Patent Publication Number: US-7723943-B2

Title: Receiving method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a receiving device, and more particularly to a receiving device which automatically changes receiving space sizes and opening locations. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A conventional cabinet comprises a chamber, a plurality of spacers and a door. The spacers define a plurality of receiving spaces in the chamber. The chamber has an opening. The door pivots or slides to open or close the opening, which protects chamber contents. 
   Conventionally, when the opening is opened, users can access contents stored in all receiving spaces. When a plurality of people share the cabinet, any user can access content belonging to others. Therefore, conventional cabinets cannot provide sufficient confidentiality. 
   As well, in conventional receiving devices, for example, office cabinets or bookcases, have receiving spaces with fixed sizes. Therefore, large-sized objects or books cannot be received in the fixed sized office cabinets or bookcases. 
   Thus, conventional office cabinets or bookcases with changeable sized receiving spaces have been developed. A user can change the sizes of the receiving spaces by manually detaching the spacers and positioning posts which support the spacers. The user changes fixing positions of the positioning posts to change the position of the spacer and the size of the receiving spaces. However, it is difficult to detach the positioning posts from the inner walls of the office cabinet or the bookcase, which causes inconvenience to users. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   A receiving method is provided comprising the following steps. First, a receiving device is provided, wherein the receiving device comprises a chamber, a plurality of spacers, a spacer moving module, a first cover unit, a second cover unit, a control unit and an input interface. Then, an order is inputted to the input surface, wherein the input surface sends a control signal according to the order, and the control unit controls movements of the first cover unit, the second cover unit and the spacer moving module according to the control signal. 
   Utilizing the receiving device of the invention, sizes of the receiving spaces are automatically changed according to sizes of the contents. Therefore, space of the chamber is sufficiently used. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a receiving device of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed structure of a spacer moving module of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the receiving device of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  shows a detailed structure of spacers and positioners of the invention; 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show wedging units separated from the positioners; 
       FIG. 5   c  is an enlarged view of the portion A of  FIG. 5   b;    
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the wedging units connected to the positioners; 
       FIG. 6   c  is an enlarged view of the portion B of  FIG. 6   b;    
       FIG. 7  shows a holding element pushing an extending plate; 
       FIG. 8  shows detailed structure of a first cover unit of the invention; 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show detailed structure of a second cover unit of the invention; 
       FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  show the receiving device of the invention opening an opening at a specific receiving space; 
       FIG. 11   a  shows a content put-in method of the invention; 
       FIG. 11   b  shows another content put-in method of the invention; 
       FIG. 11   c  shows a content take-out method of the invention; and 
       FIG. 11   d  shows another content take-out method of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  shows a receiving device  100  of the invention, comprising a chamber  110 , a plurality of positioners (not shown), a spacer moving module  200 , a first cover unit  300  and a second cover unit  400 . 
   The chamber  110  comprises an opening  112 , a plurality of receiving spaces  111  and guiding grooves  113 . The receiving spaces  111  are defined by the spacers  120 . The positioners are disposed in the chamber  110 . The spacers  120  are detachably connected to the positioners. The spacer moving module  200  moves the spacers  120  relative to the positioners to change sizes of the receiving spaces  111 . 
   The first cover unit  300  comprises a first cover element  310 . The second cover unit  400  comprises a second cover element  410 . The first cover element  310  and the second cover element  410  slide in the guiding grooves  113 . The opening  112  is closed when the first cover element  310  and the second cover element  410  contacts each other, and the opening  112  is opened when the first cover element  310  and the second cover element  410  is separated from each other. 
     FIG. 2  shows a detailed structure of the spacer moving module  200 . The spacer moving module  200  comprises a moving unit  210  and a holding unit  220 . The holding unit  220  holds the spacers. The moving unit  210  moves the holding unit  220 . The moving unit  210  comprises an actuating element  211 , a rod  212  and rods  213 . The actuating element  211  is a motor, and the rod  212  is a thread rod. The actuating element  211  is connected to and rotates the rod  212  to move the holding unit  220  on the rod  212 . The holding unit  220  is connected to the rods  213 , which are smooth rods to limit a moving path of the holding unit  220 . In the embodiment of the invention, the actuating element  211  is a stepping motor, which precisely controls position of the holding unit  220 . 
   The holding unit  220  comprises a plurality of actuators  221  and a plurality of holding elements  222 . The actuators  221  actuate the holding elements  220  to hold the spacers. The actuators  221  are motors. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , the spacer moving module  200  further comprises a control unit  230 . The control unit  230  is electrically connected to the input interface  101 , the actuating element  211  and the actuators  221 . The control unit  230  controls the actuating element  211  and the actuators  221  according to orders inputted to the input interface  101 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the spacer moving module  200  further comprises a sensor  241  and a sensor  242 . The sensor  241  and the sensor  242  are disposed in the chamber, and electrically connected to the control unit  230 . The sensor  241  and the sensor  242  detect a position of the holding unit  220  to prevent the holding unit  220  from extraordinary collision. In the embodiment of the invention, the sensor  241  and the sensor  242  are limit switches. 
     FIG. 4  shows a detailed structure of the spacers  120  and the positioners  130 . Each spacer  120  comprises a plurality of wedging unit  140 . The wedging units  140  are disposed on edges of the spacer  120 . The spacer  120  is detachably disposed on the positioners  130  via the wedging units  140 . The spacer  120  further comprises an extending plate  121 . The extending plate  121  slides on the surface of the spacer  120 . Each positioner  130  comprises a plurality of positioning notches  131 . The positioning notches  131  are wedged to the wedging unit  140  to fix the spacer  120 . 
     FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show the wedging units  140  separated from the positioners  130 .  FIG. 5   c  is an enlarged view of portion A of  FIG. 5   b , wherein the holding elements  222  press the wedging unit  140 . Each wedging unit  140  comprises a lever  141  and an elastic element  142 . The lever  141  comprises a wedging portion  144  and a holding portion  143 . The holding element  222  presses the holding portion  143  to rotate the lever  141  to a first orientation and separate the wedging portion  144  from the positioner  130  to free the spacer  120 . 
     FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the wedging units  140  connected to the positioners  130 .  FIG. 6   c  is an enlarged view of the portion B of  FIG. 6   b , wherein the holding element  222  is separated from the holding portion  143 . The elastic element  142  presses the holding portion  143  to rotate the lever  141  to a second orientation. In the second orientation, the wedging portion  144  enters the positioning notch of the positioner  130  to be fixed thereon. 
   In the embodiment of the invention, the elastic elements  142  are springs. The spacers  120  are detachably connected to the positioners by rotating the levers  140  between the first and second orientations. 
   Wit reference to  FIG. 7 , the extending plate slides on the surface of the spacer  120 . When a user accesses an object placed on the extending plate, the control unit moves the holding unit  220  corresponding to the extending plate  121 . Then, the actuator  221 ′ behind the extending plate  121  actuates the holding element  222 ′ to push the extending plate  121  forward out of the opening of the chamber allowing the user to access the object placed thereon. After accessing the object, the user pushes the extending plate  121  back into the chamber. 
   In the invention, the spacers are automatically moved to change the sizes of the receiving spaces. The detaching inconvenience of conventional positioning posts is prevented. Additionally, in the invention, the control unit changes the sizes of the receiving spaces according to available space in the receiving device via data inputted by the user. Therefore, the invention saves time, and improves convenience. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , the control unit  230  is electrically connected to the first cover unit  300  and the second cover unit  400 . The control unit  230  controls the first cover element  310  and the second cover element  410  to open the opening  112  at a specific receiving space according to a control signal received from the input interface. 
     FIG. 8  shows detailed structure of the first cover unit  300 . The first cover unit  300  comprises the first cover element  310 , a first actuating element  320  and a first transmission unit  330 . The first actuating element  320  is connected to the first transmission unit  330 . The first transmission unit  330  is connected to the first cover element  310 . The first actuating element  320  actuates the first transmission unit  330  to move the first cover element  310 . 
   The first cover element  310  is a rolling door, comprising a plurality of cover blades  311  and a fixing blade  312 . The cover blades  311  are connected to each other. The fixing blade  312  is connected to the cover blades  311 . The first actuating element  320  is a motor, for example, a stepping motor. The first transmission unit  330  comprises belts  331 , a shaft coupling  332  and pulleys  333 . The first actuating element  320  is connected to the shaft coupling  332 . The shaft coupling  332  is connected to the pulleys  333 . The pulleys  333  are connected to the belts  331 . The belts  331  are connected to the rolling door  310 . The fixing blade  312  is fixed on the belts  331 . When the belts  331  move the first cover element  310  forward, the cover blades  311  are separated from the belts  331  one by one to hang down and cover the opening. 
   In  FIG. 8 , some cover blades  311  are omitted for brevity and simplification. 
   The first cover element  300  further comprises a plurality of first guiding wheels  340 . The first guiding wheels  340  contact the cover blades  311  to limit a moving path thereof. 
   The first cover unit  300  further comprises a first front sensor  351  and a first rear sensor  352 . The first front sensor  351  and the first rear sensor  352  are electrically connected to the control unit. The first cover element  310  moves between a first front position and a first rear position. The first cover element  310  activates the first front sensor  351  to send a first front signal to the control unit when the first cover element  310  is in the first front position. The first cover element  310  activates the first rear sensor  352  to send a first rear signal to the control unit when the first cover element  310  is in the first rear position. In the embodiment, the first front sensor  351  and the first rear sensor  352  are activated by the fixing blade  312 . The first front sensor  351  and the first rear sensor prevent the first cover element  310  from abnormal movement or collision. When the control unit receives the first front or rear signal, the control unit stops the first cover element  310 . 
     FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show detailed structure of the second cover unit  400 . The second cover unit  400  comprises the second cover element  410 , a second actuating element  420  and a second transmission unit  430 . The second actuating element  420  is connected to the second transmission unit  430 . The second transmission unit  430  is connected to the second cover element  410 . The second actuating element  420  actuates the second transmission unit  430  to move the second cover element  410 . 
   The second cover element  410  is a rolling door, comprising a plurality of cover blades  411  and a fixing blade  412 . The cover blades  411  are connected to each other. The fixing blade  412  is connected to the cover blades  411 . The second actuating element  420  is a motor, for example, stepping motor. The second transmission unit  430  comprises belts  431 , a shaft coupling  432  and pulleys  433 . The second actuating element  420  is connected to the shaft coupling  432 . The shaft coupling  432  is connected to the pulleys  433 . The pulleys  433  are connected to the belts  431 . The belts  431  are connected to the rolling door  410 . The fixing blade  412  is fixed on the belts  431 . When the belts  431  move the second cover element  410  upward, the cover blades  411  are hung up one by one and cover the opening. 
   In  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , some cover blades  411  are omitted for brevity and simplification. 
   The second cover element  400  further comprises a plurality of second guiding wheels  440 . The second guiding wheels  440  contact the cover blades  411  to limit a moving path thereof. 
   The second cover unit  400  further comprises a second front sensor  451  and a second rear sensor  452 . The second front sensor  451  and the second rear sensor  452  are electrically connected to the control unit. The second cover element  410  moves between a second front position and a second rear position. The second cover element  410  activates the second front sensor  451  to send a second front signal to the control unit when the second cover element  410  is in the second front position. The second cover element  410  activates the second rear sensor  452  to send a second rear signal to the control unit when the second cover element  410  is in the second rear position. In the embodiment, the second front sensor  451  is activated when the second cover element  410  contacts the first cover element  310 . The second rear sensor  452  is activated by the cover blade  411 . The second front sensor  451  and the second rear sensor prevent the second cover element  410  from abnormal movement or collision. When the control unit receives the second front or rear signal, the control unit stops the second cover element  410 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b,  the receiving device  100  of the invention opens the opening  112  at specific receiving space by control positions of the first cover element  310  and the second cover element  410 . When the opening  112  is opened, users can only access a specific receiving space. Therefore, when a plurality of people share the receiving device, users can only access allocated receiving space, thus improving confidentiality. 
   In the embodiment above, motor brakes can be disposed on the first actuating element  320  and the second actuating element  420  to prevent user from forcing the first cover element  310  to separate from the second cover element  410 . 
   A control method of the receiving device of the invention is disclosed hereafter. The spacer moving module moves the spacers according to the control signal to change sizes of the receiving spaces. To simplify the description, the spacers are defined as a first spacer, a second spacer and a third spacer. The second spacer is above the first spacer. A first receiving space is formed between the first and second spacers. The third spacer is above the second spacer. A second receiving space is formed between the second and third spacers. A third receiving space is formed above the third spacer. 
   A content put-in method is disclosed hereafter. 
   With reference to  FIG. 11   a,  when there is no content is in the first, second and third receiving spaces, the first spacer is located at a bottom of the chamber, and the second spacer and the third spacer are located at an upper portion of the chamber (S 11 ). After a first user inputs a put-in order via the input interface (S 12 ), the first cover unit and the second cover unit opens the opening at the first receiving space to allowing the first user to put in a first content (S 13 ). Therefore, the first content is directly put into the largest-sized first receiving space. After the first user puts in the first content, the control units moves the second spacer downward according to a size of the first content to fit the first receiving space for the first content (S 14 ). 
   When the first user inputs the put-in order, a first order is input at the same time. The first order comprises a secret code of the first user. When the first user wants to take out the first content, the first user inputs the first order via the input interface, and the control unit controls the first cover unit and the second cover unit to open the opening at the first receiving space. Therefore, confidentiality is improved. 
   As mentioned above, a second user can access the second receiving space via a second order. 
   The first and second users are defined by content putting sequence. 
   When a first content is in the first receiving space and a second content is in the second receiving space, a third user directly puts a third content into the third receiving space with no spacer movement. 
   With reference to  FIG. 11   c,  when a first content is in the first receiving space and a third content is in the third receiving space, a second user inputs a put-in order and size information of a second content via the input interface (S 21 ). Then, the first cover unit and the second cover unit open the opening at the second receiving space (S 22 ). Next, the control unit changes size of the second receiving space according to the size information allowing the second user to put in the second content (S 23 ). 
   A content take-out method is disclosed hereafter. 
   When the second and third receiving space are empty and a first content is in the first receiving space, the second spacers are automatically moved upward to an initial position after the first content is taken out of the first receiving space. 
   With reference to  FIG. 11   c,  when a first content is in the first receiving space, a second content is in the second receiving space and no content is in the third receiving space, a second user inputs a take-out order via the input interface, and the first cover unit and the second cover unit opens the opening at the second receiving space to allowing the second user to take out the second content (S 31 ). Then, the control unit automatically moves the third spacer upward after the second user takes out the second content (S 32 ). 
   With reference to  FIG. 11   d,  when a first content is in the first receiving space, a second content is in the second receiving space and a third content is in the third receiving space, a second user inputs a take-out order via the input interface, the first cover unit and the second cover unit opens the opening at the second receiving space to allow the second user to take out the second content (S 41 ). Then, the control unit automatically moves the third spacer upward after the second user takes out the second content (S 42 ) to increase the size of the second receiving space. 
   In the content put-in and take-out methods above, the extending plate is pushed forward (toward the opening of the chamber) allowing the user to access the content thereon. After the user accesses the content, the user pushes the extending plate back into the chamber. 
   Utilizing the receiving device of the invention, sizes of the receiving spaces are automatically changed according to sizes of the contents. Therefore, space of the chamber is sufficiently used. 
   While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.