Vehicle Elevator and Drone Docking for Automated Bin Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unloading of delivery packages from delivery vehicles for last-mile delivery remains a manual process, requiring resources that may be unavailable or expensive, despite existing methods optimizing package delivery routes and vehicle loading for efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A delivery vehicle integrated with a vehicle elevator unit and a drone unit, where the drone is housed within the vehicle and aligned with the elevator, allowing for automated bin delivery to a pickup zone, using magnetic coupling and grasping mechanisms for efficient package transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual unloading process is used for last-mile delivery, then delivery vehicles can operate with simple structure, but labor resources are required that may be unavailable or expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drone unit with the vehicle elevator unit into an integrated system. The drone unit is disposed above the vehicle elevator unit and aligned with it, allowing the elevator to transport packages vertically to the pickup zone where the drone can access them. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual unloading operations while maintaining a compact vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone unit is enclosed within the vehicle top portion, effectively nesting the drone inside the vehicle structure. The vehicle elevator unit transports packages to a pickup zone that aligns with the enclosed drone unit, allowing automated transfer without external manual intervention. This nesting approach automates the unloading process while minimizing additional external structure.
2Productivity
If packages are loaded with similar delivery addresses in proximity, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the unloading process still requires manual intervention at each stop
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated unloading through the integration of the vehicle elevator unit and drone unit. The elevator automatically transports packages to the pickup zone, and the drone autonomously retrieves them for last-mile delivery. This eliminates the need for manual unloading operations at each delivery stop, maintaining high delivery efficiency while significantly reducing labor requirements.
3Extent of automation
If conventional delivery methods are used, then vehicle operations are simple, but labor resources are consumed that may be unavailable or expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delivery system into distinct functional units: the vehicle elevator unit for vertical package transport and the drone unit for last-mile delivery. The drone unit is enclosed in the vehicle top portion and aligned with the elevator, creating modular components that can be manufactured and integrated separately. This segmentation facilitates easier manufacturing and integration compared to a fully integrated automated system.
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
Facilitates automated last-mile delivery, reducing manual effort and enhancing delivery efficiency by integrating a drone with a vehicle elevator unit for seamless package transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle elevator unit configured to move a bin vertically along a vehicle height and dispose the bin to a pickup zone
Implementation Method 2
using magnetic coupling and grasping mechanisms for efficient package transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery vehicle is disclosed. The delivery vehicle may include a vehicle elevator unit configured to move a bin to a bin pickup zone in a vehicle interior portion. The delivery vehicle may further include a vehicle drone unit disposed on a top portion of the vehicle elevator unit. The vehicle drone unit may be removably coupled to the vehicle elevator unit. The vehicle drone unit may include a landing platform for a drone. The landing platform may include an opening to enable the drone to engage with the bin for a bin last-mile delivery. The opening may be in proximity to the bin pickup zone.