Camera unit

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a camera unit with which it is possible to improve maintainability.　A camera unit that is installed on the top surface of a refrigerator and images the refrigerator, wherein: the camera unit comprises a case member in which a charging part is housed, and an operation unit provided with an operation substrate; and the charging part and the operation substrate are provided in different regions.

Description

Camera unit

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that can be attached to a refrigerator.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-042852

[0004] The present disclosure provides a camera unit that can improve maintainability.

[0005] This specification includes the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-027879, filed on February 27, 2024. The camera unit in the present disclosure is installed on the top surface of a refrigerator and takes pictures of the refrigerator, and includes a case member that houses a charging unit and an operation unit that includes an operation board, and the charging unit and the operation board are provided in different areas.

[0006] In the camera unit according to the present disclosure, the operation unit is disposed in a different area from the charging unit, thereby improving maintainability.

[0007] 1 is a front view of a refrigerator; FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator with the door open; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a camera unit; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a camera unit; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a camera unit; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a camera unit; FIG. 7 is a plan view of a camera unit;

[0008] (Knowledge, etc. that Forms the Basis of the Present Disclosure) At the time the inventors came up with the present disclosure, there was a technology in which a refrigerator compartment camera attached to the top of a refrigerator was used to detect food entering or leaving the refrigerator. However, the inventors discovered a problem in that when the camera unit and the operation unit were integrated, if the operation unit malfunctioned, the camera unit had to be removed and replaced. To solve this problem, the present disclosure constituted the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a camera unit with improved maintainability.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) [1-1. Configuration] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down are based on the refrigerator 1 in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0011] [1-1-1. Configuration of the Refrigerator] Fig. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 has a main box 10 with an open front. Storage compartments are formed in the main box 10. The storage compartments are made up of a refrigerator compartment 11, an ice-making compartment 12, a fresh-freezing compartment 13, a freezer compartment 14, and a vegetable compartment 15. These storage compartments are cooled with cold air. A side-opening door 11A is installed at the opening on the front of the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0012] 2 is a front view of refrigerator 1 with door 11A open. Drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A capable of storing items are installed in ice making compartment 12, fresh freezing compartment 13, freezer compartment 14, and vegetable compartment 15, respectively. The tops of drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A are open when installed. A camera unit 100 is installed on the top of refrigerator 1. The top of main box 10 is made of metal. Furthermore, the metal that makes up the top is made of iron, which is magnetically attracted.

[0013] [1-1-2. Configuration of the Camera Unit] Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the camera unit 100. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit 100 with the operation unit 150 removed. The camera unit 100 is composed of a base 100A fixed to the top surface and an imaging unit 100B extending forward from the base 100A. The imaging unit 100B has a predetermined gap from the top surface in a side view. In other words, the camera unit 100 is approximately L-shaped in a side view. The operation unit 150 is attached to the front lower part of the base 100A.

[0014] Legs 101 are provided on the bottom surface of base 100A. Legs 101 are provided at the four corners and the center of base 100A. Legs 101 are made of rubber or the like, and form a predetermined gap between the top surface of refrigerator 1 and base 100A. Magnets 105 are also provided on the bottom surface of base 100A. Magnets 105 are provided at the center of base 100A and at the left and right rear ends of base 100A. These magnets 105 allow camera unit 100 to be positioned on the top surface of refrigerator 1.

[0015] 6 is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit 100. The camera unit 100 is a hollow housing formed by a cover member 110 and a case member 120. A metal plate 115 is provided inside the camera unit 100.

[0016] The case member 20 is made of a flame-retardant resin, such as an ABS resin containing a flame retardant.

[0017] 7 is a plan view of the camera unit 100. A power supply board (charging section) 121, a sensor board 122, a Wi-Fi board 123, an SoC board 124, a distance measurement sensor 125, a camera 126, and a thermopile 127 are arranged in the case member 120.

[0018] The power supply board 121 is disposed at the rear inside the case member 120. The power supply board 121 is connected to a power supply harness capable of transmitting power. The power supply harness is routed inside the case member 120 to the left of the power supply board 121, extends to the outside of the case member 120, and is connected to an external power supply. Power output from the external power supply is supplied to the power supply board 121 via the power supply harness. In this embodiment, the power supply harness is connected to a 100V commercial power supply. The power supply board 121 supplies the power necessary for the operation of each part of the camera unit 100.

[0019] A sensor board 122 is fixed to the right side of the power supply board 121. The sensor board 122 is a board that transmits and receives signals to and from each sensor, such as a distance measurement sensor 125 and a thermopile 127, that are provided in the camera unit 100.

[0020] A SoC (System on a Chip) board 124 is fixed to the front of the power supply board 121. The SoC board 124 is a board that controls the wide-angle camera 126A, the narrow-angle camera 126B, and the Wi-Fi board 123. The SoC board 124 is connected to the wide-angle camera 126A and the narrow-angle camera 126B provided in front of the SoC board 124 via two FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) cables. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark.

[0021] Wide-angle camera 126A photographs each part of refrigerator 1, including refrigeration compartment 11. Narrow-angle camera 126B photographs an area including drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A. Camera unit 100 may also photograph items being put in or taken out of refrigeration compartment 11, ice maker compartment 12, fresh freezing compartment 13, freezer compartment 14, and vegetable compartment 15.

[0022] A thermopile 127 is disposed to the left of the narrow-angle camera 126B. The thermopile 127 is an infrared sensor that detects the temperature of a person approaching the refrigerator 1, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a person.

[0023] An LED (Light Emitting Diode) 128 is provided to the right of wide-angle camera 126A and to the left of thermopile 127 of imaging unit 100B. An oval glass cover 129 is provided below LED 128, camera 126, and thermopile 127, i.e., on the underside of the front end of imaging unit 100B. An opening 129A is provided in the glass cover 129 in a portion corresponding to thermopile 127.

[0024] A Wi-Fi board 123 is disposed behind the right LED 128R. A distance measurement sensor 125 is disposed behind the Wi-Fi board 123 and the left LED 128L.

[0025] A partition 130 is formed in the case member 120 at a position surrounding the power supply board 121 in a plan view. The sensor board 122, the SoC board 124, the wide-angle camera 126A, and the narrow-angle camera 126B are arranged inside the partition 130. The partition 130 is formed in a shape that protrudes upward from the base 100A and the imaging unit 100B.

[0026] Metal plate 115 is a member made of sheet metal. Metal plate 115 is fixed to imaging unit 100B via fastening members such as screws, bolts, and screws, and covers the entire inside surface of partition unit 130 from above. In other words, metal plate 115 covers power supply board 121, sensor board 122, SoC board 124, wide-angle camera 126A, and narrow-angle camera 126B, and seals region R1 surrounded by partition unit 130.

[0027] The metal plate 115 has a plate rear portion 115X that overlaps the power supply board 121 and the sensor board 122 in a plan view. A rib 116 is formed at the front end of the plate rear portion 115X. The rib 116 extends upward from the entire width of the front end of the plate rear portion 115X in the left-right direction.

[0028] A plate center portion 115Y extending forward from the upper end of the rib 116 is integrally formed at the front end of the plate rear portion 115X. The plate center portion 115Y is disposed across the base portion 100A and the imaging unit 100B in a plan view. The plate center portion 115Y is disposed at a higher position than the plate rear portion 115X. The plate center portion 115Y covers the SoC substrate 124 from above.

[0029] A downwardly recessed heat dissipation portion 117 is formed in the approximate center of plate central portion 115Y. The heat dissipation portion is in contact with the upper surface of the heat generating element mounted on SoC substrate 124 via a thermally conductive sheet. This allows heat from the heat generating element to be quickly transferred to metal plate 115.

[0030] A front plate portion 115Z, which is lower in height than the central plate portion 115Y, is integrally formed at the front end of the central plate portion 115Y. The front plate portion 115Z covers the wide-angle camera 126A and the narrow-angle camera 126B from above.

[0031] Plate front portion 115Z is in contact with the upper surfaces of wide-angle camera 126A and narrow-angle camera 126B via a heat-conductive sheet, thereby enabling heat from wide-angle camera 126A and narrow-angle camera 126B to be quickly transferred to metal plate 115.

[0032] Heat dissipation holes 111 are formed at the rear of the cover member 110 at a position corresponding to the power supply board 121. The heat dissipation holes 111 are holes that penetrate the cover member 110 and allow communication between the inside and outside of the case member 120. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation holes 111 are holes that are formed with their longitudinal direction aligned in the left-right direction, and a plurality of the heat dissipation holes 111 are formed side by side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0033] The heat dissipation holes 111 allow air to pass between the inside and outside of the case member 120. This makes it easier to dissipate heat generated from the power supply board 121 and the like to the outside of the case member 120 by convection heat transfer.

[0034] 8 and 9 are perspective views of the operation unit 150. The operation unit 150 is detachably attached to the case member 120. That is, the operation unit 150 is provided in a separate and independent area different from the area R1.

[0035] The operation unit 150 is formed of a flat position control portion 151 that is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, a bottom surface portion 154 that extends rearward from the middle of the position control portion 151, and a board support portion 153 that extends upward from the middle of the bottom surface portion 154.

[0036] The position restricting portion 151 contacts the front edge of the main box body 10 of the refrigerator 1 from the front, restricting the rearward movement of the camera unit 100.

[0037] A plurality of operation units 152 are provided on the front surface of the board support unit 153. In this embodiment, the operation unit 152 is provided with a main power switch 152A on the right side, a Wi-Fi connection switch 152B in the center, and a start switch 152C on the left side for operating the camera unit 100. A hole 153A is provided on the right side of the operation unit 152 in the board support unit 153.

[0038] 9, an operation board 155 is provided on the rear surface of the board support portion 153. A board holding member 153C for holding the operation board 155 is provided on the board support portion 153. The board holding member 153C can prevent the operation board 155 from shifting in the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions.

[0039] The operation board 155 is connected to the power supply board 121 in the camera unit 100 by a wiring cable 155A.

[0040] Holding ribs 153B extending forward are provided on both ends and the middle of the upper portion of the board support portion 153. The operation unit 150 is fixed to the camera unit 100 by these holding ribs 153B.

[0041] The bottom surface portion 154 is provided with fastening holes 154A. By inserting fastening members such as screws through these fastening holes 154A, the operation unit 150 can be fixed to the camera unit 100 in combination with the holding rib 153B. The bottom surface portion 154 is provided with a board holding rib 154B that extends upward at its midpoint. The board holding rib 154B can prevent the operation board 155 from shifting in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the board holding member 153C and the board holding rib 154B can prevent the operation board 155 from warping.

[0042] An attachment portion 106 is provided below and in front of the base portion 100A (see FIG. 5). A fastening hole 106A is provided in the attachment portion 106. A unit support portion (not shown) is provided in the attachment portion 106 and extends rearward from the front end of the attachment portion 106.

[0043] [1-2. Operation] Operation unit 150 is inserted into camera unit 100 from below and pulled forward, causing holding rib 153B provided on operation unit 150 to catch on the unit support portion, temporarily fixing operation unit 150 to camera unit 100. Thereafter, fastening holes 106A, 154A from bottom surface portion 154 of operation unit 150 with screws or the like, permanently fixing camera unit 100 to operation unit 150. When removing camera unit 100 from operation unit 150, the procedure is reversed.

[0044] In this way, operation unit 150 is provided in a region separate from region R1 in which power supply board 121 and the like are provided, and further provided so as to be detachable from camera unit 100. Therefore, when part of operation unit 150 breaks, it is not necessary to remove and replace the entire camera unit 100, and repairs can be performed by replacing only part of operation unit 150. Furthermore, board support portion 153 is provided with hole 153A, which allows a finger to be inserted from the front, making it easy to attach and detach wiring cable 155A to operation board 155.

[0045] Camera unit 100 is provided with position restriction part 151, and operation part 152 formed on operation unit 150 is a switch that is pressed toward the rear of refrigerator 1. As a result, even when a user presses operation part 152 and applies force to camera unit 100, position restriction part 151 comes into contact with the front surface of refrigerator 1, preventing camera unit 100 from being pushed backward and moving.

[0046] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, camera unit 100 is installed on the top surface of refrigerator 1 and takes pictures of refrigerator 1. Camera unit 100 includes a case member that houses power supply board 121 and operation unit 150 that includes an operation board, and power supply board 121 and operation board are provided in different areas. By providing power supply board 121 and operation unit 150 in different areas, if operation unit 150 breaks down, only operation unit 150 can be removed and repaired.

[0047] The operation unit 150 is detachably attached to the case member, so that the operation unit 150 can be easily removed and replaced or repaired if the operation unit 150 breaks down.

[0048] The case member is composed of a base 100A provided on the top surface of the refrigerator 1 and an imaging unit 100B formed by extending forward from the base 100A, and the operation unit 150 is placed at the forefront of the base 100A. By placing the operation unit 150 at the forefront of the refrigerator 1, it is possible to prevent the refrigerator 1 from obstructing the operation unit 150.

[0049] Operation unit 150 is provided with position restriction section 151 that restricts the position of operation unit 150 relative to refrigerator 1. With this, even if force is applied to operation unit 150, position restriction section 151 comes into contact with refrigerator 1, and operation unit 150 is supported by refrigerator 1, thereby preventing camera unit 100 from shifting out of position.

[0050] The operation unit 150 is attached by inserting it into the case member from the bottom and then moving it forward. Since the operation unit 150 is attached to the bottom of the camera unit 100 located on the top surface of the refrigerator 1, an operator can easily attach and detach it.

[0051] The operation section of operation unit 150 is configured to be operated in a direction that pushes it toward the rear of refrigerator 1. With this, even if force is applied to operation unit 150, position restriction section 151 comes into contact with refrigerator 1, and operation unit 150 is supported by refrigerator 1, thereby preventing camera unit 100 from shifting position.

[0052] As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment to create new embodiments.

[0053] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0054] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0055] (Technology 1) A camera unit that is installed on the top surface of a refrigerator and takes pictures of the refrigerator includes a case member that houses a charging unit and an operation unit that includes an operation board, and the charging unit and the operation board are provided in different areas. By providing the charging unit and the operation unit in different areas, if the operation unit breaks down, it is possible to remove and repair just the operation unit.

[0056] (Technology 2) The camera unit according to Technology 1, wherein the operation unit is detachably attached to the case member. By this, the operation unit can be detached, and therefore, if the operation unit breaks down, it can be easily replaced or repaired.

[0057] (Technology 3) The camera unit according to Technology 2, wherein the case member is composed of a base provided on a top surface of the refrigerator and an imaging unit formed extending forward from the base, and the operation unit is disposed at the forefront of the base. By disposing the operation unit at the forefront of the refrigerator, it is possible to prevent the refrigerator from interfering with operation.

[0058] (Technology 4) The camera unit according to Technology 3, wherein the operation unit is provided with a position restriction unit that restricts a position of the operation unit with respect to the refrigerator. With this, even when force is applied to the operation unit, the position restriction unit comes into contact with the refrigerator, and the operation unit is supported by the refrigerator, thereby preventing the camera unit from shifting in position.

[0059] (Technology 5) The camera unit according to Technology 4, wherein the operation unit is attached by inserting it into the case member from the bottom and then moving it forward. In this way, the operation unit is attached to the bottom of the camera unit arranged on the top surface of the refrigerator, so that an operator can easily attach and detach the operation unit.

[0060] (Technology 6) The camera unit according to Technology 5, wherein the operation section of the operation unit is configured to be operated in a direction to be pushed toward the rear side of the refrigerator. With this, even when force is applied to the operation unit, the position restriction section comes into contact with the refrigerator, and the operation unit is supported by the refrigerator, thereby preventing the camera unit from shifting in position.

[0061] As described above, the camera unit according to the present invention can be used to manage items stored in a refrigerator.

[0062] 1 Refrigerator 10 Box 11 Refrigerator compartment 11A Door 12 Ice maker compartment 12A Drawer 13 Fresh freezing compartment 13A Drawer 14 Freezer compartment 14A Drawer 15 Vegetable compartment 15A Drawer 20 Case member 100 Camera unit 100A Base 100B Photography unit 101 Leg 105 Magnet 106 Mounting unit 106A Fastening hole 110 Cover member 111 Heat dissipation hole 115 Metal plate 115X Rear plate 115Y Central plate 115Z Front plate 116 Rib 117 Heat dissipation unit 120 Case member 121 Power supply board (charging unit) 122 Sensor board 123 Wi-Fi board 124 SoC board 125 Distance measurement sensor 126 Camera 126A Wide-angle camera 126B Narrow-angle camera 127 Thermopile 128 LED 128L Left-side LED 128R Right-side LED 129 Glass cover 129A Opening 130 Partition 150 Operation unit 151 Position restriction part 152 Operation part 152A Main power switch 152B Wi-Fi connection switch 152C Start switch 153 Board support part 153A Hole part 153B Holding rib 153C Board holding member 154 Bottom surface part 154A Fastening hole 154B Board holding rib 155 Operation board 155A Wiring cable R1 Area

Claims

1. A camera unit that is installed on the top surface of a refrigerator and takes pictures of the refrigerator, the camera unit comprising: a case member that houses a charging unit; and an operation unit that has an operation board, the charging unit and the operation board being provided in different areas.

2. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is detachably attached to the case member.

3. The camera unit according to claim 2, wherein the case member is composed of a base provided on the top surface of the refrigerator and a photographing unit formed by extending forward from the base, and the operation unit is positioned at the forefront of the base.

4. The camera unit according to claim 3, wherein the operation unit is provided with a position restriction unit that restricts its position relative to the refrigerator.

5. The camera unit according to claim 4, wherein the operation unit is attached by inserting it into the case member from the bottom and then moving it forward.

6. The camera unit according to claim 5, wherein the operating part of the operating unit is configured to be operated in a direction that pushes it toward the rear side of the refrigerator.

Images