Camera unit

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a camera unit that can appear refreshing in appearance. The refrigerator (100) is provided with a case member (20) that houses at least the wide-angle camera (61) and the narrow-angle camera (63) in the front inside the refrigerator (100), the narrow-angle camera (63) is disposed at a position shifted laterally from a substantially central portion in the width direction of the case member (20), and the optical axis (L) of the narrow-angle camera (63) is inclined so as to point to the center in the width direction of the refrigerator (100). As a result, the wide-angle camera (61) and the narrow-angle camera (63) can be arranged side by side in front of the case member (20), the front end portion of the case member (20) can be formed in a narrow manner, and the camera unit (1) can appear fresh and cool in appearance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera unit. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a camera is installed on the upper part of a refrigerator, an image is taken when an object passing through an opening of the refrigerator is detected, and food stored in the refrigerator is managed based on the imaged result.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-070476 Utility Model Content

[0006] Issues to be Solved by Utility Models

[0007] Thus, the present disclosure provides a camera unit that can look clean in appearance.

[0008] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0009] The camera unit in the present disclosure relates to a camera unit which is set on the top surface of a cold storage and is used to shoot the cold storage. The camera unit includes at least a shell component which accommodates a wide-angle camera and a narrow-angle camera at the front of the interior. The wide-angle camera is arranged at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the shell component, and the narrow-angle camera is arranged at a position offset laterally from the substantially central portion in the width direction of the shell component. The optical axis of the narrow-angle camera is inclined so as to point to the center of the width direction of the cold storage.

[0010] In the above configuration, the wide-angle camera may be disposed substantially in the center of the case member in the width direction.

[0011] In the above structure, light emitting devices may be included on both sides of the shell member.

[0012] In the above structure, a sensor may be arranged between the wide-angle camera or the narrow-angle camera of the casing member and the light-emitting device.

[0013] In the above structure, a cover member covering the case member is included, an inclined portion is formed in front of the cover member, and the wide-angle camera is arranged at a position closer to the front of the case member than the narrow-angle camera.

[0014] In the above-mentioned structure, a substrate for controlling the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera may be stored in the case member, and the substrate may be arranged on the front side of the case member.

[0015] In the above structure, the substrate and the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera may be electrically connected via cables connected laterally from the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera.

[0016] Utility Model Effect

[0017] The camera unit of the present disclosure can arrange the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera side by side in front of the case member, and can form the front end portion of the case member narrowly, so that the camera unit can look neat in appearance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is the front view of the camera unit and cold storage.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 II-II sectional view.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a front view of the cold storage with the camera unit and the door open.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the camera unit viewed from above.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the camera unit viewed from below.

[0023] Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit with the metal plate removed from the case member.

[0025] Figure 8 is a top view of the shell component.

[0026] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit.

[0027] Fig.10 is Figure 8 A perspective view of a shell component cut off at section XX.

[0028] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit.

[0029] Fig.12 It is a bottom view of the cover part.

[0030] Fig.13 This is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit having the same cross section as the XX cross section.

[0031] Fig.14 yes Fig.11XV-XV sectional view.

[0032] Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1 Camera unit

[0034] 10 Housing

[0035] 10A rear

[0036] 10B Front

[0037] 20 Shell parts

[0038] 21A base

[0039] 21B Photo Department

[0040] 21A1 front end

[0041] 23 Divider

[0042] 24A No.1 adsorption unit

[0043] 24B Second adsorption unit

[0044] 26 Position limiter

[0045] 30 Cover parts

[0046] 30A inclined part

[0047] 31 Cooling holes

[0048] 33 Contact Department

[0049] 37 Shelter

[0050] 40 Metal Plate

[0051] 41 Rear of board

[0052] 41A 1st inclined portion

[0053] 41B Second inclined portion

[0054] 41C Flange

[0055] 41D Flange

[0056] 43 Rib

[0057] 45 Plate center

[0058] 46 Heat dissipation

[0059] 47 plate front

[0060] 51 Power board

[0061] 51B Power Harness

[0062] 53 Sensor substrate

[0063] 55SoC substrate

[0064] 57 Magnet

[0065] 59 Magnetic Shell

[0066] 61 Wide-angle camera

[0067] 63 Narrow Angle Camera

[0068] 65 Distance Sensor

[0069] 67 Thermocouple

[0070] 70LED

[0071] 90 Glass cover

[0072] 91 Lens Department

[0073] 92 Opening

[0074] 93 Switch

[0075] 93A main power switch

[0076] 93B Connection switch

[0077] 93C Camera start switch

[0078] 100 Cold Storage

[0079] 120 main box

[0080] Door 121A

[0081] 121 Cold Room

[0082] 122 Ice Room

[0083] 123 Fresh Freezer

[0084] 124 Freezer

[0085] 125 Vegetable Room DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] (Insights, etc. that form the basis of this disclosure)

[0087] When the inventors conceived of the present disclosure, there was a technology for managing foods by photographing foods stored in a refrigerator using a camera installed in the refrigerator.

[0088] In this case, in recent years, there is a technique for preparing a camera unit outside the cold storage and installing the camera unit afterwards. At this time, because the camera unit is exposed outside the cold storage, it is found that the problem of looking fresh in appearance is required, and the subject of this disclosure is formed to solve this problem.

[0089] Thus, the present disclosure provides a camera unit that can look clean in appearance.

[0090] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, sometimes, more detailed descriptions than necessary will be omitted. For example, sometimes, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters or repeated descriptions of substantially the same structures will be omitted.

[0091] In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the patent claims.

[0092] (Implementation Method 1)

[0093] [1-1. Structure]

[0094] Figure 1 This is a front view of the camera unit 1 and the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The II-II sectional view of the figure represents a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. Figure 3 This is a front view of the camera unit 1 and the refrigerator 100, showing the state where the doors 121A and 121B are opened. In the following description, the direction indicated by the symbol X in the figure is the right direction, the direction indicated by the symbol Y is the front direction, and the direction indicated by the symbol Z is the upward direction.

[0095] [1-1-1. Structure of cold storage]

[0096] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cold storage 100 includes a main body 120 with an opening on the front surface. A refrigerating chamber 121, an ice making chamber 122, a fresh freezing chamber 123, a freezing chamber 124 and a vegetable chamber 125 are formed on the main body 120. These storage chambers are cooled by cold air. The opening on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 121 is provided with horizontally opened doors 121A and 121B.

[0097] Drawers 122A, 123A, 124A, and 125A capable of storing items are provided in the ice making room 122, the fresh freezing room 123, the freezing room 124, and the vegetable room 125. In the installed state, the top surface of each of the drawers 122A to 125A is open.

[0098] Camera unit 1 is provided on top surface 120A which is the upper surface of the outer side of main body 120 of refrigerator 100. Top surface 120A of main body 120 is made of metal. As the metal constituting top surface 120A, a metal such as iron attracted by a magnet is used.

[0099] [1-1-2. Configuration of the camera unit]

[0100] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the camera unit 1 viewed from above. Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the camera unit 1 viewed from below. Figure 6 It is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the cover member 30 of the camera unit 1 is removed. Figure 7 It is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the cover member 30 and the metal plate 40 of the camera unit 1 are removed.

[0101] The camera unit 1 includes a housing member 20, a cover member 30, and a metal plate 40 housed inside the housing member 20. The housing member 20 is a rectangular member in a plan view. The housing member 20 is composed of a base 21A located at the rear and provided on the top surface 120A, and an imaging unit 21B extending forward of the base 21A and having a predetermined gap with respect to the top surface 120A.

[0102] The shell member 20 is made of a flame-retardant resin. Examples of the flame-retardant resin include ABS resin to which a flame retardant is added.

[0103] Legs 22A1 are provided at four outer corners of the bottom surface 22A of the base 21A. The leg 22A1 is a member for setting the case member 20 with respect to the top surface 120A with a predetermined gap, and is formed of, for example, rubber.

[0104] A position limiting portion 26 extending downward is formed on the front end surface 21A1 of the base 21A. The position limiting portion 26 is formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The position limiting portion 26 contacts the front end edge 120B of the main body 120 of the cold storage 100 from the front. The position limiting portion 26 restricts the movement of the camera unit 1 to the rear by contacting the front end edge 120B.

[0105] A first positioning portion 26A is provided on the front surface of the position restriction portion. In the present embodiment, the first positioning portion 26A is a mark that can be visually recognized from the front. The first positioning portion 26A is provided at the center of the camera unit 1 in the left-right direction.

[0106] Figure 8 2 is a top view of the shell member 20 .

[0107] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 , a power board 51 is fixed to the base 21A. The power board 51 is connected to an external power source and supplies power required for the operation of each part of the camera unit 1. The power board 51 is an example of a "board" in the present disclosure.

[0108] The power substrate 51 is connected to a power harness 51B capable of transmitting electric power. The power harness 51B is arranged on the left side of the power substrate 51 inside the shell part 20. The power harness 51B extends from the rear end of the shell part 20 to the outside of the shell part 20 and is connected to an external power source. The electric power output from the external power source is supplied to the power substrate 51 via the power harness 51B. In the present embodiment, the power harness 51B is connected to a 100V industrial frequency power supply. In addition, the power harness 51B may also be connected to the power substrate of the cold storage 100. At this time, the camera unit 1 and the cold storage 100 may also be connected via a USB cable or a harness.

[0109] A sensor substrate 53 is fixed to the base 21A. The sensor substrate 53 is a substrate for transmitting and receiving signals with various sensors such as the distance sensor 65, the thermopile 67, and the illuminance sensor 69 provided in the camera unit 1. The sensor substrate 53 is located on the right side of the power substrate 51. The sensor substrate 53 is an example of a "substrate" in the present disclosure.

[0110] A SoC (System on a Chip) substrate 55 is fixed to the imaging unit 21B. The SoC substrate 55 is a substrate for controlling the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63. The SoC substrate 55 is connected to the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 via two FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) cables 83. The SoC substrate 55 is an example of a "substrate" in the present disclosure.

[0111] The case member 20 has a partition 23 formed at a position surrounding the power substrate 51 in a plan view. Inside the partition 23, the sensor substrate 53, the SoC substrate 55, the wide-angle camera 61, and the narrow-angle camera 63 are arranged.

[0112] The wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 are arranged at the front end of the case member 20. The SoC substrate 55 is arranged at the front side of the case member 20. In this embodiment, the SoC substrate 55 is arranged close to the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63.

[0113] The partition portion 23 is formed in a shape protruding upward from the base portion 21A and the imaging portion 21B.

[0114] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a wide-angle camera 61 and a narrow-angle camera 63 are mounted on the front end of the imaging unit 21B of the case member 20 .

[0115] The wide-angle camera 61 captures each part of the refrigerator 100 including the refrigerator compartment 121. The narrow-angle camera 63 captures a range including the drawers 122A, 123A, 124A, and 125A. In addition, the camera unit 1 can also capture items taken in and out of the refrigerator compartment 121, the ice making compartment 122, the fresh freezing compartment 123, the freezer compartment 124, and the vegetable compartment 125.

[0116] LEDs 70 as lighting devices are provided on both sides of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 of the imaging unit 21B. The LEDs 70 illuminate the refrigerator 100 on which the camera unit 1 is installed from above. The LEDs 70 are arranged in a manner slightly inclined toward the outside of the refrigerator 100, that is, the front. By arranging the LEDs 70 in such an inclined manner, the entire area of ​​the vegetable compartment 125 and the freezer compartment 124 can be illuminated by the LEDs 70 when the vegetable compartment 125 and the freezer compartment 124 are pulled out.

[0117] An illuminance sensor 69 and a thermopile 67 are provided between the wide-angle camera 61 and the LED 70 of the imaging unit 21B, respectively.

[0118] Illuminance sensor 69 detects the brightness around refrigerator 100. Thermopile 67 is an infrared sensor, and detects the temperature of a person approaching refrigerator 100 to detect the presence or absence of the person.

[0119] Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit 1 , and shows a cross section taken along the center of the camera unit 1 in the left-right direction. Fig.10 is a stereogram of the camera unit 1, showing the Figure 8 The XX cross section of the camera unit 1 is cut off.

[0120] like Figures 7 to 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the metal plate 40 is a member made of a metal thin plate. The metal plate 40 is fixed to the imaging unit 21B via fastening members such as screws, bolts, and screws. The metal plate 40 covers the entire inner surface of the partition 23 from above.

[0121] That is, the metal plate 40 covers the power substrate 51 , the sensor substrate 53 , the SoC substrate 55 , the wide-angle camera 61 , and the narrow-angle camera 63 , and seals the region surrounded by the partition 23 .

[0122] The metal plate 40 includes a plate rear portion 41 overlapping the power board 51 and the sensor board 53 in a plan view. A rib 43 is formed at the front end of the plate rear portion 41. The rib 43 stands upward from the front end of the plate rear portion 41 over the entire width in the left-right direction.

[0123] A plate center portion 45 extending forward from the upper end of the rib 43 is integrally formed at the front end of the plate rear portion 41. The plate center portion 45 is arranged across the base portion 21A and the imaging portion 21B in a plan view. The plate center portion 45 is arranged at a position higher than the plate rear portion 41. The plate center portion 45 covers the SoC substrate 55 from above.

[0124] A downwardly recessed heat dissipation portion 46 is formed substantially in the center of the plate center portion 45. The heat dissipation portion 46 contacts the upper surface of the heat generating element mounted on the SoC substrate 55 via a heat conducting sheet. Thus, the heat of the heat generating element can be quickly transferred to the metal plate 40.

[0125] A plate front portion 47 is integrally formed at the front end of the plate center portion 45, and is formed to be lower in height than the plate center portion 45. The plate front portion 47 covers the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 from above.

[0126] The plate front portion 47 is in contact with the upper surfaces of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 via the heat conductive sheet. Thus, the heat of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 can be quickly transferred to the metal plate 40.

[0127] like Fig. 9 As shown, a heat dissipation hole 31 is formed at a position corresponding to the power substrate 51 behind the cover member 30. The heat dissipation hole 31 is a hole that penetrates the cover member 30 and connects the inside and the outside of the shell member 20. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation hole 31 is a hole formed with the longitudinal direction as the left-right direction, and a plurality of heat dissipation holes 31 are formed in a row in the front-back direction.

[0128] The heat dissipation holes 31 enable air to flow in and out between the inside and outside of the case member 20. Thus, heat generated by the power board 51 and the like can be easily discharged to the outside of the case member 20 by convection heat transfer.

[0129] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit 1, and shows a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0130] Hereinafter, the structure including the shell member 20 and the cover member 30 as components and accommodating the substrates 51, 53, 55, the cameras 61, 63, the metal plate 40, etc., is referred to as the housing 10. The heat dissipation holes 31 connect the space outside the camera unit 1 and the space inside the housing 10.

[0131] like Fig.11As shown, the camera unit 1 is placed on the front end 120A1 of the top surface 120A. The base 21A of the housing 10 overlaps with the top surface 120A of the cold storage 100 when viewed from above. The imaging unit 21B of the housing 10 does not overlap with the top surface 120A when viewed from above. Therefore, the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 are maintained at the front end of the main body 120, that is, the front edge 120B and a position forward of the front end of the top surface 120A.

[0132] In addition, the box is shaped such that the dimension H1 in the vertical direction from the lower end of the base 21A of the shell member 20 to the upper end of the cover member 30 is large, and the dimension H2 in the vertical direction from the lower end of the imaging unit 21B to the upper end of the cover member 30 is small. Therefore, from the user's point of view, the base 21A of the shell member 20 is blocked by the refrigerator 100 and is difficult to see, while the imaging unit 21B with a small dimension H2 in the vertical direction is easy to see.

[0133] Furthermore, a sloped portion 30A is formed on the front of the upper surface of the cover member 30 so that the thickness dimension becomes smaller.

[0134] The upper surface and side surfaces of the cover member 30 are colored differently from the shell member 20. For example, the shell member 20 is colored black, and the upper surface and side surfaces of the cover member 30 are colored silver or other colors brighter than the shell member 20.

[0135] Therefore, the camera unit 1 can be made to appear to be thin and narrow in appearance to the user.

[0136] Furthermore, the wide-angle camera 61 is disposed substantially in the center of the case member 20 in the width direction.

[0137] The narrow-angle camera 63 is disposed at a position offset to the side from the center portion in the width direction of the housing member 20. Fig.14 As shown, the optical axis L of the narrow-angle camera 63 is tilted and arranged to point to the center of the width direction of the cold storage 100. In the present embodiment, the narrow-angle camera 63 is arranged on the side of the door 121A of the cold storage 100 where the width dimension is narrower. For example, it is assumed that a mark or the like is provided on the hinge of the door 121A. Even when the door 121A is open and the other door 121B is closed, by arranging the narrow-angle camera 63 on the side of the door 121A of the cold storage 100 where the width dimension is narrower, the possibility that the shooting result of the narrow-angle camera 63 does not contain a mark or the like due to the side surface, upper surface, etc. of the other door 121B can be reduced.

[0138] The wide-angle camera 61 is disposed at a position closer to the front end portion of the case member 20 than the narrow-angle camera 63 .

[0139] As described above, the inclined portion 30A is formed on the cover member 30, and the height dimension of the front end side of the cover member 30 is formed to be small. Since the height dimension of the narrow-angle camera 63 is larger than that of the wide-angle camera 61, it cannot be set at a position close to the front end of the shell member 20. In addition, since the height dimension of the wide-angle camera 61 is relatively small, it can be set at a position close to the front end of the shell member 20, thereby enabling the wide-angle camera 61 to shoot from the front side of the cold storage 100.

[0140] The connector 83A of the cable 83 connected to the SoC substrate 55 is connected from the lateral direction of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63. Thus, the height dimensions of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 can be suppressed low.

[0141] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , a glass cover 90 extending in the left-right direction is provided on the lower surface of the front end of the imaging unit 21B. The glass cover 90 covers the lens portions of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 .

[0142] Moreover, the lens part 91 is formed in the position corresponding to the LED 70 of the glass cover 90. The lens part 91 can focus the light irradiated from the LED 70, and can irradiate the light efficiently.

[0143] In addition, an opening 92 is formed at a position of the glass cover 90 corresponding to the thermopile 67. By providing the opening 92, infrared rays can be directly detected from the thermopile 67 without interposing the glass cover 90 therebetween.

[0144] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, switches 93 are provided on the front surface of the base 21A of the case member 20. The switches 93 are a main power switch 93A, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) connection switch 93B, and a camera activation switch 93C.

[0145] The position limiting portion 26 formed on the front end surface 21A1 of the base 21A contacts the front end edge 120B of the main body 120 of the cold storage 100 from the front, so that even if each switch 93 is pressed and a backward force is applied to the base 21A, the camera unit 1 can be prevented from moving backward.

[0146] In addition, due to the shape of the housing 10, the maximum distance between the metal plate 40 and the cover member 30 in the vertical direction at the base 21A is greater than the maximum distance between the metal plate 40 and the cover member 30 in the vertical direction at the imaging unit 21B. As a result, it is easy to ensure the vertical distance between the metal plate 40 and the heat dissipation hole 31 formed in the cover member 30 at the base 21A of the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the vertical distance between the heat dissipation hole 31 and the metal plate 40 is set to 15 mm or more for antistatic purposes.

[0147] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the camera unit 1 is configured to weigh 1 kg or less including the power harness 51B.

[0148] [1-1-3. Structure related to drainage from camera unit]

[0149] The camera unit 1 has a structure that can drain water that has entered the housing 10 to the outside without reaching the substrates 51, 53, 55, etc. In the following, the structure related to drainage of the camera unit 1 will be described in particular.

[0150] like Figures 9 to 11 As shown, a first inclined portion 41A inclined in the front-rear direction is formed on the rear portion 41 of the metal plate 40. The first inclined portion 41A is a plate-shaped portion extending forward from the rear end of the metal plate 40 and inclined forward and downward. In other words, the first inclined portion 41A is inclined in a direction in which the rear side is located upward. Here, the metal plate 40 is an example of a "plate". In addition, the rear side is an example of a "one direction side".

[0151] The second inclined portion 41B is formed on the rear portion 41 of the metal plate 40 and is inclined up and down in the front-rear direction. The second inclined portion 41B is a plate-like portion extending from the front end of the first inclined portion 41A toward the front and upward. The rib 43 is formed at the front end of the second inclined portion 41B.

[0152] like Fig.10 As shown, both ends of the first inclined portion 41A in the left-right direction extend to a position that is further outward in the left-right direction than the side wall portion 23A. The side wall portion 23A is a portion of the partition portion 23 that is located at a position sandwiching the power substrate 51 and the sensor substrate 53 from both sides in the left-right direction, and extends in the front-back direction. In addition, the upper edge of the side wall portion 23A is inclined up and down in the front-back direction along the inclination of the first inclined portion 41A and the second inclined portion 41B. Flange portions 41C that are bent downward and cover the upper edge of the side wall portion 23A from the left-right direction outer side are formed at both ends of the first inclined portion 41A in the left-right direction.

[0153] Both ends of the second inclined portion 41B extend to the outside of the side wall 23A in the left and right directions. Flanges 41D are formed at both ends of the second inclined portion 41B and are bent downward to cover the upper edge of the side wall 23A from the outside in the left and right directions.

[0154] The water flowing from the heat dissipation hole 31 to the plate rear portion 41 directly below is restricted in its rearward movement by the first inclined portion 41A, and is restricted in its forward movement by the second inclined portion 41B and the rib 43. Therefore, water tends to gather at one point in the front-rear direction at the plate rear portion 41, and when a certain amount of water is gathered, it overflows from the plate rear portion 41 to the outside in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the flange portions 41C and 41D are formed on the first inclined portion 41A and the second inclined portion 41B, thereby preventing water from bypassing the back side of the metal plate 40, that is, the lower surface side.

[0155] Fig.12 30 is a bottom view of the cover member 30. Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , a contact portion 33 protruding downward from the lower surface side is formed on the cover member 30. When the cover member 30 is mounted from above with respect to the shell member 20, the lower end of the contact portion 33 contacts the metal plate 40 from above at a position along the partition 23. More specifically, the contact portion 33 as a whole is shaped to substantially overlap with the partition 23 as a whole when viewed from above.

[0156] The contact portion 33 contacts the metal plate 40 from above at a position along the partition 23, and the metal plate 40 is pressed against the partition 23 from above. As a result, the contact area between the metal plate 40 and the partition 23 increases, and the gap between the metal plate 40 and the partition 23 becomes smaller. Therefore, the area surrounded by the partition 23 is sealed by the partition 23, the metal plate 40, and the bottom surface 22A of the base 21A, and water can be prevented from reaching the substrates 51, 53, 55, the cameras 61, 63, etc. inside the area. In addition, in the present embodiment, the rear plate 41 is fixed by sandwiching it up and down between the partition 23 and the contact portion 33. Therefore, the man-hours for fixing the metal plate 40 to the shell member 20 can be reduced.

[0157] Fig.13 It is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit 1 having the same cross section as the XX cross section. A side contact portion 33A extending forward and backward along the side wall portion 23A of the partition portion 23 is formed in the contact portion 33. The side contact portion 33A presses the plate rear portion 41 of the metal plate 40 against the side wall portion 23A. A second drainage hole 33A1 penetrating the side contact portion 33A in the left-right direction is formed in the side contact portion 33A. The second drainage hole 33A1 is a shape that is open on the lower side of the side contact portion 33A. A plurality of second drainage holes 33A1 are formed in the side contact portion 33A. Water on the plate rear portion 41 flows to the left-right outer side of the side contact portion 33A through the second drainage hole 33A1 and can reach the flange portions 41C and 41D.

[0158] In addition, if Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown in FIG. 1 , a shielding portion 37 is formed on the cover member 30. The shielding portion 37 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the cover member 30 and extends in the left-right direction. The shielding portion 37 is located between the rib 43 and the heat dissipation hole 31 in the front-to-back direction. More specifically, the shielding portion 37 is close to the rib 43 in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the lower end of the shielding portion 37 is located at a position lower than the upper end of the rib 43. Therefore, water flowing in from the heat dissipation hole 31 is blocked by the rib 43 and the shielding portion 37, and the movement toward the front side of the rib 43 is restricted.

[0159] like Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig.10 and Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , a first drain hole 28 is formed on the bottom surface 22A of the base 21A, which passes through the bottom surface 22A from top to bottom. The first drain hole 28 is provided outside the side wall portion 23A in the left-right direction. In other words, the side wall portion 23A of the partition portion 23 partitions the power substrate 51 and the sensor substrate 53 and the first drain hole 28 from left to right. The first drain hole 28 connects the inside and the outside of the housing 10. The first drain hole 28 is provided over substantially the entire front-back direction of the bottom surface 22A.

[0160] As described above, by providing the legs 22A1 at the four corners of the bottom surface 22A, the bottom surface 22A is located at a position separated from the top surface 120A by a predetermined gap size. In the present embodiment, the predetermined gap size is 2 mm. Therefore, the first drain hole 28 is not closed by the top surface 120A, and water can be drained from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside through the first drain hole 28.

[0161] [1-1-4. Configuration related to camera unit installation]

[0162] Hereinafter, a configuration for facilitating positioning of the camera unit 1 when installing the camera unit 1 and a configuration for making it difficult for the installed camera unit 1 to move will be described.

[0163] like Figure 5 , Figure 8 As shown, a first adsorption portion 24A is provided on the bottom surface 22A of the base 21A. The first adsorption portion 24A is a structure in which a magnet 57 is arranged for a slit hole 27 that passes through the bottom surface 22A from top to bottom. The magnet 57 is covered on the upper surface and the side surface by a yoke. The magnet 57 is exposed above and below the bottom surface 22A through the slit hole 27. In addition, there is a gap between the slit hole 27 and the magnet 57, and water and air can enter and exit the inside and outside of the shell 10 through the gap. The first adsorption portion 24A is located in the center of the bottom surface 22A in the left-right direction. The first adsorption portion 24A is located in the front part of the bottom surface 22A. In addition, the first adsorption portion 24A is formed at a position inside the range surrounded by the partition portion 23 when viewed from above.

[0164] The second adsorption part 24B is provided on the bottom surface 22A. The second adsorption part 24B is a structure composed of two adsorption structures 24B1 and 24B2 arranged on the left and right. The adsorption structures 24B1 and 24B2 are structures in which magnets 57 are arranged in the slit holes 27 that pass through the bottom surface 22A from top to bottom. That is, the adsorption structures 24B1 and 24B2 are respectively the same structures as the first adsorption part 24A. Therefore, the adsorption force generated by the magnetic force of the second adsorption part 24B is greater than the adsorption force generated by the magnetic force of the first adsorption part 24A. In the present embodiment, the adsorption force of the second adsorption part 24B is approximately twice the adsorption force of the first adsorption part 24A.

[0165] like Figure 8 As shown, the adsorption structures 24B1 and 24B2 are located at the same positions as each other in the front-to-back direction. The adsorption structures 24B1 and 24B2 are respectively arranged at the rear end of the bottom surface 22A. That is, the second adsorption portion 24B is located at a position further back than the first adsorption portion 24A. The position occupied by the first adsorption portion 24A in the front-to-back direction does not overlap with the position occupied by the second adsorption portion 24B in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the adsorption structures 24B1 and 24B2 are respectively formed at positions outside and on the rear side of the range surrounded by the partition portion 23 when viewed from above.

[0166] The magnet 57 provided in the first adsorption portion 24A and the second adsorption portion 24B is located at a position that does not overlap with the power substrate 51 when viewed from above. Similarly, the magnet 57 is located at a position that does not overlap with the sensor substrate 53 when viewed from above. The magnet 57 is located at a position that does not overlap with the SoC substrate 55 when viewed from above. The magnet 57 is located at a position that does not overlap with the power harness 51B when viewed from above. The magnet 57 is located at a position that does not overlap with the power harness 51B when viewed from above. The magnet 57 is located at a position that does not overlap with the FFC cable 83 when viewed from above.

[0167] The substrates 51, 53, 55 and the sensors 65, 67, 69 and the like are connected by a plurality of harnesses 81. The harnesses 81 are, for example, cables having conductive wires therein, and transmit electric power or signals.

[0168] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, a magnetic shell 59 covering the first adsorption portion 24A from above is installed on the bottom surface 22A. The magnetic shell 59 is in the shape of a roughly rectangular box with an opening at the bottom. The magnetic shell 59 is made of, for example, the same flame-retardant resin as the shell member 20. The magnetic shell 59 is arranged below the metal plate 40. The space where the substrates 51, 53, 55, etc. are provided and the space where the first adsorption portion 24A is provided are separated by the magnetic shell 59. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air that intrudes into the shell 10 from the gap between the magnet 57 and the slit hole 27 in the first adsorption portion 24A from reaching the space where the substrates 51, 53, 55, etc. are provided.

[0169] Furthermore, the magnet shell 59 bulges to a position above the upper surface of the bottom surface 22A. Therefore, the distance between the magnet 57 of the first attraction portion 24A and the connected harness 81 can be ensured.

[0170] Fig.14 yes Fig.11 The sectional view of the XV-XV section shows the camera unit 1 observed from the front in a state where the doors 121A and 121B are opened. As described above, a position limiting portion 26 extending downward is formed at the front end of the bottom surface 22A of the base 21A. The position limiting portion 26 is formed in a flat plate shape that is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The position limiting portion 26 contacts the front end edge 120B of the main body 120 of the cold storage 100 from the front. The front end edge 120B is the front end of the edge of the opening on the front surface of the main body 120. The position limiting portion 26 limits the movement of the camera unit 1 to the rear by contacting the front end edge 120B.

[0171] As described above, the first positioning portion 26A is provided on the front surface of the position restriction portion 26. In the present embodiment, the first positioning portion 26A is a mark that can be visually recognized from the front. The first positioning portion 26A is provided at the center of the camera unit 1 in the left-right direction.

[0172] A position designation portion 120B1 is provided at the upper portion of the front edge 120B. The position designation portion 120B1 can be visually recognized from the front when the doors 121A and 121B are opened. In the present embodiment, the position designation portion 120B1 is a protrusion protruding forward from the front edge 120B. The position designation portion 120B1 is formed in the center of the left-right direction of the cold storage 100.

[0173] like Fig.14 As shown, the camera unit 1 is set at a position where the position of the first positioning portion 26A in the left-right direction coincides with the position of the position designating portion 120B1 in the left-right direction. In a state where the camera unit 1 is set in this way, the camera unit 1 can properly photograph various parts of the cold storage 100 or the food entering and leaving the parts. In other words, the user can set the camera unit 1 at a position where the various parts of the cold storage 100 or the food entering and leaving the parts can be properly photographed simply by making the positions of the first positioning portion 26A and the position designating portion 120B1 in the left-right direction coincide with each other.

[0174] In addition, the camera unit 1 may be set at a position where each part of the cold storage 100 or food entering and leaving each part can be properly photographed by providing a convex portion on the base 21A of the camera unit 1, providing a concave portion on the top surface 120A of the main body 120 of the cold storage 100, and fitting the convex portion of the camera unit 1 with the concave portion of the cold storage 100. In addition, the concave portion may be provided on the camera unit 1, and the convex portion may be provided on the cold storage 100. The convex portion and the concave portion of the camera unit 1 are equivalent to an example of a "position limiting portion".

[0175] [1-2. Effects, etc.]

[0176] The operation of the camera unit 1 configured as described above will be described.

[0177] In the present embodiment, at least a wide-angle camera 61 and a narrow-angle camera 63 are housed in the front interior of the shell part 20. The wide-angle camera 61 is arranged at the approximate center of the shell part 20 in the width direction, and the narrow-angle camera 63 is arranged at a position offset laterally from the approximate center of the shell part 20 in the width direction. The optical axis L of the narrow-angle camera 63 is inclined so as to point to the center of the cold storage 100 in the width direction.

[0178] Thus, the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 can be arranged side by side in front of the case member 20, the front end portion of the case member 20 can be formed narrow, and the camera unit 1 can be made clean in appearance.

[0179] In addition, the camera unit 1 can illuminate the lower part of the refrigerator 100 over a wide range by configuring the LEDs 70 on both sides of the shell member 20. At this time, by forming the lens section 91 at a position corresponding to the LEDs 70 provided on the glass cover 90 of the imaging section 21B, the focus of the light irradiated from the LEDs 70 can be gathered, and the light can also irradiate the lower parts of the refrigerator 100 such as the vegetable room 125 and the freezer room 124.

[0180] In addition, by configuring the thermopile 67 and the illuminance sensor 69 between the wide-angle camera 61 or the narrow-angle camera 63 of the shell part 20 and the LED 70, the thermopile 67 and the illuminance sensor 69 can be efficiently configured without damaging the functions of the wide-angle camera 61, the narrow-angle camera 63 and the LED 70.

[0181] Furthermore, by forming the inclined portion 30A in front of the cover member 30 and forming the height dimension of the front end side of the cover member 30 to be small, the camera unit 1 can be made to look neat in appearance.

[0182] Furthermore, since the height dimension of the narrow-angle camera 63 is larger than that of the wide-angle camera 61, it cannot be set at a position close to the front end of the shell part 20. Therefore, by configuring the wide-angle camera 61 at a position closer to the front of the shell part 20 than the narrow-angle camera 63, it is possible to use the wide-angle camera 61 to shoot from the front side of the cold storage 100.

[0183] Furthermore, by arranging the SoC substrate 55 at a position close to the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63, the SoC substrate 55, the wide-angle camera 61, and the narrow-angle camera 63 are electrically connected via the cable 83 connected laterally from the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63, and there is no problem that the cable 83 connecting the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 and the SoC substrate 55 is short, and the wiring space can be reduced. Furthermore, the height dimensions of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 can be suppressed to be low.

[0184] [1-3. Effects, etc.]

[0185] As described above, the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment includes at least a shell part 20 that accommodates a wide-angle camera 61 and a narrow-angle camera 63 at the front of the interior. The narrow-angle camera 63 is arranged at a position offset to the side from the approximate center of the width direction of the shell part 20, and the optical axis L of the narrow-angle camera 63 is inclined so as to point to the center of the width direction of the cold storage 100.

[0186] Thus, the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 can be arranged side by side in front of the shell member 20, the front end portion of the shell member 20 can be formed narrow, and the camera unit 1 can be made clean in appearance. In addition, by arranging the narrow-angle camera 63 at a position offset to the side from the approximate center in the width direction of the shell member 20, and tilting the optical axis L of the narrow-angle camera 63 so as to point to the center in the width direction of the cold storage 100, the narrow-angle camera 63 can be used to capture the range including the drawers 122A, 123A, 124A, and 125A.

[0187] Furthermore, in the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment, the wide-angle camera 61 is disposed substantially in the center portion of the case member 20 in the width direction.

[0188] Thus, the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 can be arranged side by side in front of the shell member 20, the front end portion of the shell member 20 can be formed narrow, and the camera unit 1 can be made clean in appearance. In addition, by arranging the wide-angle camera 61 in the approximate center of the shell member 20 in the width direction, the wide-angle camera 61 can be used to uniformly shoot various parts of the cold storage 100 including the cold storage room 121.

[0189] Furthermore, the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment includes LEDs 70 (light emitting devices) on both sides of the case member 20 .

[0190] Thus, LEDs 70 disposed on both sides of case member 20 can illuminate the lower side of refrigerator 100 over a wide range.

[0191] Furthermore, the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment has a thermopile 67 and an illuminance sensor 69 (sensor) disposed between the wide-angle camera 61 or the narrow-angle camera 63 of the casing member 20 and the LED 70 (light emitting device).

[0192] Thus, the thermopile 67 and the illuminance sensor 69 can be efficiently arranged without impairing the functions of the wide-angle camera 61 , the narrow-angle camera 63 , and the LED 70 .

[0193] The camera unit 1 of the present embodiment includes the cover member 30 covering the case member 20 , and the inclined portion 30A is formed in front of the cover member 30 . The wide-angle camera 61 is arranged closer to the front of the case member 20 than the narrow-angle camera 63 .

[0194] Thus, by providing the inclined portion 30A on the cover member 30 and forming the height dimension of the front end side of the cover member 30 to be small, the camera unit 1 can be made to look clean in appearance. At this time, when the inclined portion 30A is formed, by arranging the wide-angle camera 61 at a position closer to the front of the shell member than the narrow-angle camera 63 having a larger height dimension, it is possible to use the wide-angle camera 61 to achieve shooting from the front side of the cold storage 100.

[0195] In the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment, the case member 20 accommodates the SoC board 55 (board) for controlling the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 , and the SoC board 55 is arranged on the front side of the case member 20 .

[0196] Therefore, by configuring the SoC substrate 55 on the front side of the shell part 20, preferably configuring it at a position close to the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63, the 83 cable connecting the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 and the SoC substrate 55 can be shorter, which can reduce the wiring space.

[0197] In the camera unit 1 of the present embodiment, the SoC substrate 55 (substrate) and the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 are electrically connected via the cable 83 connected laterally from the wide-angle camera 61 to the narrow-angle camera 63 .

[0198] This makes it possible to keep the height dimensions of the wide-angle camera 61 and the narrow-angle camera 63 low.

[0199] In addition, since the above-mentioned embodiment is for explaining the technology of the present invention by way of example, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0200] (Note)

[0201] The following technology is disclosed through the description of the above embodiments.

[0202] (Technology 1) A camera unit is installed on the top surface of a cold storage, and is used to photograph the cold storage. The camera unit includes at least a shell component that accommodates a wide-angle camera and a narrow-angle camera at the front of the interior. The narrow-angle camera is arranged at a position offset laterally from the approximate center in the width direction of the shell component, and the optical axis of the narrow-angle camera is inclined so as to point to the center in the width direction of the cold storage.

[0203] According to this structure, the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera can be arranged side by side in front of the shell member, the front end portion of the shell member can be formed narrow, and the camera unit can be made to look clean in appearance. In addition, by arranging the narrow-angle camera at a position offset to the side from the approximate center in the width direction of the shell member, the optical axis of the narrow-angle camera is tilted to point to the center in the width direction of the cold storage, and the narrow-angle camera can be used to shoot a range including each drawer of the cold storage.

[0204] (Technique 2) The camera unit according to Technique 1, wherein the wide-angle camera is disposed substantially in the center portion in the width direction of the case member.

[0205] According to this structure, the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera can be arranged side by side in front of the shell member, the front end of the shell member can be formed narrow, and the camera unit can be made to look clean in appearance. In addition, by arranging the wide-angle camera in the approximate center of the shell member in the width direction, the wide-angle camera can be used to evenly shoot various parts of the cold storage including the cold storage room.

[0206] (Technique 3) The camera unit according to Technique 1 or Technique 2, wherein light emitting devices are included on both sides of the case member.

[0207] According to this configuration, the light emitting devices disposed on both sides of the case member can illuminate the lower portion of the refrigerator over a wide range.

[0208] (Technique 4) In the camera unit according to Technique 3, a sensor is arranged between the wide-angle camera or the narrow-angle camera of the case member and the light-emitting device.

[0209] According to this configuration, sensors can be efficiently arranged without impairing the functions of the wide-angle camera, the narrow-angle camera, and the light-emitting device.

[0210] (Technique 5) A camera unit as described in any one of Techniques 1 to 4, comprising a cover member covering the shell member, an inclined portion being formed in front of the cover member, and the wide-angle camera being arranged at a position closer to the front of the shell member than the narrow-angle camera.

[0211] According to this structure, by providing an inclined portion on the cover member and forming the height dimension of the front end side of the cover member to be small, the camera unit can be made to look clean in appearance. At this time, when the inclined portion is formed, by arranging the wide-angle camera at a position closer to the front of the shell member than the narrow-angle camera having a larger height dimension, it is possible to use the wide-angle camera to achieve shooting from the front side of the cold storage.

[0212] (Technique 6) In the camera unit according to any one of Techniques 1 to 5, a substrate for controlling the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera is stored in the case member, and the substrate is arranged on the front side of the case member.

[0213] According to this structure, by arranging the substrate on the front side of the case member, preferably at a position close to the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera, the cable connecting the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera and the substrate can be shorter, which can reduce the wiring space.

[0214] (Technique 7) The camera unit according to any one of Techniques 1 to 6, wherein the substrate and the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera are electrically connected via cables connected laterally from the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera.

[0215] According to this configuration, the height dimensions of the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera can be suppressed to be low.

[0216] Industrial Application Possibility

[0217] As described above, the camera unit according to the present invention can be applied to a camera unit in which the front end portion of the case member can be formed narrow and thin, and the camera unit can have a clean appearance.

Claims

1. A camera unit, which is arranged on the top surface of a cold storage and photographs the cold storage, wherein the camera unit is characterized in that: A shell component is provided at the front of the interior to accommodate at least a wide-angle camera and a narrow-angle camera. The narrow-angle camera is arranged at a position offset laterally from a substantially central portion in the width direction of the shell member. The optical axis of the narrow-angle camera is tilted so as to be directed toward the center in the width direction of the cold storage.

2. The camera unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wide-angle camera is disposed substantially at the center in the width direction of the case member.

3. The camera unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: Light emitting devices are arranged on both sides of the shell component.

4. The camera unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: A sensor is arranged between the wide-angle camera or the narrow-angle camera of the housing member and the light-emitting device.

5. The camera unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: comprising a cover member covering the shell member, An inclined portion is formed in front of the cover member, The wide-angle camera is disposed at a position closer to the front of the casing member than the narrow-angle camera.

6. The camera unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that: The shell member contains a substrate for controlling the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera. The substrate is arranged on the front side of the case member.

7. The camera unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: The substrate and the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera are electrically connected via cables connected laterally from the wide-angle camera and the narrow-angle camera.

Images