Autonomous Cargo Cart with Wireless Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery methods are labor-intensive and inefficient, particularly when parking is limited or unavailable near the delivery location, leading to increased manual effort and longer delivery times, and do not allow access to buildings due to engine fumes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic cart with a drive system powered by batteries, equipped with wheels or a track assembly, and a locking control subsystem for secure package delivery, allowing for wireless unlocking of compartments using unlock codes, enabling efficient transportation and secure drop-off of packages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the delivery vehicle parks near the destination address, then the delivery distance is shortened, but manual labor and driver injury risk increase due to handling packages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling of packages with an automated electronic cart system. The cart autonomously transports packages from the delivery vehicle to the destination, eliminating the need for drivers to manually carry packages. This substitution of mechanical manual labor with an automated electromechanical system resolves the contradiction by reducing both manual labor and delivery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic cart operates autonomously without requiring manual pushing or pulling by the driver. The cart self-propels using its onboard battery-powered drive system, navigates to the destination using GPS and other location data, and autonomously delivers packages. This self-service capability eliminates manual labor while maintaining efficient delivery timing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the driver parks further away when truck parking is limited, then manual handling distance increases, but delivery vehicle access is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual package handling with an automated electronic cart that can travel independently. The cart's autonomous navigation and self-propulsion capabilities allow it to bridge the gap between the delivery vehicle (parked at optimal locations) and the final destination, eliminating the need for drivers to manually transport packages over long distances while maintaining vehicle access flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic cart serves as an intermediary between the delivery vehicle and the final destination. It receives packages from the delivery vehicle at convenient parking locations and autonomously transports them to the ultimate delivery point, resolving the conflict between vehicle access requirements and manual handling efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual hauling is used to move packages, then delivery flexibility is maintained, but driver injury risk and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical hauling with an automated electronic cart system. The cart's electric motor-driven wheels and autonomous control systems eliminate the need for drivers to physically handle packages, thereby removing the source of driver injury while preserving delivery flexibility through programmable routing and destination selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic cart performs the package transport function independently without requiring driver physical involvement. The system self-navigates, self-propels, and self-manages package delivery, eliminating driver exposure to physical hazards while maintaining operational flexibility through software-controlled parameters.
4Reliability
If secure package holding is implemented with lockable compartments, then package security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cart's cargo area into multiple lockable compartments, each capable of being secured independently. This segmentation allows for enhanced package security through individual compartment locking while maintaining manageable system complexity by using standardized locking mechanisms in each compartment rather than a single complex security system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electronic cart reduces manual labor, facilitates efficient package delivery by allowing the cart to navigate various terrains and access buildings, and ensures secure delivery through wireless compartment unlocking, thereby improving delivery efficiency and reducing driver strain.
Implementation Method 1
One or more batteries are carried by the electronic cart body. The cart has a drive system to drive the one or more wheels and/or the track assembly, wherein the drive system is powered, at least in part, by the one or more batteries.
Implementation Method 2
a locking control subsystem configured to control unlocking of the plurality of lockable compartments in response to wirelessly receiving unlock codes associated with respective lockable compartments
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cart with an electronic cart body including one or more internal compartments. The cart includes one or more wheels and/or a track assembly supporting the electronic cart body. One or more batteries are carried by the electronic cart body. The cart has a drive system to drive the one or more wheels and/or the track assembly, which is powered, at least in part, by the one or more batteries. One or more hand-operated cart controls are provided on the cart to adjust at least a speed with which the drive system drives the one or more wheels and/or the track assembly.