Refrigerator

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises: a cabinet; a storage chamber provided inside the cabinet; a door which is rotatably coupled to the cabinet and opens and closes the storage chamber; a top table which is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet and has an installation hole formed in the front surface; a bracket which is installed on the top table, and includes a protruding portion and an inclined portion having an opening and disposed below the protruding portion; and a camera which is installed in the bracket and includes a lens. The bracket and the camera are configured such that: the protruding portion accommodates the camera and protrudes outward from the top table through the installation hole by a distance less than the gap between the front surface of the top table and the door; the lens of the camera is exposed via the opening of the inclined portion; and the inclined portion is inclined so that images captured by the camera include regions outside the storage chamber and regions inside the storage chamber.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a refrigerator in which a camera can be installed to photograph the entry and exit of food without deformation of the door.

[0002] A refrigerator is a device that maintains food freshness by including a main body with a storage compartment and a cooling system that supplies cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerator compartment, which is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and used to refrigerate food, and a freezer compartment, which is maintained at approximately 0 to -30 degrees Celsius and used to freeze food. A door is provided on the front of the main body, allowing the storage compartment to be opened and closed. The door is rotatably located on the front of the main body, allowing the storage compartment to be opened and closed.

[0003] Traditional refrigerators were limited to simply keeping food cold. However, in recent years, the need for additional functions beyond food storage has been increasing.

[0004] A refrigerator is a device used to store and preserve food. Food can be brought into the storage room for storage or removed from the storage room for use. Users can install a camera in the refrigerator to capture the moments when food is brought in and out.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator in which a camera can be installed to photograph the entry and exit of food without deformation of the door.

[0006] Additionally, it provides a refrigerator that can take pictures of the exterior and interior of the storage room.

[0007] Additionally, a refrigerator is provided that can prevent water and / or dust from entering the lens of a camera that photographs the exterior and interior of the storage room.

[0008] Additionally, a refrigerator is provided to prevent movement of the camera device.

[0009] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0010] Aspects of embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments presented.

[0011] A refrigerator according to the invention includes a cabinet, a storage compartment provided inside the cabinet, a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, a top table provided on an upper surface of the cabinet and having an installation hole formed in a front surface thereof, a bracket installed on the top table and including a protrusion and an inclined portion having an opening in a lower portion of the protrusion, and a camera installed on the bracket and including a lens. The bracket and the camera are configured such that the protrusion accommodates the camera and protrudes outward from the top table through the installation hole by a length smaller than a gap between the front surface of the top table and the door, the lens of the camera is exposed through the opening of the inclined portion, and the inclined portion is configured to be inclined such that an image captured by the camera includes an external area of ​​the storage compartment and an internal area of ​​the storage compartment.

[0012] The door may include a gasket on the rear surface of the door to allow the door to contact the cabinet while the door is closed, and a gap between the front surface of the top table and the door may be equal to the thickness of the gasket.

[0013] The door includes a first door rotatably coupled to the left side of the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, and a second door rotatably coupled to the right side of the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, and while the first door and the second door are rotated to close the storage compartment, the camera can be accommodated in the bracket located between the first door and the second door.

[0014] The above bracket may further include a control unit installed thereon to control the operation of the camera.

[0015] The above bracket may further include an LED indicator that allows external confirmation that the camera is operating while the camera is being operated by the control unit.

[0016] The gap between the front of the top table and the door is 10 mm, and the protrusion may protrude less than 10 mm from the front of the top table to prevent collision with the door.

[0017] The bracket may include a pair of first joining holes into which screws for joining the bracket to the top table are inserted.

[0018] The top table may include a pair of second coupling holes into which the screws inserted through the pair of first coupling holes are respectively inserted.

[0019] The top table may be formed by the pair of second joining holes, and may include a pair of support ribs that support the bracket while the bracket is joined to the top table.

[0020] The above brackets are provided in multiple pieces to be in contact with the top table, and may include movement prevention ribs to prevent movement of the brackets during the process of opening and closing the door.

[0021] The diameter of the above opening can be formed to be 0.1 mm larger than the diameter of the lens.

[0022] A refrigerator according to the invention includes a cabinet, a storage compartment provided inside the cabinet, a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, a top table provided on the upper surface of the cabinet and having an installation hole formed in the front thereof, and a camera device installed on the top table to photograph the exterior and interior of the storage compartment. The camera device includes a camera installed on the top table to photograph the exterior and interior of the storage compartment, a bracket including a protrusion installed on the top table and protruding out of the top table through the installation hole so that the camera can photograph the exterior of the storage compartment, and an inclined portion formed slantedly at a lower portion of the protrusion so that the camera can photograph the interior of the storage compartment, and a control unit installed on the bracket to control the operation of the camera.

[0023] These and / or other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the front of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a refrigerator with an open door according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a camera device installed in a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a camera device according to one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a camera, a control unit, and an LED indicator separated from a bracket of a camera device according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an inclined portion of a camera device according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a camera lens according to one embodiment, wherein the lens is exposed to the outside through an opening in the bracket.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which a movement prevention rib of a bracket according to one embodiment is in contact with a top table.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a camera device coupled to a top table according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a camera device coupled to the inside of a top table according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a camera device according to one embodiment being coupled to a top table.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a camera device according to one embodiment supported on a pair of support ribs of a top table for being coupled to the top table.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a camera device coupled to a top table according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a top view of a refrigerator with a closed door according to one embodiment.

[0038] Figure 15 is an enlarged drawing of part A of Figure 14.

[0039] FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a portion of a camera device protruding outside a top table according to one embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing the shooting area of ​​a camera when a door is open according to one embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating a view from above of a refrigerator with a closed door, in which a length of a camera device protruding outside a top table is longer than the distance between the front of the top table and the door, according to one embodiment.

[0042] Figure 19 is a drawing showing the refrigerator door of Figure 18 open.

[0043] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0044] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0045] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0046] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0047] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0048] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0049] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0050] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0051] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0052] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0053] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0054] The “body” may include an inner case, an outer case placed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0055] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, plate, panel, or liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0056] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0057] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation material instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation material is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation material described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0058] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0059] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0060] The storage room may be provided to be maintained at an appropriate temperature range depending on the intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished according to the intended use and / or temperature range. The refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and the freezer room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them in a frozen state, and for example, a freezer room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator room or a freezer room, at the user's option or not.

[0061] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0062] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0063] The “door” may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0065] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0066] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0067] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0069] A “cold air supply device” may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0070] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment through heat generation and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0072] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be connected to the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0073] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0074] According to one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0076] The “control unit” may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0077] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0078] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0079] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0080] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0081] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0082] The communication module can communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0083] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0084] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0085] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0086] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the front of a refrigerator according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a refrigerator with an open door according to one embodiment.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator may include a cabinet (10), a storage compartment (20) formed by being divided vertically inside the cabinet (10), a door (30) for opening and closing the storage compartment (20), and a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air to the storage compartment (20).

[0088] The cabinet (10) may be configured to include an inner case (11) forming a storage room (20), an outer case (13) bonded to the outside of the inner case (11) to form an exterior, and an insulating material (not shown) that is foamed between the inner case (11) and the outer case (13) to insulate the storage room (20).

[0089] A machine room (not shown) in which a compressor (not shown) for compressing refrigerant and a condenser (not shown) for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor are installed may be provided at the lower rear side of the cabinet (10).

[0090] The cold air supply device may include a compressor installed in a machine room to compress a refrigerant, a condenser installed in the machine room to condense the refrigerant, an expansion valve (not shown) to expand the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, an evaporator (not shown) installed at the rear of a storage room (20) to generate cold air, a fan (not shown) to induce cold air generated in the evaporator to be discharged into the storage room (20), and a cold air duct (not shown) installed at the rear of the storage room (20) to discharge cold air induced by the fan into the storage room (20). The evaporator, fan, and cold air duct arranged at the rear of the storage room (20) may be arranged at the rear of the refrigerator room (21) and the freezer room (22, 23), respectively.

[0091] The storage room (20) can be divided into multiple storage rooms by one or more partitions (15), and multiple shelves (25) and storage containers (26) can be provided inside the storage room (20) to store food, etc.

[0092] The storage room (20) can be divided into a plurality of storage rooms (21, 22, 23) by a partition (15), and the partition (15) can include a first partition (17) that is horizontally connected inside the storage room (20) to divide the storage room (20) into an upper storage room (21) and a lower storage room (22, 23), and a second partition (19) that is vertically connected to the lower storage room (22, 23) to divide the lower storage room (22, 23) into a first storage room (22) and a second storage room (23).

[0093] The partition (15) having a T shape formed by combining the first partition (17) and the second partition (19) can divide the storage room (20) into three spaces. Among the upper storage room (21) and the lower storage rooms (22, 23) divided by the first partition (17), the upper storage room (21) can be used as a refrigerator, and the lower storage rooms (22, 23) can be used as a freezer.

[0094] The lower storage compartments (22, 23) can be used entirely as a freezer, but the first storage compartment (22) can be used as a freezer and the second storage compartment (23) can be used as a refrigerator, or the first storage compartment (22) can be used as a freezer and the second storage compartment (23) can be used as both a freezer and a refrigerator.

[0095] The division of the storage room (20) as described above is an example, and each storage room (21, 22, 23) can be used differently from the above configuration.

[0096] The refrigerator (21) and freezer (22, 23) can each be opened and closed by a door (30) that is rotatably connected to the cabinet (10).

[0097] The door (30) may include a pair of refrigerator doors (31) that are rotatably coupled to the cabinet (10) and open and close the refrigerator compartment (21). The pair of refrigerator doors (31) may include a first door (32) and a second door (33) that are rotatably coupled to the left and right sides of the cabinet (10), respectively. The door (30) may include a pair of freezer doors (34) that are rotatably coupled to the cabinet (10) and open and close the freezer compartment (22, 23). The doors that open and close the freezer compartment (22, 23) may be sliding doors.

[0098] The refrigerator (21) is opened and closed by a pair of refrigerator doors (31), and when the pair of refrigerator doors (31) are closed, a rotation bar (35) may be provided on at least one of the first door (32) and the second door (33) so that the first door (32) and the second door (33) can be sealed without a gap being formed therebetween. The rotation bar (35) may be rotatably coupled to at least one of the pair of refrigerator doors (31). The rotation bar (35) may be guided to rotate according to the opening and closing of the refrigerator door (31) by a rotation guide (14) formed on the cabinet (10).

[0099] A door basket (31a, 34a) for storing food may be provided on the back of each of a pair of refrigerator doors (31) and a pair of freezer doors (34).

[0100] Each door basket (31a, 34a) may include a basket support portion (31b, 34b) extending vertically from each door (31, 34) to support each door basket (31a, 34a) on both left and right sides of each door basket (31a, 34a). The basket support portions (31b, 34b) may be provided to extend from each door (31, 34). The basket support portions (31b, 34b) may be provided in a separate configuration so as to be detachably attached to each door (31, 34).

[0101] Additionally, a gasket (31c, 34c) may be provided on the back edge of each door (31, 34) to seal the gap with the cabinet (10) when each door (31, 34) is closed. The gasket (31c, 34c) may be installed in a loop shape along the edge on the back edge of each door (31, 34), and may include a magnet (not shown) inside.

[0102] A pair of refrigerator doors (31) may be provided as double doors each including an inner door (40) and an outer door (50).

[0103] The inner door (40) is rotatably connected to the cabinet (10) by a first hinge (not shown) and can open and close the refrigerator compartment (21). The aforementioned door basket (31a), basket support (31b), and gasket (31c) may be provided on the inner door (40). The first hinge may be prevented from being exposed to the outside by a top table (70) provided on the upper portion of the cabinet (10). That is, the top table (70) provided on the front of the upper portion of the cabinet (10) may be provided to cover the upper portion of the first hinge.

[0104] The inner door (40) may include an opening (not shown) formed to allow a user to access the door basket (31a) to insert or remove food when the inner door (40) is closed. This opening is formed through the inner door (40) and can be opened and closed by the outer door (50).

[0105] The outer door (50) is provided in front of the inner door (40) so as to be able to open and close the opening of the inner door (40), and may be provided so as to be rotatable in the same direction as the inner door (40). In the drawing, the outer door (50) is shown as being rotatable with respect to the inner door (40) by being rotatably supported by a second hinge (60) installed on the inner door (40), but is not limited thereto, and the outer door (50) may also be provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the cabinet (10) by having a second hinge (60) installed on the cabinet (10).

[0106] The refrigerator may include a camera device (100) capable of photographing the exterior and / or interior of the storage compartment (20). The camera device (100) may be installed inside the top table (70). The camera device (100) may be installed so that a portion thereof protrudes outside the front surface of the top table (70). A detailed description of the camera device (100) will be provided below.

[0107] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a camera device installed in a refrigerator according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a camera device according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a camera, a control unit, and an LED indicator separated from a bracket of a camera device according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an inclined portion of a camera device according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a camera lens exposed to the outside through an opening of a bracket according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a movement prevention rib of a bracket in contact with a top table according to one embodiment.

[0108] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8, the camera device (100) may be installed inside the top table (70). The camera device (100) may be installed so that a portion thereof protrudes outward from the front surface of the top table (70). An installation hole (71) may be formed in the front surface of the top table (70) so that a portion of the camera device (100) may be installed so as to protrude outward from the front surface of the top table (70). A portion of the camera device (100) may protrude outward from the top table (70) through the installation hole (71) formed in the front surface of the top table (70). (See FIG. 2)

[0109] The camera device (100) may include a bracket (110) installed on a top table (70). The camera device (100) may include a camera (120) installed on the bracket (110) to photograph the exterior and / or interior of the storage room (20). The camera device (100) may include a control unit (130) installed on the bracket (110) to control the operation of the camera (120). The camera device (100) may include an LED indicator (140) installed on the bracket (110) to enable external confirmation that the camera (120) is operating when the camera (120) is operated by the control unit (130).

[0110] The bracket (110) can be installed on the top table (70). The bracket (110) can be installed inside the top table (70). The bracket (110) can be installed on the top table (70) so as to be exposed to the outside through the installation hole (71). A portion of the bracket (110) can protrude outside the top table (70) through the installation hole (71).

[0111] The bracket (110) may include a protrusion (111) that protrudes outward from the top table (70) through the installation hole (71). A camera (120) may be accommodated in the protrusion (111). The camera (120) may be accommodated inside the protrusion (111). The camera (120) accommodated in the protrusion (111) may protrude outward from the top table (70) to photograph the exterior of the storage room (20). The protrusion (111) may protrude outward from the top table (70) by a length smaller than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30). The protrusion (111) may protrude outward from the top table (70) by a length smaller than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30) to prevent collision with the door (30) when the door (30) is closed. That is, the protruding length (L2) of the protrusion (111) may be smaller than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30). The gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30) may be 10 mm. The protruding length (L2) of the protrusion (111) may be less than 10 mm. The protruding length (L2) of the protrusion (111) may be approximately 6.24 mm from the front surface of the top table (70). (See FIG. 15)

[0112] A gasket (31c) may be provided on the rear of the door (30) to prevent cold air from leaking out from the inside of the storage compartment (20) by coming into contact with the cabinet (10) when the door (30) is closed. The gap (L1) between the front of the top table (70) and the door (30) may be the thickness of the gasket (31c). That is, the protrusion (111) may protrude outside the top table (70) by a length smaller than the thickness of the gasket (31c). (See FIG. 15)

[0113] The bracket (110) may include an inclined portion (113) formed at an angle at the lower portion of the protrusion (111). The inclined portion (113) may be formed at an angle at the lower portion of the protrusion (111) so as to face the front of the refrigerator. The camera (120) may capture a portion of the interior of the storage compartment (20) through the inclined portion (113). The inclined portion (113) may be formed at an angle of approximately 36.2 degrees from the front of the top table (70). The photographing area captured by the camera (120) may be determined according to the angle of inclination of the inclined portion (113). When the inclined portion (113) is formed at an angle of approximately 36.2 degrees from the front of the top table (70), the camera (120) may capture a portion of the interior of the storage compartment (20) together with the exterior of the storage compartment (20).

[0114] The inclined portion (113) may include an opening (115) through which the lens (121) of the camera (120) is exposed to the outside. Since the lens (121) of the camera (120) is exposed to the outside through the opening (115), the camera (120) can photograph the outside and / or inside of the storage compartment (20). In order to prevent water and / or dust from entering the gap between the lens (121) of the camera (120) and the opening (115), the diameter (D1) of the opening (115) may be designed to have a minimum length for which the lens (121) can be assembled. The diameter (D1) of the opening (115) may be formed to be 0.1 mm larger than the diameter (D2) of the lens (121). That is, the diameter (D1) of the opening (115) may be formed to be 0.1 mm larger than the diameter (D2) of the lens (121) so that the lens (121) of the camera (120) is waterproof and / or dustproof. The diameter (D1) of the opening (115) may be approximately 9.1 mm. The diameter (D2) of the lens (121) may be approximately 9.0 mm.

[0115] The bracket (110) may include a pair of first coupling holes (117) for coupling the bracket (110) to the top table (70). The bracket (110) may be coupled to the top table (70) by a screw (S) coupled to the first coupling holes (117). A detailed description thereof will be provided below.

[0116] The bracket (110) may include a movement prevention rib (119) that prevents the bracket (110) from moving due to impact generated during the process of opening and closing the door (30). The movement prevention rib (119) may be provided in multiple numbers. The movement prevention rib (119) may be provided on one surface that comes into contact with the top table (70) when the bracket (110) is coupled to the top table (70).

[0117] A camera (120) may be installed in the bracket (110). The camera (120) may be accommodated inside the protrusion (111) of the bracket (110). The camera (120) accommodated inside the protrusion (111) of the bracket (110) may photograph the exterior and / or interior of the storage room (20) through the opening (115) of the inclined portion (113). The camera (120) may include a lens (121) exposed through the opening (115) so as to photograph the exterior and / or interior of the storage room (20) through the opening (115) of the inclined portion (113).

[0118] The control unit (130) may be installed on the bracket (110). The control unit (130) may control the operation of the camera (120). The control unit (130) may be connected to a door opening / closing device (not shown) that detects the opening / closing of the door (30). When the door opening / closing device detects the opening of the door (30), the control unit (130) may operate the camera (120) so that the camera (120) begins filming. That is, the control unit (130) may operate the camera (120) when the door (30) is opened. The control unit (130) may operate the camera (120) so that the camera (120) begins filming even when only one of the first door (32) and the second door (33) is opened. (See FIG. 2)

[0119] An LED indicator (140) can be installed on the bracket (110). The LED indicator (140) can enable external confirmation that the camera (120) is operating when the camera (120) is operated by the control unit (130).

[0120] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a camera device coupled to a top table according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a camera device coupled to the inside of a top table according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a camera device coupled to a top table according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a camera device supported on a pair of support ribs of a top table according to one embodiment so as to be coupled to the top table. FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a camera device coupled to a top table according to one embodiment.

[0121] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bracket (110) of the camera device (100) can be coupled to the inside of the top table (70). When viewed from the outside of the top table (70), a portion of the bracket (110) can protrude outward through the installation hole (71) of the top table (70). The protrusion (111) of the bracket (110) can protrude outward through the installation hole (71) of the top table (70).

[0122] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the bracket (110) of the camera device (100) can be coupled to the top table (70) with the camera (120), the control unit (130), and the LED indicator (140) installed on the bracket (110). The bracket (110) can include a pair of first coupling holes (117) coupled to the top table (70). The top table (70) can include a pair of second coupling holes (73) coupled to the bracket (110). The pair of first coupling holes (117) of the bracket (110) and the pair of second coupling holes (73) of the top table (70) can be coupled by a screw (S).

[0123] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the top table (70) may include a pair of support ribs (75). The pair of support ribs (75) may be formed around a pair of second coupling holes (73). Before the bracket (110) is coupled to the top table (70) by the screw (S), the bracket (110) may be supported by the pair of support ribs (75) of the top table (70). When the bracket (110) is supported by the pair of support ribs (75), the pair of first coupling holes (117) of the bracket (110) and the pair of second coupling holes (73) of the top table (70) may overlap so as to be coupled by the screw (S). That is, when the bracket (110) is coupled to the top table (70), the bracket (110) can be coupled to the top table (70) by a screw (S) while being supported by a pair of support ribs (75).

[0124] FIG. 14 is a top view of a refrigerator with a closed door according to one embodiment. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a portion of a camera device according to one embodiment protruding outside a top table. FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a camera's photographing area when the door is open according to one embodiment.

[0125] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, the camera device (100) installed on the top table (70) may have a protrusion (111) of the bracket (110) protrude outside the top table (70). The protruding length (L2) of the protrusion (111) may be smaller than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30). That is, the protruding length (L2) of the protrusion (111) may be smaller than the thickness of the gasket (31c). Therefore, when the door (30) is closed, the protrusion (111) can be prevented from colliding with the door (30).

[0126] As illustrated in FIG. 17, when the door (30) is opened, the camera (120) can start filming by the control unit (130). When the door (30) is opened, the camera (120) can film the outside of the storage room (20). The camera (120) can film the outside of the storage room (20) to capture images of food being brought into the storage room (20) for storage, or food being taken out of the storage room (20) for use. In addition, the camera (120) can film a portion of the inside of the storage room (20). That is, the camera (120) can film a portion of the outside and / or the inside of the storage room (20).

[0127] FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating a top view of a refrigerator with a closed door, in which a camera device according to one embodiment protrudes beyond the top table longer than the distance between the front surface of the top table and the door. FIG. 19 is a drawing illustrating the refrigerator illustrated in FIG. 18 with the door open.

[0128] As illustrated in FIG. 18, a portion of the camera device (200) installed on the top table (70) may protrude outside the top table (70). The portion of the camera device (200) protruding outside the top table (70) may be a protrusion (211). The protruding length (L3) of the protrusion (211) may be longer than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30). That is, the protruding length (L3) of the protrusion (111) may be longer than the thickness of the gasket (31c). Since the protruding length (L3) of the protrusion (211) is longer than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table (70) and the door (30), when closing the door (30), the door (30) may include a recessed portion (37) formed by recessing a portion of the rear surface in order to prevent a collision between the protrusion (211) and the door (30). When the door (30) is closed, the protrusion (211) of the camera device (200) can be accommodated in the recess (37) of the door (30). The camera device (200) may have the same configuration as the camera device (100) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 17 except that the protrusion length (L3) and width of the protrusion (211) are longer and wider than the protrusion length (L2) of the protrusion (111).

[0129] As illustrated in Fig. 19, if the protruding length (L3) of the protrusion (211) is made longer than the gap (L1) between the front of the top table (70) and the door (30), the camera device (200) can capture a wider area. That is, the camera device (200) can capture a wider area outside the storage room (20). In addition, the camera device (200) can capture a wider area inside the storage room (20).

[0130] According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator includes a cabinet (10), a storage compartment (20) provided inside the cabinet, a door (30) rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, a top table (70) provided on an upper surface of the cabinet and having an installation hole (71) formed in a front surface thereof, a bracket (110) installed on the top table so that a portion thereof protrudes outward through the installation hole, and a camera (120) installed on the bracket to photograph the exterior and interior of the storage compartment. The bracket includes a protrusion (111) that accommodates the camera and protrudes outward from the top table through the installation hole by a length smaller than a distance (L1) between the front surface of the top table and the door to photograph the exterior of the storage compartment, an opening (115) through which a lens of the camera is exposed to the exterior, and an inclined portion (113) formed to be inclined at a lower portion of the protrusion so that the camera photographs the interior of the storage compartment.

[0131] A gasket (31c) is provided on the rear of the door to come into contact with the cabinet when the door is closed, and the gap between the front of the top table and the door may be the thickness of the gasket.

[0132] The above door may include a first door (32) and a second door (33) that are rotatably coupled to the left and right sides of the cabinet, respectively, and the camera may be positioned between the first door and the second door.

[0133] The above bracket may further include a control unit (130) installed to control the operation of the camera.

[0134] An LED indicator (140) installed on the above bracket may be further included to enable external confirmation that the camera is operating when the camera is operated by the control unit.

[0135] The gap (L1) between the front of the top table and the door is 10 mm, and the protrusion may protrude less than 10 mm from the front of the top table to prevent collision with the door.

[0136] The above bracket may further include a pair of first coupling holes (117) that are coupled to the top table by screws (S).

[0137] The above top table may include a pair of second coupling holes (73) coupled to the pair of first coupling holes by the screws.

[0138] The top table is formed around the pair of second coupling holes, and may further include a pair of support ribs (75) that support the bracket when the bracket is coupled to the top table.

[0139] The above brackets are provided in multiple pieces so as to be in contact with the top table, and may further include a movement prevention rib (119) that prevents movement of the brackets during the process of opening and closing the door.

[0140] To make the lens waterproof and dustproof, the diameter (D1) of the lens assembly hole may be formed to be 0.1 mm larger than the diameter (D2) of the lens.

[0141] According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator includes a cabinet (10), a storage compartment (20) provided inside the cabinet, a door (30) rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, a top table (70) provided on the upper surface of the cabinet and having an installation hole (71) formed in the front, and a camera device (100) installed on the top table to photograph the exterior and interior of the storage compartment. The camera device includes a camera that photographs the exterior and interior of the storage compartment, a bracket (110) installed on the top table and including a protrusion (111) protruding out of the top table through the installation hole so that the camera photographs the exterior of the storage compartment, and an inclined portion (113) formed slantedly at a lower portion of the protrusion so that the camera photographs the interior of the storage compartment, and a control unit (130) installed on the bracket to control the operation of the camera.

[0142] The above protrusion may protrude outside the top table by a length smaller than the gap (L1) between the front surface of the top table and the door.

[0143] The above control unit can operate the camera to start recording when the door is opened.

[0144] The above door includes a first door (32) and a second door (33) that are rotatably coupled to the left and right sides of the cabinet, respectively, and the camera can be positioned between the first door and the second door.

[0145] The control unit can operate the camera to start recording when at least one of the first door and the second door is opened.

[0146] The above-mentioned inclined portion includes an opening (115) through which the lens (121) of the camera is exposed to the outside, and the diameter (D1) of the opening can be formed to be 0.1 mm larger than the diameter (D2) of the lens so that the lens is waterproof and dustproof.

[0147] According to the present disclosure, a camera can be installed to photograph the entry and exit of food without deformation of the door.

[0148] Additionally, you can simultaneously film the exterior and interior of the storage room.

[0149] Additionally, it can prevent water and / or dust from entering the lens of the camera that photographs the exterior and interior of the storage room.

[0150] Additionally, it can prevent movement of the camera device.

[0151] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0152] In describing the refrigerator with reference to the attached drawings above, specific shapes and directions have been mainly described, but it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made by a person skilled in the art, and such modifications and changes should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the disclosed invention.

Claims

1. Cabinet; A storage room provided inside the above cabinet; A door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage room; A top table provided on the upper surface of the above cabinet and having an installation hole formed on the front; A bracket installed on the top table, comprising a protrusion and an inclined portion including an opening at a lower portion of the protrusion; and A camera installed on the above bracket and including a lens; The above bracket and the above camera, The above protrusion accommodates the camera and protrudes outside the top table through the installation hole by a length smaller than the gap between the front of the top table and the door, The above lens of the above camera is exposed through the above opening of the above inclined portion, A refrigerator wherein the above-mentioned inclined portion is configured to be inclined so that the image captured by the above-mentioned camera includes the external area of ​​the above-mentioned storage room and the internal area of ​​the above-mentioned storage room.

2. In paragraph 1, The door comprises a gasket on the rear surface of the door so as to be in contact with the cabinet while the door is closed, and a gap between the front surface of the top table and the door is equal to the thickness of the gasket.

3. In paragraph 1, The above door, A first door that is rotatably connected to the left side of the above cabinet to open and close the above storage room, A second door is included that is rotatably coupled to the right side of the cabinet to open and close the storage room, A refrigerator wherein the camera is accommodated in the bracket located between the first door and the second door while the first door and the second door are rotated to close the storage compartment.

4. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator further comprising a control unit installed on the bracket to control the operation of the camera.

5. In paragraph 4, A refrigerator further comprising an LED indicator installed on the bracket so as to enable external confirmation that the camera is operating while the camera is operated by the control unit.

6. In paragraph 1, The gap between the front of the above top table and the above door is 10mm, A refrigerator in which the protrusion protrudes less than 10 mm from the front of the top table to prevent collision with the door.

7. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator wherein the bracket includes a pair of first joining holes into which screws for joining the bracket to the top table are inserted.

8. In paragraph 7, A refrigerator wherein the top table includes a pair of second joining holes, each of which is inserted with a screw inserted through the pair of first joining holes.

9. In paragraph 8, A refrigerator wherein the top table is formed by the pair of second joining holes and includes a pair of support ribs that support the bracket while the bracket is joined to the top table.

10. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator in which the brackets are provided in multiple pieces so as to come into contact with the top table and include movement-preventing ribs that prevent movement of the brackets during the process of opening and closing the door.

11. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator in which the diameter of the above opening is formed 0.1mm larger than the diameter of the lens.

Images