Modular Baggage Delivery System for Airport Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current baggage delivery systems at airports face issues such as congestion, theft, and long waiting times, leading to passenger frustration and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular and integrated baggage collection system that uses a network of delivery points, including individual boxes, where passengers can retrieve their luggage after automatic identification and assignment, reducing human intervention and congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional conveyor belt systems are used for baggage delivery, then passengers can access their luggage freely, but this causes congestion and increases waiting times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaggage delivery efficiencyVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the baggage claim area into multiple individual delivery points, each associated with a specific passenger. This segmentation allows passengers to be distributed across different locations rather than concentrating at a single conveyor belt, reducing congestion and waiting times while maintaining efficient baggage delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Passengers receive automated guidance information directing them to their specific delivery point, and the system automatically manages the baggage delivery process without requiring passengers to actively retrieve bags from a shared conveyor. This self-service approach reduces waiting time and improves productivity by eliminating the need for passengers to wait for their turn on a shared system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If traditional open conveyor belts are used, then luggage is easily accessible, but this increases the risk of theft and confusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluggage accessibilityVSAvoidluggage security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each delivery point is configured with specific access control mechanisms (such as codes, cards, or biometric verification) that provide secure access only to the intended passenger. This local quality approach maintains ease of operation for the authorized user while ensuring luggage security by preventing unauthorized access at each individual delivery point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary access control mechanism between the luggage and the passenger. This intermediary (such as a code, card, or automated verification system) mediates the interaction, allowing the passenger to access their luggage while preventing theft and confusion by ensuring only the authorized passenger can retrieve the bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If individualized delivery points are implemented, then passenger identification and security are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal identification mechanisms (such as passenger names, codes, or biometric data) that can be implemented across multiple delivery points using similar technology. This multi-functionality approach improves passenger identification accuracy while managing system complexity by using standardized, reusable components rather than unique complex systems at each delivery point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies or representations of passenger identification data that can be verified at each delivery point without requiring physical interaction with the passenger's original documents. This copying approach improves identification accuracy and security while reducing system complexity by using digital verification rather than complex physical identification systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If automated baggage tracking is implemented, then baggage loss and theft are reduced, but implementation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaggage traceabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The automated tracking system is segmented into individual tracking components at each delivery point rather than requiring a single complex centralized system. This segmentation allows for more cost-effective implementation by using simpler, modular tracking mechanisms that can be independently deployed and maintained at each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated self-tracking of baggage through embedded identifiers and automated verification mechanisms at delivery points. This self-service approach improves baggage traceability by having the system automatically track and verify deliveries without requiring complex manual intervention or expensive centralized monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3836055B1Integrated system for individualized delivery of luggage / baggage at airports / train stations, buses / ports (b2p = baggage to pax)
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 GESNAER CONSULTING SLNE
  • EP3836055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3836055B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

New integrated and modular system for collection of packages/baggage that allows the delivery to be made individually to each passenger in the package/luggage delivery room of any airport or transport terminal, including train stations, bus stations, ports, etc. The passenger must be identified by an interactive screen stand, a mobile app or a tablet device. Then, the system will guide the user to a delivery point where the package/luggage will be available for pick-up. Relation between packages/luggage and passenger is established automatically. The following figure (figure 1) shows a diagram of the process and the integration of the different modules into which it is divided.