Camera module and refrigeration device

Abstract

The present application relates to a camera module and a refrigeration appliance. The camera module includes: a shell, including a first shell and a second shell that are detachably connected and enclose a storage cavity, and a channel formed between the first shell and the second shell and connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity; a circuit board, including a first board body accommodated in the storage cavity and a second board body located outside the storage cavity, the first board body and the second board body are connected via the channel; a camera, located in the storage cavity and electrically connected to the first board body; and an electric plug, located outside the storage cavity and electrically connected to the second board body. The first shell and the second shell of the present application protect the internal structure of the camera module to ensure that the camera can work normally, and the electric plug can choose a variety of connection methods to connect with the equipment in the refrigeration appliance or an external device, which reduces the signal transmission line, ensures the quality of image transmission, and improves the accuracy of image recognition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigeration appliance accessories, and in particular to a camera module and a refrigeration appliance. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of technology, the intelligence of refrigerators is constantly being upgraded. Among them, the application of image recognition technology in refrigerators has also emerged. The camera module installed in the refrigerator compartment is used to capture food and perform algorithm processing, so that the type, quantity, brand and placement / removal time of the food placed in the refrigerator compartment can be identified, the food can be managed and the information can be presented to the user through screen display or voice broadcast.

[0003] In the low temperature and high humidity environment inside the refrigerator, the camera module used for internal image recognition in the refrigerator has problems such as image quality degradation, blurring, and distortion. In addition, low temperature may cause the performance of electronic components inside the camera and the circuit board that carries the camera to be unstable, such as changes in resistance value and capacitance. In order to achieve sealing and solve the above problems, the camera needs to have an independent electrical plug for power supply and communication. Usually, an external electrical plug outside the shell, a connecting line, and an external electrical plug inside the shell are used, resulting in an additional electrical plug adapter in the signal transmission route, which affects the image transmission quality and reduces the recognition accuracy. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a camera module that solves the problem in the prior art of shortening the signal transmission route and improving the accuracy of image recognition.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned application purpose, one embodiment of the present application provides a camera module, a shell, including a first shell and a second shell that are detachably connected and enclose a accommodating cavity, and a channel formed between the first shell and the second shell and connecting the inside and outside of the accommodating cavity; a circuit board, including a first board body accommodated in the accommodating cavity and a second board body located outside the accommodating cavity, the first board body and the second board body being connected via the channel; a camera, located in the accommodating cavity and electrically connected to the first board body; and an electric plug, located outside the accommodating cavity and electrically connected to the second board body.

[0006] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the electrical plug is electrically connected to the circuit board via a pin.

[0007] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the circuit board has a first side surface and a second side surface that are arranged opposite to each other along the thickness direction, and the electrical plug is welded and fixed to the first side surface of the second board body.

[0008] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the shell also includes a supporting portion for fixedly supporting the second plate body, the supporting portion is fixedly connected to the second shell and the two are arranged on the same side in the thickness direction of the circuit board, the supporting portion is used to support the second plate body, and the electrical plug is arranged on a side of the second plate body away from the supporting portion.

[0009] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the camera module further has a sealing structure for sealing the accommodating cavity.

[0010] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the circuit board includes a transition plate connecting the first plate body and the second plate body; the sealing structure has: a first sealing portion arranged at the joint of the first shell body and the second shell body; a second sealing portion located between the wall surface of the channel and the transition plate; and a third sealing portion located between the edge of the second plate body and the supporting portion; the first sealing portion, the second sealing portion and the third sealing portion are arranged integrally.

[0011] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the second sealing portion is located between the transition plate and the first shell; the supporting portion includes a supporting surface, the supporting surface has a first area away from the second shell and a second area located between the second shell and the first area, and the second area and the first area are arranged in an L shape; the third sealing portion is bent and clamped between the second side surface of the circuit board and the first area, and between the circuit board and the second area.

[0012] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the first shell is provided with a positioning hole, the camera is arranged in the positioning hole, and a sealing ring is provided between the camera and the positioning hole of the first shell.

[0013] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the plug is electrically connected to the camera through an internal circuit layer of the circuit board.

[0014] In order to achieve the above application purpose, an embodiment of the present application further provides a refrigeration device, wherein the refrigeration device includes the camera module.

[0015] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present application, the refrigeration appliance includes a box body and a wire, a storage compartment is defined in the box body, the camera module is arranged in the storage compartment, one end of the wire is plugged into the plug, and the other end is used to connect components of the refrigeration appliance.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, one embodiment has at least the following technical effects or advantages: the first plate body of the circuit board located in the accommodating cavity can carry electronic components such as a camera, the first shell and the second shell protect the internal structure of the camera module to prevent the intrusion of external substances such as moisture and dust, thereby ensuring that the camera can work normally, and the electric plug connected to the second plate body can choose a variety of connection methods to connect to the equipment in the refrigeration appliance or an external device, thereby reducing the signal transmission line, ensuring the quality of image transmission, and improving the accuracy of image recognition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a camera module in one embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a partial explosion structure of a camera module in one embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a circuit board in one embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the second shell in one embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a sealing structure in an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a camera module in one embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a first fastener and a second fastener of a circuit board in an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first shell in one embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Description of reference numerals:

[0026] 1. First shell; 11. Positioning hole; 12. Ring groove; 2. Circuit board; 23. Camera; 24. Electric plug; 25. Transition plate; 26. First side surface; 27. Second side surface; 3. Second shell; 31. Accommodating cavity; 32. Supporting part; 321. Supporting surface; 322. First area; 323. Second area; 4. First fastener; 5. Second fastener; 6. Support member; 7. Protective mirror; 8. Sealing ring; 9. Sealing structure; 91. First sealing part; 92. Second sealing part; 93. Third sealing part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] Terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like used herein to indicate spatial relative positions are used for the purpose of convenience to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. Terms of spatial relative positions may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the drawings.

[0029] For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0030] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or structures, these described objects should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish these described objects from each other. For example, a first fastener may be referred to as a second fastener, and similarly, a second fastener may also be referred to as a first fastener, without departing from the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention provides a camera module, such as Figure 1 As shown, it is used to remotely view the food in the refrigeration device and monitor the storage status of the food in real time. Figure 1As shown, the camera module includes a shell, a circuit board 2 and a camera 23. The shell includes a first shell 1 and a second shell 3. The first shell 1 and the second shell 3 are detachably connected and enclose a receiving cavity 31. The camera 23 and the circuit board 2 are electrically connected in the receiving cavity 31.

[0033] As mentioned in the background technology, the existing camera module realizes power supply and communication through a board-end plug-in structure. The board-end plug-in structure includes shell-inside and outside plug-in connectors, connecting wires and shell-outside external plug-in connectors connected in sequence. The shell-inside and outside plug-in connectors are located in the accommodating cavity, and the connecting wires and shell-outside external plug-in connectors are located outside the accommodating cavity. Since the communication signal passes through multiple transmission components, signal attenuation occurs, which affects the image transmission quality and reduces the recognition accuracy.

[0034] In a camera module according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 As shown, a passage is formed between the first shell 1 and the second shell 2 to connect the inside and outside of the accommodating cavity 31, and the circuit board 2 is partially extended out of the passage. The circuit board 2 includes a first plate body 21, a second plate body 22, and a transition plate 25 connecting the first plate body 21 and the second plate body 22. The first plate body 21 is sealed in the accommodating cavity 31, the camera 23 is electrically connected to the first plate body 21 and accommodated in the accommodating cavity 31, the transition plate 25 is in contact with the wall surface of the passage, and the second plate body 22 is located outside the accommodating cavity 31. The circuit board 2 is provided with an electric plug 24, which is electrically connected to the second plate body 22, that is, the electric plug 24 is located outside the accommodating cavity 31. The power plug 24 can be connected to the equipment in the refrigerating appliance or the external equipment in a variety of connection modes, for example, the electric plug 24 is directly plugged into the equipment socket, or the electric plug 24 is connected to the external equipment in a spiral manner.

[0035] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the electric plug 24 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2 through a pin, and the electric plug 24 is electrically connected to the camera 23 through the internal circuit layer of the circuit board 2. In other variant embodiments, the electric plug 24 can also be connected to the circuit board 2 through a quick-connect terminal; or, the electric plug 24 can also be connected to the circuit board 2 by insulating crimping. In combination with the power supply and communication mode of the camera module in actual application (such as monitoring the state of food inside the refrigerator), the electric plug 24 is directly connected to the external equipment and communication device through a wire, which reduces the signal transmission line, ensures the quality of image transmission, and improves the accuracy of image recognition.

[0036] The circuit board 2 has a first side surface 26 and a second side surface 27 which are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction. The first side surface 26 is the side surface of the circuit board 2 facing the first housing 1, and correspondingly, the second side surface 27 is the side surface of the circuit board 2 facing the second housing 2. In this embodiment, the electric plug 24 is fixedly connected to the first side surface 26 of the circuit board 2. Preferably, the electrical connection between the electric plug 24 and the circuit board 2 is welded. Specifically, after the electric plug 24 is plugged into the circuit board 2 through the plug pins, it is fixed by spot welding at the position of the plug pins. More preferably, after welding, a moisture-proof coating or sealant, such as epoxy resin and silicone sealant, can be applied to the connection between the electric plug 24 and the circuit board 2.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the camera module further includes a supporting portion 32, the supporting portion 32 and the second housing 3 are located on the second side 27 of the circuit board 2, and the supporting portion 32 is fixedly connected to the second housing 3. In practical applications, the supporting portion 32 and the second housing 3 are integrally formed. The supporting portion 32 is disposed at the bottom of the second plate body 22, and the supporting portion 32 supports the second plate body 22. The electric plug 24 and the camera 23 are both located on the first side 26 of the circuit board 2.

[0038] Preferably, the supporting portion 32 is a supporting plate, and the supporting portion 32 is in contact with the second side surface 27 of the second plate body 22; more preferably, the supporting portion 32 is a thin-walled hollow structural member, and the supporting portion 32 and the second plate body 22 together form a chamber that is in communication with the accommodating cavity 31. Specifically, the side of the supporting portion 32 facing the second plate body 22 abuts against the side of the second plate body 22 facing the supporting portion 32, and the circumference of the second plate body 22 is flush with the circumference of the supporting portion 32. On the one hand, the supporting portion 32 supports the second plate body 22, and on the other hand, the chamber can reserve space for accommodating electronic components on the second plate body 22, thereby protecting the electronic components on the second plate body 22.

[0039] Specifically, the supporting portion 32 is provided with a supporting surface 321, the supporting surface 321 has a first area 322 away from the second shell 3 and a second area 323 located between the second shell 3, the second area 323 and the first area 322 are arranged in an L shape, that is, the second area 323 and the first area 322 constitute a height difference structure for supporting the second plate body 22, and the edge of the second side surface 27 of the second plate body 22 abuts against the first area 322.

[0040] The second sealing portion 92 is located between the transition plate 25 and the first shell 1, and the third sealing portion 93 connected to the second sealing portion 92 is clamped between the second side surface 27 of the second plate body 22 and the first area 322, and the third sealing portion 93 is bent and clamped between the second plate body 22 and the second area 323, thereby realizing the overall sealing of the first shell 1, the second shell 3, the supporting portion 32 and the circuit board 2.

[0041] The outer peripheral side of the first plate body 21 fits with the inner wall of the second shell 3. When the first shell 1 and the second shell 3 are buckled, the first plate body 21 is located in the accommodating cavity 31, and the edge of the second side surface 27 of the second plate body 22 fits with the side of the supporting portion 32 facing the second plate body 22, and the end surface of the second area 323 with a drop is in contact with the end surface of the second plate body 22, so that the sealing cavity 31 and the cavity can be closed. Preferably, the end surface of the second area 323 with a drop is perpendicularly arranged to the side of the supporting portion 32 facing the first shell 1, and accordingly, the end surface of the second plate body 22 higher than the supporting portion 32 is parallel to the end surface of the second area 323 facing the first shell 1.

[0042] like Figures 5 to 6 As shown, a sealing structure 9 is arranged between the first shell 1 and the second shell 3, and the sealing structure 9 extends between the second plate 22 and the supporting portion 32. Specifically, the sealing structure 9 is arranged between the first shell 1 and the second shell 3, between the first shell 1 and the circuit board 2, between the supporting portion 32 and the circuit board 2, and at the bending connection between the second shell 3 and the supporting portion 32.

[0043] In this embodiment, the sealing structure 9 includes a first sealing portion 91, a second sealing portion 92 and a third sealing portion 93. The first sealing portion 91 is arranged at the joint between the first shell 1 and the second shell 3, the second sealing portion 92 is arranged between the inner wall of the channel and the transition plate 25, and the third sealing portion 93 is arranged at the joint between the second plate body 22 and the supporting portion 32. The third sealing portion 93 connects the first sealing portion 91 and the second sealing portion 92, that is, the third sealing portion 93 is partially bent and is located at the joint between the end surface of the second plate body 22 higher than the supporting portion 32 and the end surface of the second plate body 22.

[0044] Preferably, the first sealing portion 91 and the second sealing portion 92 together form a square ring seal to seal the joint between the first shell 1 and the second shell 3 and the joint between the channel and the first plate 21, that is, to ensure the sealing of the accommodating cavity 31 and reduce the impact of the sealing structure 9 on the circuit board 2. The third sealing portion 93 is arranged at the edge of the second plate 22, that is, the third sealing portion 93 fits with the edge of the second side surface 27 of the second plate 22. Specifically, the second sealing portion 92 is a U-shaped sealing structure to achieve the fit with the edge of the second side surface 27 of the second plate 22 and reduce the impact on the electronic components on the second plate 22. The third sealing portion 93 is pressed at the joint between the second plate 22 and the supporting portion 32 to seal the joint between the second plate 22 and the supporting portion 32, and to ensure the sealing of the cavity surrounded by the second plate 22 and the supporting portion 32. The first sealing portion 91, the second sealing portion 92 and the third sealing portion 93 are integral, and the end of the third sealing portion 93 is bent and fits at the bending point between the second housing 3 and the supporting portion 32. In practical applications, the first sealing portion 91, the second sealing portion 92 and the third sealing portion 93 are an integrally formed rubber sealing structure.

[0045] The first sealing portion 91, the second sealing portion 92 and the third sealing portion 93 fill the joints between the first shell 1, the second shell 3 and the circuit board 2, and seal and protect part of the board body of the circuit board 2 and the camera 23 and electronic components carried on the circuit board 2 while ensuring that the circuit board 2 partially extends out of the accommodating cavity 31.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, support members 6 are provided in the second shell 3 and the supporting portion 32, wherein a part of the support members 6 is fixedly connected to the bottom wall in the second shell 3, and the circuit board 2 abuts against the support members 6, so that the circuit board 2 is flush with the second shell 3, that is, the side of the circuit board 2 facing the first shell 1 is coplanar with the side of the second shell 3 facing the first shell 1, and supports the board surface of the first plate body 21, so that a distance is left between the electronic components on the first plate body 21 and the inner wall of the second shell 3, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the electronic components; and the other support members 6 are fixedly connected in the supporting portion 32, and the support member 6 is arranged flush with the supporting portion 32, that is, the side of the support member 6 and the supporting portion 32 on the same side are coplanar, and the support portion and the supporting portion 32 cooperate to support the board surface of the second plate body 22.

[0047] like Figure 7As shown, the second housing 3 is provided with a plurality of first fasteners 4, and the first fasteners 4 are used to fix the second housing 3, the circuit board 2 and the first housing 1. Preferably, the first fasteners 4 are screws, and the second housing 3, the support member 6 and the circuit board 2 are all provided with through holes that can be connected to each other, and the first housing 1 is provided with a first blind hole connected to the through hole, so that the first fasteners 4 cannot penetrate the first housing 1, ensuring the integrity and beauty of the outer surface of the first housing 1. The first blind hole of the first housing 1 is a threaded hole, and the first fasteners 4 are bolted to the first housing 1 through the first blind hole. When the first fasteners 4 are tightened, the sealing structure 9 is deformed under pressure, which can further improve the sealing effect.

[0048] The supporting portion 32 is provided with a plurality of second fasteners 5, and the second fasteners 5 are used to fix the supporting portion 32 and the second plate body 22. Preferably, the second fasteners 5 are bolts, and the second fasteners 5 are bolted to the second plate body 22 and the supporting portion 32 in sequence, and the supporting portion 32 is provided with a second blind hole, and the second fasteners 5 are bolted in the second blind hole, so as to improve the sealing effect of the second sealing portion 92 while fastening the second plate body 22 and the supporting portion 32.

[0049] like Figure 8 As shown, the first shell 1 is provided with a positioning hole 11, and the positioning hole 11 connects the accommodating cavity 31 and the outside. The camera 23 and the electric plug 24 are arranged on the same side of the circuit board 2, and the camera 23 and the positioning hole 11 of the first shell 1, and the identification end of the camera 23 faces the outside. A protective mirror 7 is fixedly connected to the top of the camera 23. Specifically, the diameter of the protective mirror 7 is larger than that of the camera 23, and the central axis of the protective mirror 7 is colinear with the central axis of the camera 23, that is, the circumference of the protective mirror 7 extends toward the circumference of the camera 23; the protective mirror 7 abuts against the first shell 1, that is, the protective mirror 7 closes the positioning hole 11 to reduce the influence of the external environment on the camera 23.

[0050] Preferably, the first shell 1 is also provided with an annular groove 12, which is coaxially arranged with the positioning hole 11, and a sealing ring 8 is provided in the annular groove 12. The protective mirror 7 fits with the sealing ring 8 to further ensure the sealing effect of the protective mirror 7 and achieve the effect of sealing, waterproofing and dustproofing the camera 23.

[0051] In summary, one embodiment has the following beneficial effects: the first plate body 21 of the circuit board 2 located in the accommodating cavity 31 can carry electronic components such as the camera 23, the first shell 1 and the second shell 3 protect the internal structure of the camera module to prevent the intrusion of external substances such as moisture and dust, thereby ensuring that the camera 23 can work normally, and the electric plug 24 connected to the second plate body 22 can choose a variety of connection methods to connect to the equipment in the refrigeration appliance or an external device, thereby reducing the signal transmission line, ensuring the quality of image transmission, and improving the accuracy of image recognition.

[0052] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to implementation modes, not every implementation mode contains only one independent technical solution. This description of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation mode may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0053] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that: It includes: The housing comprises a first housing and a second housing which are detachably connected and enclose a receiving cavity, and a passage formed between the first housing and the second housing and communicating the inside and the outside of the receiving cavity; A circuit board, comprising a first board body accommodated in the accommodation cavity and a second board body located outside the accommodation cavity, wherein the first board body and the second board body are connected via the channel; A camera is located in the accommodating cavity and is electrically connected to the first plate; and An electric plug is located outside the accommodating cavity and is electrically connected to the second plate body.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical plug is electrically connected to the circuit board via a pin.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The circuit board has a first side surface and a second side surface that are opposite to each other along a thickness direction, and the electrical plug is welded and fixed on the first side surface of the second board body.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The shell also includes a supporting portion that fixedly supports the second board body. The supporting portion is fixedly connected to the second shell and the two are arranged on the same side in the thickness direction of the circuit board. The supporting portion is used to support the second board body, and the electrical plug is arranged on a side of the second board body away from the supporting portion.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The camera module also has a sealing structure for sealing the accommodating cavity.

6. The camera module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The circuit board includes a transition plate connecting the first board body and the second board body; The sealing structure has: a first sealing portion provided at a joint between the first shell and the second shell; a second sealing portion located between the wall of the passage and the transition plate; as well as, A third sealing portion is located between the edge of the second plate body and the supporting portion; the first sealing portion, the second sealing portion and the third sealing portion are integrally arranged.

7. The camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second sealing portion is located between the transition plate and the first shell; The supporting portion comprises a supporting surface, wherein the supporting surface has a first area away from the second shell and a second area between the second shell and the first area, and the second area is arranged in an L shape with the first area; The third sealing portion is bent and clamped between the second side surface of the circuit board and the first area, and between the circuit board and the second area.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first shell is provided with a positioning hole, the camera is arranged in the positioning hole, and a sealing ring is provided between the camera and the positioning hole of the first shell.

9. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug is electrically connected to the camera through the internal circuit layer of the circuit board.

10. A refrigeration appliance, characterized in that: A camera module comprising any one of claims 1-9.

11. The refrigerating device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The refrigeration appliance comprises a box body and a wire, wherein a storage compartment is defined in the box body, the camera module is arranged in the storage compartment, one end of the wire is plugged into the plug, and the other end is used to connect components of the refrigeration appliance.

Images