Stored Goods Temperature Inference from Air Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temperature-controlled environments, such as refrigerators and freezers, face challenges in accurately measuring the internal temperature of stored goods due to fluctuations in air temperature, which can lead to spoilage or loss of potency for perishable items like vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that analyzes raw temperature data from temperature-controlled units to determine the internal temperature of goods by using property values like volume, geometry, and density, and adjusts for cyclical changes in air temperature using k values, enabling precise temperature monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air temperature measurement is used to monitor stored goods, then measurement simplicity is improved, but temperature measurement precision deteriorates due to air temperature fluctuations not reflecting actual goods internal temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that acts as a mediator between air temperature measurements and goods internal temperature. The model uses air temperature as input but incorporates goods-specific properties (density, specific heat, geometry) to compute the actual internal temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between simple measurement and precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct temperature measurement to a computational parameter transformation process. It uses air temperature parameters combined with goods physical parameters (density, specific heat capacity, geometry) to calculate internal temperature, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated computation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are placed inside goods to measure internal temperature accurately, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the goods themselves and relocates it to the surrounding air environment. By measuring air temperature and using computational models to infer goods internal temperature, the system eliminates the need for intrusive sensors inside goods, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air temperature as an intermediary measurement that indirectly reflects goods internal temperature. This intermediary approach avoids direct contact with goods, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining accuracy through the use of thermal diffusion models that account for goods properties.
3Ease of operation
If temperature control is maintained based on air temperature alone, then control simplicity is improved, but reliability of goods temperature control deteriorates due to lag between air and goods temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the computational model to predict goods internal temperature based on air temperature trends and goods thermal properties. This allows the control system to anticipate temperature changes in goods before they occur, enabling proactive control adjustments that maintain reliability while keeping the control system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing computed goods internal temperature with desired temperature ranges and using this information to adjust control decisions. The feedback loop incorporates goods-specific thermal properties to accurately predict temperature lag, enabling reliable temperature control based on simple air temperature measurements.
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 provides accurate internal temperature monitoring and control, reducing the risk of spoilage and maintaining the potency of stored goods by accounting for the specific properties of each item and the ambient temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature sensor located inside the temperature controlled unit sends temperature data
Implementation Method 2
the processing unit calculates an internal temperature of the one or more goods based on the received temperature data and a characteristic of the one or more goods
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for determining a temperature of goods in a temperature controlled unit are disclosed. Raw temperature data is received for a first iteration. The raw temperature data indicates an air temperature inside the temperature controlled unit at the first iteration. A property value for a good stored in the temperature controlled unit is obtained. Based on the raw temperature data for the first iteration and the property value for the good, a first adjusted stored goods temperature is determined for the good. The first adjusted stored goods temperature for the good represents a first internal temperature of the good. Additional iterations are performed, where raw temperature data is received for a second iteration. Based on the raw temperature for the second iteration and the property value for the good, a second adjusted stored goods temperature is determined.