Microwave Heating Control Using Reflected Power Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave treatment devices face issues with overheating and uneven heating due to the combination of microwave heating with other heat sources, leading to local concentration and drying of foods, which complicates the detection of cooking progress and timing.
Innovation Solution
A microwave treatment device that includes a heating chamber, a microwave generator, a heater (other than microwave), a power feeder, and a controller, where the controller adjusts the microwave output power to ensure reflected power is detectable, allowing for cooking progress monitoring without contributing to overheating, by using a heat source like a tubular heater and convection, and adjusting microwave output power and frequency accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microwave heating is used in combination with other heat sources, then cooking speed is improved, but local concentration of heating and drying of foods occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave generator operates intermittently with periodic on-off cycles during the cooking process. This periodic action allows the heating chamber to be heated by microwaves in bursts, preventing continuous overheating while maintaining overall cooking efficiency when combined with other heat sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The output power of the microwave generator is dynamically adjusted based on the detected reflected power and cooking progress. By changing the microwave power parameter in response to real-time conditions, the system prevents local overheating while maintaining effective cooking speed.
2Measurement precision
If reflected power detection is used to understand cooking progress, then cooking monitoring is improved, but microwave output must be high enough to generate detectable reflected power
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a feedback mechanism where the detector continuously monitors reflected power and sends signals to the controller, which adjusts microwave generator output accordingly. This feedback loop enables accurate cooking progress detection while optimizing microwave energy usage by adjusting power levels based on real-time reflected power measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave output power is dynamically adjusted during cooking based on detected reflected power levels. The system transitions from static high-power operation to dynamic power modulation, enabling both accurate monitoring and energy efficiency by matching microwave output to actual cooking needs.
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 solution enables effective cooking by monitoring cooking progress while minimizing adverse effects of microwave overheating, allowing for precise control of heating processes and energy efficiency, even when using microwave heating in combination with other heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave generator (3) which generates microwaves
Implementation Method 2
an amount of reflected power not absorbed in a heating chamber and returning from the heating chamber
Implementation Method 3
a tubular heater
Implementation Method 4
convection
Implementation Method 5
The detector detects reflected power from the power feeder
Implementation Method 6
microwave heating using microwaves
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave treatment device of the present disclosure includes heating chamber (1) for accommodating object (2) to be heated, microwave generator (3), heater (7), power feeder (4), detector (5), and controller (6). Microwave generator (3) generates microwaves. Heater (7) includes a heat source other than the microwaves and heats an inside of heating chamber (1). Power feeder (4) supplies the heating chamber with the microwaves. Detector (5) detects reflected power from power feeder (4). Controller (6) controls heater (7) and microwave generator (3). When heater (7) carries out heating, Controller (6) causes microwave generator (3) to generate the microwaves in heating by heater (7). The microwaves have output power such that the reflected power at a level detectable by detector (5) returns. By present disclosure, by understanding progress of cooking, a heating target can be appropriately cooked.