Disposable Container Breach Detector with Tamper-Proof Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breach detection systems for transportation containers lack an efficient and economical solution for monitoring and recording unauthorized or authorized breaches, including date and time stamps, and fail to provide reliable, durable, and volumetrically efficient solutions.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained container breach detector system with ambient light sensors, IR proximity and distance sensors, and an encapsulating composition that ensures one-time use, utilizing industrial, scientific, and medical band radio circuitry, GSM radio module, power circuitry, and accelerometer circuitry to record and communicate breach data via SMS or email, providing activation, status, and breach event date and time stamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current breach detection systems are used, then breach monitoring capability is provided, but the systems lack efficiency and economy in recording unauthorized breaches with date and time stamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable breach detection devices that are inexpensive, single-use units equipped with sensors, microcontrollers, and communication modules. These devices are deployed temporarily on containers and discarded after use, eliminating the need for expensive reusable systems while providing efficient breach detection and recording capabilities with date and time stamps
Solution Approach 2:
The breach detection device operates autonomously without requiring external power sources or continuous human intervention. It self-activates upon detecting breaches through sensor arrays, automatically records event data including timestamps, and transmits information via integrated communication modules, thereby improving monitoring efficiency while reducing operational costs
2Reliability
If traditional breach detection systems are used, then basic monitoring is provided, but they fail to provide durable and volumetrically efficient solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components within a compact nested structure: sensors are mounted on the housing interior, the microcontroller is embedded on a circuit board within the housing, and communication modules are positioned in available spaces. This nesting arrangement achieves durable functionality while minimizing the overall volume of the breach detection device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: breach sensing, data processing, timestamp generation, and wireless communication are merged into one compact unit. This consolidation improves reliability by reducing the number of separate components that could fail, while simultaneously achieving volumetric efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple separate devices
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
The system effectively identifies and records breaches, providing users with detailed information on when and where breaches occurred, ensuring tamper-proof operation, cost-effectiveness, and efficient use of space, while being durable and reliable.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ambient light sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one IR proximity and distance sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A container breach detector system to monitor breaches of a transportation container. A self-contained container breach detector provides activation, status, and/or breach event date and time stamp data and a unique identification number of a communication tower, for a user to determine when and where authorized and/or unauthorized breaches of the transportation container occurred. Furthermore, the self-contained container breach detector serves as a recording device to record the activation, status, and/or breach event date and time stamp data; and communicates via various communication means including text via short message service, SMS, and/or e-mail. A container breach detector is intended for a one-time use only, to be discarded at destination. Each container breach detector has individual serial numbers. An encapsulating composition ensures that the self-contained container breach detector is used only once, and is not removed, recharged and reused, whereby removal of the encapsulating composition would damage its electrical system.