Vehicle Cargo Scanning for Automatic Temperature and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport management systems for perishable goods are prone to human error in maintaining required environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, during transportation, leading to spoilage or staleness of goods.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising boxes with indicator codes that provide environmental condition requirements, a scanning device to read these codes, and control circuitry to compute and maintain the required conditions within a vehicle, including automatic warnings for deviations or power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual setting of environmental conditions by driver/operator is used, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having boxes automatically provide their environmental condition requirements through indicator codes, and the control circuitry automatically determining and maintaining appropriate conditions without manual driver input. This eliminates human error while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The environmental condition requirements are pre-encoded on indicator codes attached to each box before loading. The scanning device reads these codes in advance, and the control circuitry pre-determines the appropriate environmental conditions before the transport journey begins, ensuring reliability from the start.
2Reliability
If automatic scanning and determination system is implemented, then reliability is improved by eliminating human error, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator code serves multiple functions: it identifies the product, specifies environmental conditions, and acts as a machine-readable label. The control circuitry performs multiple tasks: reading codes, determining environmental conditions, monitoring compliance, and controlling the transport environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operations (driver physically setting temperature controls) with automated optical scanning and electronic control. The scanning device optically reads indicator codes, and the control circuitry electronically determines and maintains environmental conditions, reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If environmental conditions are not properly maintained, then energy consumption is reduced, but harmful factors increase leading to goods spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions inside the vehicle and compares them against the required conditions determined from indicator codes. When deviations are detected, the control circuitry automatically adjusts the transport environment to correct the deviation, ensuring goods are protected without unnecessary energy consumption from continuous over-cooling or over-heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The environmental conditions are dynamically adjusted based on the specific requirements of the loaded goods (different products may require different conditions) and real-time monitoring of actual conditions. The system adapts to changing conditions during transport rather than maintaining fixed settings, optimizing both energy use and goods protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, for determination of required environmental conditions for transport and storage of goods, that includes one or more boxes to be placed in a vehicle. Each box has an indicator code, on the exterior surface of the box, that includes information related to environmental conditions required to be maintained. A scanning device associated with the vehicle and configured to read said indicator code from each box. A control circuitry is operationally connected to the scanning device The control circuitry is configured to compute the readings of the indicator codes from each box to determine the required environmental conditions to be maintained inside the vehicle.