Secured delivery container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery containers fail to maintain food at desired temperatures during transit and lack security features to prevent tampering, as they are typically passive and unsecured.
Innovation Solution
A secure delivery container with an actuatable heat transfer system and control circuitry to maintain food at desired temperatures, combined with a locking mechanism and wireless communication for secure access, allowing only the end recipient to open the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive insulation is used to maintain food temperature, then the container structure is simple, but the food temperature cannot be maintained during long transit times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from passive insulation to an active thermal control system with heating and cooling elements that can dynamically adjust temperature based on real-time sensing and control algorithms, enabling temperature maintenance during long transit times while managing system complexity through integrated control
2Reliability
If the container is made accessible for easy delivery, then the delivery process is efficient, but the contents can be tampered with or viewed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a secure access system with sensors, locks, and communication modules that provide real-time feedback on container status, tampering detection, and authorized access control, ensuring content security while maintaining efficient delivery through automated authentication processes
3Temperature
If active heating and cooling elements are added to maintain temperature, then the food temperature is maintained, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating heating elements, cooling elements, temperature sensors, and control circuitry into a single unified thermal management system that can perform both heating and cooling operations based on real-time temperature requirements, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using control circuitry to dynamically adjust the operational parameters of heating and cooling elements based on real-time temperature sensor feedback, enabling precise temperature maintenance while optimizing energy consumption and managing system complexity through adaptive control
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
The container effectively maintains food at desired temperatures and ensures the contents have not been tampered with by providing active heating or cooling and secure access through wireless communication and locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heat transfer elements in thermal communication with one or more surfaces of the body that define the chamber and configured to heat or cool said one or more surfaces to heat or cool the delivery items in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A secure delivery container can have a body with a chamber that can receive one or more items for delivery to an end recipient and a door actuatable to close the chamber in a locked position and open to allow access to the items. The container can have a heat transfer system with one or more heat transfer elements in thermal communication with one or more surfaces of the body that define the chamber and configured to heat or cool the one or more surfaces to heat or cool the delivery items in the chamber. The container can wirelessly communicate with a remote electronic device to receive information from the remote electronic device and to communicate operational information from the one or more heat transfer elements to the remote electronic device.