Housing with locking unit, and method for unlocking one or more doors of the housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parcel delivery systems, such as parcel stations and combined mailboxes, face challenges in convenience and efficiency, particularly for working individuals, as they require users to visit a central location to collect packages and manage multiple key systems for parcel and mailbox access.
Innovation Solution
A modular parcel mailbox system with a locking unit featuring a common drive element that allows for separate and secure unlocking of doors for parcels and letters, enabling decentralized delivery and access without necessitating the opening of the mailbox, using a rotatable axis with rod parts and snap locks for secure and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate locks are provided for parcel compartment door and mailbox door, then secure storage is achieved, but multiple key systems are required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking mechanisms (parcel compartment lock and mailbox lock) into a single integrated locking unit that can be controlled by one drive element. This allows both doors to be locked or unlocked simultaneously through a single authentication, eliminating the need for multiple key systems while maintaining secure storage through the integrated locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve both parcel compartment security and mailbox security purposes. A single drive element controls both locking mechanisms, allowing the system to provide secure storage for both compartments while being operable through one unified interface, thus improving ease of operation without compromising reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a common drive element controls all doors, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to selectively unlock specific doors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit employs dynamic control where the single drive element can be actuated to different extents or in different sequences to achieve selective unlocking. The system can unlock only the parcel compartment door or both the parcel compartment and mailbox doors depending on the authentication type or actuation level, providing adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through a unified interface.
3Reliability
If centralized packing stations are used for parcel delivery, then secure storage is achieved, but user convenience is reduced due to travel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the locking control into a decentralized structure where each mailbox unit has its own integrated locking unit with a common drive element. This allows individual mailboxes to function independently as secure storage points, eliminating the need for centralized packing stations while maintaining security through the integrated locking mechanism and improving accessibility by distributing delivery points throughout the neighborhood.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention discloses a housing (3), in particular a container for accommodating articles, with at least two doors (6, 7) for locking respective housing openings (4, 5), in particular to accommodating compartments, comprising: a locking unit (1), which, for each of the doors (6, 7), has a respective locking-element module (9, 10) with at least one locking body (11) and with a locking drive (12) for actuating the locking body (11), wherein the locking drive (12) for the locking-element modules (9, 10) has a common drive element (13), which can be moved by an adjustment distance and, in a first adjustment position, moves the locking body/bodies (11) for just one of the doors (6), or just a first group of doors (6), into an unlocking setting and, in a second adjustment position, moves the locking bodies (11) for all of the doors (6, 7) into an unlocking setting; or locking units, wherein one or more respective locking units can be activated for unlocking the associated door (6) or a first group of doors (6) of the at least two doors (6, 7) of the housing (3), and respective locking units can be activated for unlocking all of the associated doors (6, 7) of the at least two doors (6, 7) of the housing (3). The invention also discloses a method for unlocking one or more doors (6, 7) of such a housing (3).