BE1029582A1 - High-frequency household appliance, preferably high-frequency kitchen appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-frequency household appliance (1), preferably a high-frequency kitchen appliance (1), with at least one treatment chamber (11) which is designed to accommodate items to be treated with high-frequency energy, and with at least one high-frequency heating module (2nd ) which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy and to deliver it into the treatment room (11), the high-frequency heating module (2) having at least: • at least one high-frequency signal generator (21) which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy , and • at least one transition (ANT) to the treatment space (11) of a first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably one transition (ANT) each to the treatment space (11) of a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), which is formed To deliver high-frequency energy into the treatment room (11). The high-frequency household appliance (1) is characterized in that the high-frequency heating module (2), preferably at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), particularly preferably several high-frequency paths (23a-23d), very particularly preferably all high-frequency - paths (23a-23d) of the high-frequency heating module (2), further comprising at least: • at least one measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) which is designed to detect at least one parameter of the high-frequency energy, and • at least one safety unit (22), which is designed to receive the at least one recorded parameter from the measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) and to evaluate it with regard to compliance with at least one predetermined limit value, the high-frequency heating module (2), preferably the safety unit (22) , is designed to operate the high-frequency signal generator (21) depending on the evaluation of the parameter, preferably the high-frequency signal generator (21) in the event of an overshoot th of a predetermined limit value of the parameter off.

Description

Description

High-frequency household appliance, preferably high-frequency kitchen appliance

The invention relates to a high-frequency household appliance according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a high-frequency heating module for use in such a device

High-frequency household appliance according to claim 17.

It is known to heat materials using microwaves. Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with a frequency of about 1 to about 300 GHz, i.e. with

Wavelengths of about 30 cm to about 1 mm understood. Microwaves can damage molecules

Excite vibrations and thereby increase the temperature of the molecules. This is used, for example, in microwave ovens to heat or cook food within the cooking chamber.

A microwave oven, also known as a microwave oven, usually has an outer housing, inside which a cooking space is provided. The cooking chamber is accessible from the outside by a

Access opening accessible, which can be pivotally closed and opened, for example, by means of a door or a flap. Outside are usually further

Display and control elements are provided, e.g. to check the power and the duration of the

To be able to set the process by a user. Between the outer casing and

Cooking space is formed in which usually at least one

Microwave generator is arranged, which can generate the microwaves and guide them through at least one corresponding high-frequency waveguide into the cooking chamber as a cavity. Originally, so-called magnetrons were used to generate the microwave radiation, today electronic circuits such as transistors are common for this purpose,

Generally it is known between the HF module (high frequency module) as

Microwave generator and the treatment room of the microwave oven to use a coaxial line with appropriate coaxial connectors to lead the HF energy (high frequency energy) to the interior. The coaxial line can be formed together with an antenna, i.e. without any additional plug connection, and attached to the wall of the

be attached to the interior. The antenna can be e.g. a monopole-type or an inverted-

F-shaped antenna.

The HF energy can also be fed into the interior via a HF hollow line (high-frequency hollow line). Typical cross-sections of waveguides can be rectangular or oval, for example. At the wall of the interior, the HF waves (high-frequency waves) can run vertically via such waveguides and through a rectangular or oval, for example

Pass through the window of the interior wall and get into the interior.

The applicant is also aware of a type of kitchen appliance which is referred to as a “Dialog cooker”. A Dialog cooker is based on well-known or conventional ovens, which work with an energy supply such as top and bottom heat or circulating air, so that heat, precisely adjusted to the degree, penetrates the food from the outside and slowly works its way into the inside of the food. This type of cooking, such as baking, has such an effect on the food as the food to be cooked that the outer layers of the food are heated for a comparatively long time or strongly

However, the core of the food is comparatively short or little, since the heat during the cooking process first spreads from the outer layers to the core of the food

MUST.

In order to accelerate such cooking processes and/or to distribute the heat of the cooking process more evenly in the food as the food to be cooked, the further development of such conventional ovens into the Dialoggarer is known, which also generates electromagnetic waves with changing frequencies in the high-frequency spectrum, i.e.

HF waves, used to only heat the food being cooked and not its surroundings or the ambient air. This can be done very precisely or very specifically with regard to the heat that is to be additionally supplied to the food. This can lead to significant acceleration of the cooking process and improve the quality of the result of the cooking process.

Such devices for supplying radio frequency energy (RF energy) in a

The treatment room of a household appliance or a kitchen appliance provides its own HF signal generator for each path or for each feed. This allows the HF

To generate signals of the paths with different frequencies, which can be desirable for certain methods of heating or for certain heating programs.

The use of high-frequency energy in the form of electromagnetic waves in corresponding household appliances can have advantages for its intended purpose

provide use.

However, such electromagnetic waves of high-frequency energy for the

pose a risk in the vicinity of the high-frequency household appliance. This can interfere with other electronic devices. The health of living beings and in particular of the user of the high-frequency household appliance can also be endangered as a result.

EP 2 499 505 A1 describes devices and methods for using EM

energy on a load. The devices and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of the energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The

Processor can also be configured to use any one of several

Associates modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate the power applied to the load such that, for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load with the appropriate amount of power application time.

The invention therefore faces the problem of creating a high-frequency household appliance of the type described in the introduction, so that the protection of the environment against electromagnetic waves of high-frequency energy can be improved or even guaranteed. In particular, the propagation of impermissibly strong high-frequency energy and/or high-frequency energy of impermissible frequencies in the vicinity of the

High-frequency household appliance can be reduced or even completely avoided.

In particular, it should be possible to comply with radio and EMC limit values. This should be done in particular for high-frequency kitchen appliances. At the very least, an alternative to known high-frequency household appliances of this type should be created.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a high-frequency household appliance with the

Features of claim 1 and by a high-frequency heating module with the

Features of claim 17 solved. Advantageous configurations and

Further developments of the invention result from the following dependent claims.

The invention thus relates to a high-frequency household appliance, preferably a high-frequency kitchen appliance, with at least one treatment chamber which is designed to accommodate items to be treated with high-frequency energy, and with at least one high-frequency heating module which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy and into the treatment room, wherein the high-frequency heating module has at least: * at least one high-frequency signal generator, which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy, and * at least one transition to the treatment room of a first high-frequency

Path, preferably in each case a transition to the treatment room of several

High-frequency path, which is formed, high-frequency energy in the

leave the treatment room.

Such a high-frequency household appliance can be any technical device that can be used in a household for household chores, the

Household work can be carried out additionally or solely by means of high-frequency (abbreviated: HF) energy. The high-frequency energy can be emitted into the treatment room by means of electromagnetic waves, in order to warm up or heat an item to be treated there. Such high-frequency electromagnetic waves can in particular

Frequencies in the range from about 1 to about 300 GHz, i.e. wavelengths from about 30 cm to about 1 mm.

The implementation can, for example, as a household appliance in the form of a washing machine, a

Clothes dryer, a washer-dryer and the like done so that the high-frequency energy additionally or solely for heating water or

Washing water or for drying wet laundry inside the washing drum

Treatment room can be used. As a high-frequency kitchen appliance, the high-frequency energy can be used additionally or solely for cooking food in the cooking space as a treatment space. Such kitchen appliances can, for example

Microwave devices, ovens, dialog cookers or combi devices made of them.

The high-frequency household appliance according to the invention is characterized in that

High-frequency heating module, preferably at least the first high-frequency path, particularly preferably several high-frequency paths, very particularly preferably all high-frequency paths, of the high-frequency heating module, further has at least: * at least one measuring circuit, which is designed to measure at least one parameter of the high-frequency To detect energy, and * at least one security unit, which is designed to receive the at least one detected parameter from the measuring circuit and with regard to

Evaluate compliance with at least one predetermined limit value, wherein the high-frequency heating module, preferably the safety unit, is designed to

To operate high-frequency signal generator depending on the evaluation of the parameter, preferably the high-frequency signal generator when a predetermined is exceeded

switch off the limit value of the parameter.

According to the invention, in this way a monitoring of the high-frequency

Energy or its electromagnetic wave take place before this over the respective

Transition is released or sent into the treatment room. For example, an impermissible frequency of the high-frequency energy can be detected and the propagation into the treatment room can be prevented. This can serve to protect the environment and in particular to comply with radio and EMC limit values.

To achieve this and to limit the propagation of radio frequency energy in the

To prevent treatment room with an undesirable or even impermissible condition, at least one parameter of the high-frequency energy is recorded or determined and evaluated with regard to the fulfillment of criteria or compliance with limit values, as will be described in more detail below with reference to preferred variants. In any case, the safety unit can carry out an evaluation of the at least one recorded parameter to determine whether this parameter complies with at least one predetermined limit value or satisfies a predetermined criterion. This

Limit value or several limit values of a parameter or one limit value or several

Limits of various parameters and / or the criterion or criteria can or can allow an assessment of whether the high-frequency energy after

Leaking into the treatment room with regard to the corresponding parameter or criterion is desired or permissible or not.

If an undesirable or impermissible quality of the high-frequency energy or its electromagnetic wave is detected in this way, the high-frequency heating module and in particular its safety unit can react to this and change the operation of the high-frequency signal generator. In particular, the generation of the unwanted or impermissible high-frequency energy or its electromagnetic wave by the high-frequency signal generator can now be omitted. In any case, this can be displayed or communicated to a user in order to carry out or arrange for repairs to be made to the high-frequency household appliance.

According to the invention, the protection of the environment against electromagnetic waves of high-frequency energy can thereby be improved or even guaranteed. In particular, the

Propagation of impermissibly strong high-frequency energy and/or high-frequency

Reduced energy inadmissible frequency in the environment of the high-frequency household appliance or even completely avoided.

According to one aspect of the invention, the predetermined limit value is based on at least one current operating parameter, preferably on the amplitude and/or on the

Frequency of high-frequency energy, high-frequency heating module, preferably des

high frequency signal generator. In this way, according to the invention, a comparison can be made as to whether on the path of propagation of the high-frequency energy generated by the high-frequency signal generator to the transition into the treatment room or to a specific

Point within the path of propagation the high-frequency energy is still of the desired nature or through electronic components on the previous

An undesirable or impermissible change has taken place as a result of the spread. This also applies to the high-frequency signal generator itself. In any case, this can be caused by defective electronic components or their incorrect parameterization.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the measuring circuit is designed as a voltage/current

Measuring circuit designed to detect the voltage and current of the high-frequency energy, preferably a high-frequency power amplifier, and the

Safety unit is designed, the detected voltage and the detected current from the

To obtain a voltage/current measuring circuit, to determine a direct current power consumption therefrom and to evaluate the determined direct current power consumption with regard to compliance with a predetermined limit value, the predetermined limit value preferably being based on the current direct current power consumption of the high-frequency

signal generator is based. This can be one way of implementing what was previously described

represent aspects of the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the measuring circuit is designed as a voltage/current

Measuring circuit designed, the voltage and current of the high-frequency energy of a

To detect high-frequency power amplifier, wherein at least the first high-frequency

Path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, further comprising at least one high-frequency coupler, which is designed to measure the power of a forward-running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy, and the safety unit is designed to detect

to obtain voltage and the detected current from the voltage/current measuring circuit, to determine a DC power consumption therefrom, from the determined

DC power consumption and the detected power of the forward running

High-frequency wave to determine an efficiency and to evaluate the specific efficiency with regard to compliance with a predetermined limit value, the predetermined

Limit value preferably based on the current DC power consumption of the high-frequency

signal generator is based. This can represent an alternative way of implementing the previously described aspects of the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the measuring circuit is designed as a frequency divider, the frequency of the high-frequency energy, preferably a high-frequency

Power amplifier to detect, and the security unit is designed to receive the frequency from the frequency divider and in terms of compliance with a predetermined

Evaluate limit value, wherein the predetermined limit value is preferably based on the current frequency of the high-frequency signal generator. This can be an alternative

Possibility of implementing the aspects of the present invention described above represent.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the measuring circuit is designed as a sampling converter to acquire a high-frequency signal sample of the high-frequency energy, preferably a high-frequency power amplifier, and the security unit is designed to receive the high-frequency signal sample from the sampling converter and s with regard to compliance at least one predetermined criterion, preferably with regard to compliance with several predetermined criteria, to evaluate, the

Measuring circuit preferably a high-frequency synthesizer and a high-frequency

mixer. This can represent an alternative way of implementing the previously described aspects of the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all have high-frequency paths

High-frequency paths, furthermore: * at least one first bandpass filter, which is designed to only let through a predetermined frequency range of the high-frequency energy. As a result, the frequency range of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave of the corresponding high-frequency path can be restricted to a predetermined frequency range.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, also at least one second band-pass filter, which is redundant to the first band-pass filter, wherein the second band-pass filter is preferably arranged behind, particularly preferably immediately behind, a phase shifter.

The second bandpass filter is used as a safety feature to prevent the first

bandpass filter if the first bandpass filter does not work as intended. This can protect the environment from an undesirable or impermissible nature of the high-frequency energy or its electromagnetic

improve wave.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least the first high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all high-frequency paths, also have: * at least one high-frequency power amplifier, preferably also at least one high-frequency preamplifier, which is designed to to amplify high-frequency energy.

As a result, within the high-frequency path or within the high-frequency

Feeding a power amplification of the local high-frequency electromagnetic

wave occur. This can be done in one or more stages to achieve higher performance.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least the first high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, further on: * at least one high-frequency coupler, which is designed to measure a forward and/or backward running high-frequency wave of the high-frequency energy emitted, preferably between the high-frequency coupler and the transition no

Amplifier is arranged.

In this way, a forward and / or a reverse running

High-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy detected and the detected

Data are evaluated in order, for example, to influence the generation of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave by the high-frequency signal generator and/or other electronic components within the respective high-frequency path. This can limit the design scope of high-frequency electromagnetic

Increase wave, which is released into the treatment room. Such a one

The high-frequency coupler can be designed, for example, as a 4-port coupler or as a 6-port coupler.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least the first high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, furthermore: * at least one attenuator, which is designed to change the amplitude of the high-frequency energy.

As a result, in the course of the corresponding high-frequency path specifically influence the

Amplitude of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave can be taken.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least the first high-frequency path,

Preferably, several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, also on:

* at least one phase shifter configured to change the phase of the radio frequency energy.

As a result, in the course of the corresponding high-frequency path specifically influence the

Phase of the high-frequency electromagnetic wave are taken.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least the first high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, further on: * at least one high-frequency isolator, which is designed to block a backward-running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy, preferably between the high-frequency isolator and the junction no

Amplifier is arranged.

Such a high-frequency isolator can be used, for example, by means of a high-frequency

Circulator can be implemented with high-frequency load resistance. In any case, this can protect the electronic components of the corresponding high-frequency path against powerful backward running high-frequency waves of the emitted high-frequency

Energy allows to damage or destroy the electronic

To avoid components of the corresponding high-frequency path.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least the first high-frequency path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

High-frequency paths, further comprising: * at least one harmonic filter arranged to block harmonics in a forward wave of the high-frequency energy, preferably no amplifier is arranged between the harmonic filter and the transition.

In this way, corresponding harmonics in the forward high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy can be avoided.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating module has at least one control unit which is designed

+ Measurement data of a forward running and/or a backward running

to obtain a high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy, preferably from a high-frequency coupler, and * to determine at least one amplitude and/or a phase of a forward running and/or a backward running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy from the measurement data obtained.

The corresponding measurement data can be acquired, for example, by means of the high-frequency coupler described above, which for this purpose can have circuits such as ADCs (analog-to-digital converters or analog-to-digital converters) and the like.

In any case, a corresponding influence can be exerted on the forward-running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy in this way, because since the amplitude and the phase of a high-frequency wave running forwards and backwards at the high-frequency coupler of the respective high-frequency path depend on the high-frequency wave fields in the treatment room, contain these

Measurement data thus information about the loading of the treatment room, e.g. about a

Food, via the radio frequency wave fields and via the radio frequency energy delivery.

This information can be used by the heating programs of the control unit to change the frequency of the high-frequency signal generator and, if necessary, of actuators of the respective high-frequency path such as attenuators and/or

To control phase shifters and thus to regulate the high-frequency power supply advantageous.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the control unit is also designed to have at least the high-frequency signal generator, preferably also at least one

Attenuator and/or a phase shifter of at least one high-frequency

Path, preferably several high-frequency paths, particularly preferably all

To operate high-frequency paths as a function of the determined amplitude and/or the determined phase, preferably to change the frequency of the high-frequency energy. This can have a corresponding influence on the forward running

High-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy are taken.

The present invention also relates to a high-frequency heating module for use in a high-frequency household appliance as described above. This allows a

High-frequency heating module are made available to an inventive

To realize high-frequency household appliance and to be able to use its properties and advantages.

In other words, according to the invention, an HF heating module is created in which the HF

Power amplifiers voltage and / or current measurement circuits (UIM) can be arranged to measure and monitor the DC power consumption (s) of the HF

Enable power amplifiers in operation.

During operation, a safety uC can regularly perform the

Measure the DC power consumption(s) of the HF power amplifiers (P_DC) and use them

Compare DC power consumption values based on the current

Operating parameters, such as in particular the amplitude and frequency of the HF signal, would have to be given. If there are deviations between these values that are greater than predetermined

are limit values, the Safety-uC can stop the HF generation.

This can avoid the risk that the HF power amplifier in a

Self-oscillation (e.g. due to a component failure) that could generate a strong RF signal at a frequency that is out of range. A strong RF wave with the wrong frequency could then reach the treatment room. Since the

However, if a microwave trap on the door of the treatment room is usually only designed for an allowable frequency range, an unacceptable amount of RF energy could emanate from the device, so that the allowable limits for RF fields could be exceeded.

However, this case can be prevented according to the invention by using the knowledge that the direct current power consumption in the case of self-oscillation deviates noticeably from the direct current power consumption values which are due to the current

Operating parameters, such as in particular the amplitude and frequency of the HF signal, would have to be given. Such a deviation can be recognized as described and the HF generation can be stopped in this case.

The measurement of DC power consumption values can be based on the measurement of

DC consumption values and the assumption of known or less frequently or precisely measured DC voltage values.

Alternatively, the respective

The power of the forward running HF waves (P_FWD) can be determined. This means that an efficiency (EFF) can be determined for each path from the ratio of P_FWD to P_DC.

In this case, the Safety-uC can regularly determine the efficiency (EFF) for each path during operation and compare it with efficiency values that are based on the current

Operating parameters, such as P_DC in particular, would have to be given. If there are deviations between these values that are greater than predetermined limit values, the Safety-uC can also stop the HF generation.

In this way, the risk described above can also be avoided, since the efficiency in the case of self-oscillation also deviates noticeably from the efficiency values that should be given on the basis of the current operating parameters, such as in particular P_DC. Such a

Deviation can be recognized as described and the HF generation can also be stopped in this case.

The circuits on the HF couplers can be designed by means of filters in such a way that they are relatively effective or sensitive in the permissible HF range and relatively ineffective or insensitive in the impermissible HF range.

Alternatively, according to the invention, an HF frequency divider can be arranged, which divides down the frequency of a signal sample coupled out behind the HF power amplifiers.

In this case, the Safety-uC can regularly change the frequency of the divided

measure the signal and compare it to the frequency determined by the current RF

Signal generator set frequency should be given. In the event of deviations between these values that are greater than predetermined limit values, the Safety-uC can

stop generation.

The Safety-uC can also regularly measure the period of the divided signal during operation and compare it with the period that should be given based on the frequency currently set on the HF signal generator. If there are deviations between these values that are greater than predetermined limit values, the Safety-uC can also stop the HF generation.

The danger described above can also be avoided in this way, since the frequency or the period of the divided-down signal is also noticeably different in the case of self-oscillation

Frequency or period value deviates, which should be given based on the frequency currently set on the HF signal generator. Such a deviation can be detected as described and the HF generation can be stopped in this case.

Optionally, instead of or in addition to the frequency divider, a frequency-to-

Be arranged voltage converter.

Alternatively, according to the invention for monitoring the HF generation on the fly

Operation also includes an HF converter consisting of an HF synthesizer and an HF mixer for downmixing an HF signal coupled out behind the HF power amplifiers.

Be arranged signal sample on an intermediate frequency range (IF_Range). A

Sampling converter can allow the safety uC to sample and analyze the IF signal sample. The Safety uC can set the HF synthesizer to a relatively large frequency

Adjust the HF range so that the HF conversion of the signal sample into the (relatively small)

IF range from a relatively large HF range and thus a successive analysis of a relatively large HF range can be made possible.

The Safety-uC can now regularly analyze HF areas of the signal sample during operation and check them for criteria. For example, if a criterion is violated that

If the signal sample has a level in an HF range that is permissible for safe operation and is in an expected or plausible level range, the Safety-uC can stop the HF generation. If a criterion is met that the signal sample in a safe

Operation inadmissible HF range has a level above a threshold value, the

Safety-uC also stop the HF generation. In violation of the criterion that the

If the signal sample has a level below a threshold value in an HF range that is not permitted for safe operation, the Safety-uC will stop the HF generation.

The danger described above can also be avoided in this way, since a regular

Criteria can be checked as described above and the HF generation can be stopped if necessary.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. It shows

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive high-frequency

household appliance; and

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an inventive high-frequency

Heating module of the high-frequency household appliance according to a first

embodiment;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an inventive high-frequency

Heating module of the high-frequency household appliance according to a second

embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a high-frequency

Heating module of the high-frequency household appliance according to a third

embodiment; and

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a high-frequency

Heating module of the high-frequency household appliance according to a fourth

example.

A high-frequency household appliance 1 according to the invention is illustrated using the example of a high-frequency

Considered kitchen appliance 1, which, for example, a microwave oven 1, a

Microwave oven 1 or a Dialoggarer 1 can be. The high-frequency kitchen appliance 1 has an outer housing 10 which encloses and protects the components of the high-frequency kitchen appliance 1 from the outside. Inside the high-frequency kitchen appliance 1 is a

Treatment room 11 is provided, which is enclosed or formed by a wall 12 . Between the outer housing 10 and the wall 12 of the treatment chamber 11, a gap 13 is formed, which the electrical and electronic

Components of the high-frequency kitchen appliance 1 accommodates. The treatment room 11 can be opened by opening a closure element (not shown), for example in the form of a

Door or flap can be made accessible and closed.

A cooking process of the high-frequency kitchen appliance 1 can be carried out in the treatment chamber 11, which can also be referred to as the interior 11, the cooking chamber 11 or the cavity 11. For this purpose, when the closure element is open, a food as

Food to be cooked or as a good to be treated by a person as a user in the

Given treatment room 11 and the treatment room 11 then by closing the

Closure element are closed to the outside. The cooking process can be done solely by the energy of high-frequency electromagnetic waves such as in a

Microwave oven 1 or in addition to, for example, convection in a Dialoggarer 1 are carried out.

In any case, the high-frequency energy in the form of high-frequency electromagnetic waves is emitted by a high-frequency heating module 2 of the high-frequency

Küchengeräâts 1 generated, which is arranged in the intermediate space 13 substantially. The

The high-frequency heating module 2 has precisely one high-frequency signal generator 21 which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy for the treatment room 11 . The

High-frequency signal generator 21 is controlled by a control unit 20 as a functional

Microcontroller 20 operated. The high-frequency energy generated is distributed equally to a plurality of, for example four, high-frequency paths 23a-23d as high-frequency feeds 23a-23d and is emitted into the treatment room 11 via the high-frequency paths 23a-23d. Each of the four high-frequency paths 23a-23d has its own

Transition ANT in the form of an antenna ANT, which extends into the treatment room 11 and thus the respective proportion of high-frequency energy in the

Treatment room 11 can deliver or emit into it. This is done with the

Frequency at which the high-frequency energy was generated by the high-frequency signal generator 21. Thus, multiple high-frequency paths 23a-23d can be implemented with just a single high-frequency signal generator 21.

The four high-frequency paths 23a-23d are of identical design and each have different electrical or electronic components or components in the following order.

Assemblies that transfer the high-frequency energy between the high-frequency

Change signal generator 21 and the respective transition ANT to the treatment room 11 and/or have other properties.

Thus, each high-frequency path 23a-23d first has an attenuator PGA which is designed to change the amplitude of the high-frequency energy. A first bandpass filter BPF is then provided for each high-frequency path 23a-23d, which is designed to only let through a predetermined frequency range of the high-frequency energy. A phase shifter PHS follows, which is designed to change the phase of the high-frequency energy, followed by a second bandpass filter BPF, which is identical and therefore redundant to the first bandpass filter BPF.

Next, there is a two-stage amplification of the high-frequency energy, using first a high-frequency preamplifier PRE and then a high-frequency

Power amplifier HPA are used. This is followed by a high-frequency isolator ISO, which is designed to block a reverse high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy and thus the high-frequency power amplifier HPA and the other preceding electronic components or electronic

to protect assemblies.

A high-frequency coupler CPL is then provided, which is designed to measure a forward-running and/or a backward-running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy. Finally, there is a harmonics filter

HSF configured to block harmonics in a forward wave of high-frequency energy.

According to the first exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, each of the four high-frequency paths 23a-23d also has a voltage/current measuring circuit UIM as an example of a

Measuring circuit UIM, FDIV, ADC, which measures the voltage and current of the currently generated high-frequency energy after it has exited the high-frequency

Power amplifier HPA detected. The detected voltage and the detected current from the voltage / current measurement circuit UIM a security unit 22 in the form of a

Passed security microcontroller 22 of the high-frequency heating module 2, which from this determines a DC power consumption of the high-frequency power amplifier HPA.

The security unit 22 also receives the current DC power consumption of the

High-frequency signal generator 21 or the corresponding voltage and current values in order to determine the current DC power consumption of the high-frequency signal generator 21 therefrom. Now, the determined DC power consumption from the

Safety unit 22 evaluated for compliance with a predetermined limit, this predetermined limit the current

DC power consumption of the high-frequency signal generator 21 is.

If the safety unit 22 exceeds the predetermined

Limit value detected, this is evaluated as impermissible high-frequency energy and thus the high-frequency signal generator 21 is switched off to protect the environment of the high-frequency

To protect kitchen appliance 1 from the impermissible high-frequency energy.

According to the second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the one that is present in any case is used

High frequency coupler CPL of the high frequency paths 23a-23d used to measure the power of a forward high frequency wave of the output high frequency energy. The safety unit 22 is designed to determine a current direct current power consumption from the detected voltage and from the detected current, to determine an efficiency from the determined direct current power consumption and from the detected power of the forward-running high-frequency wave, and to determine the determined

Evaluate efficiency in terms of compliance with a predetermined limit, the predetermined limit on the current DC power consumption of

High-frequency signal generator 21 is based. This may allow an alternative implementation.

According to the third exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, a frequency divider FDIV is designed as a measuring circuit UIM, FDIV, ADC to detect the frequency of the high-frequency energy at the output of the high-frequency power amplifier HPA. The

Safety unit 22 is designed to receive the frequency from the frequency divider FDIV and to evaluate it with regard to compliance with a predetermined limit value, the predetermined limit value being based on the current frequency of the high-frequency signal generator 21 . This may allow an alternative implementation.

According to the fourth embodiment of Figure 5 is a scan converter ADC as

Measuring circuit UIM, FDIV, ADC designed to detect a high-frequency signal sample of the high-frequency energy of the high-frequency power amplifier HPA. The

Security unit 22 is designed to sample the high frequency signal from the scan converter

To obtain ADC and evaluate with regard to compliance with a predetermined criterion, the measuring circuit UIM, FDIV, ADC also a high-frequency

Synthesizer SYN and a high-frequency mixer MIX. This can be an alternative

enable implementation.

List of reference symbols (part of the description)

ADC sampling converter; Analog to digital converter

ANT transitions or antennas to the treatment room 11

BPF bandpass filter

CPL high frequency coupler

FDIV frequency divider

HPA high-frequency power amplifier; High power amplifiers

HSF harmonic filter; Harmony suppression filter

ISO High Frequency Isolator

MIX high frequency mixer

PGA (programmable) attenuator; programmable attenuator; Programmable

Gain Amplifier

PHS phase shifter

PRE high frequency preamp; Preamplifier

SYN High frequency synthesizer

UIM voltage/current measurement circuit 1 high-frequency home appliance; high-frequency kitchen appliance; microwave oven;

microwave oven; Dialog oven 10 outer housing 11 treatment room; Inner space; cooking chamber; cavity 12 wall of the interior 11 13 intermediate space 2 high-frequency heating module 20 control unit; functional microcontroller 21 high-frequency signal generator 22 safety unit; security microcontrollers 23a-23d first through fourth high-frequency paths; first to fourth high-frequency feed

Claims (17)

patent claims 1. High-frequency household appliance (1), preferably high-frequency kitchen appliance (1), with at least one treatment chamber (11) which is designed to accommodate goods to be treated with high-frequency energy, and with at least one high-frequency heating module (2) which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy and to deliver it into the treatment room (11), the high-frequency heating module (2) having at least: e at least one high-frequency signal generator (21), which is designed to generate the high-frequency energy, and at least a transition (ANT) to the treatment room (11) of a first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a transition (ANT) to the treatment room (11) of a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), which is designed to transfer high-frequency energy into to deliver the treatment room (11), characterized in that the high-frequency heating module (2), preferably at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), particularly preferably several H High-frequency paths (23a-23d), very particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a-23d), of the high-frequency heating module (2), further having at least: e at least one measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC), which is designed to record at least one parameter of the high-frequency energy, and e at least one safety unit (22), which is designed to receive the at least one recorded parameter from the measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) and to evaluate it with regard to compliance with at least one predetermined limit value, wherein the high-frequency heating module (2), preferably the safety unit (22), is designed to operate the high-frequency signal generator (21) depending on the evaluation of the parameter, preferably to switch off the high-frequency signal generator (21) when a predetermined limit value of the parameter is exceeded . 2. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined limit value is based on at least one current operating parameter, preferably on the amplitude and/or on the frequency of the high-frequency energy of the high-frequency heating module (2), preferably the high frequency -Signal generator (21) is based. 3. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) is designed as a voltage/current measuring circuit (UIM), the voltage and the current of the high-frequency energy, preferably a high-frequency power amplifier (HPA), and the safety unit (22) is designed to receive the detected voltage and the detected current from the voltage/current measurement circuit (UIM), to determine a direct current power consumption therefrom and the determined direct current power consumption evaluate with regard to compliance with a predetermined limit value, the predetermined limit value preferably being based on the current direct current power consumption of the high-frequency signal generator (21). 4. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) is designed as a voltage/current measuring circuit (UIM), the voltage and the current of the high-frequency energy of a high-frequency -To detect power amplifier (HPA), at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a-23d), further at least one high-frequency coupler (CPL) configured to measure the power of a forward radio frequency wave of the emitted radio frequency energy, and the safety unit (22) configured to read the detected voltage and current from the voltage/current measurement circuit (UIM) to determine a DC power consumption therefrom, from the determined DC power consumption and the detected power of the forward To determine high-frequency wave efficiency and to evaluate the determined efficiency with regard to compliance with a predetermined limit value, the predetermined limit value preferably being based on the current DC power consumption of the high-frequency signal generator (21). 5. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) is designed as a frequency divider (FDIV), the frequency of the high-frequency energy, preferably a high-frequency power amplifier (HPA), and the safety unit (22) is designed to receive the frequency from the frequency divider (FDIV) and evaluate it with regard to compliance with a predetermined limit value, the predetermined limit value preferably being based on the current frequency of the high-frequency signal generator (21). 6. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring circuit (UIM, FDIV, ADC) is designed as a sampling converter (ADC), a high-frequency signal sample of the high-frequency energy, preferably a high-frequency power amplifier (HPA ), and the safety unit (22) is designed to receive the high-frequency signal sample from the scanning converter (ADC) and to evaluate it with regard to compliance with at least one predetermined criterion, preferably with regard to compliance with a plurality of predetermined criteria, the measuring circuit (UIM , FDIV, ADC) preferably has a high-frequency synthesizer (SYN) and a high-frequency mixer (MIX). 7. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably several high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a-23d ), also has: e has at least one first bandpass filter (BPF) which is designed to only let through a predetermined frequency range of the high-frequency energy. 8. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably several high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a-23d), further comprises at least one second bandpass filter (BPF), which is redundant to the first bandpass filter (BPF), wherein the second bandpass filter (BPF) is preferably arranged behind, particularly preferably immediately behind, a phase shifter (PHS). 9. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a- 23d), furthermore has: e at least one high-frequency power amplifier (HPA), preferably also at least one high-frequency preamplifier (PRE), which is designed to amplify the high-frequency energy. 10. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a- 23d), further comprises: e at least one radio-frequency coupler (CPL), which is designed to measure a forward-running and/or a backward-running radio-frequency wave of the emitted radio-frequency energy, preferably between the radio-frequency coupler (CPL) and the transition (ANT) no amplifier (HPA, PRE) is arranged. 11. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a- 23d), furthermore has: e at least one attenuator (PGA), which is designed to change the amplitude of the high-frequency energy. 12. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a- 23d), further comprises: e at least one phase shifter (PHS), which is designed to change the phase of the high-frequency energy. 13. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a- 23d), further comprises: e at least one high-frequency isolator (ISO), which is designed to block a backward-running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy, with preferably no amplifier between the high-frequency isolator (ISO) and the transition (ANT). (HPA, PRE) is arranged. 14. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a- 23d), furthermore has: e at least one harmonic filter (HSF), which is designed to block harmonics in a forward wave of the high-frequency energy, with no amplifier (HPA, PRE) preferably being arranged between the harmonic filter (HSF) and the transition (ANT). . 15. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the high-frequency heating module (2) has at least one control unit (20) which is designed to transmit measurement data of a forward-running and/or a backward-running high-frequency wave of the to obtain emitted high-frequency energy, preferably from a high-frequency coupler (CPL), and to determine at least one amplitude and/or phase of a forward running and/or a backward running high-frequency wave of the emitted high-frequency energy from the measurement data obtained. 16. High-frequency household appliance (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the control unit (20) is also designed to have at least the high-frequency signal generator (21), preferably also at least one attenuator (PGA) and/or a phase shifter (PHS) to operate at least one high-frequency path (23a-23d), preferably a plurality of high-frequency paths (23a-23d), particularly preferably all high-frequency paths (23a-23d), depending on the determined amplitude and/or the determined phase, preferably the Changing the frequency of the high-frequency energy. 17. High-frequency heating module (2) for use in a high-frequency household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.