Container Holding Fixture With Sensor-Triggered Visual Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moveable carts in material handling facilities face inefficiencies due to fixed receptacles requiring manual unloading and association with inventory records, leading to lower throughput and increased risks of misplacement errors.
Innovation Solution
A container holding fixture with a modular design, integrated sensors, and illuminating surfaces using LEDs to provide location-based indications, allowing for automated slot association and item placement verification, reducing cognitive load and error rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed receptacles are used on moveable carts, then items can be held and transported, but manual unloading and association with inventory records is required, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated identification. Receptacles equipped with RFID tags automatically identify themselves when placed in slots, eliminating the need for manual association with inventory records. The sensor packages automatically detect container placement and trigger visual indicators, allowing the system to serve itself without human intervention for these tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated sensing and visual indication systems. Instead of manual unloading and record association, sensor packages detect container presence and RFID readers automatically identify receptacles, substituting human labor with electronic detection and indication systems.
2Reliability
If manual association of receptacles with inventory records is required, then items can be tracked, but error rates increase due to misplacement risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements immediate visual feedback through color-coded indicators. Green indicators confirm correct container placement, while red indicators signal errors. This real-time feedback mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual checking processes and reduces misplacement errors by providing instant verification to operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes in visual indicators to communicate system state. Illuminated surfaces change color (green for correct, red for incorrect) to provide intuitive feedback about container placement accuracy, simplifying the verification process and reducing errors without increasing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If temporary receptacles are used to eliminate unloading time, then throughput improves, but time required to associate receptacles with inventory records remains
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-equipping receptacles with RFID tags and sensors before they are placed in slots. This preliminary preparation enables automatic identification and verification upon placement, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual association processes and maximizing throughput.
4Measurement precision
If visual indicators are added to identify slots and containers, then placement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator system serves multiple functions: it identifies slot locations, confirms correct container placement, and signals errors. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive verification and guidance in a single integrated system, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances material handling efficiency by reducing task time, minimizing errors, and increasing throughput through automated slot and item identification, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of inventory tasks.
Implementation Method 1
each slot may include an illuminating surface that includes a set of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are described that relate to location-based indications. An apparatus may include a frame, a sensing device, and a computing device. The frame may include a first set of members spaced apart and oriented in a first direction. At least one member of the first set of members may include an indicator area. The frame may also include a second set of members spaced apart and oriented in a second direction. At least two members of the second set of members may extend between the first set of members to define a container receiving area. The sensing device may be disposed adjacent to the container receiving area and configured to detect movement of containers with respective to the container receiving area. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the sensing device and configured to cause presentation of indicators within the indicator area.