Bus Route Control Using Magnetic Markers at Lane Connection Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle operation systems face difficulties in easily changing routes, particularly at branching and merging points.

Innovation Solution

An operation system that uses magnetic markers with RFID tags to facilitate easy setting and canceling of connection points between dedicated and general lanes, allowing flexible route changes by controlling movable fences and integrating with a control server for remote management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional vehicle operation system uses fixed routing with magnetic markers, then the system provides stable and reliable autonomous travel, but the route cannot be easily changed or adapted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the routing system changeable and adaptable. The control server can dynamically add, modify, or delete connection point information based on operational needs. The movable fence mechanism allows physical route changes without redesigning the entire magnetic marker system, enabling the system to adapt to different routing requirements while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If magnetic markers are used for autonomous vehicle guidance, then the system achieves robustness against environmental disturbance, but route changes become difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental robustnessVSAvoidroute changeability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the routing system into fixed magnetic markers for reliable guidance and changeable connection point information for route flexibility. The magnetic markers remain stationary and provide stable positional reference, while the connection point data stored on the control server can be independently modified. This segmentation allows the system to maintain environmental robustness through fixed markers while achieving route adaptability through modular information management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the system stores connection point identification information for branching and merging points, then the vehicle can automatically navigate route changes, but the system requires complex infrastructure for managing these points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic route adjustmentVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical infrastructure for route changes with an information-based system. Instead of physically reconfiguring magnetic markers or adding complex mechanical switching mechanisms, the system uses electronic storage and transmission of connection point identification information. The control server manages routing data, and the vehicle's recognition system automatically processes this information, substituting mechanical complexity with information processing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables vehicles to automatically adjust routes with enhanced flexibility by setting or canceling connection points, improving the system's ability to adapt to changing conditions and user needs.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of magnetic markers are arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

magnetic markers with RFID tags

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4194305B1Operation system and control method for operation system
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 AICHI STEEL CORP
  • EP4194305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4194305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4194305B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an operation system (1) for a bus (5) including a connection point database which stores identification information of a magnetic marker (10) positioned so as to correspond to a connection point (13) between a dedicated lane (111) having magnetic markers (10) laid thereon and a general lane (112), the connection point (13) is set so as to correspond to the magnetic marker (10) according to identification information stored in a connection point database, thereby allowing flexibility in changing a route to be improved in the operation system which causes a vehicle to operate along a route defined in advance.