Microwave Cooking Apparatus with Interpolated Frequency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave cooking apparatuses often result in non-uniform heating due to surface variations and temperature differences in food, leading to inefficiencies in cooking time and quality.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus that generates and outputs microwaves of multiple frequencies, with a controller calculating interpolated frequencies and heating times based on scanning session data to ensure uniform heating during the cooking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single frequency of microwaves is used for heating, then the device complexity is low, but the heating uniformity deteriorates due to surface variation and temperature differences in food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the microwave frequency variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the microwave frequency during the heating process based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors. This allows the heating conditions to adapt to the varying thermal properties and surface characteristics of different food regions, thereby improving heating uniformity without requiring a completely complex multi-frequency generation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the microwave frequency parameter in response to temperature variations. The controller adjusts the operating frequency of the magnetron based on temperature measurements, changing this critical parameter to optimize heating effectiveness across different food surfaces and depths. This resolves the contradiction by using a simple frequency adjustment mechanism rather than complex hardware modifications.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple frequencies of microwaves are used for heating, then the heating uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to frequency adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where temperature sensors continuously monitor the heating process and provide real-time temperature data to the controller. The controller then adjusts the microwave frequency based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains optimal heating conditions. This feedback mechanism achieves improved heating uniformity through intelligent control rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using the temperature information from the food itself to control the heating process. The temperature sensors measure the actual thermal state of the food, and this information automatically guides the frequency adjustment without requiring external intervention or complex pre-programming. The system serves itself by using its own operational data to optimize its performance.
3Speed
If the frequency interval between microwaves is wide during scanning, then the scanning speed is high, but the heating precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing variable frequency interval adjustment between scanning and heating phases. During the scanning phase, a wider frequency interval is used to quickly identify resonant frequencies, achieving high scanning speed. During the subsequent heating phase, the system transitions to a narrower frequency interval around the identified resonant frequency to achieve precise and uniform heating. This dynamic adjustment of the frequency interval parameter resolves the contradiction between scanning speed and heating 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
This approach allows for more efficient and uniform heating of food by adjusting microwave frequencies and times, reducing temperature variations and improving overall cooking efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
voltage is applied to a high-voltage transformer, the commercial voltage applied to the high-voltage transformer is boosted to high-voltage power, the power is applied to a magnetron to generate microwaves
Implementation Method 2
the cooking apparatus using microwaves heats the food using frictional force generated by vibration of molecules of the food 2,450,000,000 times per second due to irradiation of the microwaves generated by the magnetron onto the food
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are a cooking apparatus and an operating method thereof. The cooking apparatus includes a cavity, a microwave generator to generate and output microwaves of a plurality of frequencies to heat an object within the cavity, and a controller to calculate interpolated microwave frequencies for a heating session, based on microwave frequencies calculated during a scanning session, and to calculate heating times of the interpolated microwave frequencies. Thereby, operating efficiency of the cooking apparatus is improved.