Microwave Range Hood Layout for Symmetric Cooking Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave ovens with hoods have asymmetrically arranged cooking and electric component rooms, reducing cooking space and design symmetry, and generating vibrations and noise due to high voltage transformer magnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
A microwave oven design with a hood that positions the electric component room above the cooking chamber, using a divider to separate air passages for venting and cooling, and employing vent and cooling fan assemblies to manage air flow and minimize noise and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric component room is provided adjacently side by side with the cooking room in the chamber, then the electric components can be accommodated, but the volume of the cooking room is relatively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the electric component room from a horizontal adjacent arrangement to a vertical arrangement above the chamber. This dimensional change allows the cooking room to occupy the full horizontal space of the chamber while the electric components are housed in the vertical space above, effectively resolving the volume reduction issue without compromising component accommodation.
2Shape
If the cooking room and electric component room are asymmetrically provided in the chamber, then the components can be housed, but the front appearance of the microwave range is not horizontally symmetrical
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the electric component room to a vertical position above the chamber rather than arranging it horizontally within the chamber, the patent achieves horizontal symmetry in the front appearance. The vertical arrangement eliminates asymmetry in the horizontal plane while still providing adequate space for electric components through the additional vertical dimension.
3Power
If the high voltage transformer operates in the electric component room, then microwaves can be generated, but magnetic field transfers to the outer case causing vibration or noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a partition wall as an intermediary barrier between the high voltage transformer and the outer case. This partition wall blocks the transfer of magnetic field-induced vibrations to the outer case, thereby reducing noise while allowing the transformer to continue generating microwaves. The partition acts as a mechanical isolator that prevents harmful vibrations from propagating to the appliance housing.
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 design maximizes cooking space, improves the oven's appearance symmetry, and reduces vibrations and noise during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a vent fan assembly provided on the upper wall of the chamber... to introduce and exhaust contaminated air flowing through the at least one passage between the chamber and the outer case
Implementation Method 2
a cooling fan assembly located in a portion of the electric component room... for cooling the electric components
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes a chamber having an inner cavity configured to receive items to be heated; an electric component room containing electric components, the electric component room being located above an upper wall of the chamber; and an outer case defining at least one passage between the chamber and the outer case through which contaminated air is received and discharged, and through which air for cooling the electric components flows.