Autonomous Delivery Vehicle Positioning for In-Transit Item Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery methods using autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles are inefficient due to the need for carriers to repeatedly sort items at each delivery point, slowing down the delivery process and reducing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of an autonomous delivery vehicle equipped with location and target sensors, along with a central computer, to autonomously navigate to delivery receptacles, allowing carriers to sort items during transit and efficiently deliver to multiple points without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carriers manually sort and deliver items at each delivery point, then delivery accuracy is maintained, but delivery efficiency decreases and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent at each delivery point

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having carriers sort items during transit between delivery points. The autonomous vehicle handles navigation and positioning to delivery receptacles, while carriers prepare items for delivery in advance, so that when the vehicle stops, items are ready for immediate delivery without on-site sorting delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous delivery vehicle performs self-service by automatically navigating to delivery points, detecting receptacles using sensors, and positioning itself for delivery. This automation of navigation and positioning functions allows carriers to focus solely on item sorting and delivery, improving overall efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If carriers sort items at each delivery point, then accurate item delivery is achieved, but the delivery process is slowed down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery accuracyVSAvoiddelivery speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Item sorting is performed as a preliminary action during vehicle transit between delivery points rather than at each delivery point. Carriers use transit time to organize items, so that when the autonomous vehicle arrives and stops at a receptacle, the correct items are already prepared for immediate delivery, maintaining accuracy while improving speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by eliminating idle time at delivery points. Carriers continuously sort items during vehicle movement, and the autonomous vehicle continuously navigates to the next delivery point without manual intervention, creating a continuous workflow that improves delivery speed while maintaining accuracy through proper item preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If manual intervention is used at each delivery point, then item delivery is completed, but route navigation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute navigation efficiencyVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous delivery vehicle performs self-service by independently handling route navigation, receptacle detection, and positioning functions. The vehicle uses location sensors to detect geofences, target sensors to identify receptacles, and automatically navigates to delivery points without requiring carrier intervention, thereby improving route navigation efficiency while reducing manual operation requirements to essential tasks only

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical navigation and positioning operations with automated sensor-based systems. Location sensors detect geofences and provide GPS coordinates, target sensors detect receptacles using reflected signals, and the processor automatically determines locations and controls vehicle movement, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electronic control systems that improve navigation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

Enhances delivery efficiency by allowing carriers to sort and deliver items simultaneously, reducing time spent at each point and optimizing route navigation.

Implementation Method 1

a location sensor configured to detect the location of the delivery vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 2

the target sensor is configured to detect the target associated with the receptacle when the vehicle is determined to be within the geofence corresponding to the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12547967B2System and method for delivering items using autonomous vehicles

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 US POSTAL SERVICE

AI summary

An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.