Microwave generation system for cooking appliance, and cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave generation systems in cooking appliances occupy a large volume, leading to low space utilization and non-uniform microwave distribution, resulting in uneven food doneness and unsatisfactory user experience.

Innovation Solution

A microwave generation system with a waveguide box comprising a first chamber smaller than a second chamber, where the magnetron is mounted at the side wall of the first chamber and a microwave stirring assembly is mounted at the top wall of the second chamber, along with an air duct system for cooling components, facilitating a compact structure and uniform microwave distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional microwave generation system is used, then the magnetron can generate microwaves, but the system occupies a large volume resulting in low space utilization rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of microwave generation systemVSAvoidspace utilization rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the magnetron inside the waveguide box, with the magnetron housing forming part of the waveguide structure. This nested arrangement allows the magnetron to be integrated within the waveguide box volume, reducing the overall system volume and improving space utilization in the cooking appliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the magnetron housing with the waveguide box structure, merging two separate components into an integrated assembly. The side wall of the waveguide box serves as the mounting location for the magnetron, eliminating the need for separate housings and reducing total volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If microwaves are transmitted in a centralized manner, then the magnetron can efficiently generate microwaves, but the microwave distribution becomes non-uniform resulting in uneven food doneness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrowave generation efficiencyVSAvoidmicrowave distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide box is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, with the magnetron mounted in the first chamber and the stirring assembly in the second chamber. This segmentation allows microwaves to be generated in one chamber and then redistributed in the second chamber, improving distribution uniformity while maintaining generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stirring assembly acts as an intermediary between the magnetron and the food, receiving microwaves from the magnetron and redistributing them uniformly throughout the cooking cavity. This intermediary component solves the non-uniform distribution problem caused by direct centralized microwave transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the magnetron is mounted at the side wall of the first chamber, then the system achieves a compact structure, but the microwave transmission path must be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidmicrowave transmission path design
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide box uses an asymmetric two-chamber design where the first chamber has a smaller horizontal dimension than the second chamber. The magnetron is mounted on the side wall of the first chamber, creating an asymmetric layout that achieves compactness while the asymmetric chamber dimensions help optimize microwave propagation paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional single-chamber horizontal layout to a vertical two-chamber arrangement with the magnetron mounted on the side wall. This dimensional reorganization achieves compactness by utilizing vertical space and side-wall mounting, while the chamber connection optimizes the microwave transmission path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system achieves a compact structure that improves space utilization and microwave distribution uniformity, ensuring even food doneness and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetron is mounted at a side wall of the first chamber and configured to transmit microwaves into the first chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The microwave stirring assembly is mounted at a top wall of the second chamber and includes a stirring member configured to reflect the microwaves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

an air duct housing disposed in the air inflow cavity and having a first air flowing channel, a second air flowing channel, and a third air flowing channel that are connected with the air inflow cavity, at least part of the controller being disposed in the second air flowing channel, and at least part of the magnetron being disposed in the third air flowing channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4336969B1Microwave generation system for cooking appliance, and cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MFG CO LTD
  • EP4336969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4336969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4336969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a microwave generation system (1000) for a cooking appliance (1) and the cooking appliance (1). The microwave generation system (1000) includes: a waveguide box (10), a magnetron (420), and a microwave stirring assembly (30). The waveguide box (10) defines a first chamber (4031) and a second chamber (4032) that are connected with each other. The first chamber (4031) is located above the second chamber (4032), and a dimension of the first chamber (4031) in a horizontal direction is smaller than a dimension of the second chamber (4032) in the horizontal direction. The magnetron (420) is mounted at a side wall of the first chamber (4031) and configured to transmit microwaves into the first chamber (4031). The microwave stirring assembly (30) is mounted at a top wall of the second chamber (4032) and includes a stirring member (440) configured to reflect the microwaves.