Inventory management equipment

Abstract

This invention provides an inventory management device. The inventory management device (100) includes a platform (1) and an item sensor (3). The platform (1) holds a beverage container (P). The item sensor (3) determines whether a beverage container (P) is placed on the platform (1). The platform (1) has a light-transmitting part (11) that transmits light. The item sensor (3) has a light-emitting part (31), a light-receiving part (32), and a detection part (33). The light-emitting part (31) emits light to the light-transmitting part (11). The light-receiving part (32) receives light from the light-transmitting part (11). The detection part (33) detects information about the light received by the light-receiving part (32).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an inventory management device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator that functions as an inventory management device, equipped with an egg sensor and a beverage sensor. The egg sensor and beverage sensor are weight sensors that respectively measure the weight of the eggs and beverages stored in the refrigerator. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-113818 [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0005] When items inside the refrigerator are not properly positioned on the weight sensor, such as when they float up while hanging on other items or dividers, or when adjacent items are hanging on the weight sensor, the weight sensor may not be able to correctly identify the items. In addition, in order to be less affected by the placement of items, multiple weight sensors have been considered, but this has the problem of increasing structural complexity.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an inventory management device that enables simple construction. [Technical Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an inventory management device includes a platform and an item sensor. The platform holds items. The item sensor determines whether an item is placed on the platform. The platform has a light-transmitting portion that transmits light. The item sensor has a light-emitting portion, a light-receiving portion, and a detection portion. The light-emitting portion emits light to the light-transmitting portion. The light-receiving portion receives the light from the light-transmitting portion. The detection portion detects information about the light received by the light-receiving portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The inventory management device according to the present invention can simplify the structure.

Implementation Method

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the same or equivalent parts in the drawings will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. Also, in the following description, even when terms indicating specific positions and directions such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," or "back" are used, these terms are used for ease of understanding of the embodiments and are unrelated to the actual direction during implementation. [Embodiment 1]

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, Embodiment 1 of the inventory management device 100 will be described. Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a top view of the platform 1 of the inventory management device 100 when viewed from above as a square. Figure 3 is a top view of the platform 1 of the inventory management device 100 when viewed from above as a rectangle. Figure 4 is a top view of the platform 1 of the inventory management device 100 when viewed from above as a circle. Figure 5 shows the door shelf 91 of the refrigerator 90 on which the inventory management device 100 is installed. Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device 100 installed on the door shelf 91 of the cold storage 90.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the inventory management device 100 includes a platform 1 and an item sensor 3. The platform 1 holds a beverage container P (an example of an item). The item sensor 3 determines whether a beverage container P is placed on the platform 1. The platform 1 has a light-transmitting portion 11 that transmits light. The item sensor 3 has a light-emitting portion 31, a light-receiving portion 32, and a detection portion 33. The light-emitting portion 31 emits pulsed light to the light-transmitting portion 11. The light-receiving portion 32 receives the light from the light-transmitting portion 11. The detection portion 33 detects information about the light received by the light-receiving portion 32. The detected information is, for example, whether the delay time from the emission of light from the light-emitting portion 31 to the reception of the light by the light-receiving portion 32 is less than a predetermined value. Less than the predetermined value is, for example, a range of values ​​that can be determined as light from the light-emitting portion 31 being reflected by the beverage container P and received by the light-receiving portion 32.

[0013] Light from the light-emitting unit 31 is reflected off the bottom surface of the beverage container P placed on the mounting platform 1. The reflected light is received by the light-receiving unit 32. The detection unit 33 detects whether the delay (hereinafter, delay amount) of the light received by the light-receiving unit 32 is less than a predetermined value. If the detection unit 33 detects that the delay amount is less than the predetermined value, the item sensor 3 determines that a beverage container P is placed on the mounting platform 1. If the detection unit 33 detects that the delay amount is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the item sensor 3 determines that a beverage container P is not placed on the mounting platform 1. Therefore, the inventory management device 100 determines whether a beverage container P is placed on the mounting platform 1 by means of the item sensor 3, thus simplifying the structure.

[0014] The object sensor 3 is, for example, a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor. However, it is not limited to this; for example, the presence of a placed object can be determined based on the position or amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 32. If the presence or absence of an object is determined by the position or amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 32, the information detected by the detection unit 33 is whether the position or amount of the light is within a specified position or above a specified value. In this case, the object sensor 3 is a reflective light detection sensor, a light range sensor, an infrared sensor, or a laser sensor, etc. The light-emitting unit 31 of the ToF sensor emits pulsed light. The light-emitting unit 31 of the infrared sensor emits infrared light (light with a wavelength range of 780 nm to 100,000 nm). The light-emitting unit 31 of the laser sensor emits laser light. Alternatively, an ultrasonic sensor may be used instead of light.

[0015] The inventory management device 100 also includes a wireless transmitter 4. The wireless transmitter 4 transmits the result determined by the item sensor 3. That is, the wireless transmitter 4 wirelessly transmits the result of determining whether a beverage container P is placed on the placement table 1. Therefore, the inventory management device 100 does not need to be wired to an external device, thus simplifying its configuration.

[0016] The light-transmitting part 11 is located outside the centroid 1C (center of gravity) of the upper surface of the platform 1. When the beverage container P is a bottle-shaped container or the like (the shape of the beverage container P is shown by the double-dotted line in FIG1), there is a large distance between the upper surface of the platform 1 and the beverage container P at the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1. However, outside the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1, the distance between the upper surface of the platform 1 and the beverage container P is small. If the distance between the upper surface of the platform 1 and the beverage container P is small, the light reflected from the light-emitting part 31 by the beverage container P is easily received by the light-receiving part 32. Therefore, by positioning the light-transmitting part 11 outside the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1, the light reflected from the light-emitting part 31 by the beverage container P is easily received by the light-receiving part 32. As a result, by positioning the light-transmitting part 11 outside the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1, the reliability of the judgment made by the item sensor 3 can be improved.

[0017] Here, the light-transmitting part 11 is, for example, a through hole 12 and a light-transmitting sheet 13. The through hole 12 passes through the mounting stage 1 vertically.

[0018] The light-transmitting sheet 13 covers the through hole 12. The light-transmitting sheet 13 is disposed below or within the through hole 12. The light-transmitting sheet 13 and the mounting stage 1 (specifically, the periphery of the through hole 12) are tightly fitted without gap. Therefore, even if a beverage or other liquid contained in the beverage container P drips into the through hole 12, the liquid will not seep between the light-transmitting sheet 13 and the mounting stage 1, thus improving reliability.

[0019] The light-transmitting sheet 13 is positioned so that light from the light-emitting part 31 is not reflected by the light-receiving part 32. Therefore, the light-transmitting sheet 13 is positioned close to the light-emitting part 31 and the light-receiving part 32. Specifically, the light-transmitting sheet 13 covers the through hole 12 from below the mounting platform 1. By preventing the light from the light-emitting part 31 from being reflected by the light-receiving part 32, the reliability of the judgment based on the article sensor 3 can be improved. Instead of the light-transmitting sheet 13, a light-transmitting material can also cover the surface of the mounting platform 1. In this case, a light-transmitting material is provided on the through hole 12. The light-transmitting material can be glass or resin, etc. In the case of transparent resin, it can be integrally molded with the colored resin forming the mounting platform 1 by two-color molding. In this case, by allowing the light-emitting part 31 and the light-receiving part 32 to enter the through hole 12, it is preferable that the light-transmitting material is positioned close to the light-emitting part 31 and the light-receiving part 32.

[0020] The light-transmitting portion 11 is located 10 mm or more and 70 mm or less from the centroid 1C (center of gravity) of the upper surface of the platform 1. The bottom surface of the beverage container P generally has a deep recess within a radius of 10 mm from the center of the bottom surface. Therefore, by positioning the light-transmitting portion 11 at least 10 mm from the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1, the distance between the light-transmitting portion 11 and the bottom surface of the beverage container P is relatively small. On the other hand, the bottom surface of the beverage container P is generally within a radius of 70 mm or less from its center. Therefore, by positioning the light-transmitting portion 11 between the centroid 1C and 70 mm from the upper surface of the platform 1, the light-transmitting portion 11 is located below the bottom surface of the beverage container P. As a result, by positioning the light-transmitting portion 11 at a distance of 10 mm or more and 70 mm or less from the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1, the reliability of the judgment made by the article sensor 3 can be improved. Furthermore, it is preferable that the light-transmitting portion 11 is located at least 10 mm from the periphery of the upper surface of the platform 1. Therefore, the bottom surface of the beverage container P can be positioned on the light-transmitting part 11 in a stable manner.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the upper surface of the stage 1 is square when viewed from above. This square shape, when viewed from above, is suitable for beverage containers P (such as medium-sized or smaller plastic bottles or cans) with a roughly circular cross-section, and beverage containers P (such as paper containers) with a roughly square cross-section. Although the light-transmitting portion 11 is shown located between one side of the stage 1 and the centroid 1C when viewed from above, it could also be located between a corner of the stage 1 and the centroid 1C, etc.

[0022] As shown in FIG3, the upper surface of the mounting platform 1 is rectangular, for example, when viewed from above. This rectangular shape is suitable for beverage containers P (large plastic bottles, etc.) with a roughly rectangular cross-section. Although the light-transmitting portion 11 is shown as being located between a corner of the mounting platform 1 and the centroid 1C when viewed from above, it could also be located between the long side (or short side) of the mounting platform 1 and the centroid 1C, etc.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the upper surface of the platform 1 is circular, for example, when viewed from above. This circular view from above is suitable for beverage containers P with approximately circular cross-sections.

[0024] The upper surface of the mounting platform 1 is not limited to being a square, rectangle, or circle when viewed from above; it can also be any planar shape. Examples of planar shapes include polygons or various circles. Polygons are, for example, quadrilaterals such as rhombuses or parallelograms, triangles such as isosceles triangles or equilateral triangles, or pentagons or more. Various circles are, for example, ellipses, oval shapes, egg shapes, or polygons with rounded corners.

[0025] The location where the inventory management device 100 is installed is the location where items that need to be managed as inventory are stored. In the case of food or beverage containers P, the location where the inventory management device 100 is installed is, for example, a food shelf or a refrigerator. As shown in Figure 5, a specific location where the inventory management device 100 is installed is, for example, inside the door shelf 91 of a cold storage 90.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom 92 of the door shelf 91 is lower on the side where the beverage container P is removed (left side of FIG. 6). The light-transmitting part 11 is preferably located lower than the centroid 1C. Therefore, the inventory management device 100 inside the door shelf 91 is configured such that the light-transmitting part 11 is located on the side where the beverage container P is removed, which is closer to the centroid 1C. With this configuration, the beverage container P placed on the mounting table 1 is easily biased towards the removal side. Since the beverage container P is biased towards the removal side, even if the beverage container P is small, the light-transmitting part 11 is located below the bottom surface of the beverage container P. As a result, the reliability of the judgment of the item sensor 3 can be improved. [Embodiment 2]

[0027] Next, an embodiment 2 of the inventory management device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. The difference in embodiment 2 is that the inventory management device 100 includes a weight sensor 7 in addition to the item sensor 3.

[0028] FIG7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device 100 according to Embodiment 2. FIG8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottom surface of the support guide 21 of the inventory management device 100 when it is a curved surface. FIG9 is the SS cross-section of FIG7 and FIG8, which is a cross-sectional view of the support guide 21 when its cross-section is circular. FIG10 is the SS cross-section of FIG7 and FIG8, which is a cross-shaped cross-section of the support guide 21. FIG11 is the SS cross-section of FIG7 and FIG8, which is a cross-shaped cross-section of the support guide 21.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, the inventory management device 100 includes an upper component 10, a lower component 50, and a weight sensor 7. The upper component 10 has a mounting platform 1. The weight sensor 7 receives the upper component 10. The lower component 50 is equipped with a weight sensor 7. The lower component 50 has a cylindrical body 60. The upper component 10 has a guide portion 20 that is guided by the cylindrical body 60. The upper end of the cylindrical body 60, for example, holds a beverage container P on the mounting platform 1, and does not contact the upper component 10 even if it moves slightly downward due to its weight.

[0030] Since the upper end of the cylindrical body 60 is not in contact with the upper member 10, the cylindrical body 60 does not support the upper member 10 from below. Therefore, even if the side of the cylindrical body 60 is in contact with the upper member 10, most of the weight of the upper member 10 is borne by a single weight sensor 7. That is, multiple weight sensors 7 are not required to bear the weight of the upper member 10. As a result, the inventory management device 100 can be simplified in structure. In addition, by determining whether a beverage container P is placed on the platform 1 using the item sensor 3 and the weight sensor 7, reliability can be further improved.

[0031] In addition to the cylindrical body 60, the lower component 50 also has a base plate 51. The cylindrical body 60 is provided on the upper surface of the base plate 51. The lower component 50 may also have a cushioning pad 71 laid below the weight sensor 7. The cushioning pad 71 is not limited to being below the weight sensor 7, but may also be laid on the weight sensor 7. The cushioning pad 71 has, for example, a thickness of about 0.5 mm ± 0.2 mm.

[0032] The weight sensor 7 is a sensor that measures the weight it bears. The weight sensor 7 is, for example, a thin-film load sensor or a pressure sensor capable of measuring weight. The wireless transmitter 4 also transmits the weight measured by the weight sensor 7.

[0033] Here, the distance between the upper end of the cylindrical body 60 and the portion of the upper member 10 relative to the upper end of the cylindrical body 60 is defined as distance A. That is, distance A is the distance between the upper end of the cylindrical body 60 and the portion of the upper member 10 relative to the upper end of the cylindrical body 60. Furthermore, the distance between the cylindrical body 60 and the guide portion 20 is defined as distance B. That is, distance B is the distance between the cylindrical body 60 and the guide portion 20. Preferably, distance A is greater than distance B (distance A > distance B).

[0034] By making the distance A greater than the distance B, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, the upper end of the cylindrical body 60 can be reliably kept out of contact with the upper component 10 (distance A > 0). Therefore, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, the cylindrical body 60 will not support the upper component 10 from below. As a result, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, most of the weight of the upper component 10 will be borne by a weight sensor 7, thus further improving reliability.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 7, the cylindrical body 60 is the inner cylindrical body 61. The inner cylindrical body 61 is located near the centroid 1C of the mounting platform 1. A weight sensor 7 is disposed inside the inner cylindrical body 61. The guide portion 20 that guides the inner cylindrical body 61 is a support guide portion 21. The support guide portion 21 runs along the inner surface of the inner cylindrical body 61. The support guide portion 21 serves both to guide the inner cylindrical body 61 and to be supported by the weight sensor 7. Since the guide portion 20 is a support guide portion 21, there is no need for an additional support body to be supported by the weight sensor 7. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified.

[0036] The item sensor 3 is disposed outside the centroid 1C of the upper surface of the platform 1. On the other hand, a weight sensor 7 is disposed inside the inner cylindrical body 61, that is, near the centroid 1C of the platform 1. That is, when viewed from above, the item sensor 3 and the weight sensor 7 are disposed in different positions. Therefore, the space within the inventory management device 100 is effectively utilized. As a result, the inventory management device 100 can be simplified in its configuration.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 7, distance A is the distance between the upper end of the inner cylindrical body 61 and the portion of the upper component 10 facing the upper end of the inner cylindrical body 61. Additionally, distance B is the distance between the inner surface of the inner cylindrical body 61 and the outer surface of the support guide portion 21. Distance A is greater than distance B (distance A > distance B).

[0038] Next, a variation example of the bottom surface 22 in the support guide 21 will be described. In the example shown in FIG7, the bottom surface 22 of the support guide 21 is a plane, and in the example shown in FIG8, it is a curved surface. The curved surface (bottom surface 22 of the support guide 21) shown in FIG8 protrudes downwards towards the center.

[0039] As shown in FIG8, since the bottom surface 22 of the support guide 21 is a curved surface, the pressure from the curved surface to the weight sensor 7 is not easily changed even if the upper component 10 is tilted. Therefore, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, the weight measured by the weight sensor 7 is difficult to change. As a result, the reliability of the weight sensor 7 can be further improved.

[0040] Next, a modified example of the cross-sectional view of the support guide 21 and the inner cylindrical body 61 (the S-S cross-sectional view in FIG7 and FIG8) will be described.

[0041] As shown in FIG9, the cross-section of the support guide 21 is circular. In other words, the support guide 21 is cylindrical. On the other hand, the cross-sectional view of the inner cylindrical body 61 is annular. In other words, the inner cylindrical body 61 is cylindrical.

[0042] As shown in Figure 10, the cross-section of the support guide 21 is cross-shaped. In other words, the support guide 21 is a radial column that radiates at equal intervals in four directions. On the other hand, the inner cylindrical body 61 is also cylindrical, as shown in Figure 9.

[0043] As shown in Figure 11, the cross-section of the support guide 21 is star-shaped. In other words, the support guide 21 is a radial column that radiates at equal intervals in eight directions. On the other hand, the inner cylindrical body 61 is also cylindrical, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0044] The cylindrical body 60, including the inner cylindrical body 61, is not limited to the shape shown in Figures 9-11 (cylindrical shape), and may also be other cylindrical shapes such as a square cylinder. The support guide 21 is not limited to the shape shown in Figures 9-11 (cylindrical and radial columns), as long as it is a shape guided by the inner cylindrical body 61. [Embodiment 3]

[0045] Next, referring to FIG12, Embodiment 3 of the inventory management device 100 will be described. Compared with Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3 differs in the shapes of the guide portion 20 and the cylindrical body 60. FIG12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device 100 of Embodiment 3.

[0046] The cylindrical body 60 in the example shown in Figure 12 is the outer cylindrical body 64. The outer cylindrical body 64 is provided at the edge of the upper surface of the base plate 51. The guide portion 20 that guides the outer cylindrical body 64 is the outer guide portion 24. The outer guide portion 24 runs along the outer surface of the outer cylindrical body 64.

[0047] Unlike the support guide 21 in Embodiment 2, the outer guide portion 24 is not supported by the weight sensor 7. Therefore, the upper component 10 in Embodiment 3 has a support body 15 supported by the weight sensor 7. The support body 15 is disposed on the lower surface of the platform 1 near the centroid 1C. The bottom surface 16 of the support body 15 is a curved surface. This curved surface (the bottom surface 16 of the support body 15) protrudes downwards towards the center. The lower component 50 has a raised portion 82. The raised portion 82 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 51 directly below the support body 15. A weight sensor 7 is disposed at the upper end of the raised portion 82.

[0048] The raised portion 82 is used as a battery housing. That is, a battery (not shown) is disposed inside the raised portion 82, which serves as a battery housing. By using the raised portion 82 as a battery housing, the space within the inventory management device 100 is effectively utilized. Therefore, the inventory management device 100 can be simplified in its configuration.

[0049] Here, the distance between the lower end of the outer guide portion 24 and the portion of the lower component 50 facing the lower end of the outer guide portion 24 is defined as distance C. That is, distance C is the distance between the lower end of the outer guide portion 24 and the portion of the lower component 50 facing the lower end of the outer guide portion 24. Furthermore, the distance between the outer cylindrical body 64 and the outer guide portion 24 is defined as distance D. That is, distance D is the distance between the outer surface of the outer cylindrical body 64 and the inner surface of the outer guide portion 24. Preferably, distance C is larger than distance D (distance C > distance D).

[0050] By making the distance C greater than the distance D, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, the lower end of the outer guide portion 24 can reliably maintain non-contact with the lower component 50 (distance C > 0). Therefore, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, the base plate 51 of the lower component 50 will not support the upper component 10 from below. As a result, even if the upper component 10 is tilted, most of the weight of the upper component 10 will be borne by a weight sensor 7, thus further improving reliability. [Embodiment 4]

[0051] Next, referring to FIG13, Embodiment 4 of the inventory management device 100 will be described. Embodiment 4 is an embodiment that combines Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3. FIG13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device 100 of Embodiment 4.

[0052] The cylindrical body 60 shown in Figure 13 consists of an inner cylindrical body 61 and an outer cylindrical body 64. The guide portions 20 that guide the inner cylindrical body 61 and the outer cylindrical body 64 are the inner guide portion 21 and the outer guide portion 24, respectively. The support guide portion 21 of the upper component 10 functions as the support body 15 of Embodiment 3, and therefore does not have the support body 15 and the lifting portion 82 of Embodiment 3.

[0053] The cylindrical body 60 consists of an inner cylindrical body 61 and an outer cylindrical body 64, and the guide portion 20 consists of a support guide portion 21 and an outer guide portion 24, thereby the guide portion 20 is properly guided within the cylindrical body 60. Therefore, reliability can be further improved.

[0054] In embodiments 2 to 4, the description of fixing the upper component 10 to the lower component 50 is omitted. Therefore, this fixing will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the portion of the upper component 10 fixed to the lower component 50 of the inventory management device 100. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the portion of the upper component 10 fixed to the lower component 50 of the inventory management device 100.

[0055] As shown in FIG14, the upper component 10 has a threaded boss 26 and a housing fixing screw 68. The threaded boss 26 is provided on the lower surface of the mounting platform 1. The housing fixing screw 68 is screwed into the threaded boss 26 from below.

[0056] The lower component 50 has a sprue tube 65. The sprue tube 65 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 51. The sprue tube 65 communicates with a hole formed in the base plate 51. The sprue tube 65 has an upper sprue tube 66 and a lower sprue tube 67. The upper sprue tube 66 guides the threaded boss 26. Therefore, the diameter of the upper sprue tube 66 is larger than that of the threaded boss 26 and smaller than that of the head of the housing fixing screw 68. The lower sprue tube 67 houses the head of the housing fixing screw 68. Therefore, the diameter of the lower sprue tube 67 is larger than that of the head of the housing fixing screw 68.

[0057] Since the threaded boss 26 is guided by the upper sprue cylinder 66, the upper sprue cylinder 66 functions as a cylindrical body 60, and the threaded boss 26 functions as a guide portion 20. Therefore, by employing at least the threaded boss 26 and the upper sprue cylinder 66, most of the weight of the upper component 10 is borne by a single weight sensor 7. As a result, the configuration can be simplified, and reliability can be further improved.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 15, the lower component 50 may also have a compression spring 69. The compression spring 69 is disposed around the upper section of the sluice tube 66. The lower end of the compression spring 69 presses downward against the step between the upper section of the sluice tube 66 and the lower section of the sluice tube 67. On the other hand, the upper end of the compression spring 69 presses upward against the lower surface of the mounting platform 1.

[0059] In the case where the configuration shown in Figure 14 or Figure 15 is quadrilateral when viewed from above, it is preferably located at two or four diagonal corners. This is because, through this position, the upper component 10 is fixed and stable relative to the lower component 50. However, there are no particular limitations on the number and position of the configurations shown in Figure 14 or Figure 15. [Embodiment 5]

[0060] Next, referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, Embodiment 5 of the inventory management device 100 will be described. Embodiment 5 is an embodiment that embodies Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the inventory management device 100 according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of XVII-XVII in FIG. 16.

[0061] As shown in Figure 17, the lower component 50 also has a base plate 5, a battery cover 86 and a cover mounting screw 87.

[0062] The substrate 5 is fixed to the outer cylindrical body 64. The substrate 5 is inserted through the inner cylindrical body 61 and the support guide 21. The substrate 5 supplies power from the battery (not shown) to the object sensor 3 and the weight sensor 7. The substrate 5 transmits the judgment and measurement results of the object sensor 3 and the weight sensor 7 to the wireless transmitter 4 (not shown).

[0063] The battery cover 86 is used to hold the battery (not shown). The cover mounting screw 87 screws the battery cover 86 onto the base plate 51.

[0064] The through hole 12 of the light-transmitting part 11 has an upper through hole 12U and a lower through hole 12L. The upper through hole 12U is larger than the lower through hole 12L. The lower through hole 12L is covered by the light-transmitting sheet 13 from the bottom.

[0065] As shown in Figure 11, the support guide 21 is a radial column that radiates in eight equally spaced directions.

[0066] As shown in Figure 16, the mounting platform 1 has a shape with rounded corners when viewed from above. The threaded boss 26, housing fixing screw 68, and sprue tube 65 shown in Figure 14 are not illustrated, but are positioned at opposite corners of the mounting platform 1. [Embodiment 6]

[0067] Next, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, Embodiment 6 of the inventory management device 100 will be described. Embodiment 6 is an embodiment of Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the inventory management device 100 according to Embodiment 6. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18.

[0068] As shown in FIG19, the raised portion 82 of the lower component 50 is used as a battery housing. Therefore, a button-type battery 8 is disposed inside the raised portion 82.

[0069] The lower component 50 also has a housing fixing cylinder 83 and a housing fixing screw 84. The housing fixing cylinder 83 is disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 51. The housing fixing screw 84 fixes the raised part 82 to the housing fixing cylinder 83 by screwing.

[0070] The battery cover 86 has a battery support ring 81. The battery support ring 81 supports the button-type battery 8 from below.

[0071] As shown in Figure 18, the mounting platform 1 has a shape with rounded corners when viewed from above. The threaded boss 26, housing fixing screw 68, sprue tube 65 and compression spring 69 shown in Figure 15 are not illustrated, but are arranged at the four diagonal corners of the mounting platform 1.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 19, the mounting stage 1 has a transparent upper cover 18 and a lower stage 19. The transparent upper cover 18 allows light to pass through. Therefore, the transparent upper cover 18 functions as a light-transmitting sheet 13. The lower stage 19 is covered by the transparent upper cover 18. The lower stage 19 has a through hole 12. Therefore, the transparent upper cover 18 and the through hole 12 of the lower stage 19 function as light-transmitting parts 11.

[0073] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. In the drawings, each constituent element is schematically shown as the main body for ease of understanding, and for ease of drawing, the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each constituent element shown in the drawings may differ from the actual figures. In addition, the material, shape, size, etc. of each constituent element shown in the above embodiments are only examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made within the scope of the effects of the present invention without substantially departing from them.

[0074] (1) The inventory management device 100 of embodiments 2 to 6 has been described as having an item sensor 3 and a weight sensor 7. However, the inventory management device 100 of embodiments 2 to 6 may also not have an item sensor 3. In the inventory management device 100 of embodiments 2 to 6, the weight of the upper component 10 is received by a single weight sensor 7 through the cylindrical body 60 and the guide portion 20, regardless of the item sensor 3. Therefore, the configuration of the inventory management device 100 of embodiments 2 to 6 can be further simplified even if it does not have an item sensor 3.

[0075] (2) In the inventory management device 100 of embodiments 1 to 6, although not shown, rubber feet (not shown) can be provided at the four corners of the lower surface of the base plate 51. When the sluice tube 65 is located at the four corners of the lower surface of the base plate 51, the rubber feet are inserted into the sluice tube 65 from below. The inventory management device 100 functions as an anti-slip part by using the rubber feet, which can further improve reliability.

[0076] (3) In the inventory management device 100 of embodiments 1 to 6, the destination of the wireless transmitter 4 is not described. The destination of the wireless transmitter 4 is a wireless communication device, which is installed in a place such as a food shelf or refrigerator 90 where items that need to be managed as inventory are stored. This wireless communication device can send the information received from the inventory management device 100 to a smartphone or server, etc. Industrial applicability

[0077] The present invention provides an inventory management device that is industrially applicable. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0009] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a top view of the platform of the inventory management device when viewed from above as a square. Figure 3 is a top view of the platform of the inventory management device when viewed from above as a rectangle. Figure 4 is a top view of the platform of the inventory management device when viewed from above as a circle. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the door shelf of a refrigerator on which the inventory management device is installed. Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device installed on the door shelf of the refrigerator. Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device according to Embodiment 2. Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottom surface of the support guide of the inventory management device when it is a curved surface. Figure 9 is the SS section of Figures 7 and 8, a cross-sectional view when the cross-section of the support guide is circular. Figure 10 is the SS section of Figures 7 and 8, a cross-sectional view when the cross-section of the support guide is cross-shaped. Figure 11 is the SS section of Figures 7 and 8, a cross-sectional view when the cross-section of the support guide is star-shaped. Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device according to Embodiment 3. Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventory management device according to Embodiment 4. Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portion where the upper component is fixed to the lower component of the inventory management device. Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portion where the upper component is fixed to the lower component of the inventory management device. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the inventory management device according to Embodiment 5. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of XVII-XVII in Figure 16. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the inventory management device according to Embodiment 6. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of XIX-XIX in Figure 18.

Claims

1. An inventory management device, comprising: A platform for holding a single item; The device includes an object sensor to determine whether an object is placed on the platform. The platform has a light-transmitting part that transmits light. The light-transmitting part is located outside the center of gravity of the upper surface of the platform. The object sensor includes: a light-emitting part that emits light to the light-transmitting part; a light-receiving part that receives light from the light-transmitting part; and a detection part that detects information about the light received by the light-receiving part.

2. The inventory management equipment according to claim 1, wherein, It also has a wireless transmitter that sends out the results determined by the object's sensors.

3. The inventory management equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The item comprises a bottle-shaped container, and the light-transmitting part is located on the upper surface of the platform at a distance of more than 10 mm and less than 70 mm from the center of gravity.

4. The inventory management equipment according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes: an upper component having the mounting platform; a weight sensor supporting the upper component; and a lower component having the weight sensor disposed thereon, at least a portion of the weight sensor being located at the center of gravity.

5. The inventory management equipment according to claim 4, wherein, The weight sensor is a pressure sensor, and the surface of the upper component connected to the weight sensor is a curved surface that protrudes toward the weight sensor.

6. The inventory management equipment according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The lower component has a cylindrical body in which the weight sensor is disposed. The upper component has a guide portion that is guided by the cylindrical body. The upper end of the cylindrical body does not contact the upper component.

7. The inventory management equipment according to claim 6, wherein, The distance between the upper end of the cylindrical body and the portion of the upper component relative to the upper end of the cylindrical body is greater than the distance between the cylindrical body and the guide portion.

8. The inventory management equipment according to claim 6, wherein, The distance between the lower end of the guide portion and the portion of the lower side component relative to the lower end of the guide portion is greater than the distance between the cylindrical body and the guide portion.

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