Method for stowing items in an externally accessible storage compartment of a commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for stowing objects in an externally accessible storage compartment (2) of a commercial vehicle (1) by means of at least one carrier (3), wherein the objects are ordered by means of a mobile device in a picking station (4) located away from the commercial vehicle (1), assembled there and packed into the at least one carrier (3) and transported to the commercial vehicle (1), after which the at least one carrier (3) is inserted into the storage compartment (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for stowing objects in an externally accessible storage compartment of a commercial vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a system comprising a commercial vehicle with an externally accessible storage compartment for receiving at least one carrier according to the preamble of claim 5.

[0002] Due to their work, truck drivers often face the challenge of planning and packing luggage and provisions for their journey. This can take a long time when loading and unloading the truck. Perishable food items must be placed in a built-in refrigerated compartment. Depending on how long the truck has been parked, the refrigerated compartment may not yet be cooled, meaning the cold chain is interrupted for a certain period.

[0003] DE 10 2015 012 624 A1 describes a storage compartment construction for a commercial vehicle, in particular for a truck or a bus, comprising a storage compartment for accommodating cargo. The storage compartment is arranged inside the commercial vehicle when the storage compartment construction is installed and accessible from the outside. The storage compartment opening is accessible from outside the commercial vehicle when the storage compartment construction is installed. A loading aid is provided to facilitate loading and unloading of the storage compartment.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a novel solution for handling objects to be carried by the driver.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a method for stowing objects in an externally accessible storage compartment of a commercial vehicle by means of at least one carrier having the features of claim 1 and by a system comprising a commercial vehicle with an externally accessible storage compartment for receiving at least one carrier having the features of claim 5.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A method for storing objects in an externally accessible storage compartment of a commercial vehicle using at least one carrier is proposed. According to the invention, the objects are ordered using a mobile terminal at a picking station remote from the commercial vehicle, assembled there, packed into the at least one carrier, and transported to the commercial vehicle, after which the at least one carrier is inserted into the storage compartment.

[0008] The inventive solution offers increased comfort for the commercial vehicle driver. Furthermore, the driver is able to switch between multiple vehicles, allowing for a high degree of variability.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0010] Showing: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a commercial vehicle with a storage compartment for a carrier for cargo, for example luggage and provisions, Fig. 2 a schematic front view of the carrier, Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of the carrier and Fig. 4 a schematic side view of the carrier.

[0011] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a commercial vehicle 1 with a storage compartment 2 for a carrier 3 (for example a box) for cargo, for example luggage and provisions.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the carrier 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the carrier 3. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the carrier 3.

[0014] A method for stowing objects in an externally accessible storage compartment 2 of a commercial vehicle 1 by means of at least one such carrier 3 is proposed.

[0015] In order to offer a driver 5 of the commercial vehicle 1 a particularly high degree of comfort, the invention proposes a picking station 4 which is remote from the commercial vehicle 1, at which the driver 5 orders items required by him, for example food, drinks and / or stored personal items, by means of a terminal device, for example a mobile terminal device, in particular a smartphone, a computer, a laptop computer or a tablet computer, in particular via a backend 6 or a cloud, wherein the items are compiled in the picking station 4 by service personnel or a robot before the start of the journey, packed into the at least one carrier 3 and delivered to the commercial vehicle 1, after which the at least one carrier 3 is pushed into the storage compartment 2.

[0016] It can be provided that the carrier 3 is pushed into the storage compartment 2 by service personnel.

[0017] In one embodiment, the carrier 3 can be inserted into the storage compartment 2 by means of a mechanical device 7, in particular by means of a manipulator or a robot.

[0018] It can be provided that the selection of the driver 5 is transmitted to a backend 6, from which the service personnel or a mechanical device of the picking station 4 reads the order, assembles the corresponding items and packs them into the carrier 3.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that an empty, used carrier 3 is removed from the storage compartment 2 before the packed carrier 3 is inserted.

[0020] Furthermore, it can be provided that the carrier 3 has an electrical connection cable or an electrical connector 8 which, in the inserted position, is connected to a socket in the storage compartment 2 which is connected to an on-board electrical system of the commercial vehicle 1.

[0021] Furthermore, a sliding sleeve 9 can be provided which encloses the carrier 3 circumferentially or partially and serves to push the carrier 3 into the storage compartment 2 and to pull the carrier 3 out of the storage compartment 2 or to facilitate this.

[0022] The sliding sleeve 9 serves to make it easier to insert the carrier 3 into the storage compartment 2 of the commercial vehicle 1, since the length of the carrier 3 requires a high degree of precision during insertion.

[0023] In its initial state, the sliding sleeve 9 is located at the outer end of the storage compartment 2 and can be tilted downward. If a carrier 3 is to be inserted into the storage compartment 2, it only needs to be guided into the sliding sleeve 9 far enough to form a secure connection with the sliding sleeve 9, e.g., by snapping it into place. The sliding sleeve 9 can now be pulled back into the storage compartment 2, pulling the carrier 3 in with it. The carrier 3 is slidably mounted in the storage compartment 2 at all times.

[0024] Conversely, it is also easier to remove the carrier 3 from the storage compartment 2, since the sliding sleeve 9 can push a significant portion of the carrier 3 out of the storage compartment 2. The carrier 3 can then be picked up by a simple lifting device and made available to other logistics systems and facilities.

[0025] The carrier 3 can be provided with several separate compartments 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 in which the objects can be stored. At least one of the compartments 3.2 can be designed as a cooling compartment that is actively cooled when the carrier 3 is connected to the electrical system of the commercial vehicle 1.

[0026] Furthermore, the storage compartment 2 and / or the carrier 3 can have lighting that can be powered from the on-board electrical system of the commercial vehicle 1.

[0027] In one embodiment, the carrier 3 can be designed as a box with a rectangular cross-section.

[0028] The carrier 3 can also be transported to other locations along with its contents, for example, if the driver 5 does not always drive the same commercial vehicle 1. This ensures that the carrier 3 with the contents of the driver 5 is available even when starting a journey in different areas. Carriers 3 can be transported to other locations via a freight forwarder, delivery service, or even by autonomous commercial vehicles 1 with an empty storage compartment 2, which travel their entire route without a driver 5 and therefore do not necessarily have to carry a carrier 3. The concept is also suitable for commercial vehicles 1 that are only taken over by a human driver 5 at a certain section of the route. The personal carrier 3 of the future driver 5 is then loaded at the start of the journey.

[0029] The commercial vehicle 1 can be, for example, a truck or a bus. List of reference symbols 1 commercial vehicle 2 storage compartments 3 carriers 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 compartment 4 picking station 5 drivers 6 Backend 7 mechanical device 8 connectors 9 Sliding sleeve QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2015 012 624 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for stowing objects in an externally accessible storage compartment (2) of a commercial vehicle (1) by means of at least one carrier (3), characterized by that the objects are ordered by means of a mobile terminal in a picking station (4) remote from the commercial vehicle (1), assembled there and packed into the at least one carrier (3) and transported to the commercial vehicle (1), after which the at least one carrier (3) is pushed into the storage compartment (2). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the carrier (3) is pushed into the storage compartment (2) by means of a mechanical device (7), in particular by means of a manipulator or a robot. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the selection of items is transmitted to a backend (6) from which the order is read by the picking station (4). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that before inserting the packed carrier (3) an empty used carrier (3) is removed from the storage compartment (2). [5] System comprising a commercial vehicle (1) with an externally accessible storage compartment (2) for receiving at least one carrier (3), characterized by that the system further comprises a picking station (4) remote from the commercial vehicle (1), in which objects can be ordered by means of a mobile terminal, assembled there and packed into the at least one carrier (3) and transported to the commercial vehicle (1) in order to insert the at least one carrier (3) into the storage compartment (2). [6] System according to claim 5, characterized by that the carrier (3) has an electrical connection cable or an electrical plug connector (8) which, in the inserted position, is connected to a socket in the storage compartment (2) which is connected to an on-board network of the commercial vehicle (1). [7] System claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the carrier (3) has several separate compartments (3.1, 3.2, 3.3). [8] System according to claim 7, characterized by that at least one of the compartments (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) is designed as a cooling compartment. [9] System according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized by that the storage compartment (2) and / or the carrier (3) has / has lighting.

Images