Containment unit for facilitating parcel delivery by unmanned aerial vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone delivery systems face challenges in efficiently delivering parcels to difficult terrain locations and ensuring safety, as well as managing parcel storage and retrieval, especially in environments with obstacles and varying elevations.
Innovation Solution
A containment unit and elevated drone delivery platform system that includes a movable inner housing unit within an outer housing unit, allowing parcels to be securely stored and retrieved from a drone delivery platform, with sensors and automated mechanisms for safe and efficient parcel handling and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parcels are delivered using unmanned aerial vehicles to difficult terrain locations, then delivery efficiency and courier workload are improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to obstacles and varying elevations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment unit as a mediator between the UAV and the final delivery location. The UAV delivers the containment unit to a safe, accessible location, and then the containment unit's movable housing unit extends to retrieve the parcel from difficult terrain without requiring the UAV to navigate hazardous areas, thus maintaining both efficiency and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components: the UAV for aerial transport, the containment unit for secure housing, and the movable housing unit for parcel retrieval. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally, with the UAV avoiding difficult terrain while the containment unit handles the challenging retrieval operation
2Productivity
If a containment unit is used to store and retrieve parcels, then platform space is freed for additional deliveries, but device complexity increases due to movable housing units and automated mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit employs a movable housing unit that can dynamically extend and retract based on operational needs. When not in use, the housing unit remains retracted, presenting a compact profile. When parcel retrieval is needed, it extends automatically, providing the necessary functionality without permanently increasing the device's footprint or complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The containment unit is designed as a multi-functional system that combines secure parcel storage, automated retrieval mechanisms, and space-efficient positioning. The same movable housing unit serves both as a protective enclosure during storage and as an extended retrieval arm when needed, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components
3Ease of operation
If the inner housing unit is extended beyond the floor to insert parcels, then parcel insertion is facilitated, but the containment unit occupies more space on the platform
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing unit is designed to be dynamically extendable rather than permanently extended. It maintains a compact retracted position during normal operation to minimize platform space occupation, and only extends when parcel insertion or retrieval is required, thus balancing accessibility with space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The extension and retraction of the inner housing unit occurs periodically only when needed for parcel operations. Between these periodic actions, the housing unit remains in its compact retracted state, allowing the platform to maximize its carrying capacity for other parcels during the majority of the operational cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for facilitating parcel delivery is provided. They system comprises a delivery platform mounted to a structure and positioned at a first height. The delivery platform comprises a delivery surface. The delivery surface has an elevated surface, and in some embodiments, a stationary surface. The elevated surface is capable of raising and lowering via a lift cable. Further, the elevated surface is capable of receiving a parcel from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to transport and release the parcel. Upon receipt of the parcel, the elevated surface having the parcel is lowered to a second height that is less than the first height in which the delivery platform is positioned.