Microwave Oven Interlocking Shield for Ordered Switch Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave ovens face risks of inadvertent triggering of levers by foreign objects, leading to safety hazards such as electric shock and disorder in the microswitch triggering sequence, and require complex maintenance to restore normal operation.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking device with a shielding component that moves between shielded and exposed positions to prevent foreign objects from triggering the second lever, ensuring orderly switch component activation, and allows the device to reset without dismantling the microwave oven.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the second lever is exposed to allow door hook access, then the door closing function is enabled, but foreign objects can inadvertently trigger the lever causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding component is positioned in advance to cover the avoidance gap before the door closing operation begins. This preliminary shielding prevents foreign objects from triggering the second lever, and the shielding component only moves to expose the gap when the door hook actually needs to access the lever during normal door closing
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding component acts as an intermediary element between the foreign objects and the second lever. It selectively blocks access to the lever during normal operation while allowing controlled access when the door hook needs to trigger the lever sequence, thus mediating between safety requirements and operational requirements
2Reliability
If the shielding component is added to prevent inadvertent triggering, then safety is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding component is integrated with the existing interlocking bracket structure and lever mechanism. It shares the same mounting space and coordination system, merging the safety function into the existing door closing mechanism rather than adding a completely separate system
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding component serves multiple functions: it shields the avoidance gap from foreign objects, guides the door hook's movement path, and coordinates with the lever triggering sequence. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
3Reliability
If the first lever is abnormally triggered, then safety hazard occurs, but the entire machine requires dismantling and overhauling for restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking device is segmented into independent components (first lever, second lever, shielding component, door hook) that can be individually accessed and reset. This segmentation allows the door hook to be manually repositioned to reset the lever sequence without dismantling the entire microwave oven
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking device for a microwave oven includes a first door hook, an interlocking bracket provided with a plurality of switch components, a first lever mounted at the interlocking bracket and rotatable to trigger at least one of the plurality of switch components, a second lever mounted at the interlocking bracket and located at a rear side of the first lever in a door-closing direction, and a shielding component provided at a avoidance gap formed between the first lever and the interlocking bracket. The shielding component is movable between a first position where the avoidance gap is shielded by the shielding component and a second position where the avoidance gap is exposed. The second lever is rotatable to trigger at least one of the plurality of switch components. The shielding component is positioned at the first position when a door is opened.