Camera Shielding Structure for Microwave Oven Radiation Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household appliances that treat food with electromagnetic radiation face challenges in preventing leakage radiation, which can interfere with surrounding devices and pose health risks, while existing solutions that shield cameras from radiation impair image quality or damage electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The camera's image sensor is positioned away from the food processing space, and the objective lens is placed on the side or inside the food processing space, with the shielding structure designed to protect only the radiation-sensitive components, allowing high-quality images to be captured while minimizing leakage radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the camera is positioned behind a shielding structure to protect it from electromagnetic radiation, then the camera components are protected from radiation damage, but the shielding structure severely restricts the camera's field of view and impairs image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera component protection from radiationVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The camera is segmented into radiation-sensitive components (image sensor, electronics) and radiation-insensitive components (lens, housing). The shielding structure is positioned only where needed to protect sensitive components, while allowing the lens to remain exposed to the food processing area for optimal image capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor and electronic components are extracted from the radiation zone by positioning them behind the shielding structure, while the lens is extracted from the shielding structure and positioned in the radiation zone to maintain full field of view and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If the camera is positioned within the radiation range to capture images directly, then image quality is improved, but the electromagnetic radiation damages the electrical and electronic components of the camera

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidcamera component protection from radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure acts as an intermediary element that selectively blocks electromagnetic radiation from reaching sensitive components while allowing light to pass through to the lens. This mediator enables the camera to function in the radiation environment without direct exposure of vulnerable parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a wave trap or perforated metal plate is used to prevent leakage radiation, then radiation leakage is prevented, but the camera's field of view is significantly restricted and image quality is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation leakage preventionVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure is applied locally only where radiation protection is necessary (behind the lens, around the image sensor), rather than covering the entire camera. This localized approach maintains radiation protection while preserving the lens's full field of view and image capture capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration enables high-quality image capture while effectively preventing radiation leakage and protecting sensitive electronic components, ensuring both image quality and safety from electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

a shielding structure which has a recess and is configured to limit the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation introduced into the food treatment chamber at least locally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

at least one lens of the camera of the household appliance according to the invention is arranged on the side of the shielding structure facing the food processing area or within the food processing area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3755121B1Domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3755121B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3755121B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3755121B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a household appliance (10) for treating food (S) by means of electromagnetic radiation, comprising a food treatment chamber (20) in which the food (S) to be treated is to be positioned, a radiation generator which is configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the food treatment chamber (20), a shielding structure (28, 28a, 28b) which has a recess (30) and is configured to at least locally limit the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation introduced into the food treatment chamber (20), and a camera (18) which is arranged in the area of ​​the recess (30) of the shielding structure (28, 28a, 28b) and is configured to produce images of the food treatment chamber (20), wherein an image sensor (26) of the camera (18) is located on the side of the shielding structure (28, 28a) facing away from the food treatment chamber (20).28b) and at least one objective lens (32a-32c) of the camera (18) is located on the side of the screen structure (28, 28a, 28b) facing the food handling room (20) or within the food handling room (20).