Irradiation Sensor Color Change for Cargo Device Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo monitoring devices are unreliable due to irradiation, which can damage their electronic components and render them inoperable, especially when the irradiation process is unknown to delivery providers.
Innovation Solution
A portable data collection device with an irradiation sensor that includes a thermal energy absorbing material and a thermal energy sensitive material, which changes color upon exposure to irradiation, allowing for easy detection of irradiation exposure and potential device malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cargo is irradiated to protect from contamination, then cargo safety is improved, but electronic components of tracking devices are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the irradiation detection function from the electronic monitoring functions. The irradiation sensor uses non-electronic materials (thermal energy absorbing material and thermal energy sensitive material) that are immune to irradiation damage, while electronic components remain protected or isolated. This segmentation allows the device to withstand irradiation while maintaining monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary irradiation sensor that detects irradiation exposure through thermal energy absorption and color change, serving as a mediator between the irradiation environment and the electronic components. This intermediary provides early warning of irradiation exposure, allowing protective measures to be taken before electronic components are damaged.
2Ease of operation
If electronic tracking devices are made portable and reusable, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to irradiation damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation sensor provides preliminary detection of irradiation exposure before electronic components are damaged. The thermal energy sensitive material changes color in response to thermal energy from irradiation, providing early warning that allows users to take protective actions or remove the device from irradiation zones, thereby preventing subsequent damage to electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs protective measures beforehand by incorporating an irradiation sensor that warns of upcoming or ongoing irradiation exposure. This early detection system cushions the electronic components from direct irradiation damage by providing advance notice, allowing for preventive actions such as shielding or removing the device from the irradiation path.
3Measurement precision
If irradiation sensor uses thermal energy absorbing material, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the irradiation detection function from complex electronic sensing systems and implements it using simple thermal energy absorbing material and thermal energy sensitive material. This extracted approach uses basic physical principles (thermal energy absorption and color change) rather than complex electronic circuits, thereby improving detection capability while actually reducing device complexity compared to electronic irradiation sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiation sensor uses inexpensive materials (thermal energy absorbing material and thermal energy sensitive material) that can be easily replaced if needed. This approach prioritizes simplicity and cost-effectiveness over long-term durability of the sensor itself, as the sensor's primary function is to provide detection information rather than to be a permanent component.
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
Enables cargo shippers and device manufacturers to identify irradiation-induced failures through a visible color change, ensuring reliable monitoring of cargo conditions and preventing device damage during shipping.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal energy sensitive material is characterized by a change in color when exposed to a selected degree of thermal energy due to irradiation
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy absorbing material and a thermal energy sensitive material in thermal communication with the thermal energy absorbing material
Data Source
AI summary
A data collection device includes a housing and a data collection unit located in the housing. A power unit is located in the housing and is operably connected to the data unit to provide power for operation of the data unit. An irradiation sensor is located at the data collection device to detect exposure of the data collection device to irradiation. An irradiation sensor includes a thermal energy absorbing material and a thermal energy sensitive material in thermal communication with the thermal energy absorbing material. The thermal energy sensitive material is characterized by a change in color when exposed to a selected degree of thermal energy due to irradiation.