Detachable Autonomy Module for Modular Delivery Bot Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous logistics systems are less adaptive and inefficient, lacking compatibility for various sized items and often result in waste due to oversized vehicles, with interoperability issues with locations and pathway obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A modular autonomous logistics vehicle transport system featuring a detachable modular mobile autonomy control module with a modular mobile base, cargo storage, and advanced sensors, lights, and authentication logic, enabling adaptive and efficient delivery operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manually controlled logistics delivery vehicles are deployed, then delivery operations can be performed, but high operational costs and inefficiency occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery operation efficiencyVSAvoidoperational time consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous delivery vehicle performs delivery operations independently without human intervention. The vehicle autonomously navigates, transports items, and completes delivery tasks, eliminating the need for manual control and significantly improving operational efficiency while reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed-size delivery vehicles are used, then vehicle deployment is simple, but waste occurs due to oversized vehicles for small items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle deployment simplicityVSAvoidvehicle capacity waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery vehicle is divided into a base unit and detachable cargo modules of various sizes. The base unit remains constant while different sized cargo modules can be attached based on delivery requirements, allowing optimal capacity utilization without compromising deployment simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle configuration dynamically adapts to delivery needs by attaching or detaching appropriate cargo modules. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the vehicle to match its capacity to the actual load size, eliminating waste from oversized vehicles while maintaining ease of deployment through standardized coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If traditional delivery vehicles are used, then vehicle structure is simple, but adaptability to various sized items and complex environments is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle structure complexityVSAvoidcompatibility with various items and locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base unit is designed with universal coupling mechanisms and standardized interfaces that can accommodate different cargo module types and sizes. This universal design enables the vehicle to adapt to various delivery scenarios and item sizes without requiring complex specialized structures for each case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized coupling mechanisms and interface protocols act as intermediaries between the base unit and various cargo modules or location systems. These intermediaries enable seamless integration and communication with different items, locations, and environmental conditions without requiring complex direct integration for each specific case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If autonomous vehicles navigate complex pathways, then delivery coverage is expanded, but navigation challenges increase due to obstacles and varying environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery coverage areaVSAvoidpathway navigation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Standardized communication interfaces and sensor systems act as intermediaries between the vehicle and the environment. These intermediaries facilitate seamless interaction with various locations, obstacles, and environmental conditions, enabling expanded delivery coverage while managing navigation complexity through uniform protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11842590B2Detachable modular mobile autonomy control module for a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

AI summary

A detachable modular mobile autonomy module (MAM) for a modular autonomous bot apparatus includes a housing with latching points, an autonomous controller, location circuitry, external sensors monitoring an environment external to the MAM and providing sensor data to the controller, multi-element light panels on the housing driven by the controller; and a modular component power and data bus. The bus has a bottom side modular component electronics interface disposed on the housing that mates to a corresponding interface on another proximately-attached modular component of the bot. The MAM receives sensor data from the external sensors, receives outside sensor data from additional sensors disposed on a mobility unit of the bot, generates steering and propulsion control output signals based on location data from the location circuitry, external sensor data, mobility unit sensor data, and destination information data maintained by the controller, and generates transport and delivery information for the light panels.