Maintenance equipment for performing maintenance on the shelf rails

Abstract

A shelf rail maintenance device 14 for maintaining at least one conductor 6 of a shelf rail 3, the conductor 6 being installed in an accommodating groove 4 of an electronic shelf rail 3 and extending freely accessible along a vertical extending portion of the accommodating groove 4, the holding device 14 including at least one acting element 15; 15A, 15B, 15C for holding and interacting with the at least one conductor 6 of the electronic shelf rail 3, the shelf rail maintenance device 14 being characterized in that at least a portion of the holding device 14 is designed to fit into the accommodating groove 4 so that the at least one acting element 15; 15A, 15B, 15C can be positioned in the accommodating groove 4 corresponding to the position of the at least one conductor 6.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a maintenance device for performing maintenance on a shelf rail. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic shelf rails are used to support electronic shelf labels (ESLs for short) and provide them with power for electronic operation and / or data regarding display information. To this end, such shelf rails include electrical conductors to which the ESLs can be coupled. Typically, such shelf rails are used in commercial establishments such as supermarkets.

[0003] For a long time, contamination of the shelf rails and contamination of the conductors have been a major problem. Traditionally, electronic shelf rails have been developed in which the majority of the conductors can be protected from contamination by special locations and partial covers of the conductors. Such shelf rails are described in published WO 2017 / 153481.

[0004] However, there is usually always some dust present in the air where such shelf rails are used. No matter how clean the shelf rail, over time dust will accumulate on the conductors. Furthermore, moisture or substances in the air that cannot be effectively removed can cause oxidation of the conductor surfaces. Even with modern shelf rails that require maintenance much less frequently than comparable shelf rails, there is to date no effective means of performing this maintenance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 153481 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic shelf rail that can be quickly and easily maintained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved by a shelf rail maintenance device as set forth in claim 1. The invention therefore relates to a shelf rail maintenance device for maintaining at least one conductor of an electronic shelf rail, the at least one conductor being arranged in a receiving groove of the electronic shelf rail and extending freely accessible along a longitudinal extension of the receiving groove, the maintenance device comprising at least one operating element for maintenance interaction with the at least one conductor of the electronic shelf rail, characterized in that at least a part of the maintenance device is designed to fit into the receiving groove such that the at least one operating element is positionable in the receiving groove corresponding to the position of the at least one conductor.

[0008] This problem is further solved by an electronic shelf rail as claimed in claim 15. The present invention therefore also relates to an electronic shelf rail system comprising an electronic shelf rail and at least one shelf rail maintenance device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the electronic shelf rail is designed to support at least one electronic device, in particular at least one electronic shelf rail, the electronic shelf rail comprising at least one electrical conductor, preferably at least two electrical conductors, particularly preferably three electrical conductors, the at least one electrical conductor being mounted in a receiving groove of the electronic shelf rail and extending freely accessible along a longitudinal extension of the receiving groove, and the at least one shelf rail maintenance device being mounted in the receiving groove movably along the receiving groove for maintaining the at least one electrical conductor.

[0009] The measures according to the invention provide the advantage, firstly, that modern shelf rails having conductors installed in receiving grooves, where the conductors are essentially covered by the structural contour of the electronic shelf rail and thus protected from direct access, can be beneficially maintained.

[0010] Such a shelf rail includes, for example, a reference wall and a conductor support part spaced apart from the reference wall, so that the receiving groove is formed between the reference wall and the conductor support part, both of which are preferably wall-shaped.

[0011] At least one electrical conductor to be maintained is installed in this receiving groove. The at least one electrical conductor is concealed in the receiving groove so as not to be visible from the outside and is implemented as a conductor track or wire concealed in this receiving groove along the rail. In a preferred embodiment there are three electrical conductors, one for ground, one for the supply voltage and one for the communication of data and / or signals.

[0012] The definition that a maintenance device is designed to fit into a receiving groove of a shelf rail means that the shape and configuration of at least one respective part of the maintenance device allows the maintenance device to be inserted into the receiving groove along an interaction path and provides sufficient stability after being inserted into the receiving groove so that an operating element can interact with at least one conductor to perform a maintenance interaction.

[0013] The position and orientation of the acting element on the maintenance device are set so that the acting element is located corresponding to the position of the conductor after the maintenance device is properly installed in the receiving groove, which allows the acting element to be in contact with or located close to at least one conductor after the maintenance device is installed in the receiving groove.

[0014] Thus, the user is not required to visually contact the at least one electrical conductor during use of the maintenance device, since the shape of the maintenance device and the position and / or orientation of the at least one active element allow automatic perfect positioning and / or alignment of the maintenance device in the receiving groove.

[0015] It should be noted that the electrical conductors used for the electronic operation of the electronic device are accessible only from inside the receiving channel, and at the same time are covered by the electronic shelf rail so that anyone touching the electronic shelf rail cannot accidentally touch the conductors.

[0016] Furthermore, it should be noted that each of the at least one active element may interact with one or more conductors. Thus, a separate active element may be assigned to each conductor. However, some active elements may be assigned to only one conductor or some conductors may be assigned to only one active element.

[0017] Further particularly advantageous and further embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0018] Essentially, the receiving groove is used to receive the conductive section of the electronic device, particularly the ESL, to establish an electronic connection between the electronic device and the electronic shelf rail.

[0019] Preferably, the accommodation groove is designed to be accessible from only one direction. This means that the accommodation groove is defined by three walls forming this access opening between two side walls (e.g. between a first wall realized by a reference wall and a second wall realized by a conductor support) which are joined by another wall facing the access opening. In a preferred embodiment, the conductor support supports at least one conductor on its side facing the inside of the accommodation groove. When viewed from the front side of the electronic shelf rail, this is the side of the conductor support that is not visible, or in other words the side that is hidden by the accommodation groove.

[0020] The basic purpose behind the design of the receiving groove is to accommodate - at least partially - an electronic device such as an electronic shelf label device. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving groove has an inverted U-shape. As a result, the receiving groove opens downwards so that the electronic device can be accommodated from below. Thus, a maintenance device can be inserted into the receiving groove as well. Furthermore, the receiving groove extends continuously along the longitudinal extension of the electronic shelf rail.

[0021] At least one electrical conductor is connected at one end of the at least one electrical conductor to a supply device, which supplies power and / or signals and / or data to the electronic shelf rail and in particular to electronic devices installed on the electronic shelf rail. This supply device is also called a rail controller. The rail controller may be embedded in the electronic shelf rail or the rail controller may be removable from the electronic shelf rail. However, the rail controller may also be installed remotely from the electronic shelf rail and the at least one electrical conductor may be connected to suitable connection means (e.g. connectors and wires). In particular, the rail controller is connected to at least three electrical conductors for providing a supply voltage and for enabling data and / or signal communication.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one conductor is placed on or in a conductor support which is designed to be surrounded by the at least one electronic device (e.g. as a wall) and preferably such that the at least one conductor does not face the front face of the electronic device as described above, in a preferred embodiment, the at least one conductor is placed on a rear face of the conductor support facing towards the reference wall.

[0023] For this purpose, the electronic device includes a conductor support groove into which the conductor support can be inserted, so that electronic contacts of the electronic device can contact conductors of the electronic shelf rail. It is noteworthy that the conductor support can be guided into the conductor support groove of the electronic device when the electronic device is inserted into the electronic shelf rail. In a preferred embodiment, the conductor support groove is realized between a rear wall and a front wall of the electronic device. If the electronic device is realized as an electronic shelf label, a screen is located on said front wall.

[0024] In this configuration, the rear wall of the electronic device is placed in the receiving groove of the electronic shelf rail, and the front wall of the electronic device covers the conductor support. This design of the electronic shelf rail and associated electronic device makes it possible to hide the at least one conductor in the receiving groove, protect the conductor from dirt, and minimize the risk of damage to the conductor. As a result, maintenance of the at least one conductor can be effectively performed by a maintenance device that is specifically adapted to this particular electronic shelf rail to fit into the receiving groove in order to access the at least one conductor by maintenance interaction with the receiving groove.

[0025] Maintenance can be performed in a variety of ways. Thus, several variations of action elements, applicable alone or in combination, have proven beneficial.

[0026] Maintenance may include, but is not limited to, for example, cleaning, corrosion control, corrosion treatment, antiseptic, error detection and error control, which may in particular be errors in the shape and position of the conductors.

[0027] The focus here is on maintaining electrical conductors, however the means mentioned herein may be adapted to maintain additional areas of the electronic shelf rail, particularly if installed in a receiving groove.

[0028] According to a feature of the invention, the at least one working element is designed for mechanical maintenance interaction.

[0029] Mechanical maintenance interactions may include cleaning, stripping, brushing, grinding, scraping, etc. Thus, working elements designed for mechanical maintenance interactions may include, but are not limited to, cleaners, strippers, brushes, grinders, and / or blades, among others.

[0030] According to a further feature of the invention, the at least one active element is designed for a maintenance interaction of a maintenance substance.

[0031] Maintenance interaction of a maintenance substance involves applying the substance to a conductor for maintenance purposes.

[0032] One or more substances may be used herein.

[0033] The substance may be a solid, liquid or gas. Liquid substances may be low or high viscosity.

[0034] The substance is preferably liquid, at least temporarily, in particular at least when the substance is applied. The substance is particularly preferably liquid at normal temperature and pressure.

[0035] The substances used may include or be embodied as, but are not limited to, water, detergents, soaps, corrosion removers, corrosion converters, especially rust converters, oils, fats or indicating inks.

[0036] The indicator ink can be used to mark the conductors. When a shape error or a position error occurs to the conductors, the marked erroneous conductors interact with a maintenance device that passes over the conductors in the direction of the receiving groove during the maintenance process. As a result, the indicator ink marks the maintenance device at the corresponding location. In this way, damaged or misaligned conductors can be quickly identified.

[0037] The substance may be applied, in particular, but not exclusively, using a nozzle, a brush, a sponge or a substance capture agent exhibiting capillary action. Preferably, the maintenance device includes or is connected to a substance reservoir. The substance reservoir may be designed, for example, to store the substance using the capillary effect. Preferably, the substance reservoir is designed to store the substance in a substance storage tank.

[0038] A pump, motor, or the like may be provided to transport the substance from the substance reservoir and subsequently apply the substance to the electrical conductor.

[0039] Preferably, the cleaning device is designed to release the substance exclusively locally at at least two separate locations on at least two different conductors. This is particularly beneficial when the substance is conductive. Due to the release at clearly defined, predetermined locations, short circuits between the conductors can be avoided even when such conductive substances are used.

[0040] For this purpose, for example, two or more nozzles are provided which emit the substance at different locations, and a seal, such as a sealing lip, may be provided separating two adjacent locations or regions from each other so that a conductive liquid film cannot develop between these locations or regions.

[0041] To avoid short circuits, the amount of substance used must of course be adapted to the measures taken. According to another feature of the invention, at least one active element is designed for electrostatic maintenance interaction.

[0042] For this purpose, the maintenance device, in particular the working element, can be designed to collect contaminants, for example fine droplets such as dust or liquid particles, by electrostatic charges. The working element can therefore be designed as an electrostatic cleaning element. Such electrostatic cleaning elements are designed to be electrostatically charged. As a result, the electrostatic cleaning element can attract particles that contaminate the electrical conductor. Electrostatic maintenance devices can be based, for example, on the triboelectric effect or on electrostatic induction.

[0043] According to another feature of the invention, at least one active element is designed for a maintenance interaction of the air flow.

[0044] To this end, the maintenance device may be designed to blow air towards the conductors and / or to suck air away from the conductors like a vacuum cleaner.

[0045] The maintenance device, in particular the operating element, is designed to direct the air flow towards the conductor or away from it, this can be achieved by means of individual nozzles or slit nozzles etc.

[0046] To establish the airflow, the maintenance equipment may include an internal airflow generator or an external airflow generator, such as a turbine, fan, or compressor.

[0047] According to another feature of the invention, at least one working element is designed for maintenance interaction of checking the position and / or alignment.

[0048] Such position and / or alignment check maintenance interactions can be performed in a variety of ways, including the following non-exclusive examples:

[0049] For example, the active element may be realized as a displacement sensor that is moved along a conductor (wire) and checks the position of the wire to determine whether it is in its desired position or not, by means of which it is possible to detect portions of the conductor that have moved outside of the target position.

[0050] The maintenance device may also include a laser-based system in which the position / alignment of the electrical conductors is checked, where the active elements are designed as laser generating devices and / or as light detecting devices.

[0051] The maintenance device may also include a camera-based system designed for visually inspecting the electrical conductors, where the active element is designed as a camera.

[0052] Combinations of these can also be realised: thus, there can be provided an operating element which emits a laser and an operating element which is designed as a camera which captures an image of the electrical conductor affected by said laser.

[0053] The captured still or moving images may be transmitted to an external display, but the maintenance device itself may also include a screen for quickly displaying still or moving images, making it possible to identify precisely where a misposition or misalignment has been identified.

[0054] It is particularly advantageous if the maintenance device is designed to be movable along the shelf rail in the receiving groove. According to this particular embodiment, when the maintenance device is inserted and positioned in the receiving groove, it can maintain at least one conductor over its entire length while it moves along the shelf rail. This measure allows at least one conductor to be continuously maintained along its longitudinal extension. Thus, the entire maintenance process for the entire shelf rail can be carried out relatively quickly, without the need to repeatedly remove and reinsert the maintenance device for each separate position. In particular, the design of the maintenance device, which allows free movement along the shelf rail, differs from the design of electronic devices provided for use with such shelf rails and designed to be locked to the shelf rail without being movable along the shelf rail.

[0055] According to a further feature, it has proven advantageous for the maintenance device to include a proximity mechanism designed to bring the active element closer to or into contact with the electrical conductor.

[0056] The proximity mechanism is therefore designed to apply a force to move the working element towards the electrical conductor and / or to establish a secure contact between this working element and this electrical conductor.

[0057] For this purpose, the proximity mechanism can be designed to move the entire maintenance device into the cross section of the receiving groove. In order to move or press the entire maintenance device towards the conductor by the action element, for example, the proximity mechanism presses against a reference wall (or a conductor support) of the electronic shelf rail.

[0058] However, the proximity mechanism may also be designed to move only a part of the maintenance device, in particular essentially only the acting element, so that the maintenance device can be designed to rest against a reference wall of the electronic shelf rail, while the proximity mechanism presses the acting element against or towards the conductor.

[0059] The proximity mechanism may include a spring-loaded mechanism, such as a leg spring, helical spring, or gas spring. Another component may be provided, such as a lever, that directs the force or movement to an intended point. For example, a spring-loaded mechanism may be used to urge the entire maintenance device away from a reference wall, or to urge an active element toward the electrical conductor.

[0060] However, the proximity mechanism may include other mechanisms instead of or in place of the spring mechanism to generate the force and / or cause the movement. For example, the proximity mechanism may include an electromagnet or an electric motor. Such an electric motor or electromagnet may drive a camshaft, a threaded rod, or the like, which in turn generates a corresponding movement or force.

[0061] This means makes it possible to place the active element at a predefined distance from the conductor or to press the active element against the conductor with a predefined pressure without manual readjustment.

[0062] It has further proven beneficial for the maintenance device to include an insertion path limiting element that is designed and / or positioned to limit the insertion path of the maintenance device so that when the maintenance device is inserted into the receiving groove of the electronic shelf rail along the insertion path until the limit of the insertion path is reached, the acting element is located in a position corresponding to the position of the conductor.

[0063] This measure ensures that when the maintenance device is inserted, the acting element is properly positioned to allow maintenance interaction with the electrical conductor, thus avoiding that the acting element passes over the electrical conductor and is located too deep in the shelf rail, or that the acting element is not inserted sufficiently into the shelf rail to a depth that allows maintenance interaction.

[0064] To this end, the insertion path limiting element may be designed, for example, as a tip stop.

[0065] Thus, the insertion path limiting element is a component that is installed and configured such that when the maintenance device is inserted deep enough into the electronic shelf rail to perform a maintenance interaction, the insertion path limiting element contacts the electronic shelf rail. As a result, the maintenance device is not able to move any deeper into the electronic shelf rail. The design of the insertion path limiting element also ensures that the maintenance device is held freely movable along the electronic shelf rail.

[0066] Additionally, the shelf rail maintenance device includes a guide mechanism designed to guide the working element as the maintenance device is moved along the shelf rail. The term "guide" means that the guide mechanism ensures that the active element is guided along a conductor that extends along its target course or along the conductor's predicted target course.

[0067] The guide mechanism makes it possible to keep the operating elements consistently and perfectly positioned as the maintenance device is moved along the electronic shelf rail and to avoid malfunctions such as slippage or jamming of the maintenance device.

[0068] For this purpose, the guide mechanism may consist of, for example, a beam or post that rests against the electronic shelf rail to guide the maintenance device.

[0069] Thus, the guide mechanism may be an essentially fixed component that is fixedly connected to the remainder of the maintenance device except for possible spring biasing of the fixed component.

[0070] However, as noted above, the guide mechanism may be comprised of moving elements such as wheels, gears, chains, belts, and the like.

[0071] In general, it has proven advantageous for the maintenance device to include at least one movable element which is movable relative to the maintenance device.

[0072] This means that the mobile element is operational within the maintenance device and is therefore designed to perform a relative movement with respect to the maintenance device, where movement is understood as a movement that opposes deformation as a result of frictional forces such as occur with bristles during brushing.

[0073] Preferably, the moving element is designed to come into contact with a shelf rail, for example for rolling on said shelf rail.

[0074] The movable element performs a rotational movement within the maintenance device.

[0075] At least one moving element is used for different tasks as described below. It can be done.

[0076] As mentioned above, at least one movable element can be used to implement the guide mechanism. For this, for example, wheels can be provided. The maintenance device can be moved and guided by said wheels. Such a movable element can also be used to avoid certain movements of the maintenance device. The use of at least one movable element to realize the guide mechanism allows low-friction guidance.

[0077] Furthermore, the at least one working element may include or be implemented as at least one moving element. For example, the working element may be realized as a rotatable, fabric-covered wheel designed to wipe dirt off electrical conductors. To realize the electrostatic maintenance interaction, the moving working element is designed to generate an electric charge by the triboelectric effect. For this purpose, a corresponding friction object may be provided on the working element that rubs against the moving element. The friction object may also be designed to perform the electrostatic maintenance interaction.

[0078] It is therefore advantageous if the operating element is designed to be movable within the maintenance device.

[0079] A mobile element may also be designed to drive another mobile element. For example, a wheel may be provided that is configured to roll and thus rotate on the electronic shelf rail when the maintenance device is moved along the electronic shelf rail. This wheel may drive a fabric-covered wheel that forms the working element. This allows the fabric-covered wheel to be driven in order to perform the maintenance interaction.

[0080] Such a moving element may also be used to perform the actuation as described below.

[0081] Thus, a shelf maintenance apparatus according to a further aspect of the present invention includes a drive mechanism designed to drive the maintenance apparatus along the shelf rail.

[0082] Such a drive mechanism may be implemented, for example, by a friction motor or a spring-loaded motor, such as a pull-back type motor.

[0083] Such a drive mechanism implemented, for example, by a pull-back motor, allows an employee to insert a maintenance device into the electronic shelf rail near the right end of the electronic shelf rail and move the maintenance device slightly to the right. The maintenance device then automatically moves to the left end of the electronic shelf rail. At the same time, the employee can insert the next maintenance device into the upper or lower electronic shelf rail and the process can be repeated. The maintenance device can then be retrieved at the left end of the electronic shelf rail. Of course, the left side may be swapped for this process.

[0084] The maintenance device can be activated even if an electronic device such as an ESL is still in use on the electronic shelf rail. The maintenance device then moves until it contacts the electronic device. The electronic device can then be removed by an employee and reinserted after the maintenance device has passed the location of the electronic device. Once the path is cleaned, the maintenance device continues to move automatically. This ensures that the maintenance device also occupies the location of the electronic device and all electronic devices are returned to their previous location after the maintenance process.

[0085] Preferably, the drive mechanism is driven by an electric motor.

[0086] A maintenance device working with such a drive mechanism by an electric motor can be used similarly to the maintenance device with the pre-back type motor described above. However, in this case, an additional sensor can be provided so that the maintenance device stops, for example, before it presses the electronic device in the electronic shelf rail. This makes it easier for an employee to remove the electronic device from the shelf rail and reinsert it after the maintenance device has passed.

[0087] The maintenance device therefore preferably comprises at least one path sensor for detecting whether the path along the electrical conductor is blocked or not.An electric motor can not only be used for the drive mechanism but also for driving a movable element of the operating element or a movable operating element.

[0088] In order to supply power to the electrical functions of the maintenance device, it is advantageous for the maintenance device to contact at least one electrical conductor of the shelf rail and to draw power from said at least one electrical conductor.

[0089] Thus, the maintenance device preferably includes at least one sliding contact, preferably two sliding contacts. Typically, an electronic shelf rail includes two electrical conductors that are used to supply power, each of which is individually contacted with one of the sliding contacts.

[0090] Often, the electronic shelf rail includes a third conductor designed to transmit information by way of data or signals, and the maintenance device may include a third sliding contact for contacting the third conductor of the shelf rail to provide the communications link.

[0091] For data processing and / or data communication, the maintenance device may include electronic devices, in particular a processing stage (eg a microcontroller or the like).

[0092] Thus, the maintenance device can determine the status of the electrical shelf rail, optionally store that status as data, and transmit that status in the form of communication data via the third conductor of the shelf rail to a shelf rail controller, which in turn can transmit to a server, etc. The status can include, for example, when the shelf rail or its contacts were last cleaned, when corrosion protection was last applied, and / or whether any alignment or position errors related to the conductors were detected, etc.

[0093] For example, if a conductor alignment or position error is detected, this can be logged centrally on a server so that all those shelf rails in a service area where an error has been detected can be easily found and quickly repaired or replaced.

[0094] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous for the maintenance device to include an energy store for storing energy, preferably electrical power.

[0095] As pointed out in the description of the drive function, this energy store can store energy in a spring or a flywheel, for example.

[0096] However, when the electronic device is present in the maintenance device, the energy storage is preferably realized by a battery or an accumulator capable of storing power, so that the maintenance device can be used even if power is not supplied by electrical conductors, or even if the contact to the electrical conductors intended to supply power is (temporarily) interrupted.

[0097] It is also possible for the maintenance device to be driven by electronic means even if the power supply to the electronic shelf rail is deliberately stopped, which may be necessary for example for a maintenance device containing a large amount of (soapy) water, when the power supply to the electrical conductors is interrupted to avoid short circuits.

[0098] In summary, it may be pointed out that the maintenance device may be designed to move automatically along at least one electrical conductor.

[0099] However, the maintenance device may also be designed to be moved manually along the electrical conductor.

[0100] The maintenance device may include a handle such that the maintenance device may be grasped by the handle.

[0101] Preferably, the handle is designed such that at least one acting element can be pulled towards the electrical conductor by pulling on the handle.

[0102] Preferably, the maintenance device is designed to mechanically support the electronic shelf rail, and in particular the conductor support, when inserted into the electronic shelf rail. This mechanical support ensures that forces and moments acting on the electronic shelf rail caused by the maintenance device are equalized and that the resulting forces are minimized. To this end, preferably, the maintenance device includes a support structure. Such a support structure may be designed, for example, to equalize or absorb forces from nearby mechanisms.

[0103] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the housing of the maintenance device takes the shape of the electronic shelf label typically used with the electronic shelf rail, except for the latching mechanism that prevents longitudinal movement of the electronic shelf label along the electronic shelf rail, which simplifies operation of the maintenance device.

[0104] Additionally, the maintenance device may be embedded in the electronic shelf label.

[0105] Finally, it is noted that the electronic devices referred to in the description of this application may be realized by well-known discrete and / or integrated electronics. When an interface is provided, a person skilled in the art can select and design appropriate interface circuits (transceivers) to enable data and / or signal communication. Programmable devices may include microprocessors and discrete peripheral electronic devices. Such programmable devices may also be realized by microcontrollers or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The execution of software routines on such devices provides the computer-implemented functions described herein.

[0106] The above and further features of the present invention are illustrated in the following figures.

[0107] The invention will now be described on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, which do not limit the scope of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0108] [Figure 1A] 1 shows a shelf rail maintenance device according to a first embodiment and a shelf rail on which the shelf rail maintenance device is used. [Figure 1B] 1 shows a shelf rail maintenance device according to a first embodiment and a shelf rail on which the shelf rail maintenance device is used. [Figure 2A] 1A-1B show a front view of the device according to FIG. [Figure 2B] 1A-1B show the rear view of the device. [Figure 3A] 4 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device; [Figure 3B] 4 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device; [Figure 4] 4 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device; [Figure 5A] 5 shows a front view of the maintenance device according to FIG. 4. [Figure 5B] 5 shows the rear side of the maintenance device according to FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 4 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device; [Figure 7A] 1 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device having a form very similar to the electronic shelf labels used on the shelf rails. [Figure 7B] 1 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device having a form very similar to the electronic shelf labels used on the shelf rails. [Figure 7C] 1 shows a further embodiment of a maintenance device having a form very similar to the electronic shelf labels used on the shelf rails. [Figure 8A] 1 shows an electronic shelf rail and an electronic shelf label for use with the electronic shelf rail. [Figure 8B] 1 shows an electronic shelf rail and an electronic shelf label for use with the electronic shelf rail. [Figure 9A] An electronic shelf rail with two electronic shelf labels and a rail control device are shown. [Figure 9B] An electronic shelf rail with two electronic shelf labels and a rail control device are shown. [Figure 10] A maintenance device that can be moved left and right on shelf rails is shown. [Figure 11] 13 illustrates another embodiment of a maintenance device having a guide element formed at its bottom end. [Figure 12] 1 shows the interaction of the active elements of the maintenance device with the shelf rails in a perspective cross-sectional view, in which the rear wall of the maintenance device has been broken away in this region of the housing of the maintenance device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0109] 9A shows an electronic shelf rail 3 supporting two electronic shelf labels (ESLs for short) 30. The electronic shelf rail 3 is connected to a rail controller 31 which provides power to operate the ESLs 30 and data to the ESLs 30. A display is provided on the front of the ESLs 30 for displaying price and / or product information as indicated by the provided data.

[0110] 9B shows the rear of the shelf rail 3 connected to the rail control device 31 shown in FIG. 9A. In this perspective view, the reference wall 2 of the electronic shelf rail 3 is visible. The reference wall 2 includes several recesses 13. The recesses 13 used to fasten the ESL 30 are arranged in a grid. The recesses 13 allow a good coupling between the ESL 30 and the electronic shelf rail 3 and avoid longitudinal movement of the ESL 30 along the shelf rail immediately after the ESL 30 locks into the recesses 13.

[0111] 8A and 8B show the mechanical and electrical interaction between the electronic shelf rail 3 and the ESL 30.

[0112] The shelf rail 3 includes a first boundary wall 2 (reference wall 2) which is shown vertically in Figures 8A and 8B.

[0113] The first boundary or reference wall 2, respectively, is integral at its upper end with a second boundary wall 8. In this exemplary embodiment, the second boundary wall 8 and the reference wall 2 are integral and made of steel.

[0114] Between the reference wall 2 and the second boundary wall 8 there is provided a receiving area 4 for receiving an electronic device, here an ESL 30, defined on both sides by said walls 2 and 8.

[0115] The second boundary wall 8 comprises an accommodation shaft 7 into which a conductor support 5, embodied as a conductor support plate (also called conductor carrier in common notation), is inserted. On the side where the conductor support 5 is inserted into the accommodation shaft 7, the conductor support 5 is adapted to the shape of the accommodation shaft 7 and is thus essentially formed T-shaped. To insert the conductor support 5 into the accommodation shaft 7 or to remove it from the accommodation shaft 7, the conductor support 5 can be moved normal to or towards the plane of the drawing of Figures 8A (and 8B).

[0116] The conductor support 5 supports or carries three conductors 6 realized as wires. Each conductor 6 consists of a single-core copper wire 6 and is embodied without an insulating layer. Approximately 2 / 3 of the radial dimension, which is more than 50% of the cross section of the wire 6, is embedded in the conductor support 5. In this case, the wire 6 placed closest to the second boundary wall 8 is a power supply line, the central conductor track 6 is a signal supply line, and the conductor track 6 placed furthest from the second boundary wall 8 is a reference potential line. The wires 6 are arranged on the side of the conductor support 5 facing the reference wall 2. The conductor support 5 and the reference wall 2 each have a first dimension (longitudinal extension) that represents a linear dimension measured out of or into the plane of the paper. In this case, the conductor support 5 and the reference wall 2 are of the same dimension in this exemplary embodiment, for example a length of about 1.5 m. However, other lengths for the shelf rail 3 may be provided.

[0117] The conductor support 5 has a second dimension (height) that represents the vertical extension of the conductor support 5 in Figures 8A and 8B. Correspondingly, the reference wall 2 has a third dimension (height) that identifies the vertical extension of the reference wall 2 in Figures 8A and 8B. In this exemplary embodiment, the second dimension of the conductor support 5 is about 40% of the third dimension of the reference wall 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the second dimension is, for example, about 3 cm.

[0118] The second boundary wall 8 has an edge region 12 at its end side. The edge region 2 is formed in the shape of a protrusion or hook, which prevents the ESL 30 from being separated from the reference wall 2 in the direction normal to the reference wall 2 when the ESL 30 is inserted.

[0119] The electronic shelf rail 3 includes guide ribs 9 around the recess 13. The guide ribs 9 guide the ESL 30 as it is inserted. The guide ribs 9 form a framework or frame 10 within the receiving area 4. The ESL 30 can be locked into the recess 13 and can push itself out of the frame 10 in the direction of the second boundary wall 8 by a spring force.

[0120] FIG. 1A shows an electronic shelf rail system 1 including an electronic shelf rail 3 as described above, and a shelf maintenance device 14.

[0121] The maintenance device 14 comprises three working elements 15. In this exemplary embodiment, the working elements 15 are realized by polishing pads intended for the work of machine maintenance. The working elements 15 in this embodiment can be used dry or wet.

[0122] Furthermore, the maintenance device 14 includes a proximity mechanism 16. The proximity mechanism 16 is realized by a spring leg that extends flat along the maintenance device 14.

[0123] Furthermore, the maintenance device 14 includes an insertion path limiting element 17, which in this exemplary embodiment is provided on the proximity mechanism 16 and the acting element 15. The insertion path limiting element 17 is designed as a termination, such that the acting element 15 is positioned in line with the electrical conductor 6 when the path limiting element 17 contacts the second boundary wall 8 of the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0124] Furthermore, to perform the maintenance process, the maintenance device 14 comprises a handle 18 designed so that the maintenance device 14 can be grasped by a person manipulating the handle 18. The handle 18 is thus designed so that the acting element 15 can be pulled towards the electrical conductor 6 by pulling on this handle 18.

[0125] When the maintenance device 14 is moved into the electronic shelf rail 3, the maintenance device 14 is in an inserted state, i.e., as shown in FIG. 1B, the maintenance device 14 is in a state where it is inserted into the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0126] 1B, in the inserted state, the insertion path limiting element 17 is in contact with the second boundary wall 8 of the electronic shelf rail 3. As a result, the maintenance device 14 cannot be moved further upwards. As a result, the action element 15 is positioned exactly in line with the electrical conductor 6.

[0127] Once positioned in the inserted state, the proximity mechanism 16 is elastically deformed such that the proximity mechanism 16 applies a spring force to the frame 10. As a result, the active element 15 is moved towards the conductor 6 and pressed against it.

[0128] When the maintenance device 14 is inserted into the shelf rail 3, the handle 18 coincides with the contact point between the acting element 15 and the conductor 6. This means that the pressure applied by the acting element 15 to the conductor 6 can be increased without torque by simply pulling the handle 18 away from the reference wall 2 of the electronic shelf rail 3. 2A shows the rear side of the maintenance device 14. Here, the proximity mechanism 16 is shown over a wide area of ​​the rear of the maintenance device 14. The maintenance device 14 is therefore pressed uniformly towards the conductor. At the same time, the flat design of the leg spring realizing the proximity mechanism 16 prevents the leg spring from fitting into the recess 13 of the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0129] 2B shows the front side of the maintenance device 14, where the actuating element 15 and the handle 18 can be seen. The handle 18 is mounted off-center to facilitate right-to-left sliding (of the maintenance device 14 inside the electronic shelf rail 3). Thus, the handle 18 is mounted off-center in the direction of the intended direction of movement of the maintenance device 14 within the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0130] 3A and 3B show another exemplary embodiment of the system 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the maintenance device 14 comprises besides the above a substance storage realized as a substance storage tank 19 for storing a maintenance substance. The substance storage tank 19 is connected to a manual pump 20 and to an operating element 15. The operating element 15 is designed to cooperate with a maintenance substance. An employee using this maintenance device 14 can operate the manual pump 20. As a result, the maintenance substance is pumped from the substance storage tank 19 via pipes and / or hoses and / or tubes to the operating element 15 and is discharged onto the conductor 6 through a nozzle arranged below the polishing pad. The movement of the substance is caused by the pressure that is increased as a result of the activation of the manual pump 20. It should be noted here that, of course, pumps other than the manual pump 20 may also be used in an equivalent manner.

[0131] In this embodiment, the insertion path limiting element 17 is realized by two cylinders that are mechanical end posts. The end posts 17 are positioned in such a way that the insertion path is limited when they contact the conductor support 5. In this position, the acting element 15 is appropriately placed to correspond to the conductor 6. Both cylinders are placed in a straight line normal to the paper. As a result, only one cylinder is visible, since the second cylinder is placed after the first one.

[0132] 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of the system 1, in which the maintenance device 14 is adapted to automatically perform the maintenance process and to drive autonomously along the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0133] The rear of the automatic maintenance device 14 is shown in FIG. 5A, and the front of the automatic maintenance device 14 is shown in FIG. 5B.

[0134] The maintenance device 14 includes a guide mechanism 21 that is designed to guide the operating element 15 when the maintenance device 14 is moved along the electronic shelf rail 3. The guide mechanism 21 includes one beam 22, four wheels 23 and one gear 24.

[0135] The wheels 23 and the gears 24 are driven by an electric motor (not shown) of the maintenance device 14 , thus also performing the role of a drive mechanism 25 .

[0136] In this regard, it should be noted that it is also possible to provide the drive mechanism 25 with only the wheels 23 or only the gears 24 .

[0137] Here, the motor can drive one or more wheels 23 (and / or gears 24). In this embodiment, each driven wheel 23 and gear 24 is driven by one electric motor.

[0138] The gear 24 is designed to engage with the recess 13 in the electronic shelf rail 3 .

[0139] The beam 22 is supported at its ends by two springs 22B. The beam 22 is connected to a button 22C via a lever mechanism inside the maintenance device 14. By pressing the button 22C, the beam 22 can be retracted inside the maintenance device 14 so that the device can be inserted into or removed from the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0140] In this embodiment, the beam 22 is supported against the reference wall 2 by a spring force and is therefore also designed to press the active element 15 towards the conductor 6. The beam 22 thus also acts here as the proximity mechanism 16.

[0141] The operating element 15 is arranged on the surface of the maintenance device 14 .

[0142] Here, the first and second operating elements 15A and 15B are each designed as a fabric that can be moved around two rollers 15D. The rollers 15D are driven by an electric motor installed in the housing of the maintenance device 14. The fabric is wound around these rollers 15D like an endless belt. These rollers 15D protrude from the housing of the maintenance device 14 away from the center for interaction purposes, while these rollers 15D are covered by the housing of the maintenance device 14 at the rear of the device 14. The axes of these rollers 15 are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 5B.

[0143] The three third working elements 15C are designed to perform mechanical maintenance interaction and maintenance substance interaction. For this purpose, each third working element 15C comprises a polishing pad placed on one or more liquid-spewing nozzles. The nozzles are connected to an electric pump and to a liquid tank inside the maintenance device 14. The liquid tank stores the liquid maintenance substance. Between these third working elements 15C there is a sealing lip 26 that prevents the liquid maintenance substance from causing a short circuit between the conductors 6.

[0144] In order to remove particles from the electrical conductor 6 or from its surroundings, the first active element 15A is designed to electrostatically charge the fabric as a result of friction.

[0145] The second working element 15B is designed to wipe the electrical conductor 6 dry.

[0146] The maintenance device 14 also includes three contacts 28. To power the electronics of the maintenance device 14, two of these contacts 28 are used to contact the electrical conductors 6 to draw power from the electronic shelf rail 3. The third contact point may be used for data / signal communication.

[0147] Furthermore, a limit switch 27 is located to the left of the maintenance device 14 .

[0148] The maintenance device 14 includes a processing stage (not shown) that resides within the maintenance device 14 as part of the electronics.

[0149] This processing stage is connected to all electrical components of the maintenance device 14 (motors, pumps, limit switches 27, ...) and is designed to control these components and / or to process signals and / or data from these components.

[0150] The process of this stage will be briefly described below.

[0151] This processing stage recognizes that the maintenance device 14 has been installed on the electronic shelf rail 3 from the fact that the contacts 28 are powered. After 2 seconds, this processing stage starts the first and second operating elements 15A and 15B. At the same time, the electric pump is started to supply the maintenance substance to the third operating element 15C. After another 3 seconds, the motors of the wheels 23 and the gears 24 are started. This timing gives the employee who inserted the maintenance device 14 on the electronic shelf rail 3 enough time to withdraw his hands and clear the track for the independent operation of the maintenance device 14. The maintenance device 14 then travels along the electronic shelf rail 3 until the limit switch 27 is contacted. This contact can occur when the end of the electronic shelf rail 3 is reached or when the maintenance device 14 contacts the ESL 30 installed on the electronic shelf rail 3. In the latter case, the employee can remove the ESL 30 from the electronic shelf rail 3. The removal of ESL 30 causes limit switch 27 to release its contact, which is detected by the processing stage. After a short delay of approximately one second, set so as not to endanger the employee, maintenance device 14 continues to move along electronic shelf rail 3. Immediately after maintenance device 14 has passed, the employee can return ESL 30 to its place.

[0152] 6 shows the system 1 including a further exemplary embodiment of the maintenance device 14. The maintenance device 14 in this embodiment includes substantially the same components as the embodiment described above. In addition, the maintenance device 14 now includes a support structure 29 that supports the conductor support 5 and protects it from being deformed or displaced by the maintenance device 14 during maintenance operations of the maintenance device 14.

[0153] In this exemplary embodiment, the maintenance device 14 is shaped similarly to the ESL 30 .

[0154] Such a maintenance device 14 in the form of an ESL 30 may include as active elements 15 a light source and a camera that allow capturing still or dynamic images of the electrical conductors 6. The light source is thus arranged so that it illuminates a portion of one or all of the electrical conductors 6 of the plurality of electrical conductors 6. The camera can then appropriately capture an image or dynamic image of this portion. The maintenance device 14 may include a display arranged in front of it to show (real-life) images or dynamic images captured by the camera. The light source and the camera allow a user of the maintenance device 14 to visually inspect the electrical conductors 6 as the maintenance device 14 moves along the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0155] Alternatively or additionally, the maintenance device 14 may comprise a wireless module used to transmit image or video data representative of the images or video captured by the camera to a server for further processing. The server can then analyze the images by pattern recognition and identify whether there are any alignment, shape or position errors or damages on the conductors 6. If a discrepancy with the expected image or video is detected, a discrepancy information message can be transmitted to the maintenance device 14 and can be displayed by the maintenance device 14 on a display. Naturally, the maintenance device 14 itself may be designed for pattern recognition, so that no transmission to a server is necessary and the analysis on the captured images or video can be performed directly on the maintenance device 14.

[0156] 7A-7B show a system 1 including a maintenance device 14 having a shape similar to that of ESL 30. Unlike ESL 30, the maintenance device 14 engages into a recess 13 in the electronic shelf rail 3 and is not designed to lean itself against the frame 10 of the electronic shelf rail 3. Instead, the rear of the maintenance device 14 is formed in the upper region to allow the maintenance device 14 to pass through the frame 10. The maintenance device 14 in this embodiment is designed to be manually moved along the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0157] Here, the maintenance device 14 includes a support structure 29 that supports the conductor support 5 and protects the conductor support 5 from being deformed or displaced by the maintenance device 14. Furthermore, a rear wall of the maintenance device 14 realizes a second support structure 29a and is designed to contact the reference wall 2 of the electronic shelf rail 3 when the maintenance device 14 is inserted into the electronic shelf rail 3. As a result, the rear wall protects the conductor support 5 from being levered by the maintenance device 14, as would otherwise happen when the maintenance device 14 is pressed against the reference wall 2 by an employee while the maintenance device 14 is moving along the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0158] As illustrated in detail in Fig. 7C, the proximity mechanism 16 is realized as a leg spring inside the maintenance device 14. The lower end of this leg spring is rigidly connected to the structure of the maintenance device 14. An active element 15 is attached to the upper end of this leg spring. The active element 15 protrudes from the housing of the maintenance device 14 so that it can contact the electrical conductor 6. The active element 15 is realized as an abrasive pad.

[0159] This embodiment allows the maintenance device to be easily and quickly moved along the electronic shelf rail 3, while the proximity mechanism 16 automatically ensures that the operating element 15 is pressed against the conductor 6 with the appropriate pressure to ensure the maintenance operation.

[0160] However, the active elements 15 may also be arranged on spring legs which are exclusively of straight shape in order to save material and to facilitate the manufacturing process.

[0161] The spring legs may be made of metal or plastic or any other resilient material.

[0162] FIG. 10 shows a maintenance device 14 configured as an ESL 30 and free to move left and right according to the arrows.

[0163] 11 shows the maintenance device 14 from the back. For the most part, the maintenance device 14 is formed like the ESL 30, but the rear side of the maintenance device 14 is formed flat to allow it to slide along the electronic shelf rail 3. Unlike the ESL 30, the maintenance device 14 does not include a means for locking into the recess 13 (see, for example, FIG. 9B) of the electronic shelf rail 3.

[0164] Such a maintenance device 14 can easily be manufactured based on the housing of this ESL 30 by modifying only the parts of the housing that allow the ESL to lock into the recess 13 of the electronic shelf rail 3 .

[0165] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the maintenance device 14 further includes a second insertion path limiting element 17b designed to interact with the reference wall 2 of the electronic shelf rail 3. On the one hand, the second insertion path limiting element 17b prevents the maintenance device 14 from being inserted too deeply into the receiving groove 4 of the electronic shelf rail 3, and on the other hand, the second insertion path limiting element 17b prevents the maintenance device 14 from being moved away from the reference wall 2 when the maintenance device 14 is fully inserted into the receiving groove 14 and slides along the electronic shelf rail 3. Thus, the second insertion path limiting element 17b forms a guide element formed at the lower end of the maintenance device 14, which guides the maintenance device 14 during its movement to the left or right along the shelf rail 3. As a result, the maintenance device 14 cannot be erroneously pivoted forward away from the reference wall 2 of the electronic shelf rail 3 as long as the maintenance device 14 is in its maintenance interaction position.

[0166] FIG. 12 shows the maintenance device 14 fully inserted into the electronic shelf rail 3. In this perspective view, a portion of the housing has been cut away so that the acting elements 15 can be seen. Each acting element 15 is attached to a proximity mechanism 16. Each acting element 15 is located at a precisely predefined position relative to the conductors 6 and interacts precisely with one of the conductors 6 in order to maintain that conductor 6. Here, the maintenance device 14 includes three acting elements 15. In this case, each acting element 15 is designed to interact precisely with one conductor 6.

[0167] In this exemplary embodiment, the proximity mechanism 16 is designed as shown in Fig. 7C, i.e. the working element 15 is designed as a polishing pad attached to the proximity mechanism 16 realized as a leg spring.

[0168] Finally, it should be noted once again that the figures described in detail above only include representative embodiments that can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For completeness, it should be noted that the use of the indefinite article "a" does not imply that the respective feature cannot be present multiple times.

Claims

1. A shelf rail maintenance device (14) for maintaining at least one electrical conductor (6) of a shelf rail (3), comprising: The conductor (6) is installed in the receiving groove (4) of the electronic shelf rail (3) and extends freely and accessible along the longitudinal extension of the receiving groove (4); The maintenance device (14) comprises at least one operating element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) designed for maintenance interaction with at least one electrical conductor (6) of the electronic shelf rail (3), The shelf rail maintenance device (14) is characterized in that at least a portion of the maintenance device (14) is designed to fit into the accommodating groove (4) such that the at least one operating element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) can be positioned in the accommodating groove (4) corresponding to the position of the at least one conductor (6).

2. 2. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) is designed for mechanical maintenance interaction.

3. 3. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one acting element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) is designed for maintenance interaction of a maintenance substance.

4. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one active element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) is designed for electrostatic maintenance interaction.

5. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one operating element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) is designed for maintenance interaction with an air flow.

6. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one acting element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) is designed for maintenance interaction of checking position and / or alignment.

7. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the maintenance device (14) is designed to be movable along the shelf rail (3) in the receiving groove (4).

8. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the maintenance device (14) includes a proximity mechanism designed to bring the at least one acting element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) into proximity with or into contact with the at least one conductor.

9. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an insertion path limiting element (17; 17b) designed and / or positioned to limit an insertion path of the maintenance device (14) when the maintenance device (14) is inserted into the receiving groove (4) of the electronic shelf rail (3) along the insertion path.

10. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a guide mechanism designed to guide the at least one operating element (15; 15A, 15B, 15C) when the maintenance device (14) is moved along the shelf rail (3).

11. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the maintenance device (14) includes at least one movable element that is movable relative to the maintenance device (14).

12. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the maintenance device (14) includes a drive mechanism (25) designed to run the maintenance device (14) along the shelf rail (3).

13. the maintenance device (14) is designed to make electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor (6) of the shelf rail (3); The shelf rail maintenance device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the maintenance device (14) is designed to draw power from the at least one electrical conductor (6) for operation.

14. The shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the maintenance device (14) includes an energy store for storing energy, preferably electrical energy.

15. An electronic shelf rail system (1) comprising one electronic shelf rail (3) and at least one shelf rail maintenance device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, an electronic shelf rail (3) designed to support at least one electronic device, in particular at least one electronic shelf label (30), said electronic shelf rail (3) comprising at least one electrical conductor (6), preferably at least two electrical conductors (6), particularly preferably three electrical conductors (6), said at least one electrical conductor (6) being located in a receiving groove (4) of said electronic shelf rail (3) and extending freely and accessible along a longitudinal extension of said receiving groove (4); said electronic shelf rail system (1), wherein at least one shelf rail maintenance device (14) is installed in said receiving groove (4) for carrying out maintenance operations together with said at least one electrical conductor (6);

16. The system (1) according to claim 15, wherein the at least one conductor (6) is installed on or in a conductor support (5), the conductor support (5) being designed to be surrounded by the at least one electronic device (30), preferably such that the at least one conductor (6) does not face a front surface of the electronic device (30).

Images