Microwave Distribution Unit With Limited Rotary Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave devices consume excessive energy for cooking, as they continuously rotate the microwave distribution means, leading to uniform exposure of the cooking chamber, which is inefficient for heating certain types of food.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a rotatably drivable microwave distribution means with a limited rotary angle range, allowing specific regions of the cooking chamber to receive more intense microwave exposure through controlled rotation or fixed positions, optimizing energy use and cooking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the microwave distribution means is continuously rotated to evenly distribute microwaves throughout the cooking chamber, then uniform heating is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating microwave energy on specific local regions of the food rather than distributing it uniformly throughout the entire cooking chamber. The microwave distribution means is positioned to target specific areas where heat conduction is insufficient, creating localized heating zones that match the thermal conductivity characteristics of different food regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by rotating the microwave distribution means through only a limited angular range (less than 360 degrees) rather than continuous rotation. This partial rotation is sufficient to expose all relevant regions of the food to microwave irradiation, achieving uniform heating while reducing energy consumption by avoiding redundant exposure of already-heated areas.
2Temperature
If the microwave distribution means is continuously rotated to expose all regions of the cooking chamber, then even exposure is achieved, but cooking efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the microwave distribution means by limiting its rotation angle to less than 360 degrees and positioning it at specific angles during operation. This parameter change optimizes microwave exposure by directing energy precisely where needed, improving cooking efficiency while maintaining even exposure across all food surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by rotating the microwave distribution means through a limited angular range and then returning to the starting position, creating a repetitive cycle of exposure. This periodic rotation ensures that all regions of the food receive microwave energy at appropriate intervals, achieving uniform heating without requiring continuous rotation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If microwave energy is concentrated on specific regions through limited rotation, then energy consumption is reduced, but uniform heating may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the microwave distribution means rotatable through a limited angular range, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and target different regions of the food. This dynamic positioning ensures that microwave energy is concentrated on specific regions when needed while still achieving uniform heating across the entire food item over the course of the heating cycle.
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 approach reduces energy consumption while ensuring consistent heating results, particularly for foods with low thermal conductivity, by concentrating microwave energy on specific areas, thus enhancing cooking speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatably drivable microwave distribution means (17), by means of which microwave radiation can be distributed in a cooking chamber (12)
Implementation Method 2
This exploits the fact that the microwaves are superimposed particularly strongly in certain regions as a result of interference, depending on a rotary position of the microwave distribution means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The apparatus (11) has a rotatably drivable microwave distribution unit (17) coupled with a cooking chamber (12). The microwave distribution unit comprises mode of operations in which an angular range is limited. The microwave distribution unit selects an operating mode and/or the rotational angular range based on a type of a cooking material (16) contained in the cooking chamber. The rotatably drivable microwave distributing unit comprises a rotatably driven antenna (18) and a rotatably drivable wobbler.