Support for communication elements in points of sale of products

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Solution Overview

Problem

In points of sale, communication elements attached to electronic tags often shift accidentally, causing confusion among users as they are no longer aligned with the intended product, leading to unclear product identification.

Innovation Solution

A support system for communication elements that securely anchors electronic tags to shelves, incorporating engagement means for communication elements, ensuring they remain aligned and visible, either parallel or perpendicular to the tag's display face, preventing accidental displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If communication elements are arranged beside electronic tags on shelves, then product information can be displayed to attract consumers, but the communication elements can be accidentally knocked and shifted, causing confusion for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct information display capabilityVSAvoidalignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electronic tag and communication element into a single integrated assembly. The communication element is directly coupled to the electronic tag, forming one unified structure that is then mounted to the shelf. This merging eliminates the relative movement between separate components and ensures they remain aligned as a single unit, resolving the alignment stability issue while maintaining the dual functionality of product information display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism that directly connects the communication element to the electronic tag. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator that transfers the mounting force from the shelf through the electronic tag to the communication element, ensuring rigid connection and preventing accidental displacement while allowing both components to function together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If communication elements are supported in a cantilever fashion beside electronic tags, then they can be easily installed and structured simply, but they lack secure anchoring and can be easily displaced by accidental knocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidresistance to displacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the communication element with the electronic tag into one integrated assembly, the patent creates a unified structure that can be mounted as a single unit. This approach maintains installation simplicity while dramatically improving displacement resistance, as the combined structure has greater structural integrity and can be securely anchored to the shelf without complex support mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by coupling the communication element to the electronic tag. This composite assembly combines the functions and structural properties of both components, resulting in a unified structure that is both easy to install (as a single unit) and resistant to displacement (due to the reinforced coupling between components).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2742502B1Support for communication elements in points of sale of products
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 NICOLIS STEFANO
  • EP2742502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2742502B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2742502B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A support (1) for communication elements in points of sale of products comprising a supporting body (2), which can be anchored to the structure of an exhibitor (3) for products and defines at least one coupling region (4) for at least one electronic tag (5), which has at least one face (5a) for displaying commercial information; the electronic tag (5) supports engagement means (6) for at least one communication element (7).