Refrigerator Sub-Door Camera System to Reduce Cold Air Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators do not allow users to check the contents of the storage space or the door storage without opening the refrigerator door, leading to inconvenience and unnecessary cold air leakage.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a sub door with cameras to photograph the door storage when open, and a display to show the images, allowing users to check the contents without opening the main door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the refrigerator door is opened to check food contents, then the user can see what is stored, but cold air leaks to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture images of the food contents inside the refrigerator and displays these images on a display unit. This creates a visual copy of the interior contents, allowing users to view what is stored without physically opening the door, thereby preventing cold air leakage while maintaining visibility of food contents.
2Loss of information
If a transparent material is used for the door front surface to see inside, then food visibility is improved, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the door transparent which would compromise insulation, the patent employs a camera system to capture and display images of the refrigerator interior. This provides a visual copy of the contents through the opaque, insulated door material, maintaining both insulation performance and visibility of food contents.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator according to the present embodiment comprises: a cabinet comprising a storage chamber; and a door for opening and closing the storage chamber. The door comprises: a main door comprising an opening and a door storage unit; a sub-door that opens and closes the opening and can rotate about a hinge with respect to the main door; a first camera and a second camera that are provided spaced apart from each other in the sub-door, and capture images of the door storage unit in a state where the sub-door is open; a marker provided on the main door and image-captured by the first camera; and a display unit for displaying result images including at least a portion of images captured by the first and second cameras.