Urban Consignment Reloading Between Large and Small Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large delivery vehicles face challenges in urban areas due to emission regulations, space restrictions, and high real estate costs, while small electric vehicles lack the range and load capacity to efficiently link end customers with distribution centers.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a combination of large and small vehicles, where the large vehicle transports consignments to a reloading location, and the small vehicle, with its electric drive and smaller size, efficiently delivers to end customers within its range, allowing for flexible reloading configurations and increased accessibility in restricted areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional large delivery vehicles are used, then load capacity and range are sufficient, but they face emission regulations, space restrictions, and are increasingly viewed negatively in urban areas
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into two distinct vehicle types: large vehicles for long-haul transport from distribution centers to reloading locations, and small electric vehicles for final-mile delivery in urban areas. This segmentation allows each vehicle type to operate within its optimal performance envelope while complying with urban emission regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
Reloading locations serve as intermediary nodes between large delivery vehicles and small electric vehicles. Consignments are transferred from large vehicles to small vehicles at these locations, enabling the system to combine the advantages of both vehicle types while resolving the contradiction between emission compliance and load capacity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If small electric vehicles are used, then accessibility in restricted areas and emission compliance are improved, but range and load capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Small electric vehicles are pre-loaded with consignments at reloading locations before their delivery routes. This preliminary action ensures that vehicles have sufficient cargo for their range-limited journeys while maintaining emission compliance in urban areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Reloading locations act as intermediary bases where small electric vehicles receive consignments from large vehicles. This intermediary system allows small vehicles to operate within their range limitations while still serving urban delivery requirements effectively.
3Loss of time
If distribution centers are set up close to customers, then delivery time is reduced, but real estate costs in urban areas increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system redistributes delivery infrastructure from a centralized urban model to a distributed network including reloading locations at various distances from customers. This dimensional change in logistics network design reduces the need for expensive urban real estate while maintaining delivery efficiency through the coordinated vehicle fleet.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional large vehicles are used for all deliveries, then load capacity is sufficient, but traffic obstruction increases and public opinion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery fleet is segmented into large vehicles for bulk transport and small electric vehicles for urban deliveries. This segmentation reduces traffic obstruction in urban areas while maintaining overall system load capacity through the large vehicles operating in less congested areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vehicle types are deployed based on local conditions: large vehicles for suburban and rural routes with less traffic concern, and small electric vehicles for urban areas where traffic obstruction is problematic. This local quality approach optimizes both load capacity and traffic impact reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of reloading consignments, in the case of which consignments are transported between at least one logistics center and at least one end customer by means of at least one large vehicle and at least one small vehicle, which may be at least two-axle road vehicles, wherein the small vehicle is electrically operated and has a smaller track width and a lower load capacity than the large vehicle. In order to enable efficient logistical linking of end customers in urban areas, it is provided that at least the following steps may be carried out: reloading consignments between a large vehicle and the logistics center, performing a journey of the large vehicle between the logistics center and a reloading location, reloading consignments between the large vehicle and a small vehicle at the reloading location, performing a journey of the small vehicle between the reloading location and at least one end customer, and reloading consignments between the small vehicle and the at least one end customer.