Systems and methods for container condition determination in transport refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer models for monitoring temperature and airflow in refrigerated shipments are impractical due to the difficulty in efficiently obtaining accurate inputs, limiting their operational effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing optical sensors, processors, and memory to obtain image data, determine item positions and airflow characteristics, and assess the probability of damage by analyzing thermal and environmental conditions within containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computer models are used to simulate thermal behavior of refrigerated shipments, then temperature and airflow monitoring capability is improved, but operational practicality deteriorates due to difficulty in obtaining accurate inputs efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of cargo items before they are loaded into the container. This allows the computer model to have accurate input data about cargo positioning and characteristics in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time measurements and improving operational efficiency while maintaining monitoring accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical imaging to create a visual copy or representation of the cargo arrangement. This image-based copying approach replaces complex physical measurement systems, allowing the computer model to analyze thermal behavior based on captured images rather than requiring direct real-time sensor inputs from every cargo item
2Measurement precision
If detailed image data analysis is performed to determine item positions and airflow characteristics, then container condition determination accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single optical imaging system to perform multiple functions: capturing cargo position data, determining airflow characteristics, assessing container conditions, and evaluating loading patterns. This multi-functional approach improves measurement precision across all parameters while avoiding the complexity of multiple specialized sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms physical parameters (cargo positions, airflow patterns, temperature distributions) into image-based parameters that can be processed by computer models. By changing the parameter representation from physical measurements to visual data, the system achieves accurate condition determination while managing computational complexity through image processing algorithms
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for container condition determination are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system (100) 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 (100) to: obtain (802) image data of a container from the one or more optical sensors; determine (804) from the image data, position information of one or more items located inside the container; determine (806) from the image data air delivery information in the container; determine (808) airflow characteristics of the container using the position information of the one or more items and the air delivery information; and determine (810), 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.