, etc., so as to have electromagnetic waves with a relatively large distribution area, relatively uniform distribution and relatively high energy density in the heating chamber 111 while saving antenna materials.

[0061] In some other embodiments, when the cross-section of the heating chamber 111 intercepted along the mounting plane of the radiation antenna 150 is rectangular or oblong, the radiation antenna 150 may be oblong. The length direction of the radiation antenna 150 may be parallel to the length direction of the aforementioned cross-section, so as to make the distribution of electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber 111 uniform.

[0062] In the embodiment where the radiation antenna 150 is oblong, the length of the radiation antenna 150 may be 9 / 20 to 7 / 10 of the length of the aforementioned cross-section, such as 9 / 20, 4 / 7 or 7 / 10, etc.; the width of the radiation antenna 150 may be 3 / 10 to 13 / 20 of the width of the aforementioned cross-section, such as 3 / 10, 11 / 23 or 13 / 20, etc.; the fillet of the radiation antenna 150 is 2 / 7 to 1 / 2 of the width of the radiation antenna 150, such as 2 / 7, 1 / 3, 2 / 5 or 1 / 2, so as to have electromagnetic waves with a relatively large distribution area, relatively uniform distribution and relatively high energy density in the heating chamber 111 while saving antenna materials.

[0063] See Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in, the heating device 100 may further include an antenna cover 130 to divide the internal space of the cylinder 110 into a heating chamber 111 and an electrical chamber 112. The object to be processed and the radiation antenna 150 may be respectively arranged in the heating chamber 111 and the electrical chamber 112 to separate the object to be processed and the radiation antenna 150, preventing the radiation antenna 150 from being soiled or damaged by accidental contact.

[0064] In some embodiments, the antenna cover 130 may be made of an insulating material, so that the electromagnetic waves generated by the radiation antenna 150 can pass through the antenna cover 130 to heat the object to be processed. Further, the antenna cover 130 may be made of a non-transparent material to reduce the electromagnetic loss of the electromagnetic waves at the antenna cover 130, thereby improving the heating rate of the object to be processed. The aforementioned non-transparent material is a semi-transparent or opaque material. The non-transparent material may be a PP material, a PC material or an ABS material, etc.

[0065] The radome 130 can also be used to fix the radiation antenna 150, so as to simplify the assembly process of the heating device 100 and facilitate the positioning and installation of the radiation antenna 150. Specifically, the radome 130 can include a partition 131 that separates the heating chamber 111 and the electrical chamber 112, and a skirt 132 that is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cylinder 110. Among them, the radiation antenna 150 can be arranged to be fixedly connected to the partition 131.

[0066] In some embodiments, the radiation antenna 150 can be arranged to be snap-connected to the radome 130. Figure 5 Yes Figure 4 Schematic enlarged view of area B in. See Figure 5 , the radiation antenna 150 can be formed with a plurality of snap holes 151, and the radome 130 can correspondingly be formed with a plurality of snap fasteners 133. The plurality of snap fasteners 133 are arranged to pass through the plurality of snap holes 151 respectively and be snap-connected to the radiation antenna 150.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present invention, the snap fastener 133 can be composed of two barbs arranged at intervals and mirror-symmetrical.

[0068] Figure 7 Yes Figure 6 Schematic enlarged view of area C in. See Figure 7 , in another embodiment of the present invention, the snap fastener 133 can be composed of a fixing part perpendicular to the radiation antenna 150 and hollow in the middle and an elastic part extending from the inner end edge of the fixing part obliquely to the antenna with respect to the fixing part.

[0069] In some other embodiments, the radiation antenna 150 can be arranged to be fixed to the radome 130 through an electroplating process.

[0070] The radome 130 can also include a plurality of reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing ribs are arranged to connect the partition 131 and the skirt 132 to improve the structural strength of the radome 130.

[0071] In some embodiments, the radome 130 can be arranged at the bottom of the cylinder 110 to prevent the radome 130 from being damaged due to the user placing too high objects to be processed. The radiation antenna 150 can be horizontally fixed to the lower surface of the partition 131.

[0072] The radiation antenna 150 can be arranged at a height of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the cylinder 110, such as 1 / 3, 2 / 5 or 1 / 2, so that while the volume of the heating chamber 111 is relatively large, the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber 111 have a relatively high energy density, and thus the object to be processed can be heated quickly.

[0073] Figure 3 Yes Figure 2 Schematic enlarged view of area A in. See Figures 1 to 3, the heating device 100 may further include a signal processing, measurement and control circuit 170. Specifically, the signal processing, measurement and control circuit 170 may include a detection unit 171, a control unit 172, and a matching unit 173.

[0074] The detection unit 171 may be connected in series between the electromagnetic generation module 161 and the radiation antenna 150, and is configured to detect specific parameters of the incident wave signal and the reflected wave signal passing through it in real time.

[0075] The control unit 172 may be configured to obtain the specific parameters from the detection unit 171 and calculate the power of the incident wave and the reflected wave according to the specific parameters. In the present invention, the specific parameters may be voltage values and / or current values. The detection unit 171 may also be a power meter to directly measure the power of the incident wave and the reflected wave.

[0076] The control unit 172 may further calculate the electromagnetic wave absorption rate of the object to be processed according to the power of the incident wave and the reflected wave, and compare the electromagnetic wave absorption rate with a preset absorption threshold. When the electromagnetic wave absorption rate is less than the preset absorption threshold, an adjustment instruction is sent to the matching unit 173. The preset absorption threshold may be 60-80%, such as 60%, 70%, or 80%.

[0077] The matching unit 173 may be connected in series between the electromagnetic generation module 161 and the radiation antenna 150, and is configured to adjust the load impedance of the electromagnetic generation module 161 according to the adjustment instruction of the control unit 172, improve the matching degree of the output impedance and the load impedance of the electromagnetic generation module 161, so that when foods with different fixed attributes (type, weight, volume, etc.) are placed in the heating chamber 111, or when the food has a temperature change process, more electromagnetic wave energy is radiated in the heating chamber 111, thereby improving the heating rate.

[0078] In some embodiments, the heating device 100 may be used for thawing. The control unit 172 may also be configured to calculate the imaginary part change rate of the dielectric coefficient of the object to be processed according to the power of the incident wave and the reflected wave, and compare the imaginary part change rate with a preset change threshold. When the imaginary part change rate of the dielectric coefficient of the object to be processed is greater than or equal to the preset change threshold, a stop instruction is sent to the electromagnetic generation module 161 to stop the electromagnetic generation module 161 from working, and the thawing program is terminated.

[0079] The preset change threshold may be obtained by testing the imaginary part change rate of the dielectric coefficient of different fixed-attribute foods at -3 to 0 °C, so that the food has better shear strength. For example, when the object to be processed is raw beef, the preset change threshold may be set to 2.

[0080] The control unit 172 can also be configured to receive user instructions and control the electromagnetic generating module 161 to start working according to the user instructions. The control unit 172 is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply module 162 to obtain electrical energy from the power supply module 162 and always be in a standby state.

[0081] In some embodiments, the signal processing and measurement control circuit 170 can be integrated on a circuit board and horizontally arranged in the electrical appliance chamber 112 to facilitate the electrical connection between the radiation antenna 150 and the matching module.

[0082] Heat dissipation holes 190 can be respectively formed at positions of the radome 130 and the cylinder 110 corresponding to the matching unit 173, so that the heat generated when the matching unit 173 works is discharged through the heat dissipation holes 190. In some embodiments, the signal processing and measurement control circuit 170 can be arranged at the rear side of the radiation antenna 150. The heat dissipation holes 190 can be formed in the rear walls of the radome 130 and the cylinder 110.

[0083] In some embodiments, the metal cylinder 110 can be set to be grounded to conduct the charges thereon and improve the safety of the heating device 100.

[0084] The heating device 100 can also include a metal bracket 180. The metal bracket 180 can be set to connect the circuit board and the cylinder 110 to support the circuit board and conduct the charges on the circuit board through the cylinder 110. In some embodiments, the metal bracket 180 can be composed of two mutually perpendicular parts.

[0085] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic generating module 161 and the power supply module 162 can be arranged outside the cylinder 110. A part of the metal bracket 180 can be arranged at the rear of the circuit board and vertically extend along the transverse direction, and two wiring ports can be formed thereon, enabling the wiring terminals of the detection unit 171 (or the matching unit 173) to extend out from one wiring port and be electrically connected to the electromagnetic generating module 161, and the wiring terminals of the control unit 172 to extend out from the other wiring port and be electrically connected to the electromagnetic generating module 161 and the power supply module 162.

[0086] In some embodiments, the heating device 100 can be arranged in the storage compartment of the refrigerator to facilitate the user to thaw food.

[0087] Up to this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that although many exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, still, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived based on the content disclosed in the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and determined to cover all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A heating device comprising: A cylinder body defines a heating chamber with a take-in and put-out opening, wherein the heating chamber is used to place the object to be processed; A door body is provided at the access opening and is used to open and close the access opening; an electromagnetic generating module configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal; and The radiation antenna is disposed in the cylinder and electrically connected to the electromagnetic generating module to generate electromagnetic waves of corresponding frequencies according to the electromagnetic wave signal; and is characterized in that: The periphery of the radiation antenna is formed by a smooth curve to make the electromagnetic wave distribution in the heating chamber more uniform; and the heating device further comprises: The antenna cover is configured to separate the internal space of the cylinder into the heating chamber and the electrical chamber, and the radiation antenna is arranged in the electrical chamber and fixedly connected to the antenna cover; wherein, The radiating antenna is formed with a plurality of snap-in holes; and The antenna cover is correspondingly formed with a plurality of buckles, and the plurality of buckles are configured to pass through the plurality of buckle holes and be buckled with the radiating antenna respectively; wherein, The buckle is composed of two inverted hooks that are spaced apart and mirror-symmetrical; or The buckle consists of a fixing portion which is perpendicular to the radiating antenna and hollow in the middle, and an elastic portion which extends from the inner end edge of the fixing portion and is inclined toward the radiating antenna.

2. The heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The geometric center of the radiating antenna coincides with the center of the largest cross section of the heating chamber taken along an imaginary plane parallel to the mounting plane of the radiating antenna.

3. The heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that The radiating antenna is in a perfect circle shape.

4. The heating device according to claim 3, characterized in that The radius of the radiating antenna is 5 / 13 to 13 / 20 of the shortest distance between the periphery of the cross section and the center thereof.

5. The heating device according to claim 2, characterized in that The cross section is rectangular or oblong; and The radiation antenna is in the shape of an oblong circle, and a length direction of the radiation antenna is parallel to a length direction of the cross section.

6. The heating device according to claim 5, characterized in that The length of the radiating antenna is 9 / 20 to 7 / 10 of the length of the cross section; and / or The width of the radiating antenna is 3 / 10 to 13 / 20 of the width of the cross section; and / or The rounded corner of the radiating antenna is 2 / 7 to 1 / 2 of the width of the radiating antenna.

7. The heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The cylinder is made of metal; and The radiation antenna is horizontally arranged at 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the height of the cylinder.

8. The heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that The cylinder is made of metal; and The radome is made of insulating material.

9. The heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The signal processing and measurement and control circuit is arranged in the electrical room and includes: a detection unit connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiation antenna, and configured to detect specific parameters of the incident wave signal and the reflected wave signal passing through the detection unit; a control unit configured to calculate the electromagnetic wave absorption rate of the object to be processed according to the specific parameters; and A matching unit is connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiation antenna, and the matching unit is configured to adjust the load impedance of the electromagnetic generating module according to the electromagnetic wave absorption rate.

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