A dispatch system
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Solution Overview
Problem
E-commerce models face challenges in providing secure and efficient home delivery of perishable goods, as existing systems require separate logistic services and are not optimized for using alternative couriers, and they often result in queuing issues at automated collection points.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an automated collection point (ACP) into a distribution centre, featuring bi-directional roller shutters and a door mechanism that allows secure access and temperature-controlled storage, enabling home delivery through various couriers and reducing the need for separate logistic services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If goods are delivered to automated collection points (ACPs) for customer pickup, then delivery security and convenience are improved, but customers must travel to destinations and queues develop at collection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ACP functionality directly into the distribution centre by providing lockers at both the collection side (exterior) and dispatch side (interior), eliminating the need for separate ACP locations. This integration allows customers to collect goods directly from the distribution centre without traveling to distant ACPs, while the locking mechanism ensures secure access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The locker system is segmented into multiple independent lockers with individual locking mechanisms, allowing simultaneous access by multiple customers without queuing. Each locker can be independently opened to different customers at the same time, eliminating the queueing problem that occurs at traditional ACPs with limited access points.
2Temperature
If multiple lockers are used to store items at different temperatures, then temperature control for perishable goods is improved, but the complexity of accessing multiple lockers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lockers with different temperature requirements into a single integrated system accessible from both the collection side and dispatch side. The locking mechanism统一管理 all lockers, allowing customers to access multiple temperature zones (frozen, chilled, ambient) through a unified access process rather than dealing with separate access systems for each temperature zone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate logistic services are used for home delivery, then delivery flexibility is improved, but the distribution chain complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the home delivery functionality directly into the distribution centre by providing lockers accessible from the dispatch side (interior). This allows alternative couriers to pick up goods directly from the distribution centre without requiring separate ACP locations, simplifying the distribution chain while maintaining delivery flexibility through multiple courier options.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
AI summary
A fulfilment centre (34) for fulfilling an order of one or more items, comprising: i) a series of storage containers (50), each of the series of storage containers (50) for storing one or more items, ii) a grid framework structure for storage of the one or more storage containers (50) in a stack, said grid framework structure comprising a plurality of tracks arranged in a grid pattern to form a grid structure for one or more load handling devices to move on the grid structure and a plurality of vertical storage columns (48) configured to support the grid structure, iii) a dispatch system (10) comprising a plurality of lockers (12) mounted to at least one exterior wall (14) of the fulfilment centre (34), each locker of the plurality of lockers comprising an interior space (28) for storing one or more items, the interior space (28) being accessible through a first opening exterior of the fulfilment centre and a second opening interior of the fulfilment centre; iv) a door mechanism operable to selectively close the first opening(s) of one or more of the plurality of lockers exterior of the fulfilment centre (34) and the second opening(s) of one or more of the plurality of lockers interior of the fulfilment centre; and v) a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the door mechanism; a) to prevent access to the interior space (28) of one or more of the plurality of lockers through the respective first opening but to permit access to the interior space (28) of one or more of the plurality of lockers through the respective second opening; and b) to prevent access to the interior space (28) of one or more of the plurality of lockers through the respective second opening but to permit access to the interior space (28) of one or more of the plurality of lockers through the respective first opening.