Delivery Box Loading Layout for Stable Last-Mile Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery vehicles lack a systematic approach to loading and unloading delivery boxes, which leads to inefficient operation, increased risk of accidents, and physical strain on drivers due to random placement not considering driving dynamics or destination-specific requirements.
Innovation Solution
A control unit specifies a position occupancy plan for delivery boxes based on master data for goods and customers, prioritizing weight and unloading order to optimize placement closest to the vehicle's center of gravity, ensuring ergonomic and safe unloading processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If delivery boxes are randomly placed or manually sorted by driver on loading area, then loading process is simple and quick, but driving dynamics become unstable and unloading becomes difficult and physically straining
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit creates a position allocation plan before loading, predetermined by the picking process. This plan specifies the exact position for each delivery box based on weight and unloading sequence, so that when boxes are loaded according to this plan, the center of gravity remains stable and unloading is optimized for each destination
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses master data about goods weights and customer destinations to automatically generate the position allocation plan without driver intervention. The control unit itself performs the optimization task that would otherwise require manual driver judgment and physical arrangement
2Productivity
If delivery boxes are manually sorted by driver according to delivery sequence, then unloading order is maintained, but driver physical strain increases and accident risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit replaces the driver's manual sorting activity with an automated computational system. The control unit processes master data and creates the position allocation plan, eliminating the need for drivers to physically move and arrange heavy boxes while maintaining optimal delivery sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses master data feedback about goods weights and customer destinations to continuously optimize position allocation. This feedback loop ensures that each box is placed in the correct position based on actual weight measurements and delivery requirements, rather than driver estimation
3Ease of operation
If heavy delivery boxes are placed far from vehicle center of gravity, then loading is easier, but driving dynamics become unstable and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The position allocation plan assigns different positions to different delivery boxes based on their specific weight characteristics. Heavy boxes are specifically allocated to positions close to the vehicle's center of gravity, while lighter boxes are placed elsewhere, optimizing the overall weight distribution for safe driving
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a delivery vehicle, in particular a manned or unmanned electric delivery vehicle, for delivering goods, especially food products in delivery boxes (6), and an associated delivery method. The delivery vehicle is equipped with a loading platform (2) and with at least one frame (7) that can accommodate several delivery boxes (6). The frame is held in position on the loading platform (2) and can be removed from the loading platform (2) along with the delivery boxes (6) for order picking. According to the invention, the delivery boxes (6) each occupy a position within the frame (7) predetermined by the order picking process.