Mobile Inventory Transport Unit Multi-Site Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems for material handling and transportation are rigid and limited to single geographic locations, preventing them from adapting to inventory demands at multiple sites, which hinders their expansion into non-traditional applications and efficient inventory management across different locations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile inventory transportation communication network comprising a mobile inventory transport unit (MITU) with a housing, inventory storage, power supply, navigation, sensing, and control devices, along with a transportation system and central systems that communicate via Wi-Fi, cellular, or Bluetooth to autonomously move inventory between locations based on demand, using GPS, LIDAR, and other technologies for navigation and object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current automation systems are used for material handling and transportation, then operational reliability is improved, but adaptability to multiple geographic locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the automation system mobile rather than fixed. The autonomous vehicle can dynamically relocate between different geographic sites, transforming the system from a static, location-bound configuration to a mobile, adaptable platform that maintains operational reliability while gaining geographic versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle serves multiple functions across different locations and applications. It can transport various types of inventory, adapt to different warehouse environments, and perform multiple tasks including transportation, storage, and inventory management, thereby achieving universality that resolves the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
2Device complexity
If current automation hardware is designed for limited functionality at a single geographic location, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to expand to additional sites deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components: autonomous vehicles, central control systems, and transportation infrastructure. This segmentation allows individual units to be deployed independently at different locations, enabling system expansion without requiring complete system redesign, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle incorporates dynamic capabilities including mobile navigation, adaptive route planning, and real-time communication with central systems. These dynamic features enable the vehicle to adapt to new geographic locations and environmental conditions without increasing inherent device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous inventory movement and distribution apparatus are incorporated with transportation systems, then adaptability to inventory demands at multiple sites is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-navigation, self-docking, and self-monitoring functions. It autonomously determines routes, communicates its status and location, and docks with transportation systems without human intervention. This self-service capability enables multi-site adaptability while managing complexity through automation of control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where autonomous vehicles report inventory status, location, and operational data to central control systems. The central systems process this feedback and generate optimized dispatch instructions, enabling adaptive response to inventory demands across multiple sites through intelligent information processing rather than complex hardware
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, computing platforms, and storage media for transporting a mobile inventory transportation unit (MITU) in a communication network are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may include the mobile inventory transportation communication network comprising the MITU, a transportation system, a first and a second central system, in communication with each other, the MITU comprising a housing, an inventory storage device, a power device, a drive device, a navigation device, a sensing device, and a control device. The transportation system may be configured to physically receive and transport the MITU from a first point to a second point, the second central system may be configured to determine an inventory demand at a second or more location and transmit inventory request data to the first central system, and the first central system may be configured to schedule the movement of the MITU and control the delivery of the MITU to a final destination.