Slotted Cage Microwave Distribution for Uniform Shoe Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heating methods for curing shoe parts, such as ovens and heat presses, face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution across irregularly shaped or multi-material parts, leading to inefficiencies and potential under- or over-curing issues due to energy distribution limitations.
Innovation Solution
A system that customizes microwave energy distribution within a chamber using conducting materials, dielectric materials, and strategically placed ports and deflectors to ensure uniform heating of non-uniform workloads, allowing for precise control of energy delivery to different regions of a shoe part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heating methods (oven, heat press) are used to cure shoe parts, then the parts can be heated, but uniform temperature distribution cannot be achieved across irregularly shaped or multi-material parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating process into multiple microwave entry ports positioned at different locations around the chamber. Each port delivers microwave energy to specific regions of the part, allowing segmented heating zones that can be independently controlled to achieve uniform overall temperature distribution across irregularly shaped parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different heating strategies to different regions of the part by positioning microwave entry ports and waveguides to deliver customized energy distribution. Each region receives tailored microwave energy based on its specific heating requirements, material properties, and geometric characteristics, enabling local quality control in the curing process.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If traditional heating methods are used, then heating can be applied, but energy efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional conduction-based heating (oven, heat press) with microwave electromagnetic heating. This substitution enables direct volumetric heating of the part materials, significantly improving energy efficiency by heating the material internally rather than through thermal conduction from external surfaces, and reducing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed microwave energy delivery through multiple entry ports, allowing controlled heating cycles that optimize energy efficiency. The microwave energy can be delivered in sequences or pulses to different regions, preventing energy waste while maintaining effective curing temperatures.
3Temperature
If microwave energy is delivered through a single port, then heating can occur, but blow torch effect concentrates energy on one portion causing non-uniform curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microwave energy delivery system into multiple entry ports and waveguides positioned around the chamber. This segmentation distributes the total microwave energy across multiple entry points, preventing concentration of energy at a single location and eliminating the blow torch effect that causes localized overheating and non-uniform curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple microwave entry ports and waveguides into an integrated heating system. By merging multiple energy delivery paths into a coordinated system, the patent achieves uniform energy distribution throughout the chamber and part, canceling out the harmful concentration effects that occur with single-port delivery.
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 approach enables uniform curing of shoe parts by tailoring microwave energy distribution, reducing the need for adhesives and improving the bonding of materials like EVA and rubber, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of shoe assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
Microwave heating has been used in food processing and other industries to attain rapid and energy efficient heating of items
Implementation Method 2
The chamber may be constructed of a conducting material that does not permit microwave energy to enter from the outside of the chamber to the inside of the chamber
Implementation Method 3
The use of different types of dielectric materials may alter the distribution of the microwave energy, effectively refracting the microwaves
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.