Multi-purpose microwave oven and method for using same

By integrating a spray assembly, a microwave assembly, and a monitoring module, this multi-purpose microwave oven, combined with intelligent analysis technology, achieves both heating and sterilization functions, solving the problem of limited functionality in existing microwave ovens and enabling energy-saving and environmentally friendly multi-functional use.

WO2026044761A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-03-05CAO QINGHENG
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2024/116158
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-31
Publication Date
2026-03-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing microwave ovens have limited functionality, cannot simultaneously achieve efficient heating and sterilization, consume a lot of energy, and lack intelligent analysis and monitoring technology support.

Method used

Design a multi-purpose microwave oven that integrates a spray assembly, a microwave assembly, a control module, and a monitoring module. Through intelligent analysis and monitoring technology, it can automatically determine the heating or disinfection method, spray water volume, and microwave intensity based on the type, material, shape, size, and contamination level of the items, thereby achieving heating and disinfection functions. It also includes a robotic arm and a pressure relief valve to ensure safety.

Benefits of technology

It enables microwave ovens to be used in multiple ways, automatically analyzes and determines the heating or sterilization method, saves raw materials, is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, and has safety protection measures.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A multi-purpose microwave oven and a method for using same. The multi-purpose microwave oven comprises a cabinet body (10), a control module (20), a spray assembly (30) and a microwave assembly (40). The method for using the multi-purpose microwave oven comprises: placing an item into the multi-purpose microwave oven, and acquiring information about the placed item; performing analysis to determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or disinfection; performing analysis to obtain the amount of water required for spraying and / or the microwave heating time and intensity; and on the basis of an analysis result, controlling the multi-purpose microwave oven to perform microwave heating or disinfection on the item.
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Description

A multi-purpose microwave oven and its usage method Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of home appliance technology, and in particular to a multi-purpose microwave oven and its method of use. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of society and the economy, microwave ovens, as a common household appliance, are becoming increasingly widespread. Using a microwave oven to heat food is both convenient and time-saving. Similarly, in addition to heating, microwaves can also be used for sterilization, such as disinfecting washed tableware. Both of these functions are essential to people.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a multi-purpose microwave oven and its usage method that can perform both heating and sterilization functions, enriching the functionality of microwave ovens. By utilizing intelligent analysis and monitoring technology, a control model for a multi-purpose microwave oven can be established. Based on the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination level of the items placed inside, the model can automatically analyze and determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, as well as the amount of water sprayed on the items and / or the microwave heating time and intensity. This makes it convenient for users. At the same time, a multi-purpose microwave oven can also save raw materials, making it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a multi-purpose microwave oven and its usage method, which can perform both heating and sterilization functions, thus enriching the functionality of microwave ovens. By utilizing intelligent analysis and monitoring technology, a control model for the multi-purpose microwave oven is established. Based on the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination status of the items placed inside, the model automatically analyzes and determines whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, as well as the amount of water sprayed on the items and / or the duration and intensity of microwave heating. This makes it convenient for users. At the same time, the multi-purpose microwave oven can also save raw materials, making it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a multi-purpose microwave oven, comprising: a housing, a control module, a spray assembly, and a microwave assembly.

[0007] The enclosure is used to hold items for microwave heating or sterilization.

[0008] The spray assembly is used to humidify the surface of items being microwave-sterilized;

[0009] The microwave component is used to generate microwaves;

[0010] The control module is used to control the multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize items.

[0011] The multi-purpose microwave oven described above further includes a monitoring module for acquiring information about items placed inside. The monitoring module includes at least one of a chemical monitoring component, an image monitoring component, a temperature monitoring component, and a pressure monitoring component.

[0012] The multi-purpose microwave oven described above, wherein the spray assembly includes at least one of an atomizer, a sprayer, a steam generator, a nozzle, and a brush.

[0013] As described above, the multi-purpose microwave oven's intelligent analysis module can also analyze the amount of water that needs to be sprayed on the items and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating based on the information of the items placed inside.

[0014] As described above, the multi-purpose microwave oven also includes a sealing device for sealing the interior of the oven into a closed space.

[0015] As described above, the multi-purpose microwave oven also includes an exhaust port with a pressure relief valve to prevent excessive air pressure inside the oven.

[0016] The multi-purpose microwave oven described above also includes a robotic arm, which is movable and rotatable. The spray assembly is mounted on the robotic arm, and the direction and position of the spray are adjusted by the robotic arm.

[0017] As described above, the multi-purpose microwave oven further includes a database module for storing a control model of the multi-purpose microwave oven. The control model is used to analyze and determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, and the amount of water sprayed on the items and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating, based on at least one of the following information: the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination status of the items placed inside.

[0018] As described above, the multi-purpose microwave oven can also be analyzed based on its actual performance, and the analysis results can be used to adjust and optimize the control model of the multi-purpose microwave oven.

[0019] The present invention also provides a method of using the multi-purpose microwave oven as described above, the method comprising:

[0020] Place the item in the multi-purpose microwave oven and obtain information about the item placed there.

[0021] Analysis suggests that the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization.

[0022] Analyze the required water volume for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating;

[0023] Based on the analysis results, the multi-purpose microwave oven is controlled to microwave heat or sterilize items.

[0024] This invention discloses a multi-purpose microwave oven and its method of use. The multi-purpose microwave oven includes a housing, a control module, a spray assembly, and a microwave assembly. The method includes: placing an item into the multi-purpose microwave oven and acquiring information about the item; analyzing and determining whether the microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization; analyzing the required amount of water for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating; and controlling the multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize the item according to the analysis results. This invention provides a multi-purpose microwave oven and its method of use that can achieve both heating and sterilization functions, enriching the functionality of the microwave oven. Simultaneously, by utilizing intelligent analysis and monitoring technology, a control model for the multi-purpose microwave oven is established. Based on the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination status of the placed item, the model automatically analyzes and determines whether the microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, as well as the required amount of water for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating, making it convenient for users. Furthermore, the multi-purpose microwave oven can save raw materials, making it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-purpose microwave oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for using a multi-purpose microwave oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the specific implementation methods of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] The first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-purpose microwave oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention includes: a housing 10, a control module 20, a spray assembly 30, and a microwave assembly 40.

[0029] The enclosure 10 is used to house items for microwave heating or sterilization. The control module 20 is used to control the entire multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize items. The spray assembly 30 is used to humidify the surface of the microwave-sterilized items. The microwave assembly 40 is used to generate microwaves.

[0030] In this invention, the housing 10 is used to contain items and includes an openable door. The main process of microwave heating or sterilization is also completed inside the housing. The housing can prevent the microwave heating or sterilization process from being interfered with by external factors, and at the same time, it can prevent microwaves from spreading outward, thus maintaining safety. Therefore, the interior of the housing may include a radiation shielding layer to prevent microwaves from spreading outside the microwave oven.

[0031] Microwave assembly 40 is used to generate microwaves. Microwave assembly 40 may include a magnetron, a coupling device, and a reflecting device. The magnetron generates microwaves under high-voltage electrical excitation, which are then coupled by the coupling device before entering the enclosure. Near the inlet where the microwaves enter the enclosure from the microwave assembly, they also pass through a reflecting device. The reflecting device can be a rotatable fan-shaped metal device that reflects microwaves in various directions, thus distributing the microwave energy evenly within the enclosure.

[0032] The spray assembly 30 is used to humidify the surface of items being microwave-sterilized. Humidification can be achieved by directly spraying water, atomizing water first and then spraying it, or heating water into steam before adding it into the housing 10; this invention is not limited to these methods. The spray assembly 30 may include at least one of the following: an atomizer, a sprayer, a steam generator, a nozzle, and a brush. The spray assembly 30 may include one or more nozzles installed inside the housing 10. The multi-purpose microwave oven also includes a robotic arm, which is movable and rotatable. The spray assembly 30 is mounted on the robotic arm, and the direction and position of the spray are adjusted by the robotic arm. The nozzles can be mounted on the robotic arm, and the direction and position of the spray are adjusted by the robotic arm to ensure relatively uniform spraying on the outer surface of the items being sterilized. The principle of microwave sterilization is that microwaves are absorbed by a medium when passing through it, generating heat. Such media are called microwave absorbing media; water is one of the strong microwave absorbing media. When microwaves pass through a medium and are not easily absorbed by it, this type of medium is a good conductor of microwaves, and the heat effect generated in such a medium is very low. Heat is generated through the vibration and friction of molecules at billions of times per second, thus achieving high-temperature sterilization. Microwaves also exert electromagnetic field effects, quantum effects, and superconductivity, influencing microbial growth and metabolism. Generally, water-containing substances exhibit significant microwave absorption, resulting in rapid heating and effective sterilization. Therefore, during microwave sterilization, it is necessary to spray water or other liquids as a medium, depending on the condition of the items to be sterilized.

[0033] In this invention, the spray assembly 30 may further include an atomizer and a sprayer for atomizing water, after which the spray assembly 30 adds the atomized water into the interior of the housing 10; the spray assembly 30 may also include a steam generator for converting water into steam, after which the spray assembly 30 adds the steam water into the interior of the housing 10; the spray assembly 30 may also include a brush mounted on a robotic arm for brushing a layer of water onto the outer surface of an object. This multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention, in addition to spraying water onto the surface of an object, can also spray water in the form of water mist, water vapor, or by using a water brush to evenly cover the surface of an object, thereby achieving a better microwave heating and sterilization effect.

[0034] In this invention, the housing 10 may further include a sealing device for sealing the interior of the housing 10 into a closed space. The sealing device may be a sealing ring, sealing strip, sealing gasket, or other suitable sealing components. The housing 10 may also include an exhaust port equipped with a pressure relief valve, which allows some gas to be released when the internal pressure of the housing 10 is too high, preventing excessive pressure inside the housing 10.

[0035] The multi-purpose microwave oven of this invention allows the pressure relief valve to be open during ordinary microwave heating, meaning the interior of the cabinet 10 is not sealed. However, during microwave sterilization, the pressure relief valve is engaged, and the interior of the cabinet 10 is sealed. During microwave heating and sterilization, adding steam or heating the water inside the cabinet 10 to generate steam increases the internal pressure, contributing to better microwave heating and sterilization. Simultaneously, the presence of a pressure relief valve at the vent ensures that the internal pressure of the cabinet 10 does not become excessively high, thus preventing potential hazards.

[0036] The control module 20 is used to control the entire multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize items. Specifically, it includes: controlling the amount, direction, and position of spray from the spray assembly 30; controlling the time and energy intensity of microwaves generated by the microwave assembly 40, etc.

[0037] The multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention may further include a monitoring module for acquiring information about placed items. The monitoring module may include at least one of a chemical monitoring component, an image monitoring component, a temperature monitoring component, and a pressure monitoring component. The chemical monitoring component may include an odor detector or a bacteria detector, etc. It can monitor the amount of odor or bacteria using reagents to obtain information on whether the odor or bacteria of the placed items is excessive. The image monitoring component may be an image sensor that acquires images of the placed items and can identify information such as the type, material, shape, size, and contamination status of the items based on the images. The temperature monitoring component may be a thermometer for monitoring the temperature inside the enclosure 10, and the pressure monitoring component may be a barometer for monitoring the pressure inside the enclosure 10.

[0038] The multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention may further include an intelligent analysis module. This module analyzes and determines whether the microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization based on information about the items placed inside. This information may be obtained from a monitoring module, including the item's type, material, appearance, size, contamination level, odor, or excessive bacteria levels. The intelligent analysis module then analyzes one or more of this information to determine whether microwave heating or sterilization is necessary. The intelligent analysis module can also analyze the amount of water to be sprayed and / or the microwave heating time and intensity based on the information about the items placed inside.

[0039] The multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention may further include a database module for storing a multi-purpose microwave oven control model. This control model is used to analyze and determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, and the appropriate amount of water sprayed on the items and / or the duration and intensity of microwave heating, based on at least one of the following information: the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination level of the placed items. The multi-purpose microwave oven control model is a model used to analyze and determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, and the appropriate amount of water sprayed on the items and / or the duration and intensity of microwave heating. It reflects whether different items are suitable for microwave heating or sterilization, and the appropriate amount of water sprayed and / or the duration and intensity of microwave heating for items under different conditions such as type, material, appearance, size, and contamination level.

[0040] In this invention, the establishment of the multi-purpose microwave oven control model can include at least one of the following: manual establishment by experts, establishment through big data analysis, and establishment through artificial intelligence deep learning. The multi-purpose microwave oven of this invention can also be analyzed based on its actual usage effects, and the analysis results can be used to adjust and optimize the multi-purpose microwave oven control model.

[0041] The multi-purpose microwave oven of this invention also includes a network module. The multi-purpose microwave oven transmits information about the placed items to a server via the network module. The server analyzes the information to determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, as well as the amount of water to spray on the items and / or the microwave heating time and intensity. It then transmits corresponding control commands to the multi-purpose microwave oven. The control module controls the multi-purpose microwave oven to perform microwave heating or sterilization according to the corresponding control commands. Remote analysis via the server reduces the hardware requirements of the multi-purpose microwave oven and lowers its cost.

[0042] The multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention may further include a waste treatment component for treating the generated wastewater and / or exhaust gas to render it harmless. The waste treatment component may employ a filter to filter the generated wastewater and exhaust gas, removing harmful substances. Alternatively, it may employ a sealed container / bag to collect the generated wastewater and / or exhaust gas for further treatment using other equipment.

[0043] The multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention may further include a cleaning component for cleaning the microwave oven after use. The cleaning component may include a rinsing device and a drying device. The rinsing device is used to rinse the device to be cleaned, and the drying device is used to dry the cleaned device. The cleaning component may also include a detergent adding device for adding detergent during the first rinse, followed by one or more rinses with clean water to remove residual detergent. The cleaning component may also be controlled by a control module, which controls the amount of detergent added, the number of rinses, and the water flow rate according to the degree of cleanliness of the device to be cleaned. After washing, the module controls the drying device to dry the device, ensuring thorough cleaning.

[0044] The multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention may further include a user input device, enabling the user to set the desired function of the microwave oven—whether it is microwave heating or sterilization—as well as the amount of water to be sprayed on the items and / or the microwave heating time and intensity. The user input device may be a button or a remote control. Users may also input information through devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart bracelets, and smartwatches.

[0045] This invention relates to a multi-purpose microwave oven that can be used alone for microwave heating or microwave sterilization, or it can be used in conjunction with other smart devices, such as smart sterilizers and smart dishwashers, employing multiple different methods for sterilization to protect human health. The multi-purpose microwave oven can also exchange information with other smart devices via a network module to achieve collaborative use.

[0046] The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for using a multi-purpose microwave oven according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the method for using the multi-purpose microwave oven of the present invention includes:

[0047] S1: Place the item into the multi-purpose microwave oven and obtain information about the item placed there;

[0048] S2: Analyze and determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization;

[0049] S3: Analyze the required water volume for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating;

[0050] S4: Control the multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize items according to the analysis results.

[0051] The second embodiment of the present invention provides a method for using a multi-purpose microwave oven based on the first embodiment of the present invention. The technical features are identical, and can be referred to the description of the first embodiment of the present invention. It will not be repeated here.

[0052] In summary, the present invention provides a multi-purpose microwave oven and its method of use. The multi-purpose microwave oven includes: a housing, a control module, a spray assembly, and a microwave assembly. The method includes: placing an item into the multi-purpose microwave oven and obtaining information about the placed item; analyzing and determining whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization; analyzing the required amount of water for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating; and controlling the multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize the item according to the analysis results. The multi-purpose microwave oven and its method of use of the present invention can achieve both heating and sterilization functions, enriching the functionality of the microwave oven. Simultaneously, by utilizing intelligent analysis and monitoring technology, a control model for the multi-purpose microwave oven is established. Based on the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination status of the placed item, the model automatically analyzes and determines whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, as well as the required amount of water for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating, making it convenient for users. Furthermore, the multi-purpose microwave oven can save raw materials, making it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

[0053] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose microwave oven, characterized in that, include: The enclosure, control module, spray assembly, and microwave assembly are all included. The enclosure is used to hold items for microwave heating or sterilization. The spray assembly is used to humidify the surface of items being microwave-sterilized; The microwave component is used to generate microwaves; The control module is used to control the multi-purpose microwave oven to microwave heat or sterilize items.

2. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-purpose microwave oven also includes a monitoring module for acquiring information about the items placed inside. The monitoring module includes at least one of a chemical monitoring component, an image monitoring component, a temperature monitoring component, and a pressure monitoring component.

3. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spray assembly includes at least one of the following: an atomizer, a sprayer, a steam generator, a nozzle, and a brush.

4. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 3, characterized in that: The intelligent analysis module can also analyze the amount of water that needs to be sprayed and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating based on the information of the placed items.

5. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The enclosure also includes a sealing device for sealing the interior of the enclosure into a closed space.

6. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 1, characterized in that, The enclosure also includes an exhaust port, which is equipped with a pressure relief valve to prevent excessive air pressure inside the enclosure.

7. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-purpose microwave oven also includes a robotic arm, which is movable and rotatable. The spray assembly is mounted on the robotic arm, and the direction and position of the spray can be adjusted by the robotic arm.

8. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-purpose microwave oven also includes a database module for storing a control model of the multi-purpose microwave oven. The control model of the multi-purpose microwave oven is used to analyze and determine whether the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization, as well as the amount of water sprayed on the items and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating, based on at least one of the following information: the type, material, appearance, size, and contamination status of the items placed inside.

9. The multi-purpose microwave oven according to claim 8, characterized in that: The multi-purpose microwave oven can also be analyzed based on its actual performance, and the analysis results can be used to adjust and optimize the control model of the multi-purpose microwave oven.

10. A method of using a multi-purpose microwave oven as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The method includes: Place the item in the multi-purpose microwave oven and obtain information about the item. Analysis suggests that the multi-purpose microwave oven needs to perform microwave heating or sterilization. Analyze the required water volume for spraying and / or the time and intensity of microwave heating; Based on the analysis results, the multi-purpose microwave oven is controlled to microwave heat or sterilize items.

Citation Information

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