Refrigerator Shelf Assembly with Load Cell Bases for Product Weight Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelving systems lack the ability to accurately track and differentiate between unique products in diverse collections, failing to provide precise weight measurements and product identification in unattended or autonomous retail and inventory management scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A shelving unit assembly with a weighing base and load cell assemblies that include a load cell body with a spring element and strain-sensing gage, attached to the internal walls of a refrigerator, allowing for accurate weight measurement and product identification through a computing device that determines changes in weight and identifies products added or removed, using a software module to manage inventory and retail transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional shelving systems are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to track and differentiate unique products is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into modular components: shelf units, load cell assemblies, and computing devices. Each load cell assembly is an independent weighing module that can be attached to individual shelves, allowing the system to scale from simple to complex configurations based on measurement precision requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The load cell assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide weight measurement, product identification, and inventory tracking capabilities. The same hardware infrastructure supports both simple weight monitoring and complex product differentiation, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If load cell assemblies are added to shelves, then product weight tracking is enabled, but the shelf structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Load cell assemblies are pre-assembled and calibrated as complete functional units before installation. This preliminary preparation includes attaching the load cell body, strain-sensing gage, and mounting hardware in a standardized configuration, which simplifies the final installation process and maintains ease of manufacture even as measurement precision capabilities are enhanced.
Solution Approach 2:
The load cell assemblies are designed as relatively simple, standardized components that can be easily replaced if needed. By using straightforward strain-sensing gages bonded to spring elements rather than complex mechanical mechanisms, the system achieves accurate weight tracking while keeping individual component costs and manufacturing complexity low.
3Measurement precision
If strain-sensing gages are bonded to spring elements, then weight measurement sensitivity is improved, but the load cell structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical strain measurement system is replaced with an electrical sensing system. Strain-sensing gages convert mechanical deformation of the spring element directly into electrical signals that can be processed by computing devices. This substitution maintains high measurement sensitivity while reducing mechanical complexity, as the electrical sensing system requires fewer moving parts and simpler structural components than traditional mechanical gauges or balances.
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 precise tracking and identification of products, facilitating accurate inventory management and retail transactions by providing reliable weight measurements and product differentiation in diverse collections.
Implementation Method 1
a strain-sensing gage, bonded to said spring element, said strain-sensing gage adapted to measure a strain in said spring element
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf assembly for tracking the weight of non-homogeneous products stored thereupon in a refrigerator comprises a weighing base comprising opposing load-cell bases detachedly attachable to respective left and right internal walls of the refrigerator, a shelf frame or at least one beam member joining respective said opposing load-cell bases so as to form, in combination therewith, a rigid shelf frame, the rigid shelf frame being open to a vertical airflow over at least 25% of its horizontal surface area; a shelf open to a vertical airflow over at least 50% of its horizontal surface area; and a plurality of load cell assemblies fixedly attached to each of respective said opposing load-cell bases so as to mediate between the load-cell bases and the shelf. The shelf can be a wire-grid shelf.