Resistive Sensor Inventory Tracking for Roll Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inventory management systems are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often require expensive, large containers, necessitating more efficient and cost-effective solutions for tracking and replenishing inventory.
Innovation Solution
The development of an autonomous inventory management system that includes a flexible, sensor-equipped label attached to a collection of sheets, capable of tracking usage data and autonomously connecting to a network via LoRa or NB-IoT to transmit notifications and data, minimizing human intervention and enabling real-time, accurate inventory monitoring and automated reordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional inventory management systems are used, then manual inspection and ordering processes are simple to implement, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The inventory management system enables self-service functionality where the system automatically monitors inventory levels, detects when replenishment is needed, and places orders without human intervention. The sensor continuously tracks inventory quantity and the controller autonomously manages the replenishment process, eliminating manual inspection and ordering tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with automated sensing technology. A sensor detects inventory levels and converts physical quantity changes into electrical signals, which are processed by a controller to trigger automated reordering, substituting human labor with electronic detection and control systems.
2Measurement precision
If special containers are used for inventory management, then inventory tracking capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and container size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inventory management system is segmented into separate functional components: a sensor module for detection, a controller for processing, and a communication module for data transmission. This segmentation allows the monitoring system to be added as an independent add-on to existing containers rather than requiring specialized container manufacturing, reducing costs while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor and controller system is designed as a universal solution that can be applied to various container types and inventory items. The sensor detects different physical quantities (level, quantity) applicable to diverse container configurations, making the system adaptable to existing infrastructure without requiring container-specific manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If visual inspection method is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but time consumption and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides continuous monitoring of inventory levels, constantly detecting quantity changes without interruption. This continuous detection eliminates the periodic nature of manual inspection, ensuring inventory status is always known and replenishment can be triggered immediately when thresholds are reached, reducing time loss and preventing stockouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the sensor continuously monitors inventory levels and feeds this information to the controller. When the inventory quantity reaches a predetermined threshold, the controller receives feedback and automatically initiates the reordering process, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates manual intervention and reduces time consumption.
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
This solution enhances efficiency and reduces human error by providing real-time inventory information and enabling automated reordering, optimizing stock levels and improving product testing and subscription models through unbiased data collection and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a resistive sensor and the number of sheets in the collection of sheets is determined by a change in resistance of the collection of sheets
Data Source
AI summary
An inventory management device to measure usage of sheets in a roll has been described. The inventory management device includes a resistive sensor in physical communication with a sheet in the roll that measures a resistance value between the resistive sensor and the sheet. The inventory management device includes a vibration sensor in electronic communication with the resistive sensor to generate a vibration signal that corresponds to a vibration of the roll. The inventory management device includes a storage unit in electronic communication with the resistive sensor to store the resistance value. The inventory management also includes a controller in electronic communication with the resistive sensor and storage unit to measure a change in the resistance value.