Microwave Heating Apparatus With Active Port Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave heating technologies face inefficiencies in uniform heating and energy absorption, as they rely on passive serial feeding of microwaves, which can lead to suboptimal heating performance and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A microwave heating apparatus with multiple feeding ports and a control unit that measures and actively selects the most efficient port for microwave transmission based on reflected power measurements, optimizing energy absorption and distribution within the cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If serial feeding of microwaves is used to improve efficiency, then microwave power utilization is improved, but heating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single microwave feeding system into multiple independent feeding ports (at least two), each capable of being independently controlled and optimized. This segmentation allows different regions of the cavity to receive microwaves from optimally positioned ports, improving both energy utilization and heating uniformity across different food positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic selection of feeding ports based on real-time measurement of reflected microwave power. The system actively switches between different feeding ports depending on which provides optimal coupling and minimum reflection, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that maintains high efficiency while improving heating uniformity across various load configurations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple feeding ports are added to improve heating uniformity, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a measurement unit that monitors reflected microwave power at each feeding port and feeds this information back to a control unit. This feedback mechanism enables automatic selection of the optimal feeding port without requiring complex manual configuration, thereby managing system complexity through intelligent control while achieving improved heating uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-optimization by automatically measuring reflected power at different feeding ports and selecting the most efficient one without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the operational complexity for users while maintaining multiple feeding ports for improved heating performance.
3Loss of energy
If active selection of feeding ports is implemented to maximize efficiency, then energy absorption is improved, but measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a measurement unit to detect reflected microwave power at each feeding port and provides this measurement feedback to a control unit that automatically selects the optimal port. This feedback loop simplifies the complexity of active selection by automating the measurement and decision-making process, maximizing energy absorption without requiring complex manual measurement procedures.
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 enhances heating efficiency by ensuring maximum microwave absorption, reduces energy consumption, and allows for varied cooking modes and load types, improving both heating uniformity and overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit adapted to measure, for at least one frequency or within a frequency range, the power of microwaves reflected back to the microwave source
Implementation Method 2
at least one microwave source, a plurality of feeding ports connected to the microwave source and the cavity for feeding microwaves to the cavity
Implementation Method 3
The present invention relates to the field of microwave heating, and in particular to a microwave heating apparatus for heating a load by means of microwaves
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave heating apparatus and a method of operating a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a load receiving cavity, at least one microwave source, a plurality of feeding ports connected to the microwave source and the cavity for feeding microwaves to the cavity, a measuring unit and a control unit. The measuring unit measures, for at least one frequency or within a frequency range, the power of microwaves reflected back to the microwave source for at least part of the plurality of feeding ports. The control unit selects at least one of the feeding ports based on the measured powers of the reflected microwaves in order to feed microwaves to the cavity via the at least one selected feeding port during operation of the microwave heating apparatus at the at least one frequency or within the frequency range.