Refrigerator Camera Link Using FPD-Link III for Long Cable Runs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration appliances face challenges in efficiently connecting multiple cameras over long distances to control units due to limitations in data transmission cables, which are often cumbersome and costly, especially as the number of cameras increases and data volumes rise.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a FPD-Link III or GMSL-compliant connection between sensor modules and control units using a serializer and deserializer with a two-core cable set, allowing for reliable and cost-effective data transmission over long distances, enabling flexible camera placement even in large appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If USB or LVDS interface with shielded four-core cable is used for camera connection, then power supply and data transmission are achieved, but cable complexity and routing difficulty increase due to requiring at least four cores per camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the data transmission cable by providing power through a separate power supply unit connected to the control unit. This allows the use of simpler two-core cables for data transmission only, reducing cable complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission through the FPD-Link III interface
Solution Approach 2:
The FPD-Link III interface is designed to handle multiple functions including high-speed video data transmission, control signals, and synchronization through a unified protocol. This multi-functional interface consolidates what would otherwise require separate cables, reducing overall system complexity despite using simpler individual cables
2Ease of operation
If classic ribbon cables are used for camera connection, then installation is simple, but transmission distance is limited to rarely more than 30 cm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ribbon cable system with an electrical FPD-Link III interface that uses differential signaling through two-core cables. This substitution enables transmission distances of multiple meters while maintaining signal integrity, overcoming the 30 cm limitation of ribbon cables without sacrificing installation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The FPD-Link III interface employs differential voltage signaling and impedance matching techniques that allow signal transmission over long distances with minimal degradation. By changing the electrical parameters (voltage levels, impedance, signaling method), the system achieves meter-long transmission distances while maintaining ease of installation through standardized connectors
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are connected with increasing distances to control units in large refrigeration appliances, then coverage is improved, but cable routing becomes more difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera system into independent modules, each with its own FPD-Link III interface and serializer. This modular approach allows each camera to be connected using simple two-core cables rather than requiring a complex multi-core cable bundle, making routing to multiple cameras throughout large appliances simpler and more cost-effective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar ribbon cable connections to three-dimensional spatial routing using flexible two-core cables that can navigate complex appliance geometries. The FPD-Link III interface enables cameras to be positioned in three-dimensional space throughout the appliance volume, with cables routed independently to each position without the constraints of flat cable bundles
4Length of stationary object
If FPD-Link III or GMSL connection with two-core cable is used, then transmission distance extends to multiple meters with simple cabling, but requires serializer and deserializer components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the serializer and deserializer functions into integrated FPD-Link III interface components that are tightly coupled with the camera sensors and control unit. This integration reduces the apparent complexity by combining multiple functions (serialization, differential signaling, impedance matching) into unified interface modules rather than separate discrete components
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance has a sensor module and a control unit which are connected to one another via a cable harness containing a cable to supply power to the sensor module and to transmit data. The sensor module is connected to the control unit via an FDP-link III-compatible or GMSL-compatible connection which contains a serializer which is associated with the sensor module, a deserializer, and a cable harness which connects the serializer and the deserializer. A method is used to operate the household appliance, in which, sensor data generated by the sensor module are translated into FPD-link III-compatible serial data by the serializer of the FPD-link III connection. The serial data are transmitted via the cable harness to a deserializer and are back-translated therein, and the back-translated sensor data are transmitted to the control unit. The method is used in refrigeration appliances having cameras for recording images.