Electronic Shelf Label Inductive Power for Contact-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic shelf label systems with energy supply via shelf edge strips are costly due to mechanical components that wear out, require maintenance, and limit flexibility in positioning ESLs, with inefficiencies in energy usage leading to increased operational costs and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A contactless energy supply system using conductor loops on shelf edge strips to transmit energy to ESLs via a signal, which is stored in rechargeable long-term energy storage devices like supercapacitors, allowing ESLs to operate independently of the energy supply signal, reducing mechanical contacts and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical contacts are used for energy supply between shelf edge strip and ESLs, then electrical connection is established, but wear and maintenance issues occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact systems with inductive coupling between conductor loops. The shelf edge strip contains a conductor loop that generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces current in a corresponding conductor loop in the ESL, achieving electrical connection without mechanical contact. This eliminates wear and maintenance issues associated with mechanical contacts while maintaining reliable power and data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an alternating magnetic field as an intermediary between the shelf edge strip and ESL for energy and signal transmission. The conductor loop in the shelf edge strip generates this magnetic field, which then couples inductively to the ESL's conductor loop, serving as a non-contact mediator that transfers energy and data without direct physical contact between components.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical components are provided for energy supply, then electrical connection is achieved, but production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical contact systems with simple inductive coupling using conductor loops. The shelf edge strip contains a conductor loop that generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces current in a corresponding conductor loop in the ESL, achieving electrical connection without mechanical contact. This eliminates wear and maintenance issues associated with mechanical contacts while maintaining reliable power and data transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed positioning of ESLs on shelf edge strip is used, then mechanical stability is achieved, but flexibility in positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning and connection systems with inductive coupling between conductor loops. The alternating magnetic field generated by the shelf edge strip's conductor loop can couple with ESLs at various positions along the shelf, enabling flexible positioning without mechanical constraints. ESLs can be placed at different locations and still receive power and communicate through the magnetic field coupling.
4Use of energy by moving object
If continuous energy supply signal is used, then ESLs operate continuously, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic activation of the conductor loop in the shelf edge strip to generate alternating magnetic fields at specific intervals rather than continuously. ESLs harvest energy from these periodic magnetic field pulses and store it in onboard capacitors or batteries, allowing them to operate between signal pulses. This periodic operation significantly improves energy efficiency while maintaining continuous ESL functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables ESLs to autonomously harvest and store energy from the periodic magnetic field signals generated by the shelf edge strip. Each ESL contains energy storage components that accumulate power during signal presence and autonomously manage operation during signal absence, making the system energy-efficient without requiring continuous external power supply.
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 reduces production and maintenance costs, enhances energy efficiency by optimizing signal power conversion, and enables ESLs to operate beyond the time the signal is present, offering flexible positioning and extended operational capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the conductor loop is used for emitting a signal, which can be generated by the supply device, for the purpose of the said supply of energy
Implementation Method 2
the respective shelf label positioned corresponding to the conductor loop stores electrical energy, which is transmitted with the aid of the signal from the supply device to the shelf label, in a rechargeable long-term energy storage device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an electronic shelf label system, wherein the system comprises shelf labels fastened to shelf edge strips, wherein the shelf labels are designed such that they can be supplied with energy in a contactless manner, and the shelf edge strip comprises a supply device for contactlessly supplying energy to the shelf labels fastened on it, and the shelf edge strip comprises at least one conductor loop, wherein the conductor loop is a constituent of the supply device of the shelf edge strip and the conductor loop is used for emitting a signal, which can be generated by the supply device, for the purpose of the said supply of energy of shelf labels positioned on the shelf edge strip in a manner corresponding to the conductor loop, wherein according to the method, the said signal is generated with the aid of the supply device and emitted via the conductor loop and the respective shelf label positioned corresponding to the conductor loop stores electrical energy, which is transmitted with the aid of the signal from the supply device to the shelf label, in a rechargeable long-term energy storage device and uses the same for its operation outside of a time period where the signal is present.