An article management device and a refrigerator having the same

Abstract

The application provides an article management device and a refrigerator with the same, and belongs to the technical field of refrigerator article management. The article management device comprises: an identification unit for identifying the type of a target article; a weighing sensor for measuring the weight of the target article; a management controller connected with the identification unit and the weighing sensor; a communication module for realizing the communication connection between the management controller and a refrigerator controller; wherein the management controller is used for deriving recommended article storage information according to the type and weight of the target article, and the layout information and type information of the articles in the refrigerator sent by the refrigerator controller; and an interaction unit connected with the management controller and used for displaying the article storage information. The article management device can make the arrangement of the articles in the refrigerator more reasonable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerator item management technology, and in particular to an item management device and a refrigerator having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigerators are an indispensable household appliance in modern life, helping people store various ingredients and prevent food from spoiling. However, with the increase in food ingredients, the variety of items stored every day is also increasing.

[0003] However, refrigerators have limited capacity, and if items are placed haphazardly, the space inside may not be used efficiently, wasting space that could have been used to store more items. Furthermore, since refrigerators can store various types of items, including medicine, food, and skincare products, and food includes all kinds of ingredients such as raw and cooked foods, haphazard placement can lead to cross-contamination of odors or accelerated spoilage.

[0004] Existing technologies use simple partitioning to plan the placement of food to prevent items from interfering with each other. However, this method cannot provide reasonable placement suggestions based on the current state of the items in the refrigerator. It still requires the user's own experience and judgment to place the items, which may lead to unreasonable placement problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of the first aspect of this invention is to provide an item management device that enables more rational placement of items inside a refrigerator.

[0006] A further objective of this invention is to save space occupied by the item management device.

[0007] A further objective of this invention is to achieve item management within the refrigerator.

[0008] Another objective of this invention is to enrich the functions and application scenarios of the item management device.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that includes the above-described item management device.

[0010] In particular, the present invention provides an item management device, comprising:

[0011] The identification unit is used to identify the type of the target item;

[0012] A load cell is used to measure the weight of a target item.

[0013] The management controller is connected to both the identification unit and the weighing sensor;

[0014] A communication module is used to establish a communication connection between the management controller and the refrigerator controller;

[0015] The management controller is used to derive recommended item storage information based on the type and weight of the target item and the layout and type information of the items inside the refrigerator sent by the refrigerator controller.

[0016] An interactive unit, connected to the management controller, is used to display the storage information of the items.

[0017] Optionally, the item management device includes:

[0018] The main body is used to set up the identification unit, the management controller, the communication module, and the interaction unit;

[0019] The weighing part, connected to the main body, is used to mount the weighing sensor.

[0020] Optionally, the body is provided with a fixing member for connecting to a refrigerator;

[0021] The weighing part is connected to the main body via a rotating shaft, so that the weighing part can be in a closed state parallel to the main body and in a working state perpendicular to the main body.

[0022] Optionally, the main body is also provided with a storage button and a retrieval button, both of which are connected to the management controller. When the storage button is operated, the management controller records the target item as an item stored in the refrigerator. When the retrieval button is operated, the management controller records the target item as an item taken out of the refrigerator.

[0023] Optionally, the management controller is also connected to the mobile terminal via the communication module to send the quantity, information, and weight of the items in the refrigerator to the mobile terminal.

[0024] Optionally, the main body is further provided with a power supply module for supplying power to the identification unit, the weighing sensor, the management controller, the communication module and the interaction unit.

[0025] Optionally, the interaction unit includes a display, and the recognition unit includes a camera.

[0026] Optionally, the item management device is further provided with a connecting part that forms a vertical sliding connection with the inner wall of the refrigerator;

[0027] The item management device also includes a drive assembly for driving the item management device to slide vertically relative to the inner wall of the refrigerator until the weighing sensor contacts the bottom of the refrigerator shelf, so as to measure the load on the shelf.

[0028] Optionally, the identification unit is configured as a rotatable component to identify the status of each item inside the refrigerator.

[0029] The present invention also provides a refrigerator, including the item management device described in any of the above claims.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an item management device is provided, which can obtain the type and weight of the target item through an identification unit and a weighing sensor, and then communicate with a refrigerator controller through a communication module to obtain the type and layout information of the items in the refrigerator. Based on the type and layout information of the items in the refrigerator and the type and weight of the target item, recommended item storage information is derived and displayed through an interactive unit so that users can obtain the item storage information in a timely manner and refer to the information to properly place the items, which can save the space occupied by the items or prevent the items from absorbing odors and deteriorating.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body and the weighing part of the item management device are rotatably connected. Therefore, after the main body is fixed to the refrigerator, when there is a target item to be placed in the refrigerator, the weighing part is rotated to the working state for weighing. This also makes it convenient for the identification unit to measure the weight of the target item placed on the weighing part. When there is no item to be placed, the weighing part can be operated to rotate to the closed state to avoid occupying space.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body of the item management device is further provided with a storage button and a retrieval button. Each time a target item needs to be placed in the refrigerator, the storage button is pressed, and the target item is placed on the weighing unit so that the identification unit and the weighing sensor can obtain the type and weight of the target item. At this time, the management controller records the type and weight of the target item. When the target item is removed from the refrigerator, the management controller records it as an item removed from the refrigerator. This enables the management of items inside the refrigerator and provides information on the current status of the items inside the refrigerator.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the management controller is also connected to a mobile terminal via a communication module so as to send the quantity, information and weight of the items in the refrigerator to the mobile terminal, thereby facilitating the user to obtain information about the items in the refrigerator in real time from the mobile terminal.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sliding connection is formed with the inner wall of the refrigerator by providing a matching connecting part of the sliding groove at the item management device. Then, the item management device can be controllably moved up and down by the drive component, so that the weighing part of the item management device can lift the shelf inside the refrigerator, easily realize the weighing of the shelf, thereby obtaining the weight information of the shelf, and then sending it to the management controller for display at the interactive unit.

[0035] Furthermore, the item management device can be used as an identification and weighing device for target items, as well as an identification and weighing device for shelves inside the refrigerator, thus enriching the functions and application scenarios of the item management device.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the identification unit is configured as a rotatable component, which can increase the identification range to better identify the state of items inside the refrigerator.

[0037] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in a detailed manner by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 This is a second-view structural schematic diagram of an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an item management device and a target mounting part according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0045] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0046] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature, that is, include one or more of that feature. When a feature "includes or contains" one or more of the features it encompasses, unless otherwise specifically stated, this indicates that other features are not excluded and may be further included.

[0047] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "coupling," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or it can include contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. That is, in the description of this embodiment, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," or "below" of the second feature can mean the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0049] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the description of this embodiment have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0050] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an item management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the item management device 100 includes an identification unit 10, a weighing sensor 20, a management controller 30, a communication module 40, and an interaction unit 50. The identification unit 10 is used to identify the type of target item, such as an infrared device, a camera, or other item identification device. The weighing sensor 20 is used to measure the weight of the target item. The management controller 30 is connected to both the identification unit 10 and the weighing sensor 20. The communication module 40 is used to establish a communication connection between the management controller 30 and the refrigerator controller. The management controller 30 is used to derive recommended item storage information based on the type and weight of the target item, and the layout and type information of items inside the refrigerator sent by the refrigerator controller. This requires the cooperation of a refrigerator controller. A detection unit can be installed inside the refrigerator to acquire image information of the items inside. The refrigerator controller then processes the data to obtain the layout and type information of the items inside the refrigerator, and sends it to the management controller 30 via the communication module 40. The management controller 30 provides recommended item storage information based on the type and weight of the target items and the layout and type information of the items inside the refrigerator, according to a preset algorithm. For example, it considers the matching of volume, that is, to save space as much as possible after the target items are placed in the refrigerator, and it also considers the matching of types, that is, some items may mix odors, or they may affect each other if placed together, such as two items being prone to spoilage if placed together. In such cases, these items should be avoided to be placed together. The interaction unit 50 is connected to the management controller 30 and is used to display the item storage information. The interaction unit 50 can be a display and / or a voice broadcast device, etc.

[0051] The item management device 100 of this embodiment can obtain the type and weight of the target item through the identification unit 10 and the weighing sensor 20, and then communicate with the refrigerator controller through the communication module 40 to obtain the type and layout information of the items in the refrigerator. Based on the type and layout information of the items in the refrigerator and the type and weight of the target item, it can derive recommended item storage information and display it through the interaction unit 50 so that users can obtain the item storage information in a timely manner and refer to the information to properly place the items, which can save the space occupied by the items or prevent the items from absorbing odors and deteriorating.

[0052] Figure 2 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of an item management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of an item management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention from a second perspective. Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the item management device 100 includes a main body 60 and a weighing unit 70. The main body 60 is used to house the identification unit 10, the management controller 30, the communication module 40, and the interaction unit 50. The weighing unit 70 is connected to the main body 60 and is used to house the weighing sensor 20. Further, as... Figure 3 As shown, the main body 60 is provided with a fastener 61 for connecting to the refrigerator, for example, fixing it to the refrigerator door. The fastener 61 can be a magnetic device, suction cup or other parts that are easy to install and remove, or it can be effectively fixed by bonding with 3M adhesive or other methods. There are no restrictions here.

[0053] In this embodiment, the item management device 100 can be installed separately at the refrigerator without modifying the refrigerator's structure, enabling the refrigerator with the item management device 100 to have the function of item management, making the original refrigerator more intelligent and user-friendly.

[0054] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the weighing part 70 is connected to the main body 60 by a rotating shaft 42, so that the weighing part 70 can be in a closed state parallel to the main body 60 and in a working state perpendicular to the main body 60.

[0055] In this embodiment, the main body 60 and the weighing part 70 are rotatably connected. Therefore, after the main body 60 is fixed to the refrigerator, when there is a target item to be placed in the refrigerator, the weighing part 70 can be rotated to the working state for weighing. This also makes it convenient for the identification unit 10 to measure the weight of the target item placed on the weighing part 70. When there is no item to be placed, the weighing part 70 can be rotated to the closed state to avoid occupying space.

[0056] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the main body 60 is also equipped with a storage button 63 and a retrieval button 64, both of which are connected to the management controller 30. When the storage button 63 is operated, the management controller 30 records the target item as an item stored in the refrigerator. When the retrieval button 64 is operated, the management controller 30 records the target item as an item retrieved from the refrigerator.

[0057] In other words, each time a target item needs to be placed in the refrigerator, the storage button 63 is pressed, and the target item is placed on the weighing unit 70 so that the identification unit 10 and the weighing sensor 20 can obtain the type and weight of the target item. At this time, the management controller 30 records the type and weight of the target item. When the target item is taken out of the refrigerator, the management controller 30 records it as an item taken out of the refrigerator. This enables the management of the items in the refrigerator and obtains the current status of the items in the refrigerator.

[0058] In a further embodiment, the management controller 30 is also connected to a mobile terminal via a communication module 40 to send the quantity, information, and weight of the items in the refrigerator to the mobile terminal, thereby allowing the user to obtain real-time information about the items in the refrigerator from the mobile terminal. The communication module 40 may include a WIFI module and / or a 4G / 5G mobile communication module to achieve signal transmission.

[0059] In a further embodiment, the interaction unit 50 is disposed on the main body 60 and / or the mobile terminal. That is, a display unit and / or a voice broadcast unit can be disposed on the main body 60 to display various information, or the display screen and / or voice broadcast unit of the mobile terminal can be used to display various information so that the user can know the information of the items in the refrigerator in a timely manner.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, in a further embodiment, the main body 60 also includes a power supply module 65 for supplying power to the identification unit 10, the weighing sensor 20, the management controller 30, the communication module 40, and the interaction unit 50. The power supply module 65 can be a wireless power supply module, enabling a refrigerator equipped with the wireless power supply module 65 to wirelessly charge the item management device 100. The power supply module 65 can also be a replaceable or rechargeable battery, allowing the item management device 100 to be adapted to ordinary refrigerators that do not have a wireless power supply module 65.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an item management device 100 and a target mounting part according to another embodiment of the present invention. The target mounting part is a component inside the refrigerator, such as the inner wall of the liner or the inner wall of the door. In another embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the item management device 100 also includes a connecting part 66 that forms a vertical sliding connection with the inner wall 201 of the refrigerator. This connecting part 66 can be a protrusion, and the inner wall 201 of the refrigerator has a groove that matches the protrusion, so that the connecting part 66 can form a sliding connection with the groove that can slide vertically. Figure 4 As shown, the item management device 100 also includes a drive assembly 80 for driving the item management device 100 to slide vertically relative to the inner wall 201 of the refrigerator until the load cell 20 contacts the bottom of the shelf 202 of the refrigerator, so as to measure the load on the shelf 202. The drive assembly 80 can be a motor or a hydraulic device that can be used to output linear displacement. The item management device 100 can be disposed on the inner walls of opposite sides of the inner liner of the refrigerator, and the shelf 202 of the refrigerator can be provided with a clearance groove for placing the main body 60 to facilitate the movement of the item management device 100.

[0062] Of course, when the item management device 100 is installed inside the refrigerator, its built-in identification unit 10 can identify the status of the items inside the refrigerator and send it to the management controller 30.

[0063] In this embodiment, a sliding connection 66 matching the slide groove at the refrigerator is provided at the item management device 100, forming a sliding connection with the inner wall 201 of the refrigerator. Then, the item management device 100 can be controllably moved up and down by the drive component 80, so that the weighing part 70 of the item management device 100 can lift the shelf 202 inside the refrigerator, easily realizing the weighing of the shelf 202, thereby obtaining the weight information at the shelf 202, and then sending it to the management controller 30 for display at the interaction unit 50.

[0064] Furthermore, the item management device 100 in this embodiment can be used as a device for identifying and weighing target items, and can also be used as a device for identifying and weighing shelves 202 inside a refrigerator, thus enriching the functions and usage scenarios of the item management device 100.

[0065] Furthermore, when the weight of the shelf 202 measured by the item management device 100 exceeds the warning value, a corresponding warning message can be generated and issued through the interaction unit 50 to remind the user to pay attention to the overweight problem of the shelf 202.

[0066] In another embodiment, the identification unit 10 is configured as a rotatable component to identify the status of various items inside the refrigerator. For example, the identification unit 10 is a camera that can rotate 360°.

[0067] This embodiment increases the recognition range by making the recognition unit 10 a rotatable component, thus better identifying the status of items inside the refrigerator.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the refrigerator 200 according to the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the present invention also provides a refrigerator 200, including an item management device 100 as described in any of the above embodiments or combinations thereof, wherein the item management device 100 may be disposed at the door of the refrigerator 200.

[0069] The item management device 100 of this embodiment can obtain the type and weight of the target item through the identification unit 10 and the weighing sensor 20, and then communicate with the refrigerator controller through the communication module 40 to obtain the type and layout information of the items in the refrigerator. Based on the type and layout information of the items in the refrigerator and the type and weight of the target item, it can derive recommended item storage information and display it through the interaction unit 50 so that users can obtain the item storage information in a timely manner and refer to the information to properly place the items, which can save the space occupied by the items or prevent the items from absorbing odors and deteriorating.

[0070] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An item management device, characterized in that, include: The identification unit is used to identify the type of the target item; A load cell is used to measure the weight of a target item. The management controller is connected to both the identification unit and the weighing sensor; A communication module is used to establish a communication connection between the management controller and the refrigerator controller; The management controller is used to derive recommended item storage information based on the type and weight of the target item and the layout and type information of the items inside the refrigerator sent by the refrigerator controller. An interactive unit, connected to the management controller, is used to display the item storage information; The main body is used to set up the identification unit, the management controller, the communication module, and the interaction unit; A weighing unit, connected to the main body, is used to house the weighing sensor; The main body is equipped with a fixing component for connecting to a refrigerator; The item management device is slidably connected to the inner wall of the refrigerator; The weighing part is connected to the main body via a rotating shaft, so that the weighing part can be in a closed state parallel to the main body and in a working state perpendicular to the main body.

2. The item management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body is also equipped with a storage button and a retrieval button, both of which are connected to the management controller. When the storage button is operated, the management controller records the target item as an item stored in the refrigerator. When the retrieval button is operated, the management controller records the target item as an item taken out of the refrigerator.

3. The item management device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The management controller is also connected to the mobile terminal via the communication module to send the quantity, information, and weight of the items in the refrigerator to the mobile terminal.

4. The item management device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main body is also equipped with a power supply module for supplying power to the identification unit, the weighing sensor, the management controller, the communication module and the interaction unit.

5. The item management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interaction unit includes a display, and the recognition unit includes a camera.

6. The item management device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The item management device is also provided with a connecting part that forms a vertical sliding connection with the inner wall of the refrigerator; The item management device also includes a drive assembly for driving the item management device to slide vertically relative to the inner wall of the refrigerator until the weighing sensor contacts the bottom of the refrigerator shelf, so as to measure the load on the shelf.

7. The item management device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The identification unit is configured as a rotatable component to identify the status of various items inside the refrigerator.

8. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Includes the item management device according to any one of claims 1-7.

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