Height-Adjustable Parcel Transfer for Autonomous Delivery Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery vehicles and mail boxes face inefficiencies in filling mail compartments without hindering mail removal, leading to prolonged blockage and manual intervention, and require improved methods for secure and efficient delivery and loading of shipments.
Innovation Solution
A delivery vehicle with a shifting device that adjusts from a retracted to an extended position and is height-adjustable, combined with a mail box featuring lateral openings and electrically driven closure means, allows for secure and efficient loading and delivery of shipments and mail items without blocking access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the delivery vehicle uses a manual unloading process, then the mail compartments can be filled securely, but the productivity and efficiency of mail delivery decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery vehicle is equipped with an automated shifting device that can independently transfer mail from the storage area to the mail compartments without manual intervention. The system self-regulates the unloading process, adjusting the shifting device's position and controlling the transfer mechanism to autonomously complete the mail delivery task
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical unloading process with an automated shifting device that uses mechanical substitution principles. The shifting device incorporates automated control mechanisms that substitute human operators, using programmed sequences to control the transfer of mail from storage to compartments
2Productivity
If the delivery vehicle blocks the mail compartment during filling, then secure loading can be achieved, but the mail removal access is hindered for a prolonged period
Solution Approach 1:
The mail box structure is segmented into multiple independently accessible compartments. The shifting device is designed to load specific compartments without blocking access to others, allowing parallel operations where mail can be loaded into one compartment while being removed from another simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The shifting device incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities that allow it to adjust its position and extend only as far as needed to load specific compartments. This dynamic adjustment prevents unnecessary blocking of adjacent compartments, enabling flexible loading patterns that minimize access restrictions
3Quantity of substance
If the delivery vehicle accommodates more shipments in the storage area, then the quantity of deliveries increases, but the device complexity for automated transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shifting device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various types and sizes of shipments. It can accommodate different mail compartment configurations and adjust its operation accordingly, allowing the system to scale storage capacity without proportionally increasing complexity through standardized, versatile components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary between the shipment storage area and the mail compartments. This control device manages the complex coordination required for automated transfer, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the control logic and enabling the shifting device to handle increased storage capacity through intelligent management rather than mechanical complexity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Described and illustrated is a delivery vehicle (1) with a shipment storage unit (3) for receiving, storing and re-delivering shipments (2), with a transfer device (5) for transferring shipments (2) from the shipment storage unit (3) to a transfer device (6) and with a control device (4) for controlling at least the transfer device (6), wherein the transfer device (6) is designed to be adjustable for delivering shipments (2) at a location outside the delivery vehicle (1) by moving the shipments (2) from a retracted position to an extended position and back, and wherein the transfer device (6) is designed to be height-adjustable for delivering shipments (2) at different height levels outside the delivery vehicle (1).