JP2007320655A - Detecting device of state of transporting and freezing door - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detecting device effectively accurately detecting a state of a door for a transporting and freezing container including the door. <P>SOLUTION: The detecting device of the state of the door includes an emitter attached to the container to send the first radio signal in the first direction toward the door. A reflector attached to the door is aligned with the emitter to receive the first radio signal and responds to the first radio signal to generate the second radio signal in the second direction opposite to the first direction. The detecting device includes a receiver neighboring to the emitter and attached to the container on the opposite side of the reflector. The receiver is substantially aligned with the reflector, and receives the second radio signal to generate the third signal showing the state of the door responding to the reception of the second radio signal. The controller selectively generates an alarm responding to the third signal showing the state of the door. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a door state detection device for a delivery container or a transport container, and more particularly to a door state detection device that monitors an open position or a closed position of a door provided in the container.

Current shipping containers that monitor the position of the door use a large and complex wire-based mechanical system that determines the open and closed positions of the door. In those conventional mechanical door condition detection systems, the wires extend the entire length of the container. Long wires can make the system more susceptible to failure and can make efficient replacement difficult, resulting in a need for higher power to operate the system properly. The long wires can be damaged or interfered, and can increase costs and reduce the effectiveness of the system. The long wires make the refrigeration system susceptible to failure and in some cases ruin temperature sensitive items. In some cases, transportation of articles by containers with long wires is avoided for those reasons.
US Provisional Application No. 60 / 686,385, filed June 1, 2005 None

  These shipping containers typically use a mechanical door position sensing system that wears due to repeated motion. A worn mechanical door position sensor fails to signal that the door has opened improperly. Over time, these systems become unreliable and the chances of an article being stolen or rotten increase significantly.

  In one embodiment, the present invention provides a transport container door state detection device including a door and a transport refrigeration system having an environmental state control device. The sensing device includes an emitter attached to the container that transmits a first wireless signal in a first direction toward the door. A reflector is coupled to the door and is substantially aligned with the emitter. The reflector receives the first radio signal and generates a second radio signal in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction in response to the first radio signal. . The sensing device further includes a receiver attached to the container adjacent to the emitter and opposite the reflector. The receiver is substantially aligned with the reflector and receives the second radio signal. In response to receiving the second wireless signal, the receiver generates a third signal indicating the state of the door. A controller is in electrical communication with the receiver and selectively generates an alarm in response to the third signal indicative of the state of the door.

  In another embodiment, the present invention provides a transport container sensing device that includes a first door, a second door, and a transport refrigeration system having an environmental condition control device. The sensing device includes an emitter attached to the container that transmits a first radio signal in a first direction toward the first door. A reflector is coupled to the first door and is substantially aligned with the emitter. The reflector receives the first radio signal and generates a second radio signal in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction in response to the first radio signal. . A receiver is attached to the container adjacent to the emitter and opposite the reflector and is substantially aligned with the reflector to receive the second radio signal. ing. The receiver generates a third signal indicating the state of the first door in response to the second wireless signal. A switch couples to the second door and generates a fourth signal indicative of the state of the second door. A controller is in electrical communication with the receiver and the switch. The controller selectively generates a first alarm in response to the third signal indicative of the state of the first door and is responsive to the fourth signal indicative of the state of the second door. Then, the second alarm is selectively generated.

  In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for detecting the condition of a shipping container door. The method uses an emitter to transmit a first wireless signal in a first direction toward the door, aligns a reflector with the emitter, and uses the reflector to configure the first radio signal. Detecting a radio signal and generating a second radio signal in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction using the reflector in response to the first radio signal. Including. The method also includes aligning a receiver with the reflector, detecting the second wireless signal using the receiver, and in response to the second wireless signal, Generating a third signal indicating a state; detecting the third signal indicating the state of the door using a controller; selectively generating an alarm indicating the state of the door; including.

  Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

  Before describing embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. . The invention is capable of other forms and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It should also be understood that the expressions and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be considered limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed below. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “provided”, “connected”, “supported” and “coupled” and variations thereof are widely used and are both direct and indirect Includes both secure attachment, connection, support and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

  FIG. 1 shows a shipping container 10 that includes an upper wall 11 and a side wall 12 that partially define a space 13 that supports the storage of products and articles. One of the side walls 12 shown in FIG. 1 has been removed to expose the space 13. The upper wall 11 and the side wall 12 may include a heat insulating material for keeping the space 13 in a predetermined state (for example, temperature, humidity, etc.) different from the surrounding state.

  The rear door 14 allows access to the space 13 from the first end of the container 10. The rear door 14 extends over a substantial portion of the first end of the container 10 to allow a large amount of goods and articles to be accommodated in the space 13 and to remove the articles from the space 13. Enable. The rear door 14 is closed to keep the article in place during shipping and storage of the container 10.

  The container 10 further includes a transport refrigeration system having an environmental condition control device 16, a container panel 18, and an access door 20. The environmental state control device 16 is at least partially surrounded by a container panel 18 disposed at the second end of the container 10. The environmental state control device 16 includes refrigeration components (not shown) such as an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor that change at least one state of the space 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the access door 20 is positioned adjacent to the top of the container panel 18 and is pivotally coupled to the container panel 18 using conventional hinges or pins 22. The access door 20 can be opened to allow access to parts of the environmental condition control device 16 such as the evaporator or compressor. The evaporator is an important component that requires convenient access, so the access door 20 is relatively large.

  FIG. 1 shows a reflector 24 attached to the rear door 14 and directed towards a sensor 26 coupled to the container on the opposite side of the reflector 24 in the space 13. The reflector 24 is substantially aligned with the sensor 26 to allow communication between the reflector 24 and the sensor 26. The reflector 24 may include a reflective material that reflects incoming signals. In other embodiments, the reflector 24 may be coupled to the access door 20 and the sensor 26 may be attached to the container 10 on the access door 20 opposite the reflector 24.

  The sensor 26 is attached to the inner panel 28 of the container 10 adjacent to the environmental state control device 16 and is directed to the reflector 24 in the space 13 to detect the open state and the closed state of the rear door 14. . As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 26 includes a push button 30 and a housing 32 that surrounds the emitter 34 and the receiver 36. Push button 30 is located on the front surface of housing 32 to facilitate programming of sensor 26. In some embodiments, push button 30 can “on” and “off” sensor 26. One embodiment of sensor 26 is sold by Banner Engineering, which has its business origin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A suitable banner engineering laser sensor is the World-Beam Model QS-30L, which is a medium-sized universal laser sensor that allows for easy placement of the laser beam and provides long-range sensing capability. It is. In other configurations, other types of sensors can be used to sense the position of the rear door 14 and / or the access door 20.

  The emitter 34 emits a first wireless signal or an optical signal (for example, a polarized laser beam) in a first direction toward the reflector 24. The reflector 24 generates a second radio signal in a second direction toward the receiver 36 in response to the first radio signal. In some embodiments, the reflector 24 reflects the first wireless signal according to the angle of incidence of the signal entering the reflector 24 (eg, 0 degrees to 90 degrees), and the second Generate a radio signal. The receiver 36 detects the presence of the second radio signal. The lack of detection of the second radio signal by the receiver 36 is that the first radio signal has been received by the reflector 24 and that the second radio signal is in a direction different from the second direction. May indicate that it may have been directed to. Alternatively, the lack of detection of the second wireless signal may indicate that the first wireless signal was not received by the reflector 24.

  In the embodiment including the reflector 24 disposed on the rear door 14, the detection of the second radio signal by the receiver 36 indicates the closed state of the rear door 14. The lack of detection of the second radio signal by the receiver 36 indicates an open state of the rear door 14. In embodiments that include a reflector 24 disposed on the access door 20, detection of the second wireless signal by the receiver 36 indicates a closed state of the access door 20. The lack of detection of the second wireless signal by the receiver 36 indicates the open state of the access door 20. The sensor 26 generates a third signal indicating the open state or the closed state of the rear door 14 and / or the access door 20 based on the detection of the second wireless signal by the receiver 36.

  FIG. 2 shows a switch 37 located adjacent to the access door 20 that detects the open and closed states of the access door 20. The switch 37 includes a housing 48 having a sensor (not shown) and is coupled adjacent to the access door 20 using one or more fasteners 50. The sensor detects the state of the access door 20 and generates a signal indicating the open state or the closed state. The connector 52 is attached to the housing 48 and performs electrical communication between the switch 37 and the controller 38 to transmit the signal to the controller 38 and supply power to the switch 37. When the access door 20 is at least partially open, the switch 37 is configured to generate a signal indicating the open state of the access door 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the switch 37 includes a magnetic reed switch well known to those skilled in the art. The magnetic reed switch is a non-mechanical switch that includes two or more metal leads (not shown) having contacts disposed at the ends of the leads. The reed switch is operated by a magnetic field from an external magnet disposed in close proximity. A magnet (not shown) is attached to the access door 20 to generate the magnetic field. This magnetic field makes the lead magnetic and attracts the end to the magnetic field. The contact opens or closes depending on the presence of the magnetic field based on whether the contact is normally open or closed. Removal of the magnetic field allows the lead to return the contact to its original state. General specifications can be a switching voltage of 240V AC maximum, a switching current of 0.50A maximum, a switching capacity of 10.0VA maximum and a contact resistance of 100mΩ maximum. The switch 37 may further include a switching distance of 8.0 mm.

  The illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1 is disposed within the container 10 for sensing the status of the access door 20 and the reflector 24 and sensor 26 disposed within the container 10 for sensing the status of the rear door 14. Switch 37 is shown. However, other embodiments comprise one or more reflectors 24, sensors 26 and switches 37 for detecting the status of the rear door 14, the access door 20 and other doors (not shown) of the container 10. Any combination may be included.

  The controller 38 is disposed adjacent to the container panel 18 and is in electrical communication with the environmental condition control device 16 to monitor the operational state of the device 16. If at least a portion of the control device 16 does not function properly or malfunctions, the controller 38 generates a first alarm indicating the failure. The controller 38 is further in electrical communication with a sensor (not shown) disposed in the space 13. The sensors in the space 13 are configured to generate one or more signals indicative of the state of the space 13. The controller 38 generates a second alarm according to the state of the space 13 that is outside the predetermined range. Further, the controller 38 controls the state of the space 13 in conjunction with the environmental state control device 16. In one embodiment, the controller 38 is programmed to receive a signal indicative of the state of the space 13 and automatically interlock with the environmental condition control device 16 according to predetermined parameters. In another embodiment, the controller 38 is programmed to change the state of the space 13 in response to input from an operator or system manager of the container 10.

  Controller 38 is in electrical communication with sensor 26 and switch 37 to receive signals indicating the open and closed states of rear door 14 and access door 20, respectively. If the sensor 26 indicates that the rear door 14 is open and the operational state of the container 10 requires that the rear door 14 is closed, the controller 38 indicates a third state indicating the open state of the rear door 14. Generate an alarm. If the switch 37 is open and the operational state of the container 10 requires the access door 20 to be closed, the controller 38 generates a fourth alarm indicating the open state of the access door 20. To do. In some embodiments, the controller 38 displays the status of the rear door 14 and access door 20 and the first, second, third and fourth alarms. The operator can facilitate appropriate actions regarding container operation in response to the displayed status and / or alarm.

  In some embodiments, the controller 38 is responsive to signals received from the sensor 26 and / or switch 37 to determine the operational status of the environmental condition control device 16, the sensed state of the space 13, and the rear door 14 and access door 20, respectively. A database (not shown) may be included that records the state of the door. The database can be accessed by the operator to confirm that the container 10 is operating effectively, facilitating maintenance. The recorded status and condition is very useful for maintaining or establishing the integrity of the goods being transported in the container 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 38 is a Thermo King Model MP3000 controller available from Thermo King, which has its business origin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In other configurations, different controllers may be used to facilitate monitoring of the environmental condition control device, the sensing state of the space 13, and the respective positions of the rear door 14 and access door 20.

  Other embodiments of the container 10 may use a separate controller or door condition detector 39 to monitor the condition of the rear door 14 and the access door 20. The detection device 39 is shown in FIG. 5 as a circuit diagram. Sensing device 39 is electrically coupled to sensor 26 to receive signals indicating the open and closed states of rear door 14. The sensing device 39 is further electrically coupled to the switch 37 to receive one or more signals indicating the open and closed states of the access door 20. Sensing device 39 includes a power source 40, a ground 42, a voltage regulator 44, and a signal output 46. The power source is a 12-volt DC power source, but other power sources may be used to supply power to the door state detection device.

  A signal generated by at least one of sensor 26 and switch 37 indicating the respective state of rear door 14 and access door 20 is directed to signal output 46. Signal output 46 is coupled to an auxiliary input (not shown) of controller 38. In one configuration, signal output 46 includes a two-wire configuration that utilizes different voltage states. The sensor device 39 detects and emits signals indicating the open and closed states of the rear door 14 and signals indicating the open and closed states of the access door 20 via the signal output 46. Each signal from signal output 46 is received and stored by controller 38, which also generates an appropriate alarm.

  Therefore, the present invention can particularly realize a transport container including a door state detection device that informs the positions of the container rear door and the evaporator door. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

It is a side view of the delivery container of the state which removed the side wall. It is a front view of the container of FIG. It is a perspective view of the sensor of the container of FIG. It is a top view of the switch of the container of FIG. It is a circuit diagram of the door state detection apparatus of the container of FIG.

Claims (31)

  A door state detection device for a transport container including a door and a transport refrigeration system having an environmental state control device, wherein the door state detection device is attached to the container and transmits a first radio signal in a first direction toward the door An emitter configured to and a reflector coupled to the door and substantially aligned with the emitter, wherein the first radio signal is detected and the first radio signal is Accordingly, a reflector configured to generate a second wireless signal in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction, adjacent to the emitter, and the reflector A receiver attached to the container on the opposite side, substantially aligned with the reflector, and detecting the second radio signal and in response to receiving the second radio signal , Third indicating the state of the door A receiver configured to generate a signal, and is configured to selectively generate an alarm in response to the third signal that is in electrical communication with the receiver and that indicates the state of the door. Door state detection device comprising a controller.   The door state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is configured to generate the second wireless signal in response to reception of the first wireless signal. The door according to claim 1, wherein the door includes an open state and a closed state, and the controller is configured to generate the alarm in response to the third signal indicating the door in the open state. Door state detection device.   The door state detection device according to claim 3, wherein the reflector is configured to generate the second wireless signal in the second direction when the door is in the closed state.   The door state detection according to claim 3, wherein the receiver is configured to generate the third signal indicating the door in the open state when the second wireless signal is not detected. apparatus.   The door state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a database that stores the state of the door and enables access to the stored state.   The door condition of claim 1, wherein the emitter and the receiver cooperate to form a sensor configured to transmit the first wireless signal and sense the second wireless signal. Detection device.   The door state detection device according to claim 7, wherein the sensor includes a laser sensor.   The door state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect the first radio signal and generate the second radio signal. The door state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless signal is formed by a polarized laser beam, and the second wireless signal is formed by reflection of the polarized laser beam.   A door state detection device for a transport container including a first door, a second door, and a transport refrigeration system having an environmental state control device, the door state detection device being attached to the container and heading toward the first door An emitter configured to transmit a first wireless signal in a first direction; and a reflector coupled to the first door and substantially aligned with the emitter, wherein the first A reflector configured to detect one radio signal and to generate a second radio signal in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction in response to the first radio signal; A receiver attached to the container adjacent to the emitter and opposite the reflector, wherein the receiver is substantially aligned with the reflector and the second radio signal And receiving the second radio signal And a receiver configured to generate a third signal indicative of the state of the first door, and a fourth signal coupled to the second door and indicative of the state of the second door. A switch configured to generate a first alarm selectively in response to the third signal indicative of a state of the first door, in electrical communication with the receiver and the switch And a controller configured to selectively generate a second alarm in response to the fourth signal generated and indicative of the state of the second door.   The door state detection device according to claim 11, wherein the reflector is configured to generate the second wireless signal in response to reception of the first wireless signal.   The first door includes a first door open state and a first door closed state, and the controller is responsive to the third signal indicating the first door open state to generate the first alarm. The door state detection device according to claim 11, wherein the door state detection device is configured to generate   14. The reflector according to claim 13, wherein the reflector is configured to generate the second radio signal in the second direction when the first door is in the first door closed state. Door state detection device.   The second door includes a second door open state and a second door closed state, and the controller receives the second alarm in response to the fourth signal indicating the second door open state. The door state detection device according to claim 11, wherein the door state detection device is configured to generate   The door state of claim 11, wherein the receiver is configured to generate the third signal indicating the open state of the door when the second wireless signal is not detected. Detection device.   The emitter and the receiver cooperate to form a sensor configured to transmit the first radio signal and configured to sense the second radio signal. The door state detection apparatus as described.   The door state detection device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor includes a laser sensor.   The door state detection device according to claim 11, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect the first radio signal and generate the second radio signal.   The door state detection device according to claim 11, wherein the first wireless signal is formed by a polarized laser beam, and the second wireless signal is formed by reflection of the polarized laser beam.   The controller includes a database storing the first door state and the second door state, such that the controller allows access to the first door state and the second door state; The door state detection device according to claim 11 constituted.   The door state detection device according to claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the first door state independently of the second door state.   The door state detection device according to claim 22, wherein the switch includes a magnetic reed switch. A method for detecting a state of a transport container door having a transport refrigeration system, wherein an emitter is used to transmit a first radio signal in a first direction toward the door, and a reflector is connected to the emitter. Aligning and detecting the first radio signal using the reflector, and using the reflector and substantially opposite to the first direction in response to the first radio signal Generating a second wireless signal in a second direction of the first position, aligning a receiver with the reflector, sensing the second wireless signal using the receiver, and Generating a third signal indicative of the state of the door in response to a wireless signal;
Using a controller to detect the third signal indicative of the door condition and selectively generating an alarm indicative of the door condition.   25. The method of claim 24, wherein generating the second wireless signal includes reflecting the first wireless signal.   25. The method of claim 24, wherein detecting the second signal using the receiver includes detecting a closed position of the door.   25. The method of claim 24, wherein selectively generating the alarm includes generating the alarm in response to the third signal indicating an open state of the door.   28. The door state detection device according to claim 27, wherein detecting the third signal indicating the open state of the door includes that the second wireless signal cannot be detected.   25. The method of claim 24, further comprising storing the state of the door and allowing access to the stored state.   Transmitting the first radio signal using the emitter includes transmitting a laser beam, detecting the first radio signal and transmitting the second radio signal using the reflector. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein generating includes reflecting the laser beam, and detecting the second wireless signal using the receiver includes detecting the reflected laser beam. the method of. Selectively generating the alarm indicating the state of the door using the controller, transmitting a fourth signal indicating the state of the door from the controller to the second controller;
25. The method of claim 24, comprising displaying the door status using the second controller.

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