Oven
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave ovens face challenges in achieving uniform cooking performance and preventing antenna contamination and damage due to interference and exposure to cooking ingredients, while also requiring optimal radiation efficiency across multiple frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
The oven design includes a heating unit with a curved or bent shape, supported by a member that extends along a predetermined pattern, and multiple antennas located within forming parts that protrude upward from the upper frame, preventing exposure to the cooking space and reducing mutual interference, with each antenna having optimal radiation efficiency at different frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple antennas are disposed at the upper frame to achieve optimal radiation efficiency at different frequency bands, then radio wave heating performance is improved, but the risk of mutual interference between antennas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antennas are arranged in the vertical dimension at the upper frame rather than being distributed horizontally, which separates their radiation patterns in the vertical direction and reduces mutual interference while maintaining effective heating coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna is positioned at a specific location on the upper frame to optimize radiation for different frequency bands, with each antenna having its own optimal radiation efficiency at its designated position and frequency
2Productivity
If the antenna is exposed to the inside of the cooking space to facilitate heat radiation, then heating efficiency is improved, but the antenna becomes vulnerable to contamination and damage from cooking ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The upper frame acts as an intermediary structure that holds the antennas while allowing their radiation to reach the cooking space, separating the antennas from direct exposure to cooking ingredients while maintaining heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The upper frame is designed with forming parts that create separate compartments or regions for housing the antennas, isolating them from the cooking space environment while allowing controlled radiation
3Manufacturing precision
If the heating unit is installed to provide uniform heating across the cooking space, then cooking uniformity is improved, but the installation space for the heating element is limited by the waveguide structure
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit employs a curved or bent configuration instead of a straight linear arrangement, allowing it to adapt to the limited installation space around the waveguide while maintaining uniform heat distribution across the cooking space through its extended pattern
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 ensures even heating, prevents antenna contamination and damage, and enhances radio wave efficiency by maintaining optimal radiation performance across various frequency bands, while securely supporting the heating unit to prevent warping.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit disposed adjacent to the upper frame and configured to transfer heat to the cooking space
Implementation Method 2
an oven that can cook food using a heat source in an enclosed environment... convection
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of antennas disposed at the upper frame and configured to emit, toward the cooking space, radio waves transmitted from a radio wave generator
Implementation Method 4
In some cases, a microwave oven includes a heating element
Data Source
AI summary
An oven includes a housing that defines a cooking space and that includes an upper frame defining an upper wall that faces the cooking space, a heating unit that is disposed adjacent to the upper frame and configured to transfer heat to the cooking space and that extends along a predetermined pattern to define a closed area, a support member in contact with a plurality of points of the heating unit, and a plurality of antennas disposed at the upper frame and configured to emit, toward the cooking space, radio waves transmitted from a radio wave generator that is electrically connected to an external power source.