Microwave Generator Power Supply for Fast Door-Open Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave ovens using a magnetron-based source for cooking often result in non-uniform heating due to the non-coherent and non-tunable nature of the microwave source, leading to potential microwave leakage when the door is opened during cooking.
Innovation Solution
A microwave oven design incorporating a generator power supply unit with a detection circuit that disables the second converter when the door is open, triggering the second energy reserve to discharge quickly and minimizing microwave leakage, independent of the input voltage and first energy reserve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is opened during cooking, then the user can access the food, but microwave leakage occurs creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by detecting door opening status and disabling the second converter before significant microwave leakage can occur. The control circuit monitors the door state and proactively interrupts power to the second energy reserve and converter, preventing the harmful effect rather than responding after leakage begins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback through a door state detection circuit that continuously monitors whether the door is open or closed. This feedback signal is fed to the control circuit, which adjusts the operation of the second converter and energy reserve accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents microwave leakage when the door is open
2Reliability
If the second converter is disabled quickly to prevent microwave leakage, then safety is improved, but the discharge time of the energy reserve must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the system for rapid discharge before the door opens. The second energy reserve is kept charged and ready, and the control circuit is pre-configured to immediately disable the second converter upon detecting door opening, minimizing the time between door opening and energy discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the second energy reserve and second converter as a separate, independently controllable subsystem from the first energy reserve. This allows the second energy reserve to be discharged independently and rapidly without affecting the first energy reserve, enabling quick safety response while preserving the main power supply
3Power
If a magnetron-based source is used, then the microwave oven can generate microwave frequency radiation, but the heating is non-uniform due to non-coherent emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microwave generation system into multiple independent frequency sources (first and second oscillators) operating at different frequencies. This segmentation allows different frequency components to be applied to the magnetron, creating a more uniform heating pattern by distributing energy more evenly throughout the food rather than using a single frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameters of the microwave source by using voltage-controlled oscillators that can vary their output frequency. By modulating the frequency of the microwave radiation applied to the magnetron, the system achieves more uniform heating across different food types and configurations, overcoming the limitation of fixed-frequency magnetron operation
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 ensures rapid discharge of the energy reserve upon door opening, reducing microwave leakage and maintaining the first energy reserve's charge, thereby enhancing cooking uniformity and safety by minimizing electromagnetic radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a first converter for converting a power input to a power output
Implementation Method 2
a first energy reserve electrically coupled to the first converter for receiving the power output
Implementation Method 3
a second converter electrically coupled to the first energy reserve for converting the power output to a low voltage power output
Implementation Method 4
a second energy reserve electrically coupled to the second converter for receiving the low voltage power output
Implementation Method 5
a microwave generator for generating microwaves
Implementation Method 6
A detection circuit is configured to detect an input voltage
Implementation Method 7
disabling the second converter triggers the second energy reserve to discharge
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave oven and a method of operating the same is provided herein. The method includes the steps of: sensing that a door of the microwave is in an open state; interrupting a power input to a generator power supply unit comprising a first converter, a first energy reserve, a second energy reserve located downstream from the first energy reserve, and a second converter located between the first and second energy reserves; detecting an input voltage; and disabling the second converter if the detected input voltage is less than a threshold voltage that is proportional to the detected input voltage, wherein disabling the second converter triggers the second energy reserve to discharge, and wherein the time necessary to discharge the second energy reserve is free of influence from the first energy reserve and is independent of the detected input voltage.