Contact free pass through delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The final delivery point for large packages, food, and meals often results in theft due to unattended locations, and existing contact-free delivery methods do not adequately address security and temperature control needs, especially during pandemics.
Innovation Solution
A parcel and food delivery station with an exterior enclosure, insulated compartments, UV-C antibacterial lights for sanitation, and access control via keypad or smartphone, allowing secure, contact-free delivery and storage with temperature control and remote verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packages are left on front porches for delivery, then delivery speed and productivity are improved, but security and theft prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an exterior delivery zone for package receipt, an interstitial insulated buffer zone for temperature control and transition, and an interior secure zone for final storage. This segmentation allows packages to be quickly received externally while providing progressive security and environmental control layers before interior access, resolving the contradiction between fast delivery and secure holding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contact-free delivery is implemented, then health safety during pandemics is improved, but temperature control for food and meals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insulated compartment serves as an intermediary zone between the exterior delivery environment and the interior secure space. This intermediate chamber maintains thermal isolation during the contact-free transfer process, allowing packages and food items to be deposited without direct human contact while preserving temperature control through its insulated construction.
3Ease of operation
If exterior doors are made accessible for delivery personnel, then delivery convenience is improved, but unauthorized access and theft risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior door system employs dynamic access control through limit switches that automatically control UV-C light activation based on door position. The door can be opened for delivery personnel to access the interstitial space, but the automated UV-C sanitization cycle activates dynamically based on door closure detection, providing adaptive security that balances accessibility with protection against unauthorized access.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-C lights are activated for sanitation, then bacterial contamination is reduced, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C antibacterial lights operate periodically rather than continuously, activated automatically by door limit switches when doors are closed. This periodic operation provides comprehensive sanitation of the interstitial space and compartments during delivery cycles while minimizing energy consumption during periods when the system is not in use or during active delivery operations when lights would be obstructed.
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 solution provides secure, theft-resistant, and temperature-controlled delivery and storage, ensuring the safety and integrity of parcels and food, reducing theft and spoilage, while enabling remote access and verification.
Implementation Method 1
The interstitial space is filled with a plurality of thermal insulation
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of UV-C antibacterial lights energized for a first predetermined time period when the exterior door limit switch is initially closed and remain closed to sanitize one or more package deliveries or one or more food deliveries
Data Source
AI summary
A contact free pass through delivery system is a secure access system for package deliveries in a residential or commercial structure. It is intended to allow for delivery to an unattended location, non-contact deliveries, and to prevent package theft. The device is secured in an accessible exterior wall of a structure with doors that are accessed from outside the structure as well as another set inside. One or more of the secure compartments are refrigerated for delivery of food and other refrigerated items. One or more of the compartments are heated for delivery of warm meals. The remaining compartments would be available for delivery of parcels. All of the compartments are provided with an interlocked UV sanitizing system that kills germs, bacteria, and viruses, when both doors are closed. Additionally, all compartments are secured by a smart lock and camera system that is accessible via a local keypad and or a smart phone device from anywhere in the world to verify and allow deliveries.