阅读说明：本技术 加热装置 (Heating device ) 是由 板仓洋 大岛毅 于 2019-04-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：针对在加热室(11)的顶面(11b)侧的平面上以基准线(10)为中心而旋转对称地配置的微波辐射元件(21a～21d),绕顺时针或绕逆时针以360°/2N的相位差推进供电相位而分配微波电力。(Microwave power is distributed by advancing a feed phase by a phase difference of 360 DEG/2N clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to microwave radiation elements (21 a-21 d) arranged rotationally symmetrically about a reference line (10) on a plane on the top surface (11b) side of a heating chamber (11).)

1. A heating device is characterized in that a heating device is provided,

the heating device is provided with:

a heating chamber for accommodating a heating object;

a power generation unit that generates microwave power;

a power distribution unit that distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation unit into a plurality of units; and

a plurality of microwave radiating element pairs arranged on 1 or more planes orthogonal to a reference line set in the heating chamber, each of the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs being composed of 2 microwave radiating elements facing each other with the reference line interposed therebetween,

the power distribution unit distributes microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of an angle obtained by dividing 360 ° by the number of the plurality of microwave radiating elements to the plurality of microwave radiating elements constituting the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs, clockwise or counterclockwise about the reference line.

2. The heating device according to claim 1,

the 2 microwave radiating elements constituting each of the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs are arranged at positions equidistant from the intersection point.

3. The heating device according to claim 1,

the plurality of pairs of microwave radiating elements are arranged on the same plane.

4. The heating device according to claim 1,

the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line.

5. The heating device according to claim 1,

the power distribution unit distributes microwave power to 2 microwave radiating elements constituting each of the microwave radiating element pairs, with a phase difference of 180 °.

6. The heating device according to claim 1,

the heating chamber is in a hollow cuboid shape.

7. The heating device according to claim 1,

the heating chamber is cylindrical.

8. The heating device according to claim 1,

the microwave radiation element is short-circuited with the heating chamber.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heating device for heating an object to be heated by electromagnetic waves.

Background

In a heating device that heats an object to be heated by electromagnetic waves, there is an advantage that the object to be heated can be heated in a short time, but there is also a disadvantage that uneven heating occurs in the object to be heated. For example, in a heating apparatus, since the heating chamber is an electrically closed space, standing waves of microwaves (2.45GHz) irradiated into the heating chamber are generated due to the nature of electromagnetic waves, and heating unevenness occurs in an object to be heated.

As a conventional technique for solving this problem, for example, there is a heating device described in patent document 1. In this heating apparatus, the intensity distribution of the amount of heating required for the heating target object is detected, and the output of the microwave is controlled based on the detected intensity distribution. This suppresses the occurrence of uneven heating of the heating target.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-060598

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The heating device described in patent document 1 changes the heating intensity distribution in the heating chamber, but does not solve the heating unevenness caused by the standing wave of the microwave generated in the heating chamber. Therefore, there is still a problem of uneven heating due to standing waves of microwaves in the heating chamber.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heating device capable of suppressing occurrence of uneven heating of a heating target.

Means for solving the problems

The heating device of the present invention comprises: a heating chamber for accommodating a heating object; a power generation unit that generates microwave power; a power distribution unit that distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation unit into a plurality of units; and a plurality of microwave radiating element pairs arranged on 1 or more planes orthogonal to a reference line set in the heating chamber, each of the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs being composed of 2 microwave radiating elements facing each other with the reference line and the plane interposed therebetween, and the power distribution section sequentially sets a phase difference of an angle obtained by dividing 360 ° by the number of the plurality of microwave radiating elements for the plurality of microwave radiating elements forming the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs, around the reference line, clockwise or counterclockwise, and distributes the microwave power.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the microwave heating apparatus is provided with a plurality of microwave radiating element pairs arranged on a plane orthogonal to a reference line set in the heating chamber, each of the plurality of microwave radiating element pairs is composed of 2 microwave radiating elements facing each other with the reference line and the plane interposed therebetween, and microwave power is distributed by sequentially setting a phase difference of an angle obtained by dividing 360 ° by the number of the plurality of microwave radiating elements with respect to the plurality of microwave radiating elements constituting the pair clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line as a center. For example, when there are 2 microwave radiating element pairs, the microwave power is distributed by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° for 4 microwave radiating elements constituting the pair, clockwise or counterclockwise about the reference line. Thereby, an electric field pattern in which the electric field in the heating chamber swirls with time is obtained. By rotating the electric field pattern, a wide heating distribution is realized for the heating target, and thus, occurrence of uneven heating of the heating target can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heating apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 1 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 2 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 3 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 4 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a bottom view illustrating the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 5 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device of fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heating device according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heating device according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 21 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device of fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heating device according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 23 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device of fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 1 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 2 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 26 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 3 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 28 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus of fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microwave radiating element according to embodiments 1 to 4.

Detailed Description

Embodiment 1.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a heating apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1, and is described by penetrating a wall surface of a heating chamber 11 in order to visually confirm microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and a heating target 31 located inside the heating chamber 11. The heating device 1 includes a heating chamber 11, a plurality of microwave radiating elements 21, a power generating device 41, and a power distribution circuit 42. The heating chamber 11 accommodates a heating target 31. The wall surface of the heating chamber 11 other than the wall surface on which the heating chamber door is provided is formed of a metallic shield plate. Further, a shielding structure for electromagnetic waves is provided at the heating chamber door. Thereby, the heating chamber 11 forms an electrically closed space for enclosing the microwave therein.

The power generation device 41 is a power generation unit that generates microwave power. For example, the power generation device 41 is an oscillation unit that generates microwave power by being supplied with a voltage signal set to a frequency of microwaves (2.45GHz) and oscillating the voltage signal. The power distribution circuit 42 is a power distribution unit that distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 into a plurality of power distribution units, and distributes the microwave power to each of the plurality of microwave radiation elements 21 in different phases (power supply phases).

In the heating apparatus 1, the plurality of microwave radiating elements 21 are provided in 2 pairs of 1 group, and the heating chamber 11 is provided with a plurality of pairs. That is, when the number N of pairs is a natural number of 2 or more, the heating device 1 includes 2N microwave radiation elements 21. The microwave radiating element 21 radiates (supplies) the microwave electric power distributed by the electric power distribution circuit 42 into the heating chamber 11.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the heating apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating apparatus 1. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the structure of the heating apparatus 1. In fig. 2 to 4, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and the heating target 31 located inside the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating device 1 shown in fig. 2 to 4 includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) inside the heating chamber 11.

As shown in fig. 2, the heating chamber 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a bottom surface 11a, a top surface 11b, and a side surface 11c, and a heating chamber door 11d is provided on one side surface 11 c. As described above, since the shielding plate for electromagnetic waves is provided except for the side surface 11c of the heating chamber door 11d and the heating chamber door 11d has the electromagnetic wave shielding structure, microwaves are enclosed in the heating chamber 11 through the side surface 11c and the heating chamber door 11 d. In the heating chamber 11, a side surface 11c on which the heating chamber door 11d is located is referred to as a front surface, a side surface 11c facing the front surface is referred to as a rear surface, a side surface 11c located on the left side of the front surface is referred to as a left side surface 11c, and a side surface 11c located on the right side of the front surface is referred to as a right side surface 11c, except for the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11 b.

A reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 2 to 4 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 in the bottom surface 11 a.

The microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11. The microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute a 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (plane on the top surface 11b side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10a of the reference line 10 and the plane orthogonal thereto.

The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are arranged on diagonal sides of top surface 11b with intersection 10a interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10 a. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of an angle (360 °/2N) obtained by dividing 360 ° by 2N, which is the total number of microwave radiation elements. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1 includes the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

Further, the microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby the microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair with a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase allocated to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

As described above, in the heating apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1, the power distribution circuit 42 advances the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane on the top surface 11b side of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped heating chamber 11, and distributes the microwave power. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is suitable for heating the object 31 to be heated over a wide range, and the occurrence of uneven heating of the object 31 to be heated is suppressed.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 1 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1, and shows a heating apparatus 1A as modification 1. Fig. 6 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1A. In fig. 5 and 6, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating apparatus 1A includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

As in the heating apparatus 1, a reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 5 and 6 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

The microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed on the bottom surface 11a side of the heating chamber 11. In the heating apparatus 1A, the microwave radiating element 21A and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12a, as in the heating apparatus 1. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (plane on the bottom surface 11a side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10a of the reference line 10 and the plane orthogonal thereto.

The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in fig. 5, microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are arranged on diagonal sides of bottom surface 11a with intersection point 10a interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1A, the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection 10 a. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1A includes the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21A to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1A, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase distributed to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1A, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by advancing the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise with a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane on the bottom surface 11A side of the heating chamber 11. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 2 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1, and shows a heating apparatus 1B as modification 2. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device 1B, and fig. 9 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1B. In fig. 7 to 9, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating device 1B includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

In the heating apparatus 1B, a reference line 10A is set in the heating chamber 11. Reference line 10A is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. Reference line 10A shown in fig. 7 to 9 is a straight line horizontal to bottom surface 11a, for example, a straight line in the normal direction of side surface 11c on the back surface side.

As shown in fig. 7 to 9, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed on the side surface 11c side (back surface side) of the heating chamber 11. In the heating apparatus 1B, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12a, as in the heating apparatus 1. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are disposed on the same plane (a plane on the back surface side) orthogonal to the reference line 10A. The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10Aa of the reference line 10A and the plane orthogonal to each other.

The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10Aa therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10Aa therebetween. For example, as shown in fig. 7 and 9, microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d are disposed on diagonal sides of side surface 11c with intersection 10Aa interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1B, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10 Aa. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10A.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10A. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1B has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case ofThe power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power around the reference line 10A counterclockwise. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10A. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1B, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10A, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, in the microwaveThe radiation element 21a distributes microwave power in a phase of supplyAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase distributed to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1B, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by advancing the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10A on the plane on the side of the side surface 11c (the back surface side) of the heating chamber 11. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 3 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1, and shows a heating apparatus 1C as modification 3. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1C. In fig. 10 and 11, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating device 1C includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

In the heating apparatus 1C, a reference line 10 is set in a heating chamber 11. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 10 and 11 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11, and the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed on the bottom surface 11a side. In the heating apparatus 1C, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21C constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12a, as in the heating apparatus 1. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are respectively arranged on mutually different planes (a plane on the bottom surface 11a side and a plane on the top surface 11b side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a is a line segment passing through an intersection 10a-1 of the reference line 10 and the plane on the top surface 11b side, and the connection line 12b is a line segment passing through an intersection 10a-2 of the reference line 10 and the plane on the bottom surface 11a side. The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10a-1 interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed so as to face each other with the intersection 10a-2 interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in fig. 10, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed on the diagonal side of the top surface 11b with the intersection 10a-1 therebetween, and the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed on the diagonal side of the bottom surface 11a with the intersection 10a-2 therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1C, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21C are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10a-1, respectively, and the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10a-2, respectively. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1C has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1C, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase allocated to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1C, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes microwave power by advancing the power supply phase by a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d arranged in rotational symmetry on 2 planes on the bottom surface 11a side and the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11 with the reference line 10 as the center. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 10 and 11 show modification 3 in which the pair of microwave radiating elements is arranged on the plane on the bottom surface 11a side and the plane on the top surface 11b side in the heating chamber 11, but modification 3 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the heating device 1C may be configured such that the pair of microwave radiating elements are disposed on the plane on the left side surface 11C side and the plane on the right side surface 11C side.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 4 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1, and shows a heating apparatus 1D as modification 4. Fig. 13 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1D, and fig. 14 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device 1D. In fig. 12 to 14, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating apparatus 1D includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

In the heating apparatus 1D, a reference line 10A is set in the heating chamber 11. Reference line 10A is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. Reference line 10A shown in fig. 12 to 14 is a straight line horizontal to bottom surface 11a, for example, a straight line in the normal direction of side surface 11c located on the back surface side.

As shown in fig. 12 and 14, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed between a side surface 11c (front surface) of the heating chamber 11 on which the heating chamber door 11d is provided and a side surface 11c (rear surface) opposed to the side surface 11c (front surface). In the heating apparatus 1D, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (plane between the front surface and the back surface) orthogonal to the reference line 10A. The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10Aa of the reference line 10A and the plane orthogonal to each other.

The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10Ab therebetween, and in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10Ab therebetween. For example, as shown in fig. 13, in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a is disposed on the top surface 11b side and the microwave radiating element 21c is disposed on the bottom surface 11a side with the intersection 10Ab therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b is disposed on the left side surface 11c and the microwave radiating element 21d is disposed on the right side surface 11c with the intersection point 10Ab therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1D, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21D are disposed at positions equidistant from the intersection point 10 Ab. In this case, the 1 st pair of microwave radiating elements and the 2 nd pair of microwave radiating elements are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10A.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10A. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1D has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21D with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise around the reference line 10A. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10A. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1D, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21D with a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10A, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair with a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10A as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase distributed to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1D, the power distribution circuit 42 advances the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21D arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10A on the plane between the front surface and the back surface of the heating chamber 11, and distributes the microwave power. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 5 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 1, and shows a heating apparatus 1E as modification 5. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device 1E, and fig. 17 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1E. In fig. 15 to 17, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating apparatus 1E includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

In the heating apparatus 1E, a reference line 10 is set in a heating chamber 11. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 15 to 17 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 in the bottom surface 11 a. In the heating device 1E, the heating chamber door 11d is not provided at the front surface of the heating chamber 11, and the heating chamber door 11d is provided at the top surface 11 b.

As shown in fig. 15 and 17, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed between the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11b of the heating chamber 11. In the heating apparatus 1E, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (a plane between the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11b) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The plane is, for example, a plane passing through the middle position of the height from the bottom surface 11a to the top surface 11 b.

The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10b where the reference line 10 is orthogonal to the plane. The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10b interposed therebetween, and in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10b interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in fig. 16, in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, a microwave radiating element 21a is disposed on the rear side surface 11c and a microwave radiating element 21c is disposed on the front side surface 11c with an intersection 10b interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b is disposed on the left side surface 11c and the microwave radiating element 21d is disposed on the right side surface 11c with the intersection 10b interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1E, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10 b. In this case, the 1 st pair of microwave radiating elements and the 2 nd pair of microwave radiating elements are located in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1E has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may be referencedThe microwave power is distributed clockwise around line 10 by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the phase of the microwave power supply. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1E, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase distributed to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1E, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes microwave power by advancing the power supply phase by a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane between the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11b of the heating chamber 11. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Embodiment 2.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heating device 1F according to embodiment 2. Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device 1F. In fig. 18 and 19, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21f and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating device 1F includes 6 microwave radiation elements (N ═ 3) in the heating chamber 11.

The heating chamber 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a bottom surface 11a, a top surface 11b, and a side surface 11c, and a heating chamber door 11d is provided on one side surface 11 c. Since a shield plate for electromagnetic waves is provided on the side surface other than the side surface on which the heating chamber door 11d is provided, and a shield structure for electromagnetic waves is provided on the heating chamber door 11d, microwaves are enclosed in the heating chamber 11. In the heating chamber 11, a side surface 11c on which the heating chamber door 11d is located is referred to as a front surface, a side surface 11c facing the front surface is referred to as a rear surface, a side surface 11c located on the left side of the front surface is referred to as a left side surface 11c, and a side surface 11c located on the right side of the front surface is referred to as a right side surface 11c, except for the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11 b.

A reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 18 and 19 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

The microwave radiation elements 21a to 21f are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11. The microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21e constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b. The microwave radiating element 21c and the microwave radiating element 21f constitute a 3 rd microwave radiating element pair, and they are associated with each other by a connecting line 12 c.

The 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd microwave radiating element pairs are arranged on the same plane (plane on the top surface 11b side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a, the connection line 12b, and the connection line 12c are line segments passing through an intersection 10c of the reference line 10 and the plane orthogonal thereto. The connection lines 12a, 12b, and 12c are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21d are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10c interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21e are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10c interposed therebetween. In the 3 rd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21c and the microwave radiating element 21f are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10c interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1F, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21F are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10 c. In this case, the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd microwave radiating element pairs are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21f clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 3, that is, the heating device 1F includes the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd microwave radiation element pairs, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21F with a phase difference of 60 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 60 ° in the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21e isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21f is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 60 ° in the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21f is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21e is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

Further, the microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21f with a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby the microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair with a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 60 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase allocated to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isTo microwave radiationThe radiation element 21e is assigned a supply phase ofThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21f isIn this case, the phase difference between the microwave radiation elements in the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd microwave radiation element pairs is 180 °.

As described above, in the heating apparatus 1F according to embodiment 2, the power distribution circuit 42 advances the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21F arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11, and distributes the microwave power. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

In embodiment 2, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21f are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto, using fig. 18 and 19. For example, the heating apparatus according to embodiment 2 also includes a configuration in which the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d provided in the heating apparatuses according to modifications 1 to 5 shown in embodiment 1 are replaced with the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21 f.

Embodiment 3.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heating device 1G according to embodiment 3. Fig. 21 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device 1G. In fig. 20 and 21, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21h and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11 are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating device 1G includes 8 microwave radiation elements (N is 4) in the heating chamber 11.

As shown in fig. 20, the heating chamber 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a bottom surface 11a, a top surface 11b, and a side surface 11c, and a heating chamber door 11d is provided on one side surface 11 c. Since a shield plate for electromagnetic waves is provided on the side surface other than the side surface on which the heating chamber door 11d is provided, and a shield structure for electromagnetic waves is provided on the heating chamber door 11d, microwaves are enclosed in the heating chamber 11. In the heating chamber 11, a side surface 11c on which the heating chamber door 11d is located is referred to as a front surface, a side surface 11c facing the front surface is referred to as a rear surface, a side surface 11c located on the left side of the front surface is referred to as a left side surface 11c, and a side surface 11c located on the right side of the front surface is referred to as a right side surface 11c, except for the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11 b.

A reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11 and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 20 and 21 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

The microwave radiation elements 21a to 21h are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11. The microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21e constitute a 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21f constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and they correspond to each other through a connecting line b. The microwave radiating element 21c and the microwave radiating element 21g constitute a 3 rd microwave radiating element pair, and they are mutually associated by a connecting line c. The microwave radiating element 21d and the microwave radiating element 21h constitute a 4 th microwave radiating element pair, and they correspond to each other through a connecting line d.

The 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th microwave radiating element pairs are arranged on the same plane (plane on the top surface 11b side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a, the connection line 12b, the connection line 12c, and the connection line 12d are line segments passing through an intersection 10c at which the reference line 10 is orthogonal to the plane. The connection lines 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21e are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10c interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21f are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10c interposed therebetween. In the 3 rd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21c and the microwave radiating element 21g are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10c interposed therebetween. In the 4 th microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21d and the microwave radiating element 21h are arranged to face each other with the intersection point 10c therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1G, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21h are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10 c. In this case, the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th microwave radiating element pairs are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21h clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 4, that is, the heating device 1F has the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th microwave radiation element pairs, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21F with a phase difference of 45 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 45 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isTo microwave radiationElement 21d is assigned a supply phase ofThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21e isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21f isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21g isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21h is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 45 ° in the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21h is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21g is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21f is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21e is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

Further, the microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21h with a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby the microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiating elements constituting each microwave radiating element pair with a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd a phase difference of 45 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with respect to the reference line 10, the feeding phase allocated to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21e isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21f isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21g isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21h isIn this case, the phase difference between the microwave radiation elements of the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th microwave radiation element pairs is 180 °.

As described above, in the heating apparatus 1G according to embodiment 3, the power distribution circuit 42 advances the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21h arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11, and distributes the microwave power. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

In embodiment 3, the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21h are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11 with reference to fig. 20 and 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the heating apparatus according to embodiment 3 also includes a configuration in which the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d provided in the heating apparatuses according to modifications 1 to 5 shown in embodiment 1 are replaced with the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21 h.

Embodiment 4.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heating device 1H according to embodiment 4. Fig. 23 is a plan view showing the structure of the heating device 1H. In fig. 22 and 23, the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11A are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11A, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating apparatus 1H includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11A.

As shown in fig. 22, the heating chamber 11A has a cylindrical shape having a bottom surface 11A, a top surface 11b, and a side surface 11c, and a heating chamber door 11d is provided at a part of the side surface 11 c. The portion other than the portion where the heating chamber door 11d is provided is made of a metal material, and the heating chamber door 11d is provided with a shielding structure for electromagnetic waves, so that microwaves are enclosed in the heating chamber 11A.

Reference line 10 is set in heating chamber 11A. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11A, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11A and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 22 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

The microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11A. The microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute a 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (plane on the top surface 11b side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10a of the reference line 10 and the plane orthogonal thereto.

The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are virtually set for identifying each microwave radiating element pair shown in the drawings, and are not actually present lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1H, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed at positions equidistant from each other from the intersection point 10 a. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1H includes the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toToward the microwave radiation element 21cThe phase of power supply is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

Further, the microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby the microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair with a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase allocated to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

As described above, in the heating apparatus 1H according to embodiment 4, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by advancing the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise with a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane on the top surface 11b side of the cylindrical heating chamber 11A. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11A is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11A is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 1 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4, and shows a heating apparatus 1I as modification 1. In fig. 24, the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11A are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating apparatus 1I includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

As in the heating apparatus 1, a reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11A. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11A, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11A and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 24 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 in the bottom surface 11 a.

The microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d are disposed on the bottom surface 11A side of the heating chamber 11A. In the heating apparatus 1A, the microwave radiating element 21A and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12a, as in the heating apparatus 1. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (plane on the bottom surface 11a side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10a of the reference line 10 and the plane orthogonal thereto.

The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10a interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1I, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection 10 a. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1I has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, in the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiating element 21aSupply phase isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1I, the microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby the microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase distributed to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiation elements in the 1 st microwave radiation element pair is 180 DEG, and the 2 nd microwave radiation element pairThe phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in (1) is 180 deg.

In the heating apparatus 1I, the power distribution circuit 42 advances the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane on the bottom surface 11A side of the heating chamber 11A, and distributes the microwave power. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11A is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. Since the rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11A is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 2 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4, and shows a heating apparatus 1J as modification 2. Fig. 26 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1J. In fig. 25 and 26, the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11A are illustrated as being transparent through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11A, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating apparatus 1J includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11.

As with the heating apparatus 1H and the heating apparatus 1I, a reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11A. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11A, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11A and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 25 and 26 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

As shown in fig. 25 and 26, the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d are disposed between the bottom surface 11A and the top surface 11b of the heating chamber 11A. In the heating apparatus 1J, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12 a. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged on the same plane (a plane between the bottom surface 11a and the top surface 11b) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The plane is, for example, a plane passing through the middle position of the height from the bottom surface 11a to the top surface 11 b.

The connection line 12a and the connection line 12b are line segments passing through an intersection 10b where the reference line 10 is orthogonal to the plane. The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10b interposed therebetween, and in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed to face each other with the intersection 10b interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1J, the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10 b. In this case, the 1 st pair of microwave radiating elements and the 2 nd pair of microwave radiating elements are located in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1J has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1J, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase distributed to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1J, the power distribution circuit 42 advances the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise by a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d arranged rotationally symmetrically about the reference line 10 on the plane between the bottom surface 11A and the top surface 11b of the heating chamber 11A, thereby distributing the microwave power. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11 is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11 is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the configuration of modification 3 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4, and shows a heating apparatus 1K as modification 3. Fig. 28 is a side view showing the structure of the heating device 1K. In fig. 27 and 28, the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d and the heating target 31 located in the heating chamber 11A are illustrated through the wall surface of the heating chamber 11A, and the power generation device 41 and the power distribution circuit 42 are not illustrated. The heating device 1K includes 4 microwave radiation elements (N is 2) in the heating chamber 11A.

In the heating apparatus 1K, a reference line 10 is set in the heating chamber 11A. The reference line 10 is a virtual line serving as a reference for determining the position of the microwave radiating element pair disposed in the heating chamber 11A, and can be set at various positions in the heating chamber 11A and in various line shapes. The reference line 10 shown in fig. 27 and 28 is a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11 a.

As shown in fig. 27 and 28, the microwave radiating element 21A and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed on the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11A, and the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed on the bottom surface 11A side. In the heating apparatus 1K, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c constitute the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through the connecting line 12a, as in the heating apparatus 1. The microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d constitute a 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, and correspond to each other through a connecting line 12 b.

The 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are respectively arranged on mutually different planes (a plane on the bottom surface 11a side and a plane on the top surface 11b side) orthogonal to the reference line 10. The connection line 12a is a line segment passing through an intersection 10a-1 of the reference line 10 and the plane on the top surface 11b side, and the connection line 12b is a line segment passing through an intersection 10a-2 of the reference line 10 and the plane on the bottom surface 11a side. The connection lines 12a and 12b are virtual lines for identifying the microwave radiating element pairs shown in the drawings, and are not actual lines.

In the 1 st microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are arranged to face each other with the intersection 10a-1 interposed therebetween. In the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed so as to face each other with the intersection 10a-2 interposed therebetween.

In the heating apparatus 1K, the microwave radiating element 21a and the microwave radiating element 21c are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10a-1, respectively, and the microwave radiating element 21b and the microwave radiating element 21d are disposed at equal distances from the intersection point 10a-2, respectively. In this case, the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair are arranged in rotational symmetry about the reference line 10.

The power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power generated by the power generation device 41 to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10. At this time, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power with a phase difference of 360 °/2N. Since N is 2, that is, the heating device 1C has the 1 st microwave radiating element pair and the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power to the microwave radiating elements 21a to 21d with a phase difference of 90 °.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (3), the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power counterclockwise about the reference line 10. At this time, the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is assigned toThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d is

Similarly, the power distribution circuit 42 may distribute the microwave power by sequentially setting a phase difference of 90 ° with respect to the feeding phase of the microwave power clockwise around the reference line 10. For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isIn the case of (2), the phase of the power supply to the microwave radiating element 21d is set toThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21c is setThe phase of the power supply to the microwave radiation element 21b is set

In the heating apparatus 1K, microwave power is distributed to the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d at a phase difference of 360 °/2N clockwise or counterclockwise around the reference line 10, whereby microwave power is distributed to 2 microwave radiation elements constituting each microwave radiation element pair at a phase difference of 180 ° from each other.

For example, the phase of the microwave power distributed to the microwave radiation element 21a isAnd the phase difference of 90 DEG is set in order around the counterclockwise direction with reference line 10 as the center for the feeding phase of the microwave power, the feeding phase allocated to the microwave radiation element 21b isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21c isThe phase of the power supply assigned to the microwave radiating element 21d isAt this time, the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 1 st microwave radiating element pair is 180 °, and the phase difference between the microwave radiating elements in the 2 nd microwave radiating element pair is 180 °.

In the heating apparatus 1K, the power distribution circuit 42 distributes the microwave power by advancing the feeding phase clockwise or counterclockwise with a phase difference of 360 °/2N with respect to the microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d arranged in rotational symmetry with respect to the reference line 10 on the respective 2 planes on the bottom surface 11A side and the top surface 11b side of the heating chamber 11A. Thereby, the combined electric field in the heating chamber 11A is rotated at the frequency of the microwave generated by the power generator 41. The rotation of the microwave in the heating chamber 11A is an electric field pattern suitable for heating the heating target 31 in a wide range, and the occurrence of heating unevenness is suppressed.

Although embodiment 4 shows the reference line 10 as a vertical line passing through the center of the arrangement space of the heating target 31 on the bottom surface 11A, the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4 can use a straight line connecting the side surfaces of the cylindrical heating chamber 11A as the reference line. The reference line is, for example, a line segment corresponding to the diameter of the bottom surface 11a or the top surface 11b, or a line segment parallel to the diameter of the bottom surface 11a or the top surface 11 b.

The microwave radiation elements 21A to 21d have been disposed in the heating chamber 11A, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4 also includes a configuration in which the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are replaced with the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21f described in embodiment 2, and a configuration in which the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21d are replaced with the microwave radiation elements 21a to 21h described in embodiment 3. In addition, in modification 3 of the heating apparatus according to embodiment 4, when 3 or more pairs of microwave radiating elements are provided, the pairs of microwave radiating elements are arranged on 3 or more planes orthogonal to reference line 10.

Here, the detailed structure of the microwave radiating element 21 shown in embodiments 1 to 4 will be described.

Fig. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the microwave radiating element 21 in embodiments 1 to 4. As shown in fig. 29, the microwave radiating element 21 includes a microwave radiating element pattern 22, a power feeding pin 23, and a shorting pin 24. The microwave power distributed by the power distribution circuit 42 is supplied to the microwave radiating element pattern 22 through the power supply pin 23. Since an electrically closed space is formed by the heating chamber 11 or the heating chamber 11A, the microwave radiating element pattern 22 and the power feeding pin 23 are not in contact with the heating chamber 11 or the heating chamber 11A.

On the other hand, a shorting pin 24 is connected to the microwave radiating element pattern 22. Since the heating chamber 11 or the heating chamber 11A is connected to the shorting pin 24 as a ground, the microwave radiating element 21 is short-circuited to the heating chamber 11 or the heating chamber 11A as a result. By short-circuiting the microwave radiating element 21 with the heating chamber 11 or the heating chamber 11A in this manner, heat generated by the microwave radiating element receiving high electric power can be radiated to the heating chamber 11 or the heating chamber 11A as the housing.

The description so far has shown the case where the number of microwave radiating elements is 2N (N is a natural number of 2 or more), but the configurations shown in embodiments 1 to 4 can be applied even if the number of elements is other than that.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various combinations of the embodiments, modifications of arbitrary components of the embodiments, or omission of arbitrary components of the embodiments may be made within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The heating device of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of uneven heating of the heating target, and therefore, can be used for various heating devices that radiate microwaves for heating.

Description of the reference symbols

1. 1A-1K heating device, 10A reference line, 10Aa, 10Ab, 10A-1, 10A-2, 10b, 10c intersection point, 11A heating chamber, 11A bottom surface, 11b top surface, 11c side surface, 11d heating chamber door, 12 a-12 d connecting line, 21A-21 h microwave radiation element, 22 microwave radiation element pattern, 23 power supply pin, 24 short-circuit pin, 31 heating object, 41 power generation device, 42 power distribution circuit.