CN111380268B

CN111380268B - Heating device and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN111380268B
Application number: CN201811621339.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 仲伟; S·温奈; 徐利嘉
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd; BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd; BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2023-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-28
Also published as: CN116734535A; CN111380268A

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a heating device. The heating device includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving a load. The radiating member is configured to apply RF energy into the chamber to heat the load. The chamber has a load-bearing portion for bearing a load. The chamber has an air passage therein below or within the carrier. The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet, and air entering the chamber from outside the housing via the air inlet flows through the air passage and then flows out of the air outlet.

Description

Heating device and refrigerator

[ technical field ]

The embodiment of the invention relates to a heating device and a refrigerator with the same.

[ background Art ]

Conventional household microwave ovens typically use magnetrons to generate Radio Frequency (RF) radiation by radiating RF energy into a chamber where objects located therein are heated.

In recent years, devices that generate RF radiation using solid-state semiconductor components have been proposed, and RF energy is radiated into a chamber through an antenna to heat an object located in the chamber.

[ summary of the invention ]

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an improved heating device and a refrigerator having the same.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to a heating device, including: a housing having a chamber therein for receiving a load; a radiating member configured to apply RF energy into the chamber to heat the load; a bearing part positioned in the chamber and used for bearing the load; and an air channel located within the chamber and below or within the carrier; wherein the housing has an air inlet and an air outlet, and air entering the chamber from outside the housing through the air inlet flows through the air passage and then flows out of the air outlet.

In one or some embodiments, the air passage is formed with a gap between the carrier and a lower wall of the housing.

In one or some embodiments, the carrier portion includes a base plate and a storage portion with a gap therebetween to form the air channel.

In one or some embodiments, the front end of the housing includes an access opening, and the carrier portion has a first through hole communicating the chamber and the air passage at a front portion near the access opening.

In one or some embodiments, the housing includes an outer housing and an inner housing at least partially within the outer housing, the inner housing being transparent to radio frequency electromagnetic waves, the air passage being located between the carrier and the inner housing.

In one or some embodiments, the rear end of the lower wall of the inner case has a second through hole connecting the rear end of the air passage.

In one or some embodiments, the air outlet is located at a rear of the housing and/or the air inlet is located at a rear of the housing.

In one or some embodiments, an RF signal source, a power supply, and an impedance matching unit are included, the housing having a mounting cavity separate from the chamber, at least one of the RF signal source, the power supply, and the impedance matching unit being located within the mounting cavity, the air entering the chamber via the mounting cavity.

In one or some embodiments, at least one wall of the mounting cavity has the air inlet.

In one or some embodiments, a fan is included within the mounting cavity, with an air outlet/inlet of the fan in communication with the chamber.

In one or some embodiments, the fan is mounted to the mounting cavity adjacent a partition of the chamber.

In one or some embodiments, the mounting cavity is located rearward of the chamber.

In one or some embodiments, the mounting cavity comprises a bottom wall, a front wall facing the chamber and a rear wall opposite the front wall, the rear wall and/or rear wall having at least one of the air inlets.

Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to a heating apparatus, including: a housing having a chamber therein for receiving a load and a mounting cavity located behind the chamber, the mounting cavity and the receiving cavity being in fluid communication; a radiating member configured to apply RF energy to the chamber to heat the load; the shell is provided with an air inlet communicated with the mounting cavity and the outside of the shell; and a fan located within the mounting cavity to direct air into the chamber from outside the housing via the air inlet.

In one or some embodiments, an impedance matching unit is included, the impedance matching unit being located within the mounting cavity.

In yet another aspect, a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having a chamber therein for receiving a load and a mounting cavity located behind the chamber; a radiating member configured to apply RF energy into the chamber to heat the load; and an impedance matching unit located within the mounting cavity; the mounting cavity is in fluid communication with the housing exterior and with the receiving cavity to flow air from the housing exterior into the chamber via the mounting cavity.

In yet another aspect, a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having a chamber therein for receiving a load, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet; a radiation member; and a controller to selectively place the chamber in a heating mode and a cooling mode, wherein in the heating mode the radiating member applies RF energy into the chamber to heat the load; in the cooling mode, the radiation member is not operated, and air cooled by the cold source flows out of the air outlet after entering the chamber from the air inlet to cool the load.

In one or some embodiments, a carrier is included within the chamber to carry the load; and an air passage located in the chamber and below or in the carrier, air entering the chamber exiting the chamber after flowing through the air passage.

In one or some embodiments, the radiating member is disposed along an upper wall and/or a lower wall of the chamber.

A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a heating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of operating a refrigerator including a heating device selectively operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode; the method comprises the following steps: in a heating mode, applying RF energy to a chamber of the heating device to heat a load located within the chamber; in the cooling mode, cooled cold air is input to the chamber to cool a load located within the chamber.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for operating a heating device, including: in the heating mode, the RF signal source supplies RF signals to a radiating member to apply RF energy into a chamber to heat a load located within the chamber; and inputting cooled air into the chamber.

In one or some embodiments, operating a fan is included to force cooled air into the chamber.

In one or some embodiments, in a cooling mode, a fan is operated to input cooled air into the chamber, and the RF signal source is deactivated.

In one or some embodiments, the output power of the fan in the cooling mode is greater than the output power of the fan in the heating mode.

[ description of the drawings ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a heating device according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic simplified block diagram of a heating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a working method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a working method of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator 100 includes a thermally insulated cabinet 101. The case 101 has a storage chamber 102, and the storage chamber 102 has a front opening. The storage chamber 102 may be closed by a door (not shown).

The refrigerator 100 may include a compression type refrigerating system including a compressor 106, an evaporator 107, and a condenser (not shown), and refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator 107 to cool the storage chamber 102.

The refrigerator 100 may include a cool air duct 108 physically separated from the storage compartment 102. The air cooled by the evaporator 107 is sent into the storage chamber 102 via the cool air duct 108. The refrigerator 100 may include an evaporator fan 109 located in the cool air passage 108 to forcibly feed cool air into the storage compartment 102 to form a forced circulation between the storage compartment 2 and the cool air passage 2.

In some embodiments, the evaporator 107 may be located within the cool air passage 108. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the evaporator 107 may also be located outside the cool air passage 108, for example, the evaporator 107 may be located within an insulating layer and against the inner bladder of the cabinet 101 to cool the inner bladder of the cabinet, thereby cooling the air located within the cool air passage 107.

In alternative embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may not include a cool air passage within the storage compartment 102. For example, the storage chamber 102 may be cooled directly by an evaporator located inside the storage chamber 102 or cooled by an evaporator located outside the storage chamber 102. A fan for agitating air to uniformly distribute the temperature may be provided in the storage chamber 102.

The refrigerator 100 includes a heating device 1 located in a storage chamber 102. The heating device 1 is used to increase the temperature of a load, such as a food or other load. In various embodiments, the heating operation may be performed on a load having any initial temperature to increase the thermal energy or temperature of the load. For example, in some embodiments, the heating device 1 is adapted to increase the temperature of a load having an initial temperature below 0 degrees celsius to a temperature above or below 0 degrees celsius. In other embodiments, the heating device 1 may be adapted to raise the temperature of the load with an initial temperature above 0 degrees celsius to a predetermined temperature or a desired higher temperature.

The heating device 1 is adapted to apply Radio Frequency (RF) power to a load to increase the thermal energy or temperature of the load. Fig. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a heating device according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic simplified block diagram of a heating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the heating apparatus 1 includes a chamber 2, a Radio Frequency (RF) signal source 3, and a radiation member 4. The RF signal source 3 supplies RF signals to the radiating member 4, which radiating member 4 responsively radiates electromagnetic energy into the chamber 2 to increase thermal energy of the load 200 (shown schematically in fig. 2).

The heating device 1 comprises a housing 20, the housing 20 having a chamber 2 therein. The housing 20 may include an outer housing 21 and an inner housing 22 at least partially within the outer housing 21. The outer housing 21 is configured to be adapted to shield RF radiation. The outer housing 21 may comprise metal. The inner housing 22 is at least partially transparent to RF radiation.

The RF signal source 3 is coupled to a controller 8. The heating device 1 may comprise a user interface 9 coupled to the controller 8. In an embodiment, the user interface 9 may be coupled to the housing 20 independent of the overall user interface of the refrigerator 100. In some alternative embodiments, the user interface 9 may be integrated with the overall user interface of the refrigerator 100 and/or may receive user input through a remote terminal.

When the heating operation is started, the user may provide an input through the user interface 9. The controller 8 causes the RF signal source 3 to supply RF signals to the radiating member 4, and the radiating member 4 responsively radiates electromagnetic energy into the chamber 2 to increase thermal energy of the load 200.

The RF signal source 3 comprises an RF signal generator. The RF signal generator is arranged to generate oscillating signals of different power levels and/or different frequencies. For example, the RF signal generator may generate signals oscillating in the range of about 3.0Mhz to about 300MHz, such as radio frequency signals at 13.56MHz (+/-5%), 27.15MHz (+/-5%), and 40.66MHz (+/-5%). In one embodiment, RF signal generator 31 may generate a signal that oscillates in the range of about 40.66MHz to 40.70 MHz. In an alternative embodiment, the RF signal generator generates a radio frequency signal at a 433MHz (+/-5%) frequency.

The RF signal source 3 may comprise a power amplifier. The power amplifier is configured to receive the RF signal from the RF signal generator and amplify the signal to produce a higher power signal at the output of the power amplifier.

The heating device 1 comprises an electric power supply 12 coupled to the controller 8. The power supply 12 supplies power to the RF signal source 3 according to a signal of the controller 8.

The heating device 1 comprises an impedance matching unit 7 and a power detection circuit 6 coupled to a controller 8. The controller 8 is coupled to the RF signal source 3, the power detection circuit 6 and the impedance matching unit 7. The radiating member 4 is coupled to the RF signal source 3 via an impedance matching unit 7 and

transmission paths

10, 11.

During heating, the impedance of the load 200 changes as the thermal energy of the load 200 increases. The impedance changes the RF energy absorption of load 200, thereby changing the reflected power value. The power detection circuit 6 measures the power of the forward signal (from the RF signal source to the radiating member 4) and the reflected signal (from the radiating member 4 to the RF signal source) along the transmission path 10 or the transmission path 11 between the RF signal source 3 and the radiating member 4. The controller 8 may detect completion of the heating operation based on the detection value of the power detection circuit 6 or enhance the absorption of RF power by the load 200 by changing the state of the impedance matching unit 7. For example, the impedance matching unit is used to match the input impedance of the chamber 2 and the load 200 to maximize the RF power transmitted to the load 200 as much as possible. The impedance matching unit 7 may comprise a network of passive components such as inductors, capacitors or resistors.

As shown in fig. 2, the radiation member 4 includes a first parallel plate electrode 41 and a second parallel plate electrode 42 to form a parallel plate capacitor. The first parallel plate electrode 41 and the second parallel plate electrode 42 may be located between the inner housing 22 and the outer housing 21 and outside the chamber 2. The first parallel plate electrode 41 may be located above the chamber 2. The second parallel plate electrode 42 may be located below the chamber 2. The upper and lower walls of the inner housing 22 are at least partially radio frequency radiation transparent.

The housing 20 may have an access opening 23 that is open to the storage compartment 102, the access opening 23 being closable by a door 24. The door 24 is configured to prevent radio frequency radiation from penetrating out of the chamber 2.

The housing 20 has a mounting cavity 25 therein for accommodating at least part of the components of at least one of the RF signal source 3, the impedance matching unit 7, the power detection circuit 6, and the controller 8. In an embodiment, the network matching unit 7 is located at least partially within the mounting cavity 25.

Components of the RF signal source 3 and the power supply 12, etc., not shown in fig. 2, may be located within the housing 20 to allow the heating apparatus 1 to be used, for example, as a stand-alone unit. In embodiments where the heating apparatus 1 is mounted within the refrigerator 100, some components of the RF heating system, such as the RF signal source 3 and/or the power supply 12, may be mounted independently of the housing 20, e.g., the RF signal source 3 and/or the power supply 12 may be located outside of the storage compartment 102.

The mounting cavity 25 and the chamber 2 may be arranged adjacently. For example, the mounting cavities 25 may be disposed adjacent to the chamber 2 from side to side, front to back, or up to down.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the mounting cavity 25 is located behind the chamber 2. The mounting cavity 25 comprises a bottom wall 250, a top wall 253, a front wall 251 facing the chamber 2, a rear wall 252 opposite the front wall 251.

The heating device 1 may comprise a carrier 5 within the chamber 2 for carrying the load 200. The carrier 5 may be coupled to the door 24 so as to be movable with the door 24.

In an embodiment, the carrier 5 may be configured as a drawer together with the door 24.

The carrier 5 may be at least partially made of glass, for example, the portion where the load 200 is placed is made of glass. This is not only more conducive to heat conduction, but the glass also does not affect the electromagnetic waves within the chamber 2.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the carrying portion 5 includes a plastic base plate 51 coupled to the door 24 and a storage portion 52 located above the base plate 51. The placement 52 may be made of glass.

The housing 20 has an air inlet 210 and an air outlet 212. Air outside the housing 20 may enter the chamber 2 via the air inlet 210. Air within the chamber 2 may be exhausted outside the housing 20 via the air outlet 212. The heating device 1 may comprise a fan 28 to force air into the chamber 2.

The air inlet 210 may be located at the rear of the housing 20. In an embodiment, outside air may enter the chamber 2 via the mounting cavity 25. At least one wall of the mounting cavity 25 may have an air inlet 210. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the bottom wall 250, the top wall 253, and the rear wall 252 has at least one air inlet 210.

Air entering the mounting cavity 25 may enter the chamber 2 through a partition (the partition is the front wall 251 in the embodiment shown in fig. 2) that separates the mounting cavity 25 from the chamber 2.

A fan 28 may be mounted within the cavity 25. The outlet/inlet of the fan 28 communicates with the chamber 2.

An air passage 214 is provided in the chamber 2 below the carrier 5. Air entering chamber 2 flows through air passageway 214 and exits chamber 2.

The air passage 214 may be located between the carrier 5 and the inner housing 22. For example, the air passage 214 is formed with a gap between the bearing 5 and the lower wall 220 of the inner case 22.

The carrier 5 has a first through hole 216 communicating with the air passage 214. At least one first through hole 216 is located in front of the placement portion 52.

The first through holes 216 may be plural. The more forward the first through hole 216 may be larger in size.

The lower wall X of the inner case 22 has a second through hole 218 in a rear region thereof, and the second through hole 218 is connected to the rear end of the air passage 214.

The air outlet 212 is located at the rear of the outer housing 21. Air flowing from the air passage 214 may be discharged from the air outlet 212 to the outside of the housing 20.

Since the housing 20 is perforated with holes through which air passes, the housing 20 may include a partition 29 between the inner housing 22 and the outer housing 21 to separate the air from the radiation member 4.

The air inlet 210 and/or the air outlet 212 may remain open. The dimensions of the air inlet 210 and the air outlet 212 may be configured to prevent electromagnetic waves from leaking from the air inlet 210 and the air outlet 212. For example, the air inlet 210 and the air outlet 212 may be sized to be less than one half of the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave radiated into the chamber 2 by the radiation member 4. The maximum diameter of either air inlet 210 and air outlet 212 may be less than 1 cm.

The cooled air may enter the chamber 2 through an air inlet 210 to cool a load 200, such as food, located within the chamber 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating device 1A according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in fig. 2 mainly in the configuration of the housing, the carrier configuration, and the arrangement of the radiation elements. The controller, RF signal source, power supply, power detector, etc. may be as shown with reference to fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 4, the housing 420 has a chamber 442 therein. The housing 420 may include an outer housing 421 and an inner housing 422 at least partially within the outer housing 421. The outer housing 421 is configured to be adapted to shield RF radiation. At least a portion of the inner housing 422 is transparent to RF radiation.

The rear of the cavity 442 has a mounting cavity 425. An impedance matching unit 47 is provided in the mounting cavity 425.

The mounting cavity 25 includes a bottom wall 4250, a top wall 4253, a front wall 4251 facing the cavity 442, and a rear wall 4252 opposite the front wall 4251.

The carrying portion 45 for carrying the load 200 may be substantially plate-shaped and coupled to the door 424 so as to be movable with the door 424.

The housing 420 has an air inlet 4210 and an air outlet 4212. Air outside of the housing 420 may enter the chamber 442 via the air inlet 4210. Air within the chamber 442 may be exhausted outside the housing 420 via the air outlet 4212. The heating device 1A may include a fan 428 to force air into the chamber 442.

The air inlet 4210 may be located at the rear of the housing 420. In an embodiment, outside air may enter the chamber 442 via the mounting cavity 425. At least one wall of the mounting cavity 425 may have an air inlet 4210. In particular embodiments, at least one of the bottom wall 4250, the top wall 4253, and the rear wall 4252 may have at least one air inlet 4210. The impedance matching unit 47 and the air inlet 4210 may be staggered.

Air entering the mounting cavity 425 may enter the cavity 442 through a partition separating the mounting cavity 425 and the cavity 442.

A fan 428 may be mounted within the cavity 425. The air outlet/inlet of the fan 428 communicates with the chamber 442.

An air passage 4214 is provided in the chamber 442 below the carrier 45. Air entering the chamber 442 flows through the air passage 4214 and exits the chamber 442.

The air passage 4214 may be located between the bearing 45 and the inner housing 422. For example, the carrier 45 and the lower wall 4220 of the inner housing 422 have a gap therebetween to form an air passage 4214.

The carrier 45 has a first through hole 4216 communicating with the air passage 4214. At least one first through hole 4216 is located at the front of the carrier 45.

As shown in fig. 4, the radiation member 44 includes a first electrode plate between the inner case 422 and the outer case 421. The outer case 421 is grounded. The RF signal source supplies RF signals to the first electrode plate 44 to apply RF energy to a load located within the chamber 442.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating apparatus 1B according to still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in fig. 2 mainly in the arrangement of the construction of the housing, the construction of the carrier part, etc. The controller, RF signal source, power supply, power detector, etc. may be as shown with reference to fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 5, the housing 520 has a chamber 52 therein, and the RF radiating member is adapted to apply RF energy into the chamber 52 to heat a load 200 located within the chamber 2.

The housing 520 has an air inlet 5210 and an air outlet 5212. Air outside the housing 520 may enter the chamber 52 via the air inlet 5210. Air within the chamber 52 may be exhausted out of the housing 520 via the air outlet 5212. The heating means may comprise a fan 528 to force air into the chamber 52.

The heating device 1B includes a carrying portion 55 for carrying the load 200. The carrier 55 has an air passage 4214 therein.

In an embodiment, the carrying portion 55 includes a substrate 551 and a placement portion 552 located above the substrate 551. An air passage 5214 communicating with the chamber 52 is formed with a gap between the storage portion 552 and the substrate 551.

External air may enter the chamber 52 via the mounting cavity 525. In an embodiment, external air enters the mounting chamber 525 through the air inlet 5210 of the outer housing 521, passes through the partition 5251 between the mounting chamber 525 and the chamber 52, and enters the chamber 52. After the outside air flows over the load 200, it enters the air passage 5214 located under the storage portion 552 through the first through hole 5216 of the storage portion 55. The external air flows through the lower surface of the storage part 552, contributing to an increase in the influence of the external air on the load 200. The air leaves the air passage 5214 through the second through-hole 5218 provided in the carrier portion 55, returns to the mounting chamber 525 through the third through-hole 5219 of the partition wall 5251, and is discharged out of the housing 520 through the bottom wall or the side wall of the outer housing 521. A partition 556 may be provided within the mounting cavity 525 to separate the flow of intake air toward the chamber 52 from the flow of exhaust air toward the air outlet 5212.

In the above embodiment, by flowing the air flowing into the chamber from outside the housing through the air passage, it is advantageous to increase the influence of the outside air on the load. The load may be influenced, for example, from below the load near the bottom wall of the chamber. For example, when outside air is conditioned (e.g., cooled) air into the chamber, it is possible for the outside air to simultaneously affect the load from above and below the load. For example, it is possible to cool the load by inputting cool air from outside the housing to the chamber, and further, it is possible to increase the function (e.g., cooling function) of the heating device.

In addition, if cooled outside air is inputted into the chamber during the process of heating the load by the heating means and the outside air is caused to flow through the outer surface of the load or through the bearing portion in contact with the outer surface of the load to lower the surface temperature of the load, it is also possible that the inside and the outer surface of the load have more uniform temperatures.

For example, in some embodiments, the heating device 1,1a,1b may be selectively operated in a heating mode or a cooling mode. For brevity, the operation of the heating device 1 will be described below by taking the heating device as an example. It will be appreciated that the heating devices 1A and 1B may also operate in the same or similar manner.

The user can input operations through the user interface 9. Based on the operation received by the interface 9, the controller 8 determines the operation mode of the heating device 1.

In the heating mode, the radiating member 4 applies RF energy to the chamber 2 to provide the temperature of the load 200 located within the chamber 2. In a particular embodiment, the controller 8 causes the RF signal source 3 to supply RF signals to the radiating member 4, and the radiating member 4 responsively radiates electromagnetic energy into the chamber 2 to increase the thermal energy of the load 200.

In some embodiments, the radiating member 4 is configured to raise the load 200 located within the chamber 2 from an initial temperature below zero to a freezing temperature above or near zero and suitable for user incision. For example, the user puts the frozen load 200 into the chamber 2 and heats it to a preset temperature to defrost the load 200. As a specific example, RF energy applied to chamber 2 may heat load 200 at-18 to-16 degrees celsius to-3 to-1 degrees celsius.

In the cooling mode, cool air is forced into the chamber 20 from outside the housing 20 and then flows out of the chamber 2. When the chamber 2 is operated in the cooling mode, the temperature of the load 200 located within the chamber 20 may be rapidly reduced. In the cooling mode, the RF signal source 3 is not operated. Therefore, the heating device 1 can be used not only to raise the temperature of the load but also to rapidly cool the load in the cooling mode, and can be used as a rapid cooling device.

In the cooling mode, the load 200 may be rapidly reduced from an initial temperature above or below zero to a temperature above or below zero. For example, the load 200 may be reduced from an initial temperature above zero to a temperature below zero.

In an embodiment, the fan 28 may be activated to increase the cooling rate of the load 200. When the fan 28 is operated, cooled air may be forcibly introduced into the chamber 2 from within the storage compartment 102 or the cool air passage 108 to rapidly reduce the temperature of the load 200.

In an embodiment, cold air may enter the chamber 2 through the mounting cavity 25 via the air inlet 210. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the cold air may not pass through the mounting chamber 25, for example the cold air may enter the chamber 2 from above or below the housing 20.

In an embodiment, cold air may enter the chamber 2 from the rear of the chamber 2 and flow forward and over the storage portion 52. The cool air flows backward from the first through hole 216 into the air passage 214 located under the carrier 5. In other embodiments, the cool air flows rearward from the first through hole into the air passage in the carrier (as in the embodiment shown in fig. 5). In this way, the cool air cools the load 200 with higher intensity, thereby facilitating rapid cooling of the load 200.

Air exiting from the rear of the cold air path 214 may be discharged outside the case 20 from the air outlet 212.

A temperature sensor may be provided in the chamber 2 to detect the temperature of the load 200 or the temperature in the chamber 2. When the load 200 temperature or the chamber temperature reaches a preset temperature, the fan 28 stops operating.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. For brevity, the operation of the heating device 1 will be described below by taking the heating device as an example. It will be appreciated that the following method is equally applicable to the heating devices 1A and 1B.

The refrigerator 100 includes a heating device 1, and the heating device 1 is selectively operated in a heating mode and a cooling mode.

As shown in fig. 6, in step S1, the controller receives an input of a user. This may receive user input through the user interface 9.

In step S2, the operation mode of the heating device 1 is determined according to the input of the user. Specifically, it is determined whether the heating apparatus 1 is operated in the heating mode or the cooling mode.

When it is determined that the user selects the heating mode, the controller 8 causes the RF signal source 3 to supply the RF signal to the radiation member 4, and the radiation member 4 radiates electromagnetic energy into the chamber 2 to increase the thermal energy of the load 200 in step S41.

When it is determined in step S42 that the heating is completed, the controller 8 stops the operation of the RF signal source 3. Upon confirming whether the heating is completed, the controller 8 may determine whether to stop applying RF energy to the chamber 2 based on feedback from the power detection circuit 6. In some alternative embodiments, the controller 8 may also determine whether to cease applying RF energy to the chamber 2 based on a temperature sensor located within the chamber 2.

When it is determined that the user selects the cooling mode, cool air cooled by the cooling source is forcibly inputted into the chamber 2 to cool the load 200, such as food, located in the chamber 2 in step S31. The cool air may come from the evaporator compartment, cool air duct 108, or storage compartment 102.

In the cooling mode, cool air may flow through the mounting cavity 25 to house at least one of the RF signal source 3, the impedance matching unit 7, the power detection circuit 6, and the controller 8 into the chamber 2.

In the cooling mode, the fan 28 is activated to force cool air into the chamber 2. The fan 28 may be located within the housing 20. It will be readily appreciated that in other embodiments, the present embodiment method is also applicable to embodiments in which the fan 28 is located outside the housing 20, so long as the fan can forcibly input air into the chamber 2. The fan 28 may be operated continuously or intermittently.

Cool air may enter the chamber 2 from the rear of the chamber 2 and flow forward to flow over the storage part 52. The cool air flows backward from the first through hole 216 into the air passage 214 located under the carrier 5. In other embodiments, the cool air flows rearward from the first through holes 5216 into the air passages 5214 located within the carrier portion 55 (as shown in fig. 5). In this way, the cool air cools the load 200 with higher intensity, thereby facilitating rapid cooling of the load 200.

When it is determined in step S32 that the cooling operation is completed, the fan 28 stops operating. Whether the cooling operation is completed may be determined by detecting the temperature of the load 200 or the chamber.

Fig. 7 is a method for a refrigeration appliance according to another embodiment of the invention. For brevity, the operation of the heating device 1 will be described below by taking the heating device as an example. It will be appreciated that the following method is equally applicable to the heating devices 1A and 1B.

As shown in fig. 7, in step S61, the controller receives an input of a user. This may receive user input through the user interface 9.

In step S62, the operation mode of the heating apparatus 1 is determined according to the input of the user. Specifically, it is determined whether the heating apparatus 1 is operated in the heating mode or the cooling mode.

When it is determined in step S62 that the user selects the heating mode, the controller 8 causes the RF signal source 3 to supply the RF signal to the radiation member 4, and the radiation member 4 radiates electromagnetic energy into the chamber 2 to increase the thermal energy of the load 200 in step S641. In order to more uniformly heat the surface and the inside of the load 200, cool air may be introduced into the chamber 2 in the heating mode to lower the temperature of the surface of the load 200. Cool air may be forcibly inputted into the chamber 2 by a fan 28 located outside the housing 20 or inside the housing 20.

The application of RF energy to the chamber 2 and the input of cool air to the chamber 2 may be performed simultaneously for part of the time or at least staggered in time. In some embodiments, cool air may be input into the chamber 2 before RF energy is applied to the chamber 2 to lower the surface temperature of the load 200 than the internal temperature.

In the heating mode, the fan 28 operates at a first output power. The fan 28 may be operated intermittently.

When it is determined in step S642 that the heating is completed, the controller 8 stops the operation of the RF signal source 3. Upon confirming whether the heating is completed, the controller 8 may determine whether to stop applying RF energy to the chamber 2 based on feedback from the power detection circuit 6. In some alternative embodiments, the controller 8 may also determine whether to cease applying RF energy to the chamber 2 based on a temperature sensor located within the chamber 2.

Cooling the surface temperature of the load by feeding cool air into the chamber 2 during the heating mode is advantageous in that the internal and external temperatures are more balanced during the completion of the heating process of the load. This advantage is even more pronounced when the heating mode is used to defrost a load.

When it is determined in step S62 that the user selects the cooling mode, cool air cooled by the heat sink is forcibly input into the chamber 2 to cool the load 200, such as food, located in the chamber 2 in step S631. The cool air may come from the evaporator compartment, cool air duct 108, or storage compartment 102. The RF signal source 3 is not in operation at this time.

In the cooling mode, the fan 28 operates at a second output power. The second output power is greater than the first output power.

In the cooling mode, cool air may flow through the mounting cavity 25 to house at least one of the RF signal source 3, the impedance matching unit 7, the power detection circuit 6, and the controller 8 into the chamber 2. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, cool air may not enter the chamber via the mounting cavity. For example, cool air may enter the chamber from a top, side or bottom wall of the chamber.

When it is determined in step S632 that the cooling operation is completed, the fan 28 stops operating. Whether the cooling operation is completed may be determined by detecting the temperature of the load 200 or the chamber.

The various embodiments described in connection with fig. 1-7 may be combined with each other in any given manner to achieve the advantages of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, and means other than those shown may be used in general as long as the same effects can be achieved.

Claims

1. A heating device, comprising:

a housing having a chamber therein for receiving a load and a mounting cavity located behind the chamber, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet;

a radiating member configured to apply RF energy into the chamber to heat the load and outside the mounting chamber;

an impedance matching unit coupled to the radiating member;

the fan is positioned in the mounting cavity;

and

A controller to selectively place the chamber in a heating mode and a cooling mode, wherein in the heating mode, the radiating member applies RF energy into the chamber to heat the load and the fan operates at a first output power to force air into the chamber through the air inlet into the mounting chamber and out of the housing through the air outlet; in the cooling mode, the radiating member is not operated, and the fan is operated at a second output power to force air cooled by the cold source to enter the chamber from the air inlet after entering the mounting chamber, and to flow out through the air outlet to cool the load.

2. The heating device of claim 1, comprising a carrier positioned within the chamber for carrying the load; and an air passage located in the chamber and below or in the carrier, air entering the chamber exiting the chamber after flowing through the air passage.

3. A heating device according to claim 1, wherein the radiating element is arranged along the upper and/or lower wall of the chamber.

4. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the mounting cavity includes a front wall facing the chamber and a rear wall opposite the front wall, the rear wall having the air inlet.

5. The heating device of claim 4, wherein the impedance matching unit is located within the mounting cavity closer to the rear wall than the fan.

6. A refrigerator comprising a heating apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.