Camera module, range hood and range hood control method

Abstract

The application provides a camera module, a range hood and a range hood control method, and relates to the technical field of kitchen appliances. The camera module comprises a camera assembly and a cleaning assembly. The camera assembly comprises a window sheet. The cleaning assembly comprises a driving module and a cleaning module. The cleaning module is connected with the driving module. The driving module is used for driving the cleaning module to pass through the outer surface of the window sheet so as to scrape the window sheet. After the cleaning assembly is started, the driving module drives the cleaning module to pass through the outer surface of the window sheet so as to scrape the window sheet and wipe off the oil film and water vapor, thereby solving the problem that the window sheet of the camera assembly of the range hood is covered and shielded by oil smoke and water mist.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of kitchen appliance technology, and in particular to a camera module, a range hood, and a range hood control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of smart home technology, visual recognition technology has been widely applied to various home appliances to achieve more intelligent control functions. As an important appliance in the kitchen environment, improving the intelligence level of range hoods is crucial for enhancing the user experience. By introducing visual recognition technology, intelligent monitoring and automatic control of the cooking process can be achieved, such as identifying the position of cookware, detecting the concentration of cooking fumes, and judging the cooking status, thereby providing a more precise and convenient operating experience.

[0003] In existing technologies, to achieve visual recognition, a camera module is typically installed on the range hood. This module generally includes a camera lens, image sensor, and image processing chip, used to collect and analyze image information of the kitchen environment. The camera module is usually installed on the front or side of the range hood to obtain the optimal field of view. However, due to the special working environment of the range hood, located directly above the cooking area, it is constantly exposed to a harsh environment of high temperature, high humidity, and abundant oil fumes. The oil fumes and water vapor generated during cooking directly contact and adhere to the camera lens, forming an oil film and water mist, causing the image to become blurry. This situation severely affects the quality of image acquisition, causing the visual recognition system to be unable to accurately obtain environmental information, leading to recognition failures or errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a camera module, a range hood, and a range hood control method to alleviate the technical problem that existing vision systems are easily affected by oil film or fog.

[0005] In a first aspect, the camera module provided by the present invention includes: a camera component and a cleaning component, wherein the camera component includes a viewing window; The cleaning component includes a drive module and a cleaning module. The cleaning module is connected to the drive module, and the drive module is used to drive the cleaning module to pass over the outer surface of the window to scrape the window.

[0006] Furthermore, the drive module causes the cleaning module to swing around the pivot, so that the cleaning module passes through the viewing window.

[0007] Furthermore, the drive module includes a motor; The cleaning module includes a swing arm with a first end and a second end arranged opposite to each other. The first end is provided with a shaft hole that is connected to the output shaft of the motor. A brush body that contacts the viewing window is provided on the swing arm.

[0008] Furthermore, the camera module also includes a housing, on which a lens hole and a lever hole are provided to connect the inside and outside, and a viewing window is set inside the lens hole; The motor is located inside the housing, and the swing arm is located outside the housing. The first end of the swing arm is provided with a shaft tube, which is perpendicular to the swing arm, and the shaft hole is located on the shaft tube. The shaft tube passes through the rocker arm hole and connects to the output shaft of the motor, and a sealing ring is provided between the shaft tube and the rocker arm hole.

[0009] Furthermore, the outer casing is provided with a limiting groove located at the second end of the swing arm, and the swing arm slides within the limiting groove; The limiting groove includes a first groove wall and a second groove wall facing each other, and a groove bottom connecting the first groove wall and the second groove wall, and the second end slides between the first groove wall and the second groove wall. The first groove wall is closer to the side where the window is located, and the second groove wall is farther away from the side where the window is located. The second groove wall is convex, and the distance between the second groove wall and the first groove wall decreases and then increases along one end of the limiting groove to the other end, so that when the swing rod passes the viewing window, the swing rod is pushed by the second groove wall and moves toward the viewing window, and the swing rod abuts against the viewing window.

[0010] Furthermore, the camera module also includes a sealing gasket, which is set on the side of the camera module that connects to the smoke hood, and the sealing gasket is provided with a clearance hole for the clearance window and the swing arm, and the swing arm swings within the clearance hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the outer shell is provided with a downward-protruding outer ring rib and an inner ring rib located inside the outer ring rib. The sealing gasket is placed between the outer ring rib and the inner ring rib; The lens hole and the rocker arm hole are located within the area enclosed by the inner ring rib.

[0012] Furthermore, the camera module also includes a lever position detection device for detecting the position of the lever; The detection device is connected to the drive module, which can move the lever that blocks the viewing window away before the camera assembly operates.

[0013] Secondly, the present invention provides a range hood that includes the aforementioned camera module.

[0014] Thirdly, the present invention provides a range hood control method, implemented using the aforementioned range hood, comprising the following steps: The current concentration of oil fumes or water vapor is obtained through the camera component, but the cleaning component is activated when the concentration exceeds the threshold. And / or, the current concentration of oil fumes or water vapor is obtained through the camera component, and the movement frequency of the cleaning component is adjusted according to the concentration range.

[0015] This invention has at least the following advantages or beneficial effects: The camera module provided by this invention includes a camera component and a cleaning component. The camera component includes a viewing window. The cleaning component includes a driving module and a cleaning module, which are connected. The driving module drives the cleaning module to pass over the outer surface of the viewing window to scrape it. After the cleaning component is activated, the driving module drives the cleaning module to pass over the outer surface of the viewing window to scrape it, wiping away oil film and moisture, thus solving the problem of the viewing window of the range hood camera component being covered and blocked by oil fumes and water mist. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a range hood provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a range hood provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of position A in the middle; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the camera module provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the camera module provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the camera module provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a top view (without the cover) of the camera module provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the swing arm of the camera module provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the camera module provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the camera module provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0018] Icons: 1-Range hood; 11-Shooting hole; 12-Structural panel; 2-Camera module; 21-Sealing gasket; 22-Swing arm; 221-Shaft tube; 222-Shaft hole; 223-Brush body; 23-Sealing ring; 24-Viewing window; 25-Housing shell; 26-Motor; 27-Cover; 28-Camera assembly; 31-Hall sensor; 32-Magnetic component; 41 - Outer ring rib; 42 - Inner ring rib; 5-Limiting groove; 51-Second groove wall. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0021] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] Example 1 like Figures 1-3 As shown, the camera module 2 provided by this invention can be, but is not limited to, installed on the range hood 1. The range hood 1 has shooting and intelligent visual recognition functions. The camera module 2 is installed inside the range hood 1, specifically on the structural plate 12 of the smoke collection hood. The structural plate 12 has a shooting hole 11, with the lens facing the cooking area. Of course, in other possible implementations, the camera module 2 can be located outside the smoke collection hood, meaning the camera module 2 does not need to pass through the shooting hole 11, but can directly face the cooking area.

[0026] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the camera module 2 includes a camera assembly 28 and a cleaning assembly. These can be two independent modules or integrated within the same housing 25. In this embodiment, the camera module 2 includes a housing 25 with two independent chambers, designated as a first chamber and a second chamber. The camera assembly 28 is connected to the first chamber. A lens aperture is provided on the housing 25, and a viewing window 24 is disposed within the lens aperture. The camera assembly 28 captures images of the outside of the housing 25 through the viewing window 24. The cleaning assembly includes a drive module and a cleaning module. The drive module is located inside the second chamber, and the cleaning module is located outside the second chamber. The two are connected through a rocker arm hole on the housing 25. The drive module is used to drive the cleaning module across the outer surface of the viewing window 24 to scrape the viewing window 24.

[0027] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the drive module drives the cleaning module to swing around the pivot, so that the cleaning module passes through the viewing window 24. Specifically, the drive module includes a motor 26. The cleaning module includes a swing arm 22, the output shaft of the motor 26 is perpendicular to the swing arm 22, the swing arm 22 includes a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite to each other, the first end is provided with a shaft hole 222, the shaft hole 222 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 26, and a brush body 223 is provided on the swing arm 22 to contact the viewing window 24. After the motor 26 is started, it drives the swing arm 22 to swing back and forth, so that it passes through the viewing window 24 at high frequency and multiple times.

[0028] In other possible implementations, the drive module can also drive the cleaning module to make linear motion. For example, the drive module includes a push rod motor that drives the cleaning module to make linear motion to pass through the window 24.

[0029] like Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the motor 26 is disposed inside the housing 25, and the rocker arm 22 is disposed outside the housing 25. A shaft tube 221 is provided at the first end of the rocker arm 22, and the shaft tube 221 is perpendicular to the rocker arm 22. A shaft hole 222 is provided on the shaft tube 221. The shaft hole 222 can be a flat hole, which mates with the flat end of the output shaft of the motor 26 for easy rotation. The shaft tube 221 passes through the rocker arm hole and connects to the output shaft of the motor 26. A sealing ring 23 is provided between the shaft tube 221 and the rocker arm hole to reduce the entry of oil and moisture into the second chamber, thereby extending the service life of the motor 26.

[0030] like Figure 6 As shown, the camera module 2 also includes a sealing gasket 21, which is disposed on the side of the camera module 2 connected to the smoke hood. The sealing gasket 21 is provided with a clearance hole for the clearance window 24 and the swing arm 22, and the swing arm 22 swings within the clearance hole.

[0031] After the camera module 2 is connected to the structural plate 12, the sealing gasket 21 is pressed between the housing 25 and the structural plate 12 and surrounds the circumferential outer side of the camera module 2, thereby reducing the intrusion of oil fumes and water vapor in the fume hood into the lens hole and the swing arm hole, and improving the service life of the camera assembly 28 and the cleaning assembly.

[0032] Specifically, the bottom surface of the outer casing 25 is provided with a downwardly protruding outer ring rib 41 and an inner ring rib 42 located inside the outer ring rib 41; the sealing gasket 21 is provided between the outer ring rib 41 and the inner ring rib 42; the lens hole and the swing arm hole are located in the area enclosed by the inner ring rib 42.

[0033] The outer ring rib 41 and the inner ring rib 42 can be integrally formed with the outer shell 25. Both are set at the bottom of the outer shell 25 (i.e. the surface connected to the smoke hood) and abut against the structural plate 12, providing installation space for the sealing gasket 21. The thickness of the sealing gasket 21 can be slightly thicker than the height of the rib. After installation, the sealing gasket 21 is compressed, reducing the gap between the module and the structural plate 12. Under the limitation of the inner ring rib 42, the sealing gasket 21 will not interfere with the swing arm 22.

[0034] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the camera module 2 also includes a lever position detection device for detecting the position of the lever 22. Specifically, the lever position detection device includes a Hall sensor 31 mounted on the housing 25 and a magnetic component 32 mounted on the lever 22. The Hall sensor 31 can determine the position of the lever 22 based on changes in the magnetic field. Before the camera assembly 28 operates, the drive module can move the lever 22 away from the viewing window to prevent the lever 22 from obstructing the viewing window 24.

[0035] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the top of the housing 25 is provided with an openable and closable cover 27 to facilitate the assembly of the camera assembly 28 and the cleaning assembly.

[0036] Example 2 like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, unlike Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the outer casing 25 is provided with a limiting groove 5 located on one side of the second end of the swing rod 22. The limiting groove 5 is arc-shaped, and the second end of the swing rod 22 slides within the limiting groove 5. The limiting groove 5 includes a first groove wall and a second groove wall 51 facing each other, and a groove bottom connecting the first groove wall and the second groove wall 51. The second end slides between the first groove wall and the second groove wall 51, with the first groove wall being lower and the second groove wall 51 being higher. The first groove wall is closer to the side where the viewing window 24 is located, and the second groove wall 51 is farther away from the side where the viewing window 24 is located.

[0037] The second groove wall 51 is upwardly convex, and the convex surface can be arc-shaped or trapezoidal. Along one end of the limiting groove 5 to the other, the distance between the second groove wall 51 and the first groove wall first decreases and then increases. When the swing rod 22 passes the viewing window 24, the swing rod 22 is pushed by the second groove wall 51 and moves towards the viewing window 24. The swing rod 22 adheres more tightly to the viewing window 24, resulting in a cleaner cleaning of the viewing window 24.

[0038] The present invention provides a range hood 1 including the aforementioned camera module 2.

[0039] The range hood 1 control method provided by the present invention is implemented through the aforementioned range hood 1, and includes the following steps: The camera component 28 acquires the current concentration of oil fumes or water vapor, and activates the cleaning component when the concentration exceeds a threshold. Specifically, the camera component 28 performs calculations based on visual recognition. When the camera component 28 detects that the current oil fumes or water vapor levels are high or affect the visual detection effect of the camera component 28, the cleaning component is intelligently activated, thus achieving intelligent control of the cleaning component.

[0040] At the same time, the current concentration of oil fumes or water vapor is obtained through the camera component 28, and the movement frequency of the cleaning component is adjusted according to the concentration range. For example, when the concentration is too high, the movement frequency of the cleaning component is high, while when the concentration is normal, the movement frequency of the cleaning component is low, thereby realizing intelligent frequency conversion control.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, include: A camera assembly (28) and a cleaning assembly, wherein the camera assembly (28) includes a viewing window (24); The cleaning component includes a drive module and a cleaning module. The cleaning module is connected to the drive module. The drive module is used to drive the cleaning module to pass over the outer surface of the window (24) to scrape the window (24).

2. The camera module of claim 1, wherein, The drive module drives the cleaning module to swing around the rotating shaft so that the cleaning module passes through the window (24).

3. The camera module of claim 2, wherein, The drive module includes a motor (26); The cleaning module includes a swing arm (22), which includes a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite to each other. The first end is provided with a shaft hole (222), which is connected to the output shaft of the motor (26). The swing arm (22) is provided with a brush body (223) that contacts the viewing window (24).

4. The camera module of claim 3, wherein, The camera module also includes a housing (25), on which a lens hole and a swing arm hole are provided to connect the inside and outside of the housing (25), and the viewing window (24) is disposed in the lens hole; The motor (26) is located inside the housing (25), the rocker arm (22) is located outside the housing (25), the first end of the rocker arm (22) is provided with a shaft tube (221), the shaft tube (221) is arranged perpendicular to the rocker arm (22), and the shaft hole (222) is provided on the shaft tube (221); The shaft tube (221) passes through the rocker arm hole and is connected to the output shaft of the motor (26), and a sealing ring (23) is provided between the shaft tube (221) and the rocker arm hole.

5. The camera module of claim 4, wherein, The outer shell (25) is provided with a limiting groove (5) located at the second end of the swing rod (22), and the swing rod (22) slides in the limiting groove (5); The limiting groove (5) includes a first groove wall and a second groove wall (51) facing each other, and a groove bottom connecting the first groove wall and the second groove wall (51), and the second end slides between the first groove wall and the second groove wall (51). The first groove wall is closer to the side where the window piece (24) is located, and the second groove wall (51) is farther away from the side where the window piece (24) is located; The second groove wall (51) is convex and extends from one end of the limiting groove (5) to the other end. The distance between the second groove wall (51) and the first groove wall first decreases and then increases, so that when the swing rod (22) passes the window (24), the swing rod (22) is pushed by the second groove wall (51) and moves toward the window (24), and the swing rod (22) abuts against the window (24).

6. The camera module of claim 4, wherein, The camera module also includes a sealing gasket (21), which is disposed on the side of the camera module connected to the smoke hood. The sealing gasket (21) is provided with a clearance hole to avoid the viewing window (24) and the swing rod (22), and the swing rod (22) swings within the clearance hole.

7. The camera module of claim 6, wherein, The bottom surface of the outer shell (25) is provided with an outer ring rib (41) protruding downwards, and an inner ring rib (42) located inside the outer ring rib (41). The sealing gasket (21) is disposed between the outer ring rib (41) and the inner ring rib (42); The lens hole and the rocker arm hole are located within the area enclosed by the inner ring rib (42).

8. The camera module of claim 7, wherein, The camera module also includes a swing arm position detection device for detecting the position of the swing arm (22); The detection device is connected to the drive module. Before the camera assembly (28) works, the drive module can move away the swing arm (22) that is blocking the viewing window.

9. A range hood characterized by Includes the camera module as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A method for controlling a range hood, characterized in that, The method is implemented by the range hood (1) of claim 9, including the steps of: obtaining the current concentration of oil fumes or water vapor through the camera component (28), but when the concentration is greater than the threshold, activating the cleaning component; And / or, the current concentration of oil fumes or water vapor is obtained through the camera component (28), and the movement frequency of the cleaning component is adjusted according to the concentration range.

Images