Composite Sealing Device for Steam Oven Floor Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam cookers with microwave functions face challenges in achieving leak-proof sealing of heating elements, particularly in ensuring steam, water, and microwave tightness, which affects component durability and assembly ease.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device comprising an electrically conductive elastomer sealing element and a microwave protection element, such as a metal mesh, connected using an injection mold with an undercut or adhesive, provides a steam and water-resistant, microwave-shielded barrier for the heating element, enhancing sealing geometry and internal pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional seal and retaining clip are used to secure the heating element, then the assembly is simple, but the sealing is not leak-proof against steam, water, and microwaves
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device combines a sealing element made of elastomer (such as silicone) with a microwave protection element made of electrically conductive material (such as metal mesh). This composite structure provides simultaneous protection against steam, water, and microwaves, achieving leak-proof sealing while blocking microwave radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element and microwave protection element are designed with specific local properties: the elastomer provides flexibility and steam/water sealing, while the conductive metal mesh provides microwave blocking. Each material is positioned where its specific properties are most needed to achieve comprehensive protection.
2Reliability
If a complex sealing device is used to achieve leak-proof sealing, then sealing reliability improves, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element and microwave protection element are combined into a single integrated sealing device that functions as one unit. This merging allows the device to provide both sealing and microwave protection simultaneously, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining high sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device serves multiple functions: it provides steam sealing, water sealing, and microwave blocking all in one component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing and shielding components, making assembly easier while achieving comprehensive protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the heating element is located outside the cooking chamber, then assembly is simplified, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device acts as an intermediary between the heating element located outside the cooking chamber and the cooking chamber interior. It allows the heating element to remain externally positioned for assembly simplicity while effectively transferring heat to the cooking chamber through the sealed opening, maintaining heat transfer efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces component costs, simplifies assembly, and improves energy efficiency by ensuring effective heat transfer and protection against moisture and microwaves, while maintaining the steam cooker's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing element can be shaped in order to form a vapor barrier to the cooking chamber of the steam cooker. In this case, the sealing element can prevent moisture from diffusing out of the warm floor panel space of the steam cooker with microwave function
Implementation Method 2
a microwave protection element, which at least partially has electrically conductive materials
Implementation Method 3
The jacket has an opening in the base plate for this purpose. This component consists of a heat-conducting sheet with attached tubular heating element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing device 206 for leak-proof sealing of a floor heating element 202 with a base plate 204 for a combined steam oven with microwave function. The sealing device 206 has an electrically conductive sealing element 208, which at least partially comprises an elastomer, in particular silicone, and a microwave protection element 210, which at least partially comprises electrically conductive materials.