Determining hot cargo load condition in a refrigerated container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cold chain distribution systems face challenges in identifying and managing hot cargo loads within refrigerated containers, which can damage temperature-sensitive goods and lead to liability issues due to inadequate pre-cooling by suppliers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing multiple sensors within the refrigerated container to create a temperature distribution profile, comparing it to historical data from similar cargo loads, and alerting operators when the profile exceeds acceptable limits, thereby identifying hot cargo loads and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are deployed to create detailed temperature distribution profiles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distribution profile accuracyVSAvoidsensor network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerated container is divided into multiple zones with sensors strategically positioned at different locations (door regions, corners, center, top, bottom). Each sensor monitors a specific segment of the container, and the processor integrates these segmented measurements to create a complete temperature distribution profile, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor network is designed to serve multiple functions: monitoring temperature distribution, detecting hot cargo loads, identifying cold spots, and generating comprehensive profiles. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same infrastructure supports various monitoring objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If historical data is collected and compared to identify hot cargo loads, then reliability of detection is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot cargo load detection reliabilityVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Historical temperature distribution profiles are pre-collected and stored in a database during normal operating conditions. When a potential hot cargo load is detected, the system immediately compares current sensor readings against this pre-prepared historical data, eliminating the need for real-time historical analysis and reducing detection time while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors temperature distributions and compares them with historical patterns, providing immediate feedback when deviations indicating hot cargo loads are detected. This feedback mechanism enables rapid identification and response, balancing reliable detection with minimal time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If real-time monitoring and alerting systems are implemented, then productivity of cargo management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo management efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors temperature distributions, compares readings with historical data, identifies hot cargo loads, and generates alerts without requiring continuous manual intervention. This self-service capability improves cargo management productivity by enabling autonomous detection and notification, while the complexity is managed through automated processing rather than human operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively identifies hot cargo loads, reducing damage to both the affected and surrounding goods, and aiding in liability management by providing timely alerts and operational adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is an infrared temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3390994B1Determining hot cargo load condition in a refrigerated container

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 CARRIER CORP

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AI summary

A method and system to determine a hot cargo load condition of a cargo load in a refrigerated container includes providing a plurality of sensors disposed within the refrigerated container, operating the refrigeration unit with a set of desired operational parameters corresponding to the cargo load, analyzing a plurality of sensor readings corresponding to the plurality of sensors via a processor, creating a temperature distribution profile of the refrigerated container corresponding to the plurality of sensor readings via the processor, retrieving a historical temperature distribution profile corresponding to the cargo load via a historical database, comparing the temperature distribution profile to the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor, and identifying the hot cargo load condition in response to the temperature distribution profile exceeding the historical temperature distribution profile via the processor.