Smart locker

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Securing and transporting items without a vehicle can be physically demanding and may result in frozen items melting or defrosting during transport, especially over long distances.

Innovation Solution

A portable container with wheels and an authenticator, which includes a temperature control system and a wheel lock, allowing secure and controlled transportation of items by ensuring only authorized users can move the container, and maintaining a predetermined temperature to prevent melting or defrosting of frozen items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual transport of items is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but physical effort increases and frozen items may melt during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical effortVSAvoidtemperature maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system is segmented into distinct functional components: a portable container for items, a separate temperature control system with cooling elements, and a powered wheel system. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, with the cooling system specifically addressing temperature maintenance while the powered wheels address physical effort reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary authentication system is introduced between the user and the container controls. The biometric authenticator acts as a mediator that verifies user identity before allowing access to or movement of the container, ensuring secure transport while enabling automated control of the powered wheels and temperature system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If secure authentication is implemented, then item security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical authentication methods (keys, combinations) are replaced with a biometric authentication system using fingerprint or facial recognition sensors. This substitution provides enhanced security through unique biological identifiers while maintaining user convenience, as the authentication process is automated and requires no manual input beyond presenting the biometric trait.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If powered wheels are added, then transport effort is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport effortVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The powered wheel system is designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing the container to adjust its movement based on terrain, load, and user needs. The system can operate at variable speeds and can be engaged or disengaged as needed, optimizing energy consumption by only using power when necessary rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The powered wheel system serves multiple functions: it provides motorized transport assistance, acts as a security feature (locked wheels prevent unauthorized movement), and can function in different modes (powered assistance or manual operation). This multi-functionality justifies the energy consumption by providing versatile operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables secure, efficient, and temperature-controlled transportation of items, reducing the physical effort required and minimizing the risk of items melting or defrosting during transport.

Implementation Method 1

the authenticator can include a biometric sensor configured to detect biometric data of the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiometric recognition:

Implementation Method 2

The portable container can include a temperature control system for maintaining a predetermined or customized temperature within the portable container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature control:

Implementation Method 3

In some embodiments, the authenticator can include a proximity sensor configured to detect a proximity of the user relative to the portable container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10559154B2Smart locker

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

An example portable container is described. The example portable container includes a body, a handle, a pair of wheels, a wheel lock, and an authenticator. The body includes walls that form an inner chamber configured and dimensioned to receive one or more items. The handle is mounted to the body, and the pair of wheels is mounted to the body. The wheel lock is configured to selectively engage and disengage at least one wheel of the pair of wheels. Engagement of the at least one wheel with the wheel lock restricts rotation of the wheel. The authenticator is configured to authenticate a user for transporting the portable container. If the authenticator fails to authenticate the user, the wheel lock is actuated to engage the at least one wheel of the pair of wheels to restrict rotation of the wheel.