US20200284504A1 - Domestic refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera - Google Patents
Domestic refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200284504A1 US20200284504A1 US16/646,259 US201816646259A US2020284504A1 US 20200284504 A1 US20200284504 A1 US 20200284504A1 US 201816646259 A US201816646259 A US 201816646259A US 2020284504 A1 US2020284504 A1 US 2020284504A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- refrigeration appliance
- household refrigeration
- heat
- optical device
- interior space
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25D29/006—Safety devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
- F25D23/028—Details
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/06—Walls
- F25D23/061—Walls with conduit means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25D29/005—Mounting of control devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/40—Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25D2500/06—Stock management
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/06—Sensors detecting the presence of a product
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
Definitions
- the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera.
- DE 10 2013 211 099 A1 discloses a household refrigeration appliance which comprises a refrigeration compartment and a camera module.
- the camera module comprises a perforated panel and a circuit board on which a chip with a light sensor field for capturing image data of refrigerated goods stored in the refrigeration compartment and a microcontroller for processing the image data are arranged.
- the object of the present invention is to specify an improved household refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera.
- the object of the invention is achieved by means of a household refrigeration appliance having a heat-insulated carcass with an inner container, which delimits a coolable interior space provided for storing food, a refrigeration device for cooling the coolable interior space and a digital camera which comprises an optical device comprising an image sensor and a lens arranged upstream of the image sensor, and an electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller and the optical device are arranged spatially separate from one another either in or on the household refrigeration appliance and the electronic controller is set up to actuate the optical device and to read the image sensor by means of a communication route.
- the inventive household refrigeration appliance comprises the heat-insulated carcass with the inner container which delimits the coolable interior space. This is cooled by means of the refrigeration device.
- This refrigeration device is preferably configured as a refrigerant circuit essentially known to the person skilled in the art and is preferably designed in such a way that it cools the coolable interior space at least approximately to a predetermined temperature.
- the coolable interior space is provided for storing food.
- the household refrigeration appliance preferably comprises an electronic controller which is set up to actuate the refrigeration device.
- the inventive household refrigeration appliance can comprise a heat-insulated door leaf which closes the coolable interior space in the closed state and makes this accessible in the open state.
- the inventive household refrigeration appliance can for example be a household refrigerator.
- the coolable interior space is cooled to temperatures greater than 0° C.
- the inventive household refrigeration appliance can however also be a combined fridge-freezer.
- the inventive household refrigeration appliance can have precisely one coolable interior space but also a plurality of coolable interior spaces, each of which can also be closed and opened by means of a door leaf.
- the inventive household refrigeration appliance also comprises the digital camera with which it is possible for example to produce an image of the interior of the household refrigeration appliance.
- the digital camera comprises the optical device which comprises the image sensor and the lens arranged upstream of the image sensor.
- the digital camera further comprises the electronic controller which is set up to actuate the optical device and to read the image sensor in order to generate an image data set from the corresponding read signals.
- the image data set is assigned to the image which is created by the digital camera.
- these components of the digital camera are not arranged within a single camera casing in or on the household refrigeration appliance, but are each arranged or attached spatially separately from one another in or on/to the household refrigeration appliance.
- the communication route is also provided, via which the electronic controller actuates the optical device and reads the image sensor.
- the electronic controller is normally larger, in particular significantly larger than its optical device.
- the optical device is attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance spatially separately from the electronic controller, the component provided for the image capture, i.e. the optical device, can be attached more easily and/or more flexibly in or to the household refrigeration appliance than a complete conventional digital camera.
- a further advantage of the spatially separate arrangement of the optical device from the electronic controller can be a reduction in the visible camera size as, for example, the relatively large electronic controller can be attached more flexibly in or to the household refrigeration appliance.
- the digital camera it is possible for example for the digital camera to be less obtrusive, for no relatively large holders to be required, for the integration options of the electronic controller to be enhanced in that for example said electronic controller is attached in a reinforcement part for example within a heat-insulated wall of the household refrigeration appliance.
- the digital camera is provided in particular to produce images of the coolable interior space or images of the side of the heat-insulated door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space.
- the optical device is therefore preferably attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance in such a way that the image data set assigned to an image of the coolable interior space or of the side of the door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space.
- the optical device is attached in or to the carcass. In this way it is possible for the image data set to be assigned to the image of the side of the door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space.
- the optical device can also be attached in or to the door leaf so that the image data set is assigned for example to an image of the coolable interior space.
- the optical device can be attached for example directly in or to the door leaf or can for example be attached in or to a door rack attached to the side of the door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space or can be integrated into said door rack.
- the household refrigeration appliance can also have a drawer which is arranged within the coolable interior space and which can be removed at least partially from the coolable interior space when the door leaf is open.
- the optical device is attached in or to this drawer.
- the electronic controller actuates the optical device in such a way that the image is generated as the drawer is closed.
- the household refrigeration appliance comprises for example a corresponding detection device which is connected to the electronic controller.
- the household refrigeration appliance comprises in particular a heat-insulated wall.
- the heat-insulated wall is for example a part of the heat-insulated carcass or is the heat-insulated door leaf.
- the heat-insulated wall comprises in particular an inner membrane facing toward the coolable interior space and an outer membrane facing away from the coolable interior space.
- a heat insulation which is embodied in particular as insulating foam, is arranged between the inner membrane and the outer membrane.
- the inner membrane is formed by the inner container.
- the inner membrane in particular is formed by the side facing toward the coolable interior space.
- the electronic controller is attached within the heat-insulated wall, in particular within the heat-insulated door leaf or within the heat-insulated carcass.
- the electronic controller can be attached for example by means of a reinforcement part for example within the heat-insulated wall.
- the electronic controller is preferably arranged within the heat insulation, in the case of the insulation foam preferably embedded within this.
- the digital camera or the household refrigeration appliance comprises the communication route via which the electronic controller is able to read the image sensor and to actuate the optical device.
- the electronic controller is set up to create the image data set on the basis of the signals read from the image sensor.
- the electronic controller therefore represents in particular a logic component of the digital camera.
- the communication route can for example comprise an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) or a MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface Alliance).
- LVDS Low Voltage Differential Signaling
- MIPI Mobile Industry Processor Interface Alliance
- the communication route can for example be a wireless communication route, e.g. a WLAN or Bluetooth communication route.
- the communication route can however also be configured as a wired option.
- the communication route is preferably configured as a flexible printed circuit or comprises a flexible printed circuit.
- a flexible printed circuit is a printed electronic circuit or printed conductor paths on a flexible carrier.
- the carrier is made for example from polyimide or is a polyester film and is coated in particular with a thin copper layer.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a household refrigeration appliance with a door leaf and at least one digital camera
- FIG. 2 shows the digital camera
- FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a household refrigeration appliance 1 which comprises a heat-insulated carcass 2 with an inner container 3 which delimits a coolable interior space 4 .
- the coolable interior space 4 is provided for storing food (not shown).
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises a heat-insulated door leaf 5 which is mounted on the carcass 2 , in particular rotatably in relation to a vertically running axis. In the event of an open door leaf 5 the coolable interior space 4 is accessible and in the event of a closed door leaf 5 the coolable interior space 4 is closed.
- a plurality of door racks 6 for storing food.
- a plurality of shelves 7 for storing food and arranged in the lower region of the coolable interior space 4 is in particular a drawer 8 in which food can likewise be stored.
- a drawer 8 Arranged above the drawer 8 is one of the shelves 7 which covers the upwardly directed opening of the drawer 8 . In the case of an open door leaf 5 the drawer can be at least partially removed from the coolable interior space 4 .
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a refrigeration device (not shown in further detail) essentially known to the person skilled in the art preferably in the form of a refrigerant circuit for cooling the coolable interior space 4 .
- the refrigerant circuit comprises for example a compressor, a condenser connected downstream of the compressor, a throttle device which is configured, in particular, as a throttle pipe or capillary pipe connected downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator which is arranged between the throttle device and the compressor.
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a controller (not shown in further detail) which is set up to actuate the refrigeration device, in particular the compressor of the refrigerant circuit in a manner that is commonly known to persons skilled in the art, such that the coolable interior space 4 has at least approximately a predetermined or predeterminable target temperature.
- the controller is preferably set up such that it regulates the temperature of the coolable interior space 4 .
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 can have at least one temperature sensor (not shown in further detail) which is connected to the controller.
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a digital camera 20 , shown in FIG. 2 , which is in particular set up to generate images or image data sets of the coolable interior space 4 or of the side 5 a of the door leaf 5 facing toward the coolable interior space 4 assigned to the images.
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises in particular a heat-insulated wall.
- the heat-insulated wall is for example a part of the heat-insulated carcass 2 or is a heat-insulated door leaf 5 .
- the heat-insulated wall comprises in particular an inner membrane facing toward the coolable interior space 4 and an outer membrane facing away from the coolable interior space 4 .
- the inner membrane Arranged between the inner membrane and the outer membrane is a heat insulation essentially known to a person skilled in the art in particular in the form of an insulation foam.
- the inner membrane is formed by the inner container 3 and in the case of the door leaf 5 by the side 5 a of the door leaf 5 facing toward the coolable interior space 4 .
- the digital camera 20 comprises an optical device 21 and an electronic controller 22 .
- the optical device 21 comprises an image sensor 23 and a lens 24 arranged upstream of the image sensor 23 .
- the image sensor 23 and the lens 24 are arranged within a casing 25 .
- the digital camera 20 or the household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises a communication route 26 via which the electronic controller 22 is able to communicate with the optical device 21 .
- the electronic controller 22 is set up to actuate the optical device 21 and to read the image sensor 23 by means of the communication route 26 in order to generate the image data set from the signals read from the image sensor 23 .
- the electronic controller 22 comprises for example a circuit board (not shown in further detail) and electronics arranged on the circuit board, which are arranged for example within a further casing (not shown).
- the electronics comprise for example a microprocessor or a microcontroller.
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 is configured in such a way that the digital camera 20 generates its images/image data set in the case of a closing door leaf 5 at a predetermined opening angle of, for example, 45°.
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises in the case of the present exemplary embodiment a corresponding detection device 9 which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is configured in such a way that it detects the specific opening angle of the door leaf 5 of, for example, 45° and also detects when the door leaf 5 is closed.
- the detection device 9 is in particular connected to the electronic controller 22 .
- the electronic controller 22 and the optical device 21 are attached spatially separately from one another and are each attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance 1 .
- the optical device 21 is attached in or to the carcass 2 . In this way it is possible for the image data set to be assigned to the image of the side of the door leaf 5 facing toward the coolable interior space 4 .
- the optical device 21 can also be attached in or to the door leaf 5 , in particular attached in or to one of the door racks 6 or integrated into said door racks, so that the image data set is assigned for example to an image of the coolable interior space 4 .
- the optical device 21 can also be attached in or to the drawer 8 .
- the electronic controller 22 actuates the optical device 21 in such a way that the image is generated as the drawer 8 is closed.
- the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises for example a corresponding detection device (not shown in further detail) which is connected to the electronic controller 22 .
- the electronic controller 22 is attached within the heat-insulated wall, for example within the heat-insulated door leaf 5 or within the heat-insulated carcass 2 .
- the electronic controller 22 can be attached for example by means of a reinforcement part (not shown in further detail) for example within the heat-insulated wall.
- the electronic controller 22 can be embedded into the insulating foam.
- the digital camera 20 or the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises the communication route 26 .
- the communication route 26 can comprise for example an LVDS or a MIPI interface.
- the communication route 26 can for example be a wireless communication route, e.g. a WLAN or Bluetooth communication route.
- the communication route 26 is configured as a wired option.
- the communication route 26 is configured as a flexible circuit or comprises a flexible circuit.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera.
- DE 10 2013 211 099 A1 discloses a household refrigeration appliance which comprises a refrigeration compartment and a camera module. The camera module comprises a perforated panel and a circuit board on which a chip with a light sensor field for capturing image data of refrigerated goods stored in the refrigeration compartment and a microcontroller for processing the image data are arranged.
- The object of the present invention is to specify an improved household refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera.
- The object of the invention is achieved by means of a household refrigeration appliance having a heat-insulated carcass with an inner container, which delimits a coolable interior space provided for storing food, a refrigeration device for cooling the coolable interior space and a digital camera which comprises an optical device comprising an image sensor and a lens arranged upstream of the image sensor, and an electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller and the optical device are arranged spatially separate from one another either in or on the household refrigeration appliance and the electronic controller is set up to actuate the optical device and to read the image sensor by means of a communication route.
- The inventive household refrigeration appliance comprises the heat-insulated carcass with the inner container which delimits the coolable interior space. This is cooled by means of the refrigeration device. This refrigeration device is preferably configured as a refrigerant circuit essentially known to the person skilled in the art and is preferably designed in such a way that it cools the coolable interior space at least approximately to a predetermined temperature. The coolable interior space is provided for storing food.
- The household refrigeration appliance preferably comprises an electronic controller which is set up to actuate the refrigeration device.
- The inventive household refrigeration appliance can comprise a heat-insulated door leaf which closes the coolable interior space in the closed state and makes this accessible in the open state.
- The inventive household refrigeration appliance can for example be a household refrigerator. In this case the coolable interior space is cooled to temperatures greater than 0° C. The inventive household refrigeration appliance can however also be a combined fridge-freezer. The inventive household refrigeration appliance can have precisely one coolable interior space but also a plurality of coolable interior spaces, each of which can also be closed and opened by means of a door leaf.
- The inventive household refrigeration appliance also comprises the digital camera with which it is possible for example to produce an image of the interior of the household refrigeration appliance. The digital camera comprises the optical device which comprises the image sensor and the lens arranged upstream of the image sensor. The digital camera further comprises the electronic controller which is set up to actuate the optical device and to read the image sensor in order to generate an image data set from the corresponding read signals. The image data set is assigned to the image which is created by the digital camera.
- According to the invention these components of the digital camera are not arranged within a single camera casing in or on the household refrigeration appliance, but are each arranged or attached spatially separately from one another in or on/to the household refrigeration appliance. The communication route is also provided, via which the electronic controller actuates the optical device and reads the image sensor.
- In the case of a digital camera the electronic controller is normally larger, in particular significantly larger than its optical device. As however according to the invention the optical device is attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance spatially separately from the electronic controller, the component provided for the image capture, i.e. the optical device, can be attached more easily and/or more flexibly in or to the household refrigeration appliance than a complete conventional digital camera.
- A further advantage of the spatially separate arrangement of the optical device from the electronic controller can be a reduction in the visible camera size as, for example, the relatively large electronic controller can be attached more flexibly in or to the household refrigeration appliance. As a result it is possible for example for the digital camera to be less obtrusive, for no relatively large holders to be required, for the integration options of the electronic controller to be enhanced in that for example said electronic controller is attached in a reinforcement part for example within a heat-insulated wall of the household refrigeration appliance.
- The digital camera is provided in particular to produce images of the coolable interior space or images of the side of the heat-insulated door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space. The optical device is therefore preferably attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance in such a way that the image data set assigned to an image of the coolable interior space or of the side of the door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space.
- According to one embodiment of the inventive household refrigeration appliance the optical device is attached in or to the carcass. In this way it is possible for the image data set to be assigned to the image of the side of the door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space.
- The optical device can also be attached in or to the door leaf so that the image data set is assigned for example to an image of the coolable interior space.
- The optical device can be attached for example directly in or to the door leaf or can for example be attached in or to a door rack attached to the side of the door leaf facing toward the coolable interior space or can be integrated into said door rack.
- The household refrigeration appliance can also have a drawer which is arranged within the coolable interior space and which can be removed at least partially from the coolable interior space when the door leaf is open. In this case it can be provided that the optical device is attached in or to this drawer. In this case it is preferably provided that the electronic controller actuates the optical device in such a way that the image is generated as the drawer is closed. To this end the household refrigeration appliance comprises for example a corresponding detection device which is connected to the electronic controller.
- The household refrigeration appliance comprises in particular a heat-insulated wall. The heat-insulated wall is for example a part of the heat-insulated carcass or is the heat-insulated door leaf.
- The heat-insulated wall comprises in particular an inner membrane facing toward the coolable interior space and an outer membrane facing away from the coolable interior space. A heat insulation, which is embodied in particular as insulating foam, is arranged between the inner membrane and the outer membrane. In the case of the carcass the inner membrane is formed by the inner container. In the case of the door leaf the inner membrane in particular is formed by the side facing toward the coolable interior space.
- According to one embodiment of the inventive household refrigeration appliance the electronic controller is attached within the heat-insulated wall, in particular within the heat-insulated door leaf or within the heat-insulated carcass. The electronic controller can be attached for example by means of a reinforcement part for example within the heat-insulated wall. The electronic controller is preferably arranged within the heat insulation, in the case of the insulation foam preferably embedded within this.
- In order for the electronic controller to be able to communicate with the spatially separate optical device, the digital camera or the household refrigeration appliance comprises the communication route via which the electronic controller is able to read the image sensor and to actuate the optical device. The electronic controller is set up to create the image data set on the basis of the signals read from the image sensor. The electronic controller therefore represents in particular a logic component of the digital camera.
- The communication route can for example comprise an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) or a MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface Alliance).
- The communication route can for example be a wireless communication route, e.g. a WLAN or Bluetooth communication route.
- The communication route can however also be configured as a wired option.
- The communication route is preferably configured as a flexible printed circuit or comprises a flexible printed circuit. A flexible printed circuit (FPC) is a printed electronic circuit or printed conductor paths on a flexible carrier. The carrier is made for example from polyimide or is a polyester film and is coated in particular with a thin copper layer.
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown for illustration in the attached schematic drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a household refrigeration appliance with a door leaf and at least one digital camera, and -
FIG. 2 shows the digital camera. -
FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a household refrigeration appliance 1 which comprises a heat-insulatedcarcass 2 with aninner container 3 which delimits a coolableinterior space 4. The coolableinterior space 4 is provided for storing food (not shown). - The household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises a heat-insulated
door leaf 5 which is mounted on thecarcass 2, in particular rotatably in relation to a vertically running axis. In the event of anopen door leaf 5 the coolableinterior space 4 is accessible and in the event of a closeddoor leaf 5 the coolableinterior space 4 is closed. - Arranged on the
side 5 a of thedoor leaf 5 facing in the direction of the coolableinterior space 4 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is a plurality of door racks 6 for storing food. Arranged in the coolableinterior space 4 is in particular a plurality ofshelves 7 for storing food and arranged in the lower region of the coolableinterior space 4 is in particular adrawer 8 in which food can likewise be stored. Arranged above thedrawer 8 is one of theshelves 7 which covers the upwardly directed opening of thedrawer 8. In the case of anopen door leaf 5 the drawer can be at least partially removed from the coolableinterior space 4. - The household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a refrigeration device (not shown in further detail) essentially known to the person skilled in the art preferably in the form of a refrigerant circuit for cooling the coolable
interior space 4. The refrigerant circuit comprises for example a compressor, a condenser connected downstream of the compressor, a throttle device which is configured, in particular, as a throttle pipe or capillary pipe connected downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator which is arranged between the throttle device and the compressor. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a controller (not shown in further detail) which is set up to actuate the refrigeration device, in particular the compressor of the refrigerant circuit in a manner that is commonly known to persons skilled in the art, such that the coolable
interior space 4 has at least approximately a predetermined or predeterminable target temperature. The controller is preferably set up such that it regulates the temperature of the coolableinterior space 4. In order, if required, to obtain the actual temperature of the coolableinterior space 4, the household refrigeration appliance 1 can have at least one temperature sensor (not shown in further detail) which is connected to the controller. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a
digital camera 20, shown inFIG. 2 , which is in particular set up to generate images or image data sets of the coolableinterior space 4 or of theside 5 a of thedoor leaf 5 facing toward the coolableinterior space 4 assigned to the images. - The household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises in particular a heat-insulated wall. The heat-insulated wall is for example a part of the heat-insulated
carcass 2 or is a heat-insulateddoor leaf 5. - The heat-insulated wall comprises in particular an inner membrane facing toward the coolable
interior space 4 and an outer membrane facing away from the coolableinterior space 4. - Arranged between the inner membrane and the outer membrane is a heat insulation essentially known to a person skilled in the art in particular in the form of an insulation foam. In the case of the
carcass 2 the inner membrane is formed by theinner container 3 and in the case of thedoor leaf 5 by theside 5 a of thedoor leaf 5 facing toward the coolableinterior space 4. - The
digital camera 20 comprises anoptical device 21 and anelectronic controller 22. Theoptical device 21 comprises animage sensor 23 and alens 24 arranged upstream of theimage sensor 23. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment theimage sensor 23 and thelens 24 are arranged within acasing 25. - The
digital camera 20 or the household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises acommunication route 26 via which theelectronic controller 22 is able to communicate with theoptical device 21. Theelectronic controller 22 is set up to actuate theoptical device 21 and to read theimage sensor 23 by means of thecommunication route 26 in order to generate the image data set from the signals read from theimage sensor 23. - The
electronic controller 22 comprises for example a circuit board (not shown in further detail) and electronics arranged on the circuit board, which are arranged for example within a further casing (not shown). The electronics comprise for example a microprocessor or a microcontroller. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment the household refrigeration appliance 1 is configured in such a way that the
digital camera 20 generates its images/image data set in the case of a closingdoor leaf 5 at a predetermined opening angle of, for example, 45°. - In order to detect the opening state of the
door leaf 5, the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises in the case of the present exemplary embodiment acorresponding detection device 9 which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment is configured in such a way that it detects the specific opening angle of thedoor leaf 5 of, for example, 45° and also detects when thedoor leaf 5 is closed. Thedetection device 9 is in particular connected to theelectronic controller 22. - The
electronic controller 22 and theoptical device 21 are attached spatially separately from one another and are each attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance 1. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment the
optical device 21 is attached in or to thecarcass 2. In this way it is possible for the image data set to be assigned to the image of the side of thedoor leaf 5 facing toward the coolableinterior space 4. - The
optical device 21 can also be attached in or to thedoor leaf 5, in particular attached in or to one of the door racks 6 or integrated into said door racks, so that the image data set is assigned for example to an image of the coolableinterior space 4. - The
optical device 21 can also be attached in or to thedrawer 8. In this case it is preferably provided that theelectronic controller 22 actuates theoptical device 21 in such a way that the image is generated as thedrawer 8 is closed. To this end the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises for example a corresponding detection device (not shown in further detail) which is connected to theelectronic controller 22. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment the
electronic controller 22 is attached within the heat-insulated wall, for example within the heat-insulateddoor leaf 5 or within the heat-insulatedcarcass 2. Theelectronic controller 22 can be attached for example by means of a reinforcement part (not shown in further detail) for example within the heat-insulated wall. Theelectronic controller 22 can be embedded into the insulating foam. - In order for the
electronic controller 22 to be able to communicate with the spatially separateoptical device 21 attached in or to the household refrigeration appliance 1, thedigital camera 20 or the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises thecommunication route 26. - The
communication route 26 can comprise for example an LVDS or a MIPI interface. - The
communication route 26 can for example be a wireless communication route, e.g. a WLAN or Bluetooth communication route. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment the
communication route 26 is configured as a wired option. - In the case of the present exemplary embodiment the
communication route 26 is configured as a flexible circuit or comprises a flexible circuit. -
- 1 Household refrigeration appliance
- 2 Carcass
- 3 Inner container
- 4 Coolable interior space
- 5 Door leaf
- 5 a Side
- 6 Door rack
- 7 Shelves
- 8 Drawer
- 9 Detection device
- 20 Digital camera
- 21 Optical device
- 22 Electronic controller
- 23 Image sensor
- 24 Lens
- 25 Casing
- 26 Communication route
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102017216960.5A DE102017216960A1 (en) | 2017-09-25 | 2017-09-25 | Household refrigerator with a digital camera |
DE102017216960.5 | 2017-09-25 | ||
PCT/EP2018/074423 WO2019057546A1 (en) | 2017-09-25 | 2018-09-11 | Domestic refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20200284504A1 true US20200284504A1 (en) | 2020-09-10 |
Family
ID=63592714
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/646,259 Abandoned US20200284504A1 (en) | 2017-09-25 | 2018-09-11 | Domestic refrigeration appliance comprising a digital camera |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20200284504A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111108334A (en) |
DE (1) | DE102017216960A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019057546A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102020213159A1 (en) * | 2020-10-19 | 2022-04-21 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Household appliance and method of operating the same |
DE102022208677A1 (en) | 2022-08-22 | 2024-02-22 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Household appliance with camera unit |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100381187B1 (en) * | 2000-06-19 | 2003-04-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator with communication function |
KR100369833B1 (en) * | 2000-07-12 | 2003-01-30 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator haveing image message recording system |
KR20100059621A (en) * | 2008-11-26 | 2010-06-04 | 성백철 | Infant refrigerator (video, shelf life freezer) |
KR101678436B1 (en) * | 2010-07-29 | 2016-12-06 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
DE102013211099A1 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2014-12-18 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigeration unit with a camera module |
EP3059535B1 (en) * | 2015-02-23 | 2019-09-04 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic refrigerator comprising a camera |
US10027866B2 (en) * | 2015-08-05 | 2018-07-17 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerators having internal content cameras, and methods of operating the same |
-
2017
- 2017-09-25 DE DE102017216960.5A patent/DE102017216960A1/en active Pending
-
2018
- 2018-09-11 US US16/646,259 patent/US20200284504A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-09-11 CN CN201880061603.9A patent/CN111108334A/en active Pending
- 2018-09-11 WO PCT/EP2018/074423 patent/WO2019057546A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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DE102017216960A1 (en) | 2019-03-28 |
CN111108334A (en) | 2020-05-05 |
WO2019057546A1 (en) | 2019-03-28 |
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