Refrigerator Modular Hardware Integration Without Structural Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers require structural changes and additional power supply for integrating hardware components like camera and sensor modules, limiting flexibility and ease of implementation.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with self-sufficient communication and hardware modules that can be retrofitted without structural changes, using radio connections like Bluetooth or WLAN for data transmission, allowing for independent power supply and flexible placement, enabling expansion of functionalities without altering the appliance's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware components like camera modules or sensor modules are integrated into the refrigerator or freezer, then the functionality of the device is enhanced, but structural changes and additional power supply connections are required, increasing device complexity and reducing ease of installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs battery-powered hardware modules that can be independently installed and removed without permanent integration. These modules function as temporary, self-contained units that draw power from their own batteries rather than requiring connections to the refrigerator's power supply, thereby avoiding structural modifications and reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power supply dependency from the hardware modules by equipping them with independent batteries. This separation allows the modules to operate autonomously without being tethered to the refrigerator's electrical system, eliminating the need for power connections and structural integration work
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware components are integrated into the refrigerator or freezer structure, then the functionality is expanded, but additional power supply connections and cable routing are needed, increasing ease of manufacture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes battery-powered modules that function as standalone, self-sufficient units. These modules require no integration into the refrigerator's power distribution system, eliminating the need for cable routing, power connection points, and associated manufacturing steps, thereby reducing implementation outlay
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware modules are designed to be self-sufficient with their own power supplies (batteries). They do not require the refrigerator's power system to function, making them plug-and-play components that can be installed without any manufacturing modifications to the refrigerator unit itself
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer (1) with at least one communication module (2) and at least one hardware module (3), the communication module (2) for connecting the hardware module (3) to an in particular external server (4) is formed, and wherein the hardware module (3) is an optical module, an acoustic module and/or another sensor module.