US4596914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave oven with a motor driven electric heater
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1985-03-28
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Granted: 1986-06-24
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Expires: 2005-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A motor drive for a heater in a microwave oven is disclosed which drives the rotation of the heater by the motor and controls the rotation of the motor with a control device to automatically position the heater suitably for cooking, thus preventing under or overcooking. A device is provided to permit the heater to rotate freely between a vertical position opposing a convection fan in the heating chamber and a horizontal position directly above a tray, a motor and transmission device are provided to drive the rotation of the heater, and a control device is provided to control the rotation of the motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Taisuke Morino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:07
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/647; H05B6/6482; H05B6/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A microwave oven with a motor drive mechanism for an electric heater which comprises: a heating chamber including a back wall, said walls and bottom tray; a microwave generator for generating microwaves in said heating chamber; a convection fan mounted on said back wall of said heating chamber; a heater provided in said heating chamber, freely rotatable between a vertical position opposing said convection fan and a horizontal position above said bottom tray; and a motor drive mechanism for rotating said heater provided outside said heating chamber and connected via a rotation shaft to said heater through a hole in one of said side walls of said heating chamber, said motor drive mechanism comprising a motor and transmission device, said transmission device comprising a pulley system for reducing rotation of said motor which is transmitted to said heater by way of a worm gear and worm wheel combination, a clutch gear mounted on a rotation shaft of said worm wheel, said clutch gear pressed against said worm wheel by a compression spring mounted on said worm wheel and a heater drive gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A microwave oven with a motor drive mechanism for an electric heater which comprises: a heating chamber including a back wall, said walls and bottom tray; a microwave generator for generating microwaves in said heating chamber; a convection fan mounted on said back wall of said heating chamber; a heater provided in said heating chamber, freely rotatable between a vertical position opposing said convection fan and a horizontal position above said bottom tray; and a motor drive mechanism for rotating said heater provided outside said heating chamber and connected via a rotation shaft to said heater through a hole in one of said side walls of said heating chamber, said motor drive mechanism comprising a motor and transmission device, said transmission device comprising a pulley system for reducing rotation of said motor which is transmitted to said heater by way of a worm gear and worm wheel combination, a clutch gear mounted on a rotation shaft of said worm wheel, said clutch gear pressed against said worm wheel by a compression spring mounted on said worm wheel and a heater drive gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The microwave oven of claim 1, further comprising a control device which controls the rotation, stopping and direction of rotation of the motor for selectively positioning said heater in said heating chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The microwave oven of claim 2, wherein said control device comprises a CPU with memory and said microwave oven further includes a control panel for operating said motor by way of said control device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The microwave oven of claim 1, further including a first microswitch to detect the vertical position of the heater and a second microswitch to detect the horizontal position of the heater, both microswitches being provided around a rotating arc of said heater drive gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The microwave oven of claim 4, wherein said heater drive gear is provided with a projection on said heater drive gear for pressing against said vertical positioon detecting a microswitch to turn it on when said heater is in a vertical position and a L-shaped projection for pressing against said horizontal position detecting microswitch to turn it on when the heater is in the horizontal position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-23 | 1989-12-23 | 1990-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-23 | 1993-12-23 | 1994-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-23 | 1997-12-23 | 1998-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |