Delivery Vehicle Automated Sorting System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current delivery vehicles face inefficiencies in delivering mail items to multiple locations along a delivery route due to the need for pre-sorting and repeated loading, which increases time and costs, and the effectiveness of delivery has not been satisfactorily resolved.

Innovation Solution

A delivery vehicle equipped with a receiving device, sensor device for recording delivery information, and a conveying device to store and deliver mail items directly to their designated locations, allowing for unsorted loading and simplified sorting within the vehicle, reducing the need for pre-sorting and optimizing delivery routes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mail items are pre-sorted before loading into the delivery vehicle, then the delivery route can be optimized and delivery efficiency improved, but the pre-sorting process requires manual labor, time, and expertise from the deliverer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidpre-sorting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by equipping the delivery vehicle with sensor devices that automatically record delivery information on mail items as they are loaded, eliminating the need for manual pre-sorting. The system performs the sorting function in advance during the loading process itself, using automated sensors to capture delivery data and a control device to determine the delivery route based on this information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual pre-sorting process with an automated sensor-based system. Instead of relying on the deliverer's manual sorting expertise, the system uses sensor devices to automatically detect and record delivery information on mail items, and a control device to process this information and determine the optimal delivery route.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the delivery vehicle is equipped with automated sensor devices and conveying systems for unsorted loading, then pre-sorting time is eliminated and delivery process is accelerated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery process speedVSAvoidvehicle system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the sensor device and control device to perform multiple functions. The sensor device not only records delivery information but also enables the system to adapt to different mail items and delivery scenarios. The control device integrates route determination, conveying control, and delivery information management, making the system versatile for various delivery situations without requiring separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If mail items are loaded individually by hand in pre-sorted arrangement, then delivery route optimization is achieved, but the loading process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery route optimizationVSAvoidloading process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the delivery vehicle to automatically perform the sorting and route determination functions that previously required manual human intervention. The sensor devices automatically record delivery information as mail items are loaded, and the control device autonomously determines the delivery route based on this information, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual pre-sorting arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3254893B1Delivery vehicle and method for delivering mail items to different locations along a delivery route
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 DEUT POST AG
  • EP3254893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3254893B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3254893B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a delivery vehicle (1, 31) for delivering shipments (2) to different locations along a delivery route, comprising at least one receiving device (12) for receiving the shipments (2), at least one sensor device (14) for separately recording delivery information of the shipments (2) received via the receiving device (12), at least one storage device (26, 36) for storing the received shipments (2) during the delivery of other shipments (2), and at least one conveying device (13, 32) for conveying the received shipments (2) from the receiving device (12) to storage positions (18, 35) of the storage device (26, 36) and from the storage positions (18, 35) of the storage device (26, 36) to a delivery device (25) for delivering the shipments (2) at the respective delivery location of the shipments (2).