Mobile Consignment Routing Using Sensor-Based Handling Instructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parcel lockers lack awareness of consignment characteristics, such as urgency or temperature requirements, and have limited flexibility to react to these characteristics, leading to inefficiencies in delivery and storage.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile transport unit equipped with sensors to determine its own and a consignment's characteristics, which are then transmitted to a routing system to dynamically adjust transport routes, handling instructions, and transfer instructions based on these characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional parcel lockers are used for consignment storage and delivery, then consignments can be stored and retrieved at fixed locations, but the system lacks awareness of consignment characteristics (urgency, temperature requirements) and has limited flexibility to react to these characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect consignment characteristics (temperature, urgency markers) and feeds this information back to the routing system, which then adjusts transport routes and handling instructions dynamically. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to consignment-specific requirements rather than using a fixed, oblivious storage approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-location parcel locker system into a dynamic mobile transport unit system that can change its behavior, route, and handling procedures based on real-time consignment characteristics. The mobile units dynamically adjust their operations rather than following rigid predetermined patterns
2Productivity
If consignments are collected from parcel lockers once a day at a fixed time instant, then operational simplicity is maintained, but there is no possibility to speed up collection of urgent consignments
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed, periodic collection schedules with dynamic, on-demand retrieval operations. Mobile transport units monitor consignment characteristics in real-time and adjust their routes and timing to prioritize urgent consignments, enabling accelerated collection without requiring complete operational redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies urgent consignments through sensor detection and self-adjusts routing priorities without human intervention. The routing system autonomously reconfigures transport schedules based on consignment urgency levels, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling expedited handling
3Ease of operation
If parcel lockers are fixedly installed at easily accessible locations, then accessibility for senders and recipients is improved, but persons living or working far from these locations face long travel distances and may encounter full lockers
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed, location-constrained lockers with mobile transport units that can travel to multiple locations, serving both as storage and delivery points. These multi-functional units can visit remote areas, hospitals, offices, and residential buildings, providing consignment services wherever needed rather than requiring users to travel to fixed locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional fixed-location model to a three-dimensional mobile model that adds the time and movement dimension. Mobile units can navigate through space and time to reach users at their locations, transforming the static storage problem into a dynamic delivery service that adapts to user positions
4Productivity
If human personnel load consignments into parcel lockers and retrieve them, then flexibility in handling different consignment types is maintained, but personnel must load consignments twice (into delivery vehicle and into lockers)
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile transport units are equipped with automated loading mechanisms that can independently load and unload consignments without human assistance. The units autonomously transfer consignments between storage compartments and delivery vehicles, eliminating the need for manual double-loading operations while maintaining adaptability through sensor-guided handling
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual human loading operations with automated mechanical systems integrated into mobile transport units. These automated mechanisms use sensors and actuators to perform loading/unloading tasks, reducing human intervention while increasing operational efficiency and consistency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more efficient and flexible delivery processes by ensuring that consignments are handled according to their specific needs, reducing the need for human intervention and optimizing the use of mobile transport units.
Implementation Method 1
determining, using one or more sensors of the mobile transport unit, one or more characteristics of the mobile transport unit or of a part thereof and/or one or more characteristics of a consignment
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed at a mobile transport unit is disclosed. In the method, parameters are determined by using sensors of the transport unit. The parameters include characteristics of the transport unit and/or characteristics of a consignment transported by the transport unit. In the method, the parameters are transmitted to a routing system, which determines a transport route for the transport unit, a need that waypoints/timing of an existing transport route of the transport unit has to be changed to obtain a changed transport route, or a need for a specific handling of the consignment. In the method, an instruction is received that is a routing instruction from the routing system pertaining to the determined transport route for the transport unit, to a transfer of the consignment from the transport unit to another transport unit, or to how the consignment shall be handled by the transport unit.