Control Box Grid Structure for Microwave Shielding and Steam Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combi steamers face conflicting requirements for efficient air exchange, cleaning fluid supply/removal, and microwave radiation shielding, where large flow cross-sections are beneficial but openings compromise microwave shielding.
Innovation Solution
A control box with a grid structure that includes flow channels between steam inlets and outlets, designed to attenuate microwave radiation while allowing unhindered air and cleaning fluid exchange, using a lattice structure that extends over the control box's height/width to ensure effective shielding and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large flow cross-sections are provided in the control box for efficient fresh air exchange and cleaning fluid supply/removal, then air exchange efficiency is improved, but microwave radiation shielding is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control box wall is segmented into multiple flow channels instead of a single large opening. Each channel provides a path for air and cleaning fluid while the segmented structure with conducting material between channels effectively shields microwave radiation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain large total flow cross-section for efficient air exchange while preventing microwave leakage through the distributed smaller channels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If openings are minimized or eliminated in the control box for efficient microwave radiation shielding, then microwave shielding is improved, but fresh air exchange and cleaning fluid supply/removal are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control box wall is designed with a porous-like structure consisting of multiple flow channels separated by conducting material. This structure allows air and cleaning fluids to pass through while the conducting material between channels blocks microwave radiation. The porous arrangement provides sufficient open area for efficient air exchange while maintaining effective microwave shielding.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple separate grid structures are arranged one after another in the control box, then microwave radiation shielding is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging multiple grid structures sequentially in the flow path (one dimension), the invention uses a single grid structure where conducting material is distributed between multiple flow channels (transitioning to a two-dimensional arrangement). This dimensional change achieves enhanced microwave shielding through the distributed conducting material while avoiding the complexity of assembling and aligning multiple separate grid structures.
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 effectively seals against microwave radiation escape while enabling efficient air and cleaning fluid exchange, ensuring reliable operation with up to 2 kW microwave power and maintaining a large flow cross-section for efficient steam and vapor removal.
Implementation Method 1
The length of the flow channels can be selected in relation to a flow cross-section of an individual flow channel such that a power level of an electromagnetic wave impinging on the at least one grid structure with a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz is attenuated by the grid structure by at least 20 dB, in particular by at least 40 dB
Implementation Method 2
the steam within the cooking appliance is directed to the control box, where the steam is reduced, for example, through condensation
Data Source
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AI summary
A control box (14) for a cooking appliance (10) is described, comprising a housing (20) in which at least one steam inlet (18) and at least one steam outlet (22) are provided, wherein the housing (20) contains at least one grid structure (32) for shielding against high-frequency radiation, wherein the grid structure (32) is arranged with respect to a flow path of the steam between the steam inlet (18) and the steam outlet (22), and wherein the grid structure (32) has a plurality of flow channels (34) which sectionally form a flow path for the steam entering through the steam inlet (18) to the steam outlet (22). A cooking appliance (10) is also described.