Transport Refrigeration Diagnostics via Periodic Engine-Off ECU Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport refrigeration systems face inefficiencies in fuel usage, maintenance costs, and battery power depletion due to the need for duplicate engine data acquisition sensors during Start/Stop modes, which are not effectively managed by current systems.
Innovation Solution
A TRS controller periodically activates the engine control unit to acquire engine sensor data, determining efficient transitions between power consumption stages to optimize engine operating modes, thereby reducing fuel usage, maintenance costs, and battery depletion without the need for duplicate sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the TRS controller continuously monitors engine sensor data to determine optimal engine operating modes, then the reliability of temperature control is improved, but the battery power consumption increases and fuel usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of engine sensor data by activating the ECU at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The TRS controller determines periodic activation times based on operational patterns and temperature control requirements, allowing the ECU to remain inactive between activations to conserve battery power while still maintaining adequate temperature control reliability through timely data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU activates itself at predetermined periodic intervals without requiring continuous external triggering from the TRS controller. This self-service mechanism allows the ECU to autonomously monitor engine parameters and report data when activated, reducing the continuous power draw that would result from constant controller-ECU communication while ensuring data is available when needed for temperature control decisions.
2Productivity
If the TRS controller activates the ECU frequently to acquire engine sensor data, then the productivity of temperature control decisions is improved, but the battery power depletion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic activation of the ECU at optimized intervals that balance the need for timely temperature control decisions with battery conservation. The activation frequency is determined based on engine operating patterns and temperature control criticality, ensuring data is available when needed without excessive battery depletion from overly frequent activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the periodic activation interval of the ECU based on changing operational conditions, engine state, and temperature control requirements. When rapid temperature changes are detected or engine conditions warrant closer monitoring, the activation frequency increases; otherwise, intervals are extended to conserve battery power, thus adapting productivity needs to actual system state.
3Measurement precision
If duplicate engine data acquisition sensors are installed on the TRS controller to enable monitoring during Start/Stop modes, then the measurement precision of engine parameters is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU serves multiple functions: it controls engine operation and simultaneously provides engine sensor data to the TRS controller during periods when activated. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate duplicate sensors on the TRS controller, as the ECU's existing sensing capabilities are leveraged for both engine control and temperature control decision-making, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU acts as an intermediary that bridges engine parameter measurement and TRS controller decision-making. Rather than installing duplicate sensors directly on the TRS controller, the system uses the ECU as a mediating component that acquires engine data during its activation periods and communicates relevant information to the TRS controller, thereby achieving accurate parameter measurement without duplicating the sensor infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods and systems for periodic system diagnostic of a TRS are provided. In particular, a TRS controller is configured to periodically activate an engine control unit (ECU) of a genset to acquire engine sensor information while the engine is not running. The TRS controller is configured to determine an efficient time to bring the ECU out of a minimum electrical power consumption stage into a medium power consumption stage in order to determine a next action of the TRS.