EP0361586A2 - Gerät zur automatischen Kontrolle der Lebensmittelzubereitung in einem Mikrowellenofen - Google Patents

Gerät zur automatischen Kontrolle der Lebensmittelzubereitung in einem Mikrowellenofen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0361586A2
EP0361586A2 EP89202345A EP89202345A EP0361586A2 EP 0361586 A2 EP0361586 A2 EP 0361586A2 EP 89202345 A EP89202345 A EP 89202345A EP 89202345 A EP89202345 A EP 89202345A EP 0361586 A2 EP0361586 A2 EP 0361586A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
food
microwave
metal element
cavity
sensor means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89202345A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0361586A3 (de
Inventor
Franciscus Kokkeler
Enzo Cigarini
Mario Fioroli
Carlo Montanari
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IRE Industrie Riunite Eurodomestici SpA
Whirlpool Europe BV
Original Assignee
IRE Industrie Riunite Eurodomestici SpA
Whirlpool Europe BV
Whirlpool International BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IRE Industrie Riunite Eurodomestici SpA, Whirlpool Europe BV, Whirlpool International BV filed Critical IRE Industrie Riunite Eurodomestici SpA
Publication of EP0361586A2 publication Critical patent/EP0361586A2/de
Publication of EP0361586A3 publication Critical patent/EP0361586A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/6447—Method of operation or details of the microwave heating apparatus related to the use of detectors or sensors
    • H05B6/645—Method of operation or details of the microwave heating apparatus related to the use of detectors or sensors using temperature sensors
    • H05B6/6452—Method of operation or details of the microwave heating apparatus related to the use of detectors or sensors using temperature sensors the sensors being in contact with the heated product

Definitions

  • This utility model relates to a device for automatically controlling food preparation in a microwave oven.
  • One of these devices uses weight sensors which measure the weight variation of the food during said preparation. These sensors feed the obtained data to a control member or microprocessor which on the basis of a preset programme and the data obtained by the sensors halts the microwave generator operation so interrupting the preparation of the food when it has reached a predetermined weight.
  • microwave ovens provided with infrared sensors which measure the surface temperature of the food. These sensors, connected to a microprocessor, cause the control member to act on the microwave generator and halt its operation when the food surface temperature has reached a predetermined value.
  • probe-type temperature sensors which are inserted into the food to enable for example its thawing to be evaluated, even of its most inner parts.
  • the devices currently used for controlling food preparation have various drawbacks, such as difficult and laborious installation in the oven and high manufacturing costs. Furthermore the data determined by said sensors do not always reflect the true level of preparation attained by the food.
  • An object of the present utility model is to provide a device for automatically controlling food preparation which is of low manufacturing cost, is simple to position in the oven and enables the true state of preparation of the food to be determined with good accuracy.
  • a device for automatically controlling food preparation in a microwave oven comprising at least one temperature sensor means connected to a microprocessor arranged to act on the microwave generator so as to halt it or at least vary its power during operation, the device being characterised in that the sensor means is dipsoed in heat conducting relationship with a metal element which is constructed of a good temperature-conducting but microwave-impermeable material and is housed in a support for, and in contact with, the food.
  • the device of the present utility model is inserted in a microwave oven 1 provided with a microwave generator or magnetron 2 disposed in the roof 3 of a cooking chamber 4 having side walls 5 and 6 and a lower wall or base 7. On this base there is positioned a support 8 for a food 9, the support being shown as a plate in Figures 1, 2 and 4 and as a pan structure in Figure 3.
  • the device of the present utility model comprises an element or plug 10 of good temperature-conducting but microwave-impermeable material (such as aluminium or copper) disposed in a cavity 11 in the food support 8, and a temperature sensor 12 positioned in heat-conducting relationship with the element 10.
  • element or plug 10 of good temperature-conducting but microwave-impermeable material such as aluminium or copper
  • Said element or plug 10 is positoned in the cavity 11 so that it is in contact with the food 9. Such an arrangement enables the temperature of the element 10 to rise by conduction as the food temperature increases.
  • the plug 10 is retained in the cavity 11 by known means such as to ensure said contact with the food 9.
  • the temperature sensor 12 is in heat-­conducting relationship with the metal plug 10. Specifically (see Figure 1), the sensor is carried by a rod-shaped member 13 inserted through a radial cavity 14 in the food support 8 which opens at one end in the cavity 11 and at its other end in the side of the support.
  • the rod-shaped member 13 encloses the end of electrical conductors 15 which connect the sensor 12 to a microprocessor 16 positioned in a suitable region of the oven 1. Said microprocessor is connected to the magnetron 2.
  • the magnetron 2 is put into operation in known manner.
  • the microwaves 100 from the magnetron 2 strike the food 9 and begin to heat it.
  • the metal plug 10 begins to heat up by thermal conduction. Its increase in temperature is sensed by the sensor 12 which feeds the obtained data to the microprocessor 16.
  • the microprocessor acts on the magnetron 2 to halt its operation.
  • the suitably programmed microprocessor acts on the magnetron 2 to halt it when the sensor 12 senses that the temperature of the metal plug 10 is equal to the required thawed or heated temperature. This is because, as stated, the heating of said plug 10 is due to the heat which passes by conduction from the food 9 to said plug, and thus the temperature measured by the sensor 12 is representative of the temperature attained by said food.
  • FIG. 2 shows a different embodiment of the device according to the utility model.
  • parts identical to those described in relation to Figure 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals.
  • the metal plug 10 occupies the entire volume of the cavity 11 in the food support 8.
  • the plug is placed in position below the food and retained in said cavity by known means.
  • the temperature sensor 12 is disposed in the base 7 of the cooking chamber 4 of the oven 1 and is in contact with the plug 10. This contact can be either direct or indirect, as shown in Figure 2.
  • the senor 12 is secured to the underside of a small-thickness metal plate 20, also constructed of a good temperature-conducting metal (such as aluminium or copper).
  • the metal plate 20 is constantly in contact with the plug 10 by virtue of a spring 21 disposed in a cavity 22 provided in the base 7. In this manner the heat transmitted by conduction from the metal plug 10 to the metal plate 20 is sensed by the sensor 12 and the temperature signal is fed to the microprocessor (not shown in Figure 2) through the electrical conductor 15.
  • Limit stops are provided to prevent the plate 20 escaping from the cavity 22 as a result of the thrust exerted by the spring 21 when the food support 8 is removed.
  • the use of the device shown in Figure 2 is analogous to that of the device of Figure 1 and is therefore not further described.
  • the device of Figure 2 allows the food support 8 to be easily extracted from the oven 1, for example when it is required to clean the support.
  • the user in extracting said support 8 does not have to take into account the presence of the sensor 12 during this operation, as instead he must with the device formed as shown in Figure 1.
  • the user With the embodiment shown in this latter figure the user must extract the rod-shaped member 13 carrying the sensor 12 from the cavity 14 before he extracts the food support 8 from the oven 1, and this can cause problems particularly because of the small space in which the user has to work.
  • FIG. 3 A further embodiment of the device according to the present utility model is shown in Figure 3.
  • parts identical to those described in relation to Figures 1 and 2 carry the same reference numerals.
  • the device according to the utility model is formed as shown in Figure 1 and described heretofore.
  • the device is here associated with a pan-shaped structure particularly suitable for boiling or heating liquids.
  • FIG. 4 A further embodiment of the device according to the present utility model is shown in Figure 4.
  • parts identical to those described in relation to Figures 1, 2 and 3 carry the same reference numerals.
  • the metal plug 10 is associated with the food support 8 and is retained in the cavity 11 of said support by known means.
  • the base 7 of the cooking chamber 4 of the oven 1 there is positioned an element 80 of microwave-­sensitive material (ferrite) inserted into a cup-shaped element 81 constructed of a good temperature-conducting but microwave-impermeable material (sich as aluminium or copper) and in contact with the plug 10.
  • the element 80 is of annular shape, and in its cavity 82 there is disposed a plug 83 of good temperature-conducting material also in contact with the plug 10. This is to improve heat transfer between the plug 10 and temperature sensor 12 which is positioned below the cup-shaped element 81 and in contact with it.
  • the embodiment of the device of the utility model shown in Figure 4 also enables the thawing of a food in a microwave oven to be controlled.
  • an element constructed of microwave-sensitive material and inserted either in the food support 8 or below it, i.e. in the base 7.
  • This element is in contact with a transducer which by receiving a signal operationally related to the temperature of said element controls the microwave generator by way of a suitably programmed microprocessor.
  • the annular element 80 of microwave-sensitive material is screened laterally and lowerly by the cup-shaped element 81.
  • the element 80 is also upperly shielded from the microwave by said plug. In this manner, for example when the food is heated, the food temperature is transmitted by conduction to the plug 10, and then by conduction to the plug 83 and cup-shaped elemnt 81 and is then measured by the sensor 12. This temperature signal is then used as already described in relation to Figures 1, 2 and 3 to halt the operation of the magnetron 2 (not shown in Figure 4).
  • the food 9 is to be thawed the food is placed on a microwave-permeable support 8, for example of ceramic, which is not provided with the plug 10 and therefore offers no screen (to the microwaves) above the annular element 80.
  • This element therefore receives microwaves (its temperature thus increasing) at a rate which varies according to the degree of thawing attained by the food 9, said food becoming increasingly more impermeable to the microwave as it thaws.
  • the element 80 which is now more effectively screened by the food increases in temperature at a different rate and this is detected by the microprocessor 16 (not shown in Figure 4) which then halts the magnetron operation.
  • the user therefore utilizes the microwave-sensitive element 80 by operating with a food support 8 in which the plug 10 of good temperature-conducting but microwave-­insensitive material is either absent or present.
  • a device constructed as shown in the various accompanying figures enables the preparation of foods contained in particular in a microwave oven to be automatically controlled and regulated.
  • said device is of simple construction and is easily installed in the oven.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Electric Ovens (AREA)
  • Control Of High-Frequency Heating Circuits (AREA)
EP19890202345 1988-09-23 1989-09-18 Gerät zur automatischen Kontrolle der Lebensmittelzubereitung in einem Mikrowellenofen Withdrawn EP0361586A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT8821915U IT215282Z2 (it) 1988-09-23 1988-09-23 Dispositivo per il controllo automatico della preparazione di alimenti posti in un forno a microonde.
IT2191588U 1988-09-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0361586A2 true EP0361586A2 (de) 1990-04-04
EP0361586A3 EP0361586A3 (de) 1991-08-28

Family

ID=11188720

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890202345 Withdrawn EP0361586A3 (de) 1988-09-23 1989-09-18 Gerät zur automatischen Kontrolle der Lebensmittelzubereitung in einem Mikrowellenofen

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0361586A3 (de)
JP (1) JPH02223732A (de)
AU (1) AU627497B2 (de)
IT (1) IT215282Z2 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP7524092B2 (ja) * 2021-01-29 2024-07-29 東芝ホームテクノ株式会社 加熱調理器

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3987267A (en) * 1972-10-25 1976-10-19 Chemetron Corporation Arrangement for simultaneously heating a plurality of comestible items
GB1548805A (en) * 1976-07-20 1979-07-18 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd Temperature detecting units for microwave ovens
US4093841A (en) * 1976-08-19 1978-06-06 General Electric Company Low-temperature slow-cooking microwave oven
US4125752A (en) * 1977-05-25 1978-11-14 Wegener Carl J Cooking vessel temperature control for microwave ovens
JPS592802B2 (ja) * 1978-09-25 1984-01-20 シャープ株式会社 加熱調理器
JPS5568298U (de) * 1978-11-06 1980-05-10
US4351999A (en) * 1979-12-26 1982-09-28 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Heating apparatus provided with a voice synthesizing circuit
US4341937A (en) * 1980-11-28 1982-07-27 General Electric Company Microwave oven cooking progress indicator
GB8307123D0 (en) * 1983-03-15 1983-04-20 Microwave Ovens Ltd Microwave ovens
FR2562662B1 (fr) * 1984-04-04 1987-08-28 Valeo Sonde thermique pour mesurer la temperature d'un produit chauffe dans un four micro-ondes
FR2621986B1 (fr) * 1987-10-20 1990-11-09 Labo Electronique Physique Four a micro-ondes muni d'un capteur de decongelation
IT1227211B (it) * 1988-09-23 1991-03-27 Eurodomestici Ind Riunite Procedimento e dispositivo per il trattamento di un alimento congelato in un forno a microonde

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0361586A3 (de) 1991-08-28
IT215282Z2 (it) 1990-09-11
AU4167889A (en) 1990-03-29
IT8821915V0 (it) 1988-09-23
AU627497B2 (en) 1992-08-27
JPH02223732A (ja) 1990-09-06

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