Vehicle Cabin Cart With Automated Inventory and Waste Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cart systems in vehicles face inefficiencies such as lack of inventory awareness, manual item selection leading to unavailability, ergonomic and safety issues, limited access to items, and slow service with no customization options for passengers.

Innovation Solution

A cart system with a user interface for inventory viewing and selection, automated item dispensing, waste sorting, and self-propelled movement, equipped with sensors and actuators for efficient item delivery and waste management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cart maneuvering is used, then the cart can be operated without complex automation systems, but inventory management efficiency deteriorates and service speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice speedVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cart system performs self-monitoring of inventory levels through sensors, self-navigation to customer locations using autonomous mobility, and self-dumping of waste containers automatically, eliminating the need for manual intervention in these tasks while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical cart maneuvering is replaced with automated electric propulsion systems and robotic navigation, while manual inventory tracking is replaced with electronic sensors and digital monitoring systems, significantly improving service speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If manual inventory inspection is used, then the cart structure remains simple, but inventory awareness and item availability information deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory awarenessVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors continuously monitor inventory levels and provide real-time feedback to the system controller, which then communicates availability information to customers through the user interface, ensuring complete inventory awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual visual inspection of inventory is replaced with electronic sensors that automatically detect and track item levels, providing continuous digital information about stock availability without requiring human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If heavy cart design is used, then item storage capacity increases, but ergonomic issues and safety risks deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem storage capacityVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Manual lifting and handling of heavy waste containers is replaced with automated robotic arms and mechanical transfer systems that automatically empty containers into recycling stations, eliminating ergonomic injuries and safety risks while maintaining large storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

An automated transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the cart's storage containers and the recycling system, handling the heavy lifting and transfer operations to protect operators from exposure to heavy objects and potential hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of time

If unsorted waste storage is used, then the cart structure remains simple, but waste management time and human error increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste sorting timeVSAvoidwaste sorting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual waste sorting is replaced with automated sensor systems that detect waste types and mechanical sorters that automatically direct different waste materials to appropriate containers, eliminating time loss and human error in waste management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The waste sorting system performs self-categorization and self-sorting of waste materials through integrated sensors and automated mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention in waste separation tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4112466B1Automated cart systems and methods for an internal cabin of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A cart system (200) and method for an internal cabin (100) of a vehicle includes a housing (202), one or more wheels (228) coupled to the housing (202), and a user interface (204) disposed on a portion of the housing (202). The user interface (204) is configured to allow an individual to view inventory and select one or more items of the inventory.