Multi-Level Microwave Power Distribution for Simultaneous Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial cooking appliances struggle to simultaneously cook multiple items with different energy input requirements using convection-based and condensation-based energy sources, as these sources provide uniform energy input to all items, making it impossible to achieve varying energy inputs for different food items in a common cooking process.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a cooking appliance with convection-based and/or condensation-based energy sources, a microwave source, and multiple insertion levels, where a predefined proportion of microwave power is assigned to each level, allowing for position-dependent energy ratios by determining insertion levels based on the energy requirements of each item, ensuring accurate energy ratios of microwave to convection/condensation energy for each food item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If convection-based and condensation-based energy sources are used to cook multiple items simultaneously, then the cooking chamber can accommodate multiple items with uniform energy distribution, but it becomes impossible to provide different energy inputs to different items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different microwave power proportions to different rack levels. Each rack level receives a customized microwave energy input while all levels receive uniform convection/condensation energy, enabling spatially differentiated energy treatment for different food items cooked simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking chamber is segmented into multiple rack levels, each with assigned microwave power proportions. This segmentation allows independent energy ratio control for each level, enabling multiple items with different energy requirements to be cooked simultaneously with customized energy inputs
2Device complexity
If microwave power is distributed uniformly across all rack levels, then the system structure remains simple, but items at different rack levels receive identical energy ratios regardless of their specific cooking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic energy ratio control by determining rack levels based on the specific energy ratio requirements of each cooking program. The microwave power distribution is dynamically adjusted according to the cooking needs of different items, allowing precise energy ratio control without complex hardware modifications
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 the simultaneous cooking of multiple items with different energy requirements in the same cooking space by precisely controlling microwave energy distribution, achieving the intended energy ratios and resulting in satisfactory cooking outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave source (32) that generates microwaves with a specific microwave power
Implementation Method 2
at least one convection-based and/or condensation-based energy source for cooking the foods
Implementation Method 3
at least one convection-based and/or condensation-based energy source for cooking the foods
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for simultaneously cooking at least two foods (28, 30) during a cooking process in a cooking appliance (10) is disclosed, wherein the foods (28, 30) are cooked simultaneously in the cooking appliance (10) in at least two different of several rack levels (EE1 - EE6) within a cooking chamber (14). A cooking appliance (10) is also shown, comprising a cooking chamber (14), a microwave source (32) associated with the cooking chamber (14) which generates microwaves with a microwave power, and at least one convection-based and/or condensation-based energy source (34, 36) for cooking the foods (28, 30). The cooking chamber (14) has several rack levels (EE1 - EE6), each of which is assigned a predefined proportion of the total microwave power.