Background: Why Temperature Control Matters in Winter Logistics
Transporting dairy products during winter poses specific operational risks. In cold conditions, products can freeze due to insufficient insulation, the absence of corrugated air ducts, or improper pallet placement. At the same time, overheating may occur when an auxiliary heater such as a Planar operates longer than required.
A significant share of temperature violations is caused by human error. The driver is responsible not only for driving and unloading but also for monitoring and manually adjusting the temperature inside the cargo compartment. In practice, it is easy to forget to turn the heater on or off at the right moment, which leads to product spoilage and financial losses.
Project Objective: Eliminating Human Error
The primary goal of the project was to create an automated system that would maintain the required temperature range during dairy product transportation without increasing the driver’s workload. The solution had to work reliably in winter conditions and ensure stable temperature control regardless of the driver’s actions.
Technical Solution Based on Automation Logic
To address temperature violations caused by manual control, specialists from “76 Oil Tyumen” proposed using Easy Logic to implement an automated control algorithm. This approach allowed the Planar heater to operate strictly according to predefined temperature thresholds, without constant driver involvement.
Optimizing Heat Distribution Inside the Cargo Area
At the first stage, a corrugated pipe was installed to direct warm air from the Planar evenly throughout the cargo compartment. This was a critical improvement, as the temperature sensor is mounted at the top. Without proper air circulation, the sensor could show acceptable values while the products at the bottom remained too cold. The air duct ensured uniform heat distribution and accurate temperature readings.
Intelligent Control of the Planar Heater
An operating algorithm was developed for the Planar heater, after which a three-position control button was installed in the vehicle. This switch allows the driver to select automatic mode, as well as manual activation or deactivation if required.
In automatic mode, the system independently manages the heater based on sensor data, maintaining stable conditions for dairy products throughout the trip.
Overcoming System Challenges During Testing
During testing, an issue was identified with the temperature sensor. When the sensor failed, the Planar operating in automatic mode did not switch off, causing overheating of the products. In such cases, the driver had to revert to manual control to prevent losses.
This scenario was taken into account during further configuration of the system logic, improving overall reliability and operational safety.
Flexible Temperature Settings and Remote Configuration
The algorithm allows operators to set the required temperature range remotely via SMS commands or through the configurator interface. In the implemented project, the optimal range was defined between +3 °C and +8 °C.
The system logic is straightforward and effective: the Planar runs until the temperature reaches +8 °C, then switches off and allows it to drop to +3 °C, after which heating resumes. This cycle ensures stable conditions without sharp fluctuations.
Result: Stable Quality and Driver Convenience
After implementing the automatic Planar control on the Gazelle vehicle, the number of temperature violations significantly decreased. Dairy products are now transported within the strictly defined range, preserving quality and complying with storage requirements.
An additional benefit is improved driver comfort. Automatic temperature maintenance removes the need for constant monitoring and manual adjustments, allowing the driver to focus on safe driving and timely delivery.
With solutions based on Galileosky trackers and intelligent logic, temperature-sensitive cargo transportation becomes more reliable, predictable, and efficient even in harsh winter conditions.
