Artificial intelligence enabled food refrigerating device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack the ability to automatically determine the type, size, and quantity of food placed inside, leading to inefficient refrigeration and potential over-cooling, which can result in food being frozen and unsuitable for immediate cooking.
Innovation Solution
An artificial intelligent food refrigerating device equipped with an image capture unit, sensing units, and a temperature regulating system that recognizes the type, size, and quantity of food through image analysis and adjusts the refrigeration temperature accordingly, using a controller to manage the temperature and fan operation to prevent over-cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the food is placed in the freezer compartment to cool it faster, then the cooling speed is improved, but the food may be over-cooled and frozen
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors food temperature through a temperature sensor and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the cooling operation based on this feedback, stopping cooling when the target temperature is reached, thereby preventing over-cooling and freezing while maintaining fast cooling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary recognition of food type, size, and quantity through image analysis before cooling begins. Based on this preliminary information, the controller pre-determines the appropriate target temperature and cooling parameters, preventing over-cooling before it occurs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the refrigerator uses a constant temperature refrigeration cycle, then the temperature stability is improved, but the adaptability to different food types is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the target temperature based on the recognized food type. Different food types (e.g., beverages, meats, vegetables) are assigned different target temperatures within the refrigeration compartment. The controller modifies operating parameters such as fan speed and compressor duty cycle to achieve and maintain the appropriate temperature for each food type, thereby providing both temperature stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different temperature conditions to different regions or food items within the same refrigeration compartment. By recognizing food types and positions, the controller can create localized temperature zones or adjust cooling intensity for specific areas, allowing different food types to be stored at their optimal temperatures simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the refrigerator manually sets the refrigeration temperature, then the simplicity of operation is improved, but the refrigeration efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic recognition of food type, size, and quantity through image capture and analysis, then automatically determines the appropriate target temperature and cooling parameters without user intervention. This self-service capability maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving refrigeration efficiency by optimizing cooling parameters for each food item.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual temperature setting with automated image recognition and AI-based decision-making. The image capture unit and controller analyze food characteristics and automatically adjust temperature parameters, substituting the manual mechanical adjustment process with an intelligent automated system that improves both efficiency and convenience.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and efficient refrigeration of food, preventing it from freezing and ensuring it is ready for consumption by setting a target temperature and providing timely notifications, thus maintaining food quality.
Implementation Method 1
an image capture unit for capturing an image of the inside of the container and the food
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit for cooling the food placed in the container to the target temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial intelligent food refrigerating device and a method for refrigerating food by using the same are disclosed. An artificial intelligent food refrigerating device according to the present disclosure identifies the size, volume, type, and quantity of food to be put into it and determines a target refrigeration temperature and refrigeration time for the food based on an identification result. The artificial intelligent food refrigerating device and method according to the present disclosure may be associated with an artificial intelligent module, a robot, an augmented reality (AR) device, a virtual reality (VR) device, a 5G service-related device, etc.