Microwave Cooking Chamber Heater Shielding for Faster Radiant Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices with multiple heating sources face challenges in maximizing radiant heat emission, leading to longer cooking times and inefficiencies, particularly when microwaves and heaters are used together, as the microwaves can interfere with the heater's performance.

Innovation Solution

A cooking device design that incorporates a magnetron for microwave emission and a heater with a blocking member to prevent microwave interference, allowing for enhanced radiant heat emission by isolating the microwaves from the heater, which includes a carbon filament and an outer pipe to protect the filament and maximize heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a magnetron and heater are installed together in a cooking device, then a variety of foods can be cooked using different heating methods, but the microwaves from the magnetron interfere with the heater's radiant heat emission, reducing cooking efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking method varietyVSAvoidcooking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking member is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnetron and heater. This blocking member selectively blocks microwaves from reaching the heater while allowing radiant heat from the heater to reach the food, thereby eliminating microwave interference without sacrificing the versatility of having both heating sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a microwave heating zone and a radiant heat zone. The blocking member creates a spatial separation that allows each heating source to operate independently in its designated zone, preventing interference while maintaining the ability to use either heating method or both simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the heater is exposed to microwaves, then the cooking device can utilize both heating sources, but the heater's radiant heat emission is reduced leading to longer cooking times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating source utilizationVSAvoidcooking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member serves as a protective intermediary that shields the heater from microwave exposure. By blocking microwaves from reaching the heater, it ensures the heater can emit radiant heat at full intensity without interference, thereby reducing cooking time while still allowing both heating sources to be utilized

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a blocking member is added to protect the heater from microwaves, then radiant heat emission is maximized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiant heat emission efficiencyVSAvoidheater structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is strategically positioned only where microwave interference occurs, specifically between the magnetron and heater. This localized approach provides protection exactly where needed without adding unnecessary complexity to other parts of the device, and the blocking member itself can be a simple component that doesn't significantly increase overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 maximizes radiant heat emission, reducing cooking time, enhancing energy efficiency, and lowering manufacturing costs, thereby improving productivity and price competitiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetron configured to emit microwaves to the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave emission: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a heater configured to emit radiant heat to the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heat emission: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a blocking member which is located at an outside of the filament to block the microwaves emitted from the magnetron

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

a carbon filament which has a predetermined thermal expansion coefficient and generates heat by applying the electric power thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3051208B1Cooking device

Publication Date: 2020.06.24 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cooking chamber configured to provide a space in which food is cooked; a magnetron configured to emit microwaves to the cooking chamber; and a heater configured to emit radiant heat to the cooking chamber, wherein the heater includes a filament, an outer pipe which protects the filament, and a blocking member which is located at an outside of the filament to block the microwaves emitted from the magnetron.