Containment Unit with Movable Inner Housing for Drone Parcel Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current parcel delivery systems using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges such as difficult terrain, safety concerns, and the inability to deliver to locations with obstacles or complex geometries, which hinder efficient and secure parcel delivery.
Innovation Solution
A personal drone delivery system comprising a UAV delivery platform, a containment unit, and a computer application that allows for elevated parcel delivery and storage, using a containment unit with a movable inner housing to securely store parcels until retrieval by a person or another unmanned system, freeing up space on the UAV platform for additional deliveries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parcels are delivered using UAVs to difficult terrain or locations with obstacles, then delivery coverage and efficiency are improved, but safety concerns and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit serves as an intermediary between the UAV and the final delivery location. The UAV delivers the containment unit to a safe, accessible location (such as a delivery platform or ground level), and the parcel is then transferred to the containment unit. This mediator approach allows the UAV to avoid navigating difficult terrain or obstacles directly to the destination, improving safety while maintaining delivery efficiency.
2Productivity
If the UAV platform carries multiple parcels for delivery, then productivity increases, but the platform space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit is designed to be a compact, nested structure that can be efficiently stored on the UAV platform. The inner housing unit fits within the outer housing unit when not in use, maximizing space utilization. This nesting approach allows multiple containment units to be carried on the UAV platform without significantly increasing the required volume, thereby enabling the UAV to deliver multiple parcels while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If the containment unit provides secure storage for parcels, then reliability and safety improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer housing unit for structural support and protection, and an inner housing unit for secure parcel storage. The inner housing unit can be independently moved between a retracted position (for receiving parcels) and an extended position (for secure storage). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, providing secure storage while managing overall device complexity through modular design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the inner housing unit moves between retracted and extended positions, then adaptability and ease of operation improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing unit is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between a retracted position (where the bottom opening is accessible for parcel insertion) and an extended position (where the opening is beyond the floor for secure storage). This dynamic adjustment enables the containment unit to adapt to different operational phases (loading vs. storage), improving versatility while the movement mechanism is integrated into the overall structure to manage complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A containment unit that facilitates delivery of parcels using drones is provided. An example containment unit comprises an inner housing unit and an outer housing unit. The inner housing unit includes a first and second sidewall that are connected by an end piece and have a bottom opening in between. The inner housing unit is movable from a retracted position over a floor of the containment unit to an extended position, where a portion of the opening is extended beyond the floor. A parcel may be inserted into a volume of space within the inner housing unit from below through the opening and pulled into the containment unit by the end piece when the inner housing unit is retracted. The containment unit can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include an elevated delivery platform, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.