HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH CAMERA MODULE, METHOD FOR RELEASING AN INTERMEDIATE WALL AND METHOD FOR FASTENING A CAMERA MODULE TO AN INTERNAL WALL

Abstract

A household appliance, in particular a refrigerator, includes a storage compartment defined by an internal wall having a loading opening being closable by at least one door. A camera module is disposed on a ceiling of the internal wall. A particularly simple assembly and disassembly of camera modules in a household appliance is provided. A compact arrangement of camera modules in a household appliance is also provided. Images which are particularly well-suited for identifying items to be stored that are deposited in the household appliance, are to be recorded by the camera modules. A method for releasing an intermediate wall and a method for fastening a camera module to an internal wall are also provided.

Claims

1. A household appliance or refrigerator, comprising: an internal wall having a ceiling; a storage compartment defined by said internal wall, said storage compartment having a loading opening; at least one door configured to close said loading opening; and at least two camera modules disposed directly one behind another on said ceiling, as seen in a front view onto the household appliance.

2. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least two camera modules are located in a vertical plane perpendicular to said loading opening to place said at least two camera modules directly one behind another.

3. The household appliance according to claim 2, wherein said at least two camera modules have optical axes located in said vertical plane in which said at least two camera modules are disposed.

4. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least two camera modules include first and second camera modules each having an optical axis, and said optical axis of said first camera module encloses a smaller angle relative to the horizontal than said optical axis of said second camera module.

5. The household appliance according to claim 4, which further comprises: at least one extendable drawer configured to be accommodated in said storage compartment; said first camera module having a field of view encompassing said loading opening; and said second camera module having a field of view encompassing said at least one extendable drawer in an open state.

6. The household appliance according to claim 4, wherein said optical axis of said second camera module is oriented vertically downwardly.

7. The household appliance according to claim 4, wherein said first camera module is disposed behind said second camera module.

8. The household appliance according to claim 6, wherein said second camera module is incorporated into said ceiling and is parallel to said ceiling, and said first camera module protrudes downwardly from said ceiling.

9. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least two camera modules are disposed centrally relative to said storage compartment, as seen in the front view onto the household appliance.

10. The household appliance according to claim 1, which further comprises: an internal container having a ceiling; said ceiling of said internal wall at least in some regions forming an intermediate wall having a side facing said storage compartment, said intermediate wall being spaced apart from said ceiling of said internal container; said intermediate wall being removable or pivotable into said storage compartment; and said at least two camera modules being disposed on said intermediate wall.

11. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least two camera modules each have a module housing and a camera sensor attached to said module housing, said module housings each have at least one latching element, and said module housings are disposed on said ceiling of said internal wall by a snap connection using said at least one latching element.

12. A household appliance or refrigerator, comprising: an internal wall having a ceiling; a storage compartment defined by said internal wall, said storage compartment having a loading opening; at least one door configured to close said loading opening; at least one functional unit disposed on said ceiling of said internal wall; an internal container having a ceiling; said ceiling of said internal wall at least in some regions forming an intermediate wall having a side facing said storage compartment, said intermediate wall being spaced apart from said ceiling of said internal container; and said intermediate wall being removable.

13. The household appliance according to claim 12, wherein said at least one functional unit is disposed on said intermediate wall.

14. The household appliance according to claim 12, wherein said intermediate wall has a front edge, and said intermediate wall is pivotable into said storage compartment or is pivotable about said front edge into said storage compartment.

15. The household appliance according to claim 13, wherein said intermediate wall has a front edge, a rear edge, at least one tab on said front edge for fastening said intermediate wall and at least one releasable fastening element on said rear edge for fastening said intermediate wall.

16. The household appliance according to claim 14, wherein: said intermediate wall and said ceiling of said internal container form one respective partial region of said ceiling of said internal wall; said ceiling of said internal container is disposed in front of said front edge of said intermediate wall; and said intermediate wall has at least one tab on said front edge and said intermediate wall is configured to be fastened on said front edge to said ceiling of said internal container by using said at least one tab.

17. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein said ceiling of said internal container extends over an oblique step from a partial region disposed above said intermediate wall to a partial region disposed in front of said intermediate wall, and at least one recess is formed in said oblique step for receiving said at least one tab of said front edge of said intermediate wall.

18. The household appliance according to claim 16, wherein said ceiling of said internal container has an oblique step with a shape, said front edge of said intermediate wall is an oblique bent-up edge from which said at least one tab is bent out, and said front edge is shaped according to said shape of said oblique step.

19. The household appliance according to claim 16, wherein said ceiling of said internal container has an oblique step with a side facing away from said storage compartment, adapter pieces are each positioned over a respective recess on said side of said oblique step facing away from said storage compartment, and said at least one tab includes a plurality of tabs each inserted into a respective one of said adapter pieces.

20. The household appliance according to claim 14, wherein said intermediate wall has a rear edge, and at least one releasable fastening element is configured to fasten said rear edge of said intermediate wall to said ceiling of said internal container.

21. The household appliance according to claim 20, wherein said at least one releasable fastening element is a screw, a screw hole adapter providing a screw hole for said at least one releasable screw is attached to said ceiling of said internal container, protruding in a direction of said intermediate wall, and said screw hole adapter is configured as a spacer between said intermediate wall and said ceiling of said internal container.

22. The household appliance according to claim 21, wherein said intermediate wall has a projection protruding in a direction of said storage compartment in a region of said rear edge in front of a position provided for said at least one releasable fastening element.

23. The household appliance according to claim 22, wherein said at least one functional unit is disposed on said intermediate wall, and said at least one functional unit is at least one light source attached behind said projection.

24. The household appliance according to claim 12, wherein said at least one functional unit is disposed on said intermediate wall, and said at least one functional unit is a camera module.

25. The household appliance according to claim 24, wherein said at least one camera module has a module housing and a camera sensor disposed on said module housing, said module housing has at least one latching element, and said module housing is disposed on said intermediate wall by using said at least one latching element.

26. A method for releasing an intermediate wall of a household appliance or refrigerator, the method comprising: providing an intermediate wall having a front edge, a rear edge, at least one tab located on the front edge, and at least one releasable fastening element located in a region of the rear edge; providing an internal container having a ceiling with a recess formed therein; releasing the at least one releasable fastening element; lowering the intermediate wall on the rear edge; and moving the at least one tab out of the recess.

27. A household appliance or household refrigerator, comprising: an internal wall; a storage compartment defined by said internal wall, said storage compartment having a loading opening; at least one door configured to close said loading opening; at least one camera module disposed on said internal wall; said at least one camera module having a module housing and a camera sensor located on said module housing; and said module housing having at least one snap element locking said module housing on said internal wall.

28. The household appliance according to claim 27, wherein said module housing is latched to said internal wall.

29. The household appliance according to claim 27, wherein said internal wall has a side facing away from said storage compartment, a backing piece is disposed on said side of said internal wall, and said module housing is latched to said backing piece.

30. The household appliance according to claim 27, wherein said module housing has a rear face with at least one laterally protruding projection and an opposing point with at least one flexible snap hook with a snap lug protruding in a direction opposite to said at least one laterally protruding projection.

31. The household appliance according to claim 29, wherein said snap lug is accessible from a side of the household appliance for non-destructive unlocking.

32. The household appliance according to claim 30, wherein said module housing protrudes into said storage compartment, said snap hook represents an extension of said module housing on a side facing away from said storage compartment, and said module housing is compressible on a region protruding into said storage compartment to permit said snap hook to be moved sufficiently far to be unlocked.

33. The household appliance according to claim 27, wherein said internal wall has a ceiling, and said at least one camera module is disposed on said ceiling of said internal wall.

34. The household appliance according to claim 33, wherein: said at least one camera module includes: a first camera module protruding into said storage compartment, said camera sensor of said first camera module having an optical axis oriented obliquely toward a front of the household appliance, and a second camera module terminating at least approximately flush-mounted with said ceiling of said internal wall, said camera sensor of said second camera module having an at least approximately downwardly oriented optical axis; and said first and second camera modules are disposed on said ceiling of said internal wall.

35. The household appliance according to claim 33, which further comprises an internal container having a ceiling, said ceiling of said internal wall at least in some regions forming an intermediate wall having a side facing said storage compartment, said intermediate wall being spaced apart from said ceiling of said internal container, and said intermediate wall being a movable intermediate wall.

36. The household appliance according to claim 34, wherein said intermediate wall is pivotable into said storage compartment.

37. The household appliance according to claim 27, which further comprises a camera printed circuit board with a camera sensor and a communication printed circuit board with a cable plug connector being disposed one above another in said module housing.

38. The household appliance according to claim 37, which further comprises a flexible conductor film for data and signal transmission and power supply, said flexible conductor film connecting said communication printed circuit board to said camera printed circuit board.

39. The household appliance according to claim 37, wherein said module housing has an attachment and is configured in multiple pieces, said communication printed circuit board is held by a first fastening structure on said module housing, and said camera printed circuit board is held by a second fastening structure on an attachment of said module housing.

40. The household appliance according to claim 37, wherein said module housing has a bottom plate and is configured in one piece, said camera printed circuit board is held by a fastening structure protruding from said bottom plate of said module housing, and said communication printed circuit board is held by a clamp for said cable plug connector on said module housing.

41. A method for fastening at least one camera module to an internal wall of a household appliance defining a storage compartment, the method comprising: positioning a module housing to protrude from the storage compartment in an oblique position on a side of the internal wall facing away from the storage compartment or on a backing piece; and then locking the module housing by pivoting the module housing into an upright position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0131] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view from the front of a household appliance, in particular a refrigerator;

[0132] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of a detail of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

[0133] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the view of FIG. 2 with additional components:

[0134] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of a detail of an intermediate wall of a ceiling of a storage compartment of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 with a backing piece and a first camera module;

[0135] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of the first camera module in an exploded view;

[0136] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first camera module in a further exploded view;

[0137] FIG. 7 is a side-sectional view of the first camera module in an oblique position adopted for assembly;

[0138] FIG. 8 is a side-sectional view of the first camera module in its assembled state;

[0139] FIG. 9 is a perspective view from above of a detail of the intermediate wall of the ceiling of the storage compartment of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 with two backing pieces and assembled camera modules;

[0140] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of a detail of the intermediate wall of the ceiling of the storage compartment of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 with two backing pieces and a first camera module partially installed or uninstalled;

[0141] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from below of a detail of the intermediate wall of the ceiling of the storage compartment of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 with two assembled camera modules;

[0142] FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 of a detail of the intermediate wall of the ceiling of the storage compartment with a second camera module and the backing piece thereof;

[0143] FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 of the second camera module in an exploded view;

[0144] FIG. 14 is a perspective view from above of a camera housing of the second camera module;

[0145] FIG. 15 is a side-sectional view of the second camera module in an oblique position adopted for assembly;

[0146] FIG. 16 is a side-sectional view of the second camera module in its assembled state;

[0147] FIG. 17 is a side-perspective view of a detail of the camera module of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

[0148] FIG. 18 is a perspective and sectional view of an enlarged detail of the storage compartment ceiling in the region of a front edge;

[0149] FIG. 19 is a perspective and sectional view of an enlarged detail of the storage compartment ceiling in the region of a rear edge;

[0150] FIG. 20 is a front-perspective view of an internal wall of a refrigerator, with two camera modules being disposed directly one behind the other on the ceiling thereof in a front view;

[0151] FIG. 21 is a bottom-perspective view of a detail of a storage compartment ceiling according to a further possible exemplary embodiment with an attachment for the camera modules; and

[0152] FIG. 22 is a top-perspective view showing the attachment of FIG. 21 with the camera modules disposed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0153] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a perspective view from the front of a household appliance 1, in particular a refrigerator K. The refrigerator K also includes refrigerated drawers S with special refrigeration functions, for example ice box, freezer compartment, etc. The refrigerator K and the refrigerated drawers S thereof are surrounded by an external housing, which is concealed in the drawing by surrounding furniture or cabinetry 60.

[0154] The refrigerator K has a storage compartment 3 which can be loaded with items to be stored through a front-side loading opening 2. The loading opening 2 is closable by at least one door 4. For example, one or more shelves 5 can be located in the storage compartment 3. The two door leaves or doors 4 are present in a French door arrangement in which they close the same storage compartment 3 and are attached to opposing sides of an external housing 49.

[0155] The storage compartment 3 is defined by an internal wall 6 of which (in a view through the loading opening 2) a left-hand side wall 7, a right-hand side wall 8, a rear wall 9, and a ceiling (storage compartment ceiling) 10 are shown here. A bottom of the internal wall 6 is concealed by two drawers 53, shown extended here, in particular including at least one VitaFresh drawer. The internal wall 6 or the components 6 to 10 thereof can be formed of metal, plastic or a combination thereof (for example a plastic-coated sheet metal).

[0156] FIG. 2 shows in a perspective view from above a detail of the refrigerator K which is shown without the external housing 49.

[0157] The left-hand side wall 7, the right-hand side wall 8, the rear wall 9 and the bottom (not illustrated) of the internal wall 6 represent sides of a common internal container 6-9, 37, while this relates only partially to the storage compartment ceiling 10. The internal container 6-9, 37 is enclosed by the external housing 49 and the intermediate space between the internal container 6-9, 37 and the external housing 49 is preferably filled with heat insulating material (not illustrated), for example insulating foam.

[0158] In the intermediate wall 38 twoin particular identicalrecesses 11 and 12 are also present, the recess 11 thereof being disposed behind the recess 12 in a front view and thus also being removed further away from the loading opening 2. The recesses 11 and 12 both have a rectangular basic shape with rounded corners.

[0159] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the refrigerator K in a view similar to FIG. 2, wherein a lower backing piece 13 and a higher backing piece 14 are positioned on edge regions of the (rear) side of the intermediate wall 38 facing away from the storage compartment which surround the recesses 11 and 12. The backing pieces 13 and 14 are provided to arrange and to fix a first camera module 15 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) or a second camera module 16 (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) on the intermediate wall 38. The backing pieces 13, 14 in each case bear with a bearing edge 32 against the rear face of the intermediate wall 38. The backing pieces can be fastened, for example, by double-sided adhesive tape to the intermediate wall 38.

[0160] FIG. 4 shows in a perspective view from above a detail of the intermediate wall 38 with the backing piece 13 assigned to the recess 11 and the first camera module 15, not yet assembled, which is shown located below the intermediate wall 38.

[0161] FIG. 5 shows in a perspective view from above the camera module 15 in an exploded view. The camera module 15 is provided to protrude substantially into the storage compartment 3 and to permit the recording of items to be stored which are deposited in the inner face(s) of the door(s) 4.

[0162] The camera module 15 can have by way of example the following components: a cup-shaped module housing 17 with two open sides 18 and 19, namely an open front face 18 facing in the direction of the loading opening 2 and an open upper face 19 to be positioned on the recess 11.

[0163] An attachment 20, into which a light guide element 21 can be inserted on the housing side, can be clipped, positioned, snapped and/or bonded to the open front face 18. The light guide element 21 can, for example, be an injection-molded part formed of transparent plastic and, for example, form an optical lens which is inserted into an opening of the attachment 20. Alternatively, the attachment 20 and the light guide element 21 are manufactured in one piece by using a two-component plastic injection-molding method.

[0164] A demisting film 22 can be provided on the front face of the attachment 20 on the storage compartment side.

[0165] A camera printed circuit board 23 which has a camera sensor 23a (for example a CCD sensor), an electronics module, optionally an optical system 23b disposed upstream of the camera sensor 23a, optionally a flash light and optionally further functional units, can be inserted into the module housing 17. The camera printed circuit board 23 can be fixed in the module housing 17, for example by latching, inserting and/or bonding.

[0166] The camera printed circuit board 23 is connected via a flexible printed circuit board or flexible conductor film (FPC; flexible printed circuit) 24 (see FIG. 13) for data and signal transmission and power supply to a printed circuit board (communication or connecting printed circuit board) 25 which bears electronic components in order to connect the camera printed circuit board 23 to a central processor of the refrigerator K for supplying data, signals and power, for example via a corresponding cable such as a USB cable, a FPD link III-compatible twisted pair cable or coaxial cable, etc. The communication or connecting printed circuit board 25 has a cable plug connector 26 for the cable connection.

[0167] On the rear side, a latching hook 28 with a snap lug 29 protruding outwardly to the side (in a plan view) protrudes on a rear edge 27 of the module housing 17 which surrounds the open upper face 19. Two projections 30 protruding to the side in the opposing direction relative to the latching hook 28 are located on the opposing edge portion. While the edge 27 can be inserted in a well-fitting manner into the recess 11 and thus bears against the edge of the recess 11, the snap lug 29 and the projections 30 with the inserted module housing 17 protrude to the side over the recess 11 and engage therebehind.

[0168] A fastening structure 31 also stands vertically from the module housing 17 through the open upper face 19 to which the communication or connecting printed circuit board 25 can be fastened, in particular can be latched.

[0169] The assembly of the camera module 15 can take place, in particular, without the use of tools, for example as follows:

[0170] Initially the attachment 20 is placed on the module housing 17 so that the attachment 20 covers the open front face. Snap tabs of the attachment 20 engage in hooks of the module housing 17. The light guide element 21 can be already injection-molded into the attachment 20, for example by using a two-component injection-molding method. The camera printed circuit board 23 is already connected via the flexible conductor film 24 to the communication or connecting printed circuit board 25. The camera printed circuit board 23 is firstly assembled in a holder on the attachment provided therefor. Then the communication or connecting printed circuit board 25 is clipped onto the fastening structure 31 of the module housing 17.

[0171] FIG. 6 shows in a further exploded view the camera module 15. The camera module 15 has the module housing 17 with the fastening structure 31 which stands vertically through the open upper face 19 thereof. The fastening structure 31 is integrally formed with the module housing 17. The communication printed circuit board 25, not shown therein, can be anchored to the fastening structure 31 of the module housing 17. The fastening structure 31 has a plurality of holding arms 311, protruding from the open upper face 19, latching lugs 312 oriented inwardly to the side being provided on the free ends thereof. A plurality of abutments 313 are present with a support surface disposed at the free end, on which the communication printed circuit board 25, not shown here, is also positioned in the assembled state. The support surface of the abutments 313 is located lower than the latching lugs 312. The abutment 313 in the embodiment is configured as an elongated rib which runs parallel and offset to the holding arms 311. In the embodiment, a total of four abutments 313, which are provided in the lateral corner regions of the module housing 17, are provided. For assembly, the communication printed circuit board 23 is pushed into the fastening structure 31 of the module housing 17, whereby the latching lugs 312 are forced to the side. If the communication printed circuit board 25 is positioned on the abutments 313, the latching lugs 312 snap back and encompass the communication printed circuit board 2 so that the latching lugs 312 hold the communication printed circuit board 25 on the support surfaces of the abutments 313 and hold it fixedly in position.

[0172] A further fastening structure 31, which holds the camera printed circuit board 23 is also present in FIG. 6 on the attachment 20. The further fastening structure 31 has holding arms 311, latching lugs 312 also being provided on the free ends thereof. Abutments 313 are provided with the holding arms 311, the abutments having a support surface on the free end which is lower than the latching hooks 312. A total of four abutments 313 which are disposed in each case in the corner regions of the attachment 20 are provided. The further fastening structure 31 in this case is integrally formed with the attachment 20. During assembly, the camera printed circuit board 23 is pushed into the further fastening structure 31, wherein the holding arms 311 or latching hooks 312 are displaced thereby and pushed onto the bearing surfaces of the abutments 313. The camera printed circuit board 23 in the assembled state is laterally encompassed by the latching hooks 312 and held in position by the abutments 313. Closed eyes 316 are also provided on the edge region of the attachment 20, which are engaged with latching elements 314, in particular hook-shaped latching projections, in the interior of the module housing 17 when the attachment 20 is fastened to the module housing 17. In the assembled state of the camera module, the attachment 20 is locked via the eyes 316 and latching elements 314. The latching projections 314 are disposed in the view in planar recesses 315 in the interior of the module housing 17.

[0173] FIG. 7 shows as a sectional drawing in side view the first camera module 15 in an oblique position adopted for assembly on the intermediate wall 38, relative to the normal vector of the recess 11. The module housing 17 has been placed or positioned on the bearing edge 32 of the backing piece 13 with its laterally protruding projections 30 on the rear-side or rear edge 27.

[0174] FIG. 8 shows as a sectional drawing in side view the first camera module 15 in its assembled state. The module housing 17 starting from the oblique position shown in FIG. 7 has been pivoted about the bearing points of the projections 30 with the bearing edge 32, i.e. clockwise in the view shown, as indicated by the curved arrow illustrated in FIG. 7. The snap lug 29 is latched behind the bearing edge 32. The housing 17 achieves a fixed position via the lugs attached to the fastening structure 31, and the backing piece 13 serves as a stop here.

[0175] FIG. 9 shows in a perspective view from above a detail of the intermediate wall 38 of the storage compartment ceiling 10 with the two backing pieces 13 and 14 and camera modules 15 or 16 received therein by assembly. The arrangement of the first camera module 15 corresponds to the arrangement shown in FIG. 8. The snap lugs 29 of both camera modules 15, 16 are exposed.

[0176] As soon as the camera modules 15, 16 are fully installed as shown, suitable cables (not illustrated) can be inserted in the exposed cable plug connectors 26, here: a coaxial cable plug connector, in order to connect the camera modules 15, 16 to a central control device of the refrigerator K. The cable plug connectors 26 are configured here, for example, as HFM (high speed FAKRA mini) plug connectors, in particular bushes. The cable plug connectors 26 of the camera modules 15, 16 can have a variable coding in order to prevent confusion of the cables to be inserted. The cables to be inserted can also be variable in terms of length and/or differ in terms of color, also in order to prevent incorrect insertion.

[0177] As indicated by way of example for the first camera module 15, if a force F is exerted on the snap lug 29 in the direction of the recess 11, the latching hook 28 bends until it comes out of engagement from the backing piece 13. As a result, the first camera module 15 can be rotated out of the recess 11 in a reverse direction to the insertion, as shown in FIG. 10 and also in FIG. 7, and then removed. No screw connections or the like have to be released therefor.

[0178] The second camera module 16 is removable in a similar manner by pushing in, and thereby unlatching, the snap lug 29 and subsequently pivoting.

[0179] It is also possible to release the first camera module 15 from the side of the storage compartment 3 by the two sides of the module housing 17, from which the snap lug 29 and the projections 30 originate, being compressed, which corresponds in FIG. 8 to compressing the left-hand and right-hand sides of the module housing 17 shown.

[0180] FIG. 11 shows in a perspective view from below and from the front (for example when viewing into the loading opening 2) a detail of the intermediate wall 38 of the ceiling 10 of the storage compartment 3 of the refrigerator K with the assembled first camera module 15 and the assembled second camera module 16. The camera of the first camera module 15 is oriented in the direction of the loading opening 2 while the camera of the second camera module 16 is oriented downwardly in the direction of an open drawer 53 of the storage compartment 3, for example a VitaFresh drawer. In contrast to the first camera module 15, the second camera module 16 in the assembled state does not protrude into the storage compartment 3 but is inserted into the recess 12 approximately flush-mounted with the intermediate wall 38.

[0181] FIG. 12 shows in a view similar to FIG. 4, in a perspective view from above, a detail of the intermediate wall 38 with the second camera module 16 and the backing piece 14 thereof positioned on the rear face of the intermediate wall 38, but without the first camera module 15 and without the backing piece 13 thereof.

[0182] FIG. 13 shows in a view similar to FIG. 5 the second camera module 16 in an exploded view. The second camera module 16 is provided to record images from above of an open drawer 53 of the storage compartment 3, for example a VitaFresh drawer.

[0183] The module housing 33 has a bottom plate 34 which covers the recess 12 and which has a hole 35 for embedding the light guide element 21. Alternatively, the module housing 33 and the light guide element 21 are manufactured in one piece by using a two-component injection-molding method.

[0184] In principle, similar to the camera module 16, a latching hook 28 with a snap lug 29 protruding outwardly to the side stands vertically from a rear edge 27 of the module housing 33. A projection 30 protruding to the side in the opposing direction relative to the latching hook 28 is located on the opposing edge portion. While the edge 27 can be inserted in a well-fitting manner into the recess 11, the snap lug 29 and the projections 30 with the module housing 17 inserted therein can protrude over the recess 12 to the side and engage therebehind. A fastening structure (not illustrated) on which the communication or connecting printed circuit board 25 can also be fastened, in particular latched, protrudes to the rear from the bottom plate 34.

[0185] The camera module 16 can also be assembled without the use of tools. It is assumed that the camera printed circuit board 17 is already fully connected via the flexible conductor film 25 to the communication or connecting printed circuit board 26. Initially the camera printed circuit board 17 is latched in the housing 33 and then the communication or connecting printed circuit board 26 is also latched to the housing 33.

[0186] FIG. 14 shows in a perspective view from above the module housing 33 of the second camera module 16. In principle, similar to the first camera module 15, the module housing 33 of the second camera module 16 has a fastening structure 31 with holding arms 311 protruding to the rear from a bottom plate 34, and with latching lugs 312 inwardly protruding to the side at the free ends, and lower abutments 313 for locking the camera printed circuit board 17 (see FIG. 13). In contrast to the first camera module 15, the module housing 33 of the second camera module 16 has a clamp 261 with two fork-shaped clamping arms 262 for fastening the cable plug connector 26 (see FIG. 13). The clamping arms 262 enclose a plug socket 264 in which the cable plug connector 26 is held in the assembled state. Holding lugs 263 which protrude to the side in the direction of the plug socket 264 and which hold the cable plug connector 26 in the assembled state in the plug socket 264 are located in each case at the free ends of the clamping arms 262. The communication printed circuit board 25 is locked in the module housing 33 and held in position in the embodiment only by the clamp 261 which encompasses with the clamping arms 262 the cable plug connector 26 of the communication printed circuit board 25.

[0187] FIG. 15 shows as a sectional drawing in side view the second camera module 16 in an oblique position adopted for assembly, similar to the oblique position of the first camera module 15 shown in FIG. 7. The projection 30 is positioned on the bearing edge 32 of the backing piece 14 which thus serves as a bearing. By subsequent rotation of the second camera module 16, as indicated by the curved arrow, the latching hook 28 penetrates into the recess 12 and is latched onto the portion of the bearing edge 32 of the backing piece 14 opposing the projection 30. The backing piece 14 can also serve here as a stop for the second camera module 16.

[0188] FIG. 16 shows as a sectional drawing in side view the second camera module 16 in its assembled state in which the latching hook 28 is latched to the backing piece 14. Similar to the first camera module 15, by applying a force F onto the snap lug 29, in such a way that this is pushed in the direction of the recess 12, the latching hook 28 can be brought out of engagement with the backing piece 14, whereby the second camera module 16 can be removed again by pivoting in the opposite direction to installation.

[0189] FIG. 17 shows a side view of a detail of the refrigerator K as a sectional drawing with a vertical cutting plane through the camera modules 15 and 16. The storage compartment ceiling 10 has a front portion which is formed by a front partial region 37a of a (container) ceiling 37 of the internal container 6-9, 37. The storage compartment ceiling 10 has behind the front portion a rear portion which is formed by an intermediate wall 38. The partial region 37a of the container ceiling 37 located in front of the intermediate wall 38 is disposed flush-mounted with the intermediate wall 38, and transitions via an oblique step 37b inclined to the rear (in a front view) into a higher rear partial region 37c (see FIG. 17). The rear partial region 37c is located, as a result, above the intermediate wall 38.

[0190] The step 37b has along its width extent by way of example five recesses 39 in which tabs 41 engage, the tabs being shaped from a front-side or front edge 40 of the intermediate wall 38 and being bent back to the front (see FIG. 17). The rear partial region 37c of the container ceiling 37 is disposed above the intermediate wall 38 and spaced apart therefrom. This can be expressed in such a way that the intermediate wall 38 on the storage compartment side is disposed spaced apart from the rear partial region 37c of the container ceiling 37. An intermediate space 42, in which for example the backing pieces 13 and 14 are located, is present between the container ceiling 37 or the rear partial region 37c thereof and the intermediate wall 38. The intermediate space 42 is, in particular, filled with air, while an intermediate space 43 between the container ceiling 37 and an external housing 49 of the refrigerator K is filled at least partially with thermally insulating material (not illustrated), for example insulating foam. A free intermediate space 43 is also present between surrounding furniture 60 and the external housing 49. The surrounding furniture 60 can be furniture panels which conceal the refrigerator K in the built-in state.

[0191] The intermediate wall 38 is pivotable about its front edge 40 into the storage compartment 3, in particular after releasing at least one releasable fixing device located in the region of a rear edge 44 (for example the screw 45 shown in FIG. 19). The released rear edge 44 drops down and the intermediate wall 38 pivots or rotates together with the camera modules 15, 16 and the backing pieces 13, 14 about the front edge 40 into the storage compartment 3, specifically by rotating the tabs 41 located on the front edge 40 into the recesses 39 of the step 37b. The tabs 41 can be pulled out or unhooked from the recesses 39 at the same time or subsequently, or automatically brought out of engagement due to the rotation. As a result, the intermediate wall 38 is removable, whereby its rear face is easily accessible. In particular, the camera modules 15, 16 can be particularly easily accessible, which considerably facilitates the attachment and replacement of the camera modules 15, 16.

[0192] FIG. 18 shows as a sectional drawing through a tab 41, in an oblique view, an enlarged detail of the storage compartment ceiling 10 in the region of the front edge 40. The front edge 40 of the intermediate wall 38 is an oblique bent-up edge (in front view) from which the tabs 41 are bent out to the front. The front edge 40 has the same inclination as the step 37b and thus is configured in accordance therewith.

[0193] In the present case, the tabs 41 are not inserted directly into the respective recesses 39 but are hooked into an adapter piece 47 which covers the respective recess 39 on the side of the step 37b facing away from the storage compartment. The adapter piece 47 can be inserted into the recess 39, latched and/or bonded to the step 37b. The adapter piece 47 has a protrusion 48 into which the tab 41 can engage, or engages in the assembled state.

[0194] FIG. 19 shows as a sectional drawing through the screw 45, in an oblique view, an enlarged detail of the storage compartment ceiling 10 in the region of the rear edge 44 in the vicinity of the left-hand side wall 7. The screw 45 is screwed into a screw hole adapter 50 which is screwed onto the rear partial region 37c of the container ceiling 37. As a result, the intermediate wall 38 is indirectly fastened by the releasable screw 45 to the container ceiling 37. The screw hole adapter 50 can be configured in such a way that it additionally serves as a spacer between the intermediate wall 38 and the container ceiling 37. Similarly, the intermediate wall 38 can also be fastened at different points to the container ceiling 37, for example in the vicinity of the right-hand side wall 8.

[0195] A projection 51 protruding in the direction of the storage compartment 3 is present in the region of the rear edge 44 in front of the screws 45, in the intermediate wall 38, for example by bending sheet metal. This projection 51 conceals the screw 45 from a typical view through the loading opening 2.

[0196] Returning again to FIG. 17, the intermediate wall 38 (in a front view) has a recess 52 extending transversely (in a front view from left to right) behind the projection 51. This recess can be used in order to provide one or more light sources (not illustrated) for illuminating the storage compartment 3. Due to the projection 51, a direct view of the light source(s) is prevented and thus glare from the light source(s) to a user is avoided.

[0197] FIG. 20 shows an illustration of an internal wall of a refrigerator, two camera modules being disposed directly one behind the other on the ceiling 10 thereof, in a front view. This can be the above-described refrigerator K, for example, the illustration being described by way of example with reference thereto.

[0198] The internal wall 6 defining the storage compartment 3 has a rectangular basic shape, the left lower corner thereof being regarded as the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system. The height H of the internal wall 6 or the storage compartment 3 is determined along the x-axis, the width B along the y-axis and the depth T along the z-axis. The left-hand side wall 7 is located in the (x; 0; z) plane, the right-hand side wall 8 is located in the (x; B; z) plane, the rear wall 9 is located in the (x; y; T) plane, the ceiling 10 is located in the (H; y; z) plane and the bottom 54 is located in the (0; y; z) plane. The loading opening 2 is located in the (x; y; 0) plane. The front view corresponds to a view in the storage compartment 3 through the loading opening 2 in the direction of the z-axis.

[0199] The two camera modules 15 and 16 are disposed directly one behind the other on the ceiling 10 of the internal wall 6, in a front view, which can also be expressed here in such a way that the camera modules are located in a vertical plane V which is perpendicular to the loading opening 2. The camera modules 15 and 16 are also disposed centrally to the storage compartment 3 in a front view, so that the vertical (central) plane V corresponds to the (x; B/2; z) plane.

[0200] As shown for example in FIG. 17, the first camera module 15 can be disposed behind the second camera module 16 in a front view and protrude from the ceiling 10 downwardly while the second camera module 16 is incorporated flush-mounted into the ceiling 10.

[0201] The optical axes P1 and P2 of the camera modules 15 or 16 or their optical systems 23b can also be located in the vertical central plane V. The optical axis P1 of the first camera module 15 can be at an angle 1 relative to the horizontal (y; a) plane which is less than the angle 2 relative to the horizontal (y; z) plane of the optical axis P2 of the second camera module 16. The optical axis P1 thus runs flatter than the optical axis P2. In particular, the optical axis P2 of the second camera module 16 can be oriented vertically downwardly, which corresponds to an angle 2=90. Thus the first camera module 15 is particularly suited for recording images of the inner faces of thein particular also opendoors 4, while the second camera module 15 is particularly suited for recording images from above of both open drawers 53.

[0202] FIG. 21 shows in a perspective view from below a detail of a further possible variant of the storage compartment ceiling 10 with a common shell-shaped attachment 55 fastened on the storage compartment side for the camera modules 15 and 16 disposed one behind the other.

[0203] FIG. 22 shows the attachment 55 with the camera modules 15, 16 disposed thereon in a perspective view from above of its open upper face. The attachment 55 has the recesses 11 and 12 to which the backing pieces 13 or 14 are fastened and through which the camera modules 15 or 16 protrude.

[0204] Naturally the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0205] Generally one, etc. can be understood to mean a singular or a plurality, in particular in the sense of at least one or one or more etc., provided this is not explicitly excluded, for example by the expression exactly one, etc.

[0206] Numerical data can also encompass precisely the specified number and also a conventional tolerance range provided this is not explicitly excluded.

[0207] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0208] 1 Household appliance [0209] 2 Loading opening [0210] 3 Storage compartment [0211] 4 Door [0212] 5 Shelf [0213] 6 Internal wall [0214] 7 Left-hand side wall [0215] 8 Right-hand side wall [0216] 9 Rear wall [0217] 10 Ceiling of internal wall [0218] 11 Recess [0219] 12 Recess [0220] 13 Backing piece [0221] 14 Backing piece [0222] 15 First camera module [0223] 16 Second camera module [0224] 17 Module housing [0225] 18 Open front face [0226] 19 Open upper face [0227] 20 Attachment [0228] 21 Light guide element [0229] 22 Demisting film [0230] 23 Camera printed circuit board [0231] 23a Camera sensor [0232] 23b Optical system [0233] 24 Flexible conductor film [0234] 25 Communication printed circuit board [0235] 26 Cable plug connector [0236] 261 Clamp [0237] 262 Clamping arms [0238] 263 Holding lug [0239] 264 Plug socket [0240] 27 Rear edge [0241] 28 Latching hook [0242] 29 Snap lug [0243] 30 Projection [0244] 31 Fastening structure [0245] 31 Fastening structure [0246] 311 Holding arm [0247] 311 Holding arm [0248] 312 Latching lug [0249] 312 Latching lug [0250] 313 Abutment [0251] 313 Abutment [0252] 314 Latching elements [0253] 315 Recess [0254] 316 Eye [0255] 32 Bearing edge [0256] 33 Module housing [0257] 34 Bottom plate [0258] 35 Hole [0259] 37 Container ceiling [0260] 37a Front partial region of container ceiling [0261] 37b Step of container ceiling [0262] 37c Rear partial region of container ceiling [0263] 38 Intermediate wall [0264] 39 Recess in step [0265] 40 Front edge of intermediate wall [0266] 41 Tab [0267] 42 Intermediate space [0268] 43 Intermediate space [0269] 44 Rear edge of intermediate wall [0270] 45 Screw [0271] 47 Adapter part [0272] 48 Protrusion [0273] 49 External housing [0274] 50 Screw hole adapter [0275] 51 Projection [0276] 52 Recess [0277] 53 Drawer [0278] 54 Bottom of inner wall [0279] 55 Attachment [0280] 56 Light source [0281] 60 Surrounding furniture [0282] B Width of storage compartment [0283] H Height of storage compartment [0284] K Refrigerator [0285] P1 Optical axis [0286] P2 Optical axis [0287] S Refrigerated drawer [0288] T Depth of storage compartment [0289] V Central plane [0290] x x-axis [0291] y y-axis [0292] z z-axis [0293] 1 Angle [0294] 2 Angle