Microwave Heating Device Layout for Compact Right-Left Downsizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave heating devices are not adequately downsized in the right-left and front-back directions, making them unsuitable for installations in limited spaces such as convenience stores and fast food restaurants.
Innovation Solution
A microwave heating device design featuring first and second microwave generators disposed side by side below the cavity, with an inverter unit and cooling unit positioned in front of the generators, and waveguides extending in the front-back direction to efficiently utilize space, allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple microwave generators are installed to increase microwave output, then heating efficiency is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple microwave generators (first and second microwave generators) into a single cavity, allowing them to share common support structures, cooling systems, and control electronics. This merging approach enables increased microwave output while minimizing the overall device footprint by eliminating redundant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the first and second microwave generators side by side in a compact configuration within the cavity, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The waveguides extend in the front-back direction while generators are positioned right-left, creating a spatial arrangement that maximizes microwave output without proportionally increasing device dimensions.
2Manufacturing precision
If microwave generators are positioned to optimize microwave distribution, then heating uniformity is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the first and second microwave generators at different locations within the cavity to create localized microwave fields that complement each other. The waveguides are configured to direct microwaves from each generator to specific regions, ensuring uniform overall distribution while maintaining compact generator placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs stirrers that rotate to dynamically redistribute microwaves throughout the cavity. This dynamic movement compensates for the fixed positions of the microwave generators, achieving uniform heating without requiring the generators to be positioned optimally for every possible load configuration.
3Reliability
If cooling units are added to cool multiple microwave generators, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling systems for the first and second microwave generators into a single integrated cooling unit. This shared cooling system uses common cooling channels, fans, or heat sinks to cool both generators simultaneously, reducing the number of redundant cooling components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools both the first and second microwave generators, manages thermal loads from different operating conditions, and can be integrated with the existing device ventilation system. This multi-functional approach improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 enables the microwave heating device to be further downsized in the right-left direction while maintaining effective microwave distribution and cooling efficiency, suitable for compact installations in commercial settings.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave heating device for heating an object to be heated by microwaves
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit that cools the first and second microwave generators and the inverter unit
Implementation Method 3
the cooling unit cools the first and second microwave generators and the inverter unit
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
In a microwave heating device of the present disclosure, inverter unit (4) drives first and second microwave generating devices (3). Cooling unit (5) cools first and second microwave generating devices (3) and inverter unit (4). First and second waveguides (17) supplies, to cavity (2), microwaves generated by first and second microwave generating devices (3). First and second microwave generating devices (3) are disposed side by side in a right-left direction below a bottom surface of cavity (2). Inverter unit (4) and cooling fan (5) are disposed from the first and second microwave generating devices (3) toward a front side in order, and first and second waveguides (17) are provided so as to extend in a front-back direction from first and second microwave generating devices (3), respectively. According to the present disclosure, the microwave heating device can be further downsized in a right-left direction.