Microwave Tray Temperature Sensing for Even Cooking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave ovens lack precise temperature measurement methods, leading to potential undercooking or overcooking of food, which results in inefficient cooking operations.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measuring apparatus with a driving unit and a sensing unit is integrated into the microwave oven, allowing for asynchronous temperature measurement patterns across successive rotation periods of the tray, ensuring precise temperature measurement at multiple points, and automatic determination of cooking completion based on target temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed radiation detection sensor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because it cannot accurately measure temperature at multiple points on rotating food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sensing unit rotatable rather than fixed. The sensing unit rotates synchronously with the tray, allowing it to dynamically track and measure temperature at multiple points on the food as it rotates, thereby achieving precise multi-point temperature measurement without requiring multiple fixed sensors across the entire cooking chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a single rotatable sensing unit that can measure temperature at multiple different locations on the food during its rotation. This single universal sensor performs the function of multiple fixed sensors, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision across the entire food surface.
2Measurement precision
If temperature measurement is performed synchronously with tray rotation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to repeated measurement of the same points and missing other areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately desynchronizing the sensing unit's rotation from the tray's rotation. The sensing unit rotates at a different speed and phase than the tray, creating an asymmetric measurement pattern that ensures all areas of the food are measured over successive rotation periods, eliminating the blind spots and repetition issues of synchronous measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the cyclic rotation of both the tray and the sensing unit. By operating in periodic cycles with different frequencies and phases, the system ensures comprehensive coverage of all food areas over multiple periods, achieving complete temperature mapping without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If multiple fixed sensors are installed around the cooking compartment, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the temperature measurement task into sequential measurements at different angular positions during the rotation cycle. Instead of using multiple sensors simultaneously, a single sensor segments the measurement process across time and rotation phases, achieving the same comprehensive coverage with fewer physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the tray rotation itself as an intermediary mechanism to bring different parts of the food sequentially past the fixed sensing unit. The rotating tray acts as a mediator that enables a single stationary sensor to measure multiple points, eliminating the need for multiple sensors or a complex moving sensor array.
4Measurement precision
If the sensing unit rotates synchronously with the tray, then the ease of operation improves, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the same points are measured repeatedly while other areas are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately desynchronizing the sensing unit's rotation from the tray's rotation. The sensing unit rotates at a different speed and phase than the tray, creating an asymmetric measurement pattern that ensures all areas of the food are measured over successive rotation periods, eliminating the blind spots and repetition issues of synchronous measurement.
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 precise and stable temperature measurement, ensuring optimal cooking results by accurately determining when food has reached the desired cooking temperature, preventing undercooking or overcooking.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing unit configured to measure temperatures of a plurality of temperature measurement points provided at an upper side of the tray
Implementation Method 2
a driving unit configured to generate a rotation force; the sensing unit may be configured to measure the temperatures of a plurality of temperature measurement points provided at an upper side of the tray, by having a temperature measurement angle thereof changed through the rotation force of the driving unit
Implementation Method 3
A microwave oven is a cooking apparatus in which radio-frequency waves being generated from a magnetron are radiated to the inside of a cooking compartment to repeatedly change the arrangement of molecules of moisture contained in food such that the food is cooked by the frictional heat generated between the molecules
Data Source
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AI summary
A microwave oven includes a tray rotatably installed inside a cooking compartment, a temperature measuring apparatus comprising a driving unit configured to generate a rotation force, and a sensing unit configured to measure the temperatures of a plurality of temperature measurement points by having a temperature measurement angle changed by the rotation force of the driving unit; and a control unit configured to control the temperature measuring apparatus to measure the plurality of temperature measurement points provided at the upper side of the tray according to a predetermined temperature measurement pattern that provides a different pattern for successive rotation periods of the tray.