Home delivery system

Abstract

To provide a sustainable home delivery system adaptable to unmanned delivery by an automatic driving vehicle, a drone, or the like without being affected by the presence of the recipient.SOLUTION: A standardized container box as a packing material is locked and delivered from a sender. A reception fixing device 2 is arranged beforehand at a delivery destination to complete delivery when a home delivery service provider fixes a home delivery article to the device. A recipient performs authentication by using a smartphone or the like to receive a parcel after unlocking the container box. After receiving the parcel, the recipient fixes an empty container box to a recovering fixing device 3; and the home delivery service provider recovers the box at a later date to be used for home delivery again. In addition, the container box is fixed to the fixing devices 2, 3 in a locked state, and thus the parcel is prevented from being exposed to rain and wind, and being stolen. Thus, environmental load is reduced by repetitively using the packing material while reducing re-sending labor of the home delivery service provider, and it also becomes easy to transition to unmanned delivery with an automatic driving vehicle, a drone, or the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery system and an apparatus therefor that does not require the recipient to be present, and is an alternative to existing delivery systems that require the recipient to be present. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] In recent years, with the expansion of e-commerce and the increase in dual-income households, redelivery due to absence of recipients at the time of delivery has become a burden for delivery companies. As e-commerce continues to develop, this problem is expected to increase in the future.

[0003] In recent years, in an effort to solve the problem of redelivery mentioned above, "delivery boxes" where parcels can be temporarily stored have been installed, mainly in apartment buildings. However, due to issues with space and installation costs, they have not become widespread.

[0004] The current method of home delivery using disposable cardboard boxes not only leaves unnecessary cardboard boxes with the recipient after delivery, but also requires a new cardboard box for each delivery, which is harmful to the environment.

[0005] It is conceivable that unmanned home delivery using self-driving cars and drones will become more common in the future, but there are major technical challenges to accommodate this with the current home delivery system, which involves "handing the package over to the recipient."

[0006] Currently, cardboard boxes are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, which poses significant technical challenges when automating the loading of packages onto delivery vehicles.

[0007] The "drop-off" service, which is currently used in some places, involves leaving parcels at the front door, but this carries the risk of the parcel becoming waterlogged or stolen due to wind and rain.

[0008] On-site deliveries of goods that require refrigeration are made in dedicated vehicles, but delivering them separately from general goods creates hassle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In this system, standardized container boxes with fixing mechanisms are used for deliveries instead of conventional cardboard boxes. When delivering parcels that require refrigeration, container boxes with refrigeration functions are used. Ground fixing devices for receiving and collecting parcels are installed in advance at a place where anyone can enter, such as the entrance of the delivery destination.

[0010] The container box is locked at the shipping location and delivered by a vehicle equipped with a transport fixing device. After the parcel arrives at the delivery destination, it is fixed to the receiving ground fixing device or to a fixing mechanism on another container box that has already been delivered, and the delivery is completed.

[0011] A container box fixed to the fixing device cannot be released and removed until the container box is unlocked.

[0012] While the container box is fixed to the fixing device, it protects the cargo from damage such as rain, wind, theft, etc. If the cargo needs to be kept cool, the container box functions to preserve it.

[0013] The recipient uses a smartphone or other device to authenticate via the delivery company's cloud service, unlock the container box, and remove the package. After unlocking, the container box is released from its locking device, and the recipient can carry the parcel inside the container box and remove it.

[0014] After receiving the package, the recipient fixes the empty container box to the collection fixing device. The container box is returned to the collection fixing device and locked.

[0015] The delivery company later performs the required authentication on the empty container box, releases it from the fixing device, collects it, and delivers it to the next sender for reuse in delivery.

[0016] Delivery services currently performed by courier companies will be carried out unmanned by autonomous vehicles or drones equipped with transport fixing devices. Loading of parcels into delivery vehicles will also be carried out automatically by robots. Effect of the Invention

[0017] This system will eliminate the concept of redelivery, reduce the burden on delivery companies, and eliminate the need for delivery lockers.

[0018] Since container boxes can be reused, they can reduce the environmental impact of parcel delivery compared to existing disposable cardboard boxes.

[0019] By delivering general cargo together with cargo that requires refrigeration, etc., it is possible to improve operational efficiency.

[0020] It will be possible to easily transition to deliveries using self-driving cars and drones, etc. In addition, by standardizing the size and shape of packaging materials, it will be easy to automate the loading of delivery vehicles using robots, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] Example of a container box and ground fixing device for receiving and retrieving [Diagram 2] Examples of using transport fixing devices [Diagram 3] Conceptual diagram of the delivery system [Industrial Applicability]

[0022] As mentioned above, this will make the delivery business more efficient and improve convenience for recipients. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1: Container box, 2: Ground fixing device for receiving, 3: Ground fixing device for collection, 4: Fixing mechanism, 5: Fixing device for transport, 6: Lid, 7: Authentication and locking device, etc., 8: Self-driving truck for delivery, 9: Drone for delivery

Claims

1. This is a delivery system in which a delivery company or the like secures the parcel by directly fixing the packaging material to a specified location after arriving at the delivery destination, and the recipient later releases the packaging material after completing a specified authentication process and receives the parcel.

2. 2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein lockable packaging is used, the parcel is delivered in a locked state from the sender, and after delivery is completed, the packaging is unlocked by a predetermined authentication and the parcel can be received.

3. In this delivery system, after a recipient receives a package, the packaging material is directly fixed to a specified location, and later, a delivery company or the like releases the fixation with a prescribed authentication, collects the packaging material, and uses it again for delivery.

4. This delivery system uses packaging material and enables the item to be fixed to another parcel or a fixing device by a fixing mechanism, and the fixing mechanism is locked when the item is fixed, and can be unlocked and released by a specified authentication.

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