Vehicle Cargo Temperature Control for Secure Shipment Pickup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to safely pick up shipments while preventing the degradation of temperature-sensitive products due to uncertain pickup times and potential theft.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle equipped with a communication device, external user interface, temperature adjustment device, and controller, which allows for secure shipment pickup by activating the user interface upon request, opening the door with a password, and adjusting the temperature based on shipment requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pickup time is left uncertain to provide flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of shipment safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepickup flexibilityVSAvoidshipment safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-cooling or pre-heating the cargo space before the actual pickup occurs. The temperature adjustment device is activated in advance based on the shipment type information, ensuring the cargo space is already at the required temperature when the user arrives, thus maintaining reliability while allowing flexible pickup timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the cargo space temperature and adjusting it automatically based on the target temperature derived from shipment information. This closed-loop control ensures the temperature remains within the required range throughout the uncertain pickup period, maintaining shipment safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the pickup time is extended to accommodate uncertain schedules, then the ease of operation is improved, but the quality of temperature-sensitive products deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepickup flexibilityVSAvoidproduct quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates the temperature adjustment device in advance before the pickup occurs, preparing the cargo space at the required temperature. This preliminary action ensures that even if the pickup is delayed, the temperature is already optimized and will be maintained, preventing product quality degradation during extended pickup times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature adjustment device operates continuously or in extended cycles to maintain the cargo space temperature throughout the entire pickup window, whether short or extended. This continuous temperature control ensures that temperature-sensitive products maintain their quality regardless of how long the pickup process takes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If secure access control is implemented to prevent theft, then the reliability of shipment safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipment safetyVSAvoidaccess convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service authentication where the user's mobile device automatically communicates with the vehicle system. The authentication process is automated and requires minimal user input, making the secure access process convenient while maintaining high security standards. The user simply needs to be authenticated, and the system automatically controls door access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Temperature

If temperature control is activated early to maintain quality, then the quality of temperature-sensitive products is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature adjustment only when necessary, based on the shipment type information received in advance. By activating the temperature control device only for shipments that require temperature management and only for the necessary duration, the system maintains product quality while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial temperature control by adjusting the temperature only to the extent necessary for the specific shipment type. Rather than maintaining extreme temperatures continuously, the system adjusts to the minimum required temperature range, reducing energy consumption while still ensuring product quality is maintained throughout the pickup process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12227146B2Vehicle and method for picking up shipment using the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.18 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment vehicle includes a communication device configured to communicate with a device outside the vehicle, an external user interface configured to be activated based on a shipment pickup request received through the communication device, a temperature adjustment device configured to adjust an indoor temperature based on receipt of a shipment targeted for the shipment pickup request, and a controller configured to activate the external user interface in response to the shipment pickup request, open a door of the vehicle based on information entered through the external user interface being a password, and control the temperature adjustment device based on information about the shipment.