Multi-feed microwave oven with improved crisp function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave ovens often prioritize direct microwave heating over the crisp function, resulting in suboptimal performance of the crisp function due to shared feeding systems, which limits the culinary versatility and uniformity of food preparation.
Innovation Solution
A microwave oven design featuring a rotatable antenna with a sector-shaped panel and multiple microwave supply systems, including a first system for energizing a crisp function and a second system for exciting cavity modes, along with a control unit that selectively manages these systems based on user input, to create a ring-shaped heating pattern and enhance crisp function uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same feeding system is used for both direct acting microwaves and crisp function, then the device complexity is reduced, but the crisp function performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microwave supply system into separate feeding systems: a first feeding system with a rotatable antenna for crisp function and a second feeding system for direct acting microwaves. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and crisp function performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing different feeding characteristics in different regions: the first feeding system concentrates energy at the cavity bottom for crisping, while the second feeding system distributes energy throughout the cavity for general heating. This localized optimization enables both functions to perform well simultaneously.
2Productivity
If microwave energy is concentrated in a specific area for crisp function, then the heating efficiency is improved, but local overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable antenna performs periodic rotation during the crisping process, continuously changing the position of the energy concentration point. This periodic movement distributes the thermal load over time and space, maintaining high heating efficiency while preventing localized overheating and burning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the rotatable antenna, which can adjust its position and rotation speed based on cooking requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize energy distribution in real-time, achieving efficient heating while avoiding harmful overheating through adaptive movement.
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 design achieves improved crisp function performance by concentrating electromagnetic energy in a controlled ring-shaped pattern, providing a larger and more uniform heating area while avoiding local overheating, thus enhancing the culinary capabilities of the microwave oven.
Implementation Method 1
The art of microwave heating involves the feeding of microwave energy into a cavity... heating a cavity of the microwave oven... energizing a crisp function... dielectric heating (i.e., via direct acting microwaves absorbed in the food)
Implementation Method 2
a second microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves into the cavity for exciting cavity modes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A microwave oven is provided herein and includes a cavity. A first microwave supply system is configured to supply microwaves to a bottom of the cavity for energizing a crisp function. A second microwave supply system is configured to supply microwaves to the cavity for exciting cavity modes. A heating system is configured to provide a broiling function to the cavity. A control unit is configured to control the first microwave supply system, the second microwave supply system, and the heating system based on a mode of operation selected via a user interface.