Deposit box for individuals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lockers for individuals do not effectively manage multiple deliveries, leading to items being piled up loosely, which can damage fragile items, and lack temperature control for optimal storage.

Innovation Solution

A locker design with two distinct areas in the compartment, allowing separate placement of items and vertical movement of a separation plate for optimal space use, along with dual doors for selective access and intelligent communication features for secure and efficient delivery and retrieval, including temperature control and ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple delivery persons deliver items to the same locker compartment, then delivery efficiency is improved, but items are piled up loosely causing damage to fragile items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoiditem damage from stacking
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locker compartment is divided into multiple storage zones (first storage zone and second storage zone) separated by a partition. Each zone can be independently accessed by different delivery persons through separate doors, allowing simultaneous deliveries without items being piled up. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high delivery efficiency while preventing harmful stacking of fragile items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single locker compartment is used for all deliveries, then device complexity is reduced, but space utilization is inefficient when items of different sizes are delivered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocker structure simplicityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition between storage zones is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be adjusted according to the size and volume of items being delivered. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimal space utilization for different delivery scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall locker structure, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the locker has a single door for access, then ease of operation is improved, but selective access to different storage zones is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operation simplicityVSAvoidselective zone access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The locker is equipped with multiple doors (first door and second door) corresponding to different storage zones. Each door can be operated independently, allowing delivery persons to access only the specific zone they need without opening other doors. This segmentation of access points maintains ease of operation for each individual door while providing the versatility of selective zone access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the locker is designed as a single integrated unit, then ease of manufacture is improved, but transportability to the installation site is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtransportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The locker is designed as a modular assembly of separate components (body, multiple doors, partition, control system) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled at the installation site. This modular segmentation maintains ease of manufacture for each component while significantly improving transportability, as the individual parts are smaller and easier to transport than a single large integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3854272B1Deposit box for individuals
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 KITOKO ASSANI
  • EP3854272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3854272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3854272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locker for individuals, of the type comprising at least one compartment (15) for receiving items, at least one door (7, 9) capable of closing this compartment (15), and means for unlocking this door (7, 9) at the request of at least one user, characterized in that it comprises at least one substantially horizontal platform (17) vertically dividing said compartment (15) into at least two distinct zones (19, 21) for receiving items, and means (23) for vertically moving said platform (17) according to the volumes of the items to be placed respectively in said receiving zones (19, 21).