Dielectric Volume-Based Microwave Power Setting in Cooking Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking appliances using microwave energy struggle with reproducibility of cooking results for varying load quantities due to non-linear scalability of microwave energy absorption, leading to risks of overcooking or undercooking.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the number of dielectric unit volumes in the cooking chamber and set the microwave power based on this number, using scattering parameters to ensure consistent microwave absorption per volume, thereby adjusting power automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microwave power is used to cook cooking products, then cooking speed and energy efficiency are improved, but reproducibility of cooking results for different load quantities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the microwave power level based on the detected load quantity. The control unit modifies the microwave power parameter in response to changes in the number of dielectric unit volumes, ensuring that the energy input per unit volume remains constant despite variations in total load. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reproducibility (reliability) while preserving the efficiency benefits of microwave cooking.
2Quantity of substance
If microwave power is increased to cook larger load quantities, then cooking capacity is improved, but cooking uniformity deteriorates due to non-linear scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the microwave power parameter based on the detected load quantity. When a larger number of dielectric unit volumes is detected, the system increases total power while maintaining constant power per unit volume. This ensures cooking uniformity across different quantities by scaling power linearly with load size, resolving the non-linear scalability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the control unit to detect the number of dielectric unit volumes in the cooking chamber and automatically adjusting microwave power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that power delivery is continuously adapted to match the actual load, maintaining cooking uniformity regardless of quantity variations.
3Device complexity
If fixed microwave power is used for different load quantities, then device complexity is reduced, but cooking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where the control unit detects the number of dielectric unit volumes and automatically adjusts microwave power settings. This feedback mechanism enables accurate cooking results without requiring complex manual intervention from the user, as the system self-adjusts based on detected load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the load quantity through dielectric unit volume detection and autonomously adjusting microwave power without user input. This maintains cooking accuracy while keeping the user interface simple, effectively resolving the contradiction between device complexity and cooking precision.
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
Achieves reproducible cooking results across different load quantities by ensuring consistent microwave power per unit volume, reducing user intervention and minimizing the risk of overcooking or undercooking.
Implementation Method 1
modern cooking appliances often also use (additional) microwave sources which (additionally) introduce energy into the cooking product(s) by means of electromagnetic radiation to (additionally) heat the cooking product(s)
Implementation Method 2
determining a number of dielectric unit volumes in the cooking chamber; determining a target microwave power on the basis of the number of dielectric unit volumes
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for a load-dependent setting of a microwave power in a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber and a microwave module. The method includes determining a number of dielectric unit volumes in the cooking chamber. A target microwave power is determined on the basis of the number of dielectric unit volumes. The microwave power of the microwave module is set on the basis of the determined target microwave power. Furthermore, a cooking appliance is provided with functionality to execute the method.