Container to facilitate selective delivery of parcels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The delivery of parcels often requires significant human labor and effort to select and retrieve the correct parcel, and existing systems do not efficiently accommodate parcels of varying sizes and allow for delivery in any order.
Innovation Solution
A container system with movable dividers and panels that accommodate parcels of varying sizes, using a position sensing system to determine the location of dividers and a motorized mechanism to selectively expose the desired parcel for delivery, allowing parcels to be dispensed in any order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual selection and retrieval of parcels is used, then human labor and effort are required to find and select the correct parcel, but delivery efficiency is reduced and physical demands on couriers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel container enables self-service delivery where the system automatically identifies and dispenses the correct parcel without human intervention. The container autonomously tracks parcel locations using sensors and dividers, and mechanically retrieves parcels based on delivery addresses, eliminating the need for couriers to manually search and select parcels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical selection with an automated mechanical system. Motors drive dividers to position themselves based on sensor data about parcel locations, and mechanically dispense parcels through the open face of the container. This substitutes human physical effort with motorized mechanical automation.
2Ease of operation
If parcels are stored in a simple container without organization, then storage is simple, but selecting the correct parcel becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments using movable dividers that can be positioned between parcels. This segmentation allows individual parcels to be separated and identified, making selection easier while maintaining an organized structure that doesn't overly complicate the overall container design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividers within the container are made movable rather than fixed, allowing the container structure to dynamically adapt to different parcel configurations. The dividers can be repositioned by motors based on the sizes and locations of parcels, providing flexibility without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If parcels of varying sizes are accommodated, then the container is more versatile, but determining parcel locations and selecting the correct parcel becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are implemented to detect the positions of dividers and parcels within the container. This feedback system provides real-time information about parcel locations and sizes, allowing the control system to accurately identify and select the correct parcel regardless of varying dimensions, without requiring overly complex manual tracking mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If delivery must follow first-in-first-out order, then storage and retrieval is simple, but the ability to deliver parcels in any desired order is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The container system dynamically adapts to different delivery orders by using sensors to identify parcel locations and motors to reposition dividers and retrieve specific parcels in any desired sequence. This allows the system to optimize delivery routes and orders without being constrained to first-in-first-out, thereby improving overall delivery efficiency and flexibility.
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
Facilitates efficient and automated parcel delivery, reducing human labor and enabling delivery in any order, suitable for unmanned systems like drones or robotic platforms.
Implementation Method 1
A position sensing system determines and records in memory the location of the divider
Implementation Method 2
a first movement mechanism, such as a motor, coupled to the first panel, and a second movement mechanism, such as a motor, coupled to the second panel
Implementation Method 3
allowing the parcel to exit the container, such as by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent container system is provided that accommodates a variety of sizes and shapes of parcels, and that allows the parcels to be dispensed from the container one at a time, in any order. The container system has an open face, such as the bottom. A first panel cooperates with a second panel to selectively close the open bottom, and to selectively open the bottom below a desired parcel, allowing the parcel to be individually dispensed when desired. The container system has a plurality of dividers that can be moved along the length of the container to create a series of compartments that match the sizes of the parcels within the compartments. A position sensing system is used to determine the location of the dividers, and thus the location of the compartments.