Systems and methods for receiving retail products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for receiving retail products at customer sites lack efficient temperature control and secure access mechanisms, which can lead to improper storage conditions and accidental locking of living beings inside containers.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled storage container system with individually adjustable chambers, equipped with sensors and a locking mechanism, controlled by an electronic device that maintains optimal temperatures and ensures secure access based on trigger signals and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the storage container, then security and access control are improved, but the risk of accidentally locking living beings inside increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the presence of living beings (humans or animals) before the locking mechanism engages. Sensors continuously monitor the container interior, and when a living being is detected, the system prevents the lock from activating or automatically unlocks it, thereby counteracting the potential harmful effect before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the locking mechanism and the container interior - a sensor-based detection system that acts as a mediator. This intermediary detects living beings and communicates with the control system to modulate the locking action, preventing direct harmful interaction between the lock and any enclosed living beings.
2Reliability
If temperature control systems are implemented in the storage container, then product storage quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system operates using periodic action rather than continuous operation. The controller periodically adjusts heating or cooling elements based on real-time temperature sensor feedback, maintaining optimal storage conditions while allowing the system to enter low-power states between adjustments, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where temperature sensors continuously monitor the container interior temperature and communicate with the controller. The controller adjusts the heating/cooling elements based on this feedback to maintain the desired temperature range, ensuring reliable storage conditions while minimizing energy waste through precise, demand-based operation.
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 system effectively maintains optimal storage conditions for retail products and prevents accidental locking of humans or animals by using sensors and electronic control to manage chamber temperatures and access permissions.
Implementation Method 1
The container may include one or more temperature sensors that provide the temperature inside the container
Implementation Method 2
When the temperature inside the container is below a threshold, the controller increases the temperature of the container using a heating element
Implementation Method 3
When the temperature inside the container is above the threshold, the controller decreases the temperature of the container using a cooling element
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to receiving retail products. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for receiving retail products including: a temperature controlled storage container and comprising: one or more chambers having corresponding chamber temperatures that are each individually maintained and adjustable based on a particular temperature assigned by a separate electronic control device to each of the one or more chambers; one or more temperature sensors; one or more additional sensors; a locking system; and a storage container control circuit configured to: receive the particular temperature; maintain each one of the corresponding chamber temperatures; determine whether a first trigger signal is received; determine whether a second trigger signal is available; and provide the unlock signal; and the separate electronic control device configured to: provide the particular temperature; selectively assign each of the one or more retail products; and provide the second trigger signal.