Transport Refrigeration Security System

• US 20130147624A1
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Fragnito, Mark, Ward, John D. Jr., Waser, Daniel L., Champagne, Deborah A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,116,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 5/00 Systems for regulating electric variables by detecting deviations in the electric input to the system and thereby controlling a device within the system to obtain a regulated output
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A security monitor system for a transport unit is provided. The security monitor system may include at least one security sensor configured to detect a fault condition, and a controller having a plurality of inputs, a plurality of outputs, and a low power control circuit. The low power control circuit may provide electrical communication between a battery of the transport unit, the security sensor, and at least one of the inputs of the controller. The control circuit may be configured to maintain the controller in low power mode when there are no detected fault conditions, and to enable power to the controller when there is a detected fault condition.

Claims

1. A security monitor system for a transport unit, the security monitor system comprising:

at least one security sensor configured to detect a fault condition; and

a controller having a plurality of inputs, a plurality of outputs, and a low power control circuit providing electrical communication between a battery of the transport unit, the security sensor, and at least one of the inputs of the controller, the control circuit being configured to maintain the controller in low power mode when there are no detected fault conditions, the control circuit being configured to enable power to the controller when there is a detected fault condition.

2. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the security sensor includes one or more of a door switch, a fuel level sensor, a battery voltage sensor, a battery connection sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a movement sensor, an impact sensor, and a tilt sensor.

3. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit further provides electrical communication between at least one notification device and at least one of the outputs of the controller, the controller being configured to enable the notification device in response to a fault condition detected at the security sensor.

4. The security monitor system of claim 3, wherein the notification device includes one or more of an audible device, a visual device, and a telematic device.

5. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to retrievably record any data pertaining to fault conditions detected by the security sensor in a memory.

6. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit further provides electrical communication with a backup battery.

7. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the security sensor includes a normally closed switch disposed between the battery and a power enabling input of the controller.

8. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the security sensor includes a normally opened switch disposed between the battery and a power enabling input of the controller.

9. The security monitor system of claim 1, wherein the security sensor includes an analog sensor, the controller being configured to continuously monitor readings of the analog sensor while operating in the lower power mode.

10. A security monitor system for a transport refrigeration unit, the security monitor system comprising:

at least one door switch configured to detect unauthorized access to the transport refrigeration unit; and

a controller having a plurality of inputs, a plurality of outputs, and a low power control circuit providing electrical communication between a battery of the transport refrigeration unit, the door switch, and at least one of the inputs of the controller, the control circuit being configured to maintain the controller in low power mode when there are no detected fault conditions, the control circuit being configured to enable power to the controller when there is a detected fault condition.

11. The security monitor system of claim 10, wherein the door switch is electrically coupled between the battery and at least a power enabling input of the controller.

12. The security monitor system of claim 10 further comprising a fuel level sensor configured to detect at least one of a level of fuel and a rate of reduction in fuel in the transport unit.

13. The security monitor system of claim 10 further comprising one or more of a battery voltage sensor, a battery connection sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a movement sensor, an impact sensor, and a tilt sensor.

14. The security monitor system of claim 10, wherein the control circuit further provides electrical communication between at least one notification device and at least one of the outputs of the controller, the controller being configured to enable the notification device in response to a fault condition detected at the security sensor.

15. The security monitor system of claim 14, wherein the notification device includes one or more of an audible device, a visual device, and a telematic device.

16. The security monitor system of claim 10, wherein the notification device to be used in response to a detected fault is configurable by a user.

17. The security monitor system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to retrievably record any data pertaining to fault conditions detected by the security sensor in a memory.

18. The security monitor system of claim 10, wherein the control circuit further provides electrical communication to a backup battery.

19. A method for conserving energy in a transport refrigeration unit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an input device configured to receive an input signal and selectively perform a function on the transport refrigeration unit based on the input signal;

providing a low power control circuit in communication between a battery of the transport unit, the input device and at least one of the inputs of a controller, the low power control circuit being configured to bias the controller into a low power mode of operation;

maintaining the controller in low power mode when the input signal received by the input device is not indicative of performing a function; and

automatically enabling power to the controller when the input signal received by the input device is indicative of performing a function.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the input device includes a security sensor configured to detect a fault condition, the controller being maintained in low power mode if there are no fault conditions detected by the security sensor and being automatically enabled when a fault condition is received.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of generating an alert in response to the detected fault condition.