Drone-Activated Locker with Elevator Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone delivery systems face challenges in safely and efficiently placing packages in a protected location, avoiding navigation hazards and minimizing noise and risk to humans and pets, while also ensuring package security and climate control.
Innovation Solution
An automated drone-activated locker system with a receiving compartment, sensor-activated doors, and an elevator mechanism that allows for remote placement on buildings or freestanding structures, providing a climate-controlled and secure delivery point, and includes visual navigation aids and a package transport system for automated handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locker is placed remotely from interfering structures to avoid navigation hazards, then drone safety and delivery reliability are improved, but accessibility and convenience of package retrieval deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from ground-level delivery to vertical/aerial delivery by placing the locker on the roof of a building. This dimensional change allows the drone to deliver packages to a remote location (roof) that is inaccessible to ground-based delivery methods, while the dumbwaiter mechanism provides a convenient vertical transport path back into the building interior for package retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The dumbwaiter mechanism serves as an intermediary between the remote rooftop delivery point and the interior building space. It automatically transports packages vertically from the roof locker to the interior retrieval location, eliminating the need for manual handling and maintaining convenience despite the remote placement of the primary delivery compartment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the locker is placed on the roof away from interfering structures, then protection from weather and theft is improved, but climate control for packages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is divided into two distinct environmental zones: the rooftop receiving compartment which provides physical security and weather protection, and the interior delivery compartment which provides climate control. Packages transition between these zones through the sealed dumbwaiter mechanism, allowing each zone to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The dumbwaiter mechanism acts as a climate-isolated intermediary that transports packages from the uncontrolled outdoor rooftop environment to the climate-controlled interior environment. This intermediary transport system maintains package security and environmental separation throughout the transfer process.
3Productivity
If automated sensor-activated doors are used for drone delivery, then delivery speed and automation are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locker system operates autonomously by detecting the approaching drone through sensors and automatically activating the door mechanism without human intervention. The system serves itself by managing the entire delivery sequence - from detection to door activation to package receipt - which speeds up delivery while the standardized components keep complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual door operation is replaced with an automated electromechanical system that uses sensors to detect drone presence and triggers motorized door activation. This substitution eliminates the need for human presence during delivery, increases delivery speed, and uses standardized electromechanical components that balance automation benefits with acceptable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage locker for drone delivery provides for weathertight doors that open automatically on sensing the approach of a drone and close to cover the package once deposited by the drone. The storage locker may be operated in conjunction with an elevator to allow elevated placement, removing drones from the vicinity of interfering structures, people, and pets.