Microwave Oven Door With Fine Conductive Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave ovens face challenges in effectively containing microwave radiation while allowing transparency and impact resistance for the door, as existing solutions may not adequately balance microwave shielding with visibility and mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly for microwave ovens featuring a laminated glass assembly with a first and second transparent glass substrate and an electrically conductive mesh layer, where the mesh layer is woven with wires less than 0.04 mm in diameter, providing both microwave shielding and transparency, and is adhered with a conductive silicone glue for grounding and enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional metal mesh is used for microwave shielding, then microwave radiation is effectively blocked, but transparency and visibility are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of wire diameter to less than 0.04 mm (ideally 0.02-0.03 mm), which is below the resolution threshold of human vision. This parameter change allows the mesh to block microwaves while appearing transparent to human eyes, resolving the contradiction between shielding effectiveness and visual transparency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different scales: at the microwave scale (12 cm wavelength), the mesh acts as an effective shield, while at the human visual scale, the fine wires appear invisible. This local quality approach allows the same structure to provide opposite functions at different observation scales
2Illumination intensity
If a thin mesh layer is used to maintain transparency, then visibility is improved, but mechanical strength and impact resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining multiple glass substrates with a conductive mesh layer embedded between them. The glass provides mechanical strength and impact resistance, while the fine mesh provides microwave shielding and maintains transparency. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by distributing functions across different materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shielding function with the structural glass assembly by embedding the mesh within the glass layers. This integration allows the mesh to perform its shielding function without bearing mechanical loads, while the glass protects the mesh and provides structural integrity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dense mesh structure is used to block microwaves, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but light transmission and transparency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wire diameter parameter to be extremely small (less than 0.04 mm), which minimizes the blocking area for visible light while maintaining effectiveness against microwaves. This precise parameter control allows the mesh to be dense enough for shielding but sparse enough for light transmission
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 shields microwave radiation, maintains high transparency, and provides superior impact resistance and heat resistance, ensuring safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive mesh layer between the first and second substantially transparent glass substrates
Implementation Method 2
an outer glass including a substantially transparent LCD
Data Source
AI summary
A door for a microwave oven is provided. The door (34) include a door frame (44) having a first side and a second side, an outer glass (40) coupled with the first side of the door frame (44), and a glass assembly (52) coupled with the second side of the door frame (44). The glass assembly (52) includes a first substantially transparent glass substrate (70), a second substantially transparent glass substrate (72), and an electrically conductive mesh layer (74) between the first and second substantially transparent glass substrates (70,72). The mesh layer (74) includes a plurality of wires having a diameter less than 0.04 mm, The shielding performance of the door (34) is improved.