Heating methods, product manufacturing methods, equipment, heating devices and apparatus

Abstract

In some aspects of the present invention, heating by a susceptor and direct heating by microwaves are adjusted according to the type, shape, or desired or optimal heating state of the object to be heated. [Solution] In some aspects of the present invention, a heating method is used to heat an object to be heated by emitting microwaves from at least two of a plurality of susceptors, which are arranged at intervals from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some aspects of the present invention relate to heating methods, product manufacturing methods, appliances, heating devices, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a microwave heating device is known in which an object to be heated such as food is accommodated in a heating chamber and microwaves are supplied into the heating chamber to heat and cook the object to be heated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The microwave heating device of Patent Document 1 includes a microwave generation unit that generates microwaves and a microwave radiation unit that radiates the microwaves generated by the microwave generation unit into the heating chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some aspects of the present invention have an object to adjust heating by a susceptor of an object to be heated and direct heating by microwaves according to the type, shape of the object to be heated, or a desired or optimal heating state of the object to be heated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A heating method according to some aspects of the present invention heats an object to be heated by emitting microwaves with at least two of a plurality of susceptors arranged at intervals.

[0006] In the above heating method, since at least two of the plurality of susceptors are arranged at intervals, the microwaves are emitted from the intervals, and the object to be heated can be directly irradiated with the microwaves.

[0007] Furthermore, for example, if the object to be heated and the plurality of susceptors are brought into contact or close proximity, heat from the plurality of susceptors heated by the microwaves will be transferred to the object to be heated, thereby making it possible to heat the surface of the object to be heated.

[0008] For at least a portion of the period during which the microwaves are being emitted, the object to be heated may be in contact with at least one of the plurality of susceptors.

[0009] This makes it possible to heat the surface of the object to be heated that is in contact with at least one susceptor to a high temperature, and, for example, if the object to be heated is food, it is possible to create a browned surface.

[0010] In the heating method described above, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of susceptors is positioned between the object to be heated and the microwave generating device that emits microwaves for at least a portion of the period during which the object to be heated is heated.

[0011] This makes it possible, for example, to precisely adjust the ratio of heating by heat transfer via the susceptor to the object to be heated and heating by direct irradiation of the microwaves to the object to be heated in the above heating method.

[0012] In some aspects of the present invention, a heating method is used in which an object to be heated is heated by emitting microwaves while a susceptor having at least one hole is placed in the area.

[0013] As a result, for example, in the heating method described above, the microwaves are emitted from the susceptor having at least one hole, making it possible to directly heat the object to be heated using the microwaves.

[0014] In the heating method described above, it is preferable that the object to be heated is in contact with the susceptor for at least a portion of the period during which the microwaves are emitted.

[0015] This makes it possible to heat the surface of the object to be heated that is in contact with the susceptor to a high temperature, and, for example, if the object to be heated is food, it is possible to create a browned surface.

[0016] In the heating method described above, it is preferable that the at least one susceptor is positioned between the object to be heated and the microwave generating device that emits microwaves for at least a portion of the period during which the object to be heated is heated.

[0017] This makes it possible, for example, to precisely adjust the ratio of heating by heat transfer via the susceptor to the object to be heated and heating by direct irradiation of the microwaves to the object to be heated in the above heating method.

[0018] A method for manufacturing a product according to some aspects of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a product using any of the above heating methods, wherein the object to be heated is a chemical substance or food.

[0019] This makes it possible, for example, to heat the surface or interior of the object to be heated under optimal conditions.

[0020] Some aspects of the present invention include a device comprising a placement section for placing an object to be heated, and a plurality of first susceptors, wherein at least two of the plurality of first susceptors are spaced apart from each other.

[0021] This makes it possible to perform both, for example, heating of the object to be heated by heat transfer from the plurality of first susceptors and direct heating of the first susceptors by microwaves.

[0022] In the above-described apparatus, by appropriately setting the distance, position, etc. of the at least two first susceptors, it becomes possible to heat the heated object under desired conditions.

[0023] In the above-described apparatus, it is preferable that a second susceptor is further provided, and at least one of the plurality of first susceptors is disposed between the placement portion and the second susceptor.

[0024] Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to accurately adjust the ratio between heating by heat transfer from the susceptor to the heated object and heating by direct irradiation of the microwave to the heated object.

[0025] In any of the above-described apparatuses, it is preferable that the plurality of first susceptors are heated to 70° C. or higher by absorbing microwaves.

[0026] Thereby, for example, the use temperature of the plurality of first susceptors can be appropriately set according to the above-described apparatus.

[0027] The use temperature of the plurality of first susceptors can be appropriately set, for example, by the material of the susceptor, the frequency of the microwave, the microwave irradiation method, etc.

[0028] The apparatus according to the present invention includes a placement portion for placing a heated object and a first susceptor, and at least one hole is formed in the first susceptor.

[0029] Thereby, for example, it is possible to perform both heating of the heated object by heat transfer from the first susceptor to the heated object and direct heating of the first susceptor by microwaves.

[0030] In any of the above-described apparatuses, it is preferable that a second susceptor is further provided, and the first susceptor is disposed between the placement portion and the second susceptor.

[0031] This makes it possible to precisely adjust, for example, the ratio of heating by heat transfer via the susceptor to the object to be heated and heating by direct irradiation of the microwave to the object to be heated.

[0032] In the above-described apparatus, it is preferable that the first susceptor is heated to 70°C or higher by absorbing microwaves.

[0033] This allows the operating temperature of the first susceptor to be set appropriately, for example, depending on the device described above.

[0034] The operating temperature of the first susceptor can be appropriately set by, for example, the material of the susceptor, the microwave frequency, and the microwave irradiation method.

[0035] A heating device according to some aspects of the present invention comprises a placement section for placing an object to be heated, a plurality of first susceptors, and a microwave generating device, wherein at least two of the plurality of first susceptors are arranged at intervals from each other.

[0036] This makes it possible to perform both, for example, heating of the object to be heated by heat transfer from the plurality of first susceptors and direct heating of the first susceptors by microwaves.

[0037] In the heating device described above, it is preferable to further include a second susceptor, wherein at least one of the plurality of first susceptors is positioned between the arrangement section and the second susceptor.

[0038] This makes it possible to precisely adjust, for example, the ratio of heating by heat transfer via the susceptor to the object to be heated and heating by direct irradiation of the microwaves to the object to be heated.

[0039] A heating device according to some aspects of the present invention comprises a placement section for placing an object to be heated, a first susceptor, and a microwave generating device, wherein at least one hole is formed in the first susceptor.

[0040] This makes it possible, for example, to heat the object to be heated by heat transfer from the first susceptor to the object to be heated, and to directly heat the first susceptor with microwaves.

[0041] In the above heating device, it is preferable that a second susceptor is further provided, and the first susceptor is positioned between the arrangement section and the second susceptor.

[0042] This makes it possible to precisely adjust, for example, the ratio of heating by heat transfer via the susceptor to the object to be heated and heating by direct irradiation of the microwaves to the object to be heated.

[0043] Apparatus according to some aspects of the present invention comprises a placement section for arranging an object to be heated, a plurality of susceptors, and a control unit, wherein the control unit transmits a control signal to the at least one susceptor to control the position of at least one of the plurality of susceptors.

[0044] This allows the susceptor to be positioned in an optimal location, for example, depending on the type of object to be heated and the desired heating conditions for the object to be heated.

[0045] In the above-described apparatus, it is preferable that the control signal causes at least one susceptor to move downwards from the placement section.

[0046] In the above-described apparatus, it is preferable that the control unit generates the control signal based on the data signal relating to the object to be heated.

[0047] Preferably, the data signal is generated based on the image data of the object being heated.

[0048] This makes it possible, for example, to identify the optimal susceptor position simply by imaging the object to be heated, and then to position the susceptor at that optimal location.

[0049] The above apparatus further comprises a microwave generating device for heating at least one of the susceptors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a waveguide according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating a heating apparatus according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the drive mechanism of a susceptor included in a heating device according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments relating to several aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Note that these drawings illustrate specific examples of these embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0052] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a heating device relating to several embodiments of the present invention. Typically, the heating device comprises a microwave generating device 1, a component 2, and a base 3. The base 3 comprises a susceptor 4, a frame 5, a mounting base 6, a moving mechanism 7, a lid 8, and a microwave leakage prevention unit 9.

[0053] Furthermore, the above-mentioned components of the heating device may be omitted or sold separately as appropriate. For example, the lid 8 can be sold as a separate part.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, the heating device can also be sold as an appliance that does not include a heating mechanism such as the microwave generating device 1, component 2, and base 3. When sold as an appliance, it is preferable that the frame of the appliance be made of a resin such as silicone rather than metal so that the entire appliance can be placed in a microwave oven.

[0055] The microwave generating device 1 protrudes from the bottom of the base 2, and the tip of the microwave generating device 1 is surrounded by a portion of the member 2 that is not in contact with the base 3. An angle θ is formed between the portion of the member 2 that is not in contact with the base 3 and the microwave generating device 1.

[0056] As a result, the microwaves generated by the microwave generating device 1 are reflected by the portion of the member 2 that is not in contact with the base 3, and propagate in the direction of the microwave generating device 1 protruding from the portion of the member 2 that is in contact with the base. The microwaves then propagate towards the susceptor 4 placed on the mounting base 6, causing the susceptor 4 to heat up, and the bread A, which is the object to be heated by the heating device in Figure 1, is heated. The susceptor 4 is preferably heated to 70°C or higher by absorbing microwaves, and more preferably to 100°C or higher. Note that in Figure 1, the susceptor 4 is in contact with the bread A, so the bread A is browned.

[0057] In the heating device shown in Figure 1, the susceptor 4 does not have a slit that allows microwaves generated by the microwave generating device 1 to pass through the mounting base 6 and directly irradiate the bread 4. Therefore, the heating of the bread 4 is due to the susceptor 4 becoming hot due to being heated by the microwaves.

[0058] The distance between the microwave generating device 1 and the susceptor 1 can be adjusted by the movement mechanism 7. This allows the temperature reached by microwave heating of the susceptor 4 to be adjusted, so that, for example, the user can achieve their preferred level of browning on a slice of bread.

[0059] The material of the susceptor 4 may be, for example, a material having a higher microwave absorption efficiency than insulating materials such as aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide. Examples include wide-bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide, oxygen-containing anion salts such as zinc oxide and lead zirconate titanate, carbon such as graphite and iron oxide, magnetic metal coordination compounds, metal salts, or metal oxides. In addition to the above-mentioned highly microwave-absorbing material, the susceptor 4 may also contain a binder for molding. Examples of binders include alumina, cement, and gypsum.

[0060] The frame 5 should preferably be made of a material with low microwave transmittance. Stainless steel, various alloys, or pure metals can be used to allow microwaves to leak through when heating the bread 4, which is the object to be heated. For example, steel, stainless steel, and aluminum can be used.

[0061] The mounting base 6 is made of a material that allows microwaves emitted from the microwave generating device 1 to pass towards the susceptor 4, such as glass or aluminum oxide. The mounting base 6 may also be made of a ferroelectric material such as barium titanate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Using a ferroelectric material causes wavelength conversion of microwaves, improving the absorption efficiency of microwaves by the susceptor 4 and allowing the susceptor 4 to reach higher temperatures.

[0062] A lid 8 can be attached to the heating device shown in Figure 1. The material of the lid 8 should preferably have low microwave transmittance. For example, various alloys or pure metals can be used. For instance, steel, stainless steel, and aluminum can be used.

[0063] For example, various alloys or pure metals can be used as the microwave leakage prevention section 9. For example, steel, stainless steel, and aluminum can be used.

[0064] Figure 2 shows a heating device in which slits S are provided between multiple susceptors 4. The configuration is the same as the heating device shown in Figure 1, except that slits S are provided between the multiple susceptors 4.

[0065] It is possible to directly irradiate the bread 4, which is the object to be heated, with microwaves through the slit S between the multiple susceptors 4. As a result, the bread A, which is the object to be heated, is heated by the microwaves that have passed through the multiple susceptors 4 and the slit S, which have been heated by absorbing the microwaves.

[0066] With this configuration, for example, if a user wants to heat a thick slice of bread more quickly to the inside, or if the inside of a slice of bread is cold after being refrigerated, the microwaves will penetrate into the inside of the bread A, making it ready to eat quickly.

[0067] Figure 3 shows a configuration with more spacing between the multiple susceptors 4, including slits S, compared to Figure 2. By providing more spacing between the multiple susceptors in this way, it becomes possible to heat, for example, the bean paste A2 surrounded by the bun crust A1 using microwaves.

[0068] In other words, this means that the heating state of the outside and inside of the object to be heated can be adjusted by heating with a susceptor heated by microwaves and by directly irradiating the object to be heated with microwaves.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the heating state of the object to be heated can be adjusted to a more desired state by adjusting the distance between the susceptor and the object to be heated. Specifically, in the configuration shown in Figure 4, the mounting base 6, microwave generating device 1, component 2, and pedestal 3, which are on the opposite side of the object to be heated (the anpan) from the susceptor 4, can be adjusted by the moving mechanism 7, thereby making it easier to control the heating state of the object to be heated.

[0070] As the plate P on which the anpan (sweet bean paste bun), which is the object to be heated, is placed, for example, glass or alumina, which easily transmit microwaves, can be used. Alternatively, for example, a material having both a part with thermal conductivity, such as metal, and a part that transmits microwaves can also be used. This makes it possible, for example, to brown the outer layer A1 of the anpan, which is the object to be heated, while also heating the bean paste A2 inside the anpan, which is the object to be heated.

[0071] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the heating device according to the present invention when used for cooking fried foods such as tempura. When heating shrimp coated in batter, which is the object to be heated, with oil B1, by providing a gap including a slit S between the multiple susceptors 4, microwaves can be irradiated onto the shrimp, which is the object to be heated, and the shrimp can be heated all the way through.

[0072] Of course, in some embodiments of the present invention, the object to be heated can be heated to a desired state by adjusting the slits between the susceptors. To illustrate with a specific example, as shown in Figure 6, if the object to be heated is a shiitake mushroom B3, the number of slits between the susceptors 4 can be reduced to relatively increase the heating by the heated susceptors 4, thereby heating the entire oil B1 for cooking.

[0073] Figure 7 shows the configuration of the heating device according to the present invention when used for drying a material. For example, if the thickness of the material to be dried C is large, increasing the spacing between the susceptors 4 allows microwaves to reach the material to be dried C located away from the susceptors 4 or the gas phase interface, enabling rapid drying.

[0074] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, if the thickness of the material to be dried C is small, the total spacing between the susceptors 4 may be relatively reduced so that heating is mainly performed by the susceptors.

[0075] It is also possible to use multiple layers of susceptors. In the configuration of a heating device according to some aspects of the present invention shown in Figure 9, the first layer susceptor 4 and the second layer susceptor 4 located above the first layer susceptor 4 overlap, but the gap between the susceptors 4, including the slit S, is greater than that between the susceptors 4 of the second layer. This suppresses heat dissipation from the susceptor 4 closer to the object to be heated, and at the same time, by adjusting the thickness of one layer of susceptor 4, microwaves from the gap between the susceptors 4 of the second layer can be directly irradiated onto the object to be heated, thus efficiently performing both high-temperature heating by the susceptor and heating by internal microwave penetration.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, the heating device can also be sold as a device that does not include heating mechanisms such as the microwave generating device 1, component 2, and base 3.

[0077] As shown in Figure 10, it is also possible to configure the system so that the susceptors 12 are positioned to the side of the object to be heated. Multiple susceptors 12 are heated by microwaves emitted from the microwave generating device 13 into the housing 15. Microwaves are irradiated from the slits S of the susceptors 12 onto the object to be heated, which is oil B1 and shrimp B2. This enables direct heating of the susceptors 12, which have become hot from the initial heating, by microwaves.

[0078] In the heating device configuration shown in Figure 10, the pot 10 is equipped with a microwave-shielding member 10a, such as perforated metal. This causes a layer of oil B4 mixed with water from food such as shrimp B2 to accumulate below the member 10a. Because the microwaves are shielded by the member 10a, the heating of the water-mixed oil layer B4 becomes less likely, reducing the risk of oil splashing and other dangers.

[0079] Figure 11 shows a mechanism that controls the direct heating of an object to be heated by microwaves and the heating of the object by susceptors, depending on the object to be heated. As a specific example, Figure 10 shows the method of driving the susceptor 4 on the bottom side of the pot 10. For example, the control device 17 receives an image signal IS obtained by imaging the object to be heated, such as food, and identifies the desired or optimal heating conditions based on the image signal IS. A control signal CS is transmitted to the susceptor driving mechanism 16 according to the identified heating conditions, resulting in the optimal susceptor arrangement according to those heating conditions. For example, all three susceptors 4 on the left side of Figure 11 can be moved to the right side, and the gap between the susceptors 4 can be reduced to two.

[0080] Although heating using multiple susceptors as shown in Figures 2 to 11 has been described, it is also possible to use, for example, a single susceptor with at least one hole. When using such a perforated susceptor, and when controlling the direct heating of the object to be heated by microwaves and the heating of the object by the susceptor depending on the object to be heated, multiple susceptors with different hole shapes and sizes may be prepared, and the optimal susceptor may be selected from among these multiple susceptors according to the control signal and transferred to the bottom surface of the pot 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1...Microwave generating device, 2...Component, 3...Base, 4...Susceptor, 5...Frame, 6...Installation stand, 7...Moving mechanism, 8...Lid, 9...Microwave leakage prevention section, 10...Pot, 10a...Component, 11...Drying tray, 12...Susceptor, 13...Microwave generating device, 14...Stand, 15...Housing, 16...Susceptor drive mechanism, 17...Control unit, A...Item to be heated (bread), A1...Shrimp crust, A2...Red bean paste, B1...Oil, B2...Shrimp, B3...Shiitake mushroom, B4...Layer of oil mixed with water, C...Substance to be dried, P...Plate, CS...Control signal, IS...Image signal

Claims

1. At least two of the multiple susceptors are spaced apart, and the object to be heated is heated by emitting microwaves. Heating method.

2. During at least a portion of the period in which the microwaves are being emitted, the heated object is in contact with at least one of the plurality of susceptors. The heating method according to claim 1,

3. During at least a portion of the period in which the object to be heated is heated, at least one of the plurality of susceptors is positioned between the object to be heated and the microwave generating device that emits microwaves. The heating method according to claim 1.

4. The object to be heated is heated by emitting microwaves while a susceptor having at least one hole is placed in place. Heating method.

5. During at least a portion of the period in which the microwaves are being emitted, the heated object is in contact with the at least one susceptor. The heating method according to claim 4,

6. For at least a portion of the period during which the object to be heated is heated, the at least one susceptor is positioned between the object to be heated and the microwave generating device that emits microwaves. The heating method according to claim 4.

7. A method for manufacturing a product using the heating method of claim 1 or claim 4, The object to be heated is a chemical substance or food. Product manufacturing method.

8. A placement section for placing the object to be heated, Equipped with multiple first susceptors, Of the plurality of first susceptors, at least two first susceptors are arranged with a gap between them. Equipment.

9. Furthermore, it is equipped with a second susceptor, At least one of the plurality of first susceptors is positioned between the arrangement section and the second susceptor. The apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The plurality of first susceptors are heated to 70°C or higher by absorbing microwaves. Equipment

11. A placement section for placing the object to be heated, A first susceptor, comprising The first susceptor has at least one hole formed therein. Equipment.

12. Furthermore, it is equipped with a second susceptor, The first susceptor is positioned between the arrangement section and the second susceptor. The apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The first susceptor is heated to over 70°C by absorbing microwaves. The apparatus according to claim 11

14. A placement section for placing the object to be heated, Multiple first susceptors, A microwave generating device, Of the plurality of first susceptors, at least two first susceptors are arranged with a gap between them. heating device.

15. Furthermore, it is equipped with a second susceptor, At least one of the plurality of first susceptors is positioned between the arrangement section and the second susceptor. The heating device according to claim 14.

16. A placement section for placing the object to be heated, The first susceptor, A microwave generating device, At least one hole is formed in the first susceptor. heating device.

17. Furthermore, it is equipped with a second susceptor, The first susceptor is positioned between the arrangement section and the second susceptor. The heating device according to claim 16.

18. A placement section for placing the object to be heated, Multiple susceptors, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit transmits a control signal to at least one of the plurality of susceptors to control the position of at least one of the susceptors. Device.

19. In response to the control signal, at least one susceptor moves downward to the placement section. The apparatus according to claim 18.

20. The control unit generates the control signal based on the data signal relating to the object being heated. The apparatus according to claim 19.

21. The data signal is generated based on the image data of the object being heated. The apparatus according to claim 20.

22. Furthermore, the system includes a microwave generating device for heating at least one of the susceptors. The apparatus according to claim 18.

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