Cooking appliance having a planar antenna and method for operating a cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances lack an efficient and cost-effective method for wireless communication with sensors inside the cooking chamber, particularly for temperature monitoring and other parameter measurement, which is essential for precise cooking processes.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance design featuring a flat air baffle as a planar antenna, a transmitter/receiver unit, and a coupling device with a helical electrical line for capacitive coupling, allowing for high-frequency signal transmission between the unit and a sensor without the need for a separate antenna, thus enabling wireless communication and simplifying the appliance's complexity and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate antenna is added for wireless communication, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna function with the existing air baffle structure. The air baffle, which is already present in the cooking chamber for air flow management, is integrated with a conductive layer that serves as the antenna element. This merging eliminates the need for a separate antenna component while enabling wireless communication capability through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air baffle structure serves multiple functions: it manages air flow within the cooking chamber and simultaneously acts as an antenna for wireless communication. By making the air baffle multi-functional, the patent avoids adding extra components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the required wireless communication capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate antenna is added for wireless communication, then wireless communication capability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna function with the existing air baffle structure. The air baffle, which is already present in the cooking chamber for air flow management, is integrated with a conductive layer that serves as the antenna element. This merging eliminates the need for a separate antenna component while enabling wireless communication capability through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air baffle structure serves itself by performing its original air flow management function while simultaneously providing the antenna function for wireless communication. This self-service approach means the existing structure does double duty, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing production costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication components are added to the cooking chamber, then sensor communication is improved, but structural integrity at high temperatures may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna function with the existing air baffle structure. The air baffle, which is already present in the cooking chamber for air flow management, is integrated with a conductive layer that serves as the antenna element. This merging eliminates the need for a separate antenna component while enabling wireless communication capability through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the electrical properties of the existing air baffle by adding a conductive layer or coating, transforming it into a functional antenna without changing its physical location or structural role. This parameter change approach allows the same structure to serve both thermal/structural purposes and electromagnetic radiation purposes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient wireless communication with sensors inside the cooking chamber, allowing for precise temperature monitoring and other parameter measurement, simplifying production, reducing costs, and enabling retrofitting of existing appliances, while maintaining structural integrity at high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling device (7) has a capacitive coupling to the air baffle (4) for transmission of the high-frequency signal (6)
Implementation Method 2
The air baffle (4) is designed as a planar antenna (8) for transmitting the high-frequency signal (6) between the coupling device (7) and a sensor (9)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (1) having a cooking chamber (2) for cooking a product (3) to be cooked, having an air-guiding plate (4) arranged in the cooking chamber (2), a transmitter/receiver unit (5) for transmitting and/or receiving a high frequency signal (6) and a coupling device (7) for coupling the transmitter/receiver unit (5) and the air-guiding plate (4), wherein the air-guiding plate (4) is in the form of a planar antenna (8) for transmitting the high frequency signal (6) between the coupling device (7) and a sensor (9) that can be arranged in the cooking chamber (2).