Microwave Cooking Probe With Absorbing Material for Power Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking process sensors for microwave cooking appliances cannot accurately measure microwave power reaching the food, limiting the ability to adjust microwave power for optimal cooking results.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature sensor encased in microwave-absorbing material, such as metal compounds like Fe3O4 and titanium oxide, with multiple temperature measurement points along the sensor to detect microwave power absorption and adjust cooking appliance settings accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cooking process sensor with multiple temperature sensors is used to measure food temperature, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but the ability to measure microwave power is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature measurement and microwave power measurement capabilities into a single cooking process sensor. The sensor integrates multiple temperature sensors with microwave-absorbing material that converts microwave energy into heat, allowing both temperature and microwave power to be measured by the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking process sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring food temperature at multiple points and simultaneously measuring microwave power absorption. This multi-functional sensor eliminates the need for separate sensors for different measurement purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microwave-absorbing material is added to the sensor to enable microwave power detection, then microwave power measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sensor by incorporating microwave-absorbing material with specific properties (such as ferrite or carbon-loaded material) that converts microwave energy into thermal energy. This allows the existing temperature sensors to detect microwave power levels through temperature changes caused by microwave absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave-absorbing material acts as an intermediary that converts microwave energy into a form (heat) that can be detected by the existing temperature sensors. This mediator enables indirect measurement of microwave power through temperature measurement.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors and reference bodies are used to measure microwave power, then microwave power measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cooking process sensor universal by enabling it to perform both temperature measurement and microwave power measurement functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated microwave power sensors and reference bodies, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor utilizes its own temperature sensing capability to measure microwave power by detecting temperature changes in the microwave-absorbing material, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external reference bodies or additional specialized sensors.
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 precise measurement and regulation of microwave power, leading to efficient cooking, energy savings, and cost-effective appliance production by eliminating the need for additional sensors and reference bodies.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor surrounded by a microwave-absorbing material, at which absorption of microwaves occurring heating of the material is detected
Implementation Method 2
absorption of microwaves occurring heating of the material is detected in order to adapt the microwave power
Data Source
AI summary
The probe (1) has a head (2) inserted into cooking foods, a handle (3) and a temperature sensor, which provides output data for adjusting a microwave source of a cooking device. The sensor is surrounded by a microwave absorbing material (9) e.g. polymer. The sensor includes a temperature measurement point (8) in a handle region for determining microwave power reaching the foods and a set of temperature measurement points (4-7) in a head region for determining microwave power absorption in the foods. An independent claim is also included for a cooking device including a heating device.