Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS and IWS Handling GmbH have devised a novel monitoring system to check the stability of shelf supports in warehouses and thus ensure employee safety. It is possible to check the state of each shelf support continuously using a network of wireless sensors.
Sensor Integrated Air Cushion
The shelf supports are equipped with air cushions to absorb the collisions. Project manager at IMS, Frederic Meyer, stated that the in-built sensors present in the air cushion will aid in detecting the impact of collision. The sensor records the variation in internal pressure on collision and sends a signal to the warehouse’s central control station through a radio relay.
Messages from the sensor nodes are received by repeaters placed at several points in the warehouse and are relayed to the control station. It is possible to detect the exact time and place of collision within the hall using the information from the base station. The system enables the warehouse manager to decide whether the collision was of medium strength, harmless or serious. In case of high-impact collision, the warehouse manager can dispatch a staff to the problematic shelf system.
Meyer added that the system will prove effective only if the sensors function independent of batteries. Researchers in Duisburg have designed the system to function mostly in the sleep mode. The sensors change to the active mode only after a variation in the pressure. The settings can be varied to suit users’ requirements. The repeater receives the current battery status and sign of life from each sensor node.