Microwave Oven Door Airflow Structure Against Heat and Oil Mist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances installed above heating devices face challenges with heat and oil mist penetration, which can damage display units and other components, and require a design that enhances airflow while maintaining a slim structure.
Innovation Solution
The cooking appliance features a door structure with a first panel assembly for user information, a front assembly for cooling, and a rear assembly for shielding electromagnetic waves, along with an air guide and blowing device to form an air curtain and expand airflow paths, preventing heat and oil mist ingress while cooling components effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the door is formed with a slim structure, then the appliance profile is maintained, but the flow path space for air cooling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-layered door structure with front, middle, and rear assemblies arranged in the depth dimension. This allows the flow path space to be expanded along the depth axis rather than requiring increased width or height, thus maintaining the slim external profile while providing sufficient internal volume for air circulation and cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested door structure where the front assembly, middle assembly, and rear assembly are positioned within each other in sequence. The front assembly contains the display unit, the middle assembly contains cooling components, and the rear assembly provides shielding. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of available depth space, creating adequate flow path volume within a compact overall door structure.
2Shape
If the door is formed with a slim structure, then the appliance profile is maintained, but air flow smoothness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the depth dimension through multiple assemblies, the patent creates a longer air flow path that allows air to move more smoothly around components. The air can travel from the front assembly through the middle assembly to the rear assembly, providing adequate space for laminar flow despite the slim external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is segmented into multiple functional assemblies (front, middle, rear) that are arranged in sequence. This segmentation creates distinct zones for different functions while maintaining continuous air flow paths between them, allowing smooth air circulation through the slim door structure without turbulence or blockage.
3Ease of operation
If the display unit and components are mounted on the door, then user convenience is improved, but susceptibility to heat and oil mist damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air curtain as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the display unit/components. Air outlets positioned at the front assembly generate a flow of air that creates a protective curtain, preventing heat and oil mist from reaching the display unit and other sensitive components mounted on the door.
Solution Approach 2:
The air curtain system operates in advance to prevent harmful factors from reaching the display unit. By generating protective air flow before heat and oil mist can penetrate to the components, the system proactively protects the mounted elements rather than reacting to damage after it occurs.
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 effectively prevents component damage from heat and oil mist, enhances user convenience with improved airflow, and maintains a slim appliance profile by forming an air curtain and ensuring efficient cooling of electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
The air may be guided by an air guide and may forcibly flow inside of the door by a blowing device provided in the door
Implementation Method 2
a flow path of air flowing therein is formed in order to form an air curtain on the door and cool components inside of the door
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance is provided that may include a main body having a cavity, and a door that opens and closes the cavity. The door may include a first panel assembly disposed on a front of the door, a front assembly disposed behind the first panel assembly, and having formed herein a flow path through which air for cooling flows, and a rear assembly disposed behind the front assembly and configured to shield electromagnetic waves generated in the main body. The rear assembly may include an expansion portion formed by recessing at an edge and configured to expand a space in which the air flowing into the front assembly flows.