Delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems face challenges in maintaining the temperature of items requiring temperature control during transportation, as both passive and active cooling methods have limitations, leading to potential quality deterioration and efficiency issues due to power constraints and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a delivery box with a temperature adjustment unit powered by a supply that transmits power information to a management server, which determines the delivery possibility based on the available power, ensuring the item is maintained at a predetermined temperature until delivery, without the need for a large power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive cooling using insulating material and cooling storage material is used, then temperature control capability is limited, but device complexity and power supply requirements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges a power supply before delivery to ensure sufficient power is available for active cooling during transit. This preliminary action allows the use of active cooling (which provides better temperature control) without worrying about power constraints during the actual delivery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling strategy based on real-time power supply status and delivery conditions. When power is sufficient, active cooling is used for precise temperature control; when power is limited, the system can switch to or supplement with passive cooling methods.
2Reliability
If active cooling using a cooling device operated by power supply is used, then temperature adjustment capability is improved, but power supply size increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is charged in advance before the delivery process begins, allowing the cooling device to operate with a compact, lightweight battery during transit rather than requiring a large power supply capacity from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device operates periodically or intermittently based on temperature monitoring and power availability, rather than running continuously at full capacity. This allows for effective temperature control while minimizing overall power consumption and reducing the required power supply size.
3Reliability
If active cooling using a cooling device operated by power supply is used, then temperature adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control logic that continuously monitor the delivery item's temperature and automatically adjust the cooling device operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables effective temperature control while simplifying the overall system design by using intelligent control rather than complex hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device is designed to serve multiple functions: active cooling when power is available, passive cooling when power is limited, and temperature monitoring throughout the delivery process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems for different cooling scenarios.
4Reliability
If a large power supply is used to maintain temperature throughout delivery, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device complexity and initial power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is pre-charged to high capacity before delivery, allowing the system to use a compact, efficient cooling device during transit rather than requiring a continuously large power supply. The energy is consumed strategically during the delivery window when it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses excessive cooling capacity briefly during critical temperature-sensitive periods of delivery, rather than maintaining moderate cooling continuously. This partial intensive action ensures temperature reliability during transit while minimizing total energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery box stores a delivery item and can be moved to a delivery destination. A management server manages delivery of the delivery item using the delivery box. The delivery box includes a power supply, a temperature adjustment unit adjusting temperature of the delivery item with a power supplied from the power supply, and a transmission/reception unit transmitting/receiving information to/from the management server via a communication network. The management server includes a delivery possibility determination unit executing delivery possibility determination of determining whether temperature of the delivery item can be maintained at a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjustment unit until the delivery item is delivered to the delivery destination. The delivery possibility determination unit executes the delivery possibility determination based on at least the power supply information relating to power supplied from the power supply acquired from the delivery box.