Inside air control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inside air control systems for shipping containers lack effective mechanisms to ensure precise control of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations for maintaining the freshness of transported plants, as they rely on basic gas sensors and do not account for sensor abnormalities, leading to potential inaccuracies in gas composition management.
Innovation Solution
An inside air control system equipped with advanced gas sensors for measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations, along with a controller that performs determination operations to verify sensor normalcy and calibrate the system using outdoor air, ensuring accurate gas composition control and handling of sensor abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If basic gas sensors are used for measuring gas concentrations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to sensor abnormalities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by supplying outdoor air to the gas sensor before normal measurement operations to prevent abnormal readings. The controller proactively clears the sensor by introducing outdoor air when abnormal values are detected, rather than waiting for the sensor to fail completely. This preliminary maintenance action ensures measurement precision without requiring complex replacement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas sensor performs self-service through automatic calibration using outdoor air. When the controller detects abnormal measurements, it automatically supplies outdoor air to the sensor to clear contaminants or reset the sensing element. This self-service mechanism maintains measurement precision without requiring manual intervention or complex external calibration equipment.
2Reliability
If sensor abnormalities are not accounted for, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of gas composition management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors gas sensor readings and compares them against expected ranges. When abnormal values are detected, the system provides feedback by automatically supplying outdoor air to clear the sensor. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable gas composition control while maintaining ease of operation, as the system self-corrects without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting and correcting sensor abnormalities. The controller monitors sensor output and autonomously initiates calibration procedures using outdoor air when problems are detected. This self-service approach maintains high reliability while preserving operational simplicity, as the system handles its own maintenance without requiring user expertise.
3Measurement precision
If outdoor air is supplied to the gas sensor to determine normalcy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time occurs during determination operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by supplying outdoor air to the gas sensor at scheduled intervals or when triggered by abnormal readings. Rather than continuous calibration, the controller periodically verifies sensor normalcy using outdoor air, achieving measurement precision while minimizing time loss. This periodic verification balances accuracy requirements with operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of sensor normalcy using outdoor air before critical measurements. By proactively checking sensor status with outdoor air supply, the system ensures measurement precision is maintained while limiting time loss to only when necessary. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary continuous calibration operations.
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 maintains precise control over oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the shipping container, reducing the risk of sensor inaccuracies and ensuring the freshness of transported plants by continuously monitoring and adjusting the gas composition.
Implementation Method 1
a gas sensor (92) configured to measure a concentration of a target gas contained in inside air
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor air supply passage (255, 281) through which outdoor air is to be supplied to the gas sensor (92)
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide sensor (92) measures the carbon dioxide concentration of inside air. An inside air control system (30) controls the carbon dioxide concentration of the inside air based on a measured value obtained by the carbon dioxide sensor (92). If the measured value obtained by the carbon dioxide sensor (92) returns to a predetermined normal range after falling outside the normal range, the controller (110) of the inside air control system (30) performs a determination operation. The determination operation is an operation for supplying outdoor air to the carbon dioxide sensor (92) to determine whether or not the carbon dioxide sensor (92) is normal.