Refrigerator Dispenser Camera Alignment for Small-Opening Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in filling containers with ice and water from refrigerator dispensers, particularly those with small openings, due to obstructed views and the dispenser's location at chest height, making it hard to accurately direct the flow without stooping.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance with a camera and display system that assists users in positioning containers by providing a visual image of the dispenser recess, allowing for accurate alignment and easy filling without bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispenser is mounted at chest height on the door, then the dispenser is easily accessible to users, but the user's view of the container opening and dispenser outlet is obstructed, making accurate alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A camera is introduced as an intermediary device to capture images of the dispenser recess and container opening. The camera provides an indirect visual view to the user through a display, allowing the user to see the alignment without needing direct line-of-sight to the obscured areas. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling visibility while maintaining the chest-height mounting position.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera creates a visual copy (image) of the dispenser recess and container opening. This copy is displayed on a display device, allowing the user to view the alignment situation without being physically positioned to see it directly. The copy enables accurate alignment assessment while maintaining the ergonomic chest-height dispenser position.
2Device complexity
If the paddle and water dispensing outlet are located at the back of the dispenser, then the dispenser structure is compact, but the user cannot see the paddle or water dispensing outlet without stooping over
Solution Approach 1:
The camera acts as an intermediary that captures the view from the dispenser's perspective, showing the user where the outlet and paddle are located in the recess. This allows the user to understand the spatial relationship and align the container properly without needing to stoop or directly see the back-mounted components.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera and display system provides real-time visual feedback to the user about the container's position relative to the dispenser outlet. This feedback loop allows the user to adjust the container alignment based on the visual information, making the back-mounted outlet visible and accessible through indirect imaging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the container opening is small, then the container design is optimized for portability and storage, but directing water flow into the small opening becomes difficult due to obstructed view
Solution Approach 1:
The camera provides an intermediary visual view that magnifies and clarifies the relationship between the water outlet and the small container opening. This intermediate imaging allows the user to precisely align even small openings with the water flow without the physical constraints of the dispenser's mounting position.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual copy created by the camera allows the user to see the exact position and size of the small container opening relative to the outlet. This copied visual information enables precise alignment of small openings that would be difficult to align using direct vision from the chest-height position.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance is provided with a dispenser for directing a flow of ice and/or water to a dispenser recess of the dispenser. A camera is directed towards the dispenser recess, and a display is also provided for displaying an image from the camera. The image can assist a user in positioning a container within the dispenser recess.