Microwave Tray Central Opening Rotary Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave ovens often result in uneven heating due to their grid-like radiation pattern, leading to 'cold spots' in food, and require frequent user intervention for stirring or rotating, which can be frustrating and affect the taste of cooked food, prompting preference for traditional wall ovens.

Innovation Solution

A microwave tray with a central opening that allows access to the rotary coupling for attaching accessories that can perform dynamic functions like stirring, mixing, and rotating, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring uniform heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If microwave ovens use a grid-like radiation pattern for heating, then heating speed is improved, but uniformity of heating deteriorates causing cold spots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoiduniformity of heating
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by enabling the microwave tray to rotate dynamically during the heating process. The tray rotation mechanism allows the food to be continuously repositioned relative to the stationary microwave radiation sources, ensuring that all areas of the food receive relatively uniform exposure to microwave energy over time. This dynamic movement resolves the heating uniformity problem while preserving the high heating speed advantage of microwave ovens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If manual stirring or rotating of food is required during microwave cooking, then heating uniformity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of heatingVSAvoidconvenience of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the Self-service principle by providing a microwave tray with an integrated rotation capability that automatically moves the food during heating without requiring user intervention. The tray's ability to rotate on its own eliminates the need for users to manually stir or reposition food, thereby maintaining heating uniformity while significantly improving ease of operation. The system serves itself by performing the necessary mixing action through automated tray rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If accessories are added to perform dynamic functions, then heating uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of heatingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Universality principle by designing a microwave tray that combines multiple functions into a single device. The tray not only serves as a support surface for food but also incorporates rotation capability to ensure uniform heating. By integrating the heating support and dynamic movement functions into one universal component, the patent improves heating uniformity while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to adding separate accessories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enables 'hands-free' cooking by allowing accessories to perform dynamic functions, ensuring thorough heating and eliminating cold spots, thus improving the taste and convenience of microwave-cooked food.

Implementation Method 1

A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that can heat food and other items by exposing them to radiation, such as microwave radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that can heat food and other items by exposing them to radiation, such as microwave radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9955534B2Microwave tray and accessories
Publication Date: 2018.04.24 CK INNOVATIVE MICROWAVE PROD LLC
  • US9955534B2 patent drawing
  • US9955534B2 patent drawing
  • US9955534B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to microwave trays and microwave accessories for use in microwave ovens. A microwave tray includes an opening located near the center of the tray. The opening in the center of the tray provides access to a rotary coupling located on a bottom surface of a microwave oven. Various microwave accessories can be mounted on the tray using corresponding mating configurations included on the tray and the accessories. The microwave accessories are configured to perform dynamic functions (e.g., stirring, mixing, rotating and flipping) when the accessories are connected to the coupling and the microwave is powered on.