Cylindrical Upright Camera Design for Refrigerator Space Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator and freezer cameras are cumbersome, difficult to maintain, and obstructive due to their rectangular shape and fixed installation, requiring professional service for replacement and causing space and adjustment issues.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical camera with an upright arrangement, detachable design, and wireless connectivity, allowing easy placement among refrigerated goods, avoiding unnecessary adjustments and obstacles, with a stable and adjustable viewing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rectangular camera with fixed installation is used, then the camera can be securely mounted in designated positions, but it requires professional service for replacement and causes space obstruction in the refrigerator
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is designed as a separable component that can be easily detached from the refrigerator interior. The mounting system is divided into a camera unit and a mounting structure, allowing the camera to be removed and reinstalled by users without requiring professional service technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the camera permanently fixed for security, the invention inverts the approach by designing a removable mounting system that achieves secure positioning during use while enabling easy removal for maintenance. The mounting arm allows the camera to be temporarily attached and detached as needed.
2Reliability
If a spherical camera is permanently attached, then the camera is securely fixed, but it is difficult to remove and requires readjustment by service technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into a camera unit and a separate mounting structure with a mounting arm. This segmentation allows the camera to be easily detached from the mounting arm by users for replacement or maintenance, eliminating the need for service technician intervention while maintaining secure positioning during operation.
3Measurement precision
If cameras are mounted on surfaces not intended for storing goods, then the camera can be positioned for imaging, but it obstructs space and may cause collisions with refrigerated goods
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is mounted on the interior surface of the refrigerator door rather than on shelves or walls where goods are stored. This utilizes the door's third dimension (the door panel space) for camera placement, keeping the camera positioned for optimal imaging while leaving all storage surfaces completely available for refrigerated goods without obstruction.
4Ease of operation
If the camera is made removable for easy maintenance, then user-friendliness improves, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a simple mounting arm and a camera unit with a corresponding mounting structure. This segmentation enables easy removal and reinstallation of the camera by users while keeping each component individually simple in design, avoiding the need for complex integrated mounting mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling and/or freezing appliance with a cooled interior and with a camera arranged in the cooled interior, which is arranged to capture an image of the cooled interior or of a section of the cooled interior, wherein the camera has a cylindrical housing and is arranged standing upright in the cooled interior.