High frequency heating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high frequency heating apparatuses face challenges in accurately thawing heating target objects due to inaccurate weight input and unreliable detector output signals, leading to inconsistent cooking or thawing results.

Innovation Solution

A high frequency heating apparatus comprising a heating chamber, radio wave generator, antenna, detector, and controller that adjusts the thawing time based on the weight and type of the object, using a detector to determine complete thawing by analyzing the output signal and adjusting the heating duration accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the controller uses the detector output signal to determine thawing completion, then the thawing control is automated, but the detector output signal may have local minimum values or zero gradient during the thawing process, leading to inaccurate determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated thawing controlVSAvoidthawing completion detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller sets a predetermined time period after the start of heating before beginning to determine thawing completion. This preliminary waiting period allows the detector output signal to stabilize and avoids premature determination based on transient local minimum values or zero gradient points that may occur during the initial thawing phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The determination of thawing completion is made dynamic by introducing a time-based criterion that adapts to the thawing process characteristics. The controller dynamically adjusts when to evaluate the detector signal based on the elapsed time since heating start, ensuring accurate determination only after the signal has stabilized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the controller does not receive the detector output signal for a specified time period after heating start, then the system is simpler, but cooking or thawing cannot be performed appropriately depending on the volume of the object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller signal processingVSAvoidcooking or thawing appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements a preliminary time period delay before starting to process and evaluate the detector output signal. This preliminary action ensures that the signal has stabilized and is representative of the actual thawing state, thereby improving reliability without adding complex processing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the user enters the weight of the object, then the thawing time can be adjusted according to object size, but the weight input may be inaccurate, leading to inappropriate cooking or thawing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethawing time adjustmentVSAvoidweight input accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the detector output signal as feedback to monitor the actual thawing progress. Even when weight input is used to set the initial thawing time, the detector signal provides continuous feedback that allows the controller to accurately determine when thawing is actually complete, compensating for any inaccuracies in the initial weight input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables accurate and reliable thawing of heating target objects by considering the weight and type of the object, ensuring consistent results and preventing premature termination of the thawing process.

Implementation Method 1

a radio wave generator (20) that generates a high frequency radio wave to be supplied to the heating chamber (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

a detector (22) that detects the high frequency radio wave received by the antenna (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3929490B1High frequency heating apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3929490B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3929490B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3929490B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A high frequency heating apparatus comprises a heating chamber to accommodate an object, a radio wave generator, an antenna, a detector, and a controller. The radio wave generator generates a high frequency radio wave to be supplied to the chamber. The antenna receives at least one of the high frequency radio wave to be supplied to the chamber and a high frequency radio wave returned from the chamber. The detector detects the high frequency radio wave received by the antenna. The controller controls the radio wave generator based on an output signal of the detector. The controller also determines that the object has completely thawed based on the output signal of the detector and changes a time length to be taken after a start of heating before beginning to determine that the object has completely thawed according to at least one of the weight and the kind of the object.