Node-enabled logistics receptacle apparatus, systems, and methods with a deployable storage element for receiving and temporarily maintaining a delivery item
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logistics receptacles face inefficiencies in monitoring and reporting, leading to inappropriate pickup times and potential overloading, which can result in costly inefficiencies and customer frustration.
Innovation Solution
A node-enabled logistics receptacle system with a deployable storage element and sensors that autonomously detect changes in state, generate data, and trigger deployment of the storage element when thresholds are met, communicating with a backend server to optimize logistics operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional logistics receptacles are used without deployable storage elements, then the device complexity is low, but the storage capacity and flexibility are insufficient leading to overloading issues
Solution Approach 1:
The storage receptacle is divided into a fixed portion and a deployable storage element (movable tray or drawer). The deployable element can be extended to increase storage capacity when needed and retracted when not required, providing variable storage space without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage receptacle transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with a deployable element that can move between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt storage capacity to actual needs, avoiding the complexity of permanently large storage structures.
2Productivity
If manual monitoring of storage receptacle status is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and response time of logistics operations are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the storage receptacle to automatically detect when items are deposited or retrieved, when the receptacle is full, or when the deployable element needs deployment. This feedback is transmitted to a backend server that automatically triggers logistics operations, eliminating manual monitoring while maintaining system simplicity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage receptacle system performs self-monitoring and self-reporting of its status. The sensors and communication modules enable the system to automatically detect operational needs and trigger appropriate responses without human intervention, improving productivity while keeping the monitoring mechanism simple and integrated.
3Loss of time
If fixed pickup schedules are used for servicing storage receptacles, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of time occurs due to inappropriate pickup times causing overloading or inefficient resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors storage receptacle status and predicts when pickup will be needed based on current load and historical patterns. This preliminary assessment allows the system to schedule pickups optimally before overloading occurs, reducing time loss while maintaining simple automated scheduling without complex manual coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A node-enabled logistics receptacle system with a deployable storage element for receiving and temporarily maintaining a delivery item. The system includes a storage receptacle with an entrance opening for receiving the delivery item and a deployable autonomous mobile container as the deployable storage element. A first node is mounted to the storage receptacle and includes a first node processor, a first node memory, a communication interface, and a plurality of sensors including an interaction sensor and a storage sensor. The first node detects a change in the state of the entrance opening, determines a current condition of what is presently maintained within the deployable autonomous mobile container, generates a deploy activation signal, and transmits the deploy activation signal to the deployable autonomous mobile container to initiate movement by the deployable autonomous mobile container from the host position within the storage receptacle to a position external to the storage receptacle.