Umbrella-Shaped Cover Prevents Microwave Transmitting Cover Melting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-frequency cookers face issues with contamination from food vapors or seasonings adhering to the microwave transmitting cover, leading to its melting or deformation due to microwave heating.

Innovation Solution

An umbrella-shaped member is provided above the power feed port to cover the upper edge of the microwave transmitting cover, along with a cover holding member that reduces gaps with the heating chamber wall and secures a tight fit, preventing contamination and heat generation at the edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power feed port circumference pushing member is provided to prevent contact between the power feed port and microwave transmitting cover, then the microwave transmitting cover is not easily molten/deformed by wall surface electric current, but vapor or seasoning adheres to the microwave transmitting cover and causes melting/deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to melting/deformation from wall surface electric currentVSAvoidadhesion of vapor or seasoning leading to melting/deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An umbrella-shaped member is introduced as an intermediary component between the microwave transmitting cover and the contaminated environment. This member prevents vapor and seasoning from directly contacting the microwave transmitting cover, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of adhesion and subsequent melting/deformation caused by microwave heating of contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the microwave transmitting cover is positioned close to the power feed port for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but the microwave transmitting cover is exposed to wall surface electric current and vapor contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicity of cover positioningVSAvoidexposure to wall surface electric current and vapor contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented into two distinct components: the microwave transmitting cover and the umbrella-shaped member. This segmentation allows the cover to maintain its compact positioning near the power feed port while the separate umbrella-shaped member provides protection against both wall surface electric current and vapor contamination, effectively resolving the exposure issues without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration effectively prevents contamination and maintains the integrity of the microwave transmitting cover by blocking vapors and seasonings, ensuring it does not melt or deform during microwave cooking.

Implementation Method 1

the umbrella-shaped member prevents the vapor or seasoning from adhering to a front side or a back side of the microwave transmitting cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier blocking:

Implementation Method 2

a microwave transmitting cover which closes the power feed port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding:

Implementation Method 3

a waveguide which is formed on a surface opposite to the heating chamber and which guides a microwave generated by the high-frequency generating means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide propagation: Waveguide

Implementation Method 4

high-frequency generating means; a microwave generated from a magnetron serving as microwave generating means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 5

a microwave generated from a magnetron serving as microwave generating means and which is guided by a waveguide into a heating chamber; whereby food in the heating chamber is cooked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2738472B1High-frequency cooker
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2738472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2738472B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2738472B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A high-frequency cooker includes: heating chamber 1; a magnetron 2; a waveguide 3 provided on a wall surface that is a surface opposite to the heating chamber 1; a power feed port 4 provided on a wall surface of the heating chamber 1; a microwave transmitting cover 5 which closes the power feed port 4 in order to prevent entry of a vapor or contamination from the power feed port 4; and an antifouling cover 6 which covers an upper edge of the microwave transmitting cover 5, wherein even when a vapor or seasoning is dispersed and adheres to the wall surface of the heating chamber and flows down, a umbrella-shaped member can prevent the vapor or seasoning from adhering to a front side or a back side of the microwave transmitting cover, whereby the microwave transmitting cover can be prevented from being molten/deformed.