Transport Climate Control Energy Prediction Using Route Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of transport climate control systems face uncertainty regarding whether the system has sufficient energy to maintain desired climate conditions during a route without a stop for refreshing the energy storage source, leading to potential load loss and operational risks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that provide energy consumption feedback by obtaining route parameters and external data such as weather and traffic conditions, determining expected energy consumption, and comparing it to the stored energy level, displaying messages or suggesting remedial measures like alternate routes or set point adjustments to ensure route completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual input of route data is used, then system complexity is reduced, but accuracy of route data and energy consumption estimate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of route dataVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces routing software as an intermediary component that automatically provides route data to the energy consumption estimation system. This mediator handles the complexity of data acquisition, integration, and processing, while the user simply inputs basic route information. The routing software translates user inputs into detailed route parameters including weather conditions, traffic patterns, and geographical data, thereby improving accuracy without significantly increasing user burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If external data integration is implemented, then precision of energy consumption estimate is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of energy consumption estimateVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple data sources and functions into a single multi-functional platform. The routing software not only provides route data but also incorporates weather forecasting, traffic prediction, and energy consumption calculation capabilities. This universal approach allows the system to handle diverse data types and processing requirements through a unified architecture, reducing the need for separate specialized components and minimizing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If energy storage is not fully refreshed, then operational availability is improved, but risk of energy depletion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational availabilityVSAvoidrisk of energy depletion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of energy storage levels against predicted consumption requirements. Before authorizing route operations, the system calculates expected energy consumption based on integrated data and compares it with available energy storage. This feedback mechanism provides real-time visibility into energy sufficiency, allowing operators to make informed decisions about route authorization. The system can alert operators to potential energy deficiencies and suggest remedial actions such as route modifications or charging stops, thereby managing risk while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If route authorization without full energy refresh is allowed, then productivity is improved, but load loss risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute completion rateVSAvoidload loss risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary energy consumption calculations and route feasibility assessments before authorizing operations. By evaluating energy requirements against available storage in advance, the system can authorize routes with high confidence of successful completion or identify those requiring modifications. This preliminary action prevents authorization of high-risk routes that would likely result in energy depletion and cargo loss, while still allowing productive operation of suitable routes without requiring full energy refresh.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240343089A1Methods and systems for providing predictive energy consumption feedback for powering a transport climate control system using external data
Publication Date: 2024.10.17 THERMO KING CORP
  • US20240343089A1 patent drawing
  • US20240343089A1 patent drawing
  • US20240343089A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for providing energy consumption feedback for powering a transport climate control system using external data. This can include determining whether an energy level of an energy storage source is greater than an expected energy consumption of a transport climate control system during a route, based on route parameters and route conditions. The route conditions may be obtained from a source such as a remote server, and include data such as weather data, traffic data, or the like. The systems and methods may further compare current energy levels to an updated predictions of energy consumption during transit to determine if the energy level is sufficient to complete the route and alert the user when the energy level is insufficient to complete the route.