High-frequency heating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-frequency microwave heating apparatuses lack precise temperature control for different types of food and cooking recipes, leading to variations in the quality and mouthfeel of cooked food, as they rely on initial temperature measurements and reflection energy techniques that are not sufficient for fine control.

Innovation Solution

A high-frequency heating apparatus with a semiconductor-based microwave source that adjusts frequency and output based on a programmed temperature profile, using a temperature detector and controller to ensure precise temperature changes in accordance with the cooking recipe, thereby ensuring the quality of cooked food.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If low power mode is used for thawing frozen food, then heating uniformity is improved, but heating time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the microwave output power based on real-time temperature feedback from multiple sensors. The control system dynamically changes power levels during the heating process, transitioning from high power for rapid thawing to low power for uniform heating, thereby resolving the contradiction between heating time and uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor the temperature distribution in the heating chamber and adjusting the microwave output accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the food is heated uniformly while minimizing total heating time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If full power mode is used for heating, then heating time is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating timeVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts microwave output power based on real-time temperature feedback, transitioning from high power for rapid heating to low power for precise temperature control, thereby achieving both short heating time and high temperature control precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor temperature and adjusts microwave power in real-time, enabling precise temperature control while maintaining efficient heating speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If conventional temperature measurement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision for different food types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the temperature measurement function by placing multiple temperature sensors at different positions within the heating chamber. This segmentation enables precise temperature monitoring at multiple locations simultaneously, improving overall temperature control precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to be universal by storing multiple temperature profiles for different food types and automatically selecting the appropriate profile based on the food being heated. This multi-functionality approach improves temperature control precision across various food types without requiring separate control systems for each food type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The apparatus achieves improved heating efficiency and uniformity by adjusting microwave output and frequency according to a temperature profile, ensuring consistent quality of cooked food by maintaining precise temperature control throughout the cooking process.

Implementation Method 1

a microwave source that generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The microwave source generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave. The at least one radiator radiates the microwave into the heating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

These apparatuses control the output power of a magnetron, which is the microwave source so that the food can be heated in low power mode when it is frozen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3832211B1High-frequency heating apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3832211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3832211B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A high-frequency heating apparatus includes: a heating chamber for accommodating a load; a microwave source; at least one radiator; a temperature detector; and a controller. The microwave source generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave. The at least one radiator radiates a microwave into the heating chamber. The temperature detector detects the temperature in the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave source to adjust the output of the microwave based on the temperature profile that defines the temperature change in the load, and the temperature in the heating chamber. According to this aspect, food can be heated in accordance with the temperature profile appropriate for the cooking recipe, thereby ensuring the quality of cooked food.