Retail shelf floor divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retail shelf floor dividers are passive elements that cannot be integrated into automated merchandising systems, limiting their functionality in enterprise resource planning and stock management.
Innovation Solution
A retail shelf floor divider equipped with mechanical coupling means, electronic detection means using electromagnetic or sound waves, and an electronic temperature sensor, allowing for movement detection and temperature monitoring, integrated with electrical connections for power and data transmission, enabling integration into automated systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional passive shelf floor dividers are used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the extent of automation is insufficient and integration into automated systems is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical coupling means with electronic detection means, temperature sensors, and electrical connections into an integrated shelf floor divider unit. This merging of previously separate components (mechanical structure, sensors, electronics) enables automation capability while consolidating complexity into a unified modular device that can be coupled to the shelf floor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf floor divider is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical division of shelf space, movement detection via electronic sensors, temperature monitoring, and data transmission. This multi-functionality achieves high automation capability by integrating diverse capabilities into a single device that serves both structural and electronic purposes.
2Measurement precision
If electronic detection means and temperature sensors are integrated into the shelf floor divider, then movement detection and temperature monitoring are enabled, but the ease of manufacture decreases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf floor divider is segmented into distinct functional modules: mechanical coupling means for structural attachment, electronic detection means for movement sensing, temperature sensors for thermal monitoring, and electrical connections for power and data. This segmentation enables specialized manufacturing of each module followed by assembly, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining measurement precision capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If electrical connections are integrated into the mechanical coupling means, then power supply and data transmission are simplified, but the mechanical coupling design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical connections are merged with the mechanical coupling means, so that the same interface used for mechanical attachment to the shelf floor also provides electrical power and data transmission. This integration simplifies installation by eliminating separate connection steps, though it requires the mechanical coupling design to accommodate both mechanical and electrical functions.
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
Enables automatic detection of movement and temperature monitoring, facilitating enhanced data processing and integration with electronic shelf labels for dynamic information display and optimized product placement.
Implementation Method 1
electronic detection means for the detection of movement in the neighborhood of the retail shelf floor divider or shelf floor limiter, which are arranged to utilize an electromagnetic wave, preferred a radio wave, more preferred a light wave
Implementation Method 2
electronic detection means for the detection of movement in the neighborhood of the retail shelf floor divider or shelf floor limiter, which are arranged to utilize an electromagnetic wave, preferred a radio wave, more preferred a light wave , or a sound wave
Implementation Method 3
at least one electronic temperature sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A retail shelf floor divider for dividing a shelf floor in shelf floor sections or a shelf floor limiter for limiting a shelf floor at the right or left edge of the shelf floor, wherein the shelf floor divider or shelf floor limiter comprises at least one electronic temperature sensor at one of its ends or end areas.