Self-Taring Scale with Distractor Mechanism for Continuous Inventory Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital scales are not suitable for continuous monitoring of loose objects in inventory control environments, as they require re-taring after power outages and consume excessive energy when left on continuously.
Innovation Solution
A self-taring scale system with a base, sensor, taring mechanism, and processor that automatically adjusts the sensor's position to sense or ignore the base weight, allowing continuous weight measurement and energy efficiency by activating only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the digital scale is left on continuously for inventory monitoring, then the scale can continuously measure weight, but energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The scale system operates periodically rather than continuously. The processor activates the display and measurement functions only when goods are detected on the scale, and enters sleep mode during idle periods. This periodic operation enables continuous monitoring capability while significantly reducing energy consumption during non-measurement periods.
2Reliability
If the digital scale experiences a power outage while weighing objects, then power is restored, but the objects must be removed and re-tared
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing the tare weight in memory before a power outage can occur. When power is restored, the processor retrieves the stored tare weight and automatically restores the measurement, eliminating the need for manual re-taring. This preliminary data preservation ensures measurement continuity and maintains ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If the scale measures the weight of goods including the container, then the total weight is obtained, but the count of individual units cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into two distinct phases: first measuring the container weight separately, then measuring the total weight with goods. The processor subtracts the container weight from the total to isolate the goods weight, and divides by unit weight to determine unit count. This segmentation preserves both total weight measurement precision and unit count information.
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 accurately measures and counts the number of units in a container, reducing energy consumption and avoiding measurement errors due to power outages, while enabling continuous monitoring without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The force of the weight then deforms the strain gauge. The strain gauge can consist of metal tracks, or foil, bonded to a printed circuit board or other backing. When the metal foil is strained, the backing flexes or stretches.
Implementation Method 2
The strain gauge then converts the deformation to an electrical signal. Because the load cell has an electric charge, as it moves downwards, the electrical resistance changes. The resulting small change in resistance becomes an electrical signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-taring scale system including a base for supporting a plurality of goods, a sensor for measuring a weight of the plurality of goods, a taring mechanism, and a processor operatively connected to the sensor and the taring mechanism. The taring mechanism includes a distractor operatively connected to the base and the sensor for moving one of the base and the sensor between a first position wherein the sensor senses the weight of the base and a second position wherein the sensor does not sense the weight of the base. The processor is configured to tare the sensor via the taring mechanism, receive a weight measurement of the plurality of goods from the sensor, and determine a count of a number of units based on a weight measurement of a unit of the plurality of goods, and the weight measurement of the plurality of goods from the sensor.