Systems and methods for container condition determination in transport refrigiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in accurately determining the condition of shipping containers, particularly in transport refrigeration, due to difficulties in efficiently obtaining inputs for computer simulations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising optical sensors, processors, and memory that captures image data from containers, determines position and air delivery information, and calculates airflow characteristics to assess the probability of item damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computer models are used to simulate thermal behavior of refrigerated shipments, then accuracy of temperature prediction is improved, but difficulty of obtaining inputs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of the container and cargo loading arrangement before the refrigerated shipment begins, extracting positioning information in advance. This preliminary capture of spatial data eliminates the need for complex real-time measurements during transport, thereby maintaining simulation accuracy while reducing input collection difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical sensors to create visual copies (images) of the container interior and cargo arrangement. These image copies serve as sufficient inputs for thermal simulation models, replacing the need for direct physical measurements of temperature, airflow, and cargo positioning, thus simplifying data acquisition while preserving simulation fidelity.
2Measurement precision
If detailed position information and airflow characteristics are determined, then accuracy of damage probability assessment is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex physical measurement devices with optical sensors that capture images. Image processing algorithms then extract position information and airflow characteristics from these visual data, substituting mechanical measurement systems with optical-field-based solutions that achieve comparable or superior precision with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces image data as an intermediary between the physical container environment and the simulation model. Rather than directly measuring temperature, airflow, and cargo position with multiple specialized sensors, the system uses single or few optical sensors to capture images, which then serve as the basis for deriving all necessary parameters through image analysis.
3Reliability
If thermal simulations and airflow simulations are generated, then reliability of container condition determination is improved, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs thermal and airflow simulations before the refrigerated shipment begins, using pre-captured image data and loading arrangements. By conducting simulations in advance rather than in real-time during transport, the system maintains high reliability through comprehensive modeling while avoiding time-consuming computations during critical shipment periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for container condition determination are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system comprises one or more optical sensors; at least one processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions when executed cause the system to: obtain image data of a container from the one or more optical sensors; determine from the image data, position information of one or more items located inside the container; determine from the image data air delivery information in the container; determine airflow characteristics of the container using the position information of the one or more items and the air delivery information; and determine, using the airflow characteristics and the position information of the one or more items, a probability of an item of the one or more items being damaged.