APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SENSING FULLNESS OF STORAGE BIN

Abstract

An apparatus, storage bin and method for determining fullness of the bin. The bin (1) is provided with an apparatus (6) comprising a sensing device (8). The sensing device sends sensing signals (10a) towards mechanical components (2) stored inside a storage space (5) of the bin and receives reflected sensing signals (10b). Bin level (11) is calculated on the basis of the sent and received signals and their time of travel. When the detected bin level is below a preset reordering point, a refill order is generated in the system for replenishing the bin.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining degree of filling of a component storage bin, wherein the bin is a box like object with an open top and which bin is intended for receiving mechanical components; and wherein the apparatus is arranged in connection with the component storage bin and comprises: at least one sensing device for sensing the degree of filling of the bin; and at least one data communication device for allowing communication with at least one electrical device external to the bin and belonging to an electrical reordering system intended for replenishing the storage bin; and wherein the sensing device is a contactless sensor configured to send a sensing signal towards an inside space of the bin and is configured to receive reflected sensing signal; and the sensing data is configured to be communicated to the mentioned reordering system; characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least one control unit for calculating distance between the apparatus and the upper surface of the stored components in response to travelling time between the sent sensing signal and the returning sensing signal reflected from the upper surface of the stored components and received by the apparatus.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is configured to measure distance to a bin level defined by components stored inside the bin.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensing device is a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is a separate piece mounted in a removable manner to the storage bin.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is provided with at least one electric power storage device for storing operational power for the apparatus; the control unit of the apparatus is provided with a sensing mode when the sensing device is activated and a sleeping mode when the sensing device is in non-operational state; and the control unit is configured to keep the apparatus predominantly at the sleep mode and is configured to connect the sensing mode on only at predetermined intervals in order to save electric energy of the electric power storage device.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the data communication device of the apparatus is configured to communicate with the electrical reordering system through a wireless data communication connection.

7. A storage bin for storing mechanical components, and wherein the storage bin comprises: a bottom and surrounding side walls which define together a storage space with an open top; and at least one apparatus provided with a sensing device for sensing degree of filling of the bin; characterized in that the mentioned apparatus is in accordance with the claim 1.

8. A method of making a refill order for an electrical reordering system connected to at least one storage bin provided with a storage space for receiving mechanical components; wherein the method comprises: monitoring degree of filling of the storage bin by means of at least one apparatus mounted in connection with the storage bin; communicating the monitoring data gathered by the apparatus to the reordering system; generating in the reordering system automatically refill orders in response to the received monitoring data; replenishing the storage bin in accordance with the refill order; monitoring by means of at least one sensing device of the apparatus bin level defined by the components inside the storage space of the bin; sending sensing signals towards the stored components and receiving sensing signals reflected from the components; and generating the refill order when the detected bin level is below a predetermined order point. characterized by detecting time difference between the sent and received signals and calculating distance between the apparatus and the components; and determining the bin level in response to the calculated distance.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized by using an independently operating apparatus which is in data communication connection with the reordering system.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized by executing the monitoring non-continuously at adjustable intervals.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized by processing the gathered sensing data in a control unit of the apparatus and generating the refill order by means of the control unit.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized by modifying settings of the apparatus remotely via a wireless data communication connection.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized by sending the monitoring data to at least one external electrical terminal device in addition to the reordering system in order to provide data on stored mechanical components.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0060] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a storage bin provided with an apparatus for sensing fullness of the bin,

[0062] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a bin and two alternative mounting principles of a sensing apparatus,

[0063] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing alternative sensors of the sensing device, and

[0064] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing components relating to the disclosed system and transfer of different data between them.

[0065] For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.

Detailed Description of Some Embodiments

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a storage bin 1 intended for receiving mechanical components 2, such as nuts, washers and screws. The bin 1 is box-like piece comprising a bottom 3, side walls 4a-4d and an open top. Inside the bin 1 is a storage space 5. The bin 1 is provided with an apparatus 6 for sensing an upper layer of the components 2 inside the storage space 5 in order to detect if a refill order needs to be generated for a reordering system 7. The apparatus 6 comprises a sensing device 8 provided with a transmitter 9 for sending a sensing signal 10a towards the upper layer of the components i.e. a bin layer 11, and a receiver 12 for receiving a reflected sensing signal 10b. The apparatus 6 further comprises a control unit CU for controlling operation of the apparatus 6 and a data communication device 13 for allowing wireless communication. There is also an electric power storage B, such as battery for providing needed electrical energy for the apparatus 6. The apparatus 6 may be mounted in a removable manner to one side wall, in this case it is mounted to an upper part of the rear wall 4c. The apparatus 6 may comprise mounting means 14, such as fast coupling means, supporting hooks, brackets, screws or clamps.

[0067] The apparatus 6 may send sensing results to the reordering system 7 as such, or the sensing data may be reprocessed in the control unit CU and a refill order will be send to the system. The reordering system 7 may comprises one or more servers S. Alternatively, or in addition to, the reordering system may comprise a cloud service CS. The reordering system 7 is provided with data on a suitable reordering point, which may correspond to a distance sensed between the bin level 11 and the apparatus 6. Further, the reordering system 7 may communicate with one or more other electrical terminal devices 15, such as computers 16 and smart phones 17 and may thereby provide desired information, monitoring data, alarms and messages to selected users and systems.

[0068] FIG. 2 discloses a bin 1 and two alternative mounting arrangements for an apparatus 6. First mounting means 14a of a first apparatus 6a is a hook and second mounting means 14b of a second apparatus 6b is a plate arranged against a side surface of the bin 1. The plate may also be provided with mounting screws 14c or corresponding elements. The apparatuses 6a, 6b send and receive sensing signals 10 in manner disclosed in this document. It is to be noted, that other mounting arrangements may also be implemented.

[0069] FIG. 3 discloses features of a sensing device and possible alternative sensing technology suitable for the purpose. These issues have already been discussed above in this document.

[0070] FIG. 4 discloses basic components of the disclosed arrangement. Bin level of a bin can be detected by means of a sensing device and the sensing data may be send for further processing, or a reprocessed refill order may be generated. The apparatus comprising the sensing device may communicate in a wireless manner with servers and a cloud service via a WiFi connection and the Internet. A reordering program receives the sensing data or the reprocessed refill order and executes needed replenishing actions based on them. The system may also comprise a user interface through which an operator may communicate with the system. The operator is provided with needed data on inventory, such as reports and notifications, for example. The operator may also adjust parameters of the system, such a reordering points and monitoring frequency.

[0071] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.