Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus (1A) includes the following components: a first electrode (11) that is flat; a plurality of flat second electrodes (12) that are flat; a high-frequency power supply (20); a matching unit (30); a controller (40); and an electric field regulator (50). The second electrodes (12) are placed opposite to the first electrode (11). The high-frequency power supply (20) applies a high-frequency voltage to the first electrode (11). The matching unit (30) is placed between the first electrode (11) and the high-frequency power supply (20), and is impedance-matched with the high-frequency power supply (20). The controller (40) controls the high-frequency power supply (20). The electric field regulator (50) individually adjusts the electric field strengths in a plurality of regions located between first electrode (11) and the second electrodes (12). This aspect can reduce uneven heating.

Abstract: A dielectric constant estimation device which can estimate a dielectric constant of an object with high accuracy in a non-contact state even when a shape of the object is indefinite, and a microwave heating device equipped with the dielectric constant estimation device. The dielectric constant estimation device includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna which can switch a polarized wave of an electromagnetic wave between a TE wave and a TM wave. Based on a reflected wave of the TE wave and a reflected wave of the TM wave from the object, the dielectric constant estimation device calculates a TM/TE reflection ratio, and compares the calculated TM/TE reflection ratio and dielectric constant data of theoretical values stored in a memory part in advance in the form of database with each other so that a dielectric constant of the object is estimated.

Abstract: A microwave treatment device comprises: a heating chamber that accommodates a heating target, a microwave generator that generates a microwave; a feeding unit that supplies the microwave to the heating chamber; a reflected microwave power detector that detects a reflected microwave power returned to the microwave generator; a controller that controls the microwave generator; and a storage unit. The storage unit stores a level of the reflected microwave power detected by the reflected microwave power detector together with a frequency of the microwave supplied to the heating chamber and an elapsed time after a start of heating the heating target. The controller causes the microwave generator to execute a frequency sweep over a specified frequency band and determines that the heating target is in a boiling state based on a temporal change in a value that is obtained based on the reflected microwave power at each frequency.

Abstract: A microwave treatment device comprises: a heating chamber that accommodates an object to be heated; a microwave generator that generates a microwave in a specified frequency band; an amplifier that amplifies the microwave; a feeding unit that supplies the amplified microwave to the heating chamber; a detector that detects a reflected microwave power; and a controller. The controller selects one of plural frequencies in the specified frequency band and causes the microwave generator to generate the microwave with the selected frequency. The controller causes the amplifier to change an output power of the microwave so that the microwave supplied to the heating chamber has one of plural output powers. The controller measures a reflected microwave frequency characteristic based on reflected microwave powers detected under each of a condition that the microwave has a first output power and a condition that the microwave has a second output power.

Abstract: A microwave treatment device of the present disclosure includes heating chamber (1) for accommodating object (2) to be heated, microwave generator (3), heater (7), power feeder (4), detector (5), and controller (6). Microwave generator (3) generates microwaves. Heater (7) includes a heat source other than the microwaves and heats an inside of heating chamber (1). Power feeder (4) supplies the heating chamber with the microwaves. Detector (5) detects reflected power from power feeder (4). Controller (6) controls heater (7) and microwave generator (3). When heater (7) carries out heating, Controller (6) causes microwave generator (3) to generate the microwaves in heating by heater (7). The microwaves have output power such that the reflected power at a level detectable by detector (5) returns. By present disclosure, by understanding progress of cooking, a heating target can be appropriately cooked.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a heating chamber, an electrode, a high-frequency power supply, at least one matching element, and a controller. The heating chamber accommodates a heating target. The high-frequency power supply applies a high-frequency voltage to the electrode. The impedance matcher includes at least one matching element having a matching constant that is variable. The controller stops the high-frequency power supply to complete heating based on a temporal change of the matching constant of the at least one matching element. In this embodiment, a heating target can be heated efficiently.

Abstract: A microwave treatment device comprises a heating chamber for accommodating a heating target, a microwave generator, a feeder, a detector, and a controller. The microwave generator generates a microwave having a frequency in a specified frequency band. The feeder radiates the microwave inside the heating chamber. The detector detects a reflected microwave power reflected from the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave generator to execute a frequency sweeping in the specified frequency band. The controller also controls the microwave generator according to a temporal change in a frequency characteristic of the reflected microwave power. The temporal change in the frequency characteristic of the reflected microwave power is based on the frequency of the microwave, a level of the reflected microwave power, and a time passed from a start of heating. In this aspect, it is possible to accurately recognizes the progress of cooking while heating the object.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a first electrode (11), a second electrode (12), a high-frequency power supply (30), a position adjuster (20), a detector (50), and a controller (60). The second electrode (12) is disposed facing the first electrode. The high-frequency power supply (30) supplies a high-frequency power to the first electrode. The position adjuster (20) adjusts a distance between the first electrode (11) and the second electrode (12). The detector (50) detects a reflected power from the first electrode (11) toward the high-frequency power supply (30). The controller (60) controls the position adjuster (20) based on the reflected power. In this embodiment, a heating target can be heated efficiently.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes the following components: a heating chamber for accommodating a heating target object, a microwave generator that generates a microwave, and a coaxial connector. The coaxial connector includes a center conductor, an insulator, and an external conductor. The center conductor is connected to the output terminal of the microwave generator. The coaxial connector includes an air gap between the center conductor and the insulator. This aspect can reduce the occurrence of cracking of the soldered joint between the microwave generator and the coaxial connector.

Abstract: An RF energy radiation device includes a cavity in which a heating target object is to be placed, an RF signal generation unit, an RF amplifier, a radiation element, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The RF signal generation unit oscillates an RF signal. The RF amplifier amplifies the RF signal and provides RF energy. The radiation element radiates the RF energy into the cavity. The temperature sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the RF amplifier. The controller controls the RF amplifier so that the RF amplifier adjusts the RF energy output in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and a plurality of threshold levels. This aspect can improve the reliability of the device.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus (1A) includes the following components: a first electrode (11) that is flat; a plurality of flat second electrodes (12) that are flat; a high-frequency power supply (20); a matching unit (30); a controller (40); and an electric field regulator (50). The second electrodes (12) are placed opposite to the first electrode (11). The high-frequency power supply (20) applies a high-frequency voltage to the first electrode (11). The matching unit (30) is placed between the first electrode (11) and the high-frequency power supply (20), and is impedance-matched with the high-frequency power supply (20). The controller (40) controls the high-frequency power supply (20). The electric field regulator (50) individually adjusts the electric field strengths in a plurality of regions located between first electrode (11) and the second electrodes (12). This aspect can reduce uneven heating.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes: a heating chamber for accommodating a load; a microwave source; at least one radiator; a temperature detector; and a controller. The microwave source generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave. The at least one radiator radiates a microwave into the heating chamber. The temperature detector detects the temperature in the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave source to adjust the output of the microwave based on the temperature profile that defines the temperature change in the load, and the temperature in the heating chamber. According to this aspect, food can be heated in accordance with the temperature profile appropriate for the cooking recipe, thereby ensuring the quality of cooked food.

Abstract: To provide a dielectric constant estimation device which can estimate a dielectric constant of an object with high accuracy in a non-contact state even when a shape of the object is indefinite, and a microwave heating device equipped with the dielectric constant estimation device. The dielectric constant estimation device includes a transmitting antenna (4) and a receiving antenna (6) which can switch a polarized wave of an electromagnetic wave between a TE wave and a TM wave. Based on a reflected wave of the TE wave and a reflected wave of the TM wave from the object, the dielectric constant estimation device calculates a TM/TE reflection ratio, and compares the calculated TM/TE reflection ratio and dielectric constant data of theoretical values stored in a memory part (10) in advance in the form of database with each other so that a dielectric constant of the object is estimated.

Abstract: The power management system includes: a power management device for managing power to be used by multiple power loads; and a large power-using power load. The large power-using power load is defined as a power load which shows a power consumption larger than a difference between allowable power and an upper limit power smaller than the allowable power when operating at a maximum power consumption. The power management device calculates remaining available power available for the large power-using power load, from the total power consumption of the multiple power loads and the upper limit power, and notifies the remaining available power to the large power-using power load. The large power-using power load starts to operate under a condition that its power consumption is equal to or less than the remaining available power notified by the power management device.

Abstract: An induction heating cooker includes a scorching detection portion adapted to output scorching detection information, when the temperature of a cooking container comes to be equal to or higher than a second set temperature, based on infrared-ray detection information (A) from an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays from the cooking container, in a heating mode which enables setting the output. A control portion is adapted to perform heating-output suppression operations for preventing the progress of scorching, when the scorching detection portion outputs scorching detection information. Further, the control portion is adapted to prohibit such heating-output suppression operations and to continue heating operations, even if the scorching detection portion outputs scorching detection information, until the measured cooking time period after start of heating operations reaches a first set elapsed time period (T1).

Abstract: An induction heating cooker includes an inverter for supplying a current to a heating coil, a control portion for driving the inverter, an electrostatic capacitance detecting portion for measuring electrostatic capacitance of a plurality of electrodes, and a boiling over detecting portion. The boiling over detecting portion reduces an output of the inverter from a first set value to a second set value after a sensed value of the electrostatic capacitance is within a first variation range (?V1) or more, and returns the output of the inverter to the first set value when a sensed value during a boiling over establishing period (T2) performed after the sensed value has reached the first variation range or more and falls within a second variation range (?V2).

Abstract: The disclosed induction heating cooking device includes a boiling-over detection portion which is adapted to reduce heating output from an inverter to a pre-set value if the amount of change of a capacitance detected by a capacitance detection portion from a reference value (Vo) is equal to or more than an output reduction threshold value (?V2), and further is adapted to stop heating, if the amount of change is equal to or more than an output stop threshold value (?V3). In this case, the output stop threshold value is provided for each of the plurality of the electrodes, which can absorb impedance variations in the plurality of the electrodes formed through pattern printing using conductive films, thereby uniformizing their sensitivity to boiling over in any directions.

Abstract: An induction heating cooker includes a boiling over detecting portion that reduces the heating output of an inverter to a predetermined value when a change amount of an electrostatic capacitance detected by a capacitance detecting portion with respect to a reference value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The boiling over detecting portion stops a heating action or reduces the heating output to a third set value lower than a second set value when a change rate of the capacitance is equal to or greater than a predetermined change rate, and maintains the heating output at the second set value when the change rate of the capacitance is less than the predetermined change rate, during a boiling over determining period started from the time that the change amount of the capacitance with respect to the reference value is equal to or greater than the output reducing threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an induction cooking device that is not likely to be affected by induction heating and wherein boiling-over can be detected. An induction cooking device has: a top plate on which a cooking container is placed; a heating coil that generates an induction magnetic field for heating the cooking container; a heating control unit that controls the heating power of the cooking container by controlling the high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil; electrodes disposed in a lower surface of the top plate; and an electrostatic capacity detector that detects changes in electrostatic capacity occurring in the electrodes when articles to be cooked contact with the top plate. When the electrostatic capacity detector senses changes in the electrostatic capacity of the electrodes, the heating control unit decreases or stops the heating power of the cooking container, and the electrodes are disposed outside of the outer circumference the heating coil.

Abstract: The power management system includes: a power management device for managing power to be used by multiple power loads; and a large power-using power load. The large power-using power load is defined as a power load which shows a power consumption larger than a difference between allowable power and an upper limit power smaller than the allowable power when operating at a maximum power consumption. The power management device calculates remaining available power available for the large power-using power load, from the total power consumption of the multiple power loads and the upper limit power, and notifies the remaining available power to the large power-using power load. The large power-using power load starts to operate under a condition that its power consumption is equal to or less than the remaining available power notified by the power management device.