Heating device

Provided is a heating device. The heating device includes a cylinder body, a door body, an electromagnetic generating module and a radiating antenna. A heating chamber having a pick-and-place opening is defined in the cylinder body, and the heating chamber is configured to place an object to be processed. The door body is disposed at the pick-and-place opening and configured to open and close the pick-and-place opening. The electromagnetic generating module is configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal. The radiating antenna is disposed in the cylinder body and electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module to generate electromagnetic waves of a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal. The radiating antenna is configured to arch in a direction close to the object to be processed so as to eliminate the influence of an edge effect on the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber, and increase the energy density and distribution range of the electromagnetic waves while solving the problem of the production cost and improving the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/CN2020/070343, filed Jan. 3, 2020, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201910009511.2, filed Jan. 4, 2019, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to kitchen appliances, and particularly relates to an electromagnetic wave heating device.

BACKGROUND ART

In the freezing process of food, the quality of the food is maintained, but the frozen food needs to be thawed before processing or eating. In order to facilitate users freezing and thawing the food, in the prior art, the food is generally thawed by an electromagnetic wave device.

The temperature uniformity of the thawed food is closely related to the distribution uniformity of electromagnetic waves in a heating chamber. When there is a gap between a radiating antenna and the inner walls of the heating chamber in the circumferential direction of the radiating antenna, the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber will be concentrated at the peripheral edge of the radiating antenna due to the edge effect of the radiating antenna. In the prior art, in order to solve this problem, the radiating antenna is configured to at least cover one inner wall of the heating chamber, so that the food is thawed uniformly. However, this solution not only has high production cost, but also cannot solve the problem that electromagnetic waves are concentrated at the peripheral edge of the antenna to cause local heating or even ignition of the antenna.

By comprehensive consideration, an electromagnetic wave heating device with low production cost and uniform distribution of electromagnetic waves is required in design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic wave heating device with low production cost and uniform distribution of electromagnetic waves.

Specifically, the present invention provides a heating device, including:a container body, in which a heating chamber having a pick-and-place opening is defined, and the heating chamber is configured to place an object to be processed;a door body, disposed at the pick-and-place opening and configured to open and close the pick-and-place opening;an electromagnetic generating module, configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal; anda radiating antenna, disposed in the container body and electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module to generate electromagnetic waves of a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal, whereinthe radiating antenna is configured to arch in a direction close to the object to be processed, so as to make a distribution of the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber more uniform.

Optionally, the radiating antenna includes:a central part and an edge part, wherein the edge part is disposed on one side of the central part away from the object to be processed and extends parallel to the central part; anda connecting part, configured to connect the central part and the edge part.

Optionally, the connecting part is configured to extend divergently from a peripheral edge of the central part to an inner peripheral edge of the edge part.

Optionally, the connecting part includes:a first are segment, configured to extend from the peripheral edge of the central part to a direction close to the edge part and to be tangent to the central part;a straight-line segment, configured to be tangent to the first are segment; anda second are segment, configured to connect an outer peripheral edge of the straight-line segment and the inner peripheral edge of the edge part and to be tangent to the straight-line segment and the edge part.

Optionally, geometric centers of the central part, the connecting part and the edge part all coincide with a center of a maximum cross section of the heating chamber taken along an imaginary plane parallel to the central part.

Optionally, the central part is in a shape of an oblong; anda length direction of the central part is parallel to a length direction of the cross section.

Optionally, a length of the central part is 0.386 to 0.522 times a length of the cross section; and/ora width of the central part is 0.19 to 0.471 times a width of the cross section; and/ora fillet radius of the central part is 0.2 to 0.4 times the width of the central part; and/ora length of an outer end edge of the edge part is 0.519 to 0.674 times the length of the cross section; and/ora width of the outer end edge of the edge part is 0.38 to 0.62 times the width of the cross section; and/ora fillet radius of the outer end edge of the edge part is 0.2 to 0.4 times the width of the outer end edge of the edge part; and/ora radius of the first are segment is greater than or equal to ⅓ of a spacing between the central part and the edge part in a direction perpendicular to the central part;an included angle between the straight-line segment and the central part is 120° to 160°; anda radius of the second are segment is greater than or equal to ⅙ of a spacing between the central part and the edge part in a direction perpendicular to the central part.

Optionally, the central part extends horizontally;the central part is disposed at a height of 0.285 to 0.5 of the container body; andthe edge part is disposed at a height of 0.19 to 0.334 of the container body.

Optionally, the heating device further includes:an antenna housing, made of an insulating material and configured to separate an inner space of the container body into an electrical appliance chamber and the heating chamber, whereinthe radiating antenna is disposed in the electrical appliance chamber, and the central part thereof is fixedly connected with the antenna housing.

Optionally, the central part is provided with a plurality of engaging holes; andthe antenna housing is correspondingly provided with a plurality of buckles, and the plurality of buckles are configured to respectively pass through the plurality of engaging holes to be engaged with the central part, whereineach of the buckles is composed of a fixing part perpendicular to the central part and having a hollow middle part, and an elastic part extending inclining to the fixing part from an inner end edge of the fixing part and toward the central part.

The present invention creatively disposes the radiating antenna to arch in a direction close to the object to be processed, which can relatively reduce the distance between the center of the radiating antenna and a receiving pole and increase the distance between the peripheral edge of the radiating antenna and the receiving pole, thereby eliminating the influence of an edge effect on the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber, and increasing the energy density and distribution range of the electromagnetic waves while solving the problem of the production cost and improving the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves.

According to the following detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, those skilled in the art will more clearly understand the above and other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1is a schematic structural view of a heating device100according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating device100as shown inFIG.1, wherein an electromagnetic generating module161and a power supply module162are omitted. Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the heating device100may include a container body110, a door body120, an electromagnetic generating module161, a power supply module162and a radiating antenna150.

A heating chamber111having a pick-and-place opening is defined in the container body110, and the heating chamber111is configured to place an object to be processed. The pick-and-place opening may be formed in the front wall or the top wall of the heating chamber111so as to pick and place the object to be processed.

The door body120may be installed together with the container body110by an appropriate method, such as a sliding rail connection, a hinged connection, etc., and is configured to open and close the pick-and-place opening. In an illustrated embodiment, the heating device100also includes a drawer140for carrying the object to be processed; a front end plate of the drawer140is configured to be fixedly connected with the door body120, and two lateral side plates of the drawer are movably connected with the container body110by sliding rails.

The power supply module162may be configured to be electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module161to provide electric energy to the electromagnetic generating module161, so that the electromagnetic generating module161generates electromagnetic wave signals. The radiating antenna150may be disposed in the container body110and is electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module161to generate electromagnetic waves of corresponding frequencies according to the electromagnetic wave signals, so as to heat the object to be processed in the container body110.

When the pick-and-place opening is formed in the front wall of the container body110, the radiating antenna150may be disposed at the top, bottom, two lateral sides or rear of the container body110. When the pick-and-place opening is formed in the top wall of the container body110, the radiating antenna150may be disposed at the peripheral side or bottom of the container body110. Preferably, the radiating antenna150is disposed at the bottom of the container body110to avoid the damage to the antenna due to an excessively high object to be processed in the drawer140, and the antenna may be hidden by the drawer140.

Hereinafter, the technical solution of the present invention is described in detail by taking the radiating antenna150disposed at the bottom of the container body110as an example.

In some embodiments, the container body110may be made of metals to serve as a receiving pole to receive electromagnetic waves generated by the radiating antenna150. In some other embodiments, a receiving pole plate may be disposed on the top wall of the container body110to receive electromagnetic waves generated by the radiating antenna150.

FIG.4is a schematic structural view of an electrical appliance chamber112according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG.4, the radiating antenna150may be configured to arch upward to relatively reduce the distance between the center of the radiating antenna150and the top wall of the container body110and increase the distance between the peripheral edge of the radiating antenna150and the top wall of the container body110, thereby eliminating the influence of an edge effect on the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111, and increasing the energy density and distribution range of the electromagnetic waves while improving the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves.

It is well-known to those skilled in the art that the edge effect means that the magnetic field intensity at the peripheral edge of the antenna is much higher than the magnetic field intensity at the center of the antenna.

Specifically, the radiating antenna150may include a central part150a, an edge part150cand a connecting part150bfor connecting the central part150aand the edge part150c. The central part150amay extend along a horizontal direction. The edge part150cmay be disposed under the central part150a, and extends parallel to the central part150a. The connecting part150bmay be configured to divergently extend from the peripheral edge of the central part150ato the inner peripheral edge of the edge part150c, so as to further improve the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111.

In some embodiments, the connecting part150bmay include a first are segment, a straight-line segment and a second are segment which are sequentially connected from the peripheral edge of the central part150ato the inner peripheral edge of the edge part150c, wherein the first are segment may be configured to be tangent to the central part150a, the straight-line segment may be configured to be tangent to the first are segment, and the second are segment may be configured to be tangent to the straight-line segment and the edge part150c, so as to avoid the generation of the edge effect at sharp corners, and further improve the distribution uniformity of the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111.

In some embodiments, the geometric centers of the central part150a, the connecting part150band the edge part150call coincide with the center of a maximum cross section of the heating chamber111taken along an imaginary plane extending horizontally, so as to enable the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111to be distributed more uniformly.

In some embodiments, the heating chamber111may be in a shape of a rectangle. Adaptively, the central part150amay be in a shape of an oblong, and the length direction of the central part150amay be parallel to the length direction of the above-mentioned cross section, so that the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111are distributed more uniformly.

In some embodiments, the length w1of the central part150amay be 0.386 to 0.522 (such as 0.386, 0.45 or 0.522) times the length W of the above-mentioned cross section. The width d1of the central part150amay be 0.19 to 0.471 (such as 0.19, 0.2, 0.375 or 0.471) times the width D of the above-mentioned cross section. The fillet radius of the central part150amay be 0.2 to 0.4 (such as 0.2, 0.33 or 0.4) times the width d1of the central part150a. The length w2of the outer end edge of the edge part150cmay be 0.519 to 0.674 (such as 0.519, 0.6 or 0.674) times the length W of the above-mentioned cross section. The width d2of the outer end edge of the edge part150cmay be 0.38 to 0.62 (such as 0.38, 0.5 or 0.62) times the width D of the above-mentioned cross section. The fillet radius of the outer end edge of the edge part150cmay be 0.2 to 0.4 (such as 0.2, 0.33 or 0.4) times the width d2of the outer end edge of the edge part150c. The radius r1of the first are segment may be greater than or equal to ⅓ of the spacing (h1-h2) between the central part150aand the edge part150cin a vertical direction, for example, may be ⅓, ⅖ or ½ of the spacing between the central part150aand the edge part150cin a vertical direction. An included angle α between the straight-line segment and the central part150amay be 120° to 160°, such as 120°, 140° or 160°. The radius r2of the second are segment may be greater than or equal to ⅙ of the spacing (h1-h2) between the central part150aand the edge part150c, for example, may be ⅙, ⅕, ⅓ or ½ of the spacing between the central part150aand the edge part150cin a vertical direction. In the present invention, by limiting each size of the radiating antenna150in a horizontal direction, the production cost can be saved, and at the same time, the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111can have a relatively large distribution area in the horizontal direction.

The central part150amay be disposed at a height (h1/H) of 0.285 to 0.5 (such as 0.285, 0.292, 0.33, 0.4 or 0.5) of the container body110. The edge part150cmay be disposed at a height (h2/H) of 0.19 to 0.334 (such as 0.19, 0.195, 0.2, 0.25 or 0.334) of the container body110. In the present invention, by limiting the setting height of the radiating antenna150in the vertical direction, the volume of the heating chamber111can be relatively large, and at the same time, the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber111can have a relatively high energy density.

In order to further understand the present invention, the preferred implementation solutions of the present invention are described below in conjunction with more specific embodiments.

FIG.8is a test view of a radiating antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG.8, the radiating antenna is a radiating antenna according to one embodiment of the present invention, and parameters of the radiating antenna are: w1=154 mm, d1=86 mm, w2=205 mm, d2=115 mm, r1=10 mm, α=130°, r2=5 mm, h1=50 mm, h2=34 mm; the fillet radius of the central part150ais 28 mm; and the fillet radius of the outer end edge of the edge part150cis 38 mm.

FIG.10is a test view of a radiating antenna according to a comparative example of the present invention. Referring toFIG.8, the radiating antenna is a flat plate antenna, and the antenna is in a shape of an oblong, with a length of 205 mm, a width of 115 mm, a fillet radius of 38 mm, and a distance of 50 mm between the antenna and the bottom wall.

Test specification: the radiating antenna in the embodiment ofFIG.8and the radiating antenna in the comparative example ofFIG.10are respectively placed in a container body (W=342 mm, D=230 mm, H=171 mm) for simulation experiments.

FIG.9is a simulated view of distribution of electromagnetic waves measured byFIG.8.FIG.11is a simulated view of distribution of electromagnetic waves measured byFIG.10. In order to clearly compare the distribution difference of the electromagnetic waves between the embodiment and the comparative example, both the simulated view inFIG.9and the simulated view inFIG.11are set as follows: when the magnetic field intensity at any spatial point in the container body is greater than an intensity value (the intensity value is the difference between the magnetic field intensity at the center of the antenna in the embodiment ofFIG.8and the magnetic field intensity at the center of the antenna in the comparative example ofFIG.10), the spatial point is shown as having electromagnetic waves.

It can be seen fromFIG.9andFIG.11that compared with the flat plate antenna in the comparative example, the radiating antenna150in the embodiment of the present invention has no hidden trouble of magnetic field concentration and has a uniform distribution and a relatively large distribution range of electromagnetic waves.

Table 1 is an electric field intensity test table inFIG.9. Table 2 is an electric field intensity test table inFIG.11. It can be seen from Table 1 and Table 2 that the radiating antenna150in the embodiment of the present invention has a higher electric field intensity at the same spatial point of the container body than the flat plate antenna in the comparative example, that is, the energy density of the electromagnetic waves at this spatial point is higher, and higher heating efficiency may be obtained.

Referring toFIG.2andFIG.4, the heating device100may further include an antenna housing130to separate the inner space of the container body110into a heating chamber111and an electrical appliance chamber112. The object to be processed and the radiating antenna150may be respectively disposed in the heating chamber111and the electrical appliance chamber112to separate the object to be processed from the radiating antenna150, so as to prevent the radiating antenna150from being dirty or damaged by accidental touch.

In some embodiments, the antenna housing130may be made of an insulating material, so that the electromagnetic waves generated by the radiating antenna150may pass through the antenna housing130to heat the object to be processed. Further, the antenna housing130may be made of a non-transparent material to reduce the electromagnetic loss of electromagnetic waves at the antenna housing130, thereby increasing the heating rate of the object to be processed. The above-mentioned non-transparent material is a translucent material or an opaque material. The non-transparent material may be a PP material, a PC material or an ABS material.

The antenna housing130may also be configured to fix the radiating antenna150to simplify the assembly process of the heating device100and facilitate the positioning and installation of the radiating antenna150. Specifically, the antenna housing130may include a clapboard131for separating the heating chamber111and the electrical appliance chamber112, and a skirt part132fixedly connected with the inner wall of the container body110, wherein the central part150aof the radiating antenna150may be configured to be fixedly connected with the clapboard131.

In some embodiments, the radiating antenna150may be configured to be engaged with the antenna housing130.FIG.5is a schematic enlarged view of a region B inFIG.4. Referring toFIG.5, the radiating antenna150may be provided with a plurality of engaging holes151; the antenna housing130may be correspondingly provided with a plurality of buckles133; and the plurality of buckles133are configured to respectively pass through the plurality of engaging holes151to be engaged with the radiating antenna150.

Specifically, each of the buckles133may be composed of a fixing part perpendicular to the radiating antenna150and having a hollow middle part, and an elastic part extending inclining to the fixing part from the inner end edge of the fixing part and toward the antenna.

The antenna housing130may further include a plurality of reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing ribs are configured to connect the clapboard131and the skirt part132so as to improve the structural strength of the antenna housing130.

FIG.3is a schematic enlarged view of a region A inFIG.2. Referring toFIG.1toFIG.3, the heating device100may further include a signal processing and measurement and control circuit170. Specifically, the signal processing and measurement and control circuit170may include a detection unit171, a control unit172and a matching unit173.

The detection unit171may be connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module161and the radiating antenna150, and is configured to detect in real time the specific parameters of incident wave signals and reflected wave signals passing through the detection unit.

The control unit172may be configured to acquire the specific parameters from the detection unit171, and calculate the power of incident waves and reflected waves according to the specific parameters. In the present invention, the specific parameters may be voltage values and/or current values. Alternatively, the detection unit171may be a power meter to directly measure the power of incident waves and reflected waves.

The control unit172may further calculate an electromagnetic wave absorption rate of the object to be processed according to the power of incident waves and reflected waves, compare the electromagnetic wave absorption rate with a preset absorption threshold, and send an adjusting command to the matching unit173when the electromagnetic wave absorption rate is less than the preset absorption threshold. The preset absorption threshold may be 60% to 80%, such as 60%, 70% or 80%.

The matching unit173may be connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module161and the radiating antenna150, and is configured to adjust a load impedance of the electromagnetic generating module161according to an adjusting command of the control unit172, so as to improve the matching degree between the output impedance and the load impedance of the electromagnetic generating module161, so that when foods with different fixed attributes (such as type, weight and volume) are placed in the heating chamber111, or during the temperature change of the foods, relatively more electromagnetic wave energy is radiated in the heating chamber111, thereby increasing the heating rate.

In some embodiments, the heating device100may be used for thawing. The control unit172may also be configured to calculate an imaginary part change rate of a dielectric coefficient of the object to be processed according to the power of incident waves and reflected waves, compare the imaginary part change rate with a preset change threshold, and send a stop command to the electromagnetic generating module161when the imaginary part change rate of the dielectric coefficient of the object to be processed is greater than or equal to the preset change threshold, so that the electromagnetic generating module161stops working, and the thawing program is terminated.

The preset change threshold may be obtained by testing the imaginary part change rate of the dielectric coefficient of foods with different fixed attributes at −3° C. to 0° C., so that the foods have good shear strength. For example, when the object to be processed is raw beef, the preset change threshold may be set to 2.

The control unit172may also be configured to receive a user command and control the electromagnetic generating module161to start working according to the user command, wherein the control unit172is configured to be electrically connected with the power supply module162to obtain electric energy from the power supply module162and to be always in a standby state.

In some embodiments, the signal processing and measurement and control circuit170may be integrated on a circuit board and horizontally disposed in the electrical appliance chamber112to facilitate the electrical connection between the radiating antenna150and a matching module.

The antenna housing130and the container body110may be provided with heat dissipation holes190respectively in positions corresponding to the matching unit173, so that the heat generated by the matching unit173during working is discharged through the heat dissipation holes190. In some embodiments, the signal processing and measurement and control circuit170may be disposed on the rear side of the radiating antenna150. The heat dissipation holes190may be formed in the rear walls of the antenna housing130and the container body110.

In some embodiments, the metal container body110may be configured to be grounded to discharge the electric charges thereon, thereby improving the safety of the heating device100.

The heating device100may further include a metal bracket180. The metal bracket180may be configured to connect the circuit board and the container body110to support the circuit board and discharge the electric charges on the circuit board through the container body110. In some embodiments, the metal bracket180may be composed of two parts perpendicular to each other. The metal bracket180may be fixedly connected with the circuit board and the container body110in advance.

In some embodiments, the electromagnetic generating module161and the power supply module162may be disposed on the outer side of the container body110. A part of the metal bracket180may be disposed at the rear part of the circuit board and extend vertically along a lateral direction, and may be provided with two wiring ports, so that the wiring terminal of the detection unit171(or the matching unit173) extends out from one wiring port and is electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module161, and the wiring terminal of the control unit172extends out from the other wiring port and is electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module161and the power supply module162.

In some embodiments, the container body110and the door body120may be respectively provided with electromagnetic shielding features, so that the door body120is conductively connected with the container body110when the door body is in a closed state, so as to prevent electromagnetic leakage.

In some embodiments, the heating device100may be disposed in a storage compartment of a refrigerator to facilitate users thawing the food.

Hereto, those skilled in the art should realize that although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention may still be directly determined or deduced from the contents disclosed in the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all these other variations or modifications.