JP7374697B2 - Hook unit and system equipped with it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hook unit for product display and a system including the same.

In stores, products are sometimes displayed by hanging them from rod-shaped hooks that extend from the back to the front. Depending on the shape of the product, such a display method can display products more regularly and relatively densely than other methods, and is more efficient.

There is a demand for knowing the number of products on display without the need for store personnel to visually check the products. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques relating to product display hooks that are configured to allow users to know from a remote location whether or not a product displayed is out of stock.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214703 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-217954

It would be useful to be able to detect not only the presence or absence of out-of-stock items, but also the number of items displayed in a hanging manner.

An object of the present invention is to obtain information regarding the number of products displayed in a hanging manner.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a hook unit for displaying a product includes a product hanging part configured to be able to hang one or more products, and a fixture configured to be attached to a product display fixture. Connecting a mounting part, the product hanging part, and the fixture mounting part, detecting load fluctuations in the product hanging part, and attaching and detaching one or more products suspended to the product hanging part. and a load fluctuation detection section configured to output a signal for detection, wherein the load fluctuation detection section converts the load fluctuation of the product hanging section into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal, , consisting of a cantilever beam type load cell that is fixed to the fixture mounting part at one end and the product hanging part is fixed to the other end, and the product hanging part has a rod shape extending from the base end to the tip. , further comprising a connecting member that connects the load cell and the product hanging section, one end of which the base end of the product hanging section is connected to, and the other end connected to the other end of the load cell. connected to .

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the number of products displayed in a hanging manner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit for displaying products according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a hook unit for product display is used. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a system including a hook unit. FIG. 4A shows measurement results regarding the hook unit produced using the first load cell. FIG. 4B shows measurement results regarding the hook unit produced using the second load cell. FIG. 4C shows measurement results regarding the hook unit produced using the third load cell. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a first modification. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a second modification. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a third modification. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a fourth modification. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a fifth modification. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a sixth modification. FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit according to a seventh modification.

An embodiment of a hook unit for product display according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The hook unit of this embodiment is configured to be able to hang a plurality of products. The hook unit also includes a sensor for detecting the number of hung products.

[Hook unit configuration]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1 for displaying products according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the hook unit 1 for product display is used.

The hook unit 1 is a cantilevered rod-shaped member configured to hang a product 90, and includes a rod 50 that functions as a product hanging section. The bar 50 is configured to be substantially horizontal when in use. Both ends of the rod 50 will be referred to as a distal end and a proximal end, respectively. The tip of the rod 50 is a free end. The tip of the rod 50 is slightly curved vertically upward so that the suspended product 90 is less likely to fall. The rod 50 may be any rod-shaped member as long as it is configured to suspend the product 90.

The hook unit 1 includes a mounting member 20 provided on the proximal end side of the rod 50 and functioning as a fixture mounting portion for fixing the hook unit 1 to a product display fixture. In this embodiment, the mounting member 20 has an inverted U-shaped portion that engages with a crossbar 80 of a product display fixture. The shape of the mounting member 20 can be changed as appropriate depending on the shape of the product display fixture. Further, the hook unit 1 is provided between the rod 50 and the mounting member 20, and provides a signal for detecting changes in the load of the rod 50 and detecting attachment/detachment of one or more products 90 suspended from the rod 50. The load cell 10 is configured to output.

The load cell 10 is a cantilever beam type load cell. That is, the load cell 10 includes a strain body 11 that is an elastic body. The strain-generating body 11 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with its longitudinal axis oriented horizontally from the base end to the distal end when in use. The strain body 11 has a shape having a roberval mechanism in which a spectacle-shaped hole 12 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and horizontal when in use. The load cell 10 has a sensor 13. The sensor 13 includes a total of four strain gauges, two each on the upper and lower surfaces of the strain body 11 when in use, and two strain gauges provided at positions corresponding to the shape of the hole 12. The four strain gauges constitute a Wheatstone bridge circuit. A value related to a change in resistance value of the strain gauge caused by distortion of the strain body 11 is acquired via the cable 18. For example, the cable 18 includes two applied voltage lines and two output signal lines, and a voltage value that changes in proportion to the amount of strain can be acquired from the sensor 13.

A fixing portion 14 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the load cell 10, and a load receiving portion 15 is provided at the other end. The fixing part 14 is fixed to the first connecting member 30. The first connecting member 30 is fixed to the mounting member 20. Therefore, the fixed portion 14 of the load cell 10 is fixed relative to the mounting member 20. In this embodiment, the load cell 10 is arranged above the first connection member 30. The fixing portion 14 of the load cell 10 and the first connecting member 30 may be fixed by any means. For example, they may be secured by multiple screws. The first connecting member 30 and the mounting member 20 may be fixed by any means. Further, the first connecting member 30 and the mounting member 20 may be formed as one integral member. In this case as well, it can be considered that the first connection member 30 and the attachment member 20 are included in one member. In this way, the hook unit 1 only needs to be provided with the fixture attachment section, the fixing section, and the first connection section that connects them.

A second connecting member 40 is fixed to the load receiving portion 15 . A proximal end of a rod 50 is attached to the second connecting member 40 . Therefore, when the number of products 90 suspended from the rod 50 changes, the load applied to the load receiver 15 in the vertical up-down direction changes. The load cell 10 detects this load applied in the vertical up-down direction. In this embodiment, the second connection member 40 is arranged above the load cell 10. The load receiving portion 15 of the load cell 10 and the second connection member 40 may be fixed by any means. For example, they may be secured by multiple screws. The second connecting member 40 and the rod 50 may be fixed by any means. Further, the second connecting member 40 and the rod 50 may be formed as one integral member. In this case as well, it can be considered that the second connecting member 40 and the rod 50 are included in one member. In this way, the hook unit 1 only needs to be provided with the rod-shaped portion, the load receiving portion, and the second connection portion that connects them.

[System configuration]
An example of a system configuration of a store in which the hook unit 1 is installed will be described. FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of the configuration of a system 100 including the hook unit 1. In FIG. 3, five hook units 1 are illustrated. Different products are hung on each of the plurality of hook units 1, so that a plurality of types of products are displayed in the store. That is, in the example of FIG. 3, a first product 91 is hung on the first hook unit 101, a second product 92 is hung on the second hook unit 102, and a third product 92 is hung on the second hook unit 102. A third product 93 is hung on the unit 103, a fourth product 94 is hung on the fourth hook unit 104, and a fifth product 95 is hung on the fifth hook unit 105. ing. Each hook unit 1 is connected to a computer 130 via an interface 121, and the detected value of the load cell 10 of each hook unit 1 is acquired by the computer 130.

The computer 130 has various information including information on the weight of each product 90. The computer 130 acquires from each hook unit 1 an electrical signal representing the total weight of the products hung on each hook unit 1. The computer 130 calculates the number of products 90 hung on each hook unit 1 based on the electrical signals acquired from each hook unit 1 and information regarding the weight of the products.

According to this system 100, using the hook unit 1 and the computer 130, it is possible to determine how many products 90 the purchaser has taken from which hook unit 1, that is, how many products 90 the purchaser has purchased. This information can be obtained.

The system 100 can be used, for example, in an unmanned store. That is, when a purchaser who is authenticated using the terminal 140 connected to the computer 130 via the interface 122 picks up the product 90 hanging from any hook unit 1, the computer 130 Based on the output, information about which product 90 and how many pieces were taken can be obtained. Computer 130 can bill the purchaser based on this information and the purchaser's authentication information. At this time, the purchaser may be recognized based on images acquired using the first camera 151, second camera 152, etc. connected via the interface 122.

Application of the system 100 is not limited to unmanned stores. According to the system 100, the computer 130 can manage the quantity of products. For example, a store manager or the like can use the terminal 140 connected to the computer 130 to know the number of products 90 on display. Based on this information, a manager or the like can manage the number of products without using sales data, perform various types of management such as replenishment of products, etc.

Furthermore, for example, it may be identified that the purchaser has returned an item that he or she picked up to the wrong hook. For example, assume that the first product 91 taken from the first hook unit 101 is returned to the second hook unit 102. At this time, the computer 130 can identify that the display state of the product is incorrect based on the mismatch between the data regarding the number of sales and the number of products detected by the hook unit 1. Further, if the weight of the product 90 differs depending on the type, it is possible to identify that the product is displayed in an incorrect state without using sales-related data. For example, in the above example, if the total weight of the products hanging on the second hook unit 102 deviates from an integral multiple of the weight per piece of the second product, the computer 130 It is possible to identify that there is an abnormality in the display state of the unit 102.

[Example]
A hook unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured using three types of load cells 10 for 2 kg. The output of the load cell was read by a computer via an A/D converter when no load was applied to the rod 50 and when weights of 100 g, 200 g, 300 g, 400 g, and 500 g were applied to the rod 50.

The results are shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4C are measurement results regarding the hook unit 1 produced using the first load cell, the second load cell, and the third load cell, respectively. Each figure shows the output versus load.

Although there were differences in output characteristics, linear output with respect to load was obtained regardless of which load cell was used. Further, the same output was obtained no matter where the weight was hung from the tip side to the base side of the rod 50. This is because the load cell 10 is configured to detect the shearing force between the fixed part 14 and the load receiving part 15. As described above, it has been confirmed that the weight of the product hung on the rod 50 can be obtained using the hook unit 1.

[Modified example]
Some modifications of the hook unit 1 of the above-described embodiment are shown. Here, differences from the above-described embodiment will be explained, and the same parts will be given the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

<First modification example>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1a according to a first modification. In the hook unit 1 according to the embodiment described above, the first connection member 30 supports the fixed part 14 of the load cell 10 from below, and the second connection member 40 is fixed to the upper side of the load receiving part 15 of the load cell 10. ing. On the other hand, in the hook unit 1a according to the first modification, the first connecting member 30a is fixed above the fixed part 14a of the load cell 10a, and the load cell 10a is suspended from above. . The second connecting member 40a to which the rod 50 is fixed is fixed above the load receiving portion 15a of the load cell 10a. Even in such a form, the hook unit 1a functions in the same manner as the hook unit 1 of the above-described embodiment.

<Second modification example>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1b according to a second modification. In the hook unit 1b according to the second modification, the first connecting member 30b is fixed above the fixing portion 14b of the load cell 10b, so that the load cell 10b is suspended from above. The second connecting member 40b to which the rod 50 is fixed is fixed to the lower side of the load receiving portion 15b of the load cell 10b, and is suspended from the load cell 10b. Even in this form, the hook unit 1b functions in the same manner as the hook unit 1 of the above-described embodiment.

<Third modification example>
FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1c according to a third modification. In the hook unit 1c according to the third modification, the first connection member 30c is fixed to the upper side of the fixed part 14c of the load cell 10c, and the second connection member 40c is fixed to the lower side of the load receiving part 15c of the load cell 10c. Fixed. Here, the load cell 10c is arranged with the fixed part 14c on the proximal end side and the load receiving part 15c on the distal end side.

The second connecting member 40c has a substantially L-shape including a horizontal portion 41c extending in the horizontal direction and a vertical portion 42c extending vertically downward from the base end side of the horizontal portion 41c. The second connecting member 40c is fixed to the load receiving portion 15c of the load cell 10c at a connecting portion 43c on the distal end side thereof. The connecting portion 43c is formed thicker than other portions of the horizontal portion 41c so that the portion other than the connecting portion 43c of the horizontal portion 41c does not touch the load cell 10c. In this way, the second connection member 40c is configured such that a gap is formed between the load cell 10c and the horizontal portion 41c. Instead of making the connection part 43c thicker, even if the horizontal part 41c is flat, the load receiving part 15c of the load cell 10c is thicker than other parts of the load cell 10c, or the connection part 43c of the second connection member 40c is made thicker. A spacer may be inserted between the load receiving portion 15c of the load cell 10c and the load receiving portion 15c of the load cell 10c.

The base end of the rod 50c is fixed to a connecting portion 44c below the distal end surface of the vertical portion 42c of the second connecting member 40c. Since the vertical portion 42c is disposed on the proximal side of the connecting portion 43c fixed to the load receiving portion 15c of the load cell 10c, the proximal end of the rod 50c is also disposed on the proximal side of the load receiving portion 15c. There is. With this configuration, the length of the rod 50c on which the product 90 is hung is ensured regardless of the length of the load cell 10c, and a space-saving hook unit 1c is realized. Even in such a form, the hook unit 1c functions in the same manner as the hook unit 1 of the above-described embodiment.

<Fourth variation>
FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1d according to a fourth modification. In the hook unit 1d according to the fourth modification, a display section 60 is attached to the hook unit 1c according to the third modification shown in FIG. The display section 60 is a section for displaying, for example, the name and price of the product 90. The display section 60 has a support rod 61. The base end of the support rod 61 is fixed to the first connection member 30d. The support rod 61 extends horizontally from the base end to the distal end, and its end is located at a position corresponding to the end of the rod 50d from which the product 90 is suspended. A card holder 62 is provided at the tip of the support rod 61. The card holder 62 is configured to hold a card or the like on which information regarding the product 90 is written. The card holder 62 may be detachably attached to the support rod 61. The support rod 61 allows the card holder 62 to be placed in front of the product hung at the forefront when viewed from the purchaser. Furthermore, the hook unit 1d may be configured such that the card holder 62 covers the tip of the rod 50d on which the product is hung so that the tip of the rod 50d is unlikely to come into contact with a person.

In the hook unit 1d according to the fourth modification, a load cell 10d is disposed below the first connection member 30d, and a second connection member is attached below the load cell 10d with a rod 50d for suspending the product. 40d is arranged. Therefore, the display section 60 such as the support rod 61 does not interfere with other parts.

<Fifth modification example>
FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1e according to a fifth modification. In the hook unit 1e according to the fifth modification, the load cell 10e is arranged with the fixing part 14e on the distal end side and the load receiving part 15e on the proximal end side. For this reason, the first connecting member 30e is formed relatively long on the distal end side. Further, the connecting portion 31e of the first connecting member 30e to which the fixing portion 14e of the load cell 10e is fixed is thicker than other parts of the first connecting member 30e. In this way, a gap is formed between the first connecting member 30e and the load cell 10e so that the first connecting member 30e and the load cell 10e do not come into contact with each other except at the connecting portion 31e. The gap between the first connecting member 30e and the load cell 10e may be provided by the shape of the load cell 10e or by inserting a spacer, regardless of the shape of the first connecting member 30e. good.

Furthermore, in the hook unit 1e according to the fifth modification, the second connecting member 40e is also formed in a substantially L-shape. The base end of the rod 50e is fixed to the vertical portion 42e of the second connecting member 40e.

In the hook unit 1e according to the fifth modification, the display section 60e may not be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a hook unit 1e according to a fifth modification is provided with a display section 60e. The base end of the support rod 61e, on which the card holder 62e is supported, is fixed to the front end of the first connecting member 30e. Since the first connecting member 30e extends toward the distal end, the support rod 61e becomes relatively short. Further, instead of the support rod 61e, the first connecting member 30e may have a sufficient length on the distal end side, and the card holder 62e may be fixed to the distal end of the first connecting member 30e. In this case, the tip side of the first connecting member 30e functions as a support rod.

Note that the first connection member 30d may be sufficiently long and the card holder 62 may be fixed to its tip, which is the same in the hook unit 1d of the fourth modification shown in FIG. However, even in this case, the shape of the first connecting member 30d may be devised so that the first connecting member 30d and the load cell 10d do not come into contact with each other, or the first connecting member 30d and the load cell 10d may be connected at the fixed portion. It is necessary to insert a spacer in between.

Further, as in the example shown in FIG. 9, the cable 18e for transmitting signals related to the load cell 10e may be passed through the inside of the first connection member 30e. The cable may be passed through the inside of the first connecting member in the above-described embodiment as well as in other variations. With such a configuration, wiring can be made neat.

<Sixth variation>
In the embodiment and the first to fifth modifications described above, the longitudinal axis of the load cell and the longitudinal axis of the rod are parallel to each other. However, it is not limited to this. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1f according to a sixth modification. In the hook unit 1f according to the sixth modification, the longitudinal axis of the load cell 10f and the longitudinal axis of the rod 50f are arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other.

The first connection member 30f connects the fixing portion 14f of the load cell 10f and the attachment member 20f such that the crosspiece to which the attachment member 20f is attached is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the load cell 10f. The second connecting member 40f connects the load receiving portion 15f of the load cell 10f and the base end of the rod 50f such that the longitudinal axis of the load cell 10f and the longitudinal axis of the rod 50f are perpendicular to each other.

According to the hook unit 1f according to the sixth modification, the length of the hook unit 1f in the longitudinal direction of the rod 50f, that is, the depth of the hook unit 1f as seen from the purchaser when used for displaying products, is as follows: It is shorter than the above-described embodiment and the first to third modifications. On the other hand, when displaying products, it is common for different types of products to be lined up horizontally, so the wide width of the hook unit 1f does not pose much of a problem. Therefore, according to the hook unit 1f according to the sixth modification, it is possible to display products in a space-saving manner.

Note that the load cell and the rod may be arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the load cell and the longitudinal axis of the rod are not limited to being orthogonal, but may intersect at other angles, or may be arranged in a twisted position.

<Seventh modification example>
FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a hook unit 1g according to a seventh modification. In this modification, the shape of the fixing portion 14g of the strain body 11g of the load cell 10g is adapted to the shape of the product display fixture. That is, a groove 29g matching the shape of the product display fixture is formed in the fixing part 14g of the load cell 10g as a fixture attachment part and a first connection part.

Further, in this modification, a rod 50g is directly attached to the strain body 11g of the load cell 10g. That is, a female spiral 49g that threadably engages with a male spiral at the proximal end of the rod 50g is formed as a second connection portion in the load receiving portion 15g of the load cell 10g.

Even in this form, the hook unit 1g functions in the same manner as the hook unit 1 of the above-described embodiment. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to realize a hook unit 1g that has fewer members as a device.

<Others 1>
In the above example, a cantilever beam type load cell is used as the load cell, but the present invention is not limited to this. Load cells of other shapes, such as bending type, column type, and S-shape, may also be used. In addition, the force detector used as a load fluctuation detection unit is not limited to a strain gauge type load cell, which is a strain sensor, but also a detector using other detection methods such as a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, an electromagnetic type, a tuning fork type, etc. may be used.

<Others 2>
In the example of FIG. 1, a specific example is shown in which the first connecting member 30 and the mounting member 20 are molded or formed from synthetic resin, metal, etc., and are joined together, but the first connecting member 30 and the mounting member 20 may be integrally molded or formed (for example, it is possible to form by bending a plurality of sheet metals). The same applies to the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 9.

Although the present invention has been described above by showing preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. Nor.

Note that the above embodiments of the present invention also include the following inventions.
a cantilever beam type load cell (10) having a fixing part (14) on one end side and a load receiving part (15) on the other end side;
a fixture attachment part (20) configured to be attached to a product display fixture;
Connecting the fixture mounting part (20) and the fixing part (14) so that the load cell (10) is held horizontally when the fixture mounting part (20) is attached to the product display fixture. a first connection part (30) that is
a rod-shaped part (50) arranged on the distal end side of the fixture attachment part (20) and configured to extend from the proximal end side to the distal end side so that a plurality of products can be suspended;
A hook unit (1) for product display, comprising: a second connecting part (40) connecting the base end of the rod-shaped part (50) and the load receiving part (15).

1 Hook unit 10 Load cell 11 Strain body 12 Hole 13 Sensor 14 Fixed part 15 Load receiving part 18 Cable 20 Mounting member 30 First connection member 40 Second connection member 50 Rod 60 Display part 61 Support rod 62 Card holder 80 Cross bar 90 products

Claims (3)

a product hanging part configured to allow one or more products to be hung;
a fixture mounting part configured to be attached to a product display fixture;
for connecting the product hanging part and the fixture mounting part, detecting load fluctuations in the product hanging part, and detecting attachment/detachment of one or more products suspended from the product hanging part; a load fluctuation detection section configured to output a signal;
Equipped with
The load fluctuation detection section is a strain sensor that converts the load fluctuation of the product hanging section into an electrical signal and outputs it, and is fixed to the fixture mounting section at one end side and connected to the product hanging section at the other end side. It consists of a cantilever beam type load cell to which the
The product hanging part has a rod shape extending from the base end to the tip,
further comprising a connecting member connecting the load cell and the product hanging section,
The connecting member is
A hook unit for product display, in which one end side is connected to the base end of the product hanging part, and the other end side is connected to the other end side of the load cell. The connecting member is
It has a substantially L-shape including a horizontal part extending downwardly of the load cell and a vertical part extending vertically downward from one end side of the horizontal part,
The hook unit for product display according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the horizontal portion is connected to the other end of the load cell, and the base end of the product hanging portion is connected to the vertical portion. One or more hook units for displaying products according to claim 1 or 2 ;
Obtaining the signal output from the load fluctuation detection section, obtaining product information regarding the weight of the product, and suspending the product from the product hanging section for each hook unit based on the signal and the product information. a computer that calculates the number of said products that have been sold;
A system equipped with

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