Refrigerator Partition Control Using Camera-Based Storage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators waste energy by cooling the entire compartment when only specific storage spaces require refrigeration, due to temperature sensors measuring overall compartment temperatures, leading to inefficient cooling and prolonged temperature equilibration times.
Innovation Solution
A partition control method that uses camera devices to photograph storage-state pictures, compares changes in storage areas, and adjusts cooling air supply through dampers corresponding to each storage space, ensuring targeted cooling based on actual storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the entire compartment is refrigerated using traditional temperature sensor control, then the compartment temperature is maintained, but energy is wasted by cooling idle storage spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The compartment is divided into multiple independent storage spaces, each equipped with its own temperature sensor and controllable by independent dampers. This segmentation allows selective cooling of only those storage spaces that contain items requiring refrigeration, eliminating energy waste from cooling empty spaces while maintaining reliable temperature control for each segment based on local temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Different storage spaces are treated differently based on their actual cooling needs. The system adjusts damper openings locally for each storage space according to its temperature sensor readings and item storage status, rather than applying uniform cooling to the entire compartment. This local quality approach ensures energy efficiency while maintaining appropriate temperature control where needed
2Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensors are used to control refrigeration, then the measured temperature is used for control, but the temperature in storage spaces with newly placed items does not reflect the actual cooling need
Solution Approach 1:
A camera device is introduced as an intermediary to detect the presence and state of items in storage spaces. The camera captures images that are processed to determine whether storage spaces contain items requiring cooling, providing supplementary information that helps the control system make more accurate decisions about which spaces need refrigeration, thereby improving both measurement precision and cooling response efficiency
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
This method allows for precise control of cooling in specific storage spaces, reducing energy waste and accelerating temperature equilibration, thereby enhancing storage efficiency and saving energy.
Implementation Method 1
camera devices to photograph storage-state pictures
Implementation Method 2
the air supply device provides cooling air to the area
Implementation Method 3
it takes a certain time for the temperature of the items to be transmitted to the whole compartment by means of heat radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A refrigerator and a partition control method for compartments of the same are provided. The refrigerator comprises a door (2) for opening or closing compartments, an air sending device (4) for distributing cooling air from the cooling source to different positions in the compartment, and a camera device (3) for shooting the inside of the compartment, a control unit for electrically connecting the air sending device (4) and the camera device (3). The partition control method comprises: S1, acquiring an opening/closing state of the door (2); S2, after receiving the opening/closing information of the door (2), the control unit driving the camera device (3) to obtain the storage state image of the inside of the compartment after the door (2) closes; S3, retrieving the storage state image of the inside of the compartment this time before the door (2) opens, and comparing the same with the state image after the door (2) closes; S4, if items increases in the compartment, enlarging or opening cooling air supply to the corresponding area by means of the air sending device (4), and if items decreases in the compartment, reducing or stopping cooling air supply to the corresponding area.