Autonomous Load Carrier Tracking via Integrated Electronics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carriers for goods displays lack the ability to track their location accurately and autonomously, especially when transitioning from storage to sales rooms, which hampers efficient inventory management and production planning.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electronic device with a locating system and transmitter on the load carrier, enabling precise location determination and data transmission, independent of the sales outlet's communication infrastructure, using a battery-powered autonomous system that includes a locating device, transmitter, and environment sensors to track position and environmental data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic device with locating system and transmitter is integrated on the load carrier, then location tracking precision and autonomous tracking capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device integrates multiple functions including locating system, transmitter, environment sensors, and power supply into a single autonomous unit mounted on the load carrier. This multi-functional integration enables precise location tracking and environmental monitoring while consolidating components to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The load carrier becomes self-tracking through the integrated electronic device that autonomously determines its own location using the locating system and transmits data independently. The system serves itself by providing tracking capabilities without requiring external infrastructure or manual intervention.
2Extent of automation
If an autonomous power supply system is implemented on the load carrier, then independent operation capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load carrier carries its own power supply system, enabling it to autonomously operate the locating device, transmitter, and sensors without external power sources. This self-powered configuration allows independent tracking and data transmission throughout the logistics chain.
3Loss of information
If environment sensors are integrated to detect position and environmental data, then information accuracy for inventory management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device combines environment sensors with the locating system and transmitter to create a multi-functional tracking unit. The sensors detect various environmental parameters while the locating system provides position data, and both are transmitted together to improve information accuracy for inventory management.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a load carrier (10) for a merchandise display (11) in the form of a plastic pallet, in particular designed as a quarter pallet (12), comprising a deck (13) with a support surface (14) for goods (15), on the underside (19) of which a plurality of feet (1a, 18b, 18c, 18d) are arranged, wherein the deck (13) comprises an electronic device (50) with an autonomous power supply (39), wherein the device (50) includes a tracking device (17) with which position data can be acquired, determined or derived, which includes direct or indirect information about an exact position (46a, 46b, 46c, 47a, 47b) of the load carrier, or with which data can be acquired from which direct or indirect information about an exact position (46a, 46b, 46c, 47a, 47b) of the charge carrier can be derived,wherein the device (50) includes a transmitter (42) for particularly self-sufficient remote data transmission, with which the position data or the information or the data and in particular identity information about the identity of the load carrier can be transmitted to an external computer.