Microwave Shielding Plate With Conductive Loop Damage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microwave shielding layers in cooking devices are difficult to detect for damage, leading to potential microwave leakage, as damage is not easily visible and can go unnoticed.

Innovation Solution

A microwave shielding plate with a conductive layer and electrical performance detector that forms a conductive loop, allowing for real-time detection of changes in electrical performance parameters to assess damage and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a transparent conductive layer is used for microwave shielding to improve visibility, then the shielding layer becomes less visually detectable for damage, but this makes it difficult to observe damage and leads to undetected microwave leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of cooking cavityVSAvoiddetectability of shielding layer damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrical performance detector as an intermediary device that indirectly monitors the condition of the transparent conductive shielding layer by measuring electrical parameters (resistance, impedance, or conductivity changes). This mediator enables damage detection without compromising the visual transparency of the shielding layer, resolving the contradiction between visibility and damage detectability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces visual inspection (mechanical/optical detection) with electrical parameter detection. Instead of relying on human visual observation to detect physical damage to the transparent conductive layer, the system uses electrical measurements (changes in resistance, impedance, or conductivity) to automatically detect damage, thereby maintaining transparency while enabling reliable damage detection.

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

2Reliability

If conventional microwave shielding layers are used, then shielding function is provided, but damage to the shielding layer cannot be easily observed leading to microwave leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrowave shielding effectivenessVSAvoiddamage detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electrical performance detector continuously monitors the electrical parameters of the conductive layer and provides feedback about its condition. When damage occurs causing changes in electrical parameters, the system receives immediate feedback, enabling timely detection and response to maintain shielding reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces visual inspection methods with electrical parameter detection. By measuring changes in electrical resistance, impedance, or conductivity of the conductive layer, the system automatically detects damage without relying on visual observation, thereby maintaining high reliability while improving damage detection capability.

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

3Illumination intensity

If visualized microwave oven doors are used to improve appearance, then the shielding layer damage becomes less observable, but this causes undetected microwave leakage safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearance qualityVSAvoidmicrowave leakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrical performance detector as an intermediary monitoring system that indirectly assesses the integrity of the transparent conductive shielding layer. This mediator enables continuous safety monitoring without compromising the visual appearance quality of the transparent door, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and safety monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces visual damage assessment with electrical parameter measurement. By continuously monitoring electrical properties (resistance, impedance, conductivity) of the conductive layer, the system automatically detects damage that could lead to microwave leakage, thereby maintaining visual appearance quality while eliminating safety risks.

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

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 timely detection and monitoring of microwave leakage, ensuring the microwave shielding effectiveness and reducing safety risks by automatically controlling the cooking device.

Implementation Method 1

when the conductor is coupled into a conductive loop, wherein the microwave shielding plate comprises an electrical performance detector coupled with the conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the electrical performance detector determines whether the microwave shielding plate is damaged by detecting changes in electrical performance parameters in the conductive loop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity detection: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3637958B1Microwave shielding plate and microwave cooking device
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MFG CO LTD
  • EP3637958B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3637958B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3637958B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A microwave shielding plate (12) and a cooking device are disclosed. The microwave shielding plate (12) includes one or more conductive layers (18, 19), a conductor is provided in each of the conductive layers (18, 19), and two ends of the conductor are provided with wiring points, so that a shielding section covering the conductive layers (18, 19) is formed when the conductor is coupled into a conductive loop.