Cooling Box Door Sensing for Refrigeration Energy Waste Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In delivery systems, if the door of a refrigerated vehicle is left open, the cooling operation stops after a predetermined time, leading to energy wastage and potential spoilage of items, as existing systems lack effective notification mechanisms to ensure the door is closed.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system that includes a vehicle with a cooling box equipped with a door sensor and temperature sensor, a deliverer terminal for notifications, and a delivery server that communicates with both terminals to alert the deliverer and user if the door is open or if the internal temperature becomes abnormal, allowing for timely closure and maintaining refrigeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooling operation continues while the door is left open, then the cooling function is maintained, but energy is wasted in vain
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a door sensor to detect whether the door is open or closed, and provides feedback to the control unit. When the door is detected as open, the control unit sends a notification to the deliverer terminal and can stop the cooling operation, thereby preventing energy waste while maintaining cooling reliability when the door is properly closed.
2Loss of energy
If the cooling operation stops after a predetermined time when the door is left open, then energy waste is reduced, but the internal temperature rises to room temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the door sensor before the cooling operation stops. When the door is detected as open, the system notifies the deliverer in advance and can stop cooling, preventing unnecessary energy consumption. The notification mechanism allows for timely intervention to close the door and resume cooling if needed.
3Device complexity
If no notification mechanism is provided, then the system is simple, but the deliverer may forget to close the door
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a door sensor and notification mechanism that provides feedback to the deliverer when the door is left open. This feedback loop includes sensing the door state, notifying the deliverer terminal, and potentially stopping the cooling operation, thereby ensuring reliable door closure without significantly increasing system complexity.
4Reliability
If the deliverer is notified of the unclosed door, then the door closure is ensured, but additional notification devices and communication systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a communication unit as an intermediary between the door sensor and the deliverer terminal. The control unit receives door state information and sends notifications through this communication interface, which can utilize existing communication protocols and infrastructure, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while ensuring reliable door closure notification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents energy wastage and spoilage by ensuring the door is closed, even if the deliverer forgets, through notifications to both the deliverer and user, maintaining the integrity of the refrigerated environment.
Implementation Method 1
a door sensor that detects whether the door is open or closed
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor that measures an internal temperature
Implementation Method 3
a cooling box which is provided with an openable door and configured to accommodate a delivery item
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery system for delivering a delivery item to a vehicle includes a vehicle equipped with a cooling box which is provided with an openable door and configured to accommodate a delivery item, at least one deliverer terminal provided with a notification device for sending a notification to a deliverer, and a delivery server configured to communicate with the vehicle and the deliverer terminal. The delivery server sends to the deliverer terminal a notification indicating that the door is unclosed if the deliverer forgets to close the door.