Refrigerator Tray Optical Sensing for Closed-Door Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low temperature storage apparatuses, such as refrigerators and vending machines, require frequent manual checks to confirm the quantity and state of stored items, which is inefficient and may lead to errors due to the need for door opening and potential exposure of internal sensors to moisture or foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
A low temperature storage apparatus with egg trays and a light sensing device that includes illumination sensors protected by a cover plate and transparent lids, allowing for accurate sensing of item presence without opening the door, and a controller that processes signals to provide state information, including quantity and storage periods, via a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual door opening is used to check stored items, then user can visually confirm quantity and state of items, but this increases loss of time and reduces productivity due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of opening the door with an optical sensing system. Light emitting devices and light receiving sensors automatically detect the presence and state of stored items through optical fields, eliminating the need for manual door opening and visual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to transfer information about stored items from the storage chamber to the user interface. Light emitting devices illuminate the storage space and light receiving sensors detect reflected light patterns, which are then processed to provide information about item quantity and state without direct visual access.
2Loss of information
If manual door opening is used to check stored items, then user can confirm inventory status, but this exposes internal sensors to moisture and foreign substances, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical door opening with non-contact optical sensing. Light fields penetrate through the storage chamber without requiring physical access, allowing inventory monitoring while maintaining the sealed environment that protects sensors from moisture and contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the storage chamber contents through light reflection patterns. The light receiving sensors detect reflected light that carries information about item presence and state, providing a virtual model of the inventory without physical interaction with the storage environment.
3Device complexity
If light receiving sensors are disposed directly under storage slots, then sensing of item presence is simplified, but sensors are exposed to moisture and foreign substances, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface or light-guiding structure as an intermediary between the storage slots and light receiving sensors. Light is directed toward the storage area and reflected back to the sensors through this intermediary, allowing sensor placement in a protected location while maintaining sensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of the sensing system by utilizing light reflection paths that extend the sensing zone away from the sensor location. This allows sensors to be positioned in a dimension or location that is protected from environmental exposure while still detecting items in the storage slots through reflected light patterns.
4Loss of information
If the storage chamber is illuminated continuously, then item visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or on-demand illumination instead of continuous lighting. The light emitting devices are activated only when sensing is required, such as when the door is opened or when the control unit requests inventory information, and remain inactive otherwise, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous sensing capability through the always-on light receiving sensors that detect reflected light, while the active illumination is provided only when necessary. This allows the system to maintain its useful function of inventory monitoring continuously while consuming energy only during active illumination periods.
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
Enables efficient and reliable monitoring of stored items without opening the door, minimizing sensor exposure and providing accurate state information, including quantity and storage periods, through a user-friendly interface, ensuring proper inventory management and freshness tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device (21) installed in the storage space, a light sensing device (60) including a plurality of light receiving sensors respectively disposed under the plurality of storage slots and sensing light incident upon the plurality of storage slots from the light emitting device
Data Source
AI summary
A low temperature storage apparatus may include a main body, a door opening and closing a storage chamber formed in the main body, a tray including storage slots receiving items to be stored, a light emitting device, a light sensing device including light receiving sensors sensing light incident on the storage slots from the light emitting device, and a controller controlling the light emitting device, receiving sensing signals, and providing status information related to the items received in the storage slots. The controller may switch the light emitting device on when the door is opened, and may sense whether or not a sensing signal is changed when the door is closed. The controller may count time from a point of change of the sensing signal if the sensing signal is changed from a signal indicating absence of a storage item to presence of a storage item, and may switch the light emitting device off when a predetermined time from closing of the door has elapsed.