Transport Refrigeration Predictive Route-Based Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport refrigeration systems rely on manual thermostat adjustments and geographical settings, which are inefficient and lack adaptive control to ensure optimal cargo conditions during transportation, especially when approaching destinations.
Innovation Solution
A transport unit equipped with a control system that uses position detection apparatus to determine geographic location and predict routes, allowing the refrigeration system to adjust its operation based on proximity to potential destinations, optimizing temperature and humidity conditions for cargo preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple thermostat is used to control the refrigeration unit based on setpoint temperature, then the system is easy to operate and manually adjustable, but the system lacks adaptive control and cannot predict cargo conditions during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by predicting the route and estimating cargo conditions at future destinations before actually arriving there. This allows the system to proactively adjust refrigeration settings in advance rather than reacting to current temperature readings alone, thereby achieving adaptive control without requiring complex real-time sensing at each destination
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own positional data and stored route information to automatically predict future conditions and adjust refrigeration settings without external intervention. The control system serves itself by generating predictive control signals based on its current location and pre-stored geographical data, eliminating the need for manual thermostat adjustments at each destination
2Extent of automation
If manual thermostat adjustments are made for different destinations, then the system can adapt to different setpoint temperatures, but the system lacks predictive capability and requires operator intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores route information and geographical data for multiple potential destinations in its memory before transportation begins. This preliminary storage of information allows the automated prediction of future cargo conditions without requiring real-time data collection or manual input during transit, enabling the system to automatically determine optimal refrigeration settings at each destination
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors its current position using position detection apparatus and compares this feedback against the pre-stored route data to automatically determine which destination is approaching. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the automated adjustment of refrigeration settings based on predicted destination conditions without losing critical route information
3Reliability
If the refrigeration system operates continuously to maintain setpoint temperature, then cargo conditions are maintained, but energy consumption increases and frost formation risk increases near destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling by lowering the cargo space temperature below the final destination setpoint before arriving at the destination. This advance cooling action allows the refrigeration unit to be turned off or operated at reduced capacity near the destination while still maintaining acceptable cargo conditions, thereby reducing energy consumption and minimizing frost formation risk
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system dynamically adjusts its operation based on the predicted destination and remaining travel time. Instead of maintaining a fixed setpoint temperature throughout the journey, the system varies the target temperature profile over time, cooling more aggressively early in the journey and reducing cooling intensity near destinations, thereby optimizing both cargo protection and energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A transport unit including a container defining a cargo space. The transport unit includes position detection apparatus coupled to the container, and adapted to determine a geographic location of the container and to generate a signal indicative of the geographic location. The transport unit also includes a refrigeration system in communication with the cargo space, and a control system including route data that defines a plurality of potential destinations of the container. The control system is programmed to predict a container route defined by at least two potential destinations of the container based on the geographic location and the route data, and to determine a proximity of the container relative to at least one potential destination of the route. The control system is in communication with the refrigeration system to control the refrigeration system based on the proximity of the container relative to the at least one potential destination.