Microwave treatment device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave treatment devices struggle to accurately recognize microwave absorption by the heating target due to variations in microwave absorption by the heating chamber walls, leading to inefficiencies and the need for additional components like temperature sensors, increasing costs and complicating cooking determination.
Innovation Solution
A microwave treatment device that measures reflected microwave frequency characteristics at different output powers to identify in-chamber loss and load loss frequencies, allowing accurate cooking progress recognition by comparing frequency characteristics at varying power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reflected microwave power detection is used to monitor heating progress, then the device can detect microwave reflection, but the heating chamber wall absorption interferes with accurate detection of target absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total microwave absorption into two distinct components: chamber wall absorption and target absorption. By measuring reflected microwave power at multiple frequency points and analyzing the frequency characteristics, the system separates the wall absorption effect (which is frequency-dependent and consistent) from the target absorption effect (which varies with target properties), enabling accurate detection of target absorption despite wall interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the microwave to differentiate between wall absorption and target absorption. By sweeping through multiple frequency points and observing how reflected power varies with frequency, the system identifies frequency characteristics that reveal target absorption behavior independent of wall absorption, resolving the interference problem.
2Measurement precision
If additional temperature sensors are added to accurately monitor cooking progress, then measurement accuracy improves, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the microwave system to self-diagnose heating progress using its existing reflected power detection capability. By analyzing the frequency characteristics of reflected microwave power, the system automatically determines target absorption without requiring external temperature sensors, making the detection system self-sufficient and eliminating additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the reflected microwave power detection system multi-functional. Instead of solely monitoring for safety or basic control, the system is enhanced to simultaneously determine heating progress and completion by analyzing frequency characteristics, replacing the need for separate temperature sensing functionality and reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If single frequency microwave heating is used, then the system is simple to operate, but heating efficiency and adaptability to different targets are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary frequency sweep measurements before actual heating to characterize the target's absorption properties. By pre-determining the optimal frequency and absorption characteristics through rapid frequency sweeping, the system prepares heating parameters in advance, enabling efficient multi-frequency or optimized single-frequency heating while maintaining simple user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic frequency selection based on target characteristics. The system adaptively adjusts the microwave frequency and power levels according to the measured target absorption properties, transitioning from static single-frequency operation to dynamic multi-frequency or optimized frequency operation, thereby improving heating efficiency while keeping the user interface simple.
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 efficient and accurate cooking by identifying optimal microwave absorption frequencies, reducing the need for additional sensors and ensuring precise cooking completion determination.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave generator that generates a microwave with a frequency in a specified frequency band
Implementation Method 2
a heating chamber that accommodates a heating target
Implementation Method 3
a detector that detects a reflected microwave power returned through the feeding unit
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave treatment device comprises: a heating chamber that accommodates an object to be heated; a microwave generator that generates a microwave in a specified frequency band; an amplifier that amplifies the microwave; a feeding unit that supplies the amplified microwave to the heating chamber; a detector that detects a reflected microwave power; and a controller. The controller selects one of plural frequencies in the specified frequency band and causes the microwave generator to generate the microwave with the selected frequency. The controller causes the amplifier to change an output power of the microwave so that the microwave supplied to the heating chamber has one of plural output powers. The controller measures a reflected microwave frequency characteristic based on reflected microwave powers detected under each of a condition that the microwave has a first output power and a condition that the microwave has a second output power.