Delivery vehicle for delivering shipments to a parcel box and parcel box for receiving, storing and re-delivering shipments

Description

Area

[0001] The invention relates to a delivery vehicle with a mail storage device for receiving, storing, and re-delivering mail, with a transfer device for transferring mail from the mail storage device to a shifting device, and with a control device for controlling at least the shifting device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mail box for receiving and holding mail items ready for separate collection, comprising a plurality of mail compartments arranged at least in a row next to one another, each for receiving at least one mail item, wherein at least substantially each mail compartment has a front opening, wherein at least substantially each mail compartment is assigned a front closure means that can be adjusted between a removal position releasing the front opening for removing the mail item from the mail compartment and a closing position closing the front opening.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for delivering shipments by such a delivery vehicle into such a shipment box. background

[0002] Delivery vehicles for delivering or delivering shipments are already known in various designs. They have at least one shipment storage area, in which the shipments to be delivered are initially picked up at a loading location of the delivery vehicle and temporarily stored until delivery or dispatch. Many delivery vehicles are loaded and unloaded manually. However, there is a desire to accommodate more shipments in a shipment storage area, which is why manual unloading is dispensed with in some cases. Furthermore, if necessary, delivery of shipments without manual intervention is preferred. The shipments are then dispensed from the shipment storage area via a transfer device, which transfers the shipments to an output device, which ultimately discharges the shipments.The output device could, for example, be a shifting device that pushes the shipments out of the delivery vehicle. For simplicity, the shifting of the shifting device is controlled by a control device so that the desired shipments are delivered or delivered in the desired manner.

[0003] Furthermore, consignment boxes, such as parcel boxes or packing stations, are known which can receive consignments and hold them in separate consignment compartments until they are picked up. These consignment boxes have consignment compartments arranged in several rows one above the other. The adjacent consignment compartments in the individual rows are typically separated from one another by a common side wall. In order to be able to place consignments into and remove them from the consignment compartments, the consignment compartments each have a front opening, with the front corresponding to the front of the consignment box. To ensure that consignments can only be removed by authorized persons, the consignment compartments are also assigned front locking devices which can be adjusted from a removal position allowing the removal of a consignment to a closed position closing the front opening and back again.

[0004] For example, DE 198 09 291 A1 and WO 2014 / 080389 A2 disclose a side-loading consignment box for receiving and holding consignments for separate collection. In DE 198 09 291 A1, this box is designed as a mobile consignment box. JP 2002 142960 A discloses a consignment box with a single consignment compartment, which can include an internal roller door to prevent external access to consignments already delivered.

[0005] When items are placed in the mail box, at least one front locking device is first unlocked by a control device in the mail box. The front locking device can now be moved to the removal position and the item placed in the associated mail compartment. The front locking device is then moved back to the closed position and the locking device is locked. In addition, the mail box is informed as to which item has been deposited in the corresponding mail compartment. This way, a person picking up a specific item can, after appropriate authentication at the mail box, open the mail compartment assigned to the item by unlocking it and moving the associated front locking device to the removal position. The person picking up the item removes the item and moves the front locking device back to the closed position.

[0006] In principle, a delivery vehicle can also be used to fill the mail compartments, provided it is capable of removing mail from the mail storage and placing it in the mail compartments through the open front locking devices. However, this is quite time-consuming and blocks the mail compartment for a considerable period of time, during which no mail can be collected by pickup vehicles. Summary of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing the delivery vehicle, the mailing box and the method of the type mentioned at the outset and explained in more detail above in such a way that the filling of the mail compartments of a mailing box can be carried out more easily without hindering the removal of mail over a longer period of time.

[0008] This object is achieved in a delivery vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the shifting device is designed to be adjustable for delivering consignments to a location outside the delivery vehicle by shifting the consignments and from a retracted position to an extended position and back, and in that the shifting device is designed to be height-adjustable for delivering consignments at different height levels outside the delivery vehicle.

[0009] The invention recognizes that shipments can be conveniently delivered outside the delivery vehicle using a shifting device that can be adjusted from a retracted position to an extended position and back. For this purpose, the shipments are shifted outside the delivery vehicle. The shifting device can thus, for example, shift the shipments just far enough outside the delivery van until the shipments reach the desired location, in particular into the desired shipment compartment. In order to be able to fill a large number of different shipment compartments with shipments, the shifting device is also designed to be height-adjustable. The shipment compartments then do not have to be arranged at a specific height and, if necessary, at different heights. The shipment compartments can then still be operated or loaded with shipments by the shifting device.

[0010] The corresponding delivery vehicle can, if necessary, be a delivery vehicle. Delivery vehicles are also used to deliver shipments. Depending on the type of shipment, however, a distinction can be made between delivering and delivering. Particularly in cases where only an authorized collector is to have access to a specific shipment, as is the case with packages or parcels, for example, one speaks more of a delivery than a shipment. In other words, shipments, in particular postal shipments such as parcels, letters and / or print products, are typically delivered to their destination by a postal company, for example, while other shipments are often delivered by delivery services. The boundaries between delivering and delivering are rather fluid. This boundary also plays a rather subordinate role for the present invention.Accordingly, it does not appear necessary in this case to define the boundary between service and delivery conclusively and beyond what has been described above.

[0011] In this context, consignments are generally understood to mean a variety of items that can preferably be transported with manageable effort. In particular, consignments can be general cargo. This includes items of daily use such as consumables or food, as well as technical items and equipment. In many cases, the consignments are shipments from a postal company that can be referred to as mail. If necessary, the consignments are letters, parcels and / or flyers. Parcels also include small packages, while flyers can also be leaflets, brochures and magazines. Furthermore, a letter can also be a postcard in addition to a letter. Parcels and other consignments are often repackaged goods, in which case the consignment includes the packaging and the goods contained therein.

[0012] The stated object is further achieved by a mail box according to the preamble of claim 6 in that at least substantially each mail compartment has at least one lateral opening, that at least substantially each mail compartment is assigned at least one lateral closure means which can be adjusted between a closure position which laterally closes the at least one mail compartment into a displacement position which allows the lateral insertion of a mail item, and that the lateral closure means are at least substantially electrically driven.

[0013] The invention has further recognized that a mail box can be very conveniently loaded with mail from the side if at least substantially every mail compartment of at least one row of adjacent mail compartments has at least one lateral opening. In principle, any mail compartment having a lateral opening can also be supplied with a mail item via this opening. If at least individual mail compartments have two opposite lateral openings, these mail compartments can, if necessary, be loaded with a mail item from both opposite sides. The side from which the mail compartments are loaded can then be used to accommodate at least one mail item, depending on the accessibility of the mail compartments.

[0014] To ensure that a collector is only granted access to the consignments that are intended for collection by that collector, at least substantially all of the lateral openings can be closed by lateral closure means. For this purpose, the lateral closure means can be adjusted from a closed position that laterally closes at least one consignment compartment to a sliding position that allows a consignment to be inserted from the side. Depending on the position of the closure means, a consignment can be inserted into a consignment compartment from the side, or the unauthorized removal of a consignment can be prevented. Since it must be ensured that at least substantially all of the lateral closure means are always in the desired position or are adjusted to the desired position, the lateral closure means are preferably electrically driven.For example, a suitable control of the mail box can be achieved via a control device of the mail box.

[0015] The control device can preferably also receive request information indicating which shipment is to be picked up by an authorized pickup person or which front closure means is to be moved from a closed position to a removal position for the pickup of a specific shipment. The control device can also check the pickup person's authorization. For this purpose, for example, a code is transmitted with which the pickup person can identify themselves as authorized to pick up a shipment. The code can also be directly linked to a shipment compartment, so that the control device can use the code to identify which front closure means must be moved from the closed position to the removal position for the pickup of a shipment. The control device can then effect and / or initiate this.For this purpose, the corresponding front locking device can be unlocked so that the person collecting the item can move it into the removal position to remove the item from the mail compartment behind it. However, the corresponding locking device can also be moved into the removal position via an electric drive controlled by the control device. Additional unlocking may be unnecessary if the electric drive permanently prevents unauthorized opening of the front locking device. However, an electric drive can also be dispensed with if the operator adjusts the front locking device manually after unlocking it. In this case, the opening of the front locking device can be spring-assisted.

[0016] The above-mentioned object is further also achieved according to claim 11 by a method for delivering shipments by a delivery vehicle, preferably according to one of claims 1 to 5, into a shipment box, preferably according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the shipment box has at least one row of shipment compartments arranged next to one another for receiving at least one shipment, in which the delivery vehicle stops to the side of the consignment box, in which a control device controls at least one lateral closure means assigned to at least one consignment compartment, in which the control of the closure means takes place as a function of the distribution of the consignment compartments occupied by consignments and for adjusting the closure means from a closed position closing a lateral opening of the at least one consignment compartment into a sliding position releasing the lateral opening, and in which a control device of the delivery vehicle controls at least one sliding device for sliding a consignment into a consignment compartment with an open lateral opening.

[0017] Delivery vehicles can load consignment boxes quickly and effectively without the front of the consignment box being blocked by the delivery vehicle, thus preventing a pickup person from accessing the corresponding consignment compartment. The delivery vehicle can stop to the side of the consignment box. When loading a consignment box, it must be taken into account that the consignment box may contain uncollected consignments in individual consignment compartments, which can be distributed arbitrarily throughout the consignment box. Therefore, a control device is provided that controls the loading based on the distribution of the consignment compartments filled with consignments. For the sake of simplicity, the control device is part of the consignment box. However, the control device can also be located outside the consignment box. In this case, it is also advisable for the control device to communicate with the consignment box.The control device controls at least one lateral closure means associated with at least one mail compartment for adjustment from a closed position closing a lateral opening of the at least one mail compartment to a sliding position exposing the lateral opening. This opens the lateral closure means, which must expose the corresponding openings for loading mail compartments of the mail box from the side. A control device, in particular of the delivery vehicle, can then control at least one sliding device for sliding a mail item in order to insert the item into one of the laterally open mail compartments.

[0018] For the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the delivery vehicle, the consignment box, and the method are described jointly below, without distinguishing between the delivery vehicle, the consignment box, and the method. However, the skilled person will be able to determine from the context which feature is particularly preferred with regard to the delivery vehicle, the consignment box, and the method.

[0019] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the delivery vehicle, the control device is designed to control the consignment storage and / or the transfer device. The consignment storage and / or the transfer device can then be controlled as needed without manual intervention. For example, the control device can ensure that the next consignment to be delivered is dispensed from the consignment storage and / or that the next consignment to be delivered is forwarded from the transfer device to the shifting device. Ultimately, the consignments can thus be delivered individually and in a specific order, with the control device preferably always knowing which individual consignment is currently being delivered and / or will be delivered next.

[0020] If the delivery vehicle is configured as an autonomous delivery vehicle for autonomously delivering shipments to a delivery location, the delivery process requires no manual intervention. This has the advantage of avoiding human error during delivery of shipments and allowing delivery to be carried out highly effectively according to predefined principles. Alternatively or additionally, the efficiency of delivering shipments can be increased if the delivery vehicle is configured as an autonomous delivery vehicle for autonomously driving to a delivery location from a loading point of the delivery vehicle. In this case, an operator or delivery person can be dispensed with entirely, if necessary, or they can be used solely for monitoring purposes. Furthermore, the operator or delivery person still has time to perform other tasks while en route, if necessary.

[0021] To ensure that the shifting device does not impede the movement of the delivery vehicle from one consignment box to another consignment box or from a loading location to an unloading location, it is preferred if the shifting device is arranged completely within the delivery vehicle in a retracted position. However, to be able to deliver the consignments reliably and accurately outside the delivery vehicle, in particular to be able to insert them into a consignment compartment of a consignment box, the shifting device can have a stamping unit for shifting the consignments, which is arranged at least partially outside the delivery vehicle in the extended position. The consignment can be shifted via the stamping unit by extending the stamping unit.

[0022] The shipment can be pushed out of the delivery vehicle or simply moved outside the delivery vehicle. However, the former alternative appears to be particularly preferable for the sake of simplicity.

[0023] In order to support the shipment at least partially during displacement by the displacement device, the displacement device can have, in particular below the stamping unit, a ramp that can be adjusted, in particular pivoted or moved, from a non-use position to a use position and back. For example, the shipment to be delivered can lie on the ramp and be moved along the ramp by the stamping unit. Since the shipment is to be delivered by the displacement device outside the delivery vehicle, it is particularly expedient if the ramp is designed to support a shipment to be moved by the displacement device at least partially outside the delivery vehicle.

[0024] It is also simple and reliable if the shifting device, in particular the stamping unit, is designed to shift a shipment at least essentially linearly. To ensure reliable delivery of shipments at different heights outside the delivery vehicle, the ramp can be height-adjustable.

[0025] In order to make effective use of the space in the delivery vehicle and to accommodate as many shipments as possible in the shipment storage unit, the stamping unit can be designed to be telescopic between the non-use position and the use position. This telescoping capability can also be achieved in a structurally simple manner if the stamping unit comprises at least two, preferably cylindrical, telescopic elements that can be pushed together and extended relative to one another. At least one telescopic element can be accommodated, at least in sections, in at least one other telescopic element. When the stamping unit is pushed together, the at least one telescopic element can then be pushed into the at least one other telescopic element. However, it can also be provided that the telescopic elements are arranged next to one another and can be moved relative to one another. For the sake of further simplification, the telescopic elements then partially engage with one another.These sections may further preferably form a kind of rail system.

[0026] If the transfer device has at least one conveyor belt, in particular a height-adjustable one, the mail items can be passed on to the shifting device very easily and reliably. Alternatively or additionally, at least one robot arm and / or at least one gantry robot can be provided for this purpose. All of these devices can be used to convey the mail items towards the shifting device. If the transfer device also has a separating device, it can be ensured that one mail item is always delivered after the next. For the sake of simplicity, the separating device is designed in the form of a conveyor belt, an acceleration conveyor belt if necessary, and / or a separating blade that can be adjusted from a non-use position to a use position in contact with at least one mail item and back again.When the separating blade is in the use position, further shipments are held back by resting against the separating blade. When the separating blade is in the non-use position, the pending shipments are released for further transport.

[0027] Particularly in the case of autonomous delivery vehicles, these preferably have at least one sensor for detecting a consignment box for delivering consignments into the consignment box. This can be an optical sensor. The sensor enables the delivery vehicle to independently drive directly next to the consignment box without colliding with it. The delivery vehicle can thus preferably assume a predefined position relative to the consignment box. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery vehicle can also have at least one sensor for detecting a height level for delivering consignments by the shifting device, for example, as the height level of a row of consignment compartments in a consignment box.The sensor can determine how far the shifting device, the ramp, the stamping unit, and / or the transfer device needs to be adjusted up or down, for example, to reach the height level of a row of mail compartments in a mail crate. The sensor can also detect whether the shifting device, the ramp, the stamping unit, and / or the transfer device has reached the desired position or not. In principle, the mail crate could also contain a corresponding sensor, and the delivery vehicle could then receive corresponding control commands for adjusting the height of the shifting device, the ramp, the stamping unit, and / or the transfer device. This sensor can also be the same as the sensor for detecting the mail crate.The delivery vehicle can thus adjust the height of the shifting device to the detected height level of the consignment box, which can be a height level of at least one consignment compartment or a series of consignment compartments.

[0028] If at least one sensor is provided for detecting the position of the shifting device, in particular the stamping unit, during delivery of the shipments, the delivery vehicle knows when the shipment has reached the desired position or the desired shipment compartment in the shipment box, and the delivery vehicle can forward the corresponding information to the shipment box as needed. If at least one receiving device is provided for receiving information regarding the location of delivery of at least one shipment, in particular regarding a height level and / or a shifting distance, the delivery of the shipments by the delivery vehicle can be specifically controlled and adapted to the respective loading situation of a shipment box.Alternatively or additionally, the delivery vehicle can also include a transmitting device for transmitting information regarding the successful delivery of a shipment, for example, to inform the delivery box that a shipment has been delivered. It can generally be particularly effective if information is transmitted via a local radio network or a mobile network, for example, Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE). Other communication methods are known and can, in principle, also be used.

[0029] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the mail box, the front closure means are each at least substantially designed as a pivotable flap. The pivoting can occur vertically or horizontally as required. For the sake of simplicity, it is particularly preferred if all front closure means are of the same design. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Designing the front closure means as pivotable flaps enables easy unlocking and opening of the front closure means. Furthermore, flaps are quite stable and durable, which facilitates reliable use of the mail box. Alternatively or additionally, the front closure means can each be at least substantially assigned to exactly one mail compartment. Access to specific mail items can then be very reliably guaranteed without those collecting them having access to other mail items.

[0030] The lateral closure means can all or at least predominantly be designed to be adjustable at least substantially in a direction perpendicular to the at least one row of mail compartments between the closed position and the sliding position. In this way, the lateral closure means, in the sliding position, release the lateral openings of the mail compartments for the insertion of mail items, so that mail items can be inserted into the mail compartments very reliably. This applies in particular to the case where a mail item is to be inserted through one or more mail compartments into a mail compartment located behind it. It is particularly expedient if the lateral closure means of at least substantially every mail compartment in a row of mail compartments are designed as a roller shutter.Roller shutters can be easily and reliably adjusted vertically to the row of mail compartments and, if necessary, completely open the side openings for inserting mail. Furthermore, very large side openings can be realized if a roller shutter forms at least the essential part of a mail compartment's side wall.

[0031] If the mail compartments are arranged in at least two stacked rows of adjacent mail compartments, more mail can be accommodated in the mail box. Furthermore, placing mail into the mail compartments is then very easy. In at least one case, two stacked mail compartments can be assigned a common lateral closure, which can be achieved particularly easily if the lateral closure is designed as a roller shutter. Only the length of the roller shutter and the side walls of the stacked mail compartments need to be adjusted. The appropriate use of roller shutters can also enable the use of very many stacked rows of mail compartments.

[0032] If the mail compartments in a common row of adjacent mail compartments are of the same height, width and / or depth, this makes it easier to insert and push mail items into or through a mail compartment. Put simply, the mail compartments can be at least essentially the same size. In this case, a mail item that fits into a mail compartment can be moved into an adjacent mail compartment or pushed through previous mail compartments without any problems. In order to be able to provide mail compartments of different sizes so that mail items of different sizes can be accommodated in suitable mail compartments in a space-saving manner, the mail compartments in different rows of adjacent mail compartments can preferably be of different heights, widths and / or depths.In other words, rows of mail compartments of different sizes can be provided one above the other, with the mail compartments in a row preferably each being of the same size.

[0033] A mail box preferably has a control device for adjusting the lateral closure means from the closed position to the sliding position and back. This allows the mail box to always adjust the position of the lateral closure means so that the next desired loading step, in particular by a delivery vehicle, can be carried out reliably. The mail box can have a control device for recording and / or storing a loading situation, so that it is always clear which mail compartments are still available for further loading. If the control device does not store this information, it can preferably be repeatedly recorded or forwarded to an external storage device for storage.Likewise, the consignment box can have a transmitting device for transmitting information relating to a loading situation of the consignment box and / or the position of at least certain lateral closure means. The information can be sent to an external control device and / or to the delivery vehicle for further use, depending on what is to be done with the information. A receiving device for receiving control commands and / or information relating to the delivery of at least one consignment by a delivery vehicle can also be provided in the consignment box. This then serves to at least partially control the consignment box from the outside and / or to coordinate the consignment box and the delivery vehicle.

[0034] An external control device is understood to be a control device that is neither part of the consignment box nor the delivery vehicle. For simplicity, this can be a central computer unit, a server, or the like. The external control device can then conveniently control a large number of different consignment boxes and / or delivery vehicles.

[0035] Furthermore, the joint use of the delivery van and the mailing box, each of the type mentioned at the outset and described in more detail above, is particularly preferred as a system comprising a delivery vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5 and a mailing box according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein at least one lateral closure means of at least one mailing compartment is arranged in a displacement position releasing a lateral opening and wherein the at least one displacement device, in particular the at least one stamping unit, is arranged at least partially engaging through the at least one released lateral opening into at least one mailing compartment assigned to the opening.

[0036] This takes into account the fact that the delivery vehicle described is particularly suitable for loading a consignment box that is also described, and at the same time the described consignment box is in turn particularly suitable for loading by the delivery vehicle described. The preferred interaction between the delivery vehicle and the consignment box results from the sliding device of the delivery vehicle engaging laterally into the consignment box and reaching through at least one lateral opening of a consignment compartment in order to push a consignment into this or an adjacent consignment compartment. The arrangement of the consignment compartments in at least one row next to one another and the lateral closure means assigned to the consignment compartments enable consignments to be pushed laterally into or through a consignment compartment by means of a simple and reliable sliding device.At the same time, however, a reliable separation of the mail boxes is achieved if necessary in order to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing mail.

[0037] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the delivery vehicle stops to the side of a specific one of at least two opposite sides of the mail box depending on the distribution of the mail compartments filled with mail. The specification as to which of the opposite sides of the mail box the delivery vehicle stops and in particular also in which orientation can be specified by the at least one control device, specifically based on the distribution of the mail compartments filled with mail. The side of the mail box is then selected for approaching from which, based on the actual occupancy of the mail box with mail, more mail can be handed over to the mail box without multiple mail items undesirably ending up in one and the same mail compartment. In this way, if necessary, more mail can be handed over from the delivery vehicle to the mail box than from the other side of the mail box.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the number of shipments to be handed over to the consignment box can be increased by having the delivery vehicle, after handing over at least one shipment to the consignment box, drive from one side of the consignment box to the opposite side of the consignment box and stop there next to the consignment box, preferably in the opposite direction, so that the same side of the delivery vehicle faces the consignment box in each case. Subsequently, at least one shipment is handed over into the consignment box from this side of the consignment box as well. In this case, the control device actuates at least one lateral locking means associated with at least one consignment compartment, specifically when the delivery vehicle is on the opposite side of the consignment box.The locking device is then controlled depending on the distribution of the mail compartments filled with mail, and for adjusting the locking device from a closed position closing a lateral opening of the at least one mail compartment to a sliding position exposing the lateral opening. Furthermore, the control device of the delivery vehicle controls the at least one sliding device for sliding a mail item into a mail compartment with an open lateral opening. By delivering mail items to the mail box from opposite sides, the capacity of the mail box can be better utilized. Furthermore, the increasing fragmentation of the mail compartments filled with mail items within the mail box can be counteracted.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, at least one detection device for detecting the successful insertion of a consignment into a consignment compartment can forward information associated with the successful insertion of the consignment into the consignment compartment to a control device, in particular of the delivery vehicle and / or the consignment box. In this way, the loading situation is documented. In particular, it is possible to track which consignment is placed in which consignment compartment. It is also possible to detect when the insertion of a consignment into a consignment compartment is completed, so that, for example, the shifting device can be returned to the retracted position in order to deliver another consignment.However, it is also possible to move at least one lateral locking means into the locked position in order to complete the loading of the mail compartment or to be able to insert another shipment into an adjacent mail compartment. It is preferred if the control device for receiving the information relating to the successful loading of a mail compartment is arranged in the mail box. In this way, the corresponding information and conclusions can be stored and drawn locally. However, it is also conceivable if, alternatively or additionally, the control device is provided in the delivery van in order to be able to control the delivery of the shipments into the mail box. The control commands can also be generated by the mail box or by an external control device which can supply the delivery vehicle and the mail box with control information as required.The control information can be transmitted, for example, via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile radio network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE).

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, a control unit of the consignment box can detect which consignment compartments are filled with consignments and / or which consignment compartments are empty. This ensures that the current loading situation is always known and can be used to control the loading of the consignment box with consignments and / or to deliver consignments to a pickup.

[0041] It is further preferred if the control device of the consignment box forwards information relating to at least one consignment compartment with an open lateral opening for receiving a consignment from the delivery vehicle and / or information relating to the occupancy of consignment compartments with consignments. Corresponding information can be used by the delivery vehicle to hand over the next consignment to the consignment box in a targeted manner and in the desired manner. Here, too, forwarding the information from the consignment box to the delivery vehicle is particularly simple and advantageous. However, in order to be able to intervene in the loading from the outside or to control it from the outside, it can also be expedient if the corresponding information is forwarded to an external control unit, which in turn can then be connected to the consignment box and / or the delivery vehicle for control purposes.

[0042] To transfer a shipment to a shipment box, a ramp of the delivery vehicle can first be adjusted from a non-use position to a use position. The at least one shipment to be transferred can then be transferred from a shipment storage device to the ramp in the use position via a transfer device. This allows the shipment to be transferred to a shipment compartment of the shipment box via the shifting device and the ramp. The ramp ensures that the shipment to be transferred is reliably transferred from the delivery vehicle to the shipment box, if necessary, at least bridging the distance between the delivery vehicle and the shipment box.

[0043] If the height of the shifting device, the stamping unit, and / or the ramp is adjusted, the shifting device, the stamping unit, and / or the ramp can be adapted to the respective height level of a shipment compartment or a row of adjacent shipment compartments of a shipment box, so that the corresponding shipment compartment can reliably receive a shipment from the delivery vehicle. The height adjustment is preferably controlled by a control device, which can, but does not have to, be located in the delivery vehicle. The control unit can also be located in the shipment box or externally and can control the height adjustment, for example, via radio.The control information can be transmitted, for example, via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile radio network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE).

[0044] If a control device, particularly of the mail box, detects the removal of a consignment from at least one mail compartment, it is possible to track which mail compartments are emptied in order to refill them with mail, for example via the delivery vehicle. This means that the mail box does not have to be completely emptied in order to place new mail into it. To determine that a mail compartment is being or has been emptied, information relating to the instruction to open it and / or the adjustment of a front locking device assigned to the mail compartment to the removal position can be detected, for example. It must then be assumed that the mail is also removed from an open mail compartment.To ensure this, alternatively or additionally, at least one sensor device can be provided in the mail box, which can directly detect a mail item in a mail compartment or, conversely, the emptiness of a mail compartment. In both cases, a reliable decision can be made as to whether a particular mail compartment is actually empty or occupied.

[0045] The control device, in particular of the mail box, can alternatively or additionally control at least two lateral closure means on both sides of a mail compartment containing a mail item, for adjustment from the closed position to the sliding position. This control ultimately causes at least one mail compartment to open on both sides. Opposing lateral closure means of a mail compartment are adjusted to the sliding position, in which the corresponding opening is exposed. A mail compartment open on both sides can now advantageously be used to push a mail item through the mail compartment. The mail then passes through a lateral opening of this mail compartment into another, adjacent mail compartment. The mail can then remain in this additional mail compartment until it is picked up. However, the mail can also be pushed through this mail compartment.The shipment is preferably moved by the moving device, in particular the stamping unit, of the delivery vehicle.

[0046] The consignment box can be loaded with new consignments particularly effectively if a number of consignments are transferred one after the other via the delivery vehicle's shifting device to a corresponding number of consignment compartments arranged next to one another in a row. This only requires that the adjacent consignment compartments be empty. If this is not the case, a consignment can be moved from one consignment compartment through a side opening into an adjacent consignment compartment to make room for new consignments. Moving an existing consignment is not limited to moving it from one consignment compartment to the next.By adjusting several lateral locking devices arranged one after the other to the sliding position, the consignment already deposited in the consignment box can also be pushed through further consignment compartments, at the latest until the consignment has reached the last consignment compartment in the corresponding row of consignment compartments or has reached the last free consignment compartment. In the latter alternative, further sliding of the consignment should be avoided if you want to prevent two consignments from being arranged in the same consignment compartment after sliding, but not intended for collection by the same person. This principle also applies accordingly to consignments that are newly inserted into the consignment box. These, too, can normally only be pushed into the consignment box until the last consignment compartment in a row of consignment compartments is reached.In addition, these shipments should also be prevented from being placed in the same compartment as other shipments, where the shipments are not intended for collection by the same person.

[0047] To control the loading of a consignment box by a delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle's control device can transmit information regarding the allocation of the delivered consignments to the consignment compartments containing the delivered consignments. This keeps track of which consignment is ready for collection in which consignment box, so that a collector can reliably receive the consignment held ready for collection. For the sake of simplicity, it is preferred if this information is transmitted to a control device of the consignment box. In principle, however, the information can also be transmitted to a control device that is neither provided in the delivery vehicle nor in the consignment box. This control device can then be connected to a control device of the delivery vehicle or the consignment box, for example via radio.The control information can be transmitted, for example, via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile radio network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE).

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows Fig. 1A-B delivery vehicle according to the invention in a position for moving in a schematic representation in a view from the side and a view from the front, Fig. 2A-B the delivery vehicle from Fig. 1in a position for delivering mail in a schematic representation in a view from the side and a view from the front, Fig. 3A-B the mail box according to the invention in a position for picking up mail in a schematic representation in a view from the side and a view from the front, Fig. 4A-B the mail box in a position for picking up mail in a schematic representation in a view from the side and a view from the front, Fig. 5 a system comprising a delivery vehicle and mail box for delivering mail Fig. 6A-E method steps of a method according to the invention in a schematic representation Fig. 7 the interaction of different control devices when carrying out a method according to the invention.

[0049] In the Fig. 1A-Ba delivery vehicle 1 is shown in a side view and a front view, wherein the walls of the delivery vehicle 1 are schematically designed to be transparent. The illustrated and in this respect preferred delivery vehicle 1 has a driver's cab, although the delivery vehicle 1 is an autonomous delivery vehicle 1. Autonomous in this context means that the delivery vehicle 1 can drive autonomously from a loading location, such as a distribution station for consignments 2, where the delivery vehicle 1 is loaded with consignments 2 to be delivered, to at least one delivery location without the need for the intervention of a driver. The driver can intervene in certain situations and guide or steer the delivery vehicle 1. However, they can also drive the delivery vehicle 1 completely independently. In principle, the delivery vehicle 1 can also be designed without a driver's cab if no driver is required.

[0050] Furthermore, the delivery vehicle 1 shown and, in this respect, preferred is also autonomous in that the delivery of shipments 2 can be effected by the delivery vehicle 1 itself. The delivery vehicle 1 also operates independently in this respect, without requiring the intervention of an operator, such as the driver. Here, too, it can generally be provided that a person intervenes in or controls the delivery, whereby the control can then take place locally or remotely in the sense of remote control. For this purpose, control signals can, for example, be sent from an external control device to the delivery vehicle via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile radio network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE).For autonomous driving, the delivery vehicle 1 can use at least one satellite navigation system, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), the GLONASS system, the Galileo system, the Beidou system, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or the Quasi-Zenith satellite system.

[0051] A large part of the delivery vehicle 1 is formed by a shipment storage device 3 in order to be able to carry as many shipments 2 as possible and deliver them to the appropriate delivery location. In principle, different types of shipment storage devices 3 are possible, which is why the type of the present shipment storage device 3 is not specified in more detail. In a particularly simple case, the shipment storage device 3 is loaded with shipments 2 in the order that corresponds to the order or the reverse order in which the shipments 2 were delivered. This eliminates the need for further sorting in the shipment storage device 3, and unloading is simplified. The shipments 2 can simply be dispensed piece by piece in sequence via a conveyor device. The conveyor device is preferably electric and driven by a control device 4 of the delivery vehicle 1.However, it can also be provided that the shipments 2 are delivered in the desired order, which does not have to be determined when loading the delivery vehicle 1, by a robot arm or a gantry robot that can move in at least two spatial directions perpendicular to each other. The robot arm or gantry robot can then grasp the desired shipment 2 and move it from the shipment storage 3. Other means are conceivable, however. The exact design of the shipment storage 3 is fundamentally of lesser importance in this case.

[0052] The mail items 2 coming from the mail storage device 3 are forwarded by a transfer device 5 to a shifting device 6. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable for the mail items 2 output from the mail storage device 3 to be fed directly to the shifting device 6 without detour via a separate transfer device 5. The transfer device 5 shown is designed as a conveyor belt, although this is not mandatory. In principle, passive transfer devices such as chutes or the like, or other active, i.e. driven, transfer devices known from the prior art, which are suitable for feeding the mail items 2 from the mail storage device 3 to the shifting device 6, could also be considered. The transfer device 5 shown and, in this respect, preferred in the form of a conveyor belt also comprises a separating device 7 in order to reliably deliver or separate the mail items 2 from one another.to be able to feed the items 2 to the singling device 7. If necessary, this singling device 7 could be designed as an additional conveyor belt that can transfer and / or accelerate the items 2 one after the other, thus achieving spatial separation of successive items 2. However, other singling devices are also possible. In the present case, a separating blade 8 is provided that can be adjusted from a non-use position to a use position in contact with at least one item 2 and back. When it is adjusted to the use position, it comes into contact with the item 2 in front of it and stops it through a positive connection. If the separating blade 8 is adjusted to the non-use position, for example, pivoted upwards, the path is clear for the item 2 previously held by the separating blade 8.

[0053] In the illustrated and thus preferred delivery vehicle 1, the displacement device 6 has a stamping unit 9 and a ramp 10. The stamping unit 9 is designed such that it can push a consignment 2 located in front of the stamping unit 9 and resting on the ramp 10 in the use position along the ramp 10 and thus displace it. During this time, the consignment 2 is supported or guided at least in sections by the ramp 10. In the illustrated non-use position of the ramp 10, it is arranged such that the ramp 10 does not impede the movement of the delivery vehicle 1. In the present case, the ramp 10 is retracted, although this is not mandatory. In the use position, the ramp 10 is preferably arranged for delivering consignments 2 when the delivery vehicle 1 is stationary.In order to be able to deliver the consignments 2 at the desired height, the shifting device 6, or rather the stamping unit 9 and the ramp 10, are height-adjustable in the illustrated and thus preferred delivery vehicle 1. Furthermore, the transfer device 5 is height-adjustable in order to be able to feed the consignments 2 to the shifting device 6 at the correct height. While this is not mandatory, it eliminates the need for multiple adjustments of the shifting device 6 and speeds up the delivery of the consignments 2. A sliding door 11 is provided for shifting the consignments 2 outwards.

[0054] In the Fig. 2A-B is the same delivery vehicle 1 as in the Fig. 1A-Bshown, however, not in a position which serves to move the delivery vehicle 1, but rather one which serves to deliver consignments 2 while the delivery vehicle 1 is stationary. The ramp 10 is therefore in a position of use in which the ramp 10 projects outwards from the sliding door 11 of the delivery vehicle 1 in order to be able to deliver a consignment 2 outside the delivery vehicle 1. The ramp 10 is aligned in an at least substantially horizontal direction and is also pushed out of the delivery vehicle 1 in this direction. The ramp 10 projects with one end into the delivery vehicle 1 and can there receive a consignment 2 from the transfer device 5. With the other end, the ramp 10 projects outwards relative to the delivery vehicle 1.If necessary, the ramp 10 could also be arranged completely outside the delivery vehicle 1 in the use position and / or be designed to pivot between the use position and the non-use position, although this will generally not be preferred. When a consignment 2 is lying on the ramp 10, the stamp of the stamping unit 9 of the shifting unit 6 can be extended from a retracted position of the stamping unit 9 to an extended position of the stamping unit 9, and the consignment 2 can thus be pushed along the ramp 10 out of the delivery vehicle 1. Before this occurs, the height of the shifting device 6 and the transfer device 5 can first be adjusted so that the shifting device 6 and the transfer device 5 are arranged at the correct height in order to deliver the consignment 2 at the correct or desired height.

[0055] In the Fig. 3A-BA mail box 12 for receiving and delivering mail 2 is shown. The mail box 12 has several rows 13 of adjacent mail compartments 14, which can be separated from one another. The rows 13 of mail compartments 14 are also arranged one above the other, preferably in alignment. Each individual mail compartment 14 can hold one or more mail items 2. When these are inserted, the addressee or a person collecting them preferably receives a message about the insertion of the mail 2 and a code with which the addressee or person collecting them can authenticate themselves at the mail box 12.The collector enters the code, for example, via a control panel 15 or sends the code, for example, via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, for example Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and / or a mobile radio network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE), to a control device 16 in the consignment box 12 or another control device.

[0056] A control command is now generated to open the mail compartment 14 associated with the code so that the collector can remove the desired mail item 2 from the mail compartment 14. To open the mail compartment 14 and remove the mail items 2, each mail compartment 14 has a front opening 17, to which a front locking means 18 is assigned. The front locking means 18 can be adjusted from a closed position closing the front opening 17 to a position releasing the front opening 17 for removing the mail item 2. This can be done by an electric drive or manually. It is particularly expedient, especially if no electric drive is provided, for each front locking means 18 to be assigned a locking means, in particular a lock for locking and unlocking the front locking means.An electrically operated locking system is particularly suitable so that the front locking means 18 closing the associated shipment compartment 14 and only this can be opened for the collection of a specific shipment 2.

[0057] The individual mail compartments 14 of the mail box 12 are separated from each other by lateral closure means 19. The lateral closure means 19 are adjustable from a closed position closing the lateral openings 20 of the mail compartments 14 into a sliding position releasing the lateral opening 20 of the mail compartments 14, which Fig. 4A-Bare shown. In the sliding position, there is therefore a direct connection between at least two mail compartments 14, via which mail items 2 can be moved from one mail compartment 14 into the adjacent mail compartment 14. For the sake of simplicity, in the mail box 12 shown and preferred in this respect, each column of mail compartments 14 is assigned a common lateral closure means 19. This is also the reason why in the mail boxes 12 shown and preferred in this respect, the mail compartments 14 have the same width and the same height, at least in a common column. However, it is also preferred if the mail compartments 14 in a common row of mail compartments 14 or line of mail compartments 14 each have the same depth.Then, through released side openings, mail items 2 can be moved from one mail compartment 14 to an adjacent mail compartment 14 without the mail item 2 becoming blocked in a mail compartment 14. However, in order to effectively utilize the space even with mail items 2 of different sizes, the mail compartments 14 in different rows of mail compartments 14 are preferably designed to have different heights.

[0058] The lateral closure means 19 shown on the far left and the far right open each row of mail compartments 14 outwardly, so that new mail items 2 can be loaded or filled with new mail items 2 without having to adjust the front closure means 18 to the removal position. To do so, the mail items 2 simply need to be pushed into the mail box 12 from the side until they reach the desired mail compartment for receiving the mail item 2. If necessary, the mail box 12 can be filled from the side by an operator, such as a deliverer for the mail items 2.It only needs to be recorded or transmitted which shipments 2 are located in which shipment compartment 14 after the shipment box 12 has been loaded, so that the shipment box 12 always unlocks the front locking means 18 and / or moves it into the removal position assigned to the shipment compartment 14 in which the shipment 2 to be picked up is located upon a later request from a pickup person.

[0059] As in the Fig. 5As shown, the loading of the consignment box 12 can also be carried out simply and reliably by a delivery vehicle 1 of the type described. The consignment storage device 12 transfers one or more consignments 2 to the transfer device 5, which then transfers these consignments 2 gradually, i.e. individually and separately, to the ramp 10, along which the stamping unit 9 of the shifting device 6 pushes the consignment into the consignment box 12. For this purpose, the telescopic stamping unit 9 extends accordingly and pushes the consignment 2 in front of it. By extending accordingly, the stamping unit 9 can not only push the consignment 2 into the consignment box 12, but can also be moved within the consignment box 12. For the latter, the ramp 10 is not necessarily required, and therefore does not have to be extendable as far if the consignments 2 slide along the floors of the consignment compartments 14 during the corresponding displacement.

[0060] By extending the stamping unit 9 by a specific, predetermined distance when each shipment 2 is handed over, it is ensured that the shipment 2 reaches the desired shipment compartment 14, or it can be detected which shipment 2 has reached which shipment compartment 14. By arranging the displacement device 6, the ramp 10, and the stamping unit 9 in the delivery vehicle 1 so as to be height-adjustable, it is ensured that the shipments 2 are handed over to the shipment box 12 at a suitable or the desired height. The height is predetermined and / or the delivery vehicle 1 detects the shipment box 12 with at least one sensor in order to adapt the height of the ramp 10 and the stamping unit 9 to the height of the lateral opening 20 of a shipment compartment 14, which opening is released by a lateral closure means 19 and which can be determined by the sensor.

[0061] To avoid having to adjust the height of the shifting device 6, or the ramp 10, and / or the transfer device 5 too frequently, the mail items 2 to be transferred to a row 13 of mail compartments 14 on a common level can first be transferred from the mail storage 12 to the transfer device 5. The transfer device 5 can then be adjusted in height using the shifting device 6, and the shifting device 6 can then push all mail items 2 from the transfer device 5 into the mail box 12 one after the other at the appropriate height level.

[0062] When all shipments 2 have been handed over to the shipment box 12, the delivery vehicle 1 moves away and the lateral locking means 19 close until they have reached the locking position again.

[0063] Example steps for delivering shipments 2 by a delivery vehicle 1 into a shipment box 12 are shown in the Fig. 6As shown in the Fig. 6AAs shown, when the consignment box 12 is partially empty or partially emptied, lateral closure means 19 are first opened at least partially. The shifting device 6 is then raised to a height level of a row 13 of consignment compartments 14 in which a consignment 2 is already located, specifically in a consignment compartment 14 whose adjacent consignment compartment 14 on the side facing away from the delivery vehicle 1 does not have a consignment 2. In order to be able to accommodate as many consignments 2 as possible, the shifting device 6 is extended after the height level has been adjusted until the shifting device 6 shifts the consignment 2 into the adjacent consignment compartment 12. The consignment 2 can preferably be shifted into the last consignment compartment 14 of the corresponding row 13 of consignment compartments 14.Alternatively, the shipment 2 can be moved into the last empty shipment compartment 14 in the moving direction 6, starting from the shipment compartment 14 in which the shipment 2 was originally located, as shown in the . Fig. 6B The number of compartments 14 by which the shipment 2 is shifted is less important. This prevents two shipments 2 from accidentally entering one compartment 14, or two shipments 2 intended for collection by different people from entering one compartment 14. For this reason, the lateral opening 20 leading to the already occupied compartment 14 is also closed by a lateral closure means 19.

[0064] Then, or even beforehand, as many mail items 2 can be removed from the mail storage device 12 as are to or can be delivered into the row 13 of mail compartments 14 at this height level. A different number of mail items 2 can, however, also be removed, if necessary at a different time. The mail items 2, which have already been separated from one another by means of the singling device 7 if necessary, are then transferred one after the other to the ramp 10 of the singling device 7 and transferred by the stamping unit 9 into an extended position next to one another into the still free mail compartments 14 of the corresponding row 13 of mail compartments 14. After the transfer of each individual mail item 2, the lateral closure means 19 facing the delivery vehicle 1 of the mail compartment 14 last occupied by a mail item 2 is, if necessary, moved into a closed position closing the associated lateral opening 20.This prevents a shipment 2 from being accidentally pushed too far into the shipment box 12. This is indicated in the . Fig.6C shown.

[0065] In a next step, the shifting device 6 can be lowered together with the transfer device 6 to the level of the underlying row 13 of mail compartments 14. This is done, if necessary, together with the transfer device 6 if it still has mail items 2, or new mail items 2 are first transferred from the mail storage 3 to the transfer device 5, for which purpose the transfer device 5 must first be adjusted further downwards if necessary and then raised again to the new level of the shifting device 6. Shifting of existing mail items 2 is not possible there, provided that the two mail items 2 provided there are to remain in separate mail compartments 14. Thus, only one further mail item 2 is transferred, as shown in the Fig. 6D is shown. In order to fill the still empty shipment compartment 14, the delivery vehicle 1 could drive to the other side of the shipment box 12 and load the corresponding shipment compartment 14 from there. However, whether this is expedient due to a shipment compartment 14 that needs to be filled can be determined as needed by a control device 4, 16, for example, based on the ratio of still free shipment compartments 14 to shipments still to be delivered.

[0066] Irrespective of this, the two free consignment compartments 14 can still be filled with consignments 2 by the delivery vehicle 1 as already described. Finally, the lateral closure means 19 are then adjusted so that they securely close all lateral openings 20 of the consignment compartments 14. The corresponding roller doors are therefore all lowered in this case. In other words, all lateral closure means 19 are then in the closed positions closing the lateral openings 20. Thus, after the delivery vehicle 1 has loaded the consignment box 12, the Fig. 6E shown position.

[0067] In the Fig. 7, a communication is shown schematically between the consignment box 12 and a delivery vehicle 1 on the one hand, and with a pickup person 21 on the other. The respective communication can take place exclusively directly between the consignment box 12 on the one hand, and the delivery vehicle 1 or the pickup person 21 on the other. However, the communication can also take place, at least in part, via an external control device 22, for example via a server or the like. Only a few of the possible embodiments are described below. When new consignments 2 are delivered, the delivery vehicle 1 is informed, for example, of the loading situation of the consignment compartments 14, i.e. the distribution of the consignments 2 in the consignment compartments 14. The delivery vehicle 1 can then instruct the consignment box 12 how the lateral closure means 19 are to be adjusted in order to load them with consignments 2.However, the loading situation can also be communicated to an external control device 22, which then controls the delivery vehicle 1 and the consignment box 12. Transmitting this information to an external control device 22 has the advantage that it always knows how many consignments 2 can still be delivered to a specific consignment box 12 before a delivery vehicle 1 drives to the consignment box 12. In principle, the external control device 22 can also be informed of the status of a specific consignment compartment 14 when it is being emptied or filled. The external control device 22 can then determine the current loading situation itself based on this information.

[0068] Irrespective of this, the mail box 12 can have sensors for monitoring the mail compartments 14. These then detect, as needed, whether a mail compartment 14 is occupied or empty. However, it can also be concluded that a mail compartment 14 is empty if its front locking means 18 has been opened. In this case, it can be assumed that a mail item 2 has been removed from the mail compartment 14, at least until the mail box 12 receives information about the insertion of another mail item. If a person wishes to deposit a mail item 2 for collection, they can communicate this to the mail box 12 or an external control device 22. A free mail compartment 14 is then assigned to the mail item 2, and the associated front locking means 18 is unlocked and / or opened. Without this having to be recorded separately, it can be concluded that a mail item 2 has been deposited in the mail compartment 14.However, the delivery vehicle 1 can also send a message, for example based on the position of the stamp unit 9, as to which mail compartment 14 a mail item 2 has been inserted, whereby this information can in turn be passed on to the control device 16 of the mail box 12 and / or to the external control device 22.

[0069] In principle, it may be sufficient if the control device of the consignment box 16 or the external control device 22 informs the control device of the delivery vehicle 4 which consignment 2 should be moved from which consignment compartment 14 to which consignment compartment 14 and / or which consignment 2 should be delivered to which consignment compartment 14. The delivery vehicle 1 can then control the corresponding processes without the delivery vehicle 1 being informed about the entire occupancy of the consignment box 12. For this purpose, however, it is recommended that the consignment box 12 be informed about how many consignments 2 should be placed in different consignment compartments 14, either by the delivery vehicle 1 itself or by the external control device 22, which may contain information about the loading of the delivery vehicle 1.The control device 16 of the consignment box 12 can then, for example, first adjust the lateral closure means 19 for a specific loading step and then initiate the corresponding loading step directly or via the external control device 22. Once the loading step is completed, this can be reported to the consignment box 12 by the delivery vehicle 1 directly or via the external control device 22. The control device 16 of the consignment box 12 can then update the information regarding the loading situation or the occupancy of the consignment compartments 14 accordingly, at least partially adjust the lateral closure means 19 if necessary, and initiate a further loading step to be performed by the delivery vehicle 1.

[0070] When loading shipment compartments 12 with new shipments 2 or even simply moving shipments 2 within the shipment box 12, it should always be tracked which individual shipment 2 is located where, or where it has been moved. This is because not only should a complete loading of the shipment box 12 be possible, but also the individual delivery of the shipments 2 to the pickup 21 should be ensured.

[0071] The pickup person 21 receives an access code from the control device 4, 16 of the consignment box 12 or the delivery vehicle 1 or from the external control device 22 and, if necessary, additional information regarding the consignment box 12 in which the consignment 2 is stored, for example via a mobile network on their mobile phone. The pickup person can then enter this access code on the control panel 15 of the consignment box 12 or transmit it to the control device 16 of the consignment box 12, which can also be done via a mobile network. However, this can also be done via Bluetooth or NFC, for example. The consignment box 12 then opens and / or unlocks the front locking means 18 of the consignment compartment 14, in which the consignment 2 assigned to the access code is located.

[0072] Communication between the pickup 21, on the one hand, and the consignment box 12 and / or the external control device 22, on the other hand, can take place, for example, via a local radio network or a mobile radio network, such as Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and / or a mobile radio network, in particular Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and / or Long Term Evolution (LTE). The same applies to communication between the external control device 22, on the one hand, and the consignment box 12 and / or the delivery vehicle 1, on the other.Alternatively or additionally, communication between the consignment box 12 on the one hand and the pickup person 21 and / or the delivery vehicle 1 on the other hand can also use a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a near field communication (NFC) tag, and / or a barcode, particularly a two-dimensional one, in which case the appropriate reading devices must be available to read the corresponding information. Other communication methods are also conceivable.

[0073] Particularly in the case of autonomous delivery vehicles 1, these preferably have at least one sensor for detecting a consignment box 12 for delivering consignments 2 in the consignment box 12. This can be an optical sensor. The sensor enables the delivery vehicle 1 to drive independently right up to the consignment box 12 without colliding with it. The delivery vehicle 1 can thus preferably assume a predefined relative position to the consignment box 12. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery vehicle 1 can also have at least one sensor for detecting a height level for the delivery of consignments 2 by the displacement device 6. This sensor can also be the same sensor as the sensor for detecting the consignment box 12.Thus, the delivery vehicle 1 can adapt the height adjustment of the displacement device 6 to the detected height level of the mail box 12, which can be a height level of at least one mail compartment or a row 13 of mail compartments 14. List of reference symbols

[0074] 1Delivery vehicle 2Consignment 3Consignment storage 4Control device 5Transfer device 6Shipping device 7Separation device 8Separation blade 9Stamping unit 10Ramp 11Sliding door 12Consignment box 13Row 14Consignment compartment 15Control panel 16Control device 17Front opening 18Front locking device 19Side locking device 20Side opening 21Collector 22Control device

Claims

1. A consignment box (12) for receiving and holding available consignments (2) for their separate collection, with a plurality of consignment compartments (14) arranged at least in a row (13) next to one another, respectively for receiving at least one consignment (2), wherein at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) has a front opening (17), wherein at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) is associated with a front closure means (18) which is adjustable between a removal position releasing the front opening (17) for removing the consignment (2) from the consignment compartment (14) and a closure position closing the front opening, wherein at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) has at least one lateral opening (20) and wherein at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) is associated with at least one lateral closure means (19) which is adjustable between a closure position laterally closing the at least one consignment compartment (14) and a displacement position releasing the lateral insertion of a consignment (2), characterized in that the consignment compartments (14) of the at least one row (13) of consignment compartments (14) are separated from one another via lateral closure means (19), and in that the lateral closure means (19) are adjustable from a closure position closing lateral openings (20) of the consignment compartments (14) into a displacement position releasing lateral openings (20) of the consignment compartments (14) in such a way that in the displacement position there is a direct connection between the adjacent consignment compartments (14) for displacing an item (2) from one consignment compartment (14) into the adjacent consignment compartment (14).

2. Mail box according to claim 1, characterized in that the front closure means (18) are at least essentially respectively configured as a pivotable flap and / or that the front closure means (18) are at least essentially respectively assigned to exactly one consignment compartment (14).

3. Mail box according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lateral closure means (19) are configured to be adjustable at least essentially respectively at least essentially in a direction perpendicular to the at least one row (13) of consignment compartments (14) between the closed position and the displacement position and / or that the lateral closure means (19) of at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) of a row (13) of consignment compartments (14) are configured as a roller shutter, in particular forming at least essentially a side wall of the consignment compartment (14).

4. Mail box according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the consignment compartments (14) are arranged in at least two rows (13) of consignment compartments (14) arranged one above the other and, preferably, at least in one case a common lateral closure means (19), in particular in the form of a roller shutter, is assigned to two consignment compartments (14) arranged one above the other and / or in that the consignment compartments (14) of a common row (13) of consignment compartments (14) arranged one above the other are of the same height, the same width and / or the same depth5. Mail box according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the consignment compartments (14) of different rows (13) of consignment compartments (14) arranged next to one another are of different heights, different widths and / or different depths.

6. Mail box according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lateral closure means (19) are electrically driven and / or that a control device (16) is provided for adjusting the lateral closure means (19) from the closure position into the displacement position and back and / or that a control device (16) is provided for detecting and / or storing a loading situation.

7. Mail box according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a transmitting device is provided for transmitting information relating to a loading situation of the consignment box (12) and / or relating to the position of at least certain lateral closure means (19) and / or that a receiving device is provided for receiving control commands and / or information relating to the delivery of at least one consignment (2) by a delivery vehicle (1) into the consignment box (12).

8. Method for delivering consignments (2) by a delivery vehicle into a consignment box (12) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the consignment box (12) comprises at least one row (13) of consignment compartments (14) arranged next to one another for receiving at least one consignment (2), wherein at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) has a front opening (17) and wherein at least essentially each consignment compartment (14) is associated with a front closure means (18) which is adjustable between a removal position releasing the front opening (17) for removing the consignment (2) from the consignment compartment (14) and a closure position closing the front opening, - in which the delivery vehicle (1) stops laterally next to the consignment box (12), - in which a control device (4, 16, 22) controls at least one lateral closure means (19) associated with at least one consignment compartment (14), - in which the control of the closure means (19) takes place as a function of the distribution of the consignment compartments (14) occupied by consignments (2) and for adjusting the closure means (19) from a closure position closing a lateral opening (20) of the at least one consignment compartment (14) into a displacement position releasing the lateral opening (20), and - in which a control device (4) of the delivery vehicle (1) controls at least one displacement device (6) for displacing an item (2) into a consignment compartment (14) with an open lateral opening (20).

9. Method according to claim 8, - in which the delivery vehicle (1) stops laterally next to a certain of at least two opposite sides of the consignment box (12) as a function of the distribution of the consignment compartments (14) occupied by consignments (2).

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, - in which the delivery vehicle (1) moves from one side of the consignment box (12) to the opposite side of the consignment box (12) and stops there laterally next to the consignment box (12), - in which the control device (4, 16, 22) on the opposite side of the consignment box controls at least one lateral closure means (19) associated with at least one consignment compartment (14), - in which the control of the closure means (19) is effected as a function of the distribution of the consignment compartments (14) occupied by consignments (2) and for moving the closure means (19) from a closure position closing a lateral opening (20) of the at least one consignment compartment (14) into a displacement position releasing the lateral opening (20), and - in which the control device (4) of the delivery vehicle (1) controls the at least one displacement device (6) for displacing an item (2) into a consignment compartment (14) with an open lateral opening (20).

11. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which at least one detection device for detecting the performed insertion of the consignment (2) into the consignment compartment (14) forwards information associated with the performed insertion of the consignment (2) into the consignment compartment (14) to a control device (4, 16, 22), in particular of the delivery vehicle (1) and / or of the consignment box (12).

12. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, in which a control device (16) of the consignment box (12) detects which consignment compartments (14) are occupied by consignments (2) and, preferably, the control device (16) of the consignment box (12) passes on information relating to at least one consignment compartment (14) with an open side opening (20) for accepting a consignment (2) from the delivery vehicle (1) and / or information relating to the occupancy of consignment compartments (14) with consignments (2).

13. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, - in which a ramp (10) of the delivery vehicle is moved from a non-use position to a use position in order to transfer a consignment (2), - in which the at least one consignment (2) to be transferred is delivered from a consignment storage via a transfer device (5) to the ramp (10) located in the use position, and - in which the displacement device (6) displaces the item (2) to be transferred via the ramp (10) into a consignment compartment (14) of the item box (12).

14. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 13 in which the displacement device (6), a stamp unit (9) and / or a ramp (10) is adjusted in height to adapt to the height level of a consignment compartment (14) for receiving a consignment (2).

15. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 in which the control device (16) of the consignment box (12) detects the removal of a consignment (2) from at least one consignment compartment (14), in particular via information relating to the instruction for opening and / or relating to the displacement of a front closure means (18) assigned to the consignment compartment (14) into the removal position, and / or - in which at least one sensor device directly detects an item (2) in a consignment compartment (14).

16. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, in which the control device (16) of the consignment box (12) actuates at least two lateral closure means (19) on both sides of a consignment compartment (14) having a consignment (2) for displacement from the closure position into the displacement position and the displacement device (6), in particular a stamp unit (9), displaces the consignment (2) in the respective consignment compartment (14) through a lateral opening (20) into a laterally adjacent consignment compartment (14).

17. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 16, in which a plurality of consignments (2) are transferred one after another via the displacement device (6) of the delivery vehicle (1) to a corresponding plurality of consignment compartments (14) arranged next to one another in a row and, preferably, the control device (4) of the delivery vehicle (1) transfers information relating to the assignment of the transferred consignments (2) to the consignment compartments (14) receiving the consignments (2) being transferred, in particular to a control device (16) of the consignment box (12).