Scanner Top Plate Assembly with Wireless Scale Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retail scanner systems face design constraints due to integrated scale hardware, limiting flexibility and making it difficult to produce a single design that can be sold with or without scale capabilities, and the use of cables can interfere with weight readings.
Innovation Solution
A modular scanner top plate assembly with an integrated scale, including load cells or strain gauges, that communicates power and measurement data wirelessly to the scanner base, allowing for interchangeable top plate assemblies without reconfiguring the base and eliminating the need for cables that could affect weight readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If scale hardware is integrated into the scanner base, then weight measurement capability is achieved, but the scanner size increases and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner system is divided into separate functional modules: the scanner base and the top plate assembly. The scale hardware (load cells) is integrated into the top plate assembly rather than the base, allowing the base to remain compact while still providing weight measurement capability when the top plate is attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the scanning interface, houses the scale measurement hardware (load cells), and acts as the weighing platform. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate scale components in the base, reducing overall scanner volume.
2Measurement precision
If scale hardware is integrated into the scanner base, then weight measurement capability is achieved, but design flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the scale hardware into the removable top plate assembly, the base can be designed once and used with multiple different top plate configurations. This allows the system to be adapted for different applications (with or without scale capability) by simply changing the top plate assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate assembly is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the base. This dynamic configuration allows the system to transition between different operational states (scanning only, scanning with weighing) and accommodates different customer needs without requiring multiple base designs.
3Loss of information
If cables or connectors are used to communicate weight data from the scale, then power and data transmission is achieved, but cable weight interferes with accurate weight readings
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical cable connection system is replaced with a wireless communication system (such as Bluetooth or other wireless protocols). This eliminates the physical cable that would add unwanted weight to the measurement system, while still providing reliable power and data transmission between the top plate assembly and the base.
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 enables flexible scanner designs that can be adapted to include or exclude scale capabilities and ensures accurate weight measurements by eliminating cable-induced interference, allowing for a single base to accommodate various top plate assemblies with different power and communication methods.
Implementation Method 1
The top plate assembly includes a scan window and a measuring device, such as one or more load cells or strain gauges.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques for a scanner having a top plate with an integrated scale. A scanner base mates with a scanner top plate assembly, with the top plate assembly including an integrated scale. The top plate assembly includes a scan window and a scale mechanism. The top plate rests on or is secured to suitable resting points in the scanner base. The top plate suitably receives power, and communicates measurement data to the scanner base, without the use of cables or other connectors whose weight may interfere with accurate reading of weight. A scanner base may be designed so as to accommodate any of a variety of alternative scanner top plate types without reconfiguration, or with a relatively simple reconfiguration of the scanner base.