Refrigeration and/or freezer device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator and freezer cameras have limited detection range, are inflexible due to fixed installation, and consume excessive energy as they remain constantly ready to capture images, even when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a sensor, evaluation unit, and triggering unit that detects movement or acceleration to control image capture, allowing for flexible positioning, energy-saving modes, and wireless communication, enabling efficient image capture only when the closure element is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera is permanently integrated and constantly ready to capture images, then image capture capability is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system uses periodic triggering based on door opening events rather than continuous operation. The control unit receives signals from sensors detecting door opening and triggers the camera to capture images only at these periodic intervals, eliminating continuous energy consumption while maintaining image capture capability when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the camera is fixedly installed in the device, then integration is simplified, but positioning flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into separate functional modules: the camera unit itself, the control unit, and the sensor unit. This modular segmentation allows the camera to be positioned flexibly at different locations within the refrigerator or freezer while maintaining simplified integration through standardized connection interfaces between modules.
3Volume of stationary object
If the camera has limited detection range, then device size is reduced, but detection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple sensors positioned at different locations to detect door opening events. By adding the temporal dimension of sequential detection and the spatial dimension of multiple sensor positions, the system achieves comprehensive detection coverage throughout the device while maintaining a compact camera unit size.
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
The camera system optimizes image capture by reducing energy consumption and enhancing flexibility, allowing for efficient image recording and transmission only when the closure element is opened, while ensuring images are taken within specific angles for optimal exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is designed to detect a movement, a rotation or an acceleration, in particular of the closure element. The sensor is therefore preferably an acceleration sensor and/or a rotation rate sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a cooled interior and a closing element configured to close the cooled interior, and with a camera arranged in the cooled interior, the camera comprising an image sensor and a control unit, wherein the camera is arranged to capture an image of the cooled interior or of a section of the cooled interior via the image sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to control the image sensor and/or the camera, wherein the control unit comprises a sensor, an evaluation unit and a triggering unit, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to capture and evaluate signals from the sensor and to control the triggering unit, and the triggering unit is configured to control the camera or the image sensor and/or to trigger it for image capture.