Multi-Feed Electromagnetic Cooking Device Resonance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave ovens using magnetrons for cooking suffer from non-uniform heating due to a single, non-coherent microwave source, leading to inefficiencies in cooking processes.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic cooking device with multiple RF feeds and a controller that measures resonances, generates resonance maps, and adjusts power levels based on the melting state of the food to achieve uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single magnetron source is used for microwave heating, then the device structure is simple, but the heating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single magnetron source into multiple independent RF feeds (at least two) that can be controlled separately. Each RF feed can be independently adjusted in phase and amplitude, allowing different regions of the cavity to be heated uniformly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining relative structural simplicity while achieving superior heating uniformity through multi-source coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the RF feeds by adjusting phase and amplitude parameters in real-time during the heating process. The system can dynamically switch between different RF feeds and adjust their characteristics to optimize heating patterns, transforming the static single-source system into a dynamic multi-source system that adapts to heating requirements.
2Device complexity
If a magnetron source is used, then the device is simple and cost-effective, but the microwave frequency is not tunable and coherent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solid-state RF generators instead of traditional magnetrons, enabling continuous adjustment of operating frequency and phase parameters. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different loading conditions, food types, and heating requirements, providing frequency tunability and coherence while maintaining a relatively simple device structure through solid-state technology.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple RF feeds are used to improve heating uniformity, then heating uniformity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple RF feeds into a unified control system that manages all feeds through a single controller. The controller integrates the complexity of coordinating multiple sources by processing feedback from temperature sensors and adjusting all RF feeds simultaneously, effectively merging the control functions and reducing the overall system complexity despite having multiple heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors monitor the heating process and provide information to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to adjust the RF feeds in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for heating variations. This feedback mechanism manages the complexity of multi-source coordination by using sensor data to optimize heating uniformity dynamically.
4Manufacturing precision
If resonance measurement and mapping is performed, then heating precision improves, but the measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs resonance measurement and cavity mapping as a preliminary calibration step before the actual heating process. By pre-characterizing the cavity's resonant modes and storing this information in a lookup table, the system avoids the need for complex real-time calculations during heating. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during operation while maintaining high heating precision through accurate resonance-based 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
The solution enables precise control over heating patterns, ensuring even and efficient cooking by utilizing coherent RF sources to optimize energy distribution within the cooking cavity.
Implementation Method 1
A conventional microwave oven cooks food by a process of dielectric heating in which a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field is distributed throughout an enclosed cavity. A sub-band of the radio frequency spectrum, microwave frequencies at or around 2.45 GHz cause dielectric heating primarily by absorption of energy in water.
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to: (a) measure resonances in the cavity; (b) generate a resonance map resulting from the measured resonances; (c) conditionally repeat steps (a) and (b); (d) detect a melting state of the food load based on variations between the resonance maps
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic cooking device and method of controlling the same is provided herein. The cooking device includes a cavity in which a food load is placed and a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity for heating the food load. A controller is provided and is configured to: (a) measure resonances in the cavity; (b) generate a resonance map resulting from the measured resonances; (c) conditionally repeat steps (a) and (b); (d) detect a melting state of the food load based on variations between the resonance maps; and (e) adjust a power level of the electromagnetic radiation in response to detection of the melting state.