Microwave Heating Device with Waveguide Tube for Uniform Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microwave heating devices face challenges in achieving uniform heating due to non-uniform microwave distribution, which is exacerbated by the need for rotational mechanisms that increase size and complexity, and existing solutions that eliminate these mechanisms often fail to provide sufficient uniformity.

Innovation Solution

The microwave heating device employs a waveguide tube with multiple microwave radiating portions that change the amplitude of progressive waves, dispersing microwaves at various positions to achieve uniform heating without rotational mechanisms, utilizing a structure that prioritizes progressive wave propagation over standing waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rotational mechanism (motor-driven antenna rotation) is used to achieve uniform microwave distribution, then heating uniformity is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system (motor-driven antenna rotation) with an electromagnetic field-based solution. Multiple radiating portions are positioned at different locations within the heating chamber to create uniform microwave distribution through spatial arrangement rather than mechanical movement. This eliminates motors, rotating antennas, and associated control mechanisms while achieving the same heating uniformity goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the microwave radiation function into multiple separate radiating portions distributed at different positions within the heating chamber. Instead of a single rotating antenna, multiple fixed radiating elements are segmented throughout the space, each contributing to the overall uniform microwave field distribution. This segmentation allows simultaneous radiation from multiple zones without requiring mechanical rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If a rotational mechanism is used to improve microwave distribution, then heating uniformity is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radiation function across multiple fixed portions positioned strategically within the existing heating chamber volume. By distributing radiating elements throughout the available space rather than requiring additional space for rotating mechanisms, the patent achieves uniform heating without increasing overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple radiating portions are used to improve uniformity, then heating uniformity is improved, but microwave energy for heating is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidmicrowave energy for heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning radiating portions at specific locations where they can effectively contribute to uniform distribution without significantly reducing total energy output. Each radiating portion is strategically placed to target specific zones, ensuring that the division of radiation function does not result in substantial energy loss while achieving the desired uniformity.

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 approach enables uniform microwave heating of objects within the heating chamber, securing a larger amount of microwave energy for heating while maintaining a compact design and eliminating the need for rotational mechanisms, thus enhancing heating efficiency and uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

a waveguide tube for propagating microwaves supplied from the magnetron to the heating chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of microwave radiating portions which are formed on the waveguide tube and radiate the microwaves propagating through the waveguide tube to inside of the heating chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2741574B1Microwave heating device

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

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Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

In a microwave heating device of the present invention, a heating-chamber input portion (107) is adapted to direct, to a heating chamber (103), microwaves having propagated through a waveguide tube (106) and having passed through the positions where microwave radiating portions (108) are formed, thereby realizing a state where progressive waves are dominant among the microwaves propagating through the waveguide tube, so that the microwave radiating portions are caused to radiate, to the inside of the heating chamber, microwaves based on the progressive waves propagating through the waveguide tube. This enables uniformly heating an object to be heated, without using a rotational mechanism.