Microwave Oven Dome Wall Consolidates Operating Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave cooking ovens have high manufacturing costs due to the complex arrangement and routing of operating elements, leading to increased costs and complexity in electrical power cables, and lack efficient air circulation to prevent condensation.
Innovation Solution
A microwave cooking oven with a dome-shaped wall featuring a technical zone at the top to house multiple operating elements, including sensors and an air evacuation system, which simplifies manufacturing and optimizes operation by reducing cable complexity and enhancing air circulation to prevent condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operating elements are distributed at different locations in the cooking enclosure, then the microwave oven can perform multiple functions, but the manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple operating elements (lighting device, ventilation device, sensors) into a single integrated technical zone located in the upper part of the cooking enclosure. This merging approach maintains all necessary functions while significantly reducing the complexity of arrangement and routing compared to distributing elements throughout the enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The technical zone serves as a universal platform that can accommodate various operating elements simultaneously. This multi-functional zone allows the microwave oven to perform lighting, ventilation, sensing, and other operations from a centralized location, reducing the need for separate arrangements for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating elements are distributed at different locations in the cooking enclosure, then the microwave oven can perform multiple functions, but the electrical cable routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating all operating elements in the technical zone, the patent reduces the number of cable routing paths from multiple distributed locations to a single centralized area. This significantly simplifies the electrical cable routing system while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Device complexity
If conventional parallelepiped cooking enclosure is used, then the structure is simple, but condensation occurs on the door due to insufficient air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air circulation system into distinct inlet and outlet openings, with the ventilation device strategically positioned in the technical zone. This segmentation enables effective air flow management that prevents condensation while maintaining a simple overall enclosure structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor positioned in the technical zone monitors conditions inside the cooking enclosure and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the ventilation and lighting systems to respond dynamically, preventing condensation by adjusting air circulation based on real-time conditions.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and operating elements are positioned throughout the cooking enclosure, then measurement precision can be improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple sensors and operating elements in a single technical zone, which simplifies manufacturing operations. This consolidation maintains the ability to collect reliable data from multiple sensors while significantly reducing the number of separate manufacturing and assembly operations required compared to distributing sensors throughout the enclosure.
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 dome-shaped design reduces manufacturing costs, optimizes the placement of operating elements, and effectively evacuates moist and hot air, preventing condensation while maintaining performance comparable to conventional ovens.
Implementation Method 1
an air flow is generated by a fan sucking air outside of said microwave cooking oven through an opening located in a wall constituting the structure of said microwave cooking oven, and blowing air inside said cooking enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a microwave cooking oven comprising a cooking enclosure, said cooking enclosure comprising a lower wall and a dome-shaped wall
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave oven (1) includes a cooking chamber (2). This cooking chamber (2) comprises a lower wall (3) and a dome-shaped wall (4), the dome-shaped wall (4) being positioned above the lower wall (3) to define a cooking space. An airflow (F) is generated by a fan that draws air from outside the microwave oven (1) through an opening (25) in a wall (26) forming part of the structure of the microwave oven (1), and blows air into the cooking chamber (2) through openings in the lower wall (3) and around the perimeter of a tray (5). Particularly suitable for use in a microwave oven.