Sensor Pad Leakage Detection for Retail Shelves
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Solution Overview
Problem
In retail settings, particularly on densely packed shelves, detecting and isolating damaged products, such as those with packaging leaks, is challenging, leading to safety hazards, waste, and erosion of customer trust.
Innovation Solution
A smart mat system with built-in sensors is placed under products prone to spills, which detects changes in weight and alerts staff when a leak occurs, enabling timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If products are densely packed on shelves for visual appeal and ease of access, then customer convenience is improved, but the ability to detect and isolate damaged products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensor pads as intermediary devices placed between the shelf and products. These pads contain force-measuring sensors that detect weight changes and leakage conditions, serving as a mediator that enables detection without disrupting the dense product arrangement that benefits customers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated sensor-based detection systems. Force-measuring sensors electronically monitor weight changes and leakage conditions, substituting the mechanical/manual process of customers or staff visually examining products for damage.
2Device complexity
If manual inspection methods are used to detect leaks, then system complexity is minimized, but detection speed and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor pad system performs self-monitoring of product conditions. The force-measuring sensors automatically detect weight changes indicating leakage without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in detecting damaged products rapidly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor weight changes in real-time. When a leakage condition is detected, the system provides immediate feedback through alerts or notifications, enabling rapid response without the delays inherent in manual inspection schedules.
3Reliability
If real-time leakage detection is implemented, then safety and waste prevention are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into modular sensor pads that can be independently deployed on different shelves or product sections. Each pad contains its own force-measuring sensors and can operate autonomously, allowing the system to scale from simple to complex configurations based on specific needs, thereby managing overall system complexity.
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 allows for real-time detection and alerting of leakage conditions, reducing safety hazards, minimizing waste, and maintaining the integrity of the retail display.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor pad having a plurality of force-measuring sensors distributed throughout a surface of the sensor pad, each sensor configured to measure forces exerted upon it
Data Source
AI summary
Inventive concepts disclosed herein relate systems, methods, and computer-readable media for detecting a leakage condition. A container integrity system can obtain sensor data associated with a sensor pad placed on or integrated with shelves or similar surfaces. Containers or items susceptible to leakage can be positioned on the sensor pad, and sensors distributed throughout the sensor pad can measure force profiles exerted by the items. Using the sensor data from the sensor pad, the container integrity system can identify the presence or absence of a leakage condition.