Surface-Wave Line Matcher for Impedance Matching in High-Frequency Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-frequency heating devices face challenges in maximizing heating efficiency due to impedance mismatching caused by varying food types and radiation of high-frequency electric power into space.
Innovation Solution
The proposed high-frequency heating device includes a power feeder, a surface-wave line, a coupler, and a matcher disposed between the coupler and the termination of the surface-wave line, ensuring impedance matching at mismatching points to minimize radiation and reflected waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a matcher is disposed between the surface-wave transmission line and the transmitter as disclosed in PTL 2, then impedance matching is achieved and reflected waves are canceled, but the propagation distance to the surface-wave line becomes longer, resulting in increased radiation of high-frequency electric power into space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupler as an intermediary component between the power feeder and the surface-wave line. This coupler enables impedance matching while maintaining a shorter propagation distance compared to disposing the matcher directly between the transmitter and surface-wave line, thereby reducing radiation of high-frequency electric power into space while still canceling reflected waves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the impedance matching function into two parts: the coupler handles the matching between the power feeder and surface-wave line, while the matcher handles the matching between the surface-wave line and transmitter. This segmentation allows optimization of each component's position and function, reducing overall radiation while achieving effective impedance matching
2Loss of energy
If adjustment means is disposed inside the waveguide as disclosed in PTL 1, then impedance matching is achieved, but other high-frequency electric power is radiated into the heating chamber, making the heating inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler acts as an intermediary that enables effective impedance matching between the power feeder and surface-wave line without requiring the adjustment means to be disposed inside the waveguide. This configuration prevents high-frequency electric power from being radiated into the heating chamber while still achieving optimal power transfer to the surface-wave line
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surface-wave lines are disposed depending on various foods as disclosed in PTL 3, then optimum heating can be achieved for different food types, but the device complexity increases and the system becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the matcher movable along the surface-wave line, allowing dynamic adjustment of the matcher's position depending on the food type and heating requirements. This dynamic configuration enables optimal impedance matching for various foods without requiring multiple fixed surface-wave lines, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving adaptability
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 configuration ensures optimal impedance matching, minimizing radiation and reflected waves, thereby maximizing heating efficiency for various food types and enabling desired heat treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a surface-wave line (7) propagating the high-frequency electric power as a surface wave
Implementation Method 2
a matcher (9a, 9b) disposed between the coupler (10) and a termination (8) of the surface-wave line (7)... ensuring impedance matching at mismatching points
Implementation Method 3
minimize radiation of a high-frequency electric power into a space
Data Source
AI summary
A high-frequency heating device according to the present disclosure includes a surface-wave line, a power feeder, a coupler, and a matcher. The surface-wave line propagates a surface wave. The power feeder supplies a high-frequency electric power to the surface-wave line. The coupler couples the surface-wave line to the power feeder. The matcher is disposed between the coupler and a termination of the surface-wave line. The surface-wave line includes a flow path of the high-frequency electric power, from the power feeder to the termination of the surface-wave line. The matcher extends in a direction different from the direction in which the flow path of the high-frequency electric power extends.