JP7806345B2 - Baggage station and baggage station control system - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a baggage station and a baggage station control system.

Patent Document 1 describes a conventional parcel transport system. The conventional parcel transport system uses a robot to transport parcels from a delivery locker installed in an apartment building to the front door of the recipient's residence.

International Publication No. 2023/017614

Packages are delivered to delivery lockers by multiple delivery companies. As a result, there may be multiple packages for the same recipient stored in the delivery locker.

In conventional parcel delivery systems, even if a delivery locker contains multiple parcels for the same recipient, the robot delivers each parcel from the delivery locker to the recipient one by one. The recipient then collects each parcel individually. This requires the recipient to collect the parcel each time the robot delivers it, which is cumbersome.

The technology disclosed here improves convenience for consignees.

The technology disclosed herein relates to a luggage station that temporarily stores luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination.
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
and a control device that controls the moving mechanism so that, when the moving mechanism moves a first piece of luggage, if a second piece of luggage having the same delivery destination as the first piece of luggage is stored in the storage unit, the first piece of luggage and the second piece of luggage are discharged from the luggage station.
A luggage station characterized by:

A baggage station is associated with a specified delivery area, for example, within the range where direct delivery from the baggage station by an unmanned delivery vehicle is possible, and temporarily stores baggage with a designated delivery destination within the delivery area. The baggage stored at the baggage station is then delivered to the delivery destination. Delivery to the delivery destination may be performed, for example, by an unmanned delivery vehicle. The use of an unmanned delivery vehicle reduces the labor required for last-mile delivery. The consignee may also come to the baggage station to pick up the baggage. The specified delivery area may be, for example, within walking distance or within the grounds of an apartment building, within which the consignee can easily pick up the baggage.

The baggage station may also temporarily store packages collected from shippers.

The storage section of the baggage station stores multiple packages. For example, multiple shipping companies may each store their packages at the baggage station. In other words, multiple shipping companies may share the baggage station. However, a single shipping company may also use the baggage station. The storage section may store multiple packages with the same delivery destination.

The moving mechanism moves the luggage from the storage area to be removed from the luggage station. The luggage moved from the storage area is loaded onto an unmanned delivery vehicle or handed over to a consignee who comes to the luggage station to pick up the luggage.

The control device controls the moving mechanism. More specifically, when a second package with the same delivery destination as the first package is stored in the storage unit, the control device controls the moving mechanism so that the first package and the second package are released from the baggage station.

The moving mechanism may load both the first package and the second package onto an unmanned delivery vehicle. The unmanned delivery vehicle delivers both the first package and the second package to the same destination. Also, both the first package and the second package may be handed over to the consignee at the package station.

Baggage stations improve convenience for consignees by allowing them to collect multiple packages at once.

The moving mechanism may also move the luggage between the storage section and the loading platform of an unmanned delivery vehicle.

As described above, the moving mechanism transfers packages to be delivered to the destination from the storage unit to the loading platform. The moving mechanism may also transfer packages picked up by an unmanned delivery vehicle from the loading platform to the storage unit.

The luggage station may further include a waiting area adjacent to the moving mechanism where at least the loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle waits.

The moving mechanism can move packages between a loading platform waiting in the waiting area and the storage unit. For example, if a loading platform suitable for loading multiple packages to the same delivery destination is waiting in advance in the waiting area, the moving mechanism can efficiently load multiple packages onto the loading platform. Efficient loading of packages enables highly efficient last-mile delivery by unmanned delivery vehicles.

The moving mechanism may also have a transfer mechanism that transfers the luggage to the storage section and transfers the luggage to the loading platform.

The moving mechanism having a transfer mechanism can transfer luggage between the storage section and the loading platform.

The baggage station may further include a charging mechanism for charging the unmanned delivery vehicle while it is waiting.

The unmanned delivery vehicle is charged by a charging mechanism while waiting. Once a package is loaded onto the loading platform, the charged unmanned delivery vehicle can immediately begin delivering the package.

If the waiting area is suitable for unmanned delivery vehicles to wait, the charging mechanism may be located there. The waiting area can be used as both a waiting area for unmanned delivery vehicles and a charging area. This increases the space efficiency of the luggage station.

The luggage station may further include a measuring unit that measures the size of the luggage.

Information on the size of the luggage, such as the total length, height, and width of the luggage, or the volume of the luggage, is useful information for efficiently loading the luggage onto the loading platform of an unmanned delivery vehicle. By using the measurement results of the measurement unit, the movement mechanism can efficiently load the luggage onto the loading platform.

The luggage station may further include a reading unit that reads information from an information unit attached to the luggage.

Here, the information section attached to the package contains at least information about the delivery destination of the package. The information section is, for example, a waybill attached to the surface of the package. The waybill may have the delivery destination written in text, or may have a code containing the delivery destination information printed on it. The code includes a barcode or a two-dimensional code. An example of a two-dimensional code is a QR code (registered trademark). The information section may also be an electronic tag attached to the package that contains the delivery destination information.

The reading unit reads the information using a means appropriate to the form of the information unit. If the information unit is a waybill, the reading unit can read the characters or code on the waybill using an image sensor. If the information unit is an electronic tag, the reading unit can read the information on the electronic tag using a reader/writer.

The reading unit can read information directly from the package. For example, the reading unit may read information from the package when a delivery person from a transportation company stores the package at a baggage station. The delivery person does not have to manually provide information about the package to be stored at the baggage station. This saves the delivery person time and effort and also prevents the delivery person from entering incorrect package information.

In addition to being read from the package by the reading unit, information on the package's delivery destination may also be provided to the package station, for example, via communication.

The technology disclosed herein relates to a baggage station control system.
a luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination;
a management unit that manages luggage stored in the luggage station,
The baggage station includes:
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device for controlling the movement mechanism,
The management unit stores information on delivery destinations of packages stored in the storage unit,
When a first package and a second package with the same delivery destination are stored in the storage unit, the management unit outputs a delivery instruction to the control device so that when the first package is delivered from the baggage station, the first package and the second package are delivered from the baggage station.

As mentioned above, the recipients of the first and second packages can receive multiple packages at once, so the baggage station control system improves convenience for the recipients.

Here, the management unit may be included in the baggage station or may be independent of the baggage station. A management unit independent of the baggage station may, for example, manage baggage stored at each of multiple baggage stations.

The control system further includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about the luggage stored in the luggage station,
The management unit may manage the parcel based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.

The acquisition unit may, for example, acquire information about the delivery destination of the package. The management unit can manage the delivery of the package from the package station based on the delivery destination information acquired by the acquisition unit. The acquisition unit may, for example, acquire the package information using communications.

the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
The management unit may select the luggage to be dispensed from the luggage station based on size information of the luggage so as to minimize the free space on the luggage platform.

The management department can improve the delivery efficiency of unmanned delivery vehicles.

the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
the storage section and the loading platform each have a compartment for storing the luggage;
If the management unit determines, based on the size information of the packages, that multiple packages with the same delivery destination can be accommodated in one compartment, it may instruct the control device to move the packages so that the multiple packages can be accommodated in one compartment.

Storing multiple items of luggage in one compartment allows more luggage to be stored in the storage area or loading platform.

The acquisition unit acquires information about a desired delivery time period for the package,
When the first package is to be unloaded from the package station, the management unit may output a unloading instruction to the control device based on the desired delivery time period of the first package and the desired delivery time period of the second package.

For example, if a first package and a second package with the same delivery destination are stored at a baggage station, the first package is released from the baggage station at a time that corresponds to the desired delivery time slot of the first package. If the desired delivery time slot of the second package overlaps with the desired delivery time slot of the first package, or if a desired delivery time slot has not been set for the second package, the management unit may output a release instruction to the control device to have the first and second packages released from the baggage station. Since the second package is also released from the baggage station in accordance with the desired delivery time slot of the first package, the consignee can receive both the first and second packages. This reduces redelivery due to the consignee's absence.

Furthermore, when the first package is to be released from the baggage station at a timing corresponding to the desired delivery time zone of the first package, if the desired delivery time zone of the second package differs from the desired delivery time zone of the first package, the management unit may output a release instruction to the control device to have the first package released from the baggage station, or may prompt the consignee to confirm the desired delivery time zone using various communication means. If the desired delivery time zone of the second package differs from the desired delivery time zone of the first package, the second package is released from the baggage station at a timing corresponding to the desired delivery time zone of the second package. The first and second packages are each delivered within their desired delivery time zones. If the consignee changes their desired delivery time after being prompted to confirm the desired delivery time zone, release instructions for the first and second packages are output according to the changed desired delivery time. When the consignee changes their desired delivery time, whether on an e-commerce site, a shipping company's site, or the baggage station's site, the desired delivery time zone information in the management unit of the baggage station is updated.

The baggage station and baggage station control system enhance convenience for consignees.

FIG. 1 shows the control system of a baggage station. The upper diagram in FIG. 2 shows the exterior of the baggage station, and the lower diagram shows the interior of the baggage station. FIG. 3 shows the storage section and moving mechanism of the baggage station, and an unmanned delivery vehicle waiting in the waiting area of the baggage station. FIG. 4 is a side view of the moving mechanism. FIG. 5 shows the opening and closing of the shutter of the unmanned delivery vehicle. FIG. 6 shows the movement of the transfer mechanism by the movement mechanism. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the transfer mechanism. FIG. 8 is a side view of the transfer mechanism. FIG. 9 shows the extended slider of the loading mechanism. FIG. 10 shows the transfer mechanism transferring a package onto an unmanned delivery vehicle. The upper diagram in FIG. 11 shows the transfer of luggage to an unmanned delivery vehicle waiting in the waiting area on the left, and the lower diagram shows the transfer of luggage to an unmanned delivery vehicle waiting in the waiting area on the right. FIG. 12 shows the transfer of cargo to the communication opening. FIG. 13 shows the transfer of cargo to the communication opening. FIG. 14 shows the transfer of cargo to the communication opening. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the package delivery procedure performed by the control system.

Embodiments of the baggage station and the baggage station control system are described below with reference to the drawings. The baggage station and the baggage station control system described here are exemplary.

(Baggage transport system)
FIG. 1 shows a luggage transport system 1. The transport system 1 includes a luggage station 2. The upper diagram of FIG. 2 shows the exterior of the luggage station 2. The lower diagram of FIG. 2 shows the interior of the luggage station 2. The transport system 1 is a system that delivers luggage 3 (see FIG. 3) from a consignor 31 to a consignee 32. The luggage 3 is, for example, a product purchased by a customer on an EC (Electronic Commerce) site. However, the product is not limited to a product purchased on an EC site. Furthermore, the luggage 3 delivered to the consignee 32 is not limited to a product.

The luggage station 2 is incorporated into the transportation system 1. The luggage station 2 is located between the consignor 31 and the consignee 32. The luggage station 2 relays luggage 3. The luggage station 2 is associated with a specified delivery area within the range where direct delivery is possible by an unmanned delivery vehicle, and temporarily stores luggage 3 to be delivered to a destination within the delivery area. The luggage station 2 is installed in various locations. For example, the luggage station 2 may be installed on or near the premises of an apartment building. In this case, the luggage station 2 mainly stores luggage 3 addressed to the residents of the apartment building.

The transport companies 33, 34 do not deliver the luggage 3 requested by the shipper 31 directly to the delivery destination, i.e., the consignee 32, but deliver it to the luggage station 2 and store the luggage 3 at the luggage station 2. Multiple transport companies 33, 34 store the luggage 3 at the same luggage station 2. In Figure 1, the first transport company 33 and the second transport company 34 share the luggage station 2. Note that the luggage station 2 may also be used solely by a specific transport company.

The luggage 3 stored at the luggage station 2 is delivered from the luggage station 2 to the delivery destination. The transportation system 1 is equipped with an unmanned delivery vehicle 4. The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 delivers the luggage 3 between the luggage station 2 and the delivery destination. The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 travels on the ground, for example, autonomously or by wireless remote control. The use of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 reduces the number of people required for last-mile delivery. The transportation system 1 may also be equipped with a drone instead of or in addition to the unmanned delivery vehicle 4.

As described below, the consignee 32 can also go to the baggage station 2 and pick up the baggage 3 there.

The luggage station 2 also has the function of temporarily storing luggage 3 received from a shipper 31 and handing over the luggage 3 to a transportation company. The shipper 31 in this case is, for example, a general customer.

The baggage station 2 is controlled by the control system 10 described below.

The systems of the transport companies 33 and 34, the control system 10 of the baggage station 2, the system of the shipper 31, and the communication terminal of the consignee 32 can send and receive information, for example, via wide-area communication. Furthermore, in the control system 10 of the baggage station 2, the baggage station 2, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, and the management unit 11 (described below) can send and receive information, for example, via wide-area communication or short-range wireless communication. Wide-area communication is, for example, the Internet. Short-range wireless communication is, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or NFC (Near Field Communication).

(Baggage Station)
As shown in Figure 2, the baggage station 2 is a building. For the sake of convenience, the front (Fr), rear (Rr), right (Rt), left (Lt), top (Up), and bottom (Lw) of the baggage station 2 will be defined as follows: Note that the terms front, rear, right, left, top, and bottom in the following description are used only for the purpose of describing the baggage station 2 and are not used to limit the structure of the baggage station 2.

The front of the baggage station 2 is the side where the outdoor delivery area 24, described below, is located. The rear of the baggage station 2 is the opposite side from the front of the baggage station 2. The right and left of the baggage station 2 are the right and left of an observer standing in front of the baggage station 2, facing the baggage station 2. The top and bottom of the baggage station 2 are the top and bottom of the observer.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the interior of the baggage station 2. Figure 4 is a side view of the interior of the baggage station 2. Note that some components of the baggage station 2 are not shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The baggage station 2 has a storage section 21 within the building. The storage section 21 stores baggage 3. As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 2, the baggage station 2 has two storage sections 21, a first storage section 21 and a second storage section 21. The storage sections 21 are located on the right and left of the upper part of the baggage station 2, facing each other with a gap between them in the left-right direction.

The storage section 21 is a rack. The storage section 21 is divided into multiple hangars. Luggage 3 is stored in each hangar. As an example, the storage section 21 has four vertically arranged hangars and two rows in the front-to-back direction. The hangars are an example of a compartment. The storage section 21 is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

The luggage station 2 has a moving mechanism 22. The moving mechanism 22 moves luggage 3 in the luggage station 2. The moving mechanism 22 is located between the first storage section 21 and the second storage section 21 in the luggage station 2. Between the first storage section 21 and the second storage section 21 is a luggage transfer space 23. The transfer space 23 extends in the vertical direction. The storage section 21 is adjacent to the left or right of the transfer space 23. The openings of the storage compartments of the first storage section 21 and the second storage section 21 face the transfer space 23. The transfer mechanism 6 of the moving mechanism 22, which will be described later, moves up and down and back and forth within the transfer space 23. The detailed structure of the moving mechanism 22 will be described later.

The baggage station 2 has an outdoor delivery section 24 with a roughly rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The outdoor delivery section 24 has a communication opening 242. The communication opening 242 is an opening that connects the indoor and outdoor areas of the baggage station 2. As shown in FIG. 12 , the communication opening 242 is located adjacent to the front of the delivery space 23. A consignee 32 who comes to the baggage station 2 to collect a baggage 3 can collect the baggage 3 through the communication opening 242. The outdoor delivery section 24 has a shutter 241. The shutter 241 opens and closes the communication opening 242. Once the authentication section 27 has completed authentication of the consignee 32, the shutter 241 opens the communication opening 242. The shutter 241 improves the security of the baggage station 2.

In addition, a delivery person from the transportation company stores the luggage 3 in the luggage station 2 through the communication opening 242. The outdoor delivery section 24 is provided with a reading unit 25 and a measuring unit 26 (see Figure 1). The reading unit 25 reads information about the luggage 3 passing through the communication opening 242. For example, if a waybill 35 (see Figure 9) serving as an information unit is attached to the surface of the luggage 3, the reading unit 25 uses an image sensor to read the characters or code written on the waybill and obtains information about the delivery destination of the luggage 3. In addition, if an electronic tag serving as an information unit is attached to the luggage 3, the reading unit 25 uses a reader/writer to read the information on the electronic tag and obtains information about the delivery destination of the luggage 3. The reading unit 25 can read various information in addition to information about the delivery destination of the luggage 3. Examples of information that the reading unit 25 can read include the desired delivery time period and/or the item name of the luggage 3. If the waybill or electronic tag contains size information of the package 3, such as the overall length, height and width of the package 3, or the volume of the package 3, the reading unit 25 may read the size information.

The reading unit 25 may read information about the package 3 using short-range wireless communication from a terminal carried by the delivery person, such as a dedicated terminal or a smartphone.

The measuring unit 26 measures the size of the luggage 3. As described above, the size of the luggage 3 is, for example, the overall length, height, and width of the luggage 3, or the volume of the luggage 3. The measuring unit 26 may measure the size of the luggage 3, for example, based on an image of the luggage 3, or may measure the size of the luggage 3 by other methods. The measuring unit 26 may also measure the weight of the luggage 3.

The reading unit 25 and the measuring unit 26 are examples of an acquisition unit that acquires information about the luggage 3. Note that the reading unit 25 and the measuring unit 26 of the luggage station 2 may be omitted.

The baggage station 2 has an authentication unit 27 (see Figure 1). The authentication unit 27 is located near the communication opening 242. The authentication unit 27 authenticates the consignee 32 who comes to the baggage station 2 to receive the baggage 3, and also authenticates the delivery personnel of the transport companies 33 and 34 who come to the baggage station 2 to store the baggage 3. The authentication unit 27 can perform authentication processing using various known methods.

As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 2, the luggage station 2 has a waiting area 28 for the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 inside. The waiting area 28 is located below the storage section 21. The waiting area 28 is adjacent to the moving mechanism 22 and the handover space 23 on the left and right.

The baggage station 2 has two waiting areas 28. As shown in Figure 11, the baggage station 2 can accommodate two unmanned delivery vehicles 4 waiting there. The front wall of the baggage station 2 has a passing gate 281, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 2. The unmanned delivery vehicles 4 can enter the waiting area 28 from outside the baggage station 2 through the passing gate 281. The unmanned delivery vehicles 4 can exit from the waiting area 28 to outside the baggage station 2 through the passing gate 281. The baggage station 2 has an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the passing gate 281.

The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 is electrically powered. The baggage station 2 has a charging mechanism 29 for the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. A charging mechanism 29 is provided in each of the two waiting areas 28. The charging mechanism 29 may, for example, perform contactless charging. The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 can be charged while waiting in the waiting area 28. As described below, once the baggage 3 is loaded onto the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 can immediately begin delivering the baggage 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the baggage station 2 has a control device 210. The control device 210 controls each device of the baggage station 2 by outputting a control signal to each device.

The control system 10 of the baggage station 2 has a management unit 11. The management unit 11 manages the baggage 3 stored at the baggage station 2. The management unit 11 has a database 111. The database 111 stores information about the baggage 3 stored at the baggage station 2 and information about the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. The management unit 11 also has a communication function that enables communication with the transportation company's system. The management unit 11 includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about the baggage 3 from the transportation company. The functions of the management unit 11, which will be described later, can be realized using a programmed processor or control circuit.

The management unit 11 outputs an instruction signal to the control device 210. The control device 210 controls each device based on instructions from the management unit 11. The control of the baggage station 2 through collaboration between the control device 210 and the management unit 11 will be described later.

The management unit 11 may be provided at the baggage station 2 or may be provided separately from the baggage station 2. A management unit 11 provided separately from the baggage station 2 may, for example, manage multiple baggage stations 2 provided in various locations.

(Unmanned delivery vehicle)
As described above, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 delivers the luggage 3 between the luggage station 2 and the delivery destination. As shown in Fig. 5 , the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 is integrated with the loading platform 41. However, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 and the loading platform 41 may be separate. If the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 and the loading platform 41 are separate, only the loading platform 41 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 may wait in the waiting area 28 of the luggage station 2.

The loading platform 41 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 can carry multiple pieces of luggage 3 independently of each other. The loading platform 41 has multiple loading bays 42, 43, 44, and 45. The loading bays 42-45 have the same shape as the storage bays in the storage section 21. The luggage 3 to be stored in the storage bays can be loaded into the loading bays 42-45. The loading bays 42-45 are examples of compartments.

The loading bays 42-45 each have openings on both the right and left sides of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 has shutters that open and close the openings of the loading bays 42-45. As shown on the right in Figure 5, the shutter 46 on the right side of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 opens and closes all of the openings of the loading bays 42-45 at once. The shutter 46 on the right side of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 opens when the loading bays 42-45 are opened in the waiting area 28 of the baggage station 2. Because all openings are open, as described below, the movement mechanism 22 can easily transfer baggage 3 to the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. As shown in Figure 11, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 advances into the waiting area 28 on the left side and reverses into the waiting area 28 on the right side, with its right side facing the delivery space 23 of the baggage station 2.

As shown on the left in Figure 5, shutters 47, 48, 49, and 410 on the left side of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 open and close the loading bays 42-45 individually. The shutters 47, 48, 49, and 410 on the left side of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 open when the consignee 32 receives the package 3 at the delivery destination of the package 3. The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 can hand over only the package 3 that is to be delivered to the consignee 32 to the consignee 32. This ensures the security of the transportation system 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 has an authentication unit 411 for authenticating the consignee 32.

(Detailed structure of the moving mechanism)
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the movement mechanism 22 has an elevator 5. A platform 51 of the elevator 5 moves up and down within the delivery space 23. The longitudinal length of the platform 51 corresponds to the longitudinal length of the storage section 21. A wire 52 wound around a pulley is disposed at each of the front and rear of the platform 51. One end of the wire 52 is fixed to the ceiling of the baggage station 2, and the other end is connected to a winch (not shown). The platform 51 moves up and down as the winch winds or unwinds the wire 52 (see Figure 6).

The moving mechanism 22 has a transfer mechanism 6. As described below, the transfer mechanism 6 transfers luggage 3 to the storage section 21, transfers luggage 3 to the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, and transfers luggage 3 to the communication opening 242. The transfer mechanism 6 is mounted on a lifting platform 51.

Figure 7 is an oblique view of the transfer mechanism 6. Figure 8 is a side view of the transfer mechanism 6. The transfer mechanism 6 has a first base 61. The first base 61 is a flat plate. An engagement portion 62 is attached to the underside of the first base 61. The engagement portion 62 engages with the first guide rail 53 of the lifting platform 51. The first guide rail 53 extends in the front-to-rear direction as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The lifting platform 51 also has a conveyor belt extending in the front-to-rear direction. The underside of the first base 61 is fixed to the conveyor belt. As the conveyor belt travels in the front-to-rear direction due to the driving force of the motor, the transfer mechanism 6 moves back and forth in the front-to-rear direction on the lifting platform 51 along the first guide rail 53. Casters 63 that movably support the transfer mechanism 6 are attached to the underside of the first base 61. The casters 63 roll on the lifting platform 51.

As shown in Figure 8, the transfer mechanism 6 has a turntable 64. The turntable 64 is located on the upper surface of the first base 61. The turntable 64 supports the second base 65 (described later) so that it can rotate around a rotation axis X extending in the vertical direction.

Like the first base 61, the second base 65 is also a substantially flat plate. The second base 65 and the first base 61 are stacked one on top of the other via the turntable 64. The second base 65 can rotate relative to the first base 61.

A pair of rollers 66 is attached to the upper surface of the second base 65. The pair of rollers 66 engage with the second guide rail 67 described below, and support the main body 7 so that it can move horizontally via the second guide rail 67.

The roller pair 66 has two rollers lined up vertically. Each of the two rollers is supported by a support so that it rotates around an axis extending horizontally. The second guide rail 67 is sandwiched between the two rollers. The four roller pairs 66 are lined up at intervals in a horizontal first direction, and face each other in a horizontal second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first direction can be switched between the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction of the baggage station 2 depending on the orientation of the second base 65, which is rotated by the turntable 64. The second direction can also be switched between the left-to-right direction or the front-to-back direction of the baggage station 2.

Note that reference numeral 68 denotes an electric motor fixed to the second base 65 (see Figure 8). A pinion gear 681 is attached to the rotation shaft of the electric motor 68. The pinion gear 681 meshes with a rack 711 of the stage 71, which will be described later. The electric motor 68 is a power source that moves the main body 7 back and forth horizontally.

The main body 7 is located above the second base 65. The main body 7 transfers the cargo 3. The main body 7 has a stage 71. The stage 71 is a flat plate, and the cargo 3 is placed on the flat upper surface of the stage 71. A second guide rail 67 is attached to the underside of the stage 71. The second guide rail 67 extends in the first direction. Two second guide rails 67 are attached to the underside of the stage 71, spaced apart in the second direction. As mentioned above, the second guide rails 67 engage with the roller pairs 66 of the second base 65.

The rack 711 is located on the underside of the stage 71, between the two second guide rails 67. The rack 711 extends in a first direction. When the pinion gear 681 meshing with the rack 711 rotates forward or backward, the main body 7 moves forward or backward in the first direction. By moving the main body 7 forward or backward in the first direction, the main body 7 can approach the storage section 21, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, or the communication port 242 when transferring the luggage 3. The transfer mechanism 6 can smoothly transfer the luggage 3.

The main body 7 has a slider 72. The slider 72 is located on one side and the other side of the stage 71 in the second direction. The slider 72 has a first member 73, a second member 74, and a third member 75. The first member 73, the second member 74, and the third member 75 are connected to each other via slide rails. The slider 72 has a telescopic mechanism. The slider 72 switches between a retracted state as shown in FIG. 7 and a state extended in the first direction as shown in FIG. 9. The slider 72 is extended and retracted, for example, by an electric motor 724 and a belt 725 driven by the electric motor 724. The power source of the slider 72 is not limited to a specific structure.

The third member 75 of the slider 72 has an engagement piece 76. The engagement piece 76 is attached to each of the first and second ends of the third member 75 extending in the first direction. The engagement piece 76 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the first direction. The engagement piece 76 switches between an engagement position in which it tilts horizontally, as shown by the solid line in Figure 8, and a retracted position in which it stands up vertically, as shown by the two-dot chain line. In the engagement position, the engagement piece 76 engages with the side of the luggage 3, and in this state, the slider 72 extends and retracts, allowing the luggage 3 to move horizontally. In the retracted position, the engagement piece 76 does not engage with the luggage 3, so the luggage 3 does not move even when the slider 72 extends and retracts. The transfer mechanism 6 can transfer the luggage 3 to the storage section 21, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, or the communication port 242 by switching the position of the engagement piece 76 in combination with the extension and contraction of the slider 72, as will be described later.

(Transfer of luggage at luggage station)
Next, a description will be given of the operation of the moving mechanism 22 to move the luggage 3 in the luggage station 2. As described above, the operation of moving the luggage 3 in the luggage station 2 is performed by the management unit 11 and the control device 210 in cooperation with each other.

- Luggage storage -
First, a description will be given of the storage of the luggage 3 at the luggage station 2 by a delivery person of the transportation company. As will be described later, when delivery is made via the luggage station 2, information about the luggage 3 is provided in advance from the transportation company to the control system 10 of the luggage station 2.

The delivery person performs authentication using the authentication unit 27 of the baggage station 2. Once authentication is complete, the communication opening 242 opens. The delivery person places the baggage 3 into the communication opening 242.

The reading unit 25 of the luggage station 2 reads information about the luggage 3. The measuring unit 26 measures the size of the luggage 3. If the shipping company provides information such as the delivery destination and size of the luggage 3, the reading by the reading unit 25 and the measurement by the measuring unit 26 may be omitted. In addition, the delivery person may provide information about the luggage 3 being stored to the luggage station 2 via the reading unit 25.

The moving mechanism 22 moves the luggage 3 from the communication opening 242 to the storage section 21. Specifically, as shown in Figures 12-14, the transfer mechanism 6 moves to a position adjacent to and behind the communication opening 242, and the turntable 64 sets the orientation of the main body 7 so that the extension direction of the slider 72 is from the rear to the front of the luggage station 2. The elevator 5 also adjusts the height of the transfer mechanism 6 so that the height of the upper surface of the stage 71 is aligned with the communication opening 242. In this state, the main body 7 transfers the luggage 3 from the communication opening 242 onto the stage 71 by extending or retracting the slider 72 and switching the position of the engagement piece 76. At this time, the main body 7 of the transfer mechanism 6 moves forward to approach the communication opening 242. Because the distance between the communication opening 242 and the stage 71 is narrow, the transfer mechanism 6 can transfer the luggage 3 smoothly and reliably.

Once the luggage 3 is transferred onto the stage 71, the moving mechanism 22 stores the luggage 3 in an available hangar in the storage unit 21. Information on available hangars is managed by the management unit 11.

As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 6, the elevator 5 adjusts the height of the platform 51 so that the height of the top surface of the stage 71 is aligned with the height of an empty storage space. The transfer mechanism 6 also moves to a forward or backward position corresponding to the empty storage space, and the turntable 64 sets the orientation of the main body 7 so that the extension direction of the slider 72 faces the empty storage space, i.e., from right to left of the baggage station 2 in the example of the upper diagram of Figure 6. In this state, the main body 7 transfers the baggage 3 on the stage 71 into the storage space of the storage unit 21 by extending and retracting the slider 72 and switching the position of the engagement piece 76. At this time, the main body 7 of the transfer mechanism 6 moves leftward to approach the storage unit 21.

This completes the storage of luggage 3. The database 111 of the management unit 11 stores information about luggage 3 stored in the storage unit 21.

- Transferring packages to unmanned delivery vehicles -
Next, the movement of the parcels 3 from the storage unit 21 to the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 in order to remove the parcels 3 from the parcel station 2 will be described. The timing of transferring the parcels 3 to the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, in other words, the timing of delivery by the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, is managed by the management unit 11. The management unit 11 may, for example, periodically start delivery by the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. Furthermore, the management unit 11 may start delivery by the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 when the number of parcels 3 stored in the storage unit 21 exceeds a predetermined number. Furthermore, the management unit 11 may start delivery by the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 when the number of parcels 3 stored in the storage unit 21 that have delivery destinations close to each other exceeds a predetermined number. Furthermore, the management unit 11 may start delivery by the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 based on the desired delivery time zone of the parcels 3.

The moving mechanism 22 first transfers the cargo 3 from the storage section 21 onto the stage 71. This transfer is performed in the same manner as described above (see the upper diagram in Figure 6).

The moving mechanism 22 loads the luggage 3 into the loading bay 42-45 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. Information about the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 on which the luggage 3 is loaded is managed by the management unit 11.

As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6, Figure 10, or Figure 11, the elevator 5 adjusts the height of the lifting platform 51 so that the height of the top surface of the stage 71 is aligned with the loading bays 42-45 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. Furthermore, the transfer mechanism 6 moves to a forward/backward position corresponding to the loading bays 42-45, and the turntable 64 sets the orientation of the main body 7 so that the extension direction of the slider 72 is aligned with the loading bays 42-45, i.e., from right to left of the baggage station 2, as shown in the example of Figure 10. In this state, the main body 7 transfers the baggage 3 on the stage 71 into the target loading bay 42-45 on the loading platform 41 by extending and retracting the slider 72 and switching the position of the engagement piece 76. At this time, the main body 7 of the transfer mechanism 6 moves leftward to approach the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 11.

Also, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 11, when loading luggage onto an unmanned delivery vehicle 4 waiting in the waiting area 28 on the right side of the luggage station 2, the transfer mechanism 6 sets the orientation of the main body 7 using the turntable 64 so that the extension direction of the slider 72 is from left to right of the luggage station 2. In this state, the main body 7 extends and retracts the slider 72 and switches the position of the engagement piece 76, thereby transferring the luggage 3 on the stage 71 into the target loading bay 42-45 on the loading platform 41. At this time, the main body 7 of the transfer mechanism 6 moves to the right so as to approach the unmanned delivery vehicle 4.

Once the loading of the luggage 3 onto the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 is complete, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 exits the luggage station 2 through the passing gate 281 and begins delivering the luggage 3.

The luggage station 2 can have the loading platform 41 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 wait in the waiting area 28. The moving mechanism 22 can efficiently load multiple luggage 3 onto the loading platform 41. Furthermore, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 can charge while waiting in the waiting area 28, which increases the operating efficiency of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. This improves delivery efficiency using the luggage station 2. The waiting area 28 is also a waiting area for loading luggage 3 and a waiting area for charging the unmanned delivery vehicle 4, so the luggage station 2 is highly space-efficient. If the management unit 11 or control device 210 determines that loading is possible based on size information about the luggage 3, multiple luggage 3 with the same delivery destination may be loaded into one loading bin 42-45 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4.

-Transferring cargo to the connecting opening-
Next, the movement of the luggage 3 from the storage section 21 to the communication opening 242 in order to hand over the luggage 3 to the consignee who has come to the luggage station 2 to receive the luggage 3 will be described.

The consignee performs authentication using the authentication unit 27 of the baggage station 2. Once authentication is complete, the management unit 11 identifies the baggage 3 corresponding to the authentication result and instructs the control device 210 to hand over the identified baggage 3.

As described above, the moving mechanism 22 transfers the specified luggage 3 from the storage section 21 to the stage 71 of the transfer mechanism 6 (see the upper diagram in Figure 6).Then, the moving mechanism 22 transfers the luggage 3 to the communication opening 242, as shown in Figures 12-14.

When the luggage 3 moves to the communication opening 242, the communication opening 242 opens. The consignee 32 can receive the luggage 3 through the communication opening 242.

In addition, the reading unit 25 may read the information about the package 3 before the communication opening 242 opens. This can prevent the wrong package 3 from being handed over to the consignee 32.

(Baggage delivery control from baggage stations)
Next, the characteristic controls of the baggage station 2 and the control system 10 disclosed herein will be described.

The luggage station 2 is used by multiple transportation companies. The luggage station 2 may store both luggage 3 from the first transportation company 33 and luggage 3 from the second transportation company 34, which have the same delivery destination. In this case, it is preferable for the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 to deliver the luggage 3 with the same delivery destination together. This is because the consignee 32 can receive multiple luggage 3 at once. When luggage 3 is dispensed through the communication opening 242 of the luggage station 2, it is also preferable to dispense the luggage 3 with the same delivery destination together.

When a first package 3 and a second package 3 with the same delivery destination are stored at the luggage station 2, the luggage station 2 and control system 10 also release the second package 3 from the luggage station 2 at the same time that the first package 3 is released from the luggage station 2.

Figure 15 shows the control flow of the entire transportation system 1. The shipper 31 requests transportation of luggage 3 from transportation companies 33 and 34. At the time of the request, a choice is made as to whether or not to use luggage station 2 (step S1). The choice of use may be made by the shipper 31 or the consignee 32. For example, a customer who purchases a product on an EC site (i.e., consignee 32) may choose to use luggage station 2 on the EC site.

In the following step S2, the shipping company confirms with the consignee 32 whether or not they can use the baggage station 2. The confirmation may be performed via the Internet. Note that if the consignee 32 selects to use the baggage station 2 in step S1, step S2 may be omitted. In the flow of Figure 15, the use of the baggage station 2 is confirmed in step S3.

In step S4, the management unit 11 of the control system 10 receives information regarding the use of the baggage station 2 from the transport companies 33, 34. Examples of information provided to the management unit 11 by the transport companies 33, 34 include the expected arrival date and time of the baggage 3 at the baggage station 2, the delivery destination of the baggage 3, and the desired delivery time period for the baggage 3. The information provided to the management unit 11 by the transport companies 33, 34 is not limited to these.

In step S5, the management unit 11 receives the information and registers it in the database 111. Note that, as described below, if information about the luggage 3 is obtained at the luggage station 2, steps S4 and S5 may be omitted.

Then, in step S6, the parcel 3 arrives at the baggage station 2. Following the procedure described above, the delivery person of the transportation company 33, 34 places the parcel 3 into the communication opening 242. The acquisition unit of the baggage station 2, i.e., the reading unit 25 and the measuring unit 26, acquires information about the parcel 3 (step S7). The baggage station 2 stores the parcel 3 (step S8). The management unit 11 updates the database 111 for the stored parcel 3 (step S9). The management unit 11 registers, for example, information about the storage facility in the storage unit 21 where the parcel 3 is stored in the database 111. The management unit 11 then notifies the transportation company 33, 34 that the parcel 3 has been stored at the baggage station 2 (step S10). At this time, if the management unit 11 or the control device 210 determines that storage is possible based on the acquired size information of the parcel 3, multiple parcels 3 with the same delivery destination and overlapping desired delivery time slots may be stored in a single storage facility in the storage unit 21. When the management unit 11 determines that multiple packages 3 stored in different hangars have the same delivery destination and overlapping desired delivery time slots and can be stored in one hangar based on the size information of the packages 3, it may instruct the control device 210 to move the packages 3 so that the multiple packages 3 are stored in one hangar. The multiple packages 3 stored in one hangar may be managed so that changes to the delivery destination and desired delivery time slot are accepted all at once.

In step S11, the management unit 11 sets a schedule for parcels 3 stored at the baggage station 2 to be dispensed from the baggage station 2. The management unit 11 sets the schedule based on information in the database 111. In this case, the management unit 11 sets the schedule so that multiple parcels 3 with the same delivery destination are dispensed at the same time. Multiple parcels 3 with the same delivery destination include both parcels 3 with the same shipping companies 33, 34 and parcels 3 with different shipping companies 33, 34.

Here, the multiple parcels 3 with the same delivery destination are not limited to parcels 3 already stored at the baggage station 2. For example, if, based on the information provided by the shipping companies 33 and 34 in step S4, a parcel 3 with the same delivery destination as the parcel 3 stored at the baggage station 2 is scheduled to arrive at the baggage station 2 in the future, the management unit 11 may wait for its arrival at the baggage station 2 and set a schedule so that the multiple parcels 3 with the same delivery destination are simultaneously released from the baggage station 2.

The management unit 11 may also set a schedule so that multiple packages 3 with the same delivery destination but different desired delivery time zones are not delivered at the same time, but are delivered at their respective desired delivery time zones. This allows the packages 3 to be delivered at a time zone that meets the wishes of the consignee 32. The management unit 11 may also set a schedule so that multiple packages 3 with the same delivery destination but with overlapping desired delivery time zones, or packages 3 with no desired delivery time zone set, are delivered at the same time.

In step S12, the management unit 11 instructs the control device 210 to dispense the luggage 3. The management unit 11 issues the instruction based on a schedule. In addition, the instruction to dispense the luggage 3 in step S12 also includes, as mentioned above, an instruction output by the management unit 11 when the consignee 32 goes to the luggage station 2 to receive the luggage 3.

In step S13, the control device 210, upon receiving an instruction to dispense the parcel 3, determines whether the parcel 3 is to be delivered by an unmanned delivery vehicle 4 or handed over through the communication opening 242. If the parcel 3 is to be handed over, the control device 210 controls the moving mechanism 22 to transfer the target parcel 3 to the communication opening 242 (step S14). At this time, if one or more parcels 3 with the same delivery destination as the target parcel 3 are stored in the storage unit 21, the moving mechanism 22 transfers those parcels 3 to the communication opening 242. The consignee 32 can receive the parcels 3 all at once.

After that, when the delivery of the package 3 is completed, the control device 210 notifies the delivery companies 33 and 34 of the completion of the delivery via the management unit 11 (step S15). The delivery companies 33 and 34 receive the completion notification (step S19).

On the other hand, in step S13, if delivery is by an unmanned delivery vehicle 4, the control device 210 controls the moving mechanism 22 so that the target package 3 is loaded onto the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 (step S16). At this time, if one or more packages 3 with the same delivery destination as the target package 3 are stored in the storage unit 21, the moving mechanism 22 loads those packages 3 onto the unmanned delivery vehicle 4.

The unmanned delivery vehicle 4 delivers the packages 3 in step S17. The consignee 32 can receive all of the packages 3 at once from the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. Once delivery of the packages 3 is complete, the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 notifies the shipping company of delivery completion via the management unit 11 (step S18). The shipping company receives the completion notification (step S19).

The baggage station 2 and its control system 10 improve convenience for the consignee 32 by allowing the consignee 32 to receive multiple packages 3 at once.

When loading multiple packages 3 onto an unmanned delivery vehicle 4 based on delivery destination information, the management unit 11 may select the packages 3 to be loaded onto the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 based on size information for each package 3 so as to minimize the amount of free space on the loading platform 41 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4. For example, if the loading platform 4 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 is equipped with different loading bays for large and small sizes, packages 3 that can be loaded into small loading bays can be stored in the small loading bays as much as possible, thereby reducing the possibility that packages 3 that can only be loaded into large loading bays cannot be loaded. Furthermore, by storing multiple packages 3 with the same delivery destination and overlapping desired delivery time slots in a single loading bay, more packages 3 can be loaded onto the loading platform 41. Efficient loading of multiple packages 3 onto the loading platform 41 of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4 improves the delivery efficiency of the unmanned delivery vehicle 4.

The aforementioned baggage station 2 is a relay station for baggage delivered by transportation companies 33 and 34, and baggage station 2 mainly temporarily stores baggage with a designated delivery destination. However, not all baggage stored at baggage station 2 necessarily has a designated delivery destination.

11 Management unit 2 Baggage station 21 Storage unit 22 Moving mechanism 25 Reading unit 26 Measuring unit 28 Waiting area 29 Charging mechanism 210 Control device 3 Baggage 35 Waybill (information unit)
4 Unmanned delivery vehicle 41 Loading platform 6 Transfer mechanism

Claims (12)

a luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination;
an acquisition unit that acquires information about the luggage stored at the luggage station;
a management unit that manages the luggage stored in the luggage station based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit,
The baggage station includes:
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device for controlling the movement mechanism,
The management unit stores information on delivery destinations of packages stored in the storage unit,
When a first package and a second package having the same delivery destination are stored in the storage unit, the management unit outputs a delivery instruction to the control device so that the first package and the second package are delivered from the baggage station when the first package is delivered from the baggage station;
the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
the management unit stores the first luggage and the second luggage dispensed from the luggage station in loading bins having different sizes of the luggage bins, respectively, so as to minimize the free space in the luggage bins, based on size information of the first luggage and the second luggage .
A baggage station control system comprising: a luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination;
an acquisition unit that acquires information about the luggage stored at the luggage station;
a management unit that manages the luggage stored in the luggage station based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit,
The baggage station includes:
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device for controlling the movement mechanism,
The management unit stores information on delivery destinations of packages stored in the storage unit,
When a first package and a second package having the same delivery destination are stored in the storage unit, the management unit outputs a delivery instruction to the control device so that the first package and the second package are delivered from the baggage station when the first package is delivered from the baggage station;
the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
the storage section and the loading platform each have a compartment for storing the luggage;
When the management unit determines, based on the size information of the packages, that one compartment of the storage unit or one compartment of the loading platform can accommodate multiple packages with the same delivery destination, it instructs the control device to move the packages so that the multiple packages are accommodated in one compartment of the storage unit or one compartment of the loading platform .
A baggage station control system comprising: The acquisition unit acquires information about a desired delivery time period for the package,
When the first package is to be unloaded from the package station, the management unit outputs a unloading instruction to the control device based on a desired delivery time zone of the first package and a desired delivery time zone of the second package.
3. A baggage station control system according to claim 1 or 2. The luggage station further includes a waiting area adjacent to the moving mechanism and where at least the luggage carrier of the unmanned delivery vehicle waits.
3. A baggage station control system according to claim 1 or 2. The moving mechanism has a transfer mechanism that transfers the luggage to the storage section and transfers the luggage to the loading platform.
5. The baggage station control system of claim 4. The luggage station further includes a charging mechanism for charging the unmanned delivery vehicle while it is waiting.
5. The baggage station control system of claim 4. The luggage station further includes a measuring unit that measures the size of the luggage.
3. A baggage station control system according to claim 1 or 2. The luggage station further includes a reading unit that reads information from an information unit attached to the luggage.
3. A baggage station control system according to claim 1 or 2. a luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination;
an acquisition unit that acquires information about the luggage stored at the luggage station;
a management unit that manages the luggage stored in the luggage station based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit,
The baggage station includes:
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device for controlling the movement mechanism,
The management unit stores information on delivery destinations of packages stored in the storage unit,
When a package having the same delivery destination as a first package is stored in the storage unit, the management unit outputs a delivery instruction to the control device so that, when the first package is delivered from the baggage station, multiple packages having the same delivery destination, including the first package, are delivered from the baggage station;
the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
When the management unit outputs the discharging instruction to the control device so that multiple packages with the same delivery destination are discharged from the package station, the management unit instructs the movement of the multiple packages between the storage unit and the platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle based on size information of the packages so that the free space in the platform is minimized.
A baggage station control system comprising: A luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination,
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device that controls the moving mechanism so that, when the moving mechanism moves a first piece of luggage, if a second piece of luggage having the same delivery destination as the first piece of luggage is stored in the storage unit, the first piece of luggage and the second piece of luggage are removed from the luggage station;
the control device controls the moving mechanism in response to an instruction to remove the first and second pieces of luggage from the luggage station from a management unit that manages the luggage stored in the luggage station based on information about the luggage stored in the luggage station acquired by an acquisition unit;
the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
the management unit stores the first luggage and the second luggage dispensed from the luggage station in loading bins having different sizes of the luggage bins, respectively, so as to minimize the free space in the luggage bins, based on size information of the first luggage and the second luggage .
A luggage station characterized by: A luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination,
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device that controls the moving mechanism so that, when the moving mechanism moves a first piece of luggage, if a second piece of luggage having the same delivery destination as the first piece of luggage is stored in the storage unit, the first piece of luggage and the second piece of luggage are removed from the luggage station;
the control device controls the moving mechanism in response to an instruction to remove the first and second pieces of luggage from the luggage station from a management unit that manages the luggage stored in the luggage station based on information about the luggage stored in the luggage station acquired by an acquisition unit;
the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
the storage section and the loading platform each have a compartment for storing the luggage;
When the management unit determines, based on the size information of the packages, that one compartment of the storage unit or one compartment of the loading platform can accommodate multiple packages with the same delivery destination, it instructs the control device to move the packages so that the multiple packages are accommodated in one compartment of the storage unit or one compartment of the loading platform .
A luggage station characterized by: A luggage station for temporarily storing luggage to be delivered to a designated delivery destination,
a storage section for storing a plurality of the luggage;
a moving mechanism that moves the luggage stored in the storage unit from the storage unit to be removed from the luggage station;
a control device that controls the moving mechanism so that, when the moving mechanism moves a first package, if a package having the same delivery destination as the first package is stored in the storage unit, multiple packages having the same delivery destination, including the first package, are dispensed from the package station;
the control device receives a delivery instruction to deliver a plurality of pieces of luggage including the first piece of luggage from the luggage station from a management unit that manages the pieces of luggage stored in the luggage station based on information about the pieces of luggage stored in the luggage station acquired by an acquisition unit, and controls the moving mechanism;
the acquisition unit acquires size information of the luggage stored at the luggage station,
the moving mechanism moves the luggage between the storage unit and a loading platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle;
When the management unit outputs the discharging instruction to the control device so that multiple packages with the same delivery destination are discharged from the package station, the management unit instructs the movement of the multiple packages between the storage unit and the platform of the unmanned delivery vehicle based on size information of the packages so that the free space in the platform is minimized.
A luggage station characterized by: