DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electric vehicles and cold delivery boxes mounted on electric vehicles (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle), and more specifically, to an apparatus for an electric vehicle, an electronic device, and a method of operation of the apparatus, which is used to package and store goods (e.g., perishable items and other products requiring cold storage) during a road transport to intelligently prevent heat damage as well as chill injury to the goods while in transit.
BACKGROUND
Generally, a vehicle, such as a two-wheeler electric vehicle, may be utilized to carry various goods. For example, an electric vehicle (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle) may be utilized to transport goods, such as food items, medical supplies, dairy products, or other perishable items. In such a case, a container (e.g., a conventional delivery box) may be arranged on the two-wheeler vehicle to transport the various goods. In certain scenarios, goods, such as the dairy items, medical supplies, perishable items, and the like, carried in a conventional container may require cold storage while transportation in order to sustain for a desired duration.
Currently, there are some conventional methods for transportation of the goods in a conventional container (e.g., the conventional delivery box) at low temperature at the electric vehicle (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle). One such conventional method is to utilize cooled silicone gel bags in the conventional container to maintain low temperature inside the container. Another conventional method includes use of ice packs or dry ice in the conventional container. However, the use of the cooled silicone gel bags, ice packs, or dry ice leads to substantial increase in overall weight of the conventional container, which is not desirable, especially for an electric vehicle (e.g., a two-wheeled electric vehicle) as higher weight increases load on a battery of the electric vehicle and reduces its range (i.e., miles per charge). Moreover, the usage of the ice packs or the dry ice in the container may be ineffective for large distances as low temperature may be difficult to maintain for long durations. Moreover, use of the abovementioned conventional methods requires additional space inside the container for accommodation of the cooled silicone gel bags, the ice packs, or the dry ice. Thus, there exists a problem of increase in weight of the container (e.g., the conventional delivery box) and decrease in space for the actual goods of interest inside the conventional container, as well as operational complexity associated with maintenance of the low temperature inside the container for long durations, thereby making transportation of such goods via a vehicle difficult and counterproductive.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the conventional systems and methods for transportation of the objects at the low temperature.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides an apparatus (e.g., a smart apparatus with a container), an electronic device, and a method of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus may be used to package and store goods during a road transport and prevents heat damage as well as chill injury to the goods while in transit. The present disclosure provides a solution to the existing problem of how to effectively and efficiently carry goods that require to be maintained at certain level of low temperature without unnecessary increasing weight of a given container (i.e., delivery box), without constraining the space for storage of goods in the given container, and at the same time not adversely or substantially increasing battery power consumption of an in-built battery of the electric vehicle. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at least partially the problems encountered in the prior art and provides an improved apparatus, and an improved method of operation of the apparatus to package and store goods during the road transport to prevent heat damage as well as chill injury to the goods while in transit with optimized storage space provided for the goods and comparatively less weight of cooling parts in the apparatus provided at an electric vehicle as compared to existing systems.
One or more objectives of the present disclosure are achieved by the solutions provided in the enclosed independent claims. Advantageous implementations of the present disclosure are further defined in the dependent claims.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for an electric vehicle to package and store goods during a road transport to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods while in transit. The apparatus comprises a container configured to be mounted on a portion of the electric vehicle. The container comprises an interior portion configured to package and store the goods. The apparatus comprises a first cooling arrangement having a cooling end and a heat dissipation end. The cooling end is accessible to the interior portion of the container. The first cooling arrangement is electrically coupled to a battery pack of the electric vehicle. The first cooling arrangement comprises an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the interior portion of the container. The first cooling arrangement comprises a cooling module having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cooling module is configured to generate cooling that is passed to the interior portion of the container. The first cooling arrangement comprises a microcontroller communicatively coupled to a plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement including the IoT-enabled temperature sensor and the cooling module. The microcontroller is configured to dynamically control power consumption from the battery pack by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion of the container. The dynamic control of the power consumption from the battery pack by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement comprises communicating a first control signal to the cooling module when the monitored temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature, and further communicating a second control signal to the cooling module when the monitored temperature is less than or equal to a second threshold temperature.
The present disclosure provides an improved apparatus for the electric vehicle to package and store goods during a road transport to effectively prevent heat damage as well as chill injury to the goods while in transit. In an example, the apparatus is technically advanced in following features:
(a) Firstly, in comparison to any conventional systems, the apparatus has significantly reduced use any moving parts in its construction. For example, the cooling module do not involve any moving parts to perform the cooling, thereby reducing maintenance cost and increasing uptime of the apparatus (i.e., significantly improving economic viability) as compared to convention portable systems mounted in electric vehicles;
(b) Secondly, the dynamic control of power consumption from the battery pack by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion of the container of the apparatus, was found to significantly improve the cooling while even not affecting the drive comfort. On the other hand, without the use dynamic control of power consumption, the battery may be draining faster, and range of the electric vehicle is generally reduced, whereas when the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement employs dynamic control of power consumption, the range of the electric vehicle is improved as compared to without the use of the dynamic control of power consumption, as discussed above;
(c) Thirdly, the communicated first control signal leads to switch ON of the cooling module only when required for a given time period, such that the temperature in the interior portion is maintained at a desired temperature level (for example, less than the first threshold temperature). Furthermore, the communicated second control signal leads to switch OFF of the cooling module, when the temperature in the interior portion is maintained at the desired temperature level. In such a manner, power consumption is intelligently managed and substantially reduced from the battery pack in order to save energy. Thus, the container may also be referred to as a smart container. Moreover, the apparatus enables dynamic control of individual components, for example, one or more fans of the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement, may be switched ON or OFF as per need to reduce battery consumption by the cooling module, thereby allowing significant power saving. Therefore, the apparatus enables easy transportation of the goods in the container without use of any additional elements, where a desired level of low temperature is maintained without unnecessary increase of weight and constraining of the space for storage of goods, and at the same time reducing battery power consumption of the battery pack of the electric vehicle as compared to existing systems (e.g., conventional cooling systems); and
(d) Fourthly, the container of the apparatus includes the interior portion that is configured to package and store goods, such as perishable food items and medical supplies such as vaccines. The IoT-enabled temperature sensor is configured to monitor the temperature of the interior portion of the container. Moreover, the microcontroller is configured to dynamically control power consumption from the battery pack of the electric vehicle. Thus, the apparatus avoids use of any additional elements, such as silicone gel bags, ice packs, thereby reducing weight and providing a cost-effective solution. Further, since the additional elements are not used, the apparatus enables utilization of entire space of the interior portion, thereby providing an improved form-factor and optimum goods storage capacity.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an electronic device comprising control communicatively coupled to a plurality of electric vehicles. The control circuitry is configured to periodically receive a data signal from each of the plurality of electric vehicles. Each of the plurality of electric vehicles comprises an apparatus configured to package and store goods during a road transport to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods while in transit. The data signal comprises a location information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles, a sensed temperature in an interior portion of a container of the apparatus, a type of goods information, and a travel duration of a trip planned at each of the plurality of electric vehicles. The control circuitry is configured to determine a state-of-goods in accordance with the type of goods information, the sensed temperature in the interior portion of the container of the apparatus at each of the plurality of electric vehicles. The control circuitry is configured to generate and communicate an alert signal to at least a set of electric vehicles or a user device associated with a corresponding user of each of the set of electric vehicles amongst the plurality of electric vehicles, based on a corresponding location of each of set of electric vehicles and the determined state-of-goods at the container of the apparatus at each of the plurality of electric vehicles.
The disclosed electronic device (e.g., a vehicle management server) enables periodic monitoring of data, such as the monitored temperature in the interior portion of the container associated with the electric vehicle (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle). In certain scenarios, the temperature may be undesirable for a specific type of the good. In such a case, the electronic device may transmit the alert signal to the electric vehicles or the user device, such that the optimum temperature is maintained throughout a journey. Moreover, in some cases, the electronic device enables automatic lock and unlock mechanism of the apparatus of the electric vehicle.
It has to be noted that all devices, elements, circuitry, units, and means described in the present application could be implemented in a combination of software and hardware elements. All steps which are performed by the various entities described in the present application, as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities, are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities. It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Additional aspects, advantages, features, and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative implementations construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1A is a network environment that illustrates communication between an apparatus arranged at an electric vehicle and an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view that illustrates an apparatus for the electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a first cooling arrangement of the apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view that illustrates the container of the apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3B is a perspective view that illustrates the interior portion of the container with first arrangement of goods, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3C is a first perspective view that illustrates the interior portion of the container with second arrangement of goods, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3D is a second perspective view that illustrates the interior portion of the container with second arrangement of goods, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus mounted on a two-wheeler electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of operation of an apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
FIG. 1A is a network environment that illustrates communication between an apparatus for an electric vehicle and an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 1A, there is shown a network environment 100A. The network environment 100A includes an electronic device 102, a plurality of electric vehicles 104 and a plurality of user devices 106. The network environment 100A further includes a communication network 108. The electronic device 102, a plurality of electric vehicles 104 and a plurality of user devices 106 communicates via the communication network 108. The network environment 100A further includes a plurality of apparatuses 110. Each apparatus of the plurality of apparatus 110 may be mounted on a corresponding electric vehicle of the plurality of electric vehicles 104.
The electronic device 102 includes control circuitry communicatively coupled to the plurality of electric vehicles 104. Examples of the electronic device 102 includes, but are not limited to, a vehicle management server, a cloud-based server, an application server, a data processing apparatus, or a computing device.
In operation, the control circuitry 102A is configured to periodically receive a data signal from each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104 (e.g., a plurality of two-wheeler electric vehicles). For example, the plurality of electric vehicles 104 includes a first electric vehicle 104A, a second electric vehicle 104B and an Nth electric vehicle 104N. Each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104 includes an apparatus configured to package and store goods during a road transport to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods while in transit. For example, a first apparatus 110A is included in the first electric vehicle 104A, a second apparatus 110B is included in the second electric vehicle 104B and an Nth apparatus 110N is included in the Nth electric vehicle 104N. Examples of the plurality of electric vehicles 104 includes, but are not limited to, a bike, a scooter or an electric bike. Details of the apparatus, such as the plurality of apparatus 110 are further described, for example, in FIGs. 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 3Cand 3D.
The data signal includes a location information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104, a sensed temperature in an interior portion of a container of the apparatus (such as the first apparatus 110A), a type of goods information, and a travel duration of a trip planned at each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104. For example, the type of goods information indicates classification of the goods, such as “food item”, “medical supply”, and so forth. Further, the goods may be classified into sub-category. For example, the food items are classified as “milk food item”, “green vegetables”, “eggs” and the like. The “medical supply” is further classified as “vaccine”, “biological sample”, “medicine” and the like. In accordance with an embodiment, the type of goods information is utilized to define thresholds and maintain a defined temperature for the interior portion of the container of the apparatus suited for that particular type of goods. Details of the monitoring of the temperature in the interior portion of the container of the apparatus are further described, for example, in FIG. 1B.
The control circuitry 102A is further configured to determine a state-of-goods in accordance with the type of goods information, the sensed temperature in the interior portion of the container of the apparatus at each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104. In an implementation, in order to determine the state-of-goods, the parameter of the travel duration of the trip planned at each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104, may be also taken into consideration. The determined state-of-goods is utilized to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods while in transit.
The control circuitry 102A is further configured to generate and communicate an alert signal to at least a set of electric vehicles (such as the first electric vehicle 104A) or a user device (e.g., a first user device 106A) associated with a corresponding user of each of the set of electric vehicles amongst the plurality of electric vehicles 104, based on a corresponding location of each of set of electric vehicles and the determined state-of-goods at the container of the apparatus at each of the plurality of electric vehicles 104.
In an exemplary scenario, the plurality of user devices 106 may be devices such as smartphones associated with the users of the plurality of electric vehicles 104. For example, a first user device 106A may be associated with a first user of the first electric vehicle 104A, a second user device 106B may be associated with a second user of the second electric vehicle 104B and an Nth user device 106N may be associated with an Nth user of the Nth electric vehicle 104N. The alert signal may be for example, a textual notification on a display of the first electric vehicle 104A or the first user device 106A.
In an exemplary case, the monitored (or sensed) temperature is less than the temperature required for the goods “green vegetables”. The alert notification may be utilized by the user to adjust (such as increase) the temperature to maintain the optimum temperature for the goods “green vegetables”. In some embodiments, the electronic device 102 is configured to control a locking and unlocking mechanism of the container of the apparatus (such as the first apparatus 110A).
FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view that illustrates an apparatus for the electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A. With reference to FIG. 1B, there is shown a cross-sectional side view 100B that includes an apparatus 112. It may be noted that a functionality of the apparatus 112 may be same as the functionality of the plurality of apparatuses (such as the first apparatus 110A) of the plurality of apparatuses 110.
The apparatus 112 for the electric vehicle 104A is utilized to package and store goods during the road transport to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods while in transit. The apparatus 112 includes a container 114 configured to be mounted on a portion of the electric vehicle 104A (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle). The container 114 includes an interior portion 116 configured to package and store the goods. Details of the package and storage of the goods are further described, for example, in FIGs. 3B, 3C and 3D.
In some embodiments, the container 114 is a cubical shaped or a cuboidal shaped container configured to store the goods. The container 114 includes a lid (shown in FIG. 3A) that may be adjusted to store or remove the goods from the container 114. In an example, the container 114 is configured to be mounted (shown in FIG. 4) on the portion (such as behind a seat) of the two-wheeled electric vehicle.
The apparatus 112 further includes a first cooling arrangement 118. The first cooling arrangement 118 includes a cooling end and a heat dissipation end (shown in FIG. 2). The cooling end is accessible to the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The first cooling arrangement 118 is electrically coupled to a battery pack of the electric vehicle 104A. The electric coupling allows cold air to enter the interior portion 116 of the container 114 (as shown by an arrow 120). Further, hot air exits the container 114 via the heat dissipation end (as shown by an arrow 122A and an arrow 122B).
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a first cooling arrangement of the apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A and 1B. With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view 200 that includes the first cooling arrangement 118.
The first cooling arrangement 118 includes a cooling end 202A and a heat dissipation end 202B. The cold air enters the interior portion 116 of the container 114 via the cooling end 202A and the hot air exits the container 114 via the heat dissipation end 202B. The first cooling arrangement 118 further includes an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled temperature sensor 204 configured to monitor a temperature of the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The IoT-enabled temperature sensor 204 is communicatively coupled to the electronic device 102 to communicate the monitored temperature to the electronic device 102.
The first cooling arrangement 118 further includes a cooling module 206 having a first end 206A and a second end 206B. The first end 206A of the cooling module 206 is configured to generate cooling that is passed to the interior portion 116 of the container 114. In accordance with an embodiment, the cooling module 206 is a Peltier Module. The cooling arrangement 118 further includes a plurality of components, such as a first fan 208A, a second fan 208B, a first heat sink 210A and a second heat sink 210B. When the cooling module 206, such as the Peltier Module is switched ON, the cold air is transmitted to the interior portion 116 of the container 114 via the first fan 208A that may rotate, and the first heat sink 210A. On the other hand, the hot air exits out of the interior portion 116 of the container 114 via the second fan 208B that may rotate and the second heat sink 210B. The interior portion 116 is thermally insulated.
The first cooling arrangement 118 further includes a microcontroller 212 communicatively coupled to the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 including the IoT-enabled temperature sensor 204 and the cooling module 206. The microcontroller 212 is configured to dynamically control power consumption from the battery pack by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container 114.
In some implementations, the microcontroller 212 is configured to dynamically control power consumption from the battery pack individually for each component, such as the cooling module 206, the first fan 208A and the second fan 208B. Thus, the apparatus 112 enables intelligent consumption of the power from the battery pack of the electric vehicle 104A (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle).
The dynamic control of the power consumption from the battery pack by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 includes communicating a first control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature. The dynamic control of the power consumption further includes communicating a second control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is less than or equal to a second threshold temperature.
In accordance with an embodiment, each of the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is changed based on the type of goods packaged and stored in the interior portion 116 of the container 114. In an exemplary scenario, the electric vehicle 104A may be used to transit the goods via the container 114. The interior portion 116 of the container 114 includes the goods, such as “fish” and “eggs” in this example. In such a case, the temperature of the interior portion 116 of the container 114 needs to be maintained at a low level, such as between 2 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius.
Based on the type of goods, such as the “fish” and “eggs”, the first threshold temperature is “4” degrees Celsius, and the second threshold temperature is “0” degrees Celsius. Thus, when a higher temperature than “4” degrees Celsius is detected, the first control signal is transmitted to the cooling module 206 to switch ON the cooling module 206. In such a manner, heat damage to the goods is prevented. In a case, when a lower temperature than “0” degrees Celsius is detected, the second control signal is transmitted to the cooling module 206 to switch OFF the cooling module 206. In such a manner, chill injury to the goods is prevented.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view that illustrates the container of the apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B and 2. With reference to FIG. 3A, there is shown a cross- perspective view 300A that includes the container 114.
The container 114 includes a lid 302. The lid 302 may be utilized to open the container 114 to store the goods as well as remove the goods from the interior portion 116. The lid 302 may include a handle 304 via which the lid 302 may be opened and closed. The container 114 further includes a locking arrangement 306, located below the handle 304. The locking arrangement 306 is utilized by the user to lock and unlock the container 114.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view that illustrates the interior portion of the container with first arrangement of goods, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3A. With reference to FIG. 3B, there is shown a perspective view 300B that includes the container 114.
The container 114 includes the interior portion 116. The interior portion 116 further includes a plurality of compartments to package and store goods 308. In some embodiments, the interior portion 116 further includes a supporting mesh structure 310. The supporting mesh structure 310 may be utilized to prevent the goods 308, such as eggs from falling.
FIG. 3C is a first perspective view that illustrates the interior portion of the container with second arrangement of goods, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3C is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A and 3B. With reference to FIG. 3C, there is shown a perspective view 300C that includes the container 114.
The interior portion 116 of the container 114 includes the plurality of compartments, such as a first compartment 312A, a second compartment 312B and a third compartment 312C. A size of each compartment of the plurality of compartments is adjustable. The size of each compartment may be adjusted by arranging a supporting bracket 314. The size of each compartment, such as the first compartment 312A, the second compartment 312B and the third compartment 312C is adjusted based on a space required by the goods.
FIG. 3D is a second perspective view that illustrates the interior portion of the container with second arrangement of goods, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3D is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B and 3C. With reference to FIG. 3D, there is shown a perspective view 300D that includes the container 114.
The supporting bracket 314 is adjusted such as to accommodate different types of goods, such as “fish” and boxes. The absence of additional elements, such as the ice packs and silicone gel bags enable maximum utilization of the interior portion 116 of the container 114. In some embodiments, the temperature of each compartment of the plurality of compartments is maintained at a different level, based on the type of goods in the compartment. For example, the first compartment 312A includes food boxes that needs to be warm and the second compartment 312B include fish that needs a low temperature for transit. In such a case, the temperature of the first compartment 312A is maintained higher (such as 15 degrees Celsius) and the temperature of the second compartment 312B is maintained lower (such as 2 degrees Celsius). For such an operation, each compartment includes an individual first cooling arrangement.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus mounted on a two-wheeler electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view 400 that includes a two-wheeler electric vehicle 402.
The container 114 is mounted on the portion, such as the rear end of the two-wheeler electric vehicle 402. The microcontroller 212 of the apparatus 112 is communicatively coupled to a battery pack 404 of the two-wheeler electric vehicle 402. The electronic device 102 periodically receives the data signal from the two-wheeler electric vehicle 402. Based on the data signal, the electronic device 102 determines the state-of-goods in accordance with the type of goods information, the sensed temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container 114 of the apparatus 112. The electronic device 102 further generates and communicates the alert signal to the two-wheeler electric vehicle 402 or the user device associated with a user of the two-wheeler electric vehicle 402, based on a corresponding location of the two-wheeler electric vehicle 402 and the determined state-of-goods at the container 114 of the apparatus 112.
It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the apparatus 112 may also include other suitable sensors, components or systems, but these are not described here for sake of brevity.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A-3D, and 4. With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram 500 of the apparatus 112. The apparatus 112 comprises the container 114 and the first cooling arrangement 118. The container 114 comprises the interior portion 116 configured to package and store the goods 308. The first cooling arrangement 118 comprises the cooling end 202A and the heat dissipation end 202B. The cooling end 202A is accessible to the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The first cooling arrangement 118 is electrically coupled to a battery pack 404 of the electric vehicle 402.
The first cooling arrangement 118 further comprises the IoT-enabled temperature sensor 204 configured to monitor a temperature of the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The first cooling arrangement 118 further comprises the cooling module 206 having the first end 206A and the second end 206B. The first end 206A of the cooling module 206 is configured to generate cooling that is passed to the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The first cooling arrangement 118 further comprises a microcontroller 212 communicatively coupled to a plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 including the IoT-enabled temperature sensor 204 and the cooling module 206. Advantageously, the microcontroller 212 is configured to dynamically control power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The dynamic control of the power consumption from the battery pack 404 by a plurality of components 502 (such as a first fan 208A, a second fan 208B, a first heat sink 210A and a second heat sink 210B) of the first cooling arrangement 118 comprises: communicating a first control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature; and communicating a second control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is less than or equal to a second threshold temperature.
In accordance with an embodiment, the each of the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is changed based on a type of goods 308 packaged and stored in the interior portion 116 of the container 114. In an implementation, the first cooling arrangement 118 further includes an imaging sensor 504. The imaging sensor 504 is configured to capture one or more images of the goods in the interior portion 116 of the container 114 to determine the type of goods in the container 114. Alternatively, the type of goods may be specified based on user input via a under interface rendered on a display of the electric vehicle 402 (e.g., a two-wheeler electric vehicle). A user may provide an input via the user interface for a list goods the apparatus 112 will carry.
In an implementation, for an estimation of a thermal load, a user when planning a delivery can provide an input of a list goods that the apparatus 112 will carry or that can be detected automatically. Thereafter, the microcontroller 212 is configured to determine a rate of cooling and a time of cooling needed to maintain a temperature range in the interior portion 116 of the container 114. Such information of the rate of cooling and the time of cooling is communicated to a vehicle Telematics Unit (TU) of the electric vehicle 402 and stored in it. The apparatus 112 may be attached to the electric vehicle 402. The apparatus 112 is plugged to an output port of the electric vehicle 402. The output port comprises a defined power source, such as a 48V output, and an integrated controller area network (CAN) connector that is integrated in the output port. By use of the CAN connection, the apparatus 112 may be configured to check if it's safe to start operation using the inbuilt vehicle battery (i.e., the battery pack 404), it starts operating the first cooling arrangement 118.
In an implementation, the microcontroller 212 is configured to determine a plurality of cool-keep parameters to maintain a temperature range in accordance with a type of goods stored in the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The plurality of fresh-keep parameters comprises a rate of cooling, a period of cooling, the thermal load, a temperature suited for the interior portion 116, and a shutoff time of the cooling module 206 and the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118. The thermal load refers to the thermal load required for the goods stored in the interior portion 116 of the container 114. The microcontroller 212 is configured to automatically load cool-keep settings having the plurality of fresh-keep parameters in the first cooling arrangement 118 of the apparatus 112 via a controller area network (CAN) of the electric vehicle 402. In other words, the settings determined from thermal load estimation are loaded in the apparatus 112 via the CAN. In some cases, if settings are not loaded, then the apparatus 112 operates on the last stored settings (i.e., the cool-keep settings). In some cases, the cool-keep settings can also be changed via a Mobile App over a Bluetooth connection established with the electric vehicle 402 or directly with the apparatus 112 optionally. In a case where the electric vehicle 402 is shut down, the user is notified and warned about the apparatus 112 through the mobile App. In cases where the apparatus 112 does not receive CAN data but is powered ON, the apparatus 112 operates in safe mode over the last loaded settings and retries to connect with CAN over a set period of time.
In an implementation, the cooling module 206 is the Peltier Module, which do have any moving parts. In another implementation, optionally, the cooling module 206 may be an air compressor for certain very hot conditions, for example, above 42 degrees Celsius.
In an implementation, the interior portion 116 of the container 114 further comprises the plurality of compartments 312A, 312B, 312C (FIG. 3C-3D) to package and store goods, where a size of each compartment of the plurality of compartments (312A, 312B, 312C) is adjustable. Furthermore, the microcontroller 212 is further configured to correlate voltage values of the battery pack 404 when energy is drawn by the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118 with the temperature values of the monitored temperature at a plurality of different sites in the interior portion 116. The dynamic control of the power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118 is further based on the correlation of the voltage values and the temperature values at the plurality of different sites in the interior portion 116. The plurality of different sites corresponds to different locations within the interior portion 116 in a same space. It is a tendency of the cooled air to settle down and so there may be difference in temperature at different sites of the interior portion 116. The microcontroller 212 monitors such temperatures within the same internal space of the interior portion 116 but at different sites so accurately and dynamically control and maintain suitable temperature at all the sites as per need and the type of goods. An example of the different temperature at different sites is also shown in the Table 1, below. As the size of each compartment of the plurality of compartments (312A, 312B, 312C) is adjustable, the temperature values some newly created compartments may be monitored and accordingly correlate voltage values of the battery pack 404 with the temperature values at the different sites to intelligently prevent heat damage as well as chill injury to the goods while in transit.
EXPERIMENTAL AND OPERATIONAL DATA
An example of the determined values and correlation of the voltage values of the battery pack 404 when energy is drawn by the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118 with the temperature values is shown in table 1.
Entry time Exit time entry_ id Voltage (V) Current (A) Power (W) Energy (J) Ambient (in box) Temp1 -site1 Temp2-site2 Temp2-site3
20:46:01 00:00:23 1 14.457 0.212 3.067 0.035 1.7 10 5 7
20:46:24 00:00:41 2 14.491 0.255 3.696 0.127 1.8 10 5 7
20:46:42 00:01:01 3 14.457 0.199 2.871 0.227 1.9 10 5 7
20:47:02 00:01:19 4 14.247 3.573 50.897 2.121 2 11 6 7
20:47:20 00:01:34 5 14.271 3.155 45.023 3.773 2.2 11 6 7
20:47:35 00:01:49 6 14.335 3.160 45.295 4.932 2.3 11 6 8
20:47:50 00:02:05 7 14.364 3.041 43.674 6.037 2.5 11 6 7
20:48:06 00:02:20 8 14.466 3.351 48.473 7.316 2.6 11 11 8
20:48:21 00:02:41 9 14.227 3.521 50.095 8.756 2.6 11 6 8
TABLE 1:
It is found to significantly improve the intelligent cooling without affecting the drive comfort while smartly reducing battery power consumption of an in-built battery (i.e., the battery pack 404) of the electric vehicle 402 when the dynamic control of power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118 based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container 114 of the apparatus was performed automatically by the apparatus 112. On the other hand, without the use dynamic control of power consumption, the battery pack 404 was observed to be draining faster and range of the electric vehicle 402 was generally reduced, whereas when the dynamic control of power consumption feature was used, the range of the electric vehicle 404 significantly improved as compared to without the use of the dynamic control of power consumption and comparing with existing systems as discussed above. For example, based on the correlation, lower cutoff according to the estimated load by system may be set at -6 degree Celsius and upper cutoff according to the estimated load by system may be set at 0 degree Celsius. It can be observed from the table 1 that the rate of change of temperature is dynamically changed based on the Ambient temperature and the load.
Furthermore, the communicated first control signal leads to switch ON of the cooling module 206 only when required for a given time period, such that the temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container 114 is maintained at a desired temperature level (for example, less than the first threshold temperature). Furthermore, the communicated second control signal leads to switch OFF of the cooling module 206, when the temperature in the interior portion is maintained at the desired temperature level. In such a manner, power consumption is intelligently managed and substantially reduced from the battery pack 404 in order to save energy. Thus, the apparatus 112 may also be referred to as a smart apparatus. Moreover, the apparatus 112 enables dynamic control of individual components, for example, one or more fans of the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118, may be switched ON or OFF as per need to reduce battery consumption by the cooling module 206 thereby allowing significant power saving. Therefore, the apparatus 112 enables easy transportation of the goods in the container 114 without use of any additional elements, where a desired level of low temperature at different sites of the container 114 is maintained without unnecessary increase of weight and constraining of the space for storage of goods, and at the same time reducing battery power consumption of the battery pack 404 of the electric vehicle 402 as compared to existing systems (e.g., conventional cooling systems).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 of operation of the apparatus112, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is described in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A-3D, 4, and 5. With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown a method 600 implemented in the apparatus 112.
At step 602, the method 600 comprises monitoring temperature in an interior portion (116) of a container 114 of the apparatus 112. At step 604, the method 600 further comprises dynamically controlling power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container 114.
The step 604, i.e., the dynamic controlling of the power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components 502 of the first cooling arrangement 118 comprises sub-steps 604A and 604B. At step 604A, the method 600 comprises communicating a first control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature. This is done to dynamically control the power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 and initiate cooling in the interior portion 116 of the container 114.
At step 604A, the method 600 comprises communicating a second control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is less than or equal to a second threshold temperature. This is done to dynamically control the power consumption from the battery pack 404 by the plurality of components of the first cooling arrangement 118 and powering off the cooling module 206 when temperature is less than or equal to the second threshold temperature.
Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration". Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments. The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments". It is appreciated that certain features of the present disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. An apparatus (112) for an electric vehicle (402) to package and store goods during a road transport to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods (308) while in transit, the apparatus (112) comprising:
a container (114) configured to be mounted on a portion of the electric vehicle (402), wherein the container (114) comprises an interior portion (116) configured to package and store the goods (308);
a first cooling arrangement (118) having a cooling end (202A) and a heat dissipation end (202B), wherein the cooling end (202A) is accessible to the interior portion (116) of the container (114), and wherein the first cooling arrangement (118) is electrically coupled to a battery pack (404) of the electric vehicle (402), and wherein the first cooling arrangement (118) comprises:
an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled temperature sensor (204) configured to monitor a temperature of the interior portion (116) of the container (114);
a cooling module (206) having a first end (206A) and a second end (206B), wherein the first end (206A) of the cooling module (206) is configured to generate cooling that is passed to the interior portion (116) of the container (114); and
a microcontroller (212) communicatively coupled to a plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) including the IoT-enabled temperature sensor (204) and the cooling module (206),
wherein the microcontroller (212) is configured to:
dynamically control power consumption from the battery pack (404) by the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion (116) of the container (114), wherein the dynamic control of the power consumption from the battery pack (404) by the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) comprises:
communicating a first control signal to the cooling module (206) when the monitored temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature; and
communicating a second control signal to the cooling module (206) when the monitored temperature is less than or equal to a second threshold temperature.

2. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is changed based on a type of goods (308) packaged and stored in the interior portion (116) of the container (114).

3. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling module (206) is a Peltier Module.

4. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling module (206) is an air compressor.

5. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is changed based on a type of goods stored in the interior portion (116) of the container (114).

6. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior portion (116) of the container (114) further comprises a plurality of compartments (312A, 312B, 312C) to package and store goods, wherein a size of each compartment of the plurality of compartments (312A, 312B, 312C) is adjustable.

7. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the microcontroller (212) is further configured to correlate voltage values of the battery pack when energy is drawn by the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) with the temperature values of the monitored temperature at a plurality of different sites in the interior portion (116), and wherein the dynamic control of the power consumption from the battery pack (404) by the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) is further based on the correlation of the voltage values and the temperature values at the plurality of different sites in the interior portion (116).

8. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (212) is configured to determine a plurality of cool-keep parameters to maintain a temperature range in accordance with a type of goods stored in the interior portion (116) of the container (114), wherein the plurality of fresh-keep parameters comprises a rate of cooling, a period of cooling, a thermal load, a temperature suited for the interior portion (116), and a shutoff time of the cooling module (206) and the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118).

9. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the microcontroller (212) is configured to automatically load cool-keep settings having the plurality of fresh-keep parameters in the first cooling arrangement (118) of the apparatus (112) via a controller area network (CAN) of the electric vehicle (402).

10. The apparatus (112) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cooling arrangement (118) includes a cooling end (202A) and a heat dissipation end (202B), where the cold air enters the interior portion (116) of the container (114) via the cooling end (202A) and the hot air exits the container (114) via the heat dissipation end (202B).

11. A method (600) of operation of the apparatus (112), comprising:
monitoring temperature in an interior portion (116) of a container (114) of the apparatus (112); and
dynamically controlling power consumption from the battery pack (404) by the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) based on the monitored temperature in the interior portion 116 of the container (114), wherein the dynamic controlling of the power consumption from the battery pack (404) by the plurality of components (502) of the first cooling arrangement (118) comprises:
communicating a first control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature; and
communicating a second control signal to the cooling module 206 when the monitored temperature is less than or equal to a second threshold temperature.

12. An electronic device (102), comprising:
control circuitry (102A) communicatively coupled to a plurality of electric vehicles (104), wherein the control circuitry (102A) is configured to:
periodically receive a data signal from each of the plurality of electric vehicles (104), wherein each of the plurality of electric vehicles (104) comprises an apparatus (112) configured to package and store goods (308) during a road transport to prevent heat damage and chill injury to the goods (308) while in transit, and wherein the data signal comprises a location information of each of the plurality of electric vehicles (104), a sensed temperature in an interior portion (116) of a container (118) of the apparatus (112), a type of goods information, and a travel duration of a trip planned at each of the plurality of electric vehicles (104);
determine a state-of-goods in accordance with the type of goods information, the sensed temperature in the interior portion (116) of the container (114) of the apparatus (112) at each of the plurality of electric vehicles (104); and
generate and communicate an alert signal to at least a set of electric vehicles or a user device (106A) associated with a corresponding user of each of the set of electric vehicles amongst the plurality of electric vehicles (104), based on a corresponding location of each of set of electric vehicles and the determined state-of-goods at the container of the apparatus (112) at each of the plurality of electric vehicles (104).