KR102665949B1 - A temperature reader logger which periodically senses, logs, and transmits temperature in a low-power method and can be replaced or managed without opening a fresh logistics box, and a fresh logistics box including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to embodiments of the present invention, an insulating box provided with a receiving space therein; Endothelial covering the inner space of the insulation box; A shell covering the outer surface of the insulating box; A passive sensor tag provided on one side of the insulation box; and a temperature reader logger detachably provided on one side of the outer shell to be adjacent to the passive sensor tag. A fresh logistics box is provided, including a.

Description

Temperature reader logger capable of periodic sensing, storage and transmission of temperature in a low-power manner and capable of replacement and management without opening the fresh logistics box, and fresh logistics box containing the same LOW-POWER METHOD AND CAN BE REPLACED OR MANAGED WITHOUT OPENING A FRESH LOGISTICS BOX, AND A FRESH LOGISTICS BOX INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a temperature reader logger, and more specifically, to a temperature reader logger capable of periodically sensing, storing and transmitting temperature in a low-power manner and capable of replacing the fresh logistics box without opening it, and to a fresh logistics box containing the same. will be.

A variety of technologies have been proposed for temperature monitoring of fresh logistics, but they all meet the following requirements: battery maintenance of temperature sensors, cleaning of logistics boxes, securing the temperature inside the boxes, ensuring accuracy of measuring actual temperature values inside and outside the boxes, and periodic temperature sensing and management. However, there is a demand for technology to implement efficient fresh logistics at low unit costs.

Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0016817 (2019.02.19.) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1773380 (2017.08.31.)

The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a temperature reader logger that can periodically sense, store, and transmit temperature in a low-power manner and can be replaced without opening the fresh logistics box, and a temperature reader logger including the same. We provide fresh logistics boxes.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to solve this problem, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an insulating box provided with an accommodating space therein; Endothelial covering the inner space of the insulation box; A shell covering the outer surface of the insulating box; A passive sensor tag provided on one side of the insulation box; and a temperature reader logger detachably provided on one side of the outer shell adjacent to the passive sensor tag.

The active temperature reader logger includes a detachment unit for attachment and detachment from the fresh logistics box; A first wireless communication module for communicating with the passive sensor tag; a memory for storing the sensing value sensed by the passive sensor tag; a second wireless communication module for performing communication with an external terminal and transmitting the sensing value to the external terminal; and a power supply unit for driving the first and second wireless communication modules.

The passive sensor tag includes a sensor unit that is driven by power received from the temperature reader logger and measures two or more sensing values, receives power and signals from the external reader, and transmits the two or more sensing values to the external reader. It is characterized as a passive multi-channel sensor tag including an antenna unit.

The sensor unit includes a first sensor and a second sensor disposed at a location physically spaced apart from the first sensor, and the passive multi-channel sensor tag has a folded area located between the first sensor and the second sensor. It is characterized by being folded based on the standard.

The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged to face the same direction when the passive multi-channel sensor tag is unfolded, and to face opposite directions when the passive multi-channel sensor tag is folded.

The sensor unit further includes a third sensor disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor to be spaced apart from the first sensor and the second sensor, and the folded area is between the first sensor and the third sensor. It is characterized by being located in .

The first sensor faces the same direction as the second sensor and the third sensor when the passive multi-channel sensor tag is unfolded, and faces the second sensor and the third sensor when the passive multi-channel sensor tag is folded. It is characterized by being arranged to face a direction.

The substrate on which the sensor chip and the antenna unit are disposed is characterized in that at least a portion of the area is made of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The substrate includes a first substrate region where the antenna unit is disposed and a second substrate region extending from the first substrate region, and the first sensor is located in the first substrate region, the second sensor and the third sensor. At least one of them is disposed in the second substrate area.

The sensor chip includes an operational amplifier (OP-AMP) and an analog-digital converter (ADC) input port, and the circuit unit disposed on the board includes a driving voltage node; a first non-variable resistor, one end of which is connected to a driving voltage node; and a second non-variable resistor, one end of which is connected to the driving voltage node and connected in parallel with the first non-variable resistor, wherein the sensor unit has one end in series with the other end of the first non-variable resistor. A first variable resistor connected and the other end is grounded; and a second variable resistor, one end of which is connected in series to the other end of the second non-variable resistor, and the other end of which is grounded, wherein the antenna unit is configured to connect the other end of the first non-variable resistor to the first variable resistor. A first sensing voltage value measured at a first measurement voltage node located at a set of contact points and connected to the (-) input terminal of the OP-AMP; and a second sensing voltage value measured at a second measurement voltage node located at the contact point of the other end of the second non-variable resistor and one end of the second variable resistor and connected to the (+) input terminal of the OP-AMP. ; is transmitted to the external reader.

The circuit unit further includes a third non-variable resistor, one end of which is connected to the driving voltage node and connected in parallel with the first non-variable resistor and the second non-variable resistor, and the sensor unit has one end connected to the third non-variable resistor. It further includes a third variable resistor connected in series to the other end of the non-variable resistor and the other end of which is grounded, wherein the antenna unit is located at a contact point between the other end of the third non-variable resistor and one end of the third variable resistor, and the ADC The third sensing voltage value measured at the third measurement voltage node connected to the input port is further transmitted to the external reader.

In addition, according to some other embodiments of the present invention, a sensor unit including two or more sensors arranged at positions spaced apart from each other, which is driven by power received from an external reader and measures two or more sensing values; a sensor chip that is electrically connected to the sensor unit and receives the two or more sensing values; and an antenna unit that receives power and signals from the external reader and transmits the two or more sensing values to the external reader, wherein at least one sensor among the two or more sensors is wired from the substrate to be connected to the substrate. A passive multi-channel sensor tag that branches out to an external area is provided.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fresh logistics box equipped with a passive multi-channel sensor tag includes: an insulated box with a receiving space therein; A passive multi-channel sensor tag provided on one side of the insulation box; Endothelial covering the inner space of the insulation box; and a shell covering the outer surface of the insulation box, wherein the passive multi-channel sensor tag is driven with power received from an external reader tagged on one side of the shell to measure two or more sensing values. A fresh logistics box is provided including a sensor unit and an antenna unit that receives power and signals from the external reader and transmits the two or more sensing values to the external reader.

The passive multi-channel sensor tag measures the external temperature of the fresh logistics box between a first sensor that measures the internal temperature of the fresh logistics box between the inner shell and the inner surface of the insulated box, and the outer shell and the outer surface of the insulated box. It is characterized by including a second sensor that measures.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the temperature inside and outside the box is precisely sensed using a passive sensor tag without a separate power supply, and at the same time, an active temperature reader logger installed on the outside of the box is provided to accurately measure the temperature of fresh goods. It can be sensed and managed periodically.

In addition, even in the logistics environment or when the reader logger battery is discharged, it is possible to monitor the temperature throughout the entire fresh logistics process through tagging the manager's terminal with a passive sensor tag, thereby ensuring high reliability.

Furthermore, the temperature leader logger is fastened in a structure that can be detached without opening the box, so opening the inside of the logistics box is eliminated during a series of processes such as collection and reinstallation of the temperature leader logger, such as logistics box replacement and battery replacement, thereby ensuring a stable fresh temperature inside the box. You can maintain it, and maintenance such as box cleaning can also be performed conveniently.

In addition, according to the multi-channel passive sensor tag that receives power and is driven by the temperature reader logger of the present invention, the temperature inside and outside the box can be accurately measured at low cost, making it possible to set and maintain optimal temperature conditions for each fresh logistics environment. .

The effects according to the technical idea of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a temperature reader logger according to some embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a temperature reader logger according to some embodiments of the present invention mounted on a fresh logistics box.
3 to 5 are diagrams for explaining a fresh logistics box including a temperature reader logger according to some embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a passive sensor tag according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are merely intended to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete, and that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and is provided by those skilled in the art It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

Additionally, in this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements. or does not rule out addition.

The sensor tag of the present invention is a passive type sensor tag that does not have its own power source (for example, a battery), and a single sensor tag can perform the role of sensing and transmitting two or more sensing values to a reader. For example, a sensor tag may be implemented to include a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of two or more different spaces.

Figure 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a temperature reader logger according to some embodiments of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exemplary view showing the temperature reader logger according to some embodiments of the present invention mounted on a fresh logistics box. , and FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams for explaining a fresh logistics box including a temperature reader logger according to some embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a passive sensor according to some embodiments of the present invention. This is a drawing to explain tags.

1 and 2, the active temperature reader logger 100 includes a body unit 110, a display unit 120 and a user input unit 130 provided on the front of the body unit 110, and an internal battery charging unit. It may include an external input terminal 140 for etc. and detachable parts 151 and 152 for attachment and detachment to the fresh logistics box.

In addition, although not shown, the active temperature reader logger 100 includes a first wireless communication module for communicating with the passive sensor tag 1000 installed in the fresh logistics box to measure the internal temperature of the fresh logistics box, and a passive sensor. A memory for storing the sensing value sensed by the tag 1000, a second wireless communication module for performing communication with an external terminal and transmitting the sensing value to an external terminal, and the first and second wireless communication modules. A power supply unit for driving them may be included.

The active temperature reader logger 100 periodically transmits wireless power to the passive sensor tag 1000 through the first wireless communication module and periodically receives the sensing value from the passive sensor tag 1000.

Here, the first wireless communication module performs short-range wireless communication with the passive sensor tag 1000 in a frequency band of 100 kHz to 15 MHz, and the second wireless communication module performs short-distance wireless communication with the external terminal in the frequency band of 1 GHz to 10 GHz. It is characterized by performing short-range wireless communication or mobile communication in the frequency band.

For a more specific example, one active temperature reader logger 100 is mounted on a box to match 1:1 with one passive sensor tag 1000, and the first wireless communication module of the active temperature reader logger 100 is a passive sensor tag 1000. Wireless power can be supplied to the passive sensor tag 1000 through short-distance wireless communication (for example, NFC or RFID communication), and the internal and external temperature values of the fresh logistics box sensed by the passive sensor tag 1000 can be transmitted accordingly. .

That is, the first wireless communication module is a reader module that supplies wireless power to the passive sensor tag 1000 and receives sensing values when the active temperature reader logger 100 performs passive short-range wireless communication with the passive sensor tag 1000. It may be a module that performs the role of (for example, an NFC reader module).

The second wireless communication module may be, for example, an active short-range wireless communication module (e.g., BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) module) or a mobile communication module, and the active temperature reader logger 100 may be used for active short-range wireless communication as needed. It may be equipped with both a module and a mobile communication module.

That is, the second wireless communication module may be a module for communicating with a delivery person terminal, a manager terminal, a management server, etc., without tagging an external reader.

When the second wireless communication module is a BLE module, at least one active temperature reader logger 100 may be paired with an external terminal (for example, a smartphone of a delivery driver delivering logistics boxes, etc.). That is, box temperature information collected by the active temperature reader logger 100 provided in each of a plurality of boxes can be collected and managed by an external terminal.

The temperature reader-logger 100 can transmit the temperature value to an external terminal every time the temperature value is received from the sensor, or it can store the temperature value for each session in memory and transmit the temperature values for multiple sessions at once.

The external terminal receives the temperature value received from the temperature reader logger 100, the external terminal's own information (e.g., time information matching the individual temperature value, GPS information) other than the temperature, and other management information (e.g., logistics box (my product information, shipping information, etc.) can be collected and transmitted to a management server, etc.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the fresh logistics box 2000 includes an insulated box 2200 equipped with a receiving space inside and the above-described sensor tag 1000 on one side, and an insulated box 2200 that covers the inner space of the insulated box. It may include an inner shell 2300 and an outer shell 2100 covering the outer surface of the insulating box.

The sensor tag 1000 is driven by power received from the active temperature reader logger 100 mounted on one side of the shell 2100, and the first sensor 1201 is connected to the outer surface of the shell 2100 and the insulation box 2200. The external temperature of the fresh logistics box 2000 is measured between them, the second sensor 1202 measures the inner lower temperature of the fresh logistics box 2000 between the inner skin 2300 and the inner surface of the insulated box 2200, and the third sensor ( 1203) serves to measure the upper inner temperature of the fresh logistics box 2000 between the inner skin 2300 and the inner surface of the insulating box 2200.

Preferably, the outer shell 2100 and the inner shell 2300 may be formed of a material that is thinner, has greater thermal conductivity, and is more flexible than the single station box 2200. More preferably, the outer shell 2100 is made of a material that allows electromagnetic fields to pass through without interference to prevent tagging sensitivity loss or distance loss.

Meanwhile, as shown, a detachment guide may be provided on one side of the outer shell 2100 and the lid 2400 of the fresh logistics box 2000 to enable the temperature reader logger 100 to be detachably seated.

Specifically, the detachment guide is a first detachment guide (2100G) formed on the outer shell 2100 of the box, and a lid so as to extend integrally with the first detachment guide (2100G) when the lid 2400 is covered (see FIG. 2). It may include a second detachment guide (2400G) formed at (2400). As shown, the temperature reader logger 100 is equipped to be fastened to the detachment guide even when the lid of the box is closed, making it possible to replace and manage the temperature reader logger 100 without opening the logistics box. Accordingly, the temperature reader logger 100 can be replaced and managed without opening the logistics box. Even when maintenance (for example, battery replacement, etc.) of the logger 100 is required, the inside of the box is always sealed from the outside, thereby improving the reliability of fresh logistics.

In addition, the detachment guide is formed adjacent to the passive sensor tag 1000, that is, the temperature reader logger 100 is placed close to the antenna portion of the passive sensor tag 1000, so that the temperature reader logger 100 can be used even in a low-power environment. ) and the passive sensor tag 1000 can smoothly transmit power and/or data.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiments, the method in which the detachable parts 152 and 152 of the temperature reader logger 100 are slidably coupled to the detachment guide of the box has been described as an example, but the detachment method is not limited to this. For example, the temperature reader logger 100 may be fixedly coupled to the area of the box 2000 adjacent to the passive sensor tag 1000 using a magnet or the like. Of course, in this case, avoidance of wireless communication interference due to magnetism must be taken into consideration.

Referring to FIG. 6, the passive multi-channel sensor tag 1000 includes a substrate 1100, a sensor unit 1200 disposed on the substrate to measure two or more sensing values, and electrically connected to the sensor unit to measure two or more sensing values. A sensor chip 1500 that receives a value, an antenna unit 1300 that receives power and signals from an external reader (not shown) and transmits two or more sensing values of the sensor unit to an external reader, the sensor unit on a substrate, It may include a circuit unit 1400 for electrically connecting and controlling the sensor chip and the antenna unit.

The board 1100 is preferably a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) so that the sensor tag 1000 can be folded and mounted on a fresh logistics box, as will be described later. For example, the substrate 1100 may be a flexible FPCB containing polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass epoxy (GE), etc., and the FPCB may be as shown in the present invention. It is not limited and may be a substrate formed with various layer structures using various materials such as FCCL (Flexible Copper Clad Laminate), COVERLAY, PREPREG, and KAPTON.

Meanwhile, in this specification, the case where the substrate 1100 is a flexible PCB is taken as an example, but at least a portion of the substrate may be a hard PCB. For example, the area (first substrate area 1101) of the substrate 1100 where the antenna unit 1300 is located is a hard PCB, and the second substrate area 1102 extending from the first substrate area 1101 is It could be a flexible PCB.

The antenna unit 1300 and/or the circuit unit 1400 may be a conductive thin film such as aluminum or copper that is patterned on the substrate 1100 by pressing, plating, or corrosion. Furthermore, extension lines 1601, 1602, and 1603 extending from the circuit unit 1400 to each of the sensors 1201, 1202, and 1203 to be described later, as well as conductive lines formed together with the antenna unit 1300 and/or the circuit unit 1400. It can be a thin film.

The sensor unit 1200 may perform a temperature sensing role, for example, but is not limited thereto. The sensor unit 1200 is driven by power supplied from an external reader (not shown) such as a smartphone through the antenna unit 1300, and can transmit the measured results to the reader through the antenna unit 1300.

The sensor unit 1200 may include two or more sensors disposed at locations that are physically spaced apart from each other. For example, the sensor unit 1200 may include first to third sensors 1201, 1202, and 1203 spaced apart from each other as shown, but in some cases, the first to third sensors 1201, 1202, and 1203) may be omitted.

In some embodiments, the first sensor 1201 may measure the external temperature of the fresh distribution box, which will be described later, and the second and third sensors 1202 and 1203 may measure the internal temperature of the fresh distribution box. , but is not limited to this.

Meanwhile, the sensor tag 1000 is between the first sensor 1201 and the second sensor 1202, more specifically, the first sensor 1201 and the third sensor 1203, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. It can be folded based on the folded area (FA) located in between. As shown, the folded area FA may be located in the second substrate area 1102 where the second and third sensors 1202 and 1203 are disposed.

The antenna unit 1300 may include an antenna coil unit that generates induced electromotive force by collecting energy transmitted from a reader such as a smartphone, and the antenna coil unit may include one or more condensers for frequency matching required for wireless power transmission and communication. may be included.

When there is a request for temperature measurement from a reader such as a smartphone, the antenna unit 1300 transmits power supplied through short-distance wireless communication from a reader such as a smartphone to the sensor unit 1200. Sensing values such as measured temperature can be transmitted to a reader such as a smartphone through short-distance wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication is implemented in various ways such as RFID (radio frequency identification), NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth, WiFi, Zig Bee, beacon, and LoRa (Long Range). Of course, the RFID may include concepts such as low-frequency identification (LFID), high-frequency identification (HFID), and ultrahigh-frequency identification (UHFID).

Meanwhile, both the sensor unit 1200 and the antenna unit 1300 may be placed on the front surface of the substrate. That is, the first to third sensors 1201, 1202, and 1203 and the antenna unit 1300 may all be disposed on the same side of the substrate and face in the same direction. Accordingly, when the sensor tag 1000 is unfolded (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 1), the first to third sensors 1201, 1202, and 1203 and the antenna unit 1300 face the same direction, When the sensor tag 1000 is folded (i.e., the state shown in FIGS. 4 to 6), the first sensor 1201 faces the opposite direction from the second sensor 1202 and the third sensor 1203. can be placed.

Meanwhile, on the substrate 1100, a device covering at least a portion of at least one of the front surface of the substrate on which the first to third sensors 1201, 1202, 1203 and the antenna unit 1300 are formed and the back surface opposite to the front surface is formed. A protective layer (not shown) may be formed. The protective layer is formed of a flexible material, such as polyimide (PI), to protect the circuit unit 120, sensor unit 1200, and antenna unit 1300 on the substrate 1100 from external physical shock or moisture. It can be protected.

Those skilled in the art related to this embodiment will understand that the above-described substrate can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered from an explanatory rather than a restrictive perspective. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (5)

As a fresh logistics box,
An insulated box with an accommodating space inside;
A lid to seal the receiving space from the outside;
Endothelial covering the inner space of the insulation box;
A shell covering the outer surface of the insulation box;
A passive sensor tag provided on one side of the insulation box; and
It includes an active temperature reader logger detachably provided on one side of the outer shell so as to be adjacent to the passive sensor tag,
The passive sensor tag includes a sensor unit that is driven by power received from the active temperature reader logger to measure the sensing value, receives power and signals from the active temperature reader logger, and transmits the sensed value to the active temperature reader logger. Including the transmitting antenna unit,
The sensor unit of the passive sensor tag,
A first sensor that senses the external temperature of the fresh logistics box between the outer shell and the outer surface of the insulated box;
A second sensor that senses the inner lower temperature of the fresh logistics box between the inner skin and the inner surface of the insulated box; and
It includes; a third sensor that senses the upper inner temperature of the fresh logistics box between the inner skin and the inner surface of the insulated box,
The active temperature reader logger includes a detachable part for attachment and detachment to the fresh logistics box, a first wireless communication module for communicating with the passive sensor tag, and the sensing value sensed by the passive sensor tag. It includes a memory for storing, a second wireless communication module for performing communication with an external terminal and transmitting the sensing value to the external terminal, and a power supply for driving the first and second wireless communication modules,
The active temperature reader logger periodically transmits wireless power to the passive sensor tag through the first wireless communication module and periodically receives the sensing value from the passive sensor tag,
The outer shell is provided with a first detachment guide for detachably seating the active temperature reader logger, and the lid is provided with a second detachment guide for detachably seating the active temperature reader logger,
The passive sensor tag is arranged adjacent to the first and second detachment guides,
The second detachment guide is formed to extend integrally with the first detachment guide when the lid is closed,
A fresh logistics box, characterized in that the active temperature reader logger is fixed to the fresh logistics box by sliding and fitting the detachment portion to sequentially pass through the second detachment guide and the first detachment guide.
According to claim 1,
The first wireless communication module performs short-range wireless communication with the passive sensor tag in a frequency band of 100 kHz to 15 MHz,
The second wireless communication module is a fresh logistics box, characterized in that it performs short-range wireless communication or mobile communication with the external terminal in a frequency band of 1 GHz to 10 GHz.
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