High-frequency dielectric heating device

Abstract

To provide a high frequency dielectric heating device that can be readily set by even a less-informed and inexperienced user, resulting in reducing setting errors.SOLUTION: A high frequency dielectric heating apparatus 1 comprises: a heating unit 20 that dielectric-heats an object to be thawed W placed between a positive electrode 21 and a negative electrode 22 which receive high-frequency power depending on a heating schedule; an acquisition unit 50 and an operation unit 51 that obtain some of a plurality of factors relating a per-heating initial state of the object to be thawed W and the heating unit 20 using sensors 501 to 505 in advance, and classify the other factors and factors relating heating conditions for the object to be thawed into a plurality of categories, associate pieces of qualitative guide information representing the contents of the categories with corresponding values, and indicate the qualitative guide information on a display unit 40 when selecting a category and obtain the corresponding value associated with the selected category in advance; and a calculation unit 32 that calculates a heating schedule by introducing a property value, a calculated value, and a corresponding value which are values relating the dielectric heating of properties of the object to be thawed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-frequency dielectric heating device that performs thawing, welding, adhesion, drying, and the like by dielectrically heating an object using positive and negative electrodes.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a high-frequency dielectric heating device, as basic heating conditions, the output, time, heating schedule, and electrode interval are each set numerically and operated based on the set numerical values. On the other hand, in the technical field of high-frequency dielectric heating, there are not a few technical terms, and for those without knowledge, such as beginners who are not used to the operation, setting the condition values is one of the difficult factors. On the contrary, if there is an incorrect input of numerical values, there is a problem that an appropriate heat treatment cannot be performed on the object to be heated. Another reason pointed out for the difficulty in operating a high-frequency dielectric heating device is its feature that a large amount of energy can be input in a short time compared to other heating methods. While this is an advantage of dielectric heating, since the temperature can be changed significantly in a short time of seconds, if it is not properly managed and controlled, the desired heating result cannot be obtained, or discharge may occur. These are considered to occur mostly due to inappropriate setting of the heating conditions. To stably obtain the desired heating result, it is necessary to appropriately set the heating conditions such as the output, time, and heating schedule, and in addition, it is also necessary to set conditions related to the electrodes specific to dielectric heating.

[0003] From the perspective of reviewing the usability of devices in terms of operability and ease of use, technologies that partially relax the condition settings have been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 proposes a thawing device that allows the omission of input of specific numerical values for some items. This thawing device is provided with a data table for each type of thawed object that reduces the output level of high-frequency power as the distance between the opposing electrodes increases and adjusts the output time of high-frequency power corresponding to the output level, and calculates the output level and output time according to the measured weight of the thawing object, etc. In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a microwave oven in which first, a cooking menu (selection of the object to be heated) screen is displayed on the display panel, then an input screen for obtaining the heat capacity of containers such as "one cup" and "two cups" is displayed, and finally, a screen that allows the selection of target temperatures such as "hot", "normal", and "lukewarm" is displayed, and after measuring the weight with a weight sensor, the heating time is calculated by the device side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The thawing device described in Patent Document 1 only has a data table that correlates the output level and output time according to the weight and the distance between the opposing electrodes. Referring to FIG. 10 thereof, the display of other items such as output conditions and the adjustment of the thawing time still remain as numerical values and still require specialized knowledge as before. Further, the microwave oven described in Patent Document 2 uses ambiguous terms such as "thick", "normal", and "lukewarm" as the target temperature. For example, when "normal" is selected, a heating sequence with a corresponding target temperature of 65° C. is read out to calculate the heating time. Therefore, in the microwave oven described in Patent Document 2, it is not possible to obtain the required total energy amount by referring to each attribute of the object to be heated, or to appropriately adjust the arrangement of components around the heating chamber according to, for example, the type of the object to be heated and the purpose of heating, and to correspondingly set the heating schedule. Thus, the heating operation technology by microwave irradiation performed in a microwave oven cannot be directly applied to the high-frequency heating operation using a positive and negative electrode structure.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a high-frequency dielectric heating device that facilitates the setting operation regardless of the level of skill by allowing the setting of various elements when performing heat treatment using positive and negative electrodes to be performed by selecting qualitative information instead of numerical input.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The high-frequency dielectric heating device according to the present invention includes positive and negative electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and to which high-frequency power is supplied according to a heating schedule, and a heating unit that dielectrically heats an object to be heated disposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Among a plurality of elements related to the initial state before heating of the object to be heated and the heating unit, measurement values are acquired in advance as measurement values for some elements via respective sensors. On the other hand, for the remaining elements among the plurality of elements related to the initial state before heating of the object to be heated and the heating unit, and for elements related to heating conditions for the object to be heated, each element is divided into a plurality of sections, and qualitative guide information representing the content of each section is associated with corresponding values. An acquisition means for notifying the qualitative guide information at the time of section selection and acquiring in advance the corresponding values associated with the selected section; and an arithmetic means for introducing the property value related to dielectric heating, the measurement value, and the corresponding value among the properties of the object to be heated into a heating condition calculation formula based on dielectric heating to calculate the heating schedule.

[0008] According to the present invention, an object to be heated is heated according to a heating schedule. An acquisition means acquires in advance, as measurement values via respective sensors, for some of a plurality of elements related to an initial state before heating of the object to be heated and a heating unit. On the other hand, for the remaining elements and the elements related to heating conditions for the object to be heated, the acquisition means divides each element into a plurality of parts, and associates qualitative guide information representing the content of each part with a corresponding value. When selecting a part, the qualitative guide information is notified, and the corresponding value associated with the selected part is acquired in advance. Then, by an arithmetic means, a property value related to dielectric heating, a measurement value, and a corresponding value among the properties of the object to be heated are introduced into a heating condition calculation formula based on dielectric heating, and a heating schedule is calculated. Therefore, in addition to the initial state, heating conditions including one of the states during heating and after heating can be indicated by selection from among qualitative terms etc. instead of input of specialized numerical values, so that misinput is reduced even for those with little knowledge and experience including beginners. Moreover, if acquisition of property values and information on some elements for which relatively high accuracy is desired is separated from the operator, misinput can be suppressed, and the influence of misinput can also be suppressed. Thus, since state setting or condition setting for performing heat treatment is performed by presenting selectable qualitative information instead of numerical input, the setting operation becomes easy regardless of the level of proficiency.

[0009] Further, the present invention includes a drive unit that moves the positive and negative electrodes in the direction of contact and separation, the sensor includes an interval measurement unit that measures an air gap between the positive and negative electrodes and the object to be heated, and the heating condition calculation formula increases the total energy amount when the air gap is set (for example, thawing or drying) compared to when there is no air gap, and sets the output time longer while suppressing the output of the heating schedule. According to this configuration, the heating schedule when an air gap is provided is accurately calculated. Note that it is preferable that the heating condition calculation formula increases the total energy amount more as the air gap becomes larger, and sets the output time longer while suppressing the output of the heating schedule more. According to this, the heating schedule for the size of the air gap according to the size, shape, etc. of the object to be heated is accurately calculated.

[0010] Further, the calculation means calculates the output of the high-frequency power per unit time to obtain the heating schedule. According to this configuration, the heating schedule is accurately calculated.

[0011] Further, the heating conditions include elements of the heating result of the object to be heated, and the elements of the heating result relate to the finish and the amount of total energy. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily select and specify the heating conditions related to the heating result from qualitative terms and instruct the intended total energy amount.

[0012] Further, the heating conditions include elements of the heating process of the object to be heated, and the elements of the heating process relate to changes in the heating schedule. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily select and specify the heating conditions related to the heating process from qualitative terms and instruct the way of applying energy, that is, an appropriate heating schedule.

[0013] Further, the present invention includes feedback processing means for performing feedback processing after the heating operation is completed. The feedback processing means has at least one item related to the quality of the object to be heated heated according to the heating conditions, and the item is divided into at least one or more categories. Contents related to the quality are assigned to each category, and information for adjusting at least one of the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, the total energy amount, and the heating schedule in correspondence with the contents related to the quality is associated. In the feedback processing, the adjustment information associated with the selected category is applied to the heating condition calculation formula to adjust at least one of the total energy amount and the heating schedule. According to this configuration, when a category related to the quality of the object to be heated after the heating operation is completed is selected, information for adjusting the quality is set and applied to the heating condition calculation formula, whereby the quality is adjusted hereafter.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, by allowing the setting of various elements during heat treatment to be performed by selecting qualitative information instead of numerical input, the setting operation is made easy regardless of the level of skill.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a high-frequency thawing device 1 which is an embodiment of the high-frequency dielectric heating device according to the present invention. The high-frequency thawing device 1 includes a high-frequency circuit unit 10, a heating unit 20, a control unit 30, a display unit 40, a data acquisition unit 50, and an operation unit 51. The high-frequency thawing device 1 has a predetermined outer shape, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped housing, and the above-described units 10 to 51 are disposed within this housing.

[0017] The high-frequency circuit unit 10 includes an oscillation circuit 11 that generates a power signal with a predetermined level and a predetermined frequency (1 to 100 MHz, such as 27 MHz or 40 MHz) in the high-frequency band from a power supply, and a matching unit 12 for matching the output impedance seen from the power supply side with the impedance on the load side. The output level of the high-frequency circuit unit 10 is controlled by a control signal from the control unit 30 as described later.

[0018] The matching unit 12 includes a variable capacitor C1 and an inductance element L1 connected in series, and a variable capacitor C2 connected in parallel therebetween. The variable capacitance automatically adjusts the impedance on the load side that changes according to the progress of thawing, for example, by detecting the level of the reflected wave from the load side with a known traveling wave reflection wave detection circuit (not shown), and maintains the matching state. The matching adjustment unit 121 changes the facing area of the opposing electrodes of the variable capacitors C1 and C2 that constitute the matching unit 12 according to the detected reflected wave level.

[0019] In this embodiment, the heating unit 20 is provided as a heating chamber in the housing, and includes an upper electrode 21 and a lower electrode 22 that are plate-shaped and arranged to face each other in the vertical direction and are parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. For example, the upper electrode 21 is set as the positive electrode and the lower electrode 22 is set as the negative electrode. The heating unit 20 performs a thawing process by utilizing the dielectric heating effect by arranging the thawing object W between the upper and lower electrodes 21 and 22 and supplying high-frequency power. The upper electrode 21 is configured to be movable up and down in the heating chamber by using, for example, ball screws erected on the upper surface. The electrode lifting unit 201 includes a drive source such as a motor, and rotates, for example, a ball screw to integrally lift and lower the connected upper electrode 21. Note that, in addition to the mechanism using a motor and a ball screw, various actuators can be applied to the electrode lifting unit 201.

[0020] The control unit 30 is composed of a computer equipped with a processor and is connected to a storage unit 301 in which a control program related to the thawing process and the like is stored. The control unit 30 functions as a qualitative information acquisition processing unit 31, an arithmetic unit 32, a thawing operation processing unit 33, and a feedback processing unit 34 by reading the control program into a main memory (not shown) and executing it with the processor.

[0021] First, the storage unit 301 functions as a database that stores property data representing the properties and states of the thawed product W for each type (material), stores the heating condition calculation formula based on dielectric heating for each material, and stores various screen images (e.g., FIG. 2) to be displayed on the display unit 40. Details of each will be described later. Table 1 shows the property data of the thawed product W and the content of the acquired information (elements, content related to the conditional formula, method of incorporating into the conditional formula (acquisition method), etc.). As will be described later, among the acquired information for each element, there are those acquired using sensors and those selectively acquired by an operator based on a guide (prompt).

[0022]

Table 1

[0023] In this embodiment, the following elements are exemplified in the property data. As types of the thawed product W, chicken, pork, beef, fish, etc. are included (see FIG. 2). And as the "database" for each type, the dielectric constant ε r , tanδ (dielectric loss angle), specific heat, thermal conductivity, specific gravity, moisture content, withstand voltage, fat content, and numerical values of salt concentration, which mainly act as the thawing efficiency in dielectric heating, are included. These property data, together with the acquired information described later, are introduced as numerical values (property values) into the heating condition calculation formula based on dielectric heating as variables, constants, or coefficients, and a heating schedule determined by the total energy amount, output per unit time, and output time (time) is calculated. Note that the heating condition calculation formula can be created for thawing by applying the property data and the acquired information as variables, constants, and coefficients using theory or experimental rules, etc. The heating condition calculation formula may be a theoretical formula, an experimental formula, or a mixed formula.

[0024] Here, the heating condition calculation formula will be described in more detail. Assuming that the efficiency of the heat used for heating among the heat quantity (total energy quantity) generated in the object to be heated is η, the total energy quantity is obtained by multiplying the product of the electric power P and the heating time t by the efficiency η. The efficiency η depends on the shape, size, heat transfer, etc. of the object to be heated, and for example, it may be converted into ratios and related to the electric power P. The heat quantity required to heat the object to be heated by a predetermined temperature is, for example, corresponding to the product of the specific heat, volume, density, and temperature rise of the object to be heated, and also corresponding to ηPt. By applying the necessary property values, measurement values, and corresponding values as variables or coefficients, etc. through experiments to this basic relationship, a heating condition calculation formula with the required accuracy is created. Also, for example, the necessary adjustment is performed for the air gap. Note that as the heating condition calculation formula, from other viewpoints, for example, based on a calculation program of electromagnetic field simulation or thermal analysis simulation using the finite element method, etc., and taking into account experimental data, a heating condition calculation formula with good accuracy may be created.

[0025] Also, in Table 1, first, in the initial state, it includes elements such as the initial temperature, shape, uniformity, weight, and electrode height (work height + α) of the material. Furthermore, in the heating conditions representing after the start of the heating operation (heating process and heating result), it includes elements of "finish" and "how". "Finish" is information on how much to thaw, and "how" is information on how to apply energy during thawing. Here, "finish" is related to the increase or decrease of the total energy quantity required for thawing, and is obtained based on the selection from qualitative terms, figures, etc. by a person (operator). "How" is related to the adjustment of the output and heating schedule, and is obtained based on the selection from qualitative terms, figures, etc. by a person. Note that as an example of qualitative information, ambiguous information may be included according to the elements.

[0026] Each element in the initial state is measured in advance, i.e., before the heating operation starts, automatically or in response to an instruction by the data acquisition unit 50 functioning as each sensor, and is also selectively acquired manually via the operation unit 51, as described below. It is preferable to acquire (measure) information on elements that require measurement accuracy via a sensor (i.e., the data acquisition unit 50). The operation unit 51 and the display unit 40 constitute an acquisition means that is mainly guided by qualitative information. It is preferable that the operation unit 51 is a touch panel of a transparent pressure-sensitive element layer laminated on the screen of the display unit 40.

[0027] The initial temperature can be measured by, for example, a radiation type thermometer 501 that measures the surface temperature of the thawed object W. In addition, when the temperature of the storage freezer is known in advance, the temperature can be acquired by a person selecting from the expressions that represent the qualitative frozen state as exemplified in FIG. 2(A) described later instead of a quantitative automatic measurement. The shape mainly refers to the degree of bulkiness of the thawed object W in a lump form, and the shape can be acquired by a person qualitatively selecting based on the appearance, or by a quantitative automatic measurement that identifies the shape (typically length, width, height) using a shape measuring unit 502 from an image taken by a camera or the like. The higher the bulkiness of the shape, the lower the output, which is reflected in the long-term heating schedule, thereby suppressing uneven thawing. In addition, when there is a locally bulky convex part on the upper surface of the lump, differences in the degree of thawing in parts, the presence or absence of cooking, or variations in thawing are likely to occur, so the output is lowered and the heating schedule is extended accordingly.

[0028] The uniformity mainly refers to the ratio (color) of lean meat and fat in the lump-shaped thawed object W, and the uniformity may be obtained by a qualitative selection by a person based on the appearance, or by a quantitative automatic measurement in which the color is analyzed from a captured color image using a uniformity measuring unit 503 having a camera capable of capturing color images. The higher the fat ratio, the faster the thawing and the more likely it is that the thawing will be uneven, so it is preferable to adjust the output. The uniformity measuring unit 503 and the shape measuring unit 502 may share the camera section.

[0029] The weight mainly refers to the weight of the lump of thawed object W, and is used to calculate the total amount of energy from the amount of energy required for heating per unit weight. The weight is preferably measured automatically and quantitatively using a weighing scale 504. The weighing scale 504 is disposed, for example, below the lower electrode 22, and can be calculated by weighing the thawed object W together with the lower electrode 22 and subtracting the known weight of the lower electrode 22. Note that the weighing scale 504 may directly weigh the object W, or may read the weight via a camera from a numerical value or symbol indicating the weight, for example, written at a predetermined position on the packaging material of the thawed object W. Alternatively, the weighing scale 504 may automatically measure the weight before the object is put into the heating unit 20.

[0030] The electrode height (workpiece height + α) refers to the height position of the upper electrode 21, that is, the distance between the upper and lower electrodes 21, 22. α refers to the gap (air gap) between the upper surface of the thawed object W and the lower surface of the upper electrode 21. The upper and lower electrodes 21, 22 are provided with a predetermined air gap α, for example, about 20 to 30 mm, between the upper electrode 21 and the upper surface of the thawed object W in order to suppress the occurrence of partial boiling, which is likely to occur at convex parts or corners of the upper surface of the lump-shaped thawed object W. As a result, the total amount of energy required and the settings of the output and heating schedule are affected. For example, the larger the air gap α, the larger the total amount of energy is correspondingly increased, and preferably the heating schedule is set to be longer.

[0031] The measurement of the electrode height (workpiece height + α) can be performed by various methods applying the electrode gap measurement unit 505, and a mode enabling measurement of both the workpiece height and the air gap α is adopted as necessary. For example, a laser type, an LED type, or sensors using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves can be used. Further, by measuring the rotation amount of an actuator that moves the upper electrode 21 up and down, for example, a motor, with the electrode gap measurement unit 505 such as a rotary encoder provided on the motor shaft, the distance from the lower electrode 22 may be measured using the known relationship between the rotation amount and the lifting distance. In this case, for example, when the upper electrode 21 is lowered from above and the contact with the thawed product W is once detected by, for example, a change in the motor load current or a separately provided switch, the moving direction of the upper electrode 21 is reversed upward and raised by an amount corresponding to α (the number of pulses) and then stopped.

[0032] FIG. 2(A) shows an example of the selection screen 41 displayed on the display unit 40. The screen 41 shows an image for receiving selection of qualitative information related to a plurality of elements among the initial state and heating conditions via the operation unit 51. Each element is arranged in the row direction. Each element is divided into a plurality of sections, and as shown in FIG. 2(A), each section is represented by a plurality of buttons arranged in the column direction. Qualitative guide information representing the content of each section is written on each button. In this example, the plurality of elements are three types: the initial temperature range, the finish target, and the thawing mode, and the number of sections is three for each type. Note that the number of elements is not limited to three, and the number of sections may be individual numbers according to the content of the elements.

[0033] In FIG. 2(A), the initial temperature range is presented by combining qualitative expressions with reference to quantitative information in a more user-friendly manner. From left to right, it is divided into slightly low (-30°C), standard (-20°C), and slightly high (-10°C). Note that the button with a relatively concentrated button concentration, here "standard (-20°C)", clearly indicates that it is being selected. The finishing targets are divided into hard (about -5°C), medium (about -3°C), and soft (about -1°C), and are also shown in the figure. The noted numerical values are for reference only and are treated as qualitative information as a whole. Also, the thawing modes are divided into qualitative information such as slowly, slightly slowly, and standard. The qualitative information acquisition processing unit 31 displays the qualitative information of a plurality of elements on the screen 41 following the display of the type of the thawed object W, and guides the selection of any intended division for each element based on the qualitative information. The button, i.e., the division, selected by the operation unit 51 is temporarily acquired, i.e., stored, in the storage unit 301.

[0034] The information on the division selected for each element is reflected in the calculation by the heating condition calculation formula. Here, an example of the relationship between the division and the numerical value for calculation, which is the information possessed by the division, will be described. Each division of each element is attached with qualitative content (guidance information), and corresponding values related thereto are set and stored in the storage unit 301. When the corresponding division is selected, the associated corresponding value is read out as a so-called default value and introduced into the heating condition calculation formula. On the other hand, when equipped with a feedback function as described later in this embodiment, a plurality of corresponding values of different magnitudes are prepared for one division, and one of the corresponding values can be set as the default value each time a feedback instruction is given as described later and introduced into the heating condition calculation formula.

[0035] For example, when a certain section is selected, typically, the central corresponding value within that section is applied as the default value of that section to the heating condition calculation formula. On the other hand, when receiving a feedback instruction, the adjacent corresponding value in the direction indicated by the feedback is changed as the default value, and the changed corresponding value is updated as the new default value of the said section. In this way, every time there is a feedback instruction, the content of the qualitative information is converted into and finely adjusted to the corresponding value, and by being used in the heating condition calculation formula for the next thawing operation, it becomes possible to bring the heating state of thawing closer to the target through fine adjustment. Note that the number of corresponding values prepared for each section may be three including the central corresponding value, and may be more than that for preferably realizing the feedback function.

[0036] The arithmetic unit 32 executes the calculation of the heating condition calculation formula based on dielectric heating based on the quantitative measurement value automatically acquired from the data acquisition unit 50, the corresponding value (the above-mentioned default value) manually acquired via the operation unit 51, and the property value pre-written in the storage unit 301. The arithmetic unit 32 calculates the total energy amount required for the instructed thawing, and also calculates the output level of the high-frequency power with respect to the time direction for each unit time until the end time, and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 301 as a heating schedule. Note that the arithmetic unit 32 may execute the calculation every time the thawed object W is thawed in addition to when there is a feedback instruction, or may execute the calculation in units of lots.

[0037] The thawing operation processing unit 33 starts the thawing operation and controls the operation of the high-frequency circuit unit 10 at unit time intervals so as to guide the calculated high-frequency power level to the heating unit 20.

[0038] FIG. 2(B) is a screen 42 for receiving the feedback processing necessary for the result after the completion of the thawing process. The feedback processing unit 34 absorbs or eliminates the ambiguity caused by the qualitative selection, and after the completion of thawing, the operator checks the result and finely adjusts the elements related to the initial state and heating conditions via the operation unit 51. Examples of the fine adjustment candidates include the electrode interval, the total energy amount, and the heating schedule.

[0039] In this embodiment, three items, thawing condition, doneness, and thawing variation, are displayed selectably. For the thawing condition, it is possible to select buttons for over-thawed, good, and under-thawed, which mainly affect the finishing target. For example, if over-thawed is selected, among the finishing targets in Fig. 2(A), only the currently set default value for one portion is changed to the corresponding value on the lower temperature side and updated as the new default value. The change of the default value in the thawing condition affects the change of the total energy amount and the heating schedule according to the heating condition calculation formula. Also, when good is selected or neither is selected, the default value is not changed. On the other hand, if under-thawed is selected, the corresponding value is changed to the corresponding value on the higher temperature side for one portion and updated as the new default value. Also, for the thawing condition, processing related to updating the default value may be similarly performed for the thawing mode. Alternatively, the feedback instruction may be executed only for one of the finishing target and the thawing mode.

[0040] The items of doneness and thawing variation are selectable between present and absent. In the case of present, it affects the finishing target and the thawing mode, and the default value of the corresponding category can be updated. In the case of absent, the default value is not changed. More specifically, when "doneness present" is selected, the default value is updated in the direction of relaxing that the total energy amount is too large, too much energy is applied in a short time (the time is short), and the electrode interval is narrow. When "thawing variation present" is selected, the default value is updated in the direction of relaxing that too much energy is applied in a short time (the time is short) and the total energy amount is small.

[0041] Note that the method for updating the default value in the feedback process is, in addition to the method of appropriately selecting the default value from a plurality of prepared corresponding values as described above, for example, a method in which one corresponding value is set in advance, and according to the feedback instruction, it is multiplied by a predetermined ratio in the addition or subtraction direction, or a predetermined numerical value is added or subtracted to calculate and update a new default value may also be used.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the thawing process. The control unit 30 displays an acquisition screen for qualitative information (FIG. 2(A)) on the display unit 40 (step S1), and determines whether all information regarding the initial state and heating conditions has been acquired from the data acquisition unit 50 and the operation unit 51 (step S3). When all the information has been acquired, based on the measured values, corresponding values (default values), and property values, the heating condition arithmetic expression is calculated, and the total energy amount, as well as the output and heating schedule, are calculated (step S5). The contents of the calculated output and heating schedule are temporarily stored in the storage unit 301 (step S7). Next, the heating operation is started and the processing of the heating operation is executed (step S9).

[0043] Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the heating operation has ended (step S11). If not, the process returns to step S9 and the processing according to the heating schedule continues. On the other hand, if the heating operation has ended, a feedback instruction screen is displayed on the display unit 40 (step S13), and it waits for a feedback instruction. Next, if there is a feedback instruction (Yes in step S15), the default value is changed and updated corresponding to the instructed item and category (step S17). Next, it is determined whether or not the thawing process has ended, for example, whether or not the thawing process for a series or all of the thawed items W has ended (step S19). On the other hand, in step S15, if there is no feedback instruction (and in the case where the feedback instruction is an operation not involving updating the default value), step S17 is skipped and it is determined whether or not it has ended (step S19). If it has not ended (No in step S19), the process returns to step S5, feedback processing is performed, and the processing from step S7 onward continues. When newly performing a heating process, when the default value has been updated by a feedback instruction in the previous heating process, the heating condition arithmetic expression is executed with the updated default value. On the other hand, when the heating process has ended, the updated default value may be automatically reset, or the reset process may be made possible via an instruction. Also, when storing the updated data in the storage unit 301, by storing it together with the operator's ID information, it may be possible to read out the past contents including the updated default value at the next operation.

[0044] <Other Embodiments> In high-frequency dielectric heating, in addition to quantitative information regarding the initial state and heating conditions, a mode of selective input using qualitative information can be applied not only to high-frequency thawing devices but also to various high-frequency dielectric heating processes, excluding differences in the objects to be heated. For example, it can be applied to a mode in high-frequency heating for bonding woods by melting an adhesive (see Table 2 and FIG. 4), or a mode in high-frequency heating for bonding or welding resin sheets or plastic materials (see Table 3 and FIG. 5), or a mode in high-frequency heating for drying ceramics (see Table 4 and FIG. 6). Note that the high-frequency wood bonding device and the high-frequency heating device have substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, except that the heating unit 20 has a different configuration according to the shape of the object to be heated, the heating purpose, etc., as is well known. This will be described below.

[0045] High-frequency heating for wood bonding is a technique for processing the top plate of a table, a door, a closet door, etc. An adhesive is applied to the surface of a wooden frame or core board (particle board or MDF (medium density fiberboard)), and a surface material such as a plywood or a decorative board is laminated to process a product having a certain thickness. This high-frequency heating device is provided with a single or a pair of electrode structures in which a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes are arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance and spaced apart from each other so that their polarities are alternately different, and a processed product (object to be heated) in contact with the alternating electrodes with a predetermined pressing force is dielectrically heated to process and manufacture the product (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-28706).

[0046]

Table 2

[0047] The property data as the "database" shown in Table 2 includes various types of woods, surface materials, and adhesives. The property data mainly acts as the heating efficiency in dielectric heating. Also, a heating condition calculation formula corresponding to each property data is stored. These property data are used as variables, coefficients, etc. for calculating the total energy amount, and the output and heating schedule together with the acquired information. Also, as shown in Table 2, a formula for automatically calculating the pressing force is stored.

[0048] In the initial state, elements such as the initial temperature, moisture content, core material ratio (the ratio to the surface where the adhesive is applied with respect to the opposite surface), face material thickness, width, length, and height (= electrode interval) are included. It is preferable that the information of each element is obtained manually or automatically measured by a corresponding sensor. Note that the core material ratio and the face material thickness may also be obtained by selection by the operation unit 51 (see Fig. 4(A)). Furthermore, as heating conditions after the start of the heating operation, "finish" and "how" are included. "Finish" is information on how far to heat, and "how" is information on how to apply the pressure and energy during heating. Here, "finish" is related to the increase or decrease of the required total energy amount and is obtained based on a person's selection from among qualitative terms, graphic information, etc. "How" is something that changes the pressure, and the way of applying energy is related to the adjustment of the output and the heating schedule and is obtained based on a person's selection from among qualitative terms, graphic information, etc.

[0049] Figs. 4(A) and (B) are examples of information acquisition screens corresponding to Figs. 2(A) and (B). In the screen example of Fig. 4(A), as quantitative or qualitative selection elements, in addition to the object to be heated, the core material ratio, face material type, face material thickness, and heating schedule are included, and they are divided into 4 sections or 3 sections. The core material ratio is divided into 4 sections with qualitative guide information, and quantitative % values (median values) are also noted for reference in each section. When the face material type is selected, it is converted into corresponding numerical values or coefficients, etc. and applied to the heating condition calculation formula. For the face material thickness, a numerical range is noted for reference in the qualitative guide information. The heating schedule is expressed by a combination of an emoji suggesting the speed of a person's movement and qualitative characters such as quick, standard, and slow.

[0050] On the feedback screen of Fig. 4(B), three items, namely heating result, surface material wave impact, and core material mark, can be selected. For the heating result, it can be specified as weak, good, or strong, which is reflected in the increase or decrease of the required total energy amount. For the surface material wave impact, it is a two-choice of presence or absence. In the case of presence, the output is suppressed and it is reflected in lengthening the heating schedule. For the core material mark, it is also a two-choice of presence or absence. In the case of presence, the output is suppressed and it is reflected in lengthening the heating schedule.

[0051]

Table 3

[0052] The property data as the "database" shown in Table 3 includes property values such as the dielectric constant ε r , tanδ (dielectric loss angle), specific heat, breakdown voltage, thermal conductivity, specific gravity, etc. for each type of material. The property data may be automatically discriminated and measured by image processing or sensors. Also, the heating condition calculation formula for each material is stored. Furthermore, as information on the device side, each element of die information (type: area, shape), fabric thickness, finished thickness, and energy application method is included. These property data, together with the acquired information, are used as variables when calculating the total energy amount, output, and heating schedule. Also, the formula for calculating the pressing force is stored.

[0053] In the initial state, it includes the initial temperature and heater temperature. The initial temperature is automatically measured, and the heater temperature is automatically set from the database. Furthermore, "finish" is included as a heating requirement. "Finish" refers to the information of the finished thickness, which corresponds to the required total energy amount and pressing force.

[0054] Figures 5(A) and (B) are examples of information acquisition screens corresponding to Figures 2(A) and (B). In the screen of Figure 5(A), in addition to the fabric type and mold type, as qualitative selection elements, the finished thickness and heating schedule are included. The fabric type is the material name, and the mold type is mold types A, B, ···, and a heating condition calculation formula applied according to these selection results is set. The finished thickness as a heating condition is prepared with five categories in qualitative expressions and numerical values are exemplified as reference examples, which are reflected in the required total energy amount and the increase or decrease of the pressure (between positive and negative electrodes). The heating schedule is the same as that in Figure 4(A).

[0055] In the feedback screen of Figure 5(B), two items, the welding condition and the finished thickness, are selectable. For the welding condition, over-melted, good, and under-heated can be selected. When over-melted or under-heated is selected, the default value of the corresponding category is updated and reflected in the increase or decrease of the required total energy amount and the change of the pressure. For the finished thickness, thin, good, and thick can be selected. When thin or thick is selected, the default value set for the finished thickness element in Figure 5(A) is updated.

[0056]

Table 4

[0057] The property data as the "database" shown in Table 4 includes property values such as the dielectric constant ε r , tanδ (dielectric loss angle), specific heat, breakdown voltage, thermal conductivity, specific gravity, and moisture content for each material type. Also, a heating condition calculation formula for each material is stored.

[0058] In the initial state, it includes elements such as the initial temperature, moisture content, shape, uniformity, weight, and electrode height (workpiece height + α). Information on each element is obtained manually or by automatic measurement. The weight and workpiece height are measured by sensors. Furthermore, as heating conditions, it includes elements of "finished" and "how", and can be calculated based on the selection of qualitative information by a person (operator).

[0059] Figs. 6(A) and (B) are examples of information acquisition screens corresponding to Figs. 2(A) and (B). In the screen of Fig. 6(A), as qualitative selection elements, it includes the moisture content in the initial state, "finish" which indicates the degree of drying among the heating conditions as qualitative information, and further includes a heating schedule similar to that in Fig. 4(A).

[0060] In the feedback screen of Fig. 6(B), three items of heating result, surface material wash, and core material mark are selectable. For the heating result, selections of weak, good, and strong are possible, which are reflected in the increase or decrease of the required total energy amount. Surface material wash has two choices of yes or no. In the case of yes, the output is suppressed and it is reflected in making the heating schedule longer. Core material mark is considered to be caused by drying variation and has two choices of yes or no. In the case of yes, the output is suppressed and it is reflected in making the heating schedule longer.

[0061] Note that as qualitative information, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, terms expressing levels or states, terms including ranges, in combination with quantitative expressions, or figures, etc. are applicable. Examples of qualitative figures include visual symbols such as emojis and picture words. Also, it is not necessary that all are presented in a selectable manner with qualitative terms. As long as it is a mode that does not require numerical input, it may include a mode of presenting intermediate values and numerical ranges for reference. According to the above, the operator is not forced to directly input numerical values, and moreover, is guided to make selections based on qualitative content and only needs to perform selection operations, so that even non-experts can perform the setting operation. Also, as an acquisition means guided by qualitative information, it is not limited to the display method of the above embodiment, and for example, an audio method equipped with a microphone and a speaker may also be used.

[0062] Further, when the feedback process selects the classification of the intended content within the item regarding the outcome, it may be a method of directly introducing the adjustment information associated with the classification into the direct heating condition calculation formula to adjust at least one of the total energy amount and the heating schedule, or a method of reflecting the adjustment information in the measured value of the corresponding initial state and the corresponding value of the current classification of the element related to the heating condition, and then introducing it into the heating condition calculation formula to adjust at least one of the total energy amount and the heating schedule. Whichever method is used, it is applied to the heating condition calculation formula to adjust the outcome.

[0063] Also, the number of classifications within the item for the feedback process may be plural, but for some items, it may also be one (for example, except for the "none" button, the confirmation button "OK" may be used instead).

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 1 High-frequency thawing device 10 High-frequency circuit section 20 Heating section 21 Upper electrode 22 Lower electrode 30 Control section 201 Electrode lifting section (drive section) 301 Storage section 31 Qualitative information acquisition processing section (part of the acquisition means) 32 Calculation section (calculation means) 33 Thawing operation processing section 34 Feedback processing section (feedback processing means) 40 Display section (part of the acquisition means) 50 Data acquisition section (part of the acquisition means, sensor) 505 Electrode interval measurement section (interval measurement section) 51 Operation section (part of the acquisition means) W Thawed object

Claims

1. A heating unit that includes positive and negative electrodes spaced apart from each other and that dielectrically heats an object to be heated disposed between the positive and negative electrodes, with high-frequency power being supplied according to a heating schedule; Of a plurality of elements related to the initial state before heating of the object to be heated and the heating unit, for some elements, measurement values are acquired in advance as measurement values via respective sensors, and for the remaining elements of the plurality of elements related to the initial state before heating of the object to be heated and the heating unit, and for elements related to heating conditions for the object to be heated, each element is divided into a plurality, and qualitative guide information representing the content of each division is associated with a corresponding value, and the qualitative guide information is selectively notified in each division and the corresponding value associated with the division selected by a person is acquired in advance; an acquisition means; A calculation means that introduces a property value related to dielectric heating among the properties of the object to be heated, the measurement value, and the corresponding value into a heating condition calculation formula based on dielectric heating to calculate the heating schedule; And a drive unit that moves the positive and negative electrodes in the approaching and separating direction. The sensor includes a gap measurement unit that measures an air gap between the positive and negative electrodes and the object to be heated. The heating condition calculation formula is characterized in that when there is the air gap, compared to when there is no air gap, the total energy amount is increased and the heating schedule is set longer. A high-frequency dielectric heating device.

2. The high-frequency dielectric heating device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means calculates an output per unit time of the high-frequency power to obtain the heating schedule.

3. The heating conditions include elements of a heating result of the object to be heated. The element of the heating result is a finish and relates to the amount of total energy. The high-frequency dielectric heating device according to claim 1.

4. The heating conditions include elements of a heating process of the object to be heated. The element of the heating process relates to a change in the heating schedule. The high-frequency dielectric heating device according to claim 1. Claim 5 comprising feedback processing means for performing feedback processing after the heating operation is completed, the feedback processing means has at least one item regarding the quality of the object to be heated heated according to the heating conditions, and the item is divided into at least one or more categories, and the content regarding the quality is assigned to each category, and at least one of the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, the total energy amount, and the heating schedule is associated with information for adjusting corresponding to the content regarding the quality, and the high-frequency dielectric heating device according to claim 1, wherein the information for adjusting associated with the category selected by a person in the feedback processing is updated.

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