Delivery Robot Cargo Bin Disinfection With Door-State Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivery robots face challenges in disinfecting cargo holding compartments that are exposed to multiple users, as there is no guarantee that each user will properly sanitize the compartment after use.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a disinfecting light source, such as UV light, within the cargo bin of a delivery robot, which is activated when the compartment is closed to ensure disinfection occurs only when the compartment is sealed, and deactivated when open to prevent exposure to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disinfecting light source is integrated into the cargo bin to automatically disinfect between deliveries, then the reliability of disinfection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo bin performs disinfection automatically without human intervention by using a disinfecting light source that activates when the door is closed. The system serves itself by detecting door closure and initiating the disinfection cycle, eliminating the need for manual cleaning while ensuring consistent disinfection between deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated optical disinfection system. The disinfecting light source (UV or other disinfecting radiation) substitutes for physical wiping or spraying, providing contactless disinfection that is more reliable and requires less human effort.
2Reliability
If the disinfecting light source is activated continuously to ensure constant disinfection, then the disinfection effectiveness is improved, but the safety risk to users increases due to potential exposure to disinfecting radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the disinfecting light source in advance when the door closes, completing the disinfection cycle before the door opens again. This preliminary action ensures the cargo bin is disinfected before any user could be exposed to the radiation, eliminating safety risks while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses door position feedback to control the disinfecting light source. When the door closes, the system detects this state and activates the light source; when the door opens, the system detects this and deactivates the light source. This feedback mechanism ensures the light only operates when users cannot be exposed.
3Device complexity
If manual cleaning is required after each delivery, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual sanitation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo bin automatically performs disinfection without requiring human intervention. The system detects when the door closes and initiates the disinfection cycle, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and significantly reducing the time between deliveries while maintaining hygiene standards.
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
Ensures effective disinfection of the cargo bin and its contents without risking user safety, maintaining cleanliness between deliveries.
Implementation Method 1
a disinfecting light source operable to generate a disinfecting radiation to disinfect the interior of the cargo bin
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery robot includes a cargo bin to carry cargo for delivery, and a door coupled to the cargo bin. The door to the cargo bin has an open state to allow access to an interior of the cargo bin, and a closed state to seal the interior of the cargo bin from an exterior environment. The delivery robot also includes a disinfecting light source operable to generate a disinfecting radiation to disinfect the interior of the cargo bin. The disinfecting light source is allowed to be activated when the door is in the closed state, and is prevented from being activated when the door is in the open state.