WO2024022401A1 - 用于制冷电器的智能可调节层架 - Google Patents

用于制冷电器的智能可调节层架 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024022401A1
WO2024022401A1 PCT/CN2023/109390 CN2023109390W WO2024022401A1 WO 2024022401 A1 WO2024022401 A1 WO 2024022401A1 CN 2023109390 W CN2023109390 W CN 2023109390W WO 2024022401 A1 WO2024022401 A1 WO 2024022401A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shelf
item
controller
assembly
shelf assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2023/109390
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
凯里亚库·斯蒂芬诺斯
施罗德·迈克尔·古德曼
Original Assignee
海尔智家股份有限公司
青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司
海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 海尔智家股份有限公司, 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司, 海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司 filed Critical 海尔智家股份有限公司
Publication of WO2024022401A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024022401A1/zh

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/04—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by conveyors
    • 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
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • 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
    • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
    • F25D27/005—Lighting arrangements combined with control means
    • 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
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25D29/003—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for movable 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
    • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/02—Geometry problems
    • 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
    • F25D2500/04—Calculation of parameters
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to household appliances, and more particularly to refrigeration appliances.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a box defining an interior chamber and including at least one door for allowing selective access to the interior chamber.
  • Refrigerators often include shelves to keep items used for refrigeration inside the interior. In some refrigerators, the shelves are adjustable to allow items of different sizes to be placed on them.
  • the challenge is that adjusting the shelves can be cumbersome.
  • the shelves in the refrigerator may need to be empty or have no items placed on them before adjusting the placement of the shelves in the interior. Additionally, when the interior compartment is filled with multiple items, airflow between shelves may become uneven or reduced. Airflow is often important to maintain proper cooling temperatures within the interior chamber. Reduced or uneven airflow between shelves can reduce the efficiency and cooling capacity of your entire refrigeration appliance.
  • refrigeration appliances that improve airflow between shelves in refrigerators would be beneficial. Additionally or alternatively, improvements in regulating shelves within refrigeration appliances would be useful.
  • a refrigerator in an exemplary aspect of the present invention, can have a side orientation, a vertical orientation, and a transverse orientation.
  • the refrigerator may include a cabinet, a door, a shelf assembly, an object detection system, and a controller.
  • the box can define an inner chamber and a doorway into the inner chamber.
  • the door allows selective access to the interior chamber.
  • the shelf assembly may include a shelf and a drive mechanism.
  • the drive mechanism may be configured to move the shelf at least vertically.
  • the shelf assembly may be located within the interior chamber.
  • the object detection system may be configured to detect items positioned adjacent a shelf of the shelf assembly.
  • the controller can be in operative communication with the shelf assembly and the object detection system.
  • the controller may be configured to determine the proximity of the item and the shelf using the object detection system, detect a shelf movement event based at least in part on the proximity of the item and the shelf, and operate the drive mechanism to move the shelf in response to the shelf movement event. Adjust the space above or below the shelves.
  • a shelf assembly in another exemplary aspect of the invention, is provided.
  • the shelf assembly may be configured to be located within the interior of the appliance.
  • Home appliances can have side, vertical and horizontal orientations.
  • the shelf assembly may include a shelf, a drive mechanism, an object detection system, and a controller.
  • the drive mechanism may be configured to move the shelf at least vertically.
  • the object detection system may be configured to detect items positioned adjacent a shelf of the shelf assembly.
  • the controller can be in operative communication with the shelf assembly and the object detection system.
  • the controller may be configured to determine proximity of items and shelves using the object detection system, detect flow restrictions above or below a shelf in the shelf assembly, and operate the drive mechanism to move the shelf above the shelf in response to the flow restriction. Or generate more space below.
  • a shelf assembly setting method for a refrigerator having a shelf assembly and an object detection system may have a shelf and a drive mechanism.
  • the shelf assembly may be configured to place items on the shelf assembly.
  • the shelf assembly setup method may include the steps of using an object detection system to determine proximity of an item and a shelf, detecting a shelf movement event based at least in part on the proximity of the item and the shelf, and operating the driver in response to the shelf movement event Mechanisms move shelves to create more space above or below them.
  • Figure 1 provides a front view of an exemplary refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 provides a perspective view of an exemplary shelf assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary refrigeration appliance of FIG. 1 .
  • Figure 4 provides a flowchart of a shelf movement event method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the term “or” generally means inclusive (ie, "A or B” means “A or B or both”).
  • the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another component, and these terms are not intended to denote the position or importance of the various components.
  • Terms such as “inner” and “outer” refer to relative directions relative to the interior and exterior of an appliance and in particular a cavity defined therein. For example, “in” or “inward” refers to the direction toward the inside of the appliance. Terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” or “bottom” are used with reference to the perspective of the user entering the appliance (eg, when the door is in the closed position). For example, a user stands in front of the appliance to open the door and reaches into the interior chamber to gain access to items therein.
  • Approximate language as used herein throughout the specification and claims may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that Representations may be allowed to vary without resulting in a change in the underlying functionality to which they are associated. Accordingly, values modified by terms such as “generally,””approximately,””approximately,” and “approximately” are not limited to the precise values specified. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the accuracy of an instrument used to measure a value, or the accuracy of a method or machine used to construct or manufacture a component or system. For example, approximate language may refer to a range of 10% (ie, including values that are within ten percent greater or less than the stated value).
  • such a term when used in the context of an angle or direction, such a term includes within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., "generally vertical” includes within an angle such as clockwise or counterclockwise The hour hand forms an angle of up to ten degrees with the vertical V in any direction).
  • a refrigeration appliance having: a shelf assembly moving with a drive mechanism; an object detection system; and a controller configured to detect entry into the refrigeration appliance items and move at least one shelf within the shelf assembly to better accommodate the items.
  • the shelf assembly and controller are configured to adjust the shelves to adjust the space between shelves (including shelves with items placed thereon) to increase or improve airflow within the refrigerator.
  • placing items in the refrigeration appliance may be made easier as tall or bulky items may be placed more easily without having to manually move shelves within the shelf assembly. Further, due to improved airflow according to embodiments described herein, the temperature within the refrigeration appliance may fluctuate less.
  • Figure 1 provides a front view of a representative refrigeration appliance 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is described in the context of a refrigeration appliance 100 having a configuration as shown and further described below.
  • refrigeration appliance 100 includes appliances such as refrigeration/freezer combinations, side-by-side, bottom-mounted, compact, and any other styles or models of refrigeration appliances. Accordingly, other configurations including multiple and different styles of compartments may be used with the refrigeration appliance 100, it being understood that the configuration shown in Figure 1 is provided by way of example only.
  • FIG. 1 provides a front view of the exemplary refrigeration appliance 100 with doors 128 , 130 in an open position
  • FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the interior chamber 122 and shelf assembly 200 of the refrigeration appliance 100
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a lateral direction T, which are perpendicular to each other and form an orthogonal coordinate system.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a case 102 that is generally used to house and/or support various components of the refrigeration appliance 100 and may also define one or more interior chambers or compartments of the refrigeration appliance 100 . room.
  • the terms "box,” “casing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to the outer frame or support structure for the refrigeration appliance 100, including, for example, any suitable number formed from any suitable material. , type and configuration of support structure, such as a system of elongated support members, multiple interconnected panels, or some combination thereof.
  • the box 102 does not necessarily need to be enclosed, but may simply include an open structure that supports the various components of the refrigeration appliance 100 . Rather, the case 102 may surround some or all of the interior of the case 102 . It should be understood that the box 102 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • the box 102 generally extends between the top 104 and the bottom 106 along the vertical direction V, and on the first side along the lateral direction L. extends between the portion 108 (e.g., the left side when viewed from the front in FIG. 1 ) and the second side portion 110 (e.g., the right side when viewed from the front in FIG. 1 ), and is along the transverse direction T at the front portion. 112 and the rear portion 114 .
  • the bin 102 defines interior chambers 122, 124 for receiving food items for storage.
  • the case 102 defines an inner food preservation compartment 122 disposed at or adjacent the right portion 110 of the case 102 and an inner freezer compartment 124 disposed at or adjacent the left portion 108 of the case 102 .
  • the food preservation compartment 122 and the freezing compartment 124 are arranged side by side in the box 102 .
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 is usually called a side-by-side refrigerator.
  • the benefits of the present invention are applicable to other types and styles of refrigeration appliances, for example, top-mounted refrigeration appliances, bottom-mounted refrigeration appliances or single-door refrigeration appliances.
  • aspects of the invention may be applied to other appliances as well. Accordingly, the descriptions set forth herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limited in any respect to any particular appliance or configuration.
  • Refrigeration doors 128, 130 are rotatably hinged to the edges of the bin 102 to allow selective access to or access to the interior compartments 122, 124.
  • the refrigeration doors 128, 130 form a seal on the doorway 148 of the cabinet 102.
  • the doorway 148 may be located in a vertical and lateral plane proximate the location of the doors 128, 130 in the closed position.
  • Doorway 148 may generally be located in the front opening area of interior chambers 122, 124.
  • the refrigeration door 128 when the refrigeration door 128 is open, the user can place items in the food preservation compartment 122 through the door 148 and beyond the door 148 . The user can then close the refrigerated door 128 to facilitate climate control.
  • Refrigeration doors 128, 130 are shown in an open configuration in Figure 1 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 provides a front view of the refrigeration appliance 100 shown with the refrigeration doors 128, 130 in an open position.
  • various storage components are installed within the food preservation compartment 122 and the freezer compartment 124 to facilitate storage of food therein.
  • storage components may include trays 134 and shelves 136 .
  • Each of these storage components is used to receive food products (eg, beverages and/or solid food products) and may assist in organizing such food products.
  • the tray 134 slides into the receiving space in the food preservation compartment 122 .
  • the door box 138 can be installed on the refrigeration door bodies 128 and 130 .
  • the storage components shown are for illustrative purposes only and that other storage components may be used and may have different sizes, shapes, and configurations.
  • the shelf 136 and wire basket 137 may be provided in the freezer compartment 124.
  • an ice maker 142 may be provided in the freezer compartment 124 .
  • the refrigeration doors 128 and 130 allow selective access to the inner compartments 122 and 124 of the refrigeration appliance respectively.
  • refrigeration appliance 100 may include a control panel 160 , which may represent a general purpose input/output (“GPIO”) device or functional block for refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • control panel 160 may include or be in operative communication with one or more user input devices 162 , such as including a rotary control dial, control knobs, buttons, toggle switches, selector switches, and One or more of the various digital, analog, electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical input devices of a touch panel.
  • appliance 100 may include a display 164, such as a digital or analog display device, which is typically configured to Visual feedback is provided regarding the operation of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • display 164 may be disposed on control panel 160 and may include one or more status lights, screens, or visual indicators.
  • user input device 162 and display 164 may be integrated into a single device, including, for example, a touch screen interface, a capacitive touch panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) One or more of the displays or other information or interactive displays.
  • a touch screen interface including, for example, a touch screen interface, a capacitive touch panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT)
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • PDP plasma display panel
  • CRT cathode ray tube
  • Refrigeration appliance 100 may also include or be in operative communication with a processing device or controller 166 that may generally be configured to facilitate operation of the appliance.
  • control panel 160, user input device 162, and display 164 may communicate with controller 166 such that controller 166 may receive control input from user input device 162, may display information using display 164, and may otherwise
  • the operation of the refrigeration appliance 100 is regulated.
  • signals generated by controller 166 may operate refrigeration appliance 100, including any or all system components, subsystems, or interconnected devices, in response to the position of user input device 162 and other control commands.
  • the control panel 160 and other components of the refrigeration appliance 100 may communicate with the controller 166 via, for example, one or more signal lines or a shared communications bus. In this manner, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be communicated between the controller 166 and the various operating components of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • I/O input/output
  • processing device may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC ), digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), logic device, one or more central processing units (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), processing unit that performs other specialized calculations, semiconductor device wait.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • CPU central processing units
  • GPU graphics processing unit
  • processing unit that performs other specialized calculations, semiconductor device wait.
  • these "controllers” are not necessarily limited to a single element, but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate operation of the appliance.
  • controller 166 may be implemented without the use of a microprocessor, for example, using a combination of independent analog or/or digital logic circuits (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, and/or doors, etc.) are built to perform control functions rather than relying on software.
  • independent analog or/or digital logic circuits such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, and/or doors, etc.
  • Controller 166 may include or be associated with one or more storage elements or non-transitory computer-readable storage media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks or other suitable storage devices (including combinations thereof). These storage devices may be separate components from the processor, or may be included on a board within the processor. Additionally, these storage devices may store information and/or data accessible by one or more processors, including instructions executable by the one or more processors. It should be understood that the instructions may be software written in any suitable programming language, or may be implemented in hardware. Additionally or alternatively, instructions may be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.
  • controller 166 may be operable to execute programming instructions or microcontrol code associated with an operating cycle of appliance 100 .
  • the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user Input etc. and, It should be noted that the controller 166 disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any method, method step, or portion of a method disclosed herein.
  • the methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programmed instructions stored in memory and executed by controller 166 .
  • Storage devices may also store data that may be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by one or more processors or portions of controller 166 .
  • the data may include, for example, data that facilitates performance of the methods described herein.
  • Data may be stored locally (eg, on controller 166) in one or more databases and/or may be partitioned such that the data is stored in multiple locations.
  • one or more databases may be connected to controller 166 through any suitable network, such as through a high-bandwidth local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).
  • controller 166 may also include a communications module or interface that may be used to communicate with one or more of refrigeration appliances 100 , such as via any suitable communications line or network and using any suitable communications protocol. communicate with other components, controller 166, external appliance controllers, or any other suitable device.
  • a communications interface may include any suitable components for interfacing with one or more network interfaces, including, for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components.
  • one or more temperature sensors are provided to measure the temperature in the food preservation compartment 122 and the temperature in the freezer compartment 124 .
  • the first temperature sensor 152 may be disposed in the food preservation chamber 122 and may measure the temperature in the food preservation chamber 122 .
  • the second temperature sensor 154 may be disposed in the freezing chamber 124 and may measure the temperature in the freezing chamber 124 .
  • This temperature information may be provided (eg, to controller 166 for use in operating refrigerator 100). These temperature measurements may be made intermittently or continuously during the operation of the appliance or the execution of the control system.
  • FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the shelf assembly 200 of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • shelf assembly 200 may be used in any suitable appliance.
  • the shelf assembly 200 may be used in top-mounted refrigeration appliances, bottom-mounted refrigeration appliances, stand-alone refrigeration appliances, and the like.
  • shelf assembly 200 includes features for motorized movement of shelves 136, such as shelf 136 .
  • the shelf assembly 200 is operable to selectively move one or more shelves 136 using a drive mechanism 202 such as a single motor 140, as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the shelf assembly 200 includes at least one shelf 136 and a drive mechanism 202 .
  • the drive mechanism 202 is configured to move at least one shelf at least in the vertical direction V.
  • the shelf assembly 200 is located in the interior of the box 102 .
  • the drive mechanism 202 may include a motor 140, as shown in Figure 2, but may be a mechanical actuator, or other equivalent device including a hydraulic piston or other device, as will be understood.
  • the drive mechanism 202 may include or work in conjunction with a clutch 144, a lead screw 120, a track 150, to move the stack of shelves. Part 200, as shown in Figure 2.
  • exemplary rack assemblies and drive mechanisms are described and illustrated herein to facilitate discussion of aspects of the invention, any other suitable rack assembly may be used, and any other suitable drive mechanism may be used to facilitate rack movement.
  • an exemplary shelf assembly and drive mechanism is shown in U.S. Patent No. 11,125,491, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
  • shelf assembly 200 includes lead screw 120 .
  • the lead screw 120 is installed in the food freshness chamber 122 so that the lead screw 120 can rotate.
  • a drive mechanism 202 (such as motor 140 in FIG. 2 ) is coupled to lead screw 120 and is operable to rotate lead screw 120 .
  • the drive mechanism 202 may be positioned at the top or bottom of the lead screw 120 (shown at the top of the lead screw 120 in Figure 2). By rotating the screw 120, the drive mechanism 202 can move one or more shelves 136 within the food preservation chamber 122, for example, along the vertical direction V.
  • Each shelf 136 may include a shelf bracket or bracket 116 .
  • the shelf bracket 116 may be mounted on a track 150 that limits movement of the shelf bracket 116 along the vertical direction V, for example. Thus, the shelf bracket 116 can translate along the vertical direction V in the food preservation compartment 122 (or in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the freezer compartment 124).
  • Each shelf 136 may also include a panel 118 disposed on the shelf support 116 . Panel 118 may be removed from shelf support 116 , for example, to facilitate cleaning of panel 118 .
  • Various food items or items 206 (shown in Figure 3) may be stored on panel 118.
  • each shelf 136 includes two shelf supports 116 .
  • each shelf 136 may include one, three, or more shelf supports 116 .
  • the shelf assembly 200 also includes a plurality of clutches 144 .
  • Each clutch 144 may be mounted to a corresponding shelf bracket 116 .
  • Each clutch 144 may also be selectively opened and closed to connect the corresponding shelf bracket 116 to the lead screw 120 .
  • the clutch 144 When the clutch 144 is engaged or closed, the corresponding shelf bracket 116 is coupled to the lead screw 120 such that rotation of the lead screw 120 by the motor 140 moves the corresponding shelf bracket 116 along the vertical direction V.
  • the clutch 144 is open or disengaged, the corresponding shelf bracket 116 is disconnected from the lead screw 120 so that rotation of the lead screw 120 by the motor 140 does not move the corresponding shelf bracket 116 in the vertical direction V.
  • the clutch 144 can adjust the vertical movement of the shelf 136.
  • the shelf assembly 200 may include at least one light 204 attached to at least one shelf 136 .
  • at least one light 204 may be attached to an edge or other portion of each shelf 136 in the shelf assembly 200 .
  • Controller 166 may be in operative communication with at least one light 204 of shelf assembly 200 .
  • Light 204 may be configured to activate to indicate the preferred location of item 206 .
  • the lights 204 on the shelf 136 may be activated by the controller 166 to indicate that the shelf 136 is the preferred location for the detected item 206 .
  • each shelf 136 in the shelf assembly 200 may be attached to the light 204 . Although four lamps 204 are shown in Figure 3, more or fewer lamps 204 may be used for different implementations.
  • At least one light 204 may be configured to activate during movement of the shelf 136 by the drive mechanism 202 . Light activation may provide additional safety as a visual alert may be given to the user that a particular shelf 136 is moving, or may assist in faster detection of the correct placement of items 206 within the interior chamber 122, as described herein. Shelves are discussed in more detail below 136 item detection and light indication.
  • shelf assembly 200 includes three shelves 136 . It should be understood that this is provided by way of example only.
  • shelf assembly 200 may include one, two, four, or more shelves 136 .
  • One, two or all three clutches 144 in FIG. 2 can be closed to move the corresponding shelf bracket 116 in the vertical direction V by rotating the lead screw 120 with the motor 140 .
  • one, two, or all three clutches 144 in FIG. 2 can be opened to maintain the corresponding shelf support 116 in a fixed position along the vertical direction V regardless of the rotation of the lead screw 120 with the motor 140 .
  • refrigerator 100 may have one, two, three, or more clutches 144 .
  • one, two, or all three shelves 136 can be moved vertically with the motor 140 by selectively closing the corresponding clutch 144.
  • only one motor 140 can be used to move only one shelf 136 or move two/three shelves 136 simultaneously.
  • Refrigeration appliance 100 may also include an object detection system 224 .
  • Object detection system 224 may be configured to detect items 206 positioned adjacent shelves 136 of shelf assembly 200 .
  • Object detection system 224 may also be capable of detecting when item 206 passes through doorway 148 into interior chamber 122 .
  • object detection system 224 can detect items 206 placed on shelves 136, including the dimensions of these items and spaces (eg, space 212 between items 206 and upper shelves 136A shown in Figure 3).
  • Object detection system 224 may include at least one camera 252, as shown in FIG. 3 . Although three cameras 252 are shown in FIG. 3 , the systems described herein may include fewer or more cameras 252 in the object detection system 224 . Multiple cameras 252 may be valuable in determining the dimensions of items 206 located at different locations within the refrigeration appliance 100 . Cameras 252 may be placed at various locations within interior chamber 122 to detect items 206 or shelves 136 contained therein.
  • camera 252 may be any type of device suitable for capturing at least one image or video.
  • camera 252 may be a video camera or a digital camera with an electronic image sensor, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor.
  • CCD charge coupled device
  • CMOS complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor
  • image may capture any suitable number or sequence of two-dimensional images, videos, or other visual representations of the appliance 100 or components of the appliance 100 in accordance with exemplary embodiments.
  • one or more images may include a video feed, or a series of sequential still images obtained by camera 252 , which may be sent to controller 166 (eg, as a data signal) for analysis or other operations.
  • camera 252 sends an image or video feed directly to the user device (eg, via a wireless signal).
  • one or more light sources may be provided with or adjacent to camera 252.
  • the camera 252 may cooperate with the light source to capture an image or video feed in order to obtain a higher quality or more realistic color image of the appliance 100 or items in or on it.
  • object detection system 224 may include at least one motion sensor 254 .
  • the motion sensor 254 may be configured to generate data that the controller 166 may use to generate a location grid of the interior chamber 122 including the shelves 136 and items 206 placed thereon or across the doorways 148 of the interior chamber 122 The location of item 206.
  • object detection system 224 may include at least one time-of-flight sensor 254, as shown in FIG. 3 . Although the time-of-flight transmission shown in Figure 3 sensor 254, although other motion sensors 254 may be used in some embodiments.
  • motion sensor 254 may be any suitable optical, acoustic, electromagnetic, or other sensor suitable for detecting motion within a space or mapping an enclosed space (eg, including establishing a baseline as described herein).
  • these motion sensors may include proximity sensors, time-of-flight sensors, motion sensors, optical sensors, etc.
  • each motion sensor 254 may establish a baseline for comparison, eg, to correlate with readings when no motion is detected.
  • the system of motion sensors 254 may form a grid or array (eg, a position grid or other map of positions within the chamber 122 as described herein) from which motion may be detected.
  • Each motion sensor 254 may be used to estimate the distance to a moving object or determine the object's proximity to the camera 252 .
  • objects in motion can be virtualized into two-dimensional positions. For example, if two sensors detect motion, the object may be between these sensors 254 along the vertical direction V. It will be appreciated that a weighted average can be used to obtain an accurate prediction of where motion will occur.
  • sensor configurations and analysis methods are exemplary only and may vary while remaining within the scope of the invention.
  • motion sensor 254 may be spaced vertically V and laterally L to define a location grid for detecting motion at one or more locations.
  • motion sensors 254 may be spaced in a similar manner to cameras 252 , such as along the sides and/or top of food preservation compartment 122 .
  • controller 156 may determine the location or locations at which motion occurs based on feedback from motion sensor 254 .
  • camera 252 and motion sensor 254 are shown in FIG. 3 , depending on the implementation, implementations described herein may include only camera 252 or only motion sensor 254 or a combination of both.
  • controller 166 may be configured to direct such a method.
  • controller 166 may receive input and send output from various other portions of appliance 100 .
  • the controller 166 may send and receive signals to and from the shelf assembly 200 including the drive mechanism 202 , an object detection mechanism including at least one camera 252 , or at least one motion sensor 254 .
  • This method may advantageously determine the location of items 206 within interior chamber 122 and provide storage opportunities without the need to manually replace shelves 136.
  • the disclosed methods may advantageously automatically move shelves 136 to improve airflow within an enclosed refrigerator, or automatically move shelves 136 to accommodate items 206 placed therein. This may be particularly useful if the item 206 is taller or if the height of the item 206 is greater than the current distance above the shelf 136 .
  • method 400 includes using object detection system 224 to determine the proximity of item 206 and shelf 136 .
  • controller 166 may use data provided by object detection system 224 to determine the relative position of shelf 136 and the relative position of item 206 to the shelf. 136 proximity.
  • step 410 may also include determining at least one dimension of item 206 using object detection system 224 .
  • data may be received from object detection system 224.
  • Controller 166 may analyze data from object detection system 224 to determine the proximity of item 206 or the size of item 206 .
  • the data may be analyzed to determine the height of item 206 in vertical direction V.
  • the location of the shelf 136 within the interior chamber 122 may also be determined by analyzing data from the object detection system 224 .
  • controller 166 may be configured to receive at least one image from at least one camera 252 .
  • the controller 166 may also be configured to identify at least one item 206 in the interior chamber 122 from at least one image received from at least one camera 252 .
  • images from at least one camera 252 of object detection system 224 may be analyzed to determine the relative proximity of items 206, shelves 136, or at least one dimension of items 206 (eg, vertical item dimensions).
  • method 400 includes obtaining one or more images of interior chamber 122 .
  • images may include any suitable number or sequence of two-dimensional images, videos, or images of the shelf assembly 200 and access to the interior chamber 122 through the doorway 148 in accordance with the exemplary embodiments.
  • one or more images may include a video feed, or a series of sequential still images obtained by camera 252 , which may be sent to controller 166 (eg, as a data signal) for analysis or other operations.
  • controller 166 eg, as a data signal
  • These acquired images can vary in number, frequency, angle, field of view, resolution, detail, etc.
  • Controller 166 may be configured to analyze one or more images to identify at least one shelf 136, shelf movement event, or at least one item 206, including its relative position and size (and as described herein).
  • the image analysis may use any suitable image processing technique, image recognition process, or the like.
  • image analysis and the like may generally be used to refer to any suitable method of observation, analysis, image decomposition, feature extraction, image classification, etc. of one or more images, videos, or other visual representations of an object.
  • this image analysis may include the implementation of image processing techniques, image recognition techniques, or any suitable combination thereof.
  • image analysis may use any suitable image analysis software or algorithm to continuously or periodically monitor the interior chamber 122 . It will be appreciated that this image analysis or processing may be performed locally (eg, by controller 166) or remotely (eg, by offloading the image data to a remote server or network).
  • analysis of one or more images may include implementing image processing algorithms.
  • image processing and the like are generally intended to refer to any suitable method or algorithm for analyzing images that does not rely on artificial intelligence or machine learning techniques (e.g., in contrast to the machine learning image recognition process described below ).
  • image processing algorithms may rely on image differentiation, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison of two consecutive images. This comparison can help identify substantial differences between sequentially acquired images, for example, to identify movement, the presence of specific objects, the presence of specific conditions, etc.
  • image processing algorithms may rely on image differentiation, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison of two consecutive images. This comparison can help identify substantial differences between sequentially acquired images, for example, to identify movement, the presence of specific objects, the presence of specific conditions, etc.
  • one or more reference images can be obtained and these reference images can be stored for future comparison with images obtained during operation of the appliance. The similarity and/or difference between the reference image and the obtained image can be used to extract useful information for improving the performance of the appliance. Use information.
  • image processing may include blur detection algorithms generally intended to calculate, measure, or otherwise determine the amount of blur in an image.
  • these blur detection algorithms may rely on focus measurement operators, fast Fourier transforms and inspection of frequency distributions, determination of the variance of the Laplacian operator, or any other blur detection method known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the image processing algorithm may use other suitable techniques for identifying or identifying items or objects, such as edge matching or detection, divide and conquer search, grayscale matching, histograms of receptive field responses, or another suitable Routine (eg, executed at controller 166 based on one or more captured images from one or more cameras).
  • Other image processing techniques are possible and within the scope of the invention.
  • the processing algorithm may also include measures for isolating or eliminating noise in the image comparison arising, for example, from image resolution, data transmission errors, inconsistent lighting, or other imaging errors. By removing this noise, image processing algorithms can improve accurate object detection, avoid false object detections, and isolate important objects, regions, or patterns within the image.
  • image analysis may also include utilizing artificial intelligence ("AI"), such as machine learning image recognition processes, neural network classification modules, any other suitable artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and/or any other suitable image analysis techniques, examples of which are described in more detail below.
  • AI artificial intelligence
  • each of the exemplary image analysis or evaluation processes described below may be used independently, jointly, or interchangeably to extract detailed information about the image being analyzed to facilitate the performance of one or more of the methods described herein or Improve appliance operation in other ways.
  • any suitable number of image processing, image recognition, or other image analysis techniques and combinations thereof may be used to obtain an accurate analysis of the acquired image.
  • the image recognition process may use any suitable artificial intelligence technology, for example, any suitable machine learning technology or any suitable deep learning technology.
  • the image recognition process may include implementing a form of image recognition known as region-based convolutional neural network ("R-CNN") image recognition.
  • R-CNN may include taking an input image and extracting region proposals that include potential objects or regions of the image.
  • a "region suggestion" may be one or more regions in an image that may belong to a specific object, or may include adjacent regions that share common pixel characteristics.
  • a convolutional neural network is then used to compute features from the region proposals, and the extracted features are then used to determine the classification of each specific region.
  • the image segmentation process can be used with R-CNN image recognition.
  • image segmentation creates pixel-based masks for individual objects in an image and provides a more detailed or fine-grained understanding of the various objects within a given image.
  • image segmentation can involve dividing the image into segments (e.g., into groups of pixels that contain similar properties) that Segments can be analyzed independently or in parallel to obtain a more detailed representation of one or more objects in the image. This may be referred to in this paper as "masked R-CNN" etc., as opposed to the regular R-CNN architecture.
  • Masked R-CNN can be based on Fast R-CNN which is slightly different from R-CNN.
  • R-CNN first applies a convolutional neural network ("CNN") and then assigns it to regions on the covn5 feature map Recommendations instead of initial segmentation into regional recommendations.
  • CNN convolutional neural network
  • a standard CNN may be used to obtain, identify, or detect any other qualitative or quantitative data related to one or more objects or regions within one or more images.
  • the K-means algorithm can be used.
  • the image recognition process may use any other suitable neural network process while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • analyzing one or more images may include using a deep belief network (“DBN”) image recognition process.
  • the DBN image recognition process can typically involve stacking many separate unsupervised networks that use the hidden layers of each network as input to the next layer.
  • the step of analyzing the one or more images may include implementing a deep neural network (“DNN”) image recognition process, which typically involves the use of a neural network with multiple layers between inputs and outputs (invented by Biological Neural Networks). Network-inspired computing systems).
  • DNN deep neural network
  • Other suitable image recognition processes, neural network processes, artificial intelligence analysis techniques, and combinations of the above or other known methods may be used while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • a public dataset can be used to pre-train a neural network architecture, such as VGG16/VGG19/ResNet50, and then the final layer can be retrained using an appliance-specific dataset.
  • the image recognition process may include detection of certain conditions based on comparison of initial conditions, which may rely on image subtraction techniques, image stacking techniques, image stitching, etc. For example, subtracted images can be used to train neural networks with multiple classes for future comparisons and image classification.
  • the machine learning image recognition model can be actively trained by the appliance using new images, can be provided with training data from the manufacturer or from another remote source, or can be trained in any other suitable manner.
  • the image recognition process relies at least in part on a neural network trained with multiple images of appliances configured differently, experiencing different conditions, or interacting in different ways.
  • This training data can be stored locally or remotely, and can be transferred to a remote server for training other appliances and models.
  • machine learning models may include supervised and/or unsupervised models and methods.
  • supervised machine learning methods eg, such as target machine learning
  • unsupervised machine learning methods can be used to detect clustering of potential failures, similarities between data, event patterns, unusual concentrations of phenomena, etc.
  • image processing and machine learning image recognition processes can be used together to facilitate improved image analysis, object detection, or the extraction of other useful qualitative or quantitative information from one or more images that can be used to improve the operation or performance of an appliance. data or information.
  • the methods described herein may interchangeably use any or all of these techniques to improve the image analysis process and promote improved appliance performance and consumer satisfaction.
  • the image processing algorithms and machine learning image recognition processes described herein are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
  • controller 166 may be configured to receive data from multiple motion sensors 254 .
  • data from multiple motion sensors 254 such as time-of-flight sensor 254 may be used by controller 166 to determine the data from multiple motion sensors.
  • the data received by the motion sensors 254 generates a location grid of the interior chamber 122 .
  • the position grid may show or describe the relative position, proximity, or location of items 206 placed on racks 136 of rack assembly 200 , or items 206 placed on racks 136 of rack assembly 200 . size.
  • Such analysis of the position grid of the motion sensor 254 may follow a similar analysis to the analysis of the images of the camera 252 as previously described or otherwise understood.
  • method 400 includes detecting a shelf movement event based at least in part on the proximity of item 206 and shelf 136 .
  • a shelf movement event may be a condition, event, or occurrence that indicates that shelf movement may be desirable to facilitate item storage or to improve airflow within the interior chamber 122 .
  • Various shelf movement events will now be described, including detecting flow restrictions and detecting items 206 passing through doorways 148 into interior compartments 122.
  • the shelf movement event may be the detection of a flow restriction above or below a shelf 136 in the shelf assembly 200 .
  • a flow restriction may be detected as a lack of space between an item 206 and a shelf 136 adjacent to, above, or proximate the item 206 .
  • the controller 166 may measure the distance DA between the top of the item 214 and the shelf 136 directly above it (such as the top of the item 214A and the high shelf 136A of the item 206T in FIG. 3 ).
  • Distance DA may be the measured distance between the top of the item 214A and the high shelf 136A.
  • a shelf movement event is detected when the controller 166 determines that the distance DA is less than a preset distance.
  • distances between the plurality of items 206 and the plurality of shelves 136 may be calculated, and if the difference between the at least one calculated distance is less than a preset value, a shelf movement event is detected.
  • the method 400 further includes, at step 420 , detecting the distance DA between the item 206 and the upper shelf 136 directly above the item 206 in the vertical direction V.
  • controller 166 may receive data from object detection system 224 and analyze it to detect the distance between item 206 and shelf 136 .
  • the method 400 includes, at step 420 , calculating a minimum distance between each interior chamber 122 and each adjacent shelf 136 in the shelf assembly 200 directly above each item 206 , and automatically adjusting the position of the upper shelf 136 within the interior chamber 122 position to adjust the distance between the items 206 and the upper shelf 136 to at least a uniform minimum distance.
  • controller 166 may be configured to find the highest item 206T placed on each shelf 136 of the rack assembly 200 and calculate the relationship between the highest item 206T and the shelf 136 or inner shelf for each identified item 206 .
  • controller 166 may be configured to measure the height of item 206T. If different distances are determined to be different from each other, this may also be a shelf movement event where a flow restriction is detected. This calculation may be performed each time the door is closed, or each time an item 206 is detected entering or exiting the interior chamber 122 through the doorway 148 and the door 128 is closed.
  • method 400 further includes detecting a distance between item 206 and upper shelf 136 vertically directly above item 206 at step 420 .
  • controller 166 may receive data from object detection system 224 and analyze it to detect the distance between item 206 and shelf 136 .
  • the method 400 includes, at step 420, calculating the respective internal chamber 122 and each adjacent shelf 136 directly above each item 206 in the shelf assembly 200, and automatically adjust the position of the upper shelf 136 in the inner chamber 122 to reduce the distance between the items 206 and the high-level shelf 136A.
  • the distance DA is adjusted to at least a uniform minimum distance.
  • the shelf movement event may be the detection of an item 206 crossing the doorway 148 into the interior room 122 .
  • Controller 166 may be configured to detect items 206 passing through doorway 148 into interior chamber 122 .
  • Controller 166 may also be configured to detect items 206 in doorway 148 of interior room 122 by analyzing data received from object detection system 224 .
  • object detection system 224 may send data for analysis periodically or when the image is detected to have changed (eg, due to movement within chamber 122).
  • the controller 166 receives this data, analyzes it, and in the analysis detects the item 206 in the doorway 148 of the interior chamber 122 .
  • the controller 166 can detect items 206 passing through the doorway 148 and into the interior chamber 122 .
  • Images from camera 252 or infrared data from motion sensor 254 may be received by controller 166 and used or analyzed to detect item 206 in doorway 148 .
  • method 400 may include measuring the height of item 206 that is detected crossing doorway 148 .
  • controller 166 may be configured to receive data from object detection system 224 (including from at least one camera 252 or at least one motion sensor 254 as described herein), analyze the data to detect items 206 crossing doorway 148 , detect items 206 of the vertical edges (the top and bottom of the item 206), and measure the height of the item 206 (eg, in the vertical direction V) based on the received data.
  • method 400 may include measuring the vertical dimensions, lateral dimensions, and lateral dimensions of items 206 that are detected crossing doorway 148 into interior chamber 122 .
  • controller 166 may be configured to receive data from object detection system 224 (including from at least one camera 252 or at least one motion sensor 254 , as described herein), analyze the data to detect items 206 crossing doorway 148 , detect the items edges or sides of item 206 and use the data to measure the vertical, lateral, and transverse dimensions of item 206.
  • the method 400 may include identifying at least one shelf 136 that has an open area large enough to accommodate the item 206 in both lateral and transverse dimensions.
  • the controller 166 may identify at least one shelf 136 that has an open area large enough to accommodate the items 206 laterally and laterally. Controller 166 may use data received from object detection system 224 to identify at least one shelf 136 .
  • an open area may be a portion of a shelf 136 that is empty or does not contain items 206 .
  • the lateral and transverse dimensions may be used to determine whether the shelf 136 has a large enough open area for the items 206, and the vertical dimensions may be accounted for by movement of the shelf 136 if deemed appropriate.
  • a lateral dimension may be a measurement in the lateral direction L
  • a vertical dimension may be a measurement in the vertical direction V
  • a lateral dimension may be a measurement in the transverse direction T.
  • the shelf movement event may be receiving information that an item is about to be placed in the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • the controller 166 may receive a notification that a user purchases at least one item to be placed in the interior chamber 122 of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • the notification may include The size or approximate size of at least one item purchased by the user in a store that the user intends to place in the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • the controller may also be configured to move at least one shelf 136 of the shelf assembly 200 to adapt the shelf configuration in the interior chamber 122 to at least one item that the user intends to place in the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • Controller 166 may receive notifications through a remote user device or from a remote server over a network. Movement of at least one shelf 136 may occur before at least one item passes doorway 148 .
  • the shelves in the shelf assembly can be moved to accommodate groceries while the user is on his or her way home from the grocery store, which can allow the user to save time putting away items from the store.
  • the method 400 may further include activating a light 204 attached to a shelf 136 identified as having an open area large enough to accommodate the item 206 in both the lateral and transverse dimensions, the light 204 Activation may indicate the preferred location of the detected item 206 .
  • Controller 166 may be configured to activate lights 204 on identified shelves 136 to visually notify the user where items 206 are best placed within the refrigerator.
  • the method 400 may include operating the drive mechanism 202 to move the shelf 136 to adjust the space above or below the shelf 136 . This can be done in response to shelf move events.
  • the controller 166 may be configured to operate the drive mechanism 202 to move the shelf 136 vertically to adjust the position of the shelf 136 within the interior chamber 122 of the refrigerator 100 .
  • method 400 at step 430 may include operating drive mechanism 202 to move shelf 136 in response to the flow restriction to create more space above or below shelf 136 .
  • the controller 166 may move one or more racks 136 in the rack assembly 200 to create a minimum distance between the rack 136 and the items 206 placed in the inner chamber 122 (e.g., in a vertical position). The minimum distance between the item 206 and the shelf 136 directly above the item 206 ) or generates a similar distance between the item 206 in the interior chamber 122 and the shelf 136 of the shelf assembly 200 .
  • the similar distance may be an average of distances calculated by controller 166 using data from object detection system 224 .
  • airflow within the refrigeration appliance 100 may be improved by ensuring a similar or minimum distance in the vertical direction V around the items 206 within the interior chamber 122 . Further, this may provide a way to improve airflow without multiple temperature sensors in the interior chamber 122 or without measuring airflow throughout the interior chamber 122 .
  • the method further includes adjusting the height of the shelf 136 to provide a warning above the shelf 136 that exceeds the detected height of the item 206 . gap.
  • high-rise rack 136A may be identified as having an open area 220 and may be moved in vertical direction V to provide clearance beyond the height of items 206 detected as crossing doorway 148 .
  • Method 400 may also include adjusting the height of shelf 136 (as indicated by arrows 208 and 210 in FIG. 3 ) to increase the vertical dimension of the open area beyond the vertical dimension of item 206 being inspected.
  • the controller 166 may be configured to move at least one rack 136 in the rack assembly 200 to create a gap or increase the rack 136 identified for the item 206 .
  • the open area of the item 206 so that it exceeds the vertical direction of the detected item 206 size.
  • the user moving the item 206 across the doorway 148 may then place the item 206 on the identified shelf 136 .
  • method 400 includes activating a light 204 on the identified shelf 136 to indicate the preferred location of the detected item 206 .
  • the method may include activating the lights 204 during movement of the shelf 136 by the drive mechanism 202 .
  • the shelf 136 moved by the drive mechanism 202 may be illuminated by the light 204 during the movement of the shelf 136 . This can be used as an information and security system to alert the user that the shelf 136 is moving.
  • the controller 166 may further move at least one shelf 136 in the shelf assembly 200 in response to receiving user input to move the shelf 136 .
  • refrigerator 100 may include a shelf movement controller (not shown) for a user to direct movement of shelves 136 to a desired configuration.
  • Embodiments described herein may include arrangements in refrigerators in which multiple cameras and/or multiple time-of-flight sensors may be employed within the interior of a door or in the wall of an interior chamber to determine individual aspects of shelf assemblies within the refrigerator. Minimum clearance below shelves.
  • the system can automatically move or adjust shelves vertically based on input from sensors to optimize airflow and increase accessibility to all items.
  • the shelves when paired with a camera system, the shelves can move to accept particularly tall items as a user moves them into the doorway for viewing.
  • the sensor provides feedback to prevent the shelf from moving against the height of the items on the shelf when manually adjusted.
  • the controller may include algorithms to identify shelf edges (eg, front shelf edges and/or side shelf edges). Shelves can be adjusted when merchandise or items are observed approaching the door with or without prompting.
  • the vertical size of the item may also be connected to a grocery store purchase, for example, via a remote network, and the controller may be moved when notifying the user to purchase the item at the grocery store (for example, when the user is on his way home from the grocery store) Shelves.
  • Shelves or backlights can be used to illuminate shelves that are moving or about to be moved, or to highlight where tall items will best fit.
  • Cameras or time-of-flight (ToF) sensors detect the maximum size of items in the doorway, the position of individual shelves, and the corresponding gaps below each shelf. If an item is too tall to fit into the pre-moved rack configuration, the rack can be moved accordingly to prepare the item. Therefore, large items can be accommodated in the refrigerator without the user having to manually adjust the shelves of the shelf assembly.

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Abstract

本发明提供了一种层架组件和冰箱。层架组件包括层架、驱动机构、对象检测系统和控制器。对象检测系统被配置为检测放置为与层架相邻的物品。控制器被配置为使用对象检测系统确定物品和层架的接近度，检测层架移动事件，并且响应于层架移动事件来移动层架。

Description

用于制冷电器的智能可调节层架 技术领域
本发明总体涉及家用电器，更具体地涉及制冷电器。
背景技术
制冷电器包括箱体，限定内室，并且包括至少一个用于允许选择性地进入内室的门体。冰箱通常包括层架，以将用于制冷的物品保持在内室内。在一些冰箱中，层架是可调节的，以允许上面放置不同尺寸的物品。
存在的挑战在于，调节层架可能很麻烦。在调节层架在内室内的放置之前，冰箱内的层架可能需要是空的或者上面没有放置物品。另外，当内室装有多个物品时，层架之间的气流可能变得不均匀或减少。气流对于保持内室内的适当制冷温度通常是重要的。层架之间的气流减少或气流不均匀可能降低整个制冷电器的效率和冷却能力。
因此，改善冰箱中的层架之间的气流的制冷电器将是有益的。另外或可选地，对调节制冷电器内的层架的改进将是有用的。
发明内容
本发明的各个方面以及优点将会在下文的描述中进行阐述，或者是通过描述可以显而易见的，或者是可以通过实施本发明而学到。
在本发明的一个示例性方面，提供了一种冰箱。该冰箱可以具有侧向、竖向以及横向。冰箱可以包括箱体、门体、层架组件、对象检测系统和控制器。箱体可以限定内室和进入内室的门口。门体可以允许选择性地进入内室。层架组件可包括层架和驱动机构。驱动机构可以被配置为至少在竖向上移动层架。层架组件可位于内室内。对象检测系统可以被配置为检测放置为与层架组件的层架相邻的物品。控制器可以与层架组件和对象检测系统可操作地通信。控制器可以被配置为使用对象检测系统确定物品和层架的接近度，至少部分地基于物品和层架的接近度检测层架移动事件，并且响应于层架移动事件操作驱动机构移动层架以调节层架上方或下方的空间。
在本发明的另一个示例性方面，提供了一种层架组件。层架组件可被配置为位于家用电器的内室内。家用电器可以具有侧向、竖向和横向。层架组件可包括层架、驱动机构、对象检测系统和控制器。驱动机构可以被配置为至少在竖向上移动层架。对象检测系统可以被配置为检测放置为与层架组件的层架相邻的物品。控制器可以与层架组件和对象检测系统可操作地通信。控制器可以被配置为使用对象检测系统确定物品和层架的接近度，检测层架组件中的层架上方或下方的流动限制，并且响应于流动限制操作驱动机构移动层架以在层架上方或下方生成更多空间。
在本发明的另一个示例性方面，提供了一种用于冰箱的层架组件设置方法，该冰箱具有层架组件和对象检测系统。层架组件可具有层架和驱动机构。层架组件可被配置为在层架组件上放置物品。该层架组件设置方法可包括以下步骤：使用对象检测系统确定物品和层架的接近度，至少部分地基于物品和层架的接近度检测层架移动事件，以及响应于层架移动事件操作驱动机构移动层架以在层架上方或下方生成更多空间。
参照下文的描述以及所附权利要求，本发明的这些和其它的特征、方面以及优点将变得更容易理解。结合在本说明书中并且构成本说明书一部分的附图显示了本发明的实施方式并且与描述一起用于对本发明的原理进行解释。
附图说明
参照附图，说明书中阐述了面向本领域普通技术人员的本发明的完整公开，这种公开使得本领域普通技术人员能够实现本发明，包括本发明的最佳实施例。
图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的示例性制冷电器的前视图。
图2提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的示例性层架组件的立体图。
图3提供了图1的示例性制冷电器的侧面剖视图。
图4提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的层架移动事件方法的流程图。
在附图中使用相同或类似附图标记表示相同或类似的特征，除非上下文另有说明。
具体实施方式
现在将详细地参照本发明的实施方式，其中的一个或多个示例示于附图中。每个示例都以对发明进行解释的方式给出，并不对本发明构成限制。实际上，对于本领域技术人员而言显而易见的是，能够在不偏离本发明的范围的前提下对本发明进行多种改型和变型。例如，作为一个实施方式的一部分示出或者进行描述的特征能够用于另一个实施方式，从而产生又一个实施方式。因此，期望的是，本发明覆盖落入所附权利要求及其等同形式的范围内的这些改型以及变型。
如本文所用的，术语“或”通常意指包括的(即，“A或B”意指“A或B或两者”)。术语“第一”、“第二”和“第三”可以互换使用以将一个部件与另一个部件区分开，并且这些术语并不旨在表示各个部件的位置或重要性。诸如术语“内”和“外”是指相对于电器并且特别是限定在其中的腔室的内部和外部的相对方向。例如，“内”或“向内”是指朝向电器内部的方向。诸如“左”、“右”、“前”、“后”、“顶”或“底”的术语参考进入电器的用户的视角来使用(例如，当门体处于关闭位置时)。例如，用户站在电器的前面以打开门体，并且把手伸进内部腔室中以接近其中的物品。
如本文在整个说明书和权利要求书中使用的近似语言可以应用于修饰任何定量表示，该定量 表示可容许在不导致其相关的基本功能改变的情况下变化。因此，由诸如“大体”、“大约”、“近似”以及“大致”的术语修饰的值不限于所指定的精确值。在至少一些情况下，近似语言可对应于用于测量值的仪器的精度、或用于构造或制造部件或系统的方法或机器的精度。例如，近似语言可以指在10％的范围内(即包括在比所述值大或小百分之十内的值)。在这点上，例如，当在角度或方向的背景下使用时，这种术语包括在比所述角度或方向大或小十度内(例如，“大体竖直”包括在诸如顺时针或逆时针的任何方向上与竖向V形成最多十度的角度)。
本发明的各个方面有利地提供一种制冷电器，该制冷电器具有：层架组件，该层架组件与驱动机构一起移动；对象检测系统；以及控制器，该控制器被配置为检测进入制冷电器的物品并且移动层架组件内的至少一个层架以更好地容纳物品。在一些示例中，层架组件和控制器被配置为调节层架以调节层架(包括上面放置有物品的层架)之间的空间，从而增加或改善冰箱内的气流。有利地，将物品放置在制冷电器中可以变得更容易，因为可以更容易地放置高或笨重的物品，而不用手动移动层架组件内的层架。进一步地，由于根据本文所述的实施方式的改善的气流，制冷电器内的温度可以波动较小。
图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的代表制冷电器100的前视图。更具体地，为了说明的目的，本发明在具有如下所示和进一步描述的构造的制冷电器100的背景下描述。如本文所用，制冷电器100包括诸如冷藏/冷冻组合、对开门式、底置式、紧凑型以及任何其它样式或型号的制冷电器的电器。因此，包括多个和不同样式的间室的其它构造可以与制冷电器100一起使用，应该理解，图1所示的构造仅以示例的方式提供。
现在参见附图，将描述根据本发明的示例性方面的示例性电器100。具体地，图1提供了门体128、130处于打开位置的示例性制冷电器100的前视图，并且图2提供了制冷电器100的内室122和层架组件200的立体图。如图示例，制冷电器100通常限定竖向V、侧向L和横向T，它们相互垂直并且形成正交坐标系。
根据示例性实施方式，制冷电器100包括箱体102，该箱体通常用于容纳和/或支撑制冷电器100的各种部件，并且还可限定制冷电器100的一个或多个内部腔室或间室。在这点上，如本文所用的，术语“箱体”、“壳体”等通常旨在指用于制冷电器100的外框架或支撑结构，例如，包括由任何合适的材料形成的任何合适数量、类型和构造的支撑结构，诸如细长支撑构件、多个互连面板或其一些组合的系统。应当理解，箱体102不一定需要围合，而是可以简单地包括支撑制冷电器100的各种元件的开放结构。相反，箱体102可以包围箱体102内部的一些或所有部分。应当理解，箱体102可具有任何合适的尺寸、形状和构造，同时保持在本发明的范围内。
如图示例，箱体102通常沿着竖向V在顶部104与底部106之间延伸，沿着侧向L在第一侧 部108(例如，如图1中从前方观察时的左侧)与第二侧部110(例如，如图1中从前方观察时的右侧)之间延伸，并且沿着横向T在前部112与后部114之间延伸。
箱体102限定用于接收食品以便储存的内室122、124。特别地，箱体102限定设置在箱体102的右部110处或与其相邻设置的内食物保鲜室122和布置在箱体102的左部108处或与其相邻布置的内冷冻室124。在该实施方式中，食物保鲜室122和冷冻室124并排地布置在箱体102内。由此可见，制冷电器100通常被称为对开门式冰箱。然而，认识到，本发明的益处适用于其他类型和样式的制冷电器，例如，顶置式制冷电器、底置式制冷电器或单门制冷电器。而且，本发明的方面也可以适用于其他电器。因此，本文阐述的描述仅出于说明目的，而无意于在任何方面限于任何特定的电器或配置。
冷藏门体128、130可旋转地铰接到箱体102的边缘，以便允许选择性地进入或接近内室122、124。通常，冷藏门体128、130在箱体102的门口148上形成密封。门口148可位于具有竖向和侧向的平面中，接近处于关闭位置的门体128、130的位置。门口148通常可位于内室122、124的前开口区域。在这点上，当冷藏门体128打开时，用户可以通过门口148将物品放置在食物保鲜室122内，越过门口148。然后，用户可以关闭冷藏门体128以便于气候控制。冷藏门体128、130在图1中被示出为处于打开构造。本领域技术人员将理解，其它腔室和门体构造是可行的，并且在本发明的范围内。
图1提供了在冷藏门体128、130处于打开位置的情况下示出的制冷电器100的前视图。如图1所示，如本领域技术人员将理解的，各种储存部件被安装在食物保鲜室122和冷冻室124内，以促进食品在其中的储存。特别地，储存部件可以包括盘134和层架136。这些储存部件中的每一个用于接收食品(例如，饮料或/或固体食品)，并且可以辅助整理这些食品。如图所示，盘134滑入到食物保鲜室122中的接收空间中。如图示例，门盒138可以安装在冷藏门体128、130上。应当理解，所示的储存部件仅用于说明的目的，并且可以使用其它储存部件，并且其它储存部件可以具有不同的尺寸、形状以及构造。
可选地，层架136和丝篮137可以设置在冷冻室124中。另外或可选地，可以在冷冻室124中设置制冰机142。冷藏门体128、130分别允许选择性地进入制冷电器的内室122、124。
再参见图1，制冷电器100可包括控制面板160，该控制面板可代表用于制冷电器100的通用输入/输出(“GPIO”)装置或功能块。在一些实施方式中，控制面板160可以包括一个或多个用户输入装置162或与其可操作地通信，该用户输入装置诸如为包括旋转控制盘、控制旋钮、按钮、拨动开关、选择器开关和触摸板的各种数字、模拟、电气、机械或机电输入装置中的一个或多个。另外，电器100可包括显示器164，诸如数字或模拟显示装置，该显示装置通常被配置为 提供关于制冷电器100的操作的视觉反馈。例如，显示器164可以设置在控制面板160上，并且可以包括一个或多个状态灯、屏幕或可视指示器。根据示例性实施方式，用户输入装置162和显示器164可集成到单个装置中，例如包括触摸屏界面、电容触控面板、液晶显示器(LCD)、等离子体显示面板(PDP)、阴极射线管(CRT)显示器或其他信息或交互式显示器中的一个或多个。
制冷电器100还可包括处理装置或控制器166，或者与处理装置或控制器166可操作地通信，该处理装置或控制器166通常可配置为便于电器操作。在这点上，控制面板160、用户输入装置162和显示器164可与控制器166通信，使得控制器166可接收来自用户输入装置162的控制输入，可使用显示器164显示信息，并且可以以其它方式调节制冷电器100的操作。例如，由控制器166生成的信号可以响应于用户输入装置162的位置和其它控制命令来操作制冷电器100，包括任何或所有系统部件、子系统或互连装置。制冷电器100的控制面板160和其它部件可经由例如一个或多个信号线或共享通信总线与控制器166通信。这样，输入/输出(“I/O”)信号可以在控制器166与制冷电器100的各种运行部件之间传输。
如本文所用的，术语“处理装置”、“计算装置”、“控制器”等一般可以指任何合适的处理装置，诸如通用或专用微处理器、微控制器、集成电路、专用集成电路(ASIC)、数字信号处理器(DSP)、现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)、逻辑装置、一个或多个中央处理单元(CPU)、图形处理单元(GPU)、执行其他专用计算的处理单元、半导体装置等。另外，这些“控制器”不必限于单个元件，而是可以包括以任何合适的方式集成以便于电器操作的任何合适数量、类型和配置的处理装置。可选地，控制器166可以在不使用微处理器的情况下，例如，使用独立的模拟或/或数字逻辑电路的组合(诸如开关、放大器、积分器、比较器、触发器、与/或门等)构建为执行控制功能，而不是依靠软件。
控制器166可以包括一个或多个存储元件或非暂时性计算机可读存储介质或与其相关联，存储元件或非暂时性计算机可读存储介质诸如为RAM、ROM、EEPROM、EPROM、闪存装置、磁盘或其他合适的存储装置(包括其组合)。这些存储装置可以是与处理器分开的部件，或者可以包含在处理器内的板上。另外，这些存储装置可存储可由一个或多个处理器访问的信息和/或数据，包括可由该一个或多个处理器执行的指令。应当理解，指令可以是以任何合适的编程语言编写的软件，或者可以以硬件实施。另外或可选地，指令可以使用一个或多个处理器上的单独线程逻辑地和/或虚拟地执行。
例如，控制器166可操作为执行与电器100的操作循环相关联的编程指令或微控制代码。在这点上，指令可以是软件或者任何指令集，该软件或指令集在由处理装置执行时使处理装置执行操作，诸如运行一个或者多个软件应用、显示用户界面、接收用户输入、处理用户输入等。而且， 应当注意，本文所公开的控制器166能够并且可以操作为执行本文所公开的任何方法、方法步骤或方法的部分。例如，在一些实施方式中，本文公开的方法可以在存储在存储器中并由控制器166执行的编程指令中具体实施。
存储装置还可存储可由一个或多个处理器或控制器166的部分检索、操纵、创建或存储的数据。数据可以包括例如促进本文描述的方法的执行的数据。数据可以本地(例如，在控制器166上)存储在一个或多个数据库中和/或可以被分割，使得数据存储在多个位置。另外，或可选地，一个或多个数据库可以通过任何合适的网络(诸如通过高带宽局域网(LAN)或广域网(WAN))连接到控制器166。在这点上，例如，控制器166还可包括通信模块或接口，该通信模块或接口可用于例如经由任何合适的通信线路或网络并使用任何合适的通信协议与制冷电器100的一个或多个其它部件、控制器166、外部电器控制器或任何其它合适的装置通信。通信接口可以包括用于与一个或多个网络接口连接的任何适当的部件，包括例如发送器、接收器、端口、控制器、天线或其他适当的部件。
在一些实施方式中，提供一个或多个温度传感器以测量食物保鲜室122中的温度和冷冻室124中的温度。例如，第一温度传感器152可以布置在食物保鲜室122中并且可以测量食物保鲜室122中的温度。第二温度传感器154可以布置在冷冻室124中并且可以测量冷冻室124中的温度。可以提供该温度信息(例如，给控制器166以便用于操作冰箱100)。这些温度测量可以在电器的操作或控制系统的执行期间间歇地或连续地进行。
转向图2和图3，图2是制冷电器100的层架组件200的局部立体图。图3是制冷电器100的示意剖视侧视图。虽然下面在制冷电器100的背景下更详细地描述，但应当理解，在可选示例性实施方式中，层架组件200可以用于任何合适的电器中。例如，层架组件200可以用在顶置式制冷电器、底置式制冷电器、独立的冷冻电器等中。此外，其余的描述对制冷电器100的制冷部分的内室122或食物保鲜室122进行了描述，但是本文所述的系统和方法也可以应用于冷冻室124或另一冷冻室或冷藏室，并且内室122的描述不旨在仅限于冷藏室，而是应用于制冷电器内的冷藏室、冷冻室或组合的冷藏-冷冻室。如以下更详细所述，层架组件200包括用于层架136(诸如层架136)的机动化移动的特征。特别地，层架组件200可操作为利用诸如单个马达140的驱动机构202选择性地移动一个或多个层架136，如图2所示。
层架组件200包括至少一个层架136和驱动机构202。驱动机构202被配置为至少在竖向V上移动至少一个层架。层架组件200位于箱体102的内室中。驱动机构202可以包括马达140，如图2所示，但是也可以是机械致动器、或者包括液压活塞或其它装置的其它等同装置，如将理解的。驱动机构202可以包括离合器144、丝杠120、轨道150或与其一起工作，以移动层架组 件200，如图2所示。尽管本文描述和示例了示例性层架组件和驱动机构以便于讨论本发明的方面，但是可以使用任何其它合适的层架组件，并且可以使用任何其它合适的驱动机构以便于层架移动。例如，在美国专利第11,125,491号中示出了示例性的层架组件和驱动机构，该专利为了所有目的全文以引用的方式并入本文。
各种机构可以利用驱动机构202驱动层架组件200的移动，包括图2所示的示例。在图2中，层架组件200包括丝杠120。丝杠120安装在食物保鲜室122内，使得丝杠120可旋转。驱动机构202(诸如图2中的马达140)联接到丝杠120，并且驱动机构202可操作为使丝杠120旋转。驱动机构202可以设置在丝杠120的顶部或底部(在图2中示出在丝杠120的顶部)。通过旋转丝杠120，驱动机构202可以例如沿着竖向V在食物保鲜室122内移动一个或多个层架136。
各个层架136可以包括层架支架或托架116。层架支架116可以安装在轨道150上，例如，该轨道限制层架支架116沿着竖向V的移动。由此，层架支架116可以在食物保鲜室122(或者在可选示例性实施方式中为冷冻室124)中沿着竖向V平移。各个层架136还可以包括设置在层架支架116上的面板118。面板118可以从层架支架116去除，例如以便于清洁面板118。各种食品或物品206(如图3所示)可以储存在面板118上。在图2中，各个层架136包括两个层架支架116。在可选的示例性实施方式中，各个层架136可以包括一个、三个或更多个层架支架116。
层架组件200还包括多个离合器144。各个离合器144可以安装到相应的层架支架116。各个离合器144也可以选择性地打开和闭合，以将相应的层架支架116连接到丝杠120。当离合器144接合或闭合时，相应的层架支架116联接到丝杠120，使得丝杠120通过马达140进行的旋转使相应的层架支架116沿着竖向V移动。相反地，当离合器144打开或脱离接合时，相应的层架支架116与丝杠120断开，使得丝杠120通过马达140进行的旋转不使相应的层架支架116沿着竖向V移动。由此，离合器144可以调节层架136的竖直移动。
如图3所示，层架组件200可包括附接到至少一个层架136的至少一个灯204。在一些实施方式中，至少一个灯204可以附接到层架组件200中的各个层架136的边缘或其它部分。控制器166可以与层架组件200的至少一个灯204可操作地通信。灯204可以被配置为启动以指示物品206的优选位置。例如，层架136上的灯204可以被控制器166启动，以指示层架136是检测到的物品206的优选位置。在一些实施方式中，层架组件200中的各个层架136可以附接到灯204。尽管图3中示出了四个灯204，但是对于不同的实施方式可以使用更多或更少的灯204。
另外或可选地，至少一个灯204可以被配置为在层架136通过驱动机构202的移动期间启动。灯启动可以提供额外的安全性，因为可以向用户给出特定层架136正在移动的视觉警报，或者可以帮助更快地检测物品206在内室122内的正确放置，如本文所述。下面将更详细地讨论层架 136的物品检测和灯指示。
在图2中，层架组件200包括三个层架136。应当理解，这仅是以示例的方式提供的。在可选的示例性实施方式中，层架组件200可以包括一个、两个、四个或更多个层架136。图2中的一个、两个或所有三个离合器144可以闭合，以通过用马达140旋转丝杠120而使相应的层架支架116沿着竖向V移动。相反，图2中的一个、两个或所有三个离合器144可以打开，以将相应的层架支架116保持在沿着竖向V的固定位置，而不管丝杠120用马达140进行的旋转如何。在可选实施方式中，冰箱100可以具有一个、两个、三个或更多个离合器144。如从上文可以看到的，通过选择性地闭合相应的离合器144，可以用马达140竖直地移动一个、两个或所有三个层架136。由此，可以仅使用一个马达140来仅移动一个层架136或同时移动两个/三个层架136。
制冷电器100还可以包括对象检测系统224。对象检测系统224可以被配置为检测放置为与层架组件200的层架136相邻的物品206。对象检测系统224还可以能够检测物品206何时越过门口148进入内室122。在一些示例中，对象检测系统224能够检测放置在层架136上的物品206，包括这些物品和空间(例如，图3所示的物品206与高层架136A之间的空间212)的尺寸。
对象检测系统224可以包括至少一个相机252，如图3所示。尽管在图3中示出了三个相机252，但是本文所述的系统可以在对象检测系统224中包括更少或更多的相机252。多个相机252对于确定位于制冷电器100内不同位置的物品206的尺寸可以是有价值的。相机252可以放置在内室122内的各种位置，以检测其中容纳的物品206或层架136。
通常，相机252可以是适于捕获至少一个图像或视频的任何类型的装置。作为示例，相机252可以是具有电子图像传感器【例如，电荷耦合器件(CCD)或CMOS传感器】的摄像机或数字相机。尽管在本文中使用了术语“图像”，但是应当理解，根据示例性实施方式，相机252可以拍摄任何合适数量或序列的二维图像、视频或电器100或电器100的部件的其他视觉表示。例如，一个或多个图像可以包括视频馈送、或者由相机252获得的一系列顺序静态图像，这些图像可以被发送到控制器166(例如，作为数据信号)以用于分析或其他操作。在一些实施方式中，相机252将图像或视频馈送直接发送到用户装置(例如，通过无线信号)。可选地，一个或多个光源(未示出)可以与相机252一起或与其相邻设置。在使用期间，相机252可以与光源协作拍摄图像或视频馈送，以便获得电器100或其中或其上的物品的更高质量或更真实的彩色图像。
另外或可选地，对象检测系统224可以包括至少一个运动传感器254。运动传感器254可以被配置为生成数据，控制器166可以使用该数据来生成内室122的位置网格，该位置网格包括层架136和放置在上面的物品206或者越过内室122的门口148的物品206的位置。例如，对象检测系统224可以包括至少一个飞行时间传感器254，如图3所示。尽管图3中示出了飞行时间传 感器254，但是在一些实施方式中可以使用其他运动传感器254。根据示例性实施方式，运动传感器254可以是任何合适的光学、声学、电磁或其它适于检测空间内的运动或绘制封闭空间(例如，包括如本文所述建立基线)的传感器。例如，这些运动传感器可以包括接近传感器、飞行时间传感器、运动传感器、光学传感器等。
通常，各个运动传感器254可以建立用于比较的基线，例如，当没有检测到运动时与读数相关联。由此，运动传感器254的系统可以形成网格或阵列(例如，如本文所述的位置网格或腔室122内的位置的其他图)，从该网格或阵列可以检测运动。各个运动传感器254可以用于估计距移动对象的距离或确定该对象到相机252的接近度。通过分析和比较来自一些或所有传感器254的反馈，可以将运动中的对象虚拟为二维位置。例如，如果两个传感器检测到运动，那么对象可能在沿着竖向V的这些传感器254之间。应当理解，加权平均可以用于获得对运动发生的位置的准确预测。另外，应当理解，传感器配置和分析方法仅是示例性的，并且可以在保持在本发明的范围内的同时变化。
现在具体参见图3，将描述运动传感器254的示例性配置。具体地，如图所示，一个或多个运动传感器254可以沿着竖向V和侧向L隔开，以限定用于检测一个或多个位置处的运动的位置网格。在这点上，例如，运动传感器254可以以类似于相机252的方式隔开，例如，沿着食物保鲜室122的侧面和/或顶部隔开。这样，控制器156可以基于来自运动传感器254的反馈确定运动发生的一个或多个位置。
尽管在图3中示出了相机252和运动传感器254两者，但是取决于实施方式，本文所述的实施方式可以仅包括相机252或仅包括运动传感器254或两者的组合。
现在参见图4，可以提供与根据本发明的电器100一起使用的各种方法(例如，方法400)。在一些实施方式中，方法的各个步骤中的全部或一些可由合适的控制器(例如，控制器166)执行。由此，控制器166可以被配置为指导这样的方法。在这些方法期间，控制器166可以接收输入并从电器100的各种其他部分发送输出。例如，控制器166可以向包括驱动机构202、对象检测机构的层架组件200发送信号和从其接收信号，对象检测机构包括至少一个相机252或至少一个运动传感器254。本方法可以有利地确定物品206在内室122中的位置，并且提供储存的机会而无需手动更换层架136。例如，所公开的方法可以有利地自动移动层架136以改善封闭的冰箱内的气流，或者自动移动层架136以容纳放置在其中的物品206。如果物品206较高或者物品206的高度大于当前在层架136上方的距离，则这可能特别有用。
在步骤410，方法400包括使用对象检测系统224确定物品206和层架136的接近度。例如，控制器166可以使用由对象检测系统224提供的数据来确定层架136的相对位置和物品206与层 架136的接近度。在一些实施方式中，步骤410还可以包括使用对象检测系统224确定物品206的至少一个尺寸。例如，可以从对象检测系统224接收数据。控制器166可以分析来自对象检测系统224的数据，以确定物品206的接近度或物品206的尺寸。例如，可以分析数据以确定物品206在竖向V上的高度。还可以通过分析来自对象检测系统224的数据来确定层架136在内室122内的位置。
例如，控制器166可以被配置为从至少一个相机252接收至少一个图像。在一些实施方式中，控制器166还可以被配置为从接收自至少一个相机252的至少一个图像识别内室122中的至少一个物品206。例如，可以分析来自对象检测系统224的至少一个相机252的图像以确定物品206、层架136的相对接近度或物品206的至少一个尺寸(例如，竖向上的物品尺寸)。
根据本发明的示例性实施方式，方法400包括获得内室122的一个或多个图像。尽管在本文中使用了术语“图像”，但是应当理解，根据示例性实施方式，相机252可以拍摄任何合适数量或序列的二维图像、视频或包括层架组件200和通过门口148进入内室122的任何物品的内室122的其他视觉表示。例如，一个或多个图像可以包括视频馈送、或者由相机252获得的一系列顺序静态图像，这些图像可以被发送到控制器166(例如，作为数据信号)以用于分析或其他操作。这些获得的图像可以在数量、频率、角度、视场、分辨率、细节等方面变化。
控制器166可以被配置为分析一个或多个图像以识别至少一个层架136、层架移动事件或至少一个物品206，包括其相对位置和尺寸(并且如本文所述)。根据示例性实施方式，该图像分析可以使用任何合适的图像处理技术、图像识别过程等。如本文所用的，术语“图像分析”等通常可以用于指代对象的一个或多个图像、视频或其他视觉表示的观察、分析、图像分解、特征提取、图像分类等的任何合适的方法。如以下更详细地解释的，该图像分析可以包括图像处理技术、图像识别技术或其任何适当组合的实施。在这点上，图像分析可以使用任何合适的图像分析软件或算法来持续地或周期性地监测内室122。应当理解，该图像分析或处理可以在本地(例如，由控制器166)或远程(例如，通过将图像数据卸载到远程服务器或网络)执行。
具体地，对一个或多个图像的分析可以包括实施图像处理算法。如本文所用的，术语“图像处理”等通常旨在指代用于分析图像的不依赖于人工智能或机器学习技术的任何合适的方法或算法(例如，与以下描述的机器学习图像识别过程形成对比)。例如，图像处理算法可以依赖于图像区分，例如两个连续图像的逐像素比较。该比较可以帮助识别顺序获得的图像之间的实质差异，例如，以识别移动、特定对象的存在、特定条件的存在等。例如，当特定条件存在时，可以获得一个或多个参考图像，并且这些参考图像可以被存储，以用于将来与在电器运行期间获得的图像进行比较。参考图像与获得的图像之间的相似性和/或差异可以用于提取用于提高电器性能的有 用信息。
根据示例性实施方式，图像处理可以包括模糊检测算法，其通常旨在计算、测量或以其他方式确定图像中的模糊量。例如，这些模糊检测算法可以依赖于聚焦测量算子、快速傅里叶变换以及频率分布的检查、确定拉普拉斯算子的方差、或者本领域普通技术人员已知的任何其他模糊检测方法。另外或可选地，图像处理算法可以使用用于识别或标识物品或对象的其他合适的技术，诸如边缘匹配或检测、分治搜索、灰度匹配、感受野响应的直方图或另一合适的例程(例如，基于来自一个或多个相机的一个或多个捕获的图像在控制器166处执行)。其它图像处理技术也是可行的，并且在本发明的范围内。处理算法还可以包括用于隔离或消除例如由于图像分辨率、数据传输误差、不一致照明或其他成像误差而产生的图像比较中的噪声的措施。通过消除这种噪声，图像处理算法可以改善准确的对象检测，避免错误的对象检测，并且隔离图像内的重要对象、区域或图案。
除了上述图像处理技术之外，图像分析还可以包括利用人工智能(“AI”)，诸如机器学习图像识别过程、神经网络分类模块、任何其他合适的人工智能(AI)技术和/或任何其他合适的图像分析技术，其示例将在下面更详细地描述。而且，以下描述的各个示例性图像分析或评估过程可以独立地、共同地或可互换地使用，以提取关于被分析的图像的详细信息，从而促进本文描述的一个或多个方法的执行或以其他方式改进电器运行。根据示例性实施方式，可以使用任何合适数量的图像处理、图像识别或其他图像分析技术及其组合来获得对所获得的图像的准确分析。
在这点上，图像识别过程可以使用任意合适的人工智能技术，例如，任意合适的机器学习技术或者任意合适的深度学习技术。根据示例性实施方式，图像识别过程可以包括实施称为基于区域的卷积神经网络(“R-CNN”)图像识别的一种形式的图像识别。一般而言，R-CNN可包括取得输入图像并提取包括图像的潜在对象或区域的区域建议。在这点上，“区域建议”可以是图像中可能属于特定对象的一个或多个区域，或者可以包括共享共同像素特性的相邻区域。然后使用卷积神经网络来从区域建议计算特征，然后将使用所提取的特征来确定各个特定区域的分类。
根据另一些实施方式，可以将图像分割过程与R-CNN图像识别一起使用。通常，图像分割为图像中的各个对象创建基于像素的掩码，并且提供对给定图像内的各种对象的更详细或更精细的理解。在这点上，代替处理整个图像(即，像素的大集合，其中许多像素可能不包含有用信息)，图像分割可以涉及将图像划分为片段(例如，划分为包含类似属性的像素组)，这些片段可以独立地或并行地分析，以获得图像中的一个或多个对象的更详细表示。这在本文中可以被称为“掩码R-CNN”等，与常规的R-CNN架构相反。例如，掩码R-CNN可以基于与R-CNN略微不同的快速R-CNN。例如，R-CNN首先应用卷积神经网络(“CNN”)，然后将其分配给covn5特性图上的区域 推荐，而不是初始地分割为区域推荐。另外，根据示例性实施方式，标准CNN可用于获得、识别或检测与一个或多个图像内的一个或多个对象或区域有关的任何其他定性或定量数据。另外，可以使用K均值算法。
根据另一些实施方式，图像识别过程可以使用任意其他合适的神经网络过程，同时保持在本发明的范围内。例如，分析一个或多个图像的步骤可以包括使用深度信念网络(“DBN”)图像识别过程。DBN图像识别过程通常可以包括堆叠许多单独的无监督网络，这些网络使用各个网络的隐藏层作为下一层的输入。根据另一些实施方式，分析一个或多个图像的步骤可以包括实施深度神经网络(“DNN”)图像识别过程，其通常包括使用在输入与输出之间具有多个层的神经网络(由生物神经网络启示的计算系统)。可以使用其他合适的图像识别过程、神经网络过程、人工智能分析技术以及上述或其他已知方法的组合，同时保持在本发明的范围内。
另外，应当理解，可以使用各种传送技术，但是不需要使用这样的技术。如果使用传送技术学习，则可以利用公共数据集来预训练神经网络架构，诸如VGG16/VGG19/ResNet50，然后可以利用电器特定数据集来重新训练最后一层。另外或可选地，图像识别过程可包括基于初始条件的比较而检测某些条件，可依赖于图像减影技术、图像堆叠技术、图像拼接等。例如，减影图像可以用于训练具有多个类别的神经网络，以用于将来的比较和图像分类。
应当理解，机器学习图像识别模型可以由电器利用新图像主动训练，可以被提供有来自制造商或来自另一远程源的训练数据，或者可以以任何其它合适的方式训练。例如，根据示例性实施方式，该图像识别过程至少部分地依赖于神经网络，该神经网络利用不同配置的电器的多个图像训练、经历不同条件或以不同方式交互。该训练数据可以本地或远程地存储，并且可以被传送到远程服务器以用于训练其他电器和模型。根据示例性实施方式，应当理解，机器学习模型可以包括监督和/或无监督模型和方法。在这点上，例如，监督机器学习方法(例如，诸如目标机器学习)可以帮助识别问题、异常或已经被识别并训练到模型中的其他事件。相反，无监督机器学习方法可以用于检测潜在故障的聚类、数据之间的相似性、事件模式、现象的异常集中等。
应当理解，图像处理和机器学习图像识别过程可以一起使用，以便于改进的图像分析、对象检测，或者从一个或多个图像中提取可以用于改进电器的运行或性能的其他有用的定性或定量数据或信息。实际上，本文描述的方法可以可互换地使用这些技术中的任何或全部来改进图像分析过程并且促进改进的电器性能和消费者满意度。本文描述的图像处理算法和机器学习图像识别过程仅是示例性的，并且不旨在以任何方式限制本发明的范围。
另外或可选地，控制器166可以被配置为从多个运动传感器254接收数据。在一些实施方式中，来自诸如飞行时间传感器254的多个运动传感器254的数据可以被控制器166用于根据从多 个运动传感器254接收的数据生成内室122的位置网格。位置网格可以示出或描述层架组件200的层架136、放置在层架组件200的层架136上的物品206的相对位置、或接近层架136的物品206的相对位置、接近度或尺寸。运动传感器254的位置网格的这种分析可以遵循与如前所述或以其他方式理解的相机252的图像的分析类似的分析。
在步骤420，方法400包括至少部分地基于物品206和层架136的接近度来检测层架移动事件。通常，层架移动事件可以是指示层架移动可能是期望的以便于物品储存或改善内室122内的气流的条件、事件或事件。现在将描述各种层架移动事件，包括检测流动限制和检测越过门口148进入内室122的物品206。
层架移动事件可以是检测层架组件200中的层架136上方或下方的流动限制。通常，流动限制可以被检测为在物品206和与物品206相邻、在物品206上方或靠近物品206的层架136之间的空间的缺少。例如，控制器166可以测量物品顶部214与其正上方的层架136(诸如图3中的物品206T的物品顶部214A与高层架136A)之间的距离DA。距离DA可以是物品顶部214A与高层架136A之间的测量距离。在一些实施方式中，当控制器166确定距离DA小于预设距离时，检测到层架移动事件。
在一些实施方式中，可以计算多个物品206与多个层架136之间的距离，并且如果所计算的至少一个距离之间的差小于预设值，则检测到层架移动事件。
在一些实施方式中，方法400还包括，在步骤420，检测物品206与在竖向V上在物品206正上方的上层架136之间的距离DA。例如，控制器166可以从对象检测系统224接收数据并对其进行分析以检测物品206与层架136之间的距离。进一步地，方法400在步骤420包括计算各个内室122与层架组件200中在各个物品206正上方的各个接近层架136之间的最小距离，并且自动调节上层架136在内室122内的位置，以将物品206与上层架136之间的距离调节为至少均匀的最小距离。
另外或可选地，控制器166可以被配置为找到放置在层架组件200的各个层架136上的最高物品206T，并且计算最高物品206T与用于各个识别的物品206的层架136或内室顶面板146之间的距离。换言之，控制器166可以被配置为测量物品206T的高度。如果确定不同的距离彼此不同，则这也可以是检测到流动限制的层架移动事件。该计算可以在每次门体关闭时执行，或者在每次检测到物品206越过门口148进入或离开内室122并且门体128关闭时执行。
在一些实施方式中，方法400在步骤420还包括检测物品206与在竖向上在物品206正上方的上层架136之间的距离。例如，控制器166可以从对象检测系统224接收数据并且对其进行分析以检测物品206与层架136之间的距离。进一步地，方法400在步骤420包括计算各个内室 122与层架组件200中在各个物品206正上方的各个接近层架136之间的最小距离，并且自动调节上层架136在内室122内的位置，以将物品206与高层架136A之间的距离DA调节为至少均匀的最小距离。
层架移动事件可以是检测到物品206越过门口148进入内室122。例如，当用户去将物品206放入制冷电器100中时，物品206越过门口148进入内室122。控制器166可以被配置为检测越过门口148进入内室122中的物品206。控制器166还可以被配置为通过分析从对象检测系统224接收的数据来检测内室122的门口148中的物品206。例如，对象检测系统224可以定期或者当图像被检测为改变(例如，由于内室122内的移动)时发送用于分析的数据。控制器166接收该数据，对其进行分析，并且在分析中检测到在内室122的门口148中的物品206。例如，控制器166能够检测到越过门口148进入内室122中的物品206。来自相机252的图像或来自运动传感器254(例如，飞行时间传感器254)的红外数据可以由控制器166接收并且被使用或分析以检测门口148中的物品206。
在一些实施方式中，方法400可以包括测量被检测到越过门口148的物品206的高度。例如，控制器166可以被配置为从对象检测系统224(如本文所述包括从至少一个相机252或至少一个运动传感器254)接收数据，分析该数据以检测越过门口148的物品206，检测物品206的竖向边缘(物品206的顶部和底部)，并根据所接收的数据测量物品206的高度(例如，在竖向V上)。
在一些实施方式中，方法400可以包括测量被检测为越过门口148进入内室122中的物品206的竖向尺寸、侧向尺寸和横向尺寸。例如，控制器166可以被配置为从对象检测系统224(如本文所述，包括从至少一个相机252或至少一个运动传感器254)接收数据，分析该数据以检测越过门口148的物品206，检测物品206的边缘或侧面，并且使用数据来测量物品206的竖向尺寸、侧向尺寸和横向尺寸。
另外或可选地，方法400可包括识别具有大至足以在侧向尺寸和横向尺寸上容纳物品206的开放区域的至少一个层架136。例如，控制器166可识别具有大至足以在侧向和横向上容纳物品206的开放区域的至少一个层架136。控制器166可以使用从对象检测系统224接收的数据来识别至少一个层架136。当进行识别时，开放区域可以是层架136的一部分，该部分是空的或没有物品206。侧向尺寸和横向尺寸可用于确定层架136是否具有足够大的用于物品206的开放区域，并且如果认为合适，竖向尺寸可通过层架136的移动来解决。如本文所用的，侧向尺寸可为侧向L上的测量值，竖向尺寸可为竖向V上的测量值，并且横向尺寸可为横向T上的测量值。
层架移动事件可以是接收到物品即将被放置在制冷电器100中的信息。例如，控制器166可以接收用户购买待放置在制冷电器100的内室122中的至少一个物品的通知。该通知可以包括 用户在商店购买的、用户打算放置在制冷电器100中的至少一个物品的尺寸或大致尺寸。控制器还可以被配置为移动层架组件200的至少一个层架136以使内室122中的层架构造适应用户打算放置在制冷电器100中的至少一个物品。控制器166可以通过远程用户装置或通过网络由远程服务器接收通知。至少一个层架136的移动可以在至少一个物品越过门口148之前进行。有利地，当用户在其从杂货店回家的途中时，层架组件中的层架可以移动以容纳杂货，这可以允许用户节省放好来自商店的物品的时间。
在一些实施方式中，方法400还可包括启动附接到层架136的灯204，该层架被识别为具有大至足以在侧向尺寸和横向尺寸上容纳物品206的开放区域，灯204的启动可指示所检测到的物品206的优选位置。控制器166可以被配置为启动在被识别的层架136上的灯204，以视觉地通知用户物品206将最好地放置在冰箱内的什么位置。
在步骤430，方法400可包括操作驱动机构202移动层架136以调节层架136上方或下方的空间。这可以响应于层架移动事件来完成。例如，控制器166可以被配置为操作驱动机构202在竖向上移动层架136以调节层架136在冰箱100的内室122内的位置。
在一些示例中，诸如当层架移动事件检测到流动限制时，方法400在步骤430可包括响应于流动限制操作驱动机构202移动层架136以在层架136上方或下方生成更多空间。一旦确定了流动限制，控制器166可以移动层架组件200中的一个或多个层架136，以生成层架136与放置在内室122中的物品206之间的最小距离(例如，在竖向V上在物品206与在物品206正上方的层架136之间的最小距离)或者生成内室122中的物品206与层架组件200的层架136之间的类似距离。该类似距离可以是由控制器166使用来自对象检测系统224的数据计算的距离的平均值。有利地，通过确保内室122内物品206周围在竖向V上的类似或最小距离，可以改善制冷电器100内的气流。进一步地，这可以提供一种在内室122中没有多个温度传感器或者没有测量整个内室122的气流的情况下改善气流的方式。
在一些实施方式中，诸如当层架移动事件是物品206越过门口148进入内室122中时，方法还包括调节层架136的高度以在层架136上方提供超过检测到的物品206的高度的空隙。在一些实施方式中，高层架136A可被识别为具有开放区域220，并且可沿竖向V移动以提供超过被检测为越过门口148的物品206的高度的空隙。
方法400还可以包括调节层架136的高度(如图3中的箭头208和210所示)以增加开放区域的竖向尺寸，使其超过所检测的物品206的竖向尺寸。换言之，一旦检测到物品206并且识别出最适合于物品206的层架136，控制器166就可以被配置为移动层架组件200中的至少一个层架136，以产生空隙或增加被识别用于物品206的开放区域，使其超过检测到的物品206的竖向 尺寸。然后，移动物品206越过门口148的用户可以将物品206放置在识别的层架136上。
在一些实施方式中，方法400包括启动被识别的层架136上的灯204以指示所检测的物品206的优选位置。由此，可以容易地通知用户为越过门口148的物品206产生的所识别的优选位置。另外或可选地，方法可以包括在层架136通过驱动机构202的移动期间启动灯204。换言之，由驱动机构202移动的层架136可以在层架136的移动期间由灯204照明。这可以用作信息和安全系统，警告用户层架136在移动。
在一些实施方式中，控制器166可以响应于接收到移动层架136的用户输入而进一步移动层架组件200中的至少一个层架136。例如，冰箱100可以包括层架移动控制器(未示出)，用于用户将层架136的移动引导至期望的构造。
本文所述的实施方式可以包括冰箱中的布置，其中，可以在门体的内部或内室的壁中采用多个相机和/或多个飞行时间传感器，以确定冰箱内的层架组件的各个层架下方的最小间隙。该系统可以基于来自传感器的输入自动地竖直移动或调节层架，以优化气流并提高对所有物品的可接近性。在一些实施方式中，当与相机系统配对时，当用户将特别高的物品移动到门口中以便观察时，层架可以移动以接受该特别高的物品。传感器提供反馈以避免当手动调节时层架与层架上的物品的高度相反地移动。控制器可以包括识别层架边缘(例如，前层架边缘和/或侧层架边缘)的算法。当观察到商品或物品在有或没有提示的情况下靠近门口时，可以开始调节层架。进一步地，物品的竖向尺寸还可以例如通过远程网络连接到杂货店购买，并且控制器可以在通知用户在杂货店购买物品时(例如，当用户在其从杂货店回家的途中时)移动层架。可以使用层架或背光来照亮在移动或将要移动的层架，或者突出显示高物品将最适合的位置。相机或飞行时间(ToF)传感器检测门口中的物品的最大尺寸、各个层架的位置以及各个层架下方的相应间隙。如果物品太高而不能装入移动前的层架构造中，则可以相应地移动层架以为物品做好准备。由此，可以在冰箱内进行大物品的容纳，而用户不必手动调节层架组件的层架。
本书面描述使用示例对本发明进行了公开(其中包括最佳实施例)，并且还使本领域技术人员能够实施本发明(其中包括制造和使用任意装置或系统并且执行所包含的任意方法)。本发明的可专利范围通过权利要求进行限定，并且可以包括本领域技术人员能够想到的其它的示例。如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有区别的结构元件，或者如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有实质区别的等同结构元件，则期望这种其它的示例落入权利要求的范围中。

Claims (15)

  1. 一种层架组件，配置为位于家用电器的内室内，其特征在于，所述家用电器具有侧向、竖向和横向，所述层架组件包括：
    层架；
    驱动机构，所述驱动机构被配置为至少在所述竖向上移动所述层架；
    对象检测系统，该对象检测系统被配置为检测放置为与所述层架组件的所述层架相邻的物品；以及
    控制器，该控制器与所述层架组件和所述对象检测系统可操作地通信，所述控制器被配置为：
    使用所述对象检测系统确定所述物品和所述层架的接近度；
    至少部分地基于所述物品和所述层架的所述接近度检测层架移动事件；以及
    响应于所述层架移动事件操作所述驱动机构移动所述层架以调节所述层架上方或下方的空间。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述对象检测系统还包括多个运动传感器，并且其中，所述控制器还被配置为：
    从所述多个运动传感器接收数据；以及
    根据从所述多个运动传感器接收的所述数据生成所述内室的位置网格。
  3. 根据权利要求1所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述对象检测系统还包括至少一个相机，并且其中，所述控制器还被配置为：
    从所述至少一个相机接收至少一个图像；以及
    从接收自所述至少一个相机的所述至少一个图像识别所述内室中的至少一个物品。
  4. 根据权利要求1所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述层架移动事件是检测到所述层架组件中的所述层架上方或下方的流动限制，所述响应于层架移动事件操作驱动机构移动层架以调节层架上方或下方的空间具体为响应于所述流动限制操作所述驱动机构移动所述层架以在所述层架上方或下方生成更多空间。
  5. 根据权利要求1所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述对象检测系统还被配置为检测越过所述门口进入所述内室中的物品，并且其中，所述层架移动事件是所述物品越过所述门口进入所述内室中。
  6. 根据权利要求5所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述控制器还被配置为通过分析从所述对象检测系统接收的数据来检测所述内室中的所述物品。
  7. 根据权利要求5所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述对象检测系统还包括至少一个飞行 时间传感器，所述控制器还被配置为通过使用由所述至少一个飞行时间传感器接收的数据来检测所述门口中的所述物品。
  8. 根据权利要求5所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述控制器还被配置为测量被检测为越过所述门口的所述物品的高度，并且调节所述层架的高度以在所述层架上方提供超过检测到的所述物品的所述高度的空隙。
  9. 根据权利要求8所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述控制器还被配置为：
    测量被检测为越过所述门口进入所述内室的所述物品的竖向尺寸、侧向尺寸和横向尺寸；
    识别具有大至足以在所述侧向尺寸和所述横向尺寸上容纳所述物品的开放区域的至少一个层架；以及
    调节所述层架的所述高度以增加所述开放区域的竖向尺寸，使其超过所检测的所述物品的所述竖向尺寸。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述层架组件还包括附接至所述层架的至少一个灯，并且其中，所述控制器还被配置为启动所述灯以指示所检测到的所述物品的优选位置。
  11. 根据权利要求1所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述层架组件还包括附接至所述层架的至少一个灯，并且其中，所述控制器被配置为在所述层架通过所述驱动机构移动期间启动所述灯。
  12. 根据权利要求1所述的层架组件，其特征在于，所述控制器还被配置为：
    检测所述物品与在所述竖向上在所述物品正上方的上层架之间的距离；
    计算在所述内室中的各个物品与在各个物品正上方的所述层架组件中的各个接近层架之间的均匀最小距离；以及
    自动地调节所述上层架在所述内室内的位置，以将所述物品与所述上层架之间的所述距离调节为至少所述均匀最小距离。
  13. 一种冰箱，具有侧向、竖向以及横向，其特征在于，所述冰箱包括：
    箱体，该箱体限定内室和进入所述内室的门口；
    门体，该门体允许选择性地进入所述内室；
    以及如权利要求1至12任一项所述的层架组件，所述层架组件位于所述内室内。
  14. 一种用于冰箱的层架组件设置方法，其特征在于，所述冰箱具有层架组件和对象检测系统，并且被配置为在所述层架组件上容纳物品，所述层架组件具有层架和驱动机构，所述层架组件设置方法包括以下步骤：
    使用所述对象检测系统确定所述物品和所述层架的接近度；
    至少部分地基于所述物品和所述层架的所述接近度检测层架移动事件；以及
    响应于所述层架移动事件操作所述驱动机构移动所述层架以在所述层架上方或下方生成更多空间。
  15. 根据权利要求14所述的层架组件设置方法，其特征在于，还包括：启动位于所述层架上的灯以指示所述物品的优选位置。
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