Vehicle Parcel Compartment With Isolated External Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary parcel storage solutions are often distant from the customer's home or workplace, requiring travel for retrieval and imposing time limits, leading to additional reshipping fees if deadlines are missed.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with a separate, externally accessible storage compartment controlled by ultrasonic signals, allowing flexible retrieval and privacy protection by separating the storage from the passenger compartment and trunk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parcels are stored in temporary storage boxes at delivery company premises, then secure storage is provided, but the storage location is distant from customer's home or workplace requiring travel for retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is extracted from the delivery company's premises and relocated to the customer's vehicle, which is parked at the customer's home or workplace. This extraction resolves the contradiction by providing secure storage (through the vehicle's locked environment) while simultaneously improving accessibility (by being located right at the customer's destination).
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle acts as an intermediary between the delivery company and the customer's home. The storage compartment within the vehicle serves as a middle ground that maintains security (like the delivery company's facility) while eliminating the need for travel (like having storage at home).
2Reliability
If parcels are stored in locked temporary storage boxes, then security is maintained, but time-limited access requires customers to return within a specified period
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's storage compartment serves multiple functions: it provides secure storage through the vehicle's locking system, and it also provides extended access time by being continuously available at the customer's location. The same physical space fulfills both security and extended accessibility requirements, resolving the contradiction between security and time-limited access.
3Ease of operation
If delivery drivers have tools to open storage compartments, then delivery is enabled, but privacy violation risk increases for passenger compartment and trunk
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's storage space is segmented into separate zones: a dedicated storage compartment for parcels that is accessible to delivery drivers, and the private passenger compartment and trunk that remain protected. This segmentation allows delivery drivers to access only the storage compartment while maintaining the privacy and security of other vehicle areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different access permissions are applied to different parts of the vehicle. The storage compartment has local quality of being accessible to delivery drivers with specific tools, while the passenger compartment and trunk maintain different local quality characteristics of being privately protected. This resolves the contradiction by allowing delivery capability in one area without compromising privacy in other areas.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a separate storage compartment is added to the vehicle, then parcel storage is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel storage compartment is merged with the vehicle's existing structure, utilizing available space within the vehicle body. Rather than adding a completely separate external storage system, the solution combines the storage function with the vehicle's existing framework, thereby enabling parcel storage capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enables on-demand parcel retrieval near the customer's location without privacy risks, eliminating the need for travel and reshipping, while ensuring secure access.
Implementation Method 1
the second opening/closing means are different from the first opening/closing means and are capable of controlling the opening, respectively the closing, of said access hatch by the emission of an ultrasonic signal
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising a passenger compartment (2) accessible from the outside by at least one side door (3) and a boot accessible from the outside by at least one rear hatch (4), where said side door (3) and said rear hatch (4) can be opened and closed, respectively, by means of first opening/closing means, characterised in that the vehicle (1) further comprises a storage compartment (9) accessible from the outside through an opening (7) formed in the bodywork (5) of the vehicle (1) and an access hatch (8) disposed at said opening (7), said access hatch (8) being movable under the action of second opening/closing means (10) between a closed position, in which it prevents access to said storage compartment (9), and an open position, in which it allows access to said storage compartment (9), and in that the storage compartment (9) is disposed in an internal area of the vehicle (1) that is separate from the passenger compartment (2) and the boot.