Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators only serve the function of storing food at low temperatures, lacking features to monitor or visualize the contents without opening the door, leading to inconvenience in managing stored goods.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a camera device mounted on the inner surface of the door, allowing for the visualization of the storage compartment from the outside and adjustable camera placement to accommodate different loading configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera device is mounted on the door to photograph the storage room, then the storage compartment becomes viewable from the outside, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to create visual copies (images) of the storage compartment contents, allowing users to view stored items without physically opening the door. The camera captures light reflected from objects in the storage room and transmits these visual copies to a display device, resolving the contradiction between maintaining storage visibility and avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera device acts as an intermediary between the user and the storage compartment contents. Instead of direct visual access requiring door opening, the camera mediates by capturing and transmitting images electronically, enabling indirect observation that eliminates the need for physical door opening while managing system complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are mounted to photograph different regions of the storage room, then the coverage area increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage room into multiple regions and assigns different cameras to photograph specific segments. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the entire storage space while managing complexity by distributing the imaging function across multiple specialized camera units rather than requiring a single complex wide-angle system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple cameras in different spatial positions and orientations to capture various regions of the storage room. By utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement of camera units, the system achieves comprehensive area coverage through multi-dimensional positioning rather than relying on a single camera with excessive complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera device is detachably mounted on the door, then the adaptability increases, but the reliability of mounting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a detachable mounting mechanism that allows the camera device to be dynamically installed and removed from the door. This dynamic mounting system provides adaptability for different installation scenarios and maintenance needs while incorporating securing features that maintain sufficient reliability during normal operation through reversible attachment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage room, a door for opening and closing the storage room, and a camera device having a plurality of cameras for photographing the storage room and mounted on the inner surface of the door. The state of the storage room can be checked without opening the door by the camera device.