A positioner for installation in a ventilation hole of a container

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of positioner installed in container ventilation hole position, it is related to container positioning technical field, including positioner main body, fixed structure and sensor.Positioner main body is set outside, and there is mainboard, mainboard is connected with sensor, positioning module, battery, communication module;Shell contains bottom plate and cover, both are sealed by sealing ring, cover is divided into two spaces, first space places electronic component, second space is ventilated by inclined surface ventilation hole.Fixed structure is the mounting hole on positioner main body, and it is matched with original ventilator screw hole of container.Sensor extends from bottom plate through hole, and it is adapted that ventilation hole extends into box.The positioner does not need extra punching, lossless installation;Installation is convenient, reduce cost;Integrated positioning and multi-parameter monitoring, function is comprehensive;Structure is simple, waterproof and sensor can be detached, economical and practical, strong adaptability, applicable to container monitoring in logistics transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of container positioning technology, and in particular to a positioning device installed at the ventilation opening of a container. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, container transportation requires location monitoring of containers, and some application scenarios also require monitoring parameters such as temperature and humidity inside the containers.

[0003] In the prior art, common solutions are: (1) the locator is directly installed on the outer wall of the container, which requires drilling holes in the container, damaging the container structure and posing a safety hazard; (2) if the temperature sensor is to be inserted into the container, additional holes are usually required for wiring, which is complicated to install, costly, and can easily affect the container's sealing performance; (3) the original ventilation hole positions of the container have not been fully utilized; therefore, this application proposes a locator installed at the ventilation hole position of the container that at least partially solves the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above problems, this utility model proposes an embodiment to provide a positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container to overcome or at least partially solve the above problems. This allows the positioner to be compatible with the container's existing screw holes for fixing, while simultaneously enabling monitoring of the container's internal temperature through a sensor structure, thereby solving the problems of drilling and inconvenient installation in the prior art.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this utility model discloses a locator installed at the ventilation opening of a container, comprising: a locator body containing a main board, wherein the main board is electrically connected to a positioning module, a battery, and a sensor; The locator body is also provided with mounting holes for installation onto a container; The motherboard integrates a communication module; The sensor extends outside the locator body and is adapted to the container's ventilation openings.

[0006] Optionally, the locator body includes a base plate and a cover. The motherboard is electrically connected to the positioning module, battery, and sensor located in the space of the casing; The base plate and the cover are sealed together by a first sealing ring; The base plate is provided with through holes; The sensor extends from the through-hole location outside the base plate.

[0007] Optionally, a fixing plate may also be included. The battery and sensor are fixedly mounted on the mounting plate.

[0008] Optionally, the enclosure includes a first space and a second space; The motherboard, positioning module, battery, and sensor are located in the first space; The first sealing ring causes the first space to be sealed with the base plate and isolated from the second space; The bottom of the cover has a sloping structure with ventilation holes, which allows the second space to communicate with the outside.

[0009] Optionally, the side of the cover opposite to the base plate has a sealing groove, and a second sealing ring is provided at the location of the sealing groove.

[0010] Optionally, the positioning module is a GPS positioning module or a BeiDou positioning module.

[0011] Optionally, the sensor includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a vision sensor electrically connected to the motherboard.

[0012] Optionally, it also includes a vibration sensor disposed within the locator body.

[0013] This invention offers the following advantages: It utilizes the existing ventilation holes and screw holes of the container for installation, eliminating the need for additional drilling and fully preserving the original structural integrity of the container. This design avoids problems such as reduced load-bearing capacity and structural damage caused by drilling, thus lowering safety hazards during transportation. For example, after adopting the locator of this invention, a logistics company has not experienced any container structural damage due to locator installation during long-term container transportation, significantly improving cargo transportation safety and reducing repair costs caused by container damage.

[0014] The locator body is fixed through mounting holes that match the existing screw holes on the container. Installation simply requires removing the original ventilator screws, aligning them with the holes, and tightening the screws; no complex construction work by professional technicians is required. Taking a logistics fleet of 100 container trucks as an example, using this locator, only 2-3 ordinary workers can complete the installation and deployment of all locators within 1-2 days. In contrast, existing technologies require professional technicians for drilling and wiring, necessitating at least 5-6 workers and 5-7 days to complete the task. This not only saves significant labor costs but also greatly shortens deployment time and improves work efficiency.

[0015] Sensors extend directly into the container through ventilation holes, enabling direct and accurate collection of temperature and humidity data. Simultaneously, visual sensors monitor the real-time status of goods inside, while vibration sensors detect container opening / closing status and abnormal vibrations. Combined with the positioning module's location function, this system highly integrates positioning with multi-dimensional environmental and safety monitoring. For example, when transporting fresh produce, staff can monitor the container's location, internal temperature, and humidity in real time through the monitoring platform. If the temperature or humidity exceeds preset ranges, the system will promptly issue an early warning signal. If the container experiences abnormal vibrations or is illegally opened, the vibration sensors will also provide timely feedback, allowing staff to quickly take measures to ensure the safe transport of goods.

[0016] This utility model features a simple overall structural design, avoiding complex wiring and drilling, thus reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs, making it ideal for large-scale application in logistics fleets. Furthermore, the locator's main casing is made of waterproof material, and the sensor is detachable, allowing the device to adapt to different outdoor environments and various cargo monitoring needs. Whether in rainy southern regions or dry northern regions, whether transporting temperature- and humidity-sensitive goods such as fresh produce and pharmaceuticals, or general cargo, this locator operates stably and reliably, demonstrating broad adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of an embodiment of the locator installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a positioning device installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a positioning device installed at the ventilation hole position of a container on the surface of the container, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] This utility model provides an embodiment of a positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it may specifically include: a locator body, in which a motherboard 101 is provided, the motherboard 101 being electrically connected to a positioning module 102, a battery 103, and a sensor 104; the locator body is also provided with mounting holes 207 for mounting to a container; the motherboard 101 integrates a communication module; the sensor extends out of the locator body and is adapted to the ventilation holes of the container.

[0020] The aforementioned locator body is installed via mounting holes that fit the container (207), eliminating the need for additional drilling and protecting the container's structural integrity. It integrates positioning, communication, and sensing functions, meeting both positioning and internal parameter monitoring needs, thus addressing the structural damage and limited functionality issues of existing technologies. The mainboard (101) electrically connects all core components, ensuring coordinated operation of the positioning module and sensors. The communication module enables remote data transmission, providing a guarantee for real-time monitoring and avoiding the problems of loose component connections and poor data transmission found in existing technologies, ensuring stable equipment operation and data transmission.

[0021] Furthermore, the locator body includes a base plate 202 and a cover 201; the main board 101 is electrically connected to the positioning module 102, the battery 103, and the sensor 104 located in the space of the cover 201; the base plate 202 and the cover 201 are sealed together by a first sealing ring 203; the base plate 202 is provided with a through hole 204; the sensor 104 extends out of the base plate 202 from the through hole 204.

[0022] The base plate 202 and the casing 201 are sealed by the first sealing ring 203 to prevent external rainwater and dust from entering and to protect the internal electronic components. The sensor 104 extends from the through hole in the base plate, which not only ensures the sensing function but also avoids the need for additional openings in the casing 201, further ensuring the equipment's airtightness and solving the problem of existing equipment being susceptible to external environmental corrosion. By placing the electronic components within the space of the casing 201, the structure is compact, facilitating installation and maintenance, while also preventing mutual interference between components and improving the stability of equipment operation.

[0023] In some embodiments of this application, a fixing plate 105 is also included, on which the battery 103 and sensor 104 are fixedly mounted. The fixing plate 105 secures the battery 103 and sensor 104, making their installation positions more stable and preventing displacement due to transportation vibrations. During later maintenance, the battery and sensor on the fixing plate can be operated directly without disassembling the entire locator body, reducing maintenance difficulty and cost, and solving the problem of inconvenient battery and sensor disassembly in the prior art. The fixing plate 105 also supports the battery 103 and sensor 103, reducing component movement inside the device, lowering the probability of component damage, and extending the device's service life.

[0024] Furthermore, the housing 201 includes a first space and a second space; the motherboard 101, positioning module 102, battery 103, and sensor 104 are located in the first space; the first sealing ring 203 seals the first space with the base plate 202 and isolates it from the second space; the bottom of the housing 201 has a sloping structure with ventilation holes 206, allowing the second space to communicate with the outside. The housing 201 is divided into two spaces: the first space seals and protects the electronic components, while the second space uses the ventilation holes for ventilation and heat dissipation, preventing damage to the electronic components due to high temperatures and preventing external debris from entering the first space, thus solving the problems of poor heat dissipation and difficulty in balancing sealing and heat dissipation in existing equipment. The sloping structure with ventilation holes 206 effectively ventilates and prevents rainwater from accumulating at the bottom of the housing, preventing rainwater from entering the equipment through the ventilation holes, allowing the equipment to operate normally in humid and rainy environments and improving its environmental adaptability.

[0025] Furthermore, on the side of the cover 201 opposite to the base plate 202, a sealing groove is provided along its edge, and a second sealing ring 205 is provided at the location of the sealing groove. This further enhances the sealing performance of the locator body. The second sealing ring 205 and the first sealing ring 203 form a double seal, further preventing external rainwater, moisture, dust, etc., from entering the locator. Especially in long-term outdoor use or harsh environments, this significantly improves the protection level of the equipment, extends its service life, and solves the problem of poor sealing effect of single sealing rings in existing equipment. For example, in a certain maritime logistics company, containers are transported at sea for a long time. Seawater mist contains salt and is highly corrosive. The company uses locators with a second sealing ring. The double sealing ring effectively prevents seawater mist from entering the locator. After several months of sea transport, the electronic components inside the locator did not show any corrosion or damage, and the positioning and monitoring functions were normal, ensuring effective monitoring of containers during sea transport.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, the positioning module 102 is either a GPS positioning module or a BeiDou positioning module. The positioning module can be either GPS or BeiDou, allowing users to choose based on actual usage scenarios (e.g., prioritizing BeiDou domestically and GPS for international transport) and their needs. This adapts the locator to satellite signal coverage in different regions, ensuring accurate positioning and addressing the limitation of existing locators that only support a single positioning method and have limited applicability. Both positioning modules offer high positioning accuracy and stability, and regardless of the choice, they can meet the positioning requirements of logistics transportation for containers, avoiding positioning failures due to weak signals or malfunctions of a single positioning method.

[0027] Furthermore, the sensor 104 includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a vision sensor electrically connected to the motherboard 101. The sensor 104 includes temperature, humidity, and vision sensors. The temperature and humidity sensors monitor the internal environment to ensure the transportation quality of special goods (such as fresh produce and pharmaceuticals); the vision sensors observe the status of the goods to prevent loss, damage, or displacement, solving the problem of single monitoring dimensions in existing technologies. By having multiple sensors 104 work collaboratively, not only can environmental parameters be monitored, but the condition of the goods can also be intuitively understood. In the event of an anomaly (such as excessive temperature or humidity, or displacement of goods), timely measures can be taken to reduce the risk of goods loss.

[0028] It also includes a vibration sensor installed within the locator body. The vibration sensor monitors the switch status and abnormal vibrations. When the container is illegally opened or subjected to impacts, theft, or other abnormal situations, it can detect and provide feedback signals in a timely manner, facilitating timely intervention by staff and solving the problem that existing technologies cannot monitor the container's security status. By monitoring abnormal vibrations and switch status, comprehensive security protection for the container is achieved, reducing cargo theft and damage caused by illegal opening, impacts, etc., and providing stronger guarantees for cargo transportation safety.

[0029] The locator body is installed on the container surface 208 through mounting holes 207. This installation method, which involves mounting the locator body onto the container surface 208 through mounting holes, ensures a simple and standardized installation process without damaging the container structure. It also guarantees the stability of the locator after installation, preventing it from falling off or being damaged due to insecure installation. This solves the problems of unclear installation methods and easy detachment after installation in existing locator systems. After installation, even after long-term handling, stacking, and transportation, the locator remained firmly fixed to the container without falling off. This standardized installation method also improves installation efficiency, ensuring that all containers within the park can have their locators installed quickly, enabling unified monitoring and management.

[0030] As an example, a locator installed at the location of a container ventilation opening includes a locator body, a fixing structure, and a sensor.

[0031] The locator's main structure and installation: The locator body is installed outside the container. Its outer shell consists of a base plate 202 and a cover 201. The base plate 202 and the cover 201 are sealed together by a first sealing ring 203. A sealing groove is provided on the edge of the cover 201 opposite to the base plate 202, and a second sealing ring 205 is installed in the sealing groove. This double-sealing design effectively prevents rainwater and dust from entering the locator. The cover 201 is divided into a first space and a second space. The main board 101, the positioning module 102 (using a GPS positioning module), the battery 103, and the sensor 104 are located in the first space. The main board 101 is electrically connected to the positioning module 102, the battery 103, the sensor 104, and the communication module (using a cellular communication module). The second space is connected to the outside through ventilation holes 206 on the sloping structure at the bottom of the cover 201 for ventilation and heat dissipation. The battery 103 and sensor 104 are fixedly installed by a mounting plate 105, which is fixed inside the housing 201 by bolt connection, so as to facilitate the maintenance and replacement of the battery 103 and sensor 104 in the future.

[0032] As an example, the base plate 202 of the locator body has mounting holes 207, the position of which is exactly the same as the mounting holes of the ventilator (mushroom head) above the container door. During installation, the worker first uses a wrench to remove the original ventilator's fixing screws, then aligns the mounting holes 207 on the locator's base plate 202 with the screw holes on the container, and finally uses the removed original screws to fasten the locator to the container. The entire installation process requires no drilling, is simple and convenient, can be completed by a single person, and takes only 5-10 minutes.

[0033] As an example, sensor 104 employs a probe-type temperature and humidity sensor, a miniature vision sensor, and a vibration sensor. The top of sensor 104 is fixed to a pre-drilled through-hole 204 on the base plate 202 of the locator body via a waterproof interface, extending out of the base plate 202. After the locator body is installed and fixed, sensor 104 hangs down naturally, extending into the container through its ventilation holes. The temperature and humidity sensor collects real-time temperature and humidity data inside the container, the vision sensor captures real-time images of the cargo inside the container, and the vibration sensor monitors the container's vibration and on / off status. The data collected by sensor 104 is transmitted to the main board 101 via wires. After processing by the internal circuitry of the main board 101, it is sent to a remote monitoring platform via a communication module. Staff can then view the container's location, internal temperature and humidity data, cargo status, and the container's safety status in real time through the monitoring platform.

[0034] As an example, battery 103 uses a high-capacity lithium battery, which can support the locator's continuous operation for 3-6 months on a single charge, meeting the needs of long-distance transportation. Positioning module 102 receives satellite signals in real time to determine the container's location information, with a positioning accuracy of within 10 meters, meeting the precision requirements for container location monitoring in logistics transportation. The communication module uses 4G / 5G networks for data transmission, offering fast data transmission rates and high stability, ensuring that positioning information and monitoring data can be transmitted to the monitoring platform in real time and accurately. When the monitoring platform detects that the temperature and humidity inside the container exceed the preset range, abnormal vibrations occur, or the container is illegally opened, it will immediately issue an audible and visual alarm signal and send a warning message to the staff's mobile phones. Staff can then communicate with the transport driver in a timely manner to understand the situation on-site and take appropriate countermeasures.

[0035] As an example, because sensor 104 has a detachable structure, when sensor 104 malfunctions, staff only need to unscrew the waterproof interface of sensor 104 on the base plate 202 of the locator body to remove the faulty sensor for repair or replacement, without disassembling the entire locator, greatly improving maintenance convenience. The locator body shell is made of waterproof material, requiring no additional waterproofing during daily use. Only periodic cleaning (e.g., every 3 months) is needed to remove dust and debris, ensuring the ventilation holes 206 are unobstructed and guaranteeing proper heat dissipation. When battery 103 is low on power, the monitoring platform will issue a low battery warning signal. Staff can then arrange for a transport vehicle to charge battery 103 at a suitable time and location, or replace it with a spare battery to ensure continuous operation of the equipment.

[0036] Through the above structural design and installation and operation method, the locator of this utility model can not only realize GPS positioning function, but also conveniently and accurately monitor the internal environment and safety status of the container without damaging the container structure. It is easy to install, low in cost, and highly practical, making it very suitable for large-scale promotion and application in the logistics and transportation industry.

[0037] It should be noted that the sensor 104 and the motherboard 101 can be connected using waterproof wires, for example, RVV2×0.5mm wires. 2It has good insulation and waterproof properties; for example, the positioning module 102 has a positioning accuracy of ≤10m (CEP) in the plane for GPS positioning modules and ≤5m (CEP) in the plane for Beidou positioning modules; the communication module supports 4G. Supports LTE (TD-LTE / FDD-LTE) and GSM network standards, with a maximum data transmission rate of 100Mbps. In areas without 4G network coverage, it can automatically switch to the GSM network to ensure continuous data transmission and meet the communication needs of different regions. The battery is a lithium iron phosphate battery with a capacity of 10000mAh and an operating voltage of 3.7V, featuring high safety and long cycle life (≥2000 cycles). The battery supports USB Type-C interface charging with a charging current of 2A, and a full charge time of approximately 5 hours. It also supports solar charging (requires an external solar charging panel), suitable for long-term outdoor scenarios without external power, extending the device's battery life. The visual sensor can be a camera with a 120° wide-angle field of view and 1080P resolution, capable of covering 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the container's interior (depending on container size), clearly capturing the placement of goods inside the container, meeting basic requirements for cargo status monitoring. The vibration sensor's vibration trigger threshold can be set through a remote monitoring platform; for example, its default trigger threshold is 5m / s. 2 (Acceleration) When the detected vibration acceleration exceeds the set threshold, the sensor will immediately send a signal to the main board, and the main board will transmit the abnormal vibration information to the monitoring platform through the communication module. At the same time, the vibration sensor can also detect the opening and closing status of the container door. When the opening angle of the container door exceeds 10°, the sensor triggers the opening and closing status alarm to ensure the safety monitoring of the container.

[0038] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.

[0040] The above provides a detailed description of a locator installed at the ventilation opening of a container, as provided by this utility model. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container, characterized in that, include: The locator body contains a motherboard, which is electrically connected to a positioning module, a battery, and a sensor. The locator body is also provided with mounting holes for installation onto a container; The motherboard integrates a communication module; The sensor extends outside the locator body and is adapted to the container's ventilation openings.

2. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locator body includes a base plate and a cover. The motherboard is electrically connected to the positioning module, battery, and sensor located in the space of the casing; The base plate and the cover are sealed together by a first sealing ring; The base plate is provided with through holes; The sensor extends from the through-hole location outside the base plate.

3. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a fixing plate. The battery and sensor are fixedly mounted on the mounting plate.

4. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The enclosure includes a first space and a second space; The motherboard, positioning module, battery, and sensor are located in the first space; The first sealing ring causes the first space to be sealed with the base plate and isolated from the second space; The bottom of the cover has a sloping structure with ventilation holes, which allows the second space to communicate with the outside.

5. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 4, characterized in that, The side of the cover opposite to the base plate has a sealing groove, and a second sealing ring is provided at the location of the sealing groove.

6. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning module is either a GPS positioning module or a BeiDou positioning module.

7. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensors include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a vision sensor that are electrically connected to the motherboard.

8. The positioner installed at the ventilation opening of a container according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a vibration sensor disposed within the body of the locator.

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