Microwave Chamber Waveguide Layout for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave-based heating devices suffer from non-uniform electric field distribution due to standing waves, leading to uneven heating of the heating-target object.
Innovation Solution
The design of a microwave chamber with at least two waveguides extending from non-central positions and a block member inside the chamber and waveguides, where the waveguides have different lengths to create a phase difference, rotating the electric field distribution over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional microwave propagation is used in the heating-target object, then heating can be performed, but non-uniform electric field distribution occurs due to standing waves, resulting in uneven heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring waveguides with different lengths and positioning them at non-central locations on different side surfaces of the chamber. This asymmetric arrangement creates phase differences between microwaves from different waveguides, preventing the formation of symmetric standing wave patterns that cause non-uniform heating. The electric field distribution rotates over time due to this asymmetric configuration, ensuring more uniform heating throughout the heating-target object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a time-varying electric field distribution through the phase difference between multiple waveguides. The electric field pattern rotates continuously over time, transforming the static standing wave problem into a dynamic field distribution. This dynamic rotation ensures that different regions of the heating-target object receive varying electric field intensities over time, achieving more uniform overall heating.
2Temperature
If multiple waveguides are used to improve heating uniformity, then electric field distribution can be enhanced, but device complexity increases due to additional components and phase adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the inherent phase difference created by different waveguide lengths rather than requiring complex active phase adjustment mechanisms. By simply varying the length parameter of each waveguide, the patent achieves the desired phase differences that enable rotating electric field distribution. This passive parameter-based approach reduces device complexity compared to active phase control systems while maintaining heating uniformity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If waveguides are positioned at non-central locations, then standing wave patterns can be disrupted, but the chamber space utilization and heating coverage may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing multiple side surfaces of the chamber (different spatial dimensions) to position waveguides. Instead of placing waveguides only in the central region of a single surface, the invention distributes waveguides across different side surfaces at non-central locations. This multi-dimensional arrangement disrupts standing wave patterns while maintaining comprehensive heating coverage through the rotating electric field distribution that reaches all regions of the heating-target object over time.
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 achieves uniform heating of the heating-target object by minimizing destructive interference and maximizing constructive interference, ensuring efficient and stable heating performance regardless of heat treatment time.
Implementation Method 1
The heating using microwaves includes heating due to vibration of dipoles in the heating-target object (dielectric polarization loss)
Implementation Method 2
heat generation due to movement of electrons in the heating-target object (Ohmic conduction loss)
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the waveguides has a different length from a length of each of the others of the waveguides such that a difference between phases of the microwaves respectively travelling through the at least two waveguides occurs
Implementation Method 4
The microwave-based heating device minimizes destructive interference and maximizes constructive interference by adjusting the phase difference between the phases of the microwaves respectively incident to the plurality of waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave-based heating device is capable of uniformly heating a heating-target object by adjusting a difference between phases of waveguides based on lengths of waveguides so that an electric field distribution rotates over time. The microwave-based heating device includes a chamber having a first space for receiving a heating-target object; waveguides respectively extending in a length direction of side surfaces of the chamber, where each waveguide has a second space through which a microwave travels; and a block member disposed inside each of the chamber and the waveguides to occupy the first space and the second space. At least one waveguide has a different length from a length of each of the other waveguides such that a difference between phases of the microwaves respectively travelling through the waveguides occurs. When the microwaves are applied to the waveguides, an electric field distribution generated in the chamber rotates over time.