Smart Rod Storage System for Garment Retrieval Optimization

Solution Overview

Problem

Warehouses face inefficiencies in optimizing storage space and quickly locating items due to unstructured storage and manual handling, with existing IoT solutions being inaccurate and complex, especially for bulk storage of garments on hangers.

Innovation Solution

A smart device utilizing IoT technology with a processor-enabled smart rod system that communicates slot status, locks/unlocks slots, and uses multicolor LEDs for efficient item retrieval, allowing flexible storage and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If garments are segregated and allocated to specific locations in the warehouse, then it becomes easy to locate garments, but space utilization is not optimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of locating garmentsVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rod is divided into multiple slots, each capable of holding individual hangers. This segmentation allows the system to provide specific location information for each slot while still being part of a larger rod structure, enabling both easy location and flexible space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of location identification from rod-level to slot-level. By providing unique identification for each slot rather than just each rod, the system enables precise item location while allowing dynamic allocation of slots to different garments, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If RFID technology is used to identify item locations, then identification range is wide, but accuracy is poor and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification rangeVSAvoidlocation identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rod is divided into multiple slots, each capable of holding individual hangers. This segmentation allows the system to provide specific location information for each slot while still being part of a larger rod structure, enabling both easy location and flexible space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of location identification from rod-level to slot-level. By providing unique identification for each slot rather than just each rod, the system enables precise item location while allowing dynamic allocation of slots to different garments, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If manual processes are used for storing and retrieving garments, then system complexity is low, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidtime for storing and retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the smart rod automatically provides location information and guides operators to the correct slots. This reduces manual search time and effort while maintaining relatively simple system complexity, as the automation is focused on information provision rather than physical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11537979B2Smart device for optimizing storage space and retrieval time

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 MATHEW SUJITH SAMUEL

AI summary

The present invention discloses a smart device (100) for optimizing storage space. The smart device (100) comprising a processor (104); a plurality of slots (102), wherein each slot holds at-least one hanger (106) wherein the processor (104) is enabled to communicate with all the slots (102) to determine their status like occupancy, description of the garment or similar item on the particular hanger, and weight of garment or similar information.