Feed Unit Pulse Detection for Retail Stock Removal Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed devices for automatic shifting of objects in retail settings lack the ability to directly determine stock removals and removal frequencies, which is necessary for inventory control and theft prevention.
Innovation Solution
A feed device with an electronic component that generates pulses characteristic of predefined distances, allowing for the detection of movement direction and speed, and an evaluation unit to differentiate between legitimate removals and potential thefts based on pulse frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitance-based position detection is used to determine filling levels, then the position of the pusher can be measured, but direct determination of stock removals is not provided and complex conversion is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capacitance-based electrical measurement system with a mechanical pulse generation system. Contact means (mechanical elements) are arranged along the movement path of the feed unit, and each contact generates a discrete electrical pulse when triggered. This mechanical-to-electrical conversion directly encodes position information into pulse sequences, eliminating the need for complex capacitance value conversions while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contact means as intermediary mechanical elements between the moving feed unit and the evaluation electronics. These contact means serve as mediators that convert continuous mechanical movement into discrete, countable electrical pulses. Each contact means at a predefined position generates a pulse that directly represents a specific distance covered, simplifying the evaluation process.
2Productivity
If no movement direction detection is implemented, then the system is simpler, but removal frequency and potential theft cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into multiple independent contact means positioned at different locations along the feed unit's movement path. Each contact means is assigned to a specific evaluation circuit that can identify its unique position. By segmenting the detection function across multiple spatially distributed contact points, the system can determine both position and direction of movement through the sequence and pattern of activated contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of spatial distribution to the detection system. Instead of a single position sensor, multiple contact means are arranged along the movement path at different positions. This spatial arrangement creates a multi-dimensional detection capability where the sequence of pulse generation reveals both distance covered and direction of movement, enabling removal frequency analysis without excessive complexity.
3Loss of information
If contact means are arranged at predefined distances to generate pulses, then movement distance can be directly detected, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning contact means at specifically calculated distances along the feed unit's movement path before operation begins. Each contact means is placed at a predefined position that corresponds to a specific distance increment. This pre-arrangement ensures that as the feed unit moves, it will trigger contacts in a predetermined sequence, directly encoding distance information into the pulse pattern without requiring real-time calculation or complex processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A feed device for the automatic shifting of objects is provided. The feed device includes a storage area or a holding element and a driven feed unit by means of which an object arranged on the storage area or at the holding element of the feed device can be shifted when the feed unit engages at the object, and wherein the feed device includes at least one electronic component which electronically detects a movement of the feed unit. The electronic component is configured such that the covering of a distance by the feed unit during movement of the feed unit is directly detected as an electric pulse and that the covering of respectively predefined distances of the feed unit generates a pulse sequence characteristic for the distances covered by the electronic component having different contact device at which in each case a pulse is generated which is characteristic for the respective contact device when the feed unit has covered a predefined distance.