Bicycle Navigation System Using Magnetometer and Odometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for biomechanically-driven vehicles, such as bicycles and scooters, face challenges including high energy consumption, limited accuracy, and the need for network connectivity, making them unsuitable for vehicles with minimal energy reserves and inadequate coverage in urban or rural areas.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a magnetometer with multiple measurement axes, a triaxial accelerometer, and a method to determine vehicle speed and slope, which creates a magnetic signature for the wheel to accurately track movement without continuous network communication, using a cell phone or cartographic device for navigation with minimal energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS satellite guidance systems are used for navigation, then positioning information can be obtained, but electrical energy consumption is high and initial position computation takes several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning with a mechanical/inertial positioning system using the vehicle's own motion characteristics. The system uses the relationship between wheel rotation, vehicle speed, and direction changes to calculate position, eliminating the need for continuous GPS signal reception and high energy consumption satellite communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own operational data (speed from odometer, direction from compass) to determine its position autonomously. Instead of relying on external satellite infrastructure, the vehicle serves its own positioning needs by processing its own motion data, reducing energy consumption and eliminating initial computation delays.
2Measurement precision
If GSM cell phone guidance services are used, then positioning can be obtained, but accuracy ranges from 200 meters to several kilometers and network connection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GSM network-based positioning with a mechanical inertial navigation approach. By using the vehicle's speed data from the odometer and directional data from the compass, the system calculates position through mathematical integration of motion parameters, eliminating dependency on cellular networks and achieving meter-level accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary calculation layer that processes raw sensor data (odometer readings and compass directions) through mathematical algorithms to derive position information. This intermediary processing step transforms simple motion measurements into accurate position data without requiring external network infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If RFID technology is deployed for geolocation, then positioning can be achieved inside buildings, but RFID tags must be deployed over all places where users are to be located
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RFID infrastructure-based positioning with a self-contained mechanical navigation system. The vehicle determines its position by integrating speed data from the odometer with directional data from the compass, eliminating the need for RFID tag deployment in buildings or other locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal sensors (odometer and compass) that work in all environments—urban, rural, and indoor—without requiring location-specific infrastructure deployment. The same mechanical navigation algorithm provides positioning capability universally, making the system adaptable to any environment where the vehicle can travel.
4Measurement precision
If inertial units with accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer are used, then orientation can be estimated, but measurements exhibit significant time drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex inertial measurement units with a simplified mechanical system using the vehicle's odometer for speed measurement and a compass for direction sensing. This mechanical approach avoids the time drift problems of electronic inertial sensors by periodically referencing external cues (wheel rotations and magnetic north).
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the odometer provides continuous speed measurements that are integrated to update position, and the compass periodically corrects directional drift by referencing magnetic north. This feedback loop maintains measurement reliability over time without the drift accumulation seen in open-loop inertial systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate navigation with low energy consumption, enhancing the autonomy of biomechanically-driven vehicles by determining speed, slope, and orientation, allowing for efficient route guidance and real-time trip analysis while minimizing battery discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetometer with at least two measurement axes supplying data for determining the heading of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for assisting a driver of a biomechanically-driven vehicle having at least one wheel (R), such as a bicycle, includes a device (DET1) for determining the speed of the vehicle, another device (DET) for determining the heading of the vehicle, a magnetometer (M) with at least two measurement axes for supplying data to determine the heading of the vehicle, and a device for supplying information relating to a movement of the vehicle, based on the speed of the vehicle, the slope of the rolling surface, and the heading of the vehicle.