Planar Load Cell Assemblies for Intelligent Shelving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighing solutions for intelligent shelving lack stability, integration with existing shelving systems, and the ability to accurately track unique products in diverse collections, especially in large-scale retail environments, and require more precise and compact load cell assemblies.
Innovation Solution
The development of a weighing assembly that includes planar load cell assemblies with specific designs and configurations, such as double-ended load cells, flexure arrangements, and strain gauges, integrated with shelf brackets and a communications system to track weight changes and identify products using SKU-identifiers, enabling accurate weight measurements and product tracking across non-homogeneous product collections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load cells are attached to the underside of shelf segments to track product weights, then weight measurement capability is improved, but shelf stability and immobilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilizing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the shelf bracket and the load cell assembly. This stabilizing member provides structural support and immobilization for the intelligent shelf segment, preventing the instability that would result from attaching load cells to the shelf underside. The stabilizing member acts as a mediator that enables both weight measurement functionality and shelf stability simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If small-size load cell assemblies are introduced to improve measurement precision, then weight tracking accuracy is improved, but integration with existing shelving systems becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf bracket is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a structural support element and as an integration interface for the load cell assembly. The bracket includes a load cell receiving portion that can accommodate compact load cell assemblies, and a stabilizing member that provides both mechanical support and immobilization. This universal design enables easy integration of precision measurement devices into existing shelving systems without requiring complex custom integration processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If shelf brackets with stabilizing members are used to immobilize shelves, then shelf stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing member is merged with the shelf bracket to form an integrated structural assembly. Rather than being separate components, the stabilizing member and bracket work together as a unified structure that provides both support and immobilization functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining effective shelf stabilization.
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 provides stable and accurate weight tracking and product identification, enhancing inventory management and retail sales transactions by immobilizing shelves, integrating with existing systems, and supporting large-scale retail environments with precise and compact load cell assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a strain-sensing gage, bonded to the spring element, the strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in the spring element
Data Source
AI summary
Non-homogeneous products on a shelf are tracked using weighing assemblies jointly operable to measure the weight of the shelf and of the products. Weight measurement data is monitored and transmitted as streams of weight measurement data points. Responsively to a change in the values of the data, a set of weight-event parameters is determined including a product identification and an action taken with respect to the product. The determining includes aggregating, across all of the streams, changes in the weight measurement data corresponding to a specific time, mapping a change in weight distribution on the shelf, using the aggregated changes in weight measurement data, and assigning a set of weight-event parameters for resolving the mapped change in weight distribution. The product identification is based at least in part on per-product weight data retrieved from a product database.