Container Ripening Control Using Respiration Rate Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in monitoring and controlling the ripening of perishable items during transportation, as the initial conditions of these items are often unknown, leading to difficulties in maintaining optimal environmental conditions within transport containers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that measure environmental parameters within a container at predetermined intervals, determine the respiration rate of perishable items, and use a ripening database to calculate an initiation time for ripening, allowing for adjustments to achieve desired ripening states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If common predetermined environmental conditions are set for all perishable cargo, then the system is simple to operate, but the conditions may not be suitable for all types of perishable items with varying characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setting controlled environmentVSAvoidadaptability to different perishable cargo types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables perishable cargo to 'self-report' its condition through sensors that measure temperature, humidity, and other environmental parameters directly at the container level. This self-measuring capability eliminates the need for manual condition assessment and enables automatic adjustment of environmental controls to suit different cargo types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary measurement of perishable cargo conditions before transportation begins. By assessing the initial state of the cargo and predicting its ripening timeline in advance, the system can pre-configure optimal environmental parameters for the specific cargo type, ensuring adaptability without complex real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the initial condition of perishable cargo is unknown, then measurement complexity is reduced, but the ability to track and control cargo condition during transportation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of condition assessmentVSAvoidreliability of cargo condition tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors monitor environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, gas composition) throughout the container during transportation. This real-time data feeds back to the control system, which automatically adjusts environmental conditions to maintain optimal ripening trajectories, ensuring reliable tracking and control regardless of initial cargo state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual condition assessment and physical inspection with electronic sensing and automated computational prediction. Sensors continuously measure environmental parameters, and algorithms predict cargo ripening status without requiring physical examination or complex mechanical measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If environmental parameters are continuously monitored and adjusted to achieve desired ripening, then ripening control precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of ripening controlVSAvoidenergy consumption for environmental control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic measurement and adjustment of environmental parameters rather than continuous operation. Environmental conditions are monitored at scheduled intervals, and adjustments are made only when necessary to maintain the predicted ripening trajectory. This periodic approach achieves precise ripening control while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This solution enables effective monitoring and control of the ripening process, ensuring that perishable items arrive at their destination in the desired ripened state, meeting customer requirements while maintaining optimal storage conditions.

Implementation Method 1

determining a respiration rate associated with each of the perishable items based on the measured one or more environmental parameters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRespiration: Aerobic Digestion

Data Source

PatentEP4541199A1Systems and methods for monitoring ripening of perishable items

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 CARRIER CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention describe systems (110) and methods (400) for monitoring ripening of perishable items (104) stored within a container (102). The method (400) comprises measuring (402) one or more environmental parameters within the container (102) at pre-determined time intervals. Further, the method (400) comprises determining (404) a respiration rate associated with each of the perishable items (104) based on the measured one or more environmental parameters. Further, the method (400) comprises determining (406), based on the determined respiration rate and a ripening database (204a), an initiation time for initiating ripening of the perishable items (104). Furthermore, the method (400) comprises triggering (408) the ripening of the perishable items (104) at the initiation time.