Powered Shelf Inductive Powering Consumer Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer product packages require efficient and cost-effective systems to provide small amounts of electrical power to light-emitting devices without wasting energy on misaligned products and minimizing interference with adjacent electronics.
Innovation Solution
A powered shelf system with primary inductors, a controller, and a pusher system that aligns product packages with secondary inductors to maximize energy coupling, focusing magnetic flux for efficient power transfer and reducing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If inductive power transfer is used to power light-emitting devices in consumer product packages, then energy efficiency is improved and interference with adjacent electronics is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases due to integration of inductors and alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the inductive power transfer function into separate components: primary inductors integrated into the shelf structure and secondary inductors embedded in individual product packages. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing by enabling modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that manages the inductive power transfer process. The controller regulates the magnetic field generation and timing, enabling efficient energy transfer while minimizing interference with adjacent electronics, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and system complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If pusher mechanisms are added to align product packages with primary inductors, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher mechanism provides dynamic alignment capability, allowing product packages to be positioned optimally with respect to the primary inductors. This dynamic adjustment ensures maximum magnetic coupling and power transfer efficiency while maintaining the ability to adapt to different package configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary alignment of product packages using the pusher mechanism before initiating the inductive power transfer. This preliminary positioning ensures that secondary inductors are properly aligned with primary inductors, maximizing power transfer efficiency from the outset.
3Productivity
If magnetic flux is focused to maximize power transfer to aligned products, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by concentrating magnetic flux specifically at the locations of aligned product packages. The primary inductors are designed to generate focused magnetic fields that target only the intended secondary inductors, improving power delivery effectiveness while limiting interference with adjacent products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with a controller-based system that uses electrical signals to manage the inductive coupling. The controller adjusts the timing and intensity of magnetic field generation to achieve optimal power transfer without requiring extremely precise mechanical alignment, thus reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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 system efficiently powers light-emitting devices in aligned product packages while minimizing energy consumption and avoiding interference with adjacent electronics, enhancing product visibility and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
The controller can apply an electrical current to the primary inductor in accordance with a maximum power requirement for the powered shelf system. The applied electrical current can be sufficient to create a magnetic field from the primary inductor
Implementation Method 2
The minimum field strength can be sufficient to induce a minimum current in a secondary inductor for powering an emitting device that is electrically coupled to the secondary inductor
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects involve a powered shelf system that can inductively provide power to electrical components of consumer product packages. The powered shelf system can include a housing, a primary inductor, a controller, and a pusher system. The primary inductor can be coupled to or included in the housing. The controller can apply an electrical current to the primary inductor in accordance with a maximum power requirement for the powered shelf system. The applied electrical current can be sufficient to create a magnetic field from the primary inductor that has a minimum field strength at a specified distance from the primary inductor. The minimum field strength can be sufficient to induce a minimum current in a secondary inductor for powering an emitting device that is electrically coupled to the secondary inductor. The pusher system can position the secondary inductor at the distance from the primary inductor.