Cargo packaging system for mobility vehicles

Abstract

Cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle, the system comprising: a housing (20) having an interior space therein for receiving cargo and mounted on the mobility vehicle; a plurality of air cushions (10) provided at a plurality of positions on an inner surface of the housing (20) and exerting pressure on the cargo accommodated in the housing (20) and cushioning it during its expansion in a plurality of directions; an air charging part (30) connected to the plurality of air cushions and configured to inject gas into each air cushion of the housing (20) and to control a flow rate or pressure of the injected gas; an outlet controlled by the air charging part (30) and discharging the gas injected into each air cushion (10) to the outside of the outlet; and further comprising a heat exchanger (40) for heating or cooling the gas injected into each air cushion (10) by heat exchange, wherein the heat exchanger (40) is mounted downstream of the air charging part (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle that transports cargo and the like. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Recently, the types and energy sources of transportation in urban areas have become increasingly diverse, ranging from personal transportation devices such as hoverboards (self-hovering skateboards) and electric kickboards to public transportation that uses electricity as a power source. These mobility vehicles are environmentally friendly because they prevent traffic congestion in a city during rush hour and do not produce pollutants such as NOx, SOx, and CO because they do not use internal combustion engines.

[0003] In recent years, with the advancement of battery technology, research and development of an air mobility vehicle configured for movement beyond the boundaries of the ground has been actively promoted. Because the air mobility vehicle is configured to take off and land vertically using a high-capacity battery and does not require a separate runway, it is suitable for use in congested urban areas and is likely to be commercialized in the near future.

[0004] Furthermore, with the development of autonomous driving technologies, such mobility vehicles will be operated unmanned, which will reduce labor costs, and such technologies can be applied not only to the transport of people but also to the transport of cargo.

[0005] The present technology relates to a system for packing and transporting cargo to a destination in various mobility vehicles.

[0006] From US 10 688 907 B2 a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle is known, the system comprising: a housing having an interior space therein for receiving cargo and mounted on the mobility vehicle; a plurality of air cushions provided at a plurality of positions on an inner surface of the housing and exerting pressure on the cargo accommodated in the housing and cushioning it during its expansion in a plurality of directions; an air charging part connected to the plurality of air cushions and configured to inject gas into each air cushion of the housing and to control a flow rate or a pressure of the injected gas; and an outlet controlled by the air charging part and discharging the gas injected into each air cushion to the outside of the outlet.

[0007] WO 2018 / 219662 A1 discloses a mobile transport container for a vehicle, in particular for an unmanned aerial vehicle, having at least one flexible hollow body for securing a transported item, wherein the flexible hollow body is arranged in an interior of the transport container, wherein the flexible hollow body is designed as a first fluid-fillable chamber such that the transported item can be and / or is connected to the interior of the mobile transport container in a form-fitting manner.

[0008] DE 695 12 531 T2 describes a device for securing loads with a highly elastic bag or a highly elastic bag-like membrane made of rubber or elastomer material, which, when inflated, secures the load in a cargo space, wherein the load is fixed by filling the bag, previously installed on the ceiling of the cargo space, with air from a pump set in order to secure the load.

[0009] DE 27 20 057 A1 also shows a device for securing the position of goods in trunks and the like of motor vehicles, characterized by at least one inflatable airbag.

[0010] The information contained in this Background of the Present Invention section is intended only to facilitate understanding of the general background of the present invention and should not be considered as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. BRIEF OVERVIEW

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system that enables various mobility vehicles to be operated unmanned to transport cargo safely and quickly. This object is achieved by a cargo packaging system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0012] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention for achieving the above object, a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle includes: a housing having an interior space therein for accommodating cargo and mounted on the mobility vehicle; a plurality of air bags provided at a plurality of positions on an inner surface of the housing and applying pressure to the cargo accommodated in the housing and cushioning it during expansion in a plurality of directions; an air charging part connected to the plurality of air bags and configured to inject gas into each air bag of the housing and control a flow rate or pressure of the injected gas; and an outlet controlled by the air charging part and discharging the gas injected into each air bag to the outside of the outlet.The cargo packaging system further comprises a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the gas injected into each air cushion by heat exchange, the heat exchanger being mounted downstream of the air loading part.

[0013] A temperature sensor may be provided inside the housing or in each air cushion, and the heat exchanger may control the degree of heating or cooling according to the temperature values ​​measured by the temperature sensor.

[0014] A cooler for cooling the supplied gas may be provided between the air loading part and each air cushion, and a heating element may be provided in each air cushion at a portion thereof in contact with the cargo.

[0015] The housing may be mounted in an interior of the mobility vehicle, and the air charging part may be provided at a lower portion of the mobility vehicle below a point at which the housing is positioned.

[0016] The mobility vehicle may further include a gas storage tank that stores the gas to be injected into each air cushion and supplies the gas to the air charging part.

[0017] One or more of the plurality of air cushions may be connected to the air charging part to receive the supplied gas, and the plurality of air cushions may be connected to each other to have the same internal pressure.

[0018] The plurality of air cushions may be independent air cushions that are not connected to each other, and each air cushion may independently receive the gas from each corresponding air charging part.

[0019] A pressure sensor may be provided in each of the plurality of air bags, and the air charging part may control the gas supplied to each air bag according to an internal pressure of each air bag to regulate a condition of the cargo.

[0020] According to the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle of the present invention, the cargo can be stably secured even when the mobility vehicle is operating unmanned. Furthermore, the casing can be adjusted appropriately even when the cargo is tilted or a loading state of the cargo is unstable while the mobility vehicle is traveling to a destination, or the cargo can be transported even when the cargo being transported requires heating or cooling, achieving the effect of enabling transportation regardless of the size or characteristics of the cargo.

[0021] The devices of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from, or set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a view showing a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle, the system being applied to an air mobility vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, the system including a plurality of air bags interconnected according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a view showing the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, the system having the plurality of air bags that are independent of each other according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a control method for a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle of the present invention.

[0022] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present invention. The specific embodiments of the present invention as contained herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and environment of use.

[0023] In the figures, reference numerals designate the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present invention(s) will be described in connection with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to these exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s) are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0025] In the following, a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a view showing a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle, the system being applied to an air mobility vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a view showing the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, the system comprising a plurality of air bags interconnected according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a view showing the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, the system having the plurality of air bags that are independent of each other according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a control method for a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to the cargo packaging system applied to the air mobility vehicle A according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Fig. 1 the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle: a housing 20 having an interior space for accommodating the cargo B and mounted on the mobility vehicle A; a plurality of air bags 10 provided at a plurality of positions on an inner surface of the housing and exerting pressure on the cargo accommodated in the interior of the housing and cushioning it during its expansion in a plurality of directions; an air charging part 30 for injecting gas into each air bag 10 of the housing and controlling a flow rate or a pressure of the injected gas; and an outlet controlled by the air charging part 30 and for discharging the gas injected into each air bag 10.

[0028] Mobility vehicle A refers to a means of transportation, and people or cargo can be transported using the mobility vehicle. An urban mobility vehicle operates on the ground, but due to recent developments in battery technology, research and development on an air mobility vehicle configured for movement beyond ground limits is being actively promoted.

[0029] There is a strong trend toward operating a mobility vehicle that is unmanned by adopting autonomous driving technology to reduce labor costs, etc. Accordingly, the use of such a mobility vehicle can expedite the transportation of cargo, etc. In a case where cargo may be damaged, since the unmanned mobility vehicle must load its own cargo autonomously, the condition of the cargo after the completion of transportation cannot be guaranteed if the cargo is loaded in an unstable state.Accordingly, if the mobility vehicle for stable unmanned transportation of cargo to a destination is equipped with components including: the housing 20 for accommodating the cargo inside the mobility vehicle; the air cushions 10 for surrounding and securing the housing; the air charging part 30 for injecting gas into each air cushion; and the outlet for discharging the gas filled in each air cushion to release the fixation of the cargo, various cargoes can be stably transported even though the cargo packaging system is operated unmanned. By providing the air cushion 10 made of a durable material and filled with a fluid such as air, more stable transportation is possible because the cargo is secured with appropriate pressure in all directions.When the cargo arrives at its destination, the transport is completed by discharging the gas through the outlet of the air cushion, releasing the fixation and unloading the cargo.

[0030] Furthermore, the mobility vehicle A may further comprise a heat exchanger 40 for heating or cooling the gas injected into each air cushion 10 by heat exchange.

[0031] The cargo accommodated in the body of the mobility vehicle may be cargo that requires special heating or cooling. Generally, in a case where the cargo needs to be kept warm and cool, a heat insulating agent or a refrigerant is packed together with the cargo when packaging the cargo. However, if the gas injected into the air cushion is heated or cooled by the heat exchanger 40, the temperature of the transported cargo can be controlled. The present method may be suitable when transporting a specific cargo, such as food ingredients and products. Accordingly, it is preferable to use an air cushion made of a membrane material configured to slowly discharge a portion of the gas, rather than a material configured to seal. For example, the air cushion may be made of a material such as polyester.

[0032] Furthermore, a temperature sensor may be provided inside the housing or inside the air cushion, and the heat exchanger 40 may control the degree of heating or cooling depending on the temperature values ​​measured by the temperature sensor.

[0033] There is a specific temperature that must be maintained for the specific cargo being transported, so a temperature sensor can be provided to measure the temperature of the gas inside the air cushion to maintain a constant temperature. If the temperature is too high or too low, the charged gas is partially discharged to the outside through the air cushion outlet, and then the cooled or heated gas is injected into the air cushion, thereby controlling the gas temperature.

[0034] A cooler for cooling the supplied gas may be provided between the air charging part 30 and the air cushion 10, and a heating element may be provided in each air cushion at a portion thereof in contact with the cargo.

[0035] As mentioned above, the present configuration is provided for controlling the temperature of the cargo, but there is a difference in that the cooler can only perform cooling of the injected gas, and heating is performed by means of the heating element provided in the air bag. It is preferable that the cooler be configured to cool the gas at a location of the heat exchanger. When the above configuration is employed, the temperature of the gas in the air bag can be controlled by means of the heating element without discharging the gas filled in the air bag. That is, for the cargo whose temperature can be maintained high, it is appropriate to provide both the cooler for cooling the injected gas and the heating element for heating the gas injected into the air bag.

[0036] The housing 20 is mounted in the interior of the mobility vehicle A. At a lower portion of the mobility vehicle, the air charging part 30 may be provided below a point where the housing 20 is positioned. The mobility vehicle A may further include a gas storage tank 50 that stores gas to be injected into the air cushion 10 and supplies the gas to the air charging part 30.

[0037] The gas to be filled into the air cushion can be varied. If it is not important whether the cargo is transported at room temperature or not, the air outside the mobility vehicle is preferred. However, if the transported cargo must avoid contact with the highly reactive oxygen in the air as much as possible, it is preferable to use an inert gas such as helium. The gas storage tank can store the inert gas, and in some cases, outside air. This means that the gas storage tank allows different cargoes to be accommodated in the enclosure by varying the gas to be stored depending on the specific situation.

[0038] One or more of the plurality of air cushions are connected to the air charging part to accommodate gas, and the plurality of air cushions are connected to each other and have the same internal pressure.

[0039] Fig. 2 is a view showing the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, the system including the plurality of air bags interconnected according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, only one or more of the plurality of air cushions are connected to the air charging part 30 to receive the gas supplied from the air charging part. In this case, although the air charging part is configured as a single section, the air charging part is connected to each of the air cushions 10 so that all the air cushions have the same pressure. Since the air charging part is a single part, costs can be reduced and the system can be simplified. Even if any side of the cargo is tilted sharply and the pressure of the air cushion that comes into contact with the cargo temporarily increases, since all the air cushions are connected to each other, the increased pressure decreases within a short period of time, and thus the air cushion that comes into contact with the cargo is in balance with the other air cushions.

[0040] It is possible that the plurality of air cushions 10 are independent cushions that are not connected to each other, and that each of the air cushions can receive gas independently from the air charging part 30.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a view showing the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, the system including the plurality of air bags independent of each other according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, the plurality of air cushions may be individually connected to the plurality of air loading parts. Since such a configuration can allow the pressure of the air cushion to be independently controlled, the cargo can be transported more stably by varying the pressure of the air cushion and controlling each of the air cushions depending on the situation.

[0042] Furthermore, a pressure sensor 11 may be provided in the plurality of air cushions, and the air charging part 30 may control the gas supplied to each air cushion 10 depending on the internal pressure of each air cushion.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of air charging parts 30 are connected to a common gas storage tank 50, or each air charging part 30 is connected to a corresponding gas storage tank 50 among a plurality of gas storage tanks 50.

[0044] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the pressure sensor may be provided inside the air cushion. The pressure sensor detects an increased or decreased pressure of the air cushion and transmits the detected information to the air loading part controlling the air cushion. The air loading part determines an abnormal condition, such as the tilt of the cargo, to increase the pressure by supplying more gas to the air cushion or to reduce the pressure of the air cushion through the outlet, thereby eliminating the abnormal condition of the cargo. In an air mobility vehicle, a situation may occur where the cargo tilts sharply due to the shaking of the fuselage caused by turbulence in the air. In this case, the pressure sensor instantaneously detects the increased pressure, and the air loading part controls the air cushion on the side of the tilted cargo using the received information, thereby restoring the original position of the loaded cargo.

[0045] Regardless of whether the plurality of air cushions are provided connected to each other or the plurality of air cushions are provided independently of each other, each air cushion has a pressure sensor to keep the cargo stable.

[0046] In the following, a control method for a cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle is described, which is not part of the invention.

[0047] Fig. 4 is the flowchart showing the control method for the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle, which system is the present invention. Referring to Fig.4, the control method includes, as a control method for the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle according to claim 1: step S100 of loading cargo into an interior space of a housing; step S300 of injecting gas into an air cushion through an air loading part and fixing the cargo inside the housing; and step S500 of releasing the fixation of the cargo by discharging the gas injected into the air cushion via an outlet when the transportation of the cargo is completed.

[0048] In an unmanned mobility vehicle that transports cargo, a user loads the cargo directly into the enclosure, or the mobility vehicle automatically loads the cargo into the enclosure inside the mobility vehicle. For example, when a user of the mobility vehicle packs and loads the cargo well at a certain location, the mobility vehicle can perform the step of picking up the cargo. The size of the cargo loaded into the enclosure can vary, and the cargo can be stably fixed by injecting gas into the air cushion designed to accommodate different types of cargo. In other words, since fluid has an unsteady property, the fluid can stably wrap and fix the cargo regardless of the size and shape of the cargo.

[0049] The control method for the cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle may further comprise: step S200 of heating or cooling the gas by a heat exchanger provided in the mobility vehicle.

[0050] If the cargo can be transported at room temperature or can be transported regardless of temperature, the temperature of the gas injected into the air cushion is irrelevant. However, if the cargo being transported is temperature-sensitive, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate temperature. Therefore, by determining whether the cargo needs to be kept warm or cool according to the temperature information related to the cargo, etc., and controlling the temperature of the injected gas through the heat exchanger, etc., the cargo can be transported stably. Furthermore, cargo that is sensitive to temperature can also be transported, which facilitates the transportation of various types of cargo.

[0051] The cargo packaging system for the mobility vehicle may further include: step S600 of detecting a change in a pressure in each air bag by means of a pressure sensor provided in each of the plurality of air bags; and step S400 of controlling the gas supplied to each air bag depending on the pressure inside each air bag by the air charging part.

[0052] In a case where a strong impact acts on the mobility vehicle due to an unexpected collision or turbulence, the cargo may tilt, and accordingly, the pressure inside the air cushion may temporarily increase. Therefore, the pressure sensor detects the increased pressure and transmits the pressure information to the air charging part. According to the received pressure information, the air charging part detects an abnormal condition, such as the tilt of the cargo, and controls the flow rate or pressure of the gas supplied to the air cushion, thereby eliminating the abnormal condition of the cargo.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a controller is connected to at least one of the elements of the mobility vehicle, such as, but not limited to, the air charging portion 30, to control its operation.

[0054] Additionally, the term referring to a control device, such as "controller," "control unit," "control device," or "control module," etc., refers to a hardware device comprising a memory and a processor configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithm structure. The memory stores algorithm steps, and the processor executes the algorithm steps to perform one or more processes of a method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.The control device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by a non-volatile memory configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of a vehicle or data via software instructions for executing the algorithms, and by a processor configured to perform the above-described process using the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be individual chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be integrated into a single chip. The processor may be implemented as one or more processors. The processor may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, may process data according to a program provided by the memory, and may generate a control signal corresponding to the processing result.

[0055] The control device may be at least a microprocessor operated by a predetermined program which may comprise a series of instructions for carrying out the method disclosed in the above-mentioned various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] The present invention may also be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that can subsequently be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state disk (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, etc., and implementation as carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet).

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each operation described above may be performed by one control device, and the control device may be configured by a plurality of control devices or an integrated single control device.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control device may be implemented in a form of hardware or software, or may be implemented in a combination of hardware and software.

[0059] For ease of explanation and precise definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "upward," "downward," "upward," "downward," "front," "rear," "backward," "inside," "outside," "inward," "outward," "internal," "external," "inside," "outside," "forward," and "backward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of those features as shown in the figures. It is further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refers to both direct and indirect connection.

Claims

[1] A cargo packaging system for a mobility vehicle, the system comprising: a housing (20) having an interior space therein for receiving cargo and mounted on the mobility vehicle; a plurality of air cushions (10) provided at a plurality of positions on an inner surface of the housing (20) and exerting pressure on the cargo accommodated in the housing (20) and cushioning it during its expansion in a plurality of directions; an air charging part (30) connected to the plurality of air cushions and configured to inject gas into each air cushion of the housing (20) and to control a flow rate or pressure of the injected gas; an outlet controlled by the air charging part (30) and discharging the gas injected into each air cushion (10) to the outside of the outlet; and further comprising a heat exchanger (40) for heating or cooling the gas injected into each air cushion (10) by heat exchange, wherein the heat exchanger (40) is mounted downstream of the air charging part (30). [2] The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor provided inside the housing (20) or in each air cushion (10), wherein the heat exchanger (40) controls the degree of heating or cooling according to the temperature values ​​measured by the temperature sensor. [3] The system of claim 1, further comprising: a cooler configured to cool the gas and provided between the air charging part (30) and each air cushion (10), and a heating element provided in each air cushion (10) at a portion thereof in contact with the cargo. [4] System according to claim 1, wherein the housing (20) is mounted in an interior of the mobility vehicle, and wherein at a lower portion of the mobility vehicle, the air charging part (30) is provided below a point at which the housing (20) is positioned. [5] The system of claim 1, further comprising a gas storage tank (50) that stores the gas to be injected into each air cushion (10) and supplies the gas to the air charging part (30) connected to the gas storage tank (50). [6] System according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of air cushions (10) is connected to the air charging part (30) to receive the gas, and wherein the plurality of air cushions (10) are connected to each other to have the same internal pressure by the gas. [7] The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of air cushions (10) are connected in series. [8] System according to claim 1, wherein the air charging part (30) is provided in a plurality to provide a plurality of air charging parts (30), wherein the plurality of air cushions (10) are independent air cushions (10) which are not connected to each other, and wherein each air cushion (10) independently receives the gas from each corresponding air charging part (30) among the plurality of air charging parts (30). [9] The system according to claim 8, further comprising a gas storage tank (50) that stores the gas to be injected into each air cushion (10) and supplies the gas to the plurality of air charging parts (30) connected to the common gas storage tank (50). [10] The system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of gas storage tanks (50) that store the gas to be injected into a corresponding one of the plurality of air cushions (10) and supply the gas to a corresponding one of the plurality of air charging parts (30). [11] The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor (11) provided in each of the plurality of air bags (10), wherein the air charging part (30) is configured to control the gas supplied to each air bag (10) according to an internal pressure of each air bag (10) to adjust a condition of the cargo.

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