Refrigerator Door-Angle Camera Trigger for Food Inventory Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic refrigeration appliances lack an efficient mechanism to automatically capture and transmit images of the interior chamber's content as the door closes, limiting remote monitoring and inventory management of stored food.
Innovation Solution
A domestic refrigeration appliance equipped with a thermally insulated housing, a refrigeration apparatus, and a pivotable door leaf with a magnetic sensor trigger apparatus that activates a camera to take images of the interior chamber when the door reaches a predetermined closing angle, allowing image data to be transmitted via an interface to connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera apparatus is installed to capture images of the interior chamber, then remote monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The camera apparatus is configured to automatically capture images based on door opening/closing detection without requiring manual activation. The system self-activates when the door state changes, eliminating the need for user intervention and reducing operational complexity despite the added hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is pre-configured to activate automatically upon door opening or closing detection. This preliminary setup allows the system to capture images at the appropriate moments without requiring complex real-time decision-making or user input during operation
2Measurement precision
If the camera is triggered continuously to capture images, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera operates periodically based on door opening/closing events rather than continuously. Each door state change triggers a capture cycle, ensuring images are taken at meaningful intervals when the chamber content is most likely to change, while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during closed-door periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses door state sensors to provide feedback that triggers camera activation. When the door opening/closing is detected, this feedback signal activates the camera to capture images, creating an event-driven operation mode that balances monitoring accuracy with energy efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If the camera captures images only when the door is fully closed, then image quality is improved, but the response time to capture content changes is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is configured to activate when the door opening angle is smaller than a predetermined angle during the closing process, before the door is fully closed. This preliminary capture ensures the interior chamber content is recorded early in the closing sequence, providing timely information while the door is still partially open for better lighting conditions
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 remote monitoring and inventory management by automatically capturing images of the interior chamber's content as the door closes, providing users with real-time information on stored food items without requiring manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor trigger apparatus that activates a camera to take images of the interior chamber when the door reaches a predetermined closing angle
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic refrigeration appliance includes a thermally insulated housing which limits a coolable interior chamber provided for storing food and being accessible through an opening. A frame-shaped end face frames the opening of the housing. A door leaf for opening and closing the opening of the housing is mounted in such a way that it can pivot relative to an axis by using at least one hinge. A cover is provided for covering the hinge. A triggering device is disposed within the cover and is configured to actuate at least one device of the domestic refrigeration appliance depending on an opening angle of the door leaf. A method for operating a domestic refrigeration appliance is also provided.