Microwave Resonance Seal for Wireless Sensor Data Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reading data from within a microwave-tight cooking chamber are hindered by the microwave leakage through cables, which compromises the chamber's integrity.

Innovation Solution

A domestic microwave appliance employs a microwave resonance seal, such as a lambda/4 door latch, to maintain microwave-tightness while allowing radio-based communication through the use of a reading device with an antenna positioned outside the chamber, operating at a frequency sufficiently distant from microwave frequencies to avoid interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a cable is used to connect sensors inside the cooking chamber to external reading devices, then data can be transmitted from within the chamber, but microwave radiation leaks through the cable openings compromising the chamber's microwave-tightness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmissionVSAvoidmicrowave leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. Sensors inside the cooking chamber communicate with external reading devices through electromagnetic signals that can penetrate the microwave-tight chamber walls without requiring physical openings, thus eliminating microwave leakage through cable penetrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to transmit data from sensors inside the cooking chamber to external reading devices. These electromagnetic signals act as a mediator that can pass through the microwave-tight chamber structure without compromising its integrity or causing microwave radiation leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cooking chamber is sealed microwave-tight to prevent radiation leakage, then safety is improved, but wireless communication through the chamber wall becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrowave-tightnessVSAvoidwireless communication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in electromagnetic wave parameters, specifically operating at different frequency bands. The reading device operates at frequencies (e.g., 2.4 GHz ISM band) that can penetrate the microwave-tight chamber structure, while the chamber is designed to contain microwave frequencies (e.g., 2.45 GHz). This frequency parameter differentiation allows selective penetration for communication while maintaining containment for cooking microwaves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 wireless interrogation of sensors inside the microwave chamber without compromising the appliance's microwave-tightness, allowing for effective data retrieval while preventing microwave leakage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one microwave resonance seal in the form of a lambda/4 door latch (λ/4 trap) for microwave-tight sealing of the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave resonance seal: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

reading device arranged outside the cooking chamber for radio-based communication through the at least one Lambda/4 door latch into the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2458936B1Domestic microwave device, module and method for reading data
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2458936B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2458936B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The household microwave oven (1) has a microwaveable cooking chamber (2) and at least one microwave resonance seal (9) for microwave-tight sealing of the cooking chamber (2), wherein the household microwave oven (1) has a reader (10) arranged outside the cooking chamber (2) for radio-based communication through the at least one microwave resonance seal (9) into the cooking chamber (2). The insert device (12) is for use in a microwaveable cooking chamber (2), wherein the cooking chamber (2) is microwave-tight with at least one microwave resonance seal (9; 20), the insert device (12) has a remotely readable transponder (15) and the transponder (15) is coupled to at least one sensor (13) and has at least one antenna (17), wherein a microwave filtering filter (18), in particular a low-pass filter, is connected downstream of the antenna (17).The method serves to read data from at least one sensor arranged within a microwave-tight cooking chamber (2), wherein the cooking chamber (2) has at least one microwave resonance seal (9), wherein the data are transmitted by means of radio signals which pass through the at least one microwave resonance seal (9).