Mobility Locker Charging and Storage for Shared Scooters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobility device sharing systems lack efficient storage and charging solutions for personal mobility devices like electric scooters, which are often dropped off and picked up from arbitrary locations without designated home locations.
Innovation Solution
A locker system equipped with a mobility device repository, electrical charging system, kiosk interface, communication network connectivity, processor, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to secure, charge, and manage personal mobility devices, including autonomous retrieval and secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If personal mobility devices are allowed to be dropped off and picked up from arbitrary locations, then user convenience is improved, but storage efficiency and device management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lockers as intermediary storage units positioned at specific locations within the service area. These lockers act as mediators between users and the central management system, allowing users to conveniently drop off and pick up devices at designated points while maintaining organized storage and efficient device tracking through the repository system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If personal mobility devices are stored without designated locations, then system flexibility is improved, but device security and charging efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the service area into multiple segments with designated locker locations. Each locker is a discrete, secure unit that can independently store and charge devices. This segmentation maintains system flexibility by allowing devices to be distributed across multiple locations while improving security through individual locked compartments and centralized tracking through the repository system.
3Device complexity
If personal mobility devices are stored without dedicated charging infrastructure, then system simplicity is improved, but charging efficiency and device availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges storage and charging functions into integrated locker units. The repository system combines secure storage compartments with charging infrastructure, allowing devices to be stored and charged simultaneously in the same location. This integration improves charging efficiency and device availability while maintaining relative system simplicity through a unified design.
4Device complexity
If manual device handling is used, then system simplicity is improved, but operational efficiency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality through automated lockers that can independently secure devices, manage charging, and track device status. The system automatically performs storage, charging, and monitoring operations without requiring manual intervention, improving operational efficiency while maintaining user-friendly interaction through the repository interface.
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
The locker system provides efficient storage and charging for personal mobility devices, ensuring proper charging levels, security, and maintenance, while preventing uneven distribution and enabling remote monitoring and management.
Implementation Method 1
The lift is configured to receive the respective personal mobility device at a ground surface, and is movable along the first surface of the enclosure between the ground surface and the receiving opening
Implementation Method 2
The electrical system is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and to charge a battery of the received personal mobility device using the received electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment takes the form of a locker includes a mobility device repository, an electrical system, a kiosk having a user interface, and a communication interface communicatively connected to a network. The mobility device repository is configured to secure one or more personal mobility devices at the mobility device repository. The electrical system is configured to receive electrical power and to charge respective batteries of the personal mobility devices secured at the mobility device repository using the electrical power. The locker receives a personal mobility device at the mobility device repository and secures the received personal mobility device at the mobility device repository, and receives a checked-in indication that the personal mobility device is checked in. The checked-in indication is received via the user interface or via the communication interface over the network. The locker charges a respective battery of the received personal mobility device using the electrical system.