UWB Cargo Sensing in Refrigerated Enclosures Under Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic and infrared sensors used for cargo sensing in refrigerated trucks are limited by high humidity and condensation, which affects their accuracy and reliability in detecting cargo presence, type, and quantity.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-wide band (UWB) radar sensor system with a controller that periodically scans the enclosure, identifies cargo presence, type, and quantity, and adjusts refrigeration requirements, while being immune to environmental conditions like humidity and condensation, and provides alerts and metadata for remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic or infrared sensors are used for cargo sensing, then the sensing capability is provided, but the reliability deteriorates due to high humidity and condensation in refrigerated environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasonic and infrared sensors with millimeter wave radar sensors. This substitution transitions from acoustic/optical fields to electromagnetic fields, which are not affected by humidity and condensation. The millimeter wave radar can penetrate through fog, smoke, and condensation to detect cargo, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of high humidity environments while maintaining reliable cargo sensing capability.
2Reliability
If millimeter wave radar is used for cargo detection, then the reliability in humid environments is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to ultrasonic or infrared sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The millimeter wave radar sensor performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects cargo presence, estimates cargo volume, identifies cargo type through dielectric constant analysis, and provides positioning information. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate sensing systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability in humid conditions.
3Measurement precision
If the UWB sensor scans the enclosure continuously, then the cargo monitoring accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic scanning of the enclosure by the UWB sensor at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous scanning. This periodic operation maintains cargo monitoring accuracy by regularly updating cargo presence, volume, and type information, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous scanning. The controller activates the sensor only when needed based on the scanning schedule.
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
The UWB radar system effectively monitors cargo in refrigerated containers, enhancing energy efficiency and security by accurately detecting cargo presence, type, and quantity, and optimizing refrigeration conditions, even in challenging environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-wide band (UWB) radar sensor to identify existence and volume of enclosure contents, and to estimate the type of the content
Implementation Method 2
reflected energy from cargo within the enclosure, indicative of the type of cargo being transported
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an enclosure having: a first sensor and a first controller for controlling the first sensor, the first sensor being an ultra-wide band (UWB) radar sensor, wherein the first controller monitors for cargo in the enclosure by scanning the container periodically and/or in response to one or more trigger events, and identifying from scanned data one or more of cargo type and cargo quantity.