Microwave Heating Device Compact Layout

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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

The design includes first and second microwave generators disposed side by side below the cavity, with an inverter unit and cooling unit positioned in front, and waveguides extending in the front-back direction to efficiently utilize space, allowing for a more compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple magnetrons are used to increase microwave output, then heating capability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrowave outputVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cooling functions for multiple magnetrons into a single shared cooling unit, and merges the inverter units to have a common cooling system. This consolidation allows multiple high-power magnetrons to operate while using less space than separate cooling systems would require, thus resolving the contradiction between increased power output and device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges components in a three-dimensional configuration where magnetrons are positioned above the cooling unit in the vertical dimension, rather than spreading them out horizontally. This spatial arrangement allows multiple magnetrons to be accommodated without increasing the device's footprint in the horizontal plane, effectively resolving the size-power contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If multiple microwave generators are arranged side by side, then microwave output is increased, but the device cannot be downsized in the right-left direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrowave outputVSAvoiddevice width

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of magnetrons to a vertical arrangement where magnetrons are stacked above a shared cooling unit. This dimensional change allows multiple magnetrons to be accommodated without increasing the device width, thus resolving the contradiction between increased power output and reduced device width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple cooling units into a single shared cooling system that serves all magnetrons. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each magnetron, significantly reducing the horizontal space required and enabling device downsizing in the right-left direction while maintaining high power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate cooling units are provided for each magnetron, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of cooling units

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cooling units into a single shared cooling system that serves all magnetrons simultaneously. This merger reduces the total number of cooling units and simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining adequate cooling effectiveness for all magnetrons, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 a further downsizing of the microwave heating device in the right-left direction while maintaining effective microwave distribution and cooling, suitable for compact installations in commercial settings.

Implementation Method 1

first and second microwave generators that generate microwaves; an inverter unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a cooling unit; The cooling unit cools the first and second microwave generators and the inverter unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The cooling unit cools the first and second microwave generators and the inverter unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

first and second waveguides. The first and second waveguides supply, to the cavity, the microwaves generated by the first and second microwave generators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS10609772B2Microwave heating device

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

In a microwave heating device of the present disclosure, inverter unit drives first and second microwave generators. Cooling unit cools first and second microwave generators and inverter unit. First and second waveguides supplies, to cavity, microwaves generated by first and second microwave generators. First and second microwave generators are disposed side by side in a right-left direction below a bottom surface of cavity. Inverter unit and cooling fan are disposed from the first and second microwave generators toward a front side in order, and first and second waveguides are provided so as to extend in a front-back direction from first and second microwave generators, respectively. According to the present disclosure, the microwave heating device can be further downsized in a right-left direction.