Delivery box

The delivery box addresses the issue of unreliable door opening in the dark by incorporating a mechanism that allows the door to be opened from the inside even when locked, using a spring hinge for rotation, thereby preventing accidental trapping and ensuring safe operation.

JP7676034B2Active Publication Date: 2025-05-14IGARASHI COMPUTER PRESS KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023000528
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-01-05
Publication Date
2025-05-14
Estimated Expiration
2043-01-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing delivery boxes, such as those described in Patent Document 1, do not reliably allow the door to be opened in the dark, posing a risk of accidental locking, particularly for children.

Method used

A delivery box design that includes a door lock mechanism and a mechanism with a locking piece that can be rotated inwardly relative to the door, allowing the door to be opened by pushing it from the inside even when locked, utilizing a spring hinge for rotation.

Benefits of technology

Enables the door to be opened easily from the inside, even when locked, thereby preventing accidents such as children being trapped, and ensures reliable operation regardless of lighting conditions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a delivery box that allows a door to be opened just by pushing the door from the inside, even when it is locked.SOLUTION: A delivery box includes: a body 2; a storage 4 that is provided in the body 2 and stores delivery items; an openable / closable door 5 attached to the body 2; and a mechanism 3 with a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door 5, embedded in the door 5. A spring hinge 9 is also provided to connect the mechanism 3 to the door 5 rotatably inwards, enabling the door 5 to be opened by pushing the door 5 from inside the storage 4, even when the door lock mechanism is locked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery box for storing parcels. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a delivery box has been proposed in which an unlocking member is provided on the lever lock of the locking device on the inside of the door that protrudes toward the luggage compartment, allowing a child locked inside the luggage compartment to easily unlock the door by touching the unlocking member (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-62327 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the delivery box described in Patent Document 1, it is unclear whether the unlocking member can be accessed reliably in the dark, and there is a risk that the door cannot be opened reliably.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a delivery box whose door can be opened simply by pushing it from the inside, even when it is locked. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a delivery device that includes a main body, a storage section provided in the main body for storing parcels, an openable and closable door attached to the main body, and a mechanism section embedded in the door that has a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door, The mechanism portion includes a lock piece portion that fits into the lock fitting portion of the main body when the door lock mechanism is in a locked state, The mechanism teeth, Can rotate inwards relative to the door Yes Even if the door lock mechanism is in the locked state, the door can be pushed from within the storage section. Then, the mechanism rotates inward. By The lock piece is disengaged from the lock fitting portion, To provide a delivery box configured so that the door can be opened.

[0007] The delivery box is: The mechanism is connected to the door by a spring hinge, The spring hinge may be fixed to a side surface of the mechanism portion on the door center side and to a rear surface of an outer surface of the door.

[0008] The delivery box is ,before The side surface opposite to the side surface at which the lock piece portion protrudes from the mechanism portion when the door lock mechanism is in a locked state may be connected to the door by the spring hinge. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the delivery box of the present invention, even when the door is locked, it can be opened simply by pushing the door from the inside, thereby preventing accidents in which children or the like are locked inside. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a delivery box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a front view of the mechanism rotatably attached to the main body of the delivery box. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a top view showing the state of the mechanism and the door in the locked state. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a top view showing the state when the locking mechanism is pressed from inside the storage unit in the same embodiment in the locked state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the mechanism in the unlocked position. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the mechanism unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the mechanism in the locked position. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the mechanism when performing an unlocking operation. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the mechanism when moving from the locked position to the unlocked position. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the mechanism when unlocking is performed manually. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the electrical system of the delivery box and a diagram showing the relationship between the delivery box and a portable information terminal device and a server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the delivery box of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 and 2 are an overall perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a delivery box 1 according to the present invention, and a front view showing an example of the appearance of a mechanism unit 3 rotatably attached to a main body 2 of the delivery box 1. Delivery box 1 comprises a storage unit 4 provided in main body 2 for storing parcels, and a door 5 attached to main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, which covers the opening of storage unit 4 and allows parcels to be stored and removed. Delivery box 1 further comprises a communication device 7 (see FIG. 6) which transmits information on the operating status, such as locking and unlocking of door 5, to the outside, and receives instructions to lock and unlock door 5 from the outside. (mechanism department) The mechanism unit 3 has a door lock mechanism 6 (see FIG. 5) for locking and unlocking the door 5, and is embedded in the door 5. In a normal state, the door 5 is biased in the closing direction by a spring (not shown) and is in a closed state, and the door lock mechanism 6 is in an unlocked state. The mechanism unit 3 is provided with a pull tab 8, and by placing a hand on the pull tab 8 and pulling it towards oneself, the door 5 can be opened and luggage can be put in and taken out of the storage unit 4. The mechanism unit 3 is connected to the door 5 by a spring hinge 9 so as to be rotatable inward. Here, the inside refers to the storage unit 4 side.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 3, the spring hinge 9 is fixed to a side surface 10 of the mechanism unit 3 on the central side of the door 5 and to a back surface 11 of the outer surface of the door 5. With this configuration, even if the door lock mechanism 6 is in a locked state, when the door 5 is pushed from inside the storage unit 4, the mechanism unit 3 rotates about the spring hinge 9 as an axis as shown in Fig. 4. When the mechanism unit 3 rotates inward relative to the door 5, the door lock mechanism 6 is unlocked and the door 5 can be opened.

[0014] The torque value of the spring hinge 9 is preferably, for example, 3 to 5 kg / cm. Considering the torque value of the spring hinge 9, the width of the mechanism unit 3 is preferably, for example, 10 cm or more. This is because the door 5 can be opened from the inside with a force of 1 / 10 or less of the torque value. For example, when two spring hinges 9 of 5 kg / cm are used and the width of the mechanism unit 3 is 10 cm, the door 5 can be opened from the inside with a force of 1 kg, which is 1 / 10 of the torque value. On the other hand, when the width of the hook part of the pull part 8 is 1 cm, the door 5 cannot be opened from the outside unless a force of 100 kg, which is 10 times the torque value, is applied.

[0015] With the above-mentioned configuration, even if a child enters the storage section 4 and is erroneously locked, the door 5 can be unlocked by pushing it with little force from inside the storage section 4, and the door 5 can be opened, thereby preventing a child from being locked in.

[0016] The mechanism unit 3 is further provided with a lock indicator lamp 12 as an operation indicator lamp that lights up, flashes, and goes out depending on the lock state of the door 5, and a connection indicator lamp 13 as an operation indicator lamp that lights up, flashes, and goes out depending on the connection state of the communication device 7. The operation indicator lamps 12 and 13 are, for example, LEDs.

[0017] The lock indicator lamp 12 is, for example, a red lamp, and can be set to be off during standby (unlocked state), on during locked state, on for 10 seconds when locked, and off when unlocked when a lock piece portion 16 (see FIG. 5) described below leaves a first lever position detection switch 24 (see FIG. 5) described below. The connection indicator lamp 13 is, for example, a green lamp, and can be set to be off during standby, flashing during connection, on when connection is complete, and off 10 seconds after operation is completed. (Door lock mechanism) The door lock mechanism 6 locks and unlocks the door 5 when it is closed. A lock knob 14 that is operated when locking and unlocking is provided on the surface of the door lock mechanism 6. In the state shown in Fig. 2, for example, the door is in the unlocked position, and the door is locked by turning the lock knob 14 90° to the right.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 5, a lock rotation part 15 is connected to the lock knob 14. A lock piece 16 extends from the lock rotation part 15, and as shown in Fig. 3, the lock piece 16 fits into a lock fitting part 17 of the main body 2 when the door lock mechanism 6 is in the locked state, preventing the door 5 from being opened. The lock rotation part 15 is biased to the unlocked position by a spring 18 and fixed to the mechanism part 3. A lock protrusion 19 is provided on the lock rotation part 15, and in the locked position, the lock protrusion 19 hooks onto a tip part 21 of a drive mechanism piece 20, and the lock piece 16 is held in the locked position.

[0019] The spring hinge 9 connects to the door 5 a side surface 10 opposite to the side surface where the lock piece 16 protrudes from the mechanism unit 3 when the door lock mechanism 6 is in a locked state. When the door 5 is pushed from the inside in the locked state, the mechanism unit 3 rotates inward relative to the door 5 about the spring hinge 9 as an axis as shown in Fig. 4, the lock piece 16 disengages from the lock fitting portion 17, the door lock mechanism 6 is unlocked, and the door 5 can be opened.

[0020] The drive mechanism piece 20 moves up and down due to the operation of a solenoid serving as the drive mechanism 22. When the drive mechanism 22 operates and the solenoid is attracted, the tip 21 of the drive mechanism piece 20 moves upward as shown in Fig. 8, the locking projection 19 disengages from the tip 21 of the drive mechanism piece 20, and the biasing force of the spring 18 moves the lock piece 16 to the unlock position.

[0021] The lock can also be opened manually. A manual key 23 is provided above the drive mechanism piece 20. When a key (not shown) is inserted into the keyhole of the manual key 23 and turned to the right, one end of the manual key 23 presses down one end of the drive mechanism piece 20 as shown in Fig. 10, causing the tip 21 of the drive mechanism piece 20 to move upward, the locking projection 19 to disengage from the tip 21 of the drive mechanism piece 20, and the urging force of the spring 18 causes the locking piece 16 to move to the unlocked position. (power supply) As shown in FIG. 6, a battery box that houses a battery as a power source 27 that supplies power to a control CPU unit 32 (see FIG. 11) described later is provided above the door lock mechanism 6. The power source 27 can be, for example, a 6V power source formed by connecting four AA batteries in series. The power source 27 is normally off, and supplies power to the control CPU unit 32 when each of first to third lever position detection switches 24, 25, and 26 (see FIG. 5) described later is turned on. When processing by the control CPU unit 32 is completed, the power source 27 is turned off. (Lever position detection switch) The mechanism unit 3 includes first and second lever position detection switches 24, 25 that detect the position of the lock knob 14, and a third lever position detection switch 26 that detects the position of the manual key 23. These switches may be, for example, microswitches.

[0022] When the lock piece 16 is in the unlocked position shown in Fig. 5, the first to third lever position detection switches 24, 25, 26 are off. When the lock knob 14 is rotated 90° to the right and goes from the state shown in Fig. 5 to the locked position shown in Fig. 7, the first lever position detection switch 24 turns on. This turns on the power supply 27 and starts up the control CPU unit 32.

[0023] When the lock knob 14 is rotated further to the right as shown in Fig. 8, the second lever position detection switch 25 turns on, which turns on the power source 27 and starts up the control CPU unit 32. The biasing force of the spring 18 causes the lock knob 14 to return to the locked position shown in Fig. 7.

[0024] 10, the third lever position detection switch 26 is turned on, which turns on the power source 27 and starts up the control CPU unit 32. (Communication with delivery boxes) 11 is a block diagram of the electrical system of the delivery box 1, and shows the relationship between the delivery box 1 and the portable information terminal device 28 and server 29. The communication device 7 of the delivery box 1 is configured to be able to communicate with a router 31 that relays connection to a communication network 30 such as the Internet. The communication device 7 and the router 31 may be connected using a wireless protocol. The communication device 7 can, for example, transmit and receive signals to and from the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router 31 to upload and download information to and from the communication network 30.

[0025] The server 29 is connected so as to be able to upload and download information to the communication network 30. The server 29 can download and store information such as the arrival and locking dates and times of parcels, the unlocking date and time of the door 5, and the arrival and locking / unlocking history, which is uploaded to the communication network 30 via the Wi-Fi router 31 through communication from the parcel box 1.

[0026] The recipient's portable information terminal device 28 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. In FIG. 11, the portable information terminal device 28 is directly connected to the communication network 30, but the portable information terminal device 28 may also be connected to the communication network 30 via a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router 31. A setting screen or the like is displayed on the portable information terminal device 28, allowing the recipient to operate the delivery box 1 and check information. As a specific example of the operation of the delivery box 1, the door 5 can be locked and unlocked through communication by operating on the screen of the portable information terminal device 28.

[0027] Information on entering and leaving the warehouse is communicated to portable information terminal device 28 each time. Such information on the operating status preferably includes the date and time of arrival and locking of parcels, the date and time of unlocking of doors, and the arrival and locking / unlocking history. Portable information terminal device 28 can manage the locking and unlocking history, and the history data can be stored in server 29.

[0028] Referring to the block diagram of the electrical system of delivery box 1 in Fig. 11, as described above, power supply 27 supplies power to control CPU unit 32 in response to ON signals from first to third lever position detection switches 24, 25, and 26. Control CPU unit 32 is normally in a standby state, and starts up when power is supplied, and can control communication device 7, drive mechanism 22, operation indicator lamps 12 and 13, and buzzer 33. As described above, when processing by control CPU unit 32 is completed, power supply 27 is turned off.

[0029] A specific operation of delivery box 1 according to the present embodiment configured as above will now be described. (Receiving parcels) In a normal state, the door 5 of the delivery box 1 is closed, but the door lock mechanism 6 is unlocked. The delivery company opens the door 5 of the delivery box 1, stores the parcel in the storage section 4, and closes the door 5 of the delivery box 1. The delivery company locks the box by turning the lock knob 14, for example, 90 degrees to the right (FIG. 7). The first lever position detection switch 24 turns on, and the power supply 27 starts up the control CPU unit 32. The control CPU unit 32 turns on the lock indicator lamp 12 and notifies the server 29 of the entry via the communication device 7. At the same time, the control CPU unit 32 also controls the connection indicator lamp 13. The power supply 27 then turns off. (Recipient's delivery of parcel) The recipient turns the lock knob 14 to the position shown in FIG. 8. The second lever position detection switch 25 is turned on, and the power supply 27 activates the control CPU unit 32 and the communication device 7. The recipient sets, for example, the Wi-Fi router 31 at his / her home so that it can communicate with the delivery box 1. When the communication connection between the portable information terminal device 28 and the communication device 7 of the delivery box 1 is completed through the Wi-Fi router 31 specified in advance in this way, the "unlock" button displayed on the operation screen of the portable information terminal device 28 becomes active. The recipient checks the arrival and locking date and time on the screen of the portable information terminal device 28. After that, when the recipient presses the "unlock" button, the communication device 7 receives the notification. The control CPU unit 32 operates the buzzer 33 and energizes the drive mechanism 22 for a fixed time to perform the unlocking operation described above, thereby unlocking the door lock mechanism 6. The recipient can open the door 5 and take out the delivery item. In this way, the door can be unlocked only when communication is connected through the Wi-Fi router 31 at the recipient's home.

[0030] The control CPU unit 32 also turns off the lock indicator lamp 12, and notifies the server 29 of the release via the communication device 7. At the same time, the control CPU unit 32 also controls the connection indicator lamp 13. Thereafter, the power supply 27 is turned off.

[0031] When unlocking manually, turning the manual key 23 to the right turns on the third lever position detection switch 26 and performs the unlocking operation described above. When the third lever position detection switch 26 turns on, the power supply 27 starts up the control CPU unit 32. The control CPU unit 32 turns off the lock indicator lamp 12 and notifies the server 29 of the unlocking via the communication device 7. At the same time, the control CPU unit 32 also controls the connection indicator lamp 13. The power supply 27 then turns off.

[0032] As described above, in this embodiment, the delivery box 1 comprises a main body 2, a storage section 4 provided on the main body 2 for storing delivery items, an openable and closable door 5 attached to the main body 2, and a mechanism section 3 embedded in the door 5, the mechanism section 3 having a door lock mechanism 6 for locking and unlocking the door 5, and is configured so that the door 5 can be opened by pushing the door 5 from within the storage section 4, even when the door lock mechanism 6 is in a locked state, thanks to a spring hinge 9 that connects the mechanism section 3 to the door 5 so that it can rotate inward.

[0033] In this case, even if the door is locked, the door 5 can be opened simply by pushing the door 5 from the inside, thereby preventing accidents involving children or the like being locked inside.

[0034] Furthermore, in delivery box 1 of the present embodiment, spring hinge 9 can be fixed to side surface 10 on the center side of door 5 of mechanism unit 3 and to rear surface 11 of the outer surface of door 5.

[0035] In this case, when the door 5 is pushed from the inside while it is locked, the mechanism part 3 rotates inward relative to the door 5 about the spring hinge 9, unlocking the door lock mechanism 6 and allowing the door 5 to be opened.

[0036] In addition, in the delivery box 1 of this embodiment, the mechanism unit 3 is provided with a lock piece portion 16 that engages with the lock engagement portion 17 of the main body 2 when the door lock mechanism 6 is in the locked state, and the side surface 10 opposite to the side surface from which the lock piece portion 16 protrudes from the mechanism unit 3 when the door lock mechanism 6 is in the locked state can be connected to the door 5 by a spring hinge 9.

[0037] In this case, when the door 5 is pushed from the inside while it is locked, the mechanism part 3 rotates inward relative to the door 5 around the spring hinge 9, the lock piece part 16 comes out of the lock fitting part 17, the door lock mechanism 6 is unlocked, and the door 5 can be opened.

[0038] Furthermore, in delivery box 1 of the present embodiment, the width of mechanism unit 3 can be of a length that enables door 5 to be opened from the inside with a force that is 1 / 10 or less of the torque value of spring hinge 9.

[0039] In this case, the length is preferably 10 cm or more, so that even a child with a weak strength can open the door 5 from the inside.

[0040] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention can be embodied in various modifications. For example, although there are two spring hinges 9 in Fig. 2, the number and torque value are not limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Delivery box 2 Main unit 3 Mechanism 4. Storage section 5 Doors 6 Door lock mechanism 7. Communications Equipment 9 Spring hinge 10. Side 11 Back side 16 Lock piece 17 Lock fitting

Claims

1. The main body, A storage section provided in the main body for storing parcels; An openable and closable door attached to the main body; a mechanism portion having a door lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door and embedded in the door; The mechanism portion includes a lock piece portion that fits into the lock fitting portion of the main body when the door lock mechanism is in a locked state, The mechanism can rotate inward relative to the door, and is configured so that even when the door lock mechanism is in a locked state, when the door is pushed from within the storage section, the mechanism rotates inward, causing the lock piece to disengage from the lock fitting portion, thereby allowing the door to be opened.

2. The mechanism is connected to the door by a spring hinge, The delivery box according to claim 1 , wherein the spring hinge is fixed to a side surface of the mechanism unit facing the center of the door and to a back surface of an outer surface of the door.

3. A delivery box as described in claim 2, wherein the side opposite to the side where the lock piece protrudes from the mechanism when the door lock mechanism is locked is connected to the door by the spring hinge.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Luggage automatic management locker device

    JP1995040946U

  • Home delivery box

    JP2020062327A