Package receiving station and method for the delivery of packages and/or letters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parcel delivery systems face challenges in efficiently delivering parcels and letters to commercial establishments without interpersonal contact, particularly during health emergencies, and struggle with managing deliveries to buildings under construction without receiving areas or mailboxes, leading to high risks of lost items.
Innovation Solution
A parcel acceptance station with a housing that includes a storage space with multiple storage areas, an input lock for automated parcel acceptance, and a transport device to move parcels from the input lock to the storage space. The system allows authorized personnel to access the storage space for efficient distribution of parcels, is compatible with commercial goods acceptance processes, and can be adapted for use in various settings, including under construction sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If postal machines with individual lockers are used for delivery, then recipients can collect parcels at their convenience, but the system is not compatible with centralized collection processes in commercial operations and requires significant effort if each recipient must individually collect from dedicated lockers
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage space into multiple storage areas within a single centralized storage room, allowing parcels to be sorted by recipient while enabling one person to collect all parcels efficiently. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining organizational structure without requiring individual locker access for each recipient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual locker functions into a single centralized storage room where all parcels are stored together. An authorized person can access the entire storage room to collect parcels for multiple recipients, combining what would otherwise require multiple separate access points into one unified system.
2Productivity
If automated parcel acceptance is implemented, then delivery efficiency is improved and interpersonal contact is reduced, but the risk of lost parcels increases without proper access control
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an authorized intermediary person who acts as a mediator between the automated acceptance system and the final recipients. This intermediary collects parcels from the automated storage room and distributes them to recipients, maintaining both automation benefits and parcel security through controlled human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The input lock enables self-service automated parcel acceptance where parcels are deposited without human intervention. The system then maintains security through automated storage while allowing authorized personnel to retrieve parcels, combining automated efficiency with controlled access for reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If parcels are delivered to buildings under construction without receiving areas, then delivery coverage is expanded, but the risk of lost parcels significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the parcel reception function from traditional building infrastructure (receiving areas, mailrooms) and places it in a portable, self-contained storage room that can be deployed at any location including construction sites. This extraction enables delivery to locations without permanent facilities while maintaining secure parcel retention through the enclosed storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage room serves multiple functions: it acts as a receiving area, secure storage facility, and distribution point all in one unit. This multi-functionality allows the system to operate in diverse locations including construction sites, residential addresses, and commercial facilities, providing both adaptability and reliability across different environments.
4Productivity
If a large storage room is provided for centralized parcel collection, then efficiency for commercial operations is improved, but the system becomes less suitable for individual recipients who may find it cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different access methods for different user types: authorized personnel use centralized access to the entire storage room for efficient commercial collection, while individual recipients can access their specific parcels through localized identification methods at the input lock or by coordinating with the authorized collector, providing tailored ease of operation for each user group.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a parcel acceptance station (1) with a housing (3), wherein a storage space (4) with at least one storage area (5) for receiving parcels and/or letters is arranged in the housing (3). The parcel acceptance station (1) also comprises an input lock (2) for inputting the parcels and/or letters and a transport device (6) for transporting the parcels and/or letters from the input lock (2) to the storage space (4). The present invention also relates to a method for delivering parcels and/or letters to one or more recipients at a delivery address, wherein a parcel acceptance station (1) is set up at the delivery address and all parcels and/or letters addressed to the recipient(s) are transferred by a deliverer to an input lock (2) of the parcel acceptance station (1). The parcels and/or letters are stored in a storage space (4) of the parcel acceptance station (1).According to the invention, the parcel acceptance station (1) is characterized by an access (17) in the housing (3) which allows an authorized user to enter the storage room (4).