Personal Mailboxes: Difference between revisions

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== Concept 6 - Collapsible Drone "Chimney"==
== Concept 6 - Collapsible Drone "Chimney"==
'''Concept Description:''' Just like the collapsible tunnels made for kids tents, this chimney uses a similar design. The idea behind this is a quick delivery chute for 30 minute deliveries where a person know he/she will be home.  
{| border="0"
| width="700px" | '''Concept Description:''' Just like the collapsible tunnels made for kids tents, this chimney uses a similar design. The idea behind this is a quick delivery chute for 30 minute deliveries where a person know he/she will be home.  


'''How it works:'''
'''How it works:'''
Upon making a 30-minute delivery request, the customer walks outside to on of their gutter installation (or some other tall object: ie. flagpole) connects the chute and lets it expand. The drone upon arrival hovers above the chute and drops the package. The folds will be so designed to gradually deliver the package to the ground where the customer can then immediately pick it up.
Upon making a 30-minute delivery request, the customer walks outside to on of their gutter installation (or some other tall object: ie. flagpole) connects the chute and lets it expand. The drone upon arrival hovers above the chute and drops the package. The folds will be so designed to gradually deliver the package to the ground where the customer can then immediately pick it up.
| width="100px"|  
| width="500px" style="vertical-align:top;"|
'''Components:'''
<br>
''Collapsible Chimney''
* Ribbed Delivery Concept
|}


== Concept 7 - Clothing Line ==
== Concept 7 - Clothing Line ==

Revision as of 14:07, 20 September 2014

Links within Brainstorm Concepts
Brainstorm Main Package Receiving Concepts Package Delivery Concepts Personal Mailbox Concepts

The Operational Environment

Focus on deliveries that go to houses with some kind of lawn/backyard and/or curbside location.
This EXCLUDES: apartments, multi-person complexes or houses in heavily populated environment without requirements above.
The environment offers possible space for a drone to land for delivery whether on the house or in the back/front yard or mailbox as drop off point.

Personal Mailbox Concepts

Those with a ***(star)*** are considered for testing.

Concept 1 - The Birdhouse / Package Perch

How it Works
Sketch of Mailbox
Concept Description: This is basically like a mailbox on a pole. The mailbox has a climbing mechanism to go up and down the pole after a package delivery has been made. This mailbox is slightly larger than the packages delivered by drone.

How it works:Running through the scenario, the mailbox is perched up at the top of the pole. When a drone is making a delivery is sends a transponder signal. Upon receiving this signal the mailbox opens and stays open until the signal transmission stops. The drone then hovers above the mailbox and drop the package by means of a dropping mechanism (ie. electromagnet or just dropping). After the drone completes drone and leaves, the signal stops and the lid closes and secures. Then the mailbox unlocks from the pole and gradually makes decent until it has reached the ground (or designated height) and locks into place for security. A person with the key can then either manually open the lid with the key or use the built in transponder to unlock the box to retrieve the package. Upon locking again the mailbox goes back up to its perch.

 

Components:
Mailbox

  • Climbing Mechanism
  • Locking Mechanism
    • For position on pole & for securing package
  • Transponder Signal Receiver
  • Lid Opening Mechanism
  • Keyhole

Keys

  • Transponder Signal Sender

Pole


Mini-SWOT analysis:

Strengths
  • lolo
  • test test
Weakness
Opportunities Threats


Requirement Assessment: ie. fulfills 11/20 requirements of which all functional requirements are covered well

Thoughts/Considerations:

Concept 2 - Best of Both Worlds

Concept Description: This mailbox can receive normal package delivery as well as drone delivery and also normal post. It is a curbside mailbox which has has a mail slot & package box combined.

How it works: When a drone is making a delivery is sends a transponder signal or lands on the 4 contact points located on the top of the mailbox. Upon receiving the signal the mailbox opens and stays open until the signal transmission stops. The drone then drops the package into the mailbox. After the drone completes delivery and leaves, the signal stops and the lid closes and secures. A person with the key can then open the package box door to retrieve the package. Also, this mailbox through use of the universal keys carried then by USPS couriers can also open the mailbox to deliver packages and post in the mail slot.

 

Components:
Mailbox

  • Locking Mechanism
  • Lid Opening Mechanism
  • Transponder Signal Receiver
  • Key Slot(s)


Mini-SWOT analysis:

Strengths
  • lolo
  • test test
Weakness
Opportunities Threats

Concept 3 - Package Tote

Concept Description: This concept is targeted at immediate Prime Air Users which will be expecting the 30 min. deliveries and will be there when packages arrive. The idea is for a portable tote concept which can be placed outside when delivery is expected.

How it Works: When person has made delivery selection & waits on the 30 minute delivery, they set their tote OPEN outside in an open area for the drone delivery to be made. When the drone approaches it searches for the signal of the tote and hovers over and drops the package in the tote, which in turn closes to secure package delivery. Person can get tote immediately, or if package is forgotten it is at least safe in the tote. Opening the tote requires key.

 

Components:
Tote

  • Closing & locking mechanism
  • Transponder signal
  • Key slot

Requirement Assessment:


Thoughts and considerations: Nice idea, but the packages delivered are already in a plastic carrier why would it need an extra one?

Concept 4 - The Window Basket

  • can be removable & placed in various locations - possible target are the immediate prime air users

Concept 5 - The Package Chute

Concept Description: Much like a laundry shoot, but angled and located somewhere between the roof of a house and drywall, this concept utilizes gravity to get the package to a secure box.

How it works: With a hole created in the roof of a house, with sensor rigged opening mechanism, a drone signals for the slot to open. Upon opening, the drone hovers over (or lands on) the roof at the package drop location and drops the package in. The drone leaves, retracting its transponder signal and the package slot closes. In the meantime, since the chute is angled, the package slides down and ends up a package cubby located in a room. This cubby can be unlocked with a key to retrieve the package.

 

Components:
Mail Shoot

  • Opening Mechanism
  • Transponder signal receiver
  • Key slot
  • Damping for slow decent?

Concept 6 - Collapsible Drone "Chimney"

Concept Description: Just like the collapsible tunnels made for kids tents, this chimney uses a similar design. The idea behind this is a quick delivery chute for 30 minute deliveries where a person know he/she will be home.

How it works: Upon making a 30-minute delivery request, the customer walks outside to on of their gutter installation (or some other tall object: ie. flagpole) connects the chute and lets it expand. The drone upon arrival hovers above the chute and drops the package. The folds will be so designed to gradually deliver the package to the ground where the customer can then immediately pick it up.

 

Components:
Collapsible Chimney

  • Ribbed Delivery Concept

Concept 7 - Clothing Line

Drone clips tote onto clothing line spanning from some location

Concept 8 -

Concept 9 -

Concept 10 -

Comments/Considerations