Parcel locker system with autonomous clusters of compartments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic parcel locker systems are costly, complex, and require expert installation due to their voluminous nature, lack of modularity, and the need for long distance communication, making them difficult to install and maintain, especially in areas without wireless coverage.
Innovation Solution
A parcel locker system with autonomous compartments clusters that communicate via short distance wireless communication, eliminating the need for a central controller and long distance communication, allowing for easy installation, configuration, and compartment swaps, and enabling operation without expert intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art electronic parcel lockers are used with central control units and long distance communication, then comprehensive system control and monitoring are achieved, but system complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the parcel locker into autonomous compartments, each with its own control unit that operates independently. Each compartment can function autonomously without requiring a central control unit, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable local control and monitoring capabilities.
2Stability of the object's composition
If prior art electronic parcel lockers are assembled as complete units in manufacturing plants, then system integration is ensured, but transportation cost and installation difficulty increase due to voluminous size
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel locker system is divided into separate compartments that can be manufactured independently and then assembled on-site. This modular approach reduces transportation volume and installation difficulty while maintaining system integration through standardized connection interfaces between compartments.
3Ease of operation
If wireless long distance communication is used for parcel locker connectivity, then installation flexibility is improved, but operation reliability deteriorates in areas without wireless coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mobile devices as intermediary communication channels between compartments and the remote server. Mobile devices establish temporary local connections to transfer data, enabling operation in areas without persistent wireless coverage while maintaining installation flexibility.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If electrical power connections are required for electronic parcel lockers, then continuous power supply is ensured, but installation difficulty increases in locations without easy access to power
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses replaceable battery packs as temporary power sources for compartments. These batteries can be easily replaced when depleted, eliminating the need for permanent electrical connections while maintaining operational continuity. This approach significantly simplifies installation in locations without easy access to power.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic locker system for parcel deposit and pick-up, comprising: a remote shipping system (106), a long distance communication network (104), at least one mobile device (102) communicating via the long distance communication network with the remote shipping system, at least one parcel locker (100) constituted of at least one autonomous compartments cluster (110i) including at least one compartment (112j) equipped with a door (116j) and including a locking module (120i), which electronically controls locking and unlocking of the door and which establishes a local communication with the at least one mobile device via a short distance communication (122i), characterized in that the locking module comprises: an energy management module (230) configured for managing transitions of energy modes and allowing the at least one autonomous compartments cluster to be run in a deep sleep mode or in a sleep mode and regularly allowing a wake-up from said deep sleep mode to said sleep mode, a radio transceiver module (216) equipped with an antenna (218), and at least one processor (210) running a firmware configured for, while in the sleep mode, regularly emitting with the radio transceiver module a broadcasted short message towards the at least one mobile device.