Microwave Heating Apparatus with Multi-Antenna Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave heating apparatuses face difficulties in uniformly heating objects of different shapes and types due to limitations in detecting the state of placement and optimizing heating conditions, leading to inefficient heating and longer processing times.
Innovation Solution
A microwave heating apparatus with a placement table, oscillation portion, electric-power dividing portion, phase variation portion, and detection portions that adjust the phase difference and oscillating frequency to minimize reflected power, allowing for accurate detection of object placement and optimal heating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single-feeding system is used to optimize oscillating frequency based on reflected electric power detection, then electric power efficiency is improved, but the ability to properly heat various amounts of various objects having different shapes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single feeding system into multiple feeding portions (antennas) distributed at different positions within the heating room. Each feeding portion independently supplies microwave electric power, enabling the system to handle various object sizes and shapes while maintaining detection accuracy for optimizing electric power efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-feeding systems with antennas at multiple positions are used to heat various objects, then the ability to heat various amounts of various objects is improved, but detection errors increase due to inability to grasp electric power transmission influences between feeding portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements detection portions that monitor reflected electric power at each feeding portion individually. This feedback mechanism allows the control portion to adjust the oscillating frequency and electric power distribution for each antenna, compensating for mutual influences between feeding portions and maintaining accurate detection despite the multi-feeding configuration.
3Device complexity
If conventional impedance detection methods are used in multi-feeding systems, then the system structure is simple, but larger detection errors occur due to inability to detect object placement state accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces detection portions as intermediary devices between the feeding portions and the control portion. These detection portions specifically measure reflected electric power at each antenna, providing accurate information about object placement state and heating conditions, which the control portion then uses to optimize the heating process.
4Ease of operation
If the oscillating frequency is fixed for all feeding portions, then the system operation is simple, but optimum heating conditions cannot be found for different object placements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the oscillating frequency dynamic by allowing the control portion to independently adjust the frequency for each feeding portion based on real-time detection results. This dynamic frequency adjustment enables the system to adapt to different object placements and types, finding optimum heating conditions while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated control.
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 rapid heating of various objects by accurately determining placement and optimizing heating conditions, reducing microwave power return and improving heating efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillation portion (1) constituted by semiconductor devices and adapted to generate microwave electric power
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of amplification portions (4a, 4b) for amplifying the output of the oscillation portion (1)
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of feeding portions (5a, 5b) placed on a wall surface in the heating room (8) and adapted to supply respective outputs of the electric-power dividing portion (2) to the heating room (8)
Implementation Method 4
a heating room (8) supplied with microwave electric powers outputted from the amplification portions (4a, 4b)
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of electric-power detection portions (6a, 6b) adapted to detect reflected electric power returning from the heating room (8) to the feeding portions (5a, 5b)
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave heating apparatus includes, within a heating room, a placement table having a horizontal placement surface for placing an object to be heated, and a plurality of feeding portions which are placed on a wall surface of the heating room for supplying microwave electric power to the heating room. The microwave heating apparatus is adapted to relatively move the position of the straight line connecting two feeding portions to each other, with respect to the object to be heated, through a movement mechanism portion, and to detect a phase difference between the microwave electric powers which minimizes reflected electric power returning from the heating room to the two feeding portions, for detecting the state of placement of the object to be heated on the placement table.