Microwave wire mesh oven
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave ovens face challenges in using wire mesh elements to radiate blackbody radiation due to microwave leakage, current leakage, and spark hazards when microwaves interact with the wire mesh, making high-speed heating applications difficult.
Innovation Solution
A microwave oven design that includes a wire mesh heating element connected to a power supply via a conductor with a power supply filter to remove impinging microwave energy, and a Faraday cage-like sidewall to shield electromagnetic energy, along with an elastic thermal insulator to maintain tension and prevent sagging, allowing safe and efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wire mesh heating element is disposed in a microwave oven cavity to radiate blackbody radiation, then heating efficiency is improved, but microwave leakage and spark hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
A conductor is introduced as an intermediary component to electrically connect the wire mesh heating element to the power supply while blocking microwave energy. The conductor acts as a mediator that allows electrical current to pass through to power the heating element while preventing microwaves from reaching it and causing sparks or leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful interaction between microwaves and the wire mesh into a beneficial effect. By allowing some microwaves to impinge on the wire mesh element, the system utilizes this interaction to generate additional heating through dielectric heating of the mesh itself, while the conductor prevents harmful spark hazards.
2Power
If microwaves impinge on the wire mesh element, then heating is enhanced, but current leakage and spark hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor serves as a protective intermediary between the power supply and the wire mesh element. It provides a controlled electrical connection that prevents current leakage while allowing the wire mesh to be heated by microwaves without causing spark hazards.
3Productivity
If the wire mesh element is heated to radiate blackbody radiation, then heating speed is improved, but the wire mesh may sag or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using an elastic thermal insulator that changes its physical properties with temperature. The insulator is stretched cold to apply tension, then when heated, it contracts to maintain the wire mesh taut, compensating for thermal expansion and preventing sagging.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the wire mesh element is stretched taut to prevent sagging, then shape stability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic thermal insulator exploits temperature-dependent parameter changes to simplify installation. When cold, it is flexible and easy to stretch and secure. When heated during operation, it contracts to automatically maintain tension on the wire mesh, eliminating the need for complex tensioning mechanisms.
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 efficient and safe heating by evenly distributing electrical energy across the wire mesh, reducing stress and increasing the mean time between failures, while maintaining the wire mesh under constant tension to ensure flat operation and easy replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a wire mesh element to radiate blackbody radiation to heat primarily an exterior of an item
Implementation Method 2
a magnetron to radiate microwaves to heat primarily an interior of an item
Implementation Method 3
a magnetron configured to generate microwaves
Implementation Method 4
a conductor disposed in the oven cavity and electrically connecting the heating element to a power supply
Implementation Method 5
a power supply filter in electrical connection with the wire mesh element, wherein the power supply filter removes microwave energy that impinges on the wire mesh element
Implementation Method 6
an elastic thermal insulator bonded to at least one edge of the wire mesh element... the elastic thermal insulator keeps the wire mesh element tautly under tension
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A microwave wire mesh oven including: a microwave oven cavity; a wire mesh element positioned to radiate black body radiation into the microwave oven cavity; and a magnetron configured to generate microwaves, wherein some of the generated microwaves impinge on the wire mesh element.