Home delivery box

Abstract

To solve a problem that an amount of packages that can be stored in one storage space is limited.SOLUTION: In a home delivery box 100, a partition plate 2 is provided in the inside of a box-shaped body 1 so as to divide the inside into an upper stage storage space 3 and a lower stage storage space 4. The upper stage storage space 3 and the lower stage storage space 4 have an upper door 5 and a lower door 6, respectively. The inside of the body 1 is provided with the partition plate 2 that partitions between the upper stage storage space 3 and the lower stage storage space 4. The partition plate 2 is pivoted in both ends of a depth side and can swing upward in a flap-shape. The partition plate 2 can be fixed to an innermost plate in a flip-up state. As a result, the flip-up state is held and the upper stage storage space 3 and the lower stage storage space 4 are integrated, so that a large-volume storage space is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery box having a multi-tier structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A delivery box as described in Patent Document 1 has been known in the past. This delivery box has a structure having four storage spaces in the vertical direction. Each storage space has a door that can be locked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3218836 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional delivery lockers described above have a limited amount of parcels that can be stored in one storage space, which means that parcels that do not fit in the storage space have to be taken home by the delivery company, or the parcel has to be left outside the delivery locker before being delivered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The delivery box of the present invention has a partition plate provided inside a box-shaped main body consisting of a top plate, side plates, a bottom plate and a rear plate, dividing the inside of the main body into an upper storage space and a lower storage space, the partition plate as a whole swings like a flap around the pivot part with the rear plate or the side plates, and the front of the main body has an upper door above the partition plate and a lower door below it, and opens and closes around the vertical axis and has a connecting device that connects the upper door and lower door.

[0006] The upper and lower doors each have a handle, and the handles are structured to engage with the main body when a latch protrudes and engages. The connector and the handles have an interlocking structure that mechanically interlocks with each other, and the door may also have a regulating means that regulates the operation of the handle latch by the interlocking structure.

[0007] Furthermore, an opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the upper door or the lower door, and a lighting means for turning on and off based on a detection signal from the opening / closing detection means and provided in the upper storage space or the lower storage space can also be provided.

[0008] Furthermore, the handle can have a locking means, which has a locking / unlocking information acquisition means for acquiring information on locking and unlocking, and the locking / unlocking information acquisition means can have a communication means for sending an acquired signal or acquired results to an external network.

[0009] Furthermore, the locking means may be an electrically operated electric locking means, and may have a control unit that drives the locking means based on a command received via a network. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a storage box according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the storage box. [Diagram 3] 4 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the door of the storage box. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the partition plate is flipped up. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the storage box. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the storage box of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the storage box of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a storage box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a storage box according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a delivery box in accordance with embodiment 4 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a delivery box according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the delivery box. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of the door of the delivery box. FIG. 6 is a side view of the delivery box. FIG. 7 is a front view of the delivery box. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7. The delivery box 100 is divided into an upper storage space 3 and a lower storage space 4 by providing a partition plate 2 inside a box-shaped main body 1 consisting of a top plate 1a, side plates 1b, a bottom plate 1c, and a back plate 1d, and the upper storage space 3 is smaller than the lower storage space 4. The upper storage space 3 and the lower storage space 4 each have an upper door 5 and a lower door 6. The entire delivery box 100 is made of stainless steel.

[0012] The strength of the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 is maintained by the folded edge structure and reinforcing members. The upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are supported on a vertical axis on one lateral edge so as to be freely rotatable relative to the main body 1. The upper door 5 and the lower door 6 can be connected by a latch metal fitting 7.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, a partition plate 2 is provided inside the main body 1 to separate the upper storage space 3 and the lower storage space 4. The partition plate 2 is supported by hinges 15 at both ends on the rear side and can swing upward like a flap. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the partition plate 2 in a flipped up state. (a) is an explanatory perspective view, and (b) is an explanatory cross-sectional view. FIG. 5 is an enlarged explanatory view of the latch metal fitting 7. The partition plate 2 can be fixed to the rear plate 1d in the flipped up state. It is fixed to the side plate 1b by a pin hinge 11. This maintains the flipped up state, and the upper storage space 3 and the lower storage space 4 are integrated to form a large-volume storage space.

[0014] When the storage spaces are integrated, the doors 5, 6 can also be connected to operate as one unit. As described above, the upper door 5 is provided with a latch fitting 7, which is a connecting device. The latch fitting 7 is provided on the inside of the upper door 5, and its protrusion 7a is inserted into a hole 7b provided on the edge of the lower door 6. As a result, when the doors are opened, the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are connected and open as one unit. The upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are each provided with handles 9, 10 with number locks. The handle 9 of the upper door 5 opens in conjunction with the connecting operation of the latch fitting 7.

[0015] The handles 9 and 10 are structured to form a latched state with respect to the main body 1 by the projection and insertion of the latch. The latch fitting 7 and the latch of the handle 9 are connected by an interlocking structure that mechanically interlocks. Specifically, a wire connected to the projection 7a of the latch fitting 7 is connected to a plate 20 that restricts the movement of the latch so that the latch of the handle 9 does not pop out, and this plate 20 descends as the projection 7a descends, preventing the latch of the handle 9 from engaging with the main body 1. The plate 20 is provided at the latch portion, and the latch normally passes through the hole portion, but when the plate 20 descends, the latch cannot pass through the hole portion, and the operation is restricted by the surface of the plate 20. As a result, the operation of the latch of the handle 9 is restricted and does not work, and the integrated door is opened and closed only by the handle 10 of the lower door 6. The structure for preventing the latch of the handle 9 from operating (keeping it always open) is not limited to this, and may be a structure for mechanically stopping the operation of the latch, or a structure for stopping the function of the latch by operating a solenoid through an electrical connection instead of a wire connection (not shown). Also, without adopting such a structure, the door may be opened and closed by operating both the handle 9 of the upper door 5 and the handle 10 of the lower door 6.

[0016] The depth of the partition plate 2 is approximately the same as the height of the upper storage space 3. Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 6, when the partition plate 2 is flipped up, it can be fixed so as to overlap with the back plate 1d.

[0017] As shown in the partially enlarged view of Fig. 10, the partition plate 2 is pivotally supported by hinges 15 at both ends on the rear side to the side plate 1b, allowing it to be flipped up. The partition plate 2 itself can also be removed by removing the pin 15a of the hinge 15. Furthermore, the side plate 1b is provided with a hole 17 into which the pin 11b of the pin hinge 11 is inserted. The partition plate 2 is supported by the pin hinges 11 at both ends on the front side to the side plate 1b, and the pin hinges 11 can be easily released from support for the side plate 1b by pulling the knobs 11a (see the enlarged view of Fig. 9).

[0018] Next, a method of using this delivery box 100 will be described. When the upper and lower levels of the delivery box 100 are used separately, the partition plate 2 is lowered to divide the internal space into upper and lower halves. The partition plate 2 is lowered to a horizontal position, and the pin 11b of the pin hinge 11 is inserted into the hole 17 in front of the side plate 1b to fix the partition plate 2. The upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are separated by pulling up the latch metal fitting 7. This gives the internal space of the main body 1 a two-level structure, with the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 being able to be opened and closed separately. The upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are provided with locks on the handles 9, 10, so that they can be locked separately after the delivery has been stored.

[0019] Next, when the internal spaces of the main body 1 are to be united, the knob 11a of the pin hinge 11 of the partition plate 2 is pulled to release the engagement with the side plate 1b, and the partition plate 2 is flipped up and the pin 11b is inserted into the hole at the top of the back side of the side plate 1b to fix it. In this state, the partition plate 2 is fixed in a state where it is stuck to the back plate 1d. In addition, the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are connected by the latch metal fitting 7. At this time, the operation of the latch of the upper door 5 is restricted and does not function, and the door is opened and closed only by the handle 10 of the lower door 6. In this way, the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are connected and opened as one, and the upper door 5 is also locked by locking the handle 10 of the lower door 6, so that the operation is simplified. By uniting the internal spaces, it becomes possible to store large luggage that does not fit into a single storage space.

[0020] Furthermore, if the delivery company cannot understand how to connect the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 with the latch metal fittings 7, the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 can be closed and locked separately, which makes it easier for the delivery company to handle. The delivery company can also flip up the partition plate 2 to combine the storage spaces into one, and the structure can be easily understood by visually checking the pin hinge 11 in front. This makes it easy for the delivery company to change the storage space. It is also possible to put luggage in the box without fixing the partition plate 2 in the flipped up state. In this case, it is sufficient to lock both the upper door 5 and the lower door 6.

[0021] As described above, according to the delivery box 100 of the present invention, the storage space of the main body 1 can be changed depending on the size of the package, so that even packages that do not fit into one storage space can be stored.

[0022] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the delivery box of the present invention. In this delivery box 101, as shown in the figure, lights 51, 52 may be provided inside the upper storage space 3 and the lower storage space 4. The installation location is arbitrary, but the top plate 1a side is preferable. The light 51 is automatically turned on by a limit switch, which is an opening / closing detection means. The limit switches are provided on the handles 9, 10 of the upper door 5 and the lower door 6, but can be provided in any location as long as the opening / closing can be detected. The power source is a battery, and the light source is preferably an LED. The light 52 on the back side of the partition plate 2 (the ceiling side of the lower storage space 4) is provided with a limit switch in the movable part to cut off the power so that it is automatically turned off when the partition plate 2 is flipped up. The limit switch is located on the front side and directly below the partition plate 2, but may be located in another position. By providing lights in the storage space in this way, visibility is increased when putting in and taking out packages. This is particularly convenient since there are many deliveries from the evening to the night.

[0023] Furthermore, the lights 51, 52 in the internal space may be set to light only when luggage is placed inside. In this case, a proximity switch and a control unit for controlling the on / off of the lights may be provided in a part of the storage space (such as the side panel 1b), and the lights may be controlled to be turned on / off based on an output signal from this proximity switch.

[0024] Furthermore, the lights 51, 52 may be turned on when the user approaches the delivery box. In this case, an infrared motion sensor is provided at any location on the main body 1, and the internal lights are turned on based on the signal from the motion sensor. The turned-on light leaks out from punched holes or transparent windows provided in the side panel 1b of the main body 1, so that the user can be prevented from forgetting to pick up the package. The reason why the lights turn on when a person approaches based on the motion sensor is that if the lights are always on, it would unnecessarily notify a third party of the presence of the package. It is also possible to provide a light source on the outside of the main body 1 that turns on only when there is a package inside. For example, a notification lamp is provided on the top surface of the main body 1 to notify the user that there is a package inside.

[0025] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the delivery box of the present invention. This delivery box 102 is characterized in that it has a dolly 20 with approximately the same area as the bottom plate 1c of the lower delivery box 100. This dolly 20 has a base 21 which is similar in shape to the bottom plate 1c of the lower storage space 4 and is slightly smaller. Wheels 22 are provided under the base 21. An extendable handle 23 is provided near the edge of the dolly 20. Also, a handle 24 for pulling out is provided on the edge opposite the edge where the handle 23 is provided. The handle 24 is made of metal. The handle 24 may also be a belt-like handle made of cloth or the like. This is because the base 21 does not need to be reduced in area since it deforms when the lower door 6 is closed.

[0026] This delivery box 102 is inserted into the lower storage space 3 with the handle 23 retracted. At this time, the handle 23 is inserted so that it faces the back. When the lower door 6 is opened and a package is placed inside, the package is placed on the base 21. The user opens the door, pulls the handle 24 to pull the base 21 forward, and extends the handle 23 to carry the package out. This makes it easy to move heavy packages.

[0027] (Embodiment 2) 13 is a configuration diagram showing a delivery box according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. When a package is placed in the storage space of this delivery box 200, a notification is sent to a mobile terminal of a user, and the user can turn the lock on and off from the mobile terminal.

[0028] The upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are provided with handles 9 and 10. The handles 9 and 10 are provided with electromagnetic locks 31 and 32. The electromagnetic locks 31 and 32 are connected to a control unit 33. The control unit 33 is built into a part of the main body 1. An operation panel 34 is provided on the outside of the main body 1. The operation panel 34 is provided with selection buttons, a lock button, number buttons, etc. for the upper door 5 and the lower door 6.

[0029] The operation panel 34 serves as an input unit and is connected to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 is connected to a router via wireless communication and can communicate with the user's terminal via the network. Predetermined application software is installed in the user's mobile information terminal 36, and communication with the control unit 33 is performed via the application software. The control unit 33 sends locking / unlocking information to the network. Note that the route by which the user obtains the locking / unlocking information is not limited to the above.

[0030] The latch metal fitting 7 described in the first embodiment is changed to an electromagnetic lock 38. Therefore, the upper door 5 and the lower door 6 are connected by the operation of the protrusion 38a of the electromagnetic lock 38. The electromagnetic lock 38 is also connected to the control unit 33. In addition, a limit switch 37 that detects the opening and closing operation of the partition plate 2 is provided on the back plate 1b, and when the partition plate 2 is flipped up, a signal from the limit switch 37 is sent to the control unit 33. Based on this signal, the control unit 33 activates the protrusion 38a of the electromagnetic lock 38, connecting the upper door 5 and the lower door 6.

[0031] Next, the operation of this delivery box 200 will be described. A package is placed in the upper storage space 3, the upper storage space 3 is selected using the selection button, and the handle 9 is locked using the lock button. The locking information is acquired by the control unit 33. Based on the locking information, the control unit 33 transmits a notification that the package has arrived to the mobile information terminal 36 of the user who has been registered in advance. This transmitted information is sent to a server on the network. The server transmits the notification to the user's mobile information terminal 36. The user checks the server information via application software. For example, the user is notified that the package has been placed in the upper storage space 3 at what time and minute and that the upper storage space 3 has been locked.

[0032] When luggage is placed in the lower storage space 4, the user is notified in the same manner as above, and can check the notification content on the mobile information terminal 36. Furthermore, the control unit 33 can notify different users in the upper storage space 3 and the lower storage space 4. For example, user A is assigned to the upper storage space 3 and the notification is made to the mobile information terminal 36 of user A, and user B is assigned to the lower storage space 4 and the notification is made to the mobile information terminal 36 of user B.

[0033] In this case, delivery box 200 can be shared between family members and other people. Using the above example as an explanation, user A and user B can arbitrarily switch between upper storage space 3 and lower storage space 4 at any time. For example, when user A is expecting to receive a large package, user A is assigned to lower storage space 4. The assignment is performed by application software on mobile information terminal 36 of a user who has administrator authority or change authority for the server related to delivery box 200.

[0034] Next, when partition plate 2 is flipped up to combine the storage spaces of delivery box 200 into one, the storage space is assigned to a predetermined user. For example, when combined into one storage space, it is assigned to user A. In this case, when a package is placed in the storage space, control unit 33 notifies user A. When the storage spaces are combined into one, the user to which the space is assigned is determined by application software on mobile information terminal 36 of a user who has administrator authority or change authority for the server related to delivery box 200.

[0035] In this way, by notifying users that a package has been placed in the mailbox, users can prevent themselves from forgetting to pick up the package. Furthermore, the delivery box 200 can be shared by multiple users and can handle packages of various sizes. The control unit 33 activates the electromagnetic lock 38 based on the output signal of the limit switch 37 to connect the upper door 5 and the lower door 6.

[0036] Next, the control unit 33 can lock and unlock the lock upon receiving a command from the user's mobile information terminal 36. The control unit 33 can drive the electromagnetic locks 31, 32 on the handles. When the user remotely transmits a command to unlock the lock, the control unit 33 receives the command and activates the electromagnetic locks 31, 32 on the handles. If the door of the delivery box 200 can be remotely unlocked, multiple packages can be stored in the same storage space. For example, when an additional package is to be placed in the upper storage space 3 that already contains a package, the user receives a call from the delivery company and unlocks the electromagnetic lock 31 on the upper door 5 of the upper storage space 3.

[0037] After the delivery company puts the package inside, the delivery company locks the electromagnetic lock 31 of the upper door 5 using the operation panel 34. The electromagnetic lock 31 may also be locked remotely by a user. When the partition plate 2 is flipped up to combine the storage spaces into one, the user assigned to the storage space is given the authority to lock and unlock the electromagnetic locks 31 and 32. When the partition plate 2 is flipped up, the electromagnetic lock 38 is activated to connect the upper door 5 and the lower door 6. In this case, the electromagnetic lock 31 that constitutes the lock for the handle 9 of the upper door 5 is stopped functioning, and the entire door is opened and closed only by the handle 10 of the lower door 6. In the case of the electromagnetic locks 31 and 32, they can be opened and closed electrically at the same time, so the connection by the electromagnetic lock 38 may be omitted.

[0038] (Embodiment 3) 14 is a configuration diagram showing a delivery box according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. This delivery box 300 has a configuration in which a plate-shaped Peltier element 70 is spread on the inside of the main body 1 of the delivery box 100 according to embodiment 1. The Peltier element 70 is provided on the top plate 1a, side plate 1b, partition plate 2, and bottom plate 1c of the upper storage space 3 and the lower storage space 4, and is connected to a control unit 33. This Peltier element 70 receives a supply of power from a household power source 72. The control unit 33 is provided in the main body 1, and selects whether to cool or heat the inside.

[0039] In the summer, the inside of the parcel box 100 becomes very hot, so the time that refrigerated parcels can be stored in it is limited, but if the inside can be easily cooled, refrigerated parcels can be stored for a long period of time. Note that the inside can be heated by controlling the flow of electric current in the opposite direction.

[0040] Also, a button for cooling may be provided on the main body 1. When the delivery company determines that cooling of the package is necessary, the button is pressed. This is useful when the user does not know the contents of the package, such as when receiving a gift.

[0041] (Embodiment 4) 15 is a configuration diagram showing a delivery box according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. This delivery box 400 has the same configuration as embodiment 1, but is characterized in that it can instruct the delivery person on where to store the parcel. When the lower storage space 4 has a larger storage capacity than the upper storage space 3, receiving efficiency is poor if the delivery person places small packages in the lower storage space 4. For this reason, when the upper storage space 3 is empty, a voice message is generated to notify the delivery person to store the package in the upper storage space 3.

[0042] A pressure sensor 81 is provided on the partition plate 2 to detect whether the upper storage space 3 is empty, and the presence or absence of luggage is detected based on a detection signal from the pressure sensor 81. A proximity sensor 82 is provided near the center of the back plate 1d of the lower storage space 4 (at a position slightly lower than the height of the upper storage space 3), and a pressure sensor 83 is provided on the bottom plate 1c. The pressure sensors 81, 83 and the proximity sensor 82 are connected to the control unit 33. The control unit 33 determines that luggage has been placed in the lower storage space 4 using the pressure sensor 83, and if no detection signal is obtained from the proximity sensor 82 at that time, it determines that the luggage to be placed in the upper storage space 3 has been placed in the lower storage space 4. If no detection signal is obtained from the pressure sensor 81 of the upper storage space 3, it determines that the upper storage space 3 is empty, and notifies the user to move the luggage to the upper storage space 3 using the voice output means or the information display means 85.

[0043] Even if it is determined that the luggage to be placed in the upper storage space 3 has been placed in the lower storage space 4, if an output signal from the pressure sensor 81 in the upper storage space 3 is obtained, it is determined that the upper storage space 3 contains luggage and no notification is given to encourage the user to move. The various sensors and control unit 33 operate on low power and can be powered by batteries.

[0044] This delivery box 400 allows for efficient receipt of parcels by allowing storage space appropriate for the size of the parcel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100 Delivery Box 1 Main unit 2 Partition 3. Upper storage space 4 Lower storage space 5 Upper door 6 Lower door 7 Latch metal fittings 9,10 Handle

Claims

1. A box-shaped body consisting of a top panel, side panels, bottom panel, and back panel is provided with a partition plate to divide the interior of the body into an upper storage space and a lower storage space, and the front of the body has an upper door above the partition plate and a lower door below it. The upper door and the lower door have locking mechanisms. The locking mechanism is an electrically driven electric locking mechanism, connected to a control unit that drives the locking mechanism based on commands obtained via a network, and the control unit is capable of communicating with the user's terminal via the network and sending locking / unlocking information to the network. It has application software that can be installed on the user's terminal and communicates with the control unit, This delivery box uses application software to assign the upper and lower storage spaces to different users.

2. A delivery box comprising a box-shaped body consisting of a top panel, side panels, bottom panel, and back panel, with a partition plate inside to divide the interior of the body into an upper storage space and a lower storage space, the front of the body having an upper door above the partition plate and a lower door below the partition plate, these doors opening and closing around a vertical axis, and a connecting device connecting the upper door and the lower door.

3. The delivery box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a trolley is placed in the lower storage space so that when luggage is placed inside, the luggage is stacked on top of it.

4. The delivery box according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cooling or heating means in the upper storage space or the lower storage space.

5. Furthermore, the delivery box according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate is movable and the upper storage space or the lower storage space is integrated.

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