mmWave Radar Container Detection on Transport Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking devices face challenges in accurately detecting container presence on transport chassis due to mechanical sensor failures and difficulties with wireless sensors in handling multiple objects or obstructions, leading to ambiguities in signal interpretation.
Innovation Solution
A device mounted on the transport chassis uses a mmWave radar to transmit and receive signals, identifying peaks in the reflected signal to determine container presence. The processor filters the signal using a stored average no-container signal and determines the presence of a container based on peak magnitude and distance, while also accounting for multipath reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical sensors (strain gauges) are used to detect container presence, then the detection mechanism is simple and reliable, but the sensors are prone to mechanical failures and require maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical strain gauge sensors with a mmWave radar-based wireless detection system. The radar transmits electromagnetic waves and analyzes reflected signals to detect container presence, eliminating mechanical contact and associated failures. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through non-contact detection while reducing maintenance requirements since there are no moving mechanical parts to repair.
2Ease of repair
If wireless proximity detection devices are used to detect container presence, then the device requires no maintenance, but the device struggles with multiple objects or obstructions causing signal ambiguities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reflected signal analysis into multiple distinct peak detections. Instead of treating the signal as a single measurement, the system identifies and analyzes multiple peaks corresponding to different reflection sources (container bottom, chassis, obstructions). By examining the characteristics of each peak separately (magnitude, distance, timing), the system resolves signal ambiguities caused by multiple objects while maintaining maintenance-free wireless operation.
3Measurement precision
If mmWave radar is used to detect container presence, then accurate detection is achieved through signal filtering and peak analysis, but the system complexity increases compared to simple strain gauges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy or model of the expected signal characteristics by storing average no-container signals. This reference model is then compared against actual received signals to identify deviations indicating container presence. By using signal copying and comparison rather than complex physical analysis, the system achieves high detection accuracy while managing complexity through software-based pattern recognition rather than hardware complexity.
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 solution provides accurate detection of container presence on transport chassis, minimizing false positives and negatives by using mmWave radar technology and signal filtering techniques, thereby enhancing the reliability of asset tracking systems.
Implementation Method 1
a mmWave radar to transmit a mmWave signal upwards from a mounting location on the transport chassis and to receive a reflected signal
Implementation Method 2
to receive a reflected signal
Implementation Method 3
the processor to: identify a plurality of peaks in the reflected signal; determine that a highest peak is reflected from a first distance outside a container range; determine that a second highest peak is reflected from a second distance within the container range
Data Source
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AI summary
An asset detection device and method of using a mmWave radar to determine whether a container is mounted to a transport chassis. The reflected signal may include multiple peaks and may be ambiguous. The device may determine if a peak is within a container range and is above a threshold magnitude. If the peak is not the highest peak in the reflected signal the device may disambiguate the signal by filtering it using a stored average no-container signal. If the peak is not the highest peak in the reflected signal the device may disambiguate the signal by determining if the highest peak is due to multipath. In some cases no peaks may be both above the threshold and within the container range, in which case the device determines there is no container present. The device reports container status determinations and reflected signal analysis to a remote server.