Microwave Oven LED Lighting Adapter for Existing Chamber Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave oven designs require adaptation of production tools and muffles to accommodate LED lighting technology, which is economically and sustainably disadvantageous, and necessitates redesigning conventional lights to fit new LED-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular holding plate and sleeve component system that adapts existing cooking chamber wall openings for LED light sources, allowing continued use of conventional production tools and light sources, with the sleeve component acting as a microwave trap to prevent radiation escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cooking appliance lights are used in existing openings, then the production tools and muffle designs can be maintained, but LED lighting technology cannot be implemented due to temperature sensitivity and different installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The holding plate serves as an intermediary component between the existing opening in the cooking chamber wall and the LED light source with light-conducting rod. It provides a mounting surface for the LED assembly while maintaining compatibility with the original opening dimensions, thereby enabling LED technology implementation without requiring changes to the muffle design or production tools.
2Reliability
If LED light sources are used with greater distance from cooking chamber, then temperature sensitivity is reduced, but the light transmission path becomes longer and requires light guides
Solution Approach 1:
The light-conducting rod acts as an intermediary that transmits light from the LED source (positioned at a safe distance from the cooking chamber for temperature reasons) into the cooking chamber. This mediator component enables the LED to operate in a thermally safe zone while still providing effective illumination inside the cooking chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution separates the light generation function (LED at distance) from the light delivery function (light-conducting rod entering the chamber), effectively using a different spatial dimension to resolve the thermal constraint. The light guide extends the illumination capability into the cooking chamber without exposing the sensitive LED to high temperatures.
3Use of energy by moving object
If new LED-based cooking appliance lights are developed, then energy efficiency is improved, but existing production tools and muffle designs must be adapted or replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding plate is designed as a universal mounting component that can accommodate LED light sources with light-conducting rods while fitting into existing openings in the cooking chamber wall. This universal design allows the same holding plate structure to be used across different appliance models, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling energy-efficient LED lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding plate is pre-designed and pre-fabricated as a separate component that bridges the gap between existing openings and new LED requirements. By preparing this adapter component in advance, the system enables retrofits of existing appliances with LED technology without requiring costly modifications to the muffle or production tooling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If opening size is reduced for LED light guides, then LED integration is improved, but the structural integrity and microwave shielding of the opening may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is segmented into multiple functional components: the original opening in the cooking chamber wall, the holding plate that covers the opening, and the sleeve component that provides microwave shielding. This segmentation allows the light guide to pass through a reduced opening while the holding plate and sleeve maintain the structural integrity and microwave shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses a nested structure where the light-conducting rod is positioned within the holding plate, which in turn is mounted within the original opening, and the sleeve component surrounds the light-conducting rod to provide microwave shielding. This nested arrangement allows the reduced opening to accommodate the LED light guide while maintaining shielding effectiveness through the surrounding sleeve structure.
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
Enables seamless transition from traditional to LED technology without altering existing tools or light designs, maintaining energy efficiency and preventing microwave radiation leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a light-conducting rod (18), which feeds the light emitted by the LED light source into the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
a shield in the area of the opening, which prevents microwaves from escaping from the cooking chamber through the opening
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A microwave oven is described and illustrated, comprising: - a cooking chamber enclosed by a cooking chamber wall, - a cooking light, - an opening in the cooking chamber wall in which the cooking light is held, - a shield in the area of the opening that prevents microwaves from escaping the cooking chamber through the opening, wherein: - the cooking light has an LED light source and a light guide rod that directs the light emitted by the LED light source into the cooking chamber, - the cooking light has a mounting plate with a recess in which the light guide rod of the cooking light is inserted, - the mounting plate holds a sleeve component surrounding the light guide rod, - the mounting plate is arranged on the cooking chamber wall covering the opening.