DE102017216960A1 - Household refrigerator with a digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance (1) comprising a thermally insulated body (2) with an inner container (3) delimiting a refrigerated interior (4) provided for storing food, a refrigerating device for cooling the coolable interior (4), and a Digital camera (20) includes. The digital camera (20) comprises an optical device (21) which comprises an image sensor (23) and an objective (24) connected upstream of the image sensor (23), and an electronic control device (22). The electronic control device (22) and the optical device (21) are spatially separated from each other in or on the household refrigerator (1). The electronic control device (22) is set up to control the optical device (21) via a communication link (26) and to read out the image sensor (23).

Description

The invention relates to a household refrigerator with a digital camera.

The DE 10 2013 211 099 A1 discloses a household refrigerator including a refrigeration compartment and a camera module. The camera module comprises a pinhole and a printed circuit board on which a chip with a light sensor array for capturing image data of a cold product stored in the refrigeration compartment and a microcontroller for processing the image data are arranged.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved household refrigeration appliance with a digital camera.

The object of the invention is achieved by a household refrigerating appliance, comprising a thermally insulated body with an inner container defining a refrigerated interior intended for storing food, a refrigerating device for cooling the coolable interior, and a digital camera comprising an image sensor and an image sensor optical system comprising an upstream lens device and an electronic control device, wherein the electronic control device and the optical device are spatially separated in each case in or on the household refrigerator, and the electronic control device is arranged to control the optical device via a communication link and read the image sensor.

The domestic refrigerator according to the invention comprises the heat-insulated body with the inner container, which limits the coolable interior. This is cooled by the refrigeration device. This is preferably designed as a refrigerant circuit which is known in principle to a person skilled in the art and is preferably designed such that it cools the coolable interior space at least approximately to a predetermined temperature. The coolable interior is intended for storing food.

The household refrigerating appliance preferably comprises an electronic control which is set up to control the refrigerating appliance.

The domestic refrigerator according to the invention may comprise a thermally insulated door leaf, which closes the coolable interior in the closed state and makes accessible in the open state.

The domestic refrigerator according to the invention may e.g. to be a household refrigerator. In this case, the coolable interior is cooled to temperatures greater than 0 ° C. The household refrigerator according to the invention may also be a freezer-refrigeration combination. The domestic refrigerator according to the invention may have exactly one coolable interior, but also several coolable interiors, which can also be closed and opened with one door leaf.

The household refrigerating appliance according to the invention also comprises the digital camera with which e.g. possible to take a picture of the interior of the household refrigerator. The digital camera includes the optical device that includes the image sensor and the lens preceding the image sensor. The digital camera further includes the electronic control device configured to drive the optical device and read out the image sensor to generate an image data set from the corresponding read-out signals. The image data set is associated with the image created with the digital camera.

According to the invention, these components of the digital camera are now not arranged within a single camera housing in or on the domestic refrigeration appliance, but spatially separated from each other in or on the household refrigerator or mounted. In addition, the communication path is provided, via which the electronic control device controls the optical device and reads out the image sensor.

In a digital camera, the electronic control device is normally larger, in particular significantly larger, than its optical device. However, according to the invention, since the optics device is mounted in a separate space from the electronic control device in or on the domestic refrigeration device, the component intended for image acquisition, i. the optics device, easier and / or more flexible in or attached to the household refrigerator as a complete, conventional digital camera.

A further advantage of the physically separate arrangement of the optical device from the electronic control device may be a reduction of the visible camera size, e.g. the relatively large electronic control device can be mounted more flexibly in or on the domestic refrigerator. Thereby, e.g. can be achieved that the digital camera is less noticeable, no relatively large brackets are needed, the integration possibilities of the electronic control device can be extended by e.g. this is secured in a backing part, for example, within a heat-insulated wall of the household refrigerator.

The digital camera is provided, in particular, to take pictures of the coolable interior or images of the side of the heat-insulated door leaf facing the coolable interior. The Optics device is therefore preferably mounted in or on the domestic refrigerator, that the image data set is associated with an image of the coolable interior or of the coolable interior facing side of the door panel.

According to one embodiment of the household refrigerator according to the invention, the optical device is mounted in or on the body. This makes it possible that the image data set is arranged to the image of the coolable interior facing side of the door leaf.

The optical device can also be fixed in or on the door leaf, so that the image data set is associated, for example, with an image of the coolable interior.

The optical device may e.g. directly in or on the door balt or e.g. mounted in or on one of the coolable interior facing side of the door panel mounted door racks or be integrated into these.

The domestic refrigerator may also have a drawer, which is arranged within the coolable interior and at least partially withdrawn from the coolable interior when the door leaf is open. In this case it can be provided that the optical device is mounted in or on this drawer. In this case, it is preferably provided that the electronic control device controls the optical device such that the image is made with the drawer closing. For this purpose, the household refrigerating appliance comprises e.g. a corresponding recognition device which is connected to the electronic control device.

The household refrigerator includes in particular a heat-insulated wall. The heat-insulated wall is e.g. a part of the heat-insulated body or represents the heat-insulated door leaf.

The heat-insulated wall comprises in particular an inner skin facing the coolable interior and an outer skin facing away from the coolable interior. Between the inner skin and the outer skin, a thermal insulation is arranged, which is in particular designed as insulating foam. In the case of the body, the inner skin is formed by the inner container. In the case of the door leaf, the inner skin is formed, in particular, by the side facing the coolable interior.

According to one embodiment of the household refrigerator according to the invention, the electronic control device is mounted within the heat-insulated wall, in particular within the heat-insulated door leaf or the heat-insulated body. The electronic control device may e.g. be secured by means of a backing part, for example, within the heat-insulated wall. Preferably, the electronic control device is disposed within the heat insulation, in the case of the insulating foam preferably foamed into this.

In order for the electronic control device to be able to communicate with the spatially separate optical device, the digital camera or the domestic refrigeration device comprises the communication path via which the electronic control device is able to read out the image sensor and actuate the optical device. The electronic control device is set up to generate the image data record on the basis of the signals read by the image sensor. The electronic control device thus represents in particular a logic part of the digital camera.

The communication link may e.g. LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) or MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface Alliance).

The communication link may e.g. a wireless communication link, e.g. be a WLAN or Bluetooth communication link.

The communication link can also be wired.

Preferably, the communication link is formed as a flex circuit board or comprises a flex circuit board. A flex circuit board is referred to as "flexible printed circuit (FPC)" and is a printed electronic circuit or printed circuit board on a flexible support. The carrier is e.g. made of polyimide or is a polyester film and is coated in particular with a thin copper layer.

• 1 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung ein Haushaltskältegerät mit einem Türblatt und wenigstens einer Digitalkamera, und
• 2 die Digitalkamera.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying schematic drawings. Show it:

• 1 in a perspective view of a household refrigerator with a door panel and at least one digital camera, and
• 2 the digital camera.

The 1 shows a perspective view of a household refrigerator 1 , which is a thermally insulated body 2 with an inner container 3 Includes a coolable interior 4 limited. The coolable interior 4 is intended for storage of food, not shown.

The household refrigerator 1 further comprises a thermally insulated door leaf 5 which in particular with respect to a vertically extending axis pivotally mounted on the body 2 is stored. With the door open 5 is the coolable interior 4 accessible and with closed door leaf 5 is the coolable interior 4 locked.

On the towards coolable interior 4 directed page 5a of the door leaf 5 are in the case of the present embodiment, several door racks 6 arranged for storing food. In the coolable interior 4 are in particular several shelves 7 arranged for storing food and in the lower part of the coolable interior 4 is in particular a drawer 8th arranged, in which also food can be stored. Above the drawer 8th is one of the shelves 7 arranged, which is the upward opening of the drawer 8th covers. With the door open 5 The drawer can at least partially from the coolable interior 4 be pulled out.

The household refrigerator 1 comprises a non-illustrated, the person skilled in principle known cooling device preferably in the form of a refrigerant circuit for cooling the coolable interior 4 , The refrigerant circuit includes, for example, a compressor, a condenser downstream of the compressor, a throttle device connected downstream of the condenser, which is designed in particular as a throttle or capillary tube, and an evaporator, which is arranged between the throttle device and the compressor.

The household refrigerator 1 In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, a control, not shown, which is set up to control the refrigeration device, in particular the compressor of the refrigerant circuit, in a manner generally known to those skilled in the art, such that the coolable interior 4 at least approximately has a predetermined or predetermined target temperature. The controller is preferably configured to match the temperature of the coolable interior 4 regulates. If necessary, the actual temperature of the coolable interior 4 to get the household refrigeration appliance 1 have at least one not shown in detail and connected to the controller temperature sensor.

In the case of the present embodiment, the household refrigerator includes 1 one in the 2 illustrated digital camera 20 , which is in particular configured, images or image data sets associated with the images of the coolable interior 4 or from the coolable interior 4 facing side 5a of the door leaf 5 to create.

The household refrigerator 1 includes in particular a heat-insulated wall. The heat-insulated wall is for example a part of the heat-insulated body 2 or represents the heat-insulated door leaf 5 represents.

The heat-insulated wall comprises in particular a the coolable interior 4 facing inner skin and a coolable interior 4 facing outer skin. Between the inner skin and the outer skin, a heat insulation known in principle to the person skilled in the art is arranged, in particular in the form of an insulating foam. In the case of the body 2 the inner skin gets through the inner container 3 and in the case of the door leaf 5 through the coolable interior 4 facing side 5a of the door leaf 5 educated.

The digital camera 20 includes an optical device 21 and an electronic control device 22 , The optics device 21 includes an image sensor 23 and an image sensor 23 upstream lens 24 , In the case of the present embodiment, the image sensor 23 and the lens 24 within a housing 25 arranged.

The digital camera 20 or the household refrigerator 1 further comprises a communication link 26 about which the electronic control device 22 with the optics device 21 able to communicate. The electronic control device 22 is set up over the communication link 26 the optics device 21 to drive and the image sensor 23 to read out from the image sensor 23 read signals to create the image data set.

The electronic control device 22 For example, includes a printed circuit board not shown in detail and arranged on the circuit board electronics, which are arranged for example within a further housing, not shown. The electronics include, for example, a microprocessor or a microcontroller.

In the case of the present embodiment, the household refrigerator is 1 designed so that the digital camera 20 the image data set with closing door leaf 5 generate their images at a given opening angle of eg 45 °.

To the opening state of the door leaf 5 to recognize, includes the household refrigerator 1 in the case of the present embodiment, a corresponding recognition device 9 which, in the case of the present embodiment, is also designed such that it corresponds to the specific opening angle of the door leaf 5 from eg recognizes 45 ° and also recognizes when the door leaf 5 is closed. The recognizer 9 is in particular with the electronic control device 22 connected.

The electronic control device 22 and the optics device 21 are spatially separated from each other and in or on the household refrigerator 1 attached.

In the case of the present embodiment, the optical device is 21 in or on the body 2 attached. This makes it possible for the image data set to match the image of the coolable interior 4 facing side of the door leaf 5 assigned.

The optics device 21 can also be in or on the door leaf 5 , in particular in or on one of the door racks 6 be attached or integrated in this, so that the image data set, for example, a picture of the coolable interior 4 assigned.

The optics device 21 can also be in or at the drawer 8th be attached. In this case, it is preferably provided that the electronic control device 22 the optics device 21 so controls that the picture with closing drawer 8th is done. This includes the household refrigerator 1 For example, a corresponding, not shown, detection device, with the electronic control device 22 connected is.

In the case of the present embodiment, the electronic control device 22 inside the heat-insulated wall, eg inside the heat-insulated door leaf 5 or the thermally insulated body 2 attached. The electronic control device 22 can be fixed, for example, by means of a Hinterlegteil not shown, for example, within the heat-insulated wall. The electronic control device 22 may be foamed in the insulating foam.

So that the electronic control device 22 with that of this spatially separated in or on the household refrigerator 1 attached optics device 21 is able to communicate, includes the digital camera 20 or the household refrigerator 1 the communication route 26 ,

The communication route 26 may include, for example, an LVDS or a MIPI interface.

The communication route 26 For example, it may be a wireless communication link, eg a WLAN or Bluetooth communication link.

In the case of the present embodiment, the communication link 26 wired.

In the case of the present embodiment, the communication link 26 designed as a flex circuit board or comprises a flex circuit board.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Household refrigerator

2

corpus

3

inner container

4

coolable interior

5

door leaf

5a

page

6

door racks

7

shelves

8th

drawer

9

recognizer

20

digital camera

21

optical device

22

electronic control device

23

image sensor

24

lens

25

casing

26

communications link

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102013211099 A1 [0002]

Claims (9)

Household refrigerating appliance, comprising - a thermally insulated body (2) with an inner container (3) defining a refrigerated interior space (4) provided for storing food, - a refrigeration device for cooling the refrigerable interior (4), and - a digital camera (20) in that it comprises an optical device (21) comprising an image sensor (23) and an objective (24) connected upstream of the image sensor (23) and an electronic control device (22) which is set up to drive the optical device (21) and controls the image sensor (23 ) to generate an image data set, characterized in that the electronic control device (22) and the optical device (21) spatially separated in each case in or on the domestic refrigerator (1) are arranged, and the electronic control device (22) is arranged over a communication path (26) to drive the optical device (21) and to read the image sensor (23). Household refrigerator after Claim 1 , characterized in that the optical device (21) is fixed in or on the household refrigeration appliance (1) such that the image data set is an image of the coolable interior (4) or of the coolable interior (4) facing side (5a) of the door leaf (5 ) assigned. Household refrigerator after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the domestic refrigeration appliance (1) comprises a thermally insulated door leaf (5) which closes the coolable interior space (4) in the closed state and makes it accessible in the opened state, and the optical device (21) in or on the door leaf (5), is fastened in or on a door rack (6) fastened to the door leaf, or that the optical device (21) is fastened in or on the carcass (2), or in that the optical device (21) in or on a drawer (8) of the household refrigerating appliance (21). 1) is attached. Household refrigeration appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the domestic refrigerator (1) comprises a heat-insulated wall with thermal insulation, and the electronic control device (22) is mounted inside the heat-insulated wall, in particular inside the thermal insulation. Household refrigerator after Claim 4 , characterized in that the heat-insulated wall is part of the heat-insulated body (2) or that the heat-insulated wall is a heat-insulated door leaf (5) of the household refrigerator (1). Household refrigeration appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the communication path (26) comprises an LVDS or a MIPI interface. Household refrigeration appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the communication path (26) is designed wired. Household refrigerator after Claim 7 , characterized in that the communication path (26) is formed as a flex circuit board or comprises a flex circuit board. Household refrigeration appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the communication link (26) is a wireless interface, in particular a WLAN or Bluetooth communication link.

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