Microwave Oven Circulator Assembly With Integrated Heat Sink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circulators and isolators used in microwave ovens are expensive and require complex integration and thermal management, limiting the adoption of solid-state microwave technology in consumer appliances.
Innovation Solution
A circulator and isolator design that integrates a solid-state microwave source and circulator components on a single circuit board, with a unified casing and heat sink for thermal management, reducing parts and interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional separate circulator and microwave source design is used, then thermal management is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulator and solid-state microwave source into a single integrated assembly mounted on one circuit board. The circulator is directly coupled to the microwave source without intermediate connectors, reducing the number of parts and interfaces while maintaining effective thermal management through shared mounting structures and heat dissipation paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connections for the circulator and microwave source, acts as a mechanical support structure, and facilitates thermal management through its thermal conductivity. This multi-functional approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used, then thermal management is simplified, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator and solid-state microwave source are manufactured as an integrated assembly on a single circuit board, reducing the quantity of discrete parts. This integration simplifies manufacturing processes and assembly operations while reducing production costs through fewer components and interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is designed to perform multiple functions including electrical connectivity, mechanical support, and thermal management. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, connectors, and thermal management components, thereby reducing the total number of parts and manufacturing complexity.
3Device complexity
If traditional circulator design is used, then thermal dissipation is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator is integrated with the solid-state microwave source and shared thermal management structures, allowing for coordinated thermal control. The unified design enables more efficient heat dissipation pathways while reducing the complexity of separate thermal management systems for each component.
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 simplifies production, reduces costs, and enhances thermal control, making solid-state microwave technology more viable for consumer microwave ovens.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink, wherein the heat sink is thermally conductively coupled to the microwave absorber
Implementation Method 2
the heat sink is arranged for transferring heat, which is generated by absorbing the microwave signals, via the typically metal housings to a fluid medium such as air, water or other coolant
Implementation Method 3
a microwave absorber (e.g. load) connected to the terminating port... the microwave absorber absorbs all the power entering it
Data Source
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AI summary
The document relates to a circulator (200) forming an isolator for transmitting microwaves in one direction. The circulator (200) comprises: a receiving port (1) for receiving a high-power microwave beam generated by a solid state microwave source (21, 300); a transceiver port (2) for transmitting the high-power microwave beam to a microwave chamber and the transceiver port (2) for receiving a reflected microwave beam from the microwave chamber; and a microwave absorber (240) connected to a terminating port (3) of the circulator (200), the microwave absorber (240) for absorbing the reflected microwave beam received by the transceiver port (2). Further, the circulator (200) comprises a heat sink (110, 120) thermally conductive coupled to the microwave absorber, the heat sink (110, 120) for transferring heat, which is generated by absorbing the microwave beam, to a fluid medium, wherein the heat sink (110, 120) is formed by a casing, the casing housing the circulator (200) and the casing having a void (130) for housing the solid state microwave source (21, 300).