Device for feeding products and method for recording a stock of products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for advancing goods and inventory monitoring require high construction effort and energy consumption, necessitating a connection to a power grid for continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A spring-biased slider with a movement sensor and an optical sensor for inventory detection, where measurements are only taken during slider movement, reducing energy usage and allowing for battery-powered operation without complex wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous inventory monitoring is implemented using a sensor on the slide, then inventory control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and complex power grid connection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs inventory measurements periodically based on slide position events rather than continuously. A measurement is triggered when the slide reaches specific positions (e.g., when goods are removed and the slide moves forward), allowing reliable inventory tracking while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the sensor inactive during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural movement of the slide during normal operation as the trigger for measurement. The slide's own motion during goods removal automatically activates the sensing function, eliminating the need for separate power-intensive continuous monitoring mechanisms
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is continuously active to detect slide position for inventory monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is activated periodically based on slide movement events rather than continuously. The sensor remains in a low-power state and only becomes active when triggered by slide motion, maintaining measurement precision when needed while simplifying power supply requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex continuous electronic monitoring with a simpler event-triggered mechanism. The natural mechanical movement of the slide during goods removal serves as the trigger signal, substituting for complex continuous sensing systems and reducing overall device 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
Significantly reduces energy consumption by limiting inventory measurements to when the slider is in motion, enabling reliable inventory recording with minimal energy expenditure and simplifying the power supply requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a slide (4, 4') for feeding goods (10) is movable on a shelf (2, 2')... The slide (4, 4') is spring-loaded towards a removal area (11)
Implementation Method 2
The slide (4, 4') comprises a measuring device (12, 12') for recording a quantity of goods (10)... with a sensor for detecting a position of the slide (4, 4')
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for feeding products (10), which device comprises a compartment (2) for storing a plurality of products (10), on which one or more products (10) can be removed at a removal region (11), and on the side opposite the removal region (11) a slider (4, 12) biased by a spring abuts one of the products (10) and is moved in the feed direction when a product (10) is removed, wherein a sensor is provided for recording the stock of products, wherein a motion sensor (36), by means of which a movement of the slider (4, 12) can be detected, is arranged on the slider (4, 12), in order to perform at least one measurement for recording of the stock of products when the slider (4, 12) moves. The invention further relates to a method for recording a stock of products at a compartment (2) having a plurality of products (10).