Cooling Box Sensor Network for Real-Time Cold Chain Status
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system that can easily inform transportation companies and renters about the state of cooling and warming boxes, which are used for storing and transporting perishable items, as existing solutions lack real-time monitoring and communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A management system comprising a sensor-equipped wireless device attached to the cooling and warming boxes, a management unit, and an information sending unit that communicates via an Internet network to provide real-time updates on the box's state to transportation companies and renters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a cooling box is used for storing and transporting perishable items without real-time monitoring, then the basic cooling function is provided, but the transportation company and renter cannot know the state of the cooling box
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor-equipped wireless device serves as an intermediary between the cooling box and the management system. The sensor detects temperature and other states inside the cooling box, and the wireless device transmits this information to the management system, enabling remote monitoring without requiring direct connection or manual checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system receives detection results from the sensor and sends this information back to the transportation company or renter through the information sending unit. This feedback loop allows real-time awareness of the cooling box state, enabling timely responses to any issues.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring is implemented using sensors and communication devices, then the state of the cooling box can be informed to transportation companies and renters, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and wireless device are combined into a single integrated unit that attaches to the cooling box. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining real-time monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The management system is designed to handle multiple functions: receiving data from various sensors, managing multiple cooling boxes, communicating with different users (transportation companies and renters), and providing information through multiple channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor is attached to a cooling and warming box accommodating a cooling agent. A server device manages a transportation company that requests transportation of the cooling and warming box. The server device wirelessly receives box information indicating a detection result from the sensor. The server device receives replacement information of the cooling and warming agent accommodated in the cooling and warming box from a freezing center. The server device sends the box information and the replacement information received wirelessly to the managed transportation company.