Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a goods management device for vehicle that is capable of extending cargo carrying space of a vehicle, offering a dedicated area for goods transportation along with facility to securely enclose the goods to ensure their safety during transit and maintains the required temperature to preserve the goods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Expanding the storage capacity of vehicle is essential for maximizing efficiency in transportation and logistics. Back extenders provide an effective way to increase cargo space by utilizing the vehicle’s rear doors as structural side walls. These extensions help accommodate larger loads while ensuring the safe transport of goods. A well-designed extender system enhances convenience and usability, making it a valuable addition for commercial and personal use.

[0003] Traditional back extenders require manual installation, which involves multiple steps such as securing the base, assembling the frame, and attaching a protective cover. This process can be complex, time-consuming, and physically demanding, increasing the risk of errors and potential injuries. Additionally, manual assembly may lead to improper alignment or weak structural support, reducing the extender’s effectiveness. While these extenders significantly improve load capacity and overall transportation efficiency, their manual setup remains a challenge for users.

[0004] US20120228893A1 discloses a bed extender for extending and enlarging the carrying capacity of the bed of a pickup truck and some SUV pick-up style vehicles. The extender comprises of a tailgate containing two lateral side panels and a foldable bottom panel. The tailgate is pivotally attached on a U-shape frame which is fixed on supporting beams. The supporting beams are connected to the vehicles main beams underneath the vehicle bed through brackets and can horizontally move out and move in when needed.

[0005] US20030030295A1 discloses a vehicle cargo area extender including a pair of sidewalls, a center wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and a lid removably disposed relative to the pair of sidewalls and the center wall. The sidewalls, the center wall and the lid cooperate to define an enclosure having an open end. The vehicle cargo area extender is moveably mounted between a stored position relative to a vehicle cargo area wherein the open end of the enclosure is adjacent to the rear wall of the vehicle cargo area and a deployed position so as to be supported by the rear wall of the vehicle cargo area when it is in its extended position such that the open end of the enclosure faces the vehicle cargo area thereby increasing the effective size of the vehicle cargo area.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed in order to manage goods transportation, however the devices mentioned in the prior arts have limitations pertaining to enhance the vehicle’s cargo area, enabling the safe storage of goods for transport along with maintenance of desired temperature of the goods throughout transit.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that requires to be capable of enhancing vehicle’s cargo area, enabling safe storage of goods for transport and provides a facility to securely encloses the goods to prevent any harm and adjusts the temperature to meet the necessary conditions for the goods.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a configuration to extend cargo area of a vehicle to provide facility to accommodate goods for transportation.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of enclosing the goods in order to prevent any harm to the goods.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of maintaining temperature of the goods as per requirement.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a goods management device for vehicle that is capable of providing an organized area over cargo portion of vehicle to accommodate goods for transportation and effectively encloses the goods to prevent damage and regulates their temperature according to specific requirements.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a goods management device for vehicle comprises of a U-shape body configured to be positioned on an end of a cargo portion of a vehicle with plurality of electromagnets are integrated on one end of the body to generate magnetic field to secure the body with lower section of the cargo portion, a temporary space to allow a user to accommodate goods over the body for transportation, a microphone installed on the body to receive input voice commands from the user regarding completion of accommodation of the goods over the body, a motorized hinge attached to a flap installed on other end of the body to provide movement to the flap in a manner to close the body with the flap, a plurality of telescopic rods installed over the body and configured with a rectangular frame to extend and position the frame up to a length of upper section of the cargo portion, a laser sensor integrated with the body to work in sync with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed over the body to determine distance of upper section relative to the frame, a pair of links are installed within the frame and configured with a motorized roller wrapped with a covering sheet to rotate and deploy the covering sheets over the frame and body for enclosing the goods within the body.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a robotic arm installed with one of the links to deploy the covering sheet over the frame and body, a weight sensor embedded within the body to measure weight of the goods placed over the body, a temperature sensor is integrated within the body to detect ambient temperature, a Peltier unit installed within the body to regulate and maintain an optimal temperature for the goods accommodated within the body and a battery unit is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a goods management device for vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a goods management device for vehicle that is capable of extending a vehicle's cargo area to store goods for transportation, and offers secure enclosures to protect the goods and ensures the maintenance of the desired temperature throughout transit.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a goods management device for vehicle is illustrated, comprising a U-shape body 101 having plurality of electromagnets 102 integrated on one end of the body 101, a microphone 103 installed on the body 101, a motorized hinge 104 attached to a flap 105 installed on other end of the body 101, plurality of telescopic rods 106 installed over the body 101 and configured with a rectangular frame 107, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 installed over the body 101, and a pair of links 109 installed within the frame 107 and configured with a motorized roller 110, a robotic arm 111 installed with one of the links.

[0023] The proposed invention includes a body 101 preferably in U-shape incorporating various components associated with the device, developed to be positioned on an end of a cargo portion of a vehicle. One end of the body 101 is integrated with plurality of electromagnets 102 to generate magnetic field to secure the body 101 with lower section of the cargo portion.

[0024] The body 101 once secured with the cargo portion of the vehicle creates a temporary space to allow a user to accommodate goods over the body 101 for transportation. The body 101 is made up of any material selected from but not limited to metal or alloy that ensures rigidity of the body 101 for longevity of the device.

[0025] A user is required to access and presses a push button arranged on the body 101 to activate the device for associated processes of the device. The push button when pressed by the user, closes an electrical circuit and allows currents to flow for powering an associated microcontroller of the device for operating of all the linked components for performing their respective functions upon actuation.

[0026] The microcontroller, mentioned herein, is preferably an Arduino microcontroller. The Arduino microcontroller used herein controls the overall functionality of the components linked to it. The Arduino microcontroller is an open-source programming platform.

[0027] The user is required to position the body 101 over the cargo section of the vehicle. After the activation of the device, the user is enabled to provide voice command via a microphone 103 mounted on the body 101 regarding securing of the body 101 with the vehicle. The microphone 103 turns the sound energy emitted by the user into electrical energy. The sound waves created by the user carry energy towards the microphone 103. Inside the microphone 103, a diaphragm, made of plastic, is present and moves back and forth when the sound wave hits the diaphragm. The coil attached to the diaphragm also moves in same way. The magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet cuts through the coil. As the coil moves, the electric current flows. The electric current from coil flows to an amplifier which convert the sound into electrical signal. The microcontroller linked to the microphone 103 recognize the voice and perform the operations according to the command given by the user regarding securing of the body 101 with the vehicle.

[0028] In accordance to the user’s input, the microcontroller energizes the electromagnets 102 to secure body 101 with lower section of the cargo portion. The electromagnets 102 consist of wire wound into a coil and a current through the wire creates a magnetic field which is concentrated in the hole, denoting the center of the coil. The magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. The wire turns are wound around a magnetic core made from a ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic material such as iron; the magnetic core concentrates the magnetic flux and makes a more powerful magnet for securing the body 101 with the vehicle.

[0029] Post securing of the body 101 with the vehicle, the user is required to accommodate goods over the body 101 which user needs to transport. The user is required to provide input via the microphone 103 regarding completion of accommodation of the goods over the body 101.

[0030] A weight sensor is embedded within the body 101 to measure weight of the goods placed over the body 101. The weight sensor used herein is a kind of a transducer. The weight sensor depends on the conversion of a load into an electronic signal. The signal is a change in voltage or current otherwise a frequency on the basis of load and the signal is sent to the microcontroller for processing in order to monitor weight of the accommodated goods.

[0031] In case the microcontroller evaluates the weight of the accommodated goods exceeds a threshold limit pre-fed in a linked database, the microcontroller sends a notification to a computing unit wirelessly connected to the microcontroller via a communication module.

[0032] The communication module includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module. The Wi-Fi module contains transmitters and receivers that use radio frequency signals to transmit data wirelessly to the microcontroller. The wireless module typically includes components such as antennas, amplifiers, and processors to facilitate communication and further connected to networks such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular networks, allowing devices to exchange information over short or long distances, to alert the user regarding the exceed weight of the goods.

[0033] The other end of the body 101 is installed with a motorized hinge 104 attached with a flap 105. For closing the body 101, the microcontroller actuates a direct current (DC) motor associated with the hinge 104 joint such that tilt the flap 105 by revolving along the longitudinal axis. The tilting of the flap 105 results in closing the body 101 with the flap 105.

[0034] The body 101 is configured with a rectangular frame 107 via multiple telescopic rods 106. A pneumatic arrangement is associated with the device providing extension/retraction of the rods 106 as per requirement. The microcontroller generates a command to activate an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 integrated on the body 101 for capturing multiple images in a vicinity of the frame 107. The imaging unit 108 works in sync with a laser sensor integrated with the body 101 to determine distance of upper section relative to the frame 107. The imaging unit 108 incorporates a processor that is encrypted with an artificial intelligence protocol. The artificial intelligence protocol operates by following a set of predefined instructions to process data and perform tasks autonomously. Initially, data is collected and input into the database, which then employs protocol to analyze and interpret the captured images. The processor of the imaging unit 108 via the artificial intelligence protocol processes the captured images and sent the signal to the microcontroller.

[0035] The laser sensor, used herein, is a measurement value recorder working with laser technology and turning the physical measured value into an analog electric signal. The laser sensor is conceived for contactless measurement which is based on the triangulation principle. Triangulation used for determining measurement by angle calculation where the sensor projects a laser spot on the frame 107 The reflected light falls incident onto a receiving unit at a certain angle depending on the distance and these received lights are converted into signals and sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller analyzes collected data of the imaging unit 108 and the laser sensor to determine distance of upper section relative to the frame 107.

[0036] In accordance to the detected distance, the microcontroller actuates an air compressor and air valve associated with the pneumatic arrangement consisting of an air cylinder, air valve and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of the rods 106. The air valve allows entry/exit of compressed air from the compressor. Then, the valve opens and the compressed air enters inside the cylinder thereby increasing the air pressure of the cylinder. The piston is connected to the rods 106 and due to the increase in the air pressure, the piston extends. For the retraction of the piston, air is released from the cylinder to the air compressor via the valve. Thus, providing the required extension/retraction of the rods 106 for positioning the frame 107 up to a length of upper section of the cargo portion.

[0037] The frame 107 is installed with a pair of links 109 configured with a motorized roller 110 wrapped with a covering sheet. Based upon positioning of the frame 107 up to the upper section, the microcontroller actuates the roller 110 to deploy the sheets over the frame 107 and body 101. A direct current (DC) motor associated with the roller such that rotates an integrated hub of the roller. The rotation of the hub of the roller consequently results in rotation of the roller for deploying the covering sheets over the frame 107 and body 101, thus enclosing the goods within the body 101.

[0038] A temperature sensor is integrated within the body 101 to detect ambient temperature. The temperature sensor used herein, is composed of two type of metal wire joint together when the sensor experiences a heat then a voltage is generated in the two terminal of the temperature sensor that is proportional to the temperature and the signal is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller calibrates the voltage in terms of temperature from the received signal of the temperature sensor in order to monitor the temperature of surroundings of the body 101.

[0039] The microcontroller evaluates the detected temperature data and accordingly actuates a Peltier unit installed within the body 101 to regulate and maintain an optimal temperature for the goods accommodated within the body 101.

[0040] The working of the Peltier unit is based on the Peltier effect that stated that the cooling of one junction and the heating of the other when electric current is maintained in a circuit of material consisting of two dissimilar conductors. The Peltier effect related to production or absorption of heat at the junction of two metals on the passage of a current to maintain optimal temperature for the goods accommodated within the body 101.

[0041] A battery (not shown in figure) is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0042] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the proposed invention includes the U-shaped body 101, positioned at the end of the cargo portion, is equipped with electromagnets 102 activated by the microcontroller to generate the magnetic field, securing the body 101 to the lower section of the cargo area. The microphone 103 allows the user to issue voice commands when goods are loaded, prompting the microcontroller to activate the motorized hinge 104, closing the body 101 with the flap 105. Telescopic rods 106 and the rectangular frame 107 adjust to the cargo area’s upper section, while the laser sensor and the imaging unit 108 measure the distance, extending the frame 107 accordingly. The pair of motorized roller 110, covered with the sheet, are deployed over the frame 107 and body 101 to securely enclose the goods. Additionally, the weight sensor measures the load, and if it exceeds the threshold, the microcontroller sends the alert to the connected computing unit. The temperature sensor monitors the ambient temperature, allowing the microcontroller to regulate conditions by controlling the Peltier unit to maintain the optimal environment for the goods. The robotic arm 111 installed with one of the links, deploys the covering sheet over the frame 107 and body 101.

[0043] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:We Claim:
1) A goods management device for vehicle, comprising:

i) a U-shape body 101 positioned on an end of a cargo portion of a vehicle, wherein plurality of electromagnets 102 are integrated on one end of said body 101 that is activated by said an inbuilt microcontroller to generate magnetic field to secure said body 101 with lower section of said cargo portion, thus said body 101 creates a temporary space to allow a user to accommodate goods over said body 101 for transportation;
ii) a microphone 103 installed on said body 101 to receive input voice commands from said user regarding completion of accommodation of said goods over said body 101, wherein said microcontroller processes said commands and activates a motorized hinge 104 attached to a flap 105 installed on other end of said body 101 to provide movement to said flap 105 in a manner to close said body 101 with said flap 105;
iii) a plurality of telescopic rods 106 installed over said body 101 and configured with a rectangular frame 107, wherein upon securing of said goods within said body 101, said microcontroller activates a laser sensor integrated with said body 101 to work in sync with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 installed over said body 101 to determine distance of upper section relative to said frame 107, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates said rods 106 to extend and position said frame 107 up to a length of upper section of said cargo portion; and
iv) a pair of links 109 installed within said frame 107 and configured with a motorized roller 110 wrapped with a covering sheet, wherein upon positioning of said frame 107 up to said upper section, said microcontroller actuates said roller 110 to rotate for unwrapping said sheet, followed by actuation of a robotic arm 111 installed with one of said links to deploy said covering sheet over said frame 107 and body 101, thus enclosing said goods within said body 101.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a weight sensor embedded within said body 101 to measure weight of said goods placed over said body 101, wherein in case said weight exceeds a threshold limit, said microcontroller sends a notification to a computing unit wirelessly connected to said microcontroller to alert said user regarding said exceed weight of said goods.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is integrated within said body 101 to detect ambient temperature, wherein said microcontroller processes said temperature data and accordingly actuates a Peltier unit installed within said body 101 to regulate and maintain an optimal temperature for said goods accommodated within said body 101.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery unit is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.