Cargo Packet Switching Network for Logistics Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transportation systems face inefficiencies due to trucks being underutilized, with drivers often away from home for extended periods and incurring high costs and fuel consumption, as they transport goods from origin to destination and back without efficient route optimization.
Innovation Solution
A transportation platform system that segments cargo into smaller packets, utilizing a network of trailers and containers with passive and active identification and tracking systems, allowing for efficient routing and reassembly at relay stations, enabling trucks to return home after a workday and optimizing routes through a network of providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional transportation vehicles transport goods from origin to destination and back without route optimization, then goods delivery is achieved, but fuel consumption and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cargo into smaller packets and divides transportation routes into trunks and last-mile routes, allowing different vehicles to handle different segments. This enables optimized routing where vehicles can return home after workdays rather than making long round trips, significantly reducing fuel consumption while maintaining delivery productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces relay stations as intermediary nodes between origin and destination. These relay stations enable packet switching where cargo packets are transferred between different transportation vehicles, allowing route optimization and vehicle utilization improvement without compromising delivery efficiency.
2Productivity
If transportation vehicles are underutilized with empty return trips, then operational simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting cargo into packets and transportation routes into trunks and last-mile segments, the system allows trucks to be utilized more efficiently. Trucks can complete their workday and return home without making empty return trips, as the packet switching network redistributes cargo to different vehicles for the return journey or other deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the transportation system by implementing an open network where multiple providers can transport packets. This allows dynamic optimization of vehicle utilization, ensuring trucks are occupied with productive loads rather than making empty return trips, thereby reducing wasted energy on empty miles.
3Productivity
If drivers transport goods for extended periods without returning home, then delivery completion is achieved, but driver well-being and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transportation journey into multiple legs with relay stations as intermediate stops. Drivers can complete their workday, return home, and participate in the packet switching network where their cargo is transferred to other vehicles continuing the journey. This reduces time away from home while maintaining delivery productivity through the network effect.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cargo is transported as single large loads, then simplicity of handling is maintained, but route flexibility and optimization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides cargo into smaller packets that can be independently routed through the network. This segmentation enables flexible routing where packets can take different paths (trunks and last-mile routes) and be reassigned between vehicles, providing route flexibility while managing system complexity through standardized packet switching protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal packet switching network that can handle various cargo types and route configurations through standardized processes. The relay stations and transportation vehicles are designed to work with standardized packets, enabling route flexibility without proportionally increasing system complexity through standardization and modularity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include a transportation system implementing a network for transporting, distributing, and/or storing one or more physical items in one or more cargo containers (herein may be referred to as the “transportation network” for short). The cargo containers and relay terminals may be identified via node addresses in a network address space. The no addresses enables the transportation system to track, route, and monitor the physical items as they propagate through the transportation network. The transportation network can mimic routing protocols of telecommunication systems can facilitate different private transportation, storage and distribution companies and fleets. The transportation network can enable dynamic routing to fulfill logistic requests without wasting transportation and storage resources.