Cloud Traffic Control for E-Car Mobile Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traffic congestion on roads, primarily caused by human factors such as erratic driving behaviors and lack of infrastructure improvements, leads to increased travel times and energy consumption, with existing solutions like quick charging for e-cars being inefficient due to limited infrastructure and long charging times.
Innovation Solution
A centralized traffic flow control system using a cloud platform and 5G communication network optimizes vehicle routes and speeds by calculating individual driving profiles based on infrastructure data and vehicle parameters, minimizing total travel time, and integrates mobile refueling units to quickly charge e-cars while driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If more infrastructure is built to handle increased traffic volume, then road capacity increases, but construction costs and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of traffic management from static infrastructure expansion to dynamic control parameters. The central traffic flow control unit continuously adjusts speed recommendations, route assignments, and traffic light timings based on real-time traffic data, allowing the existing infrastructure to adapt its capacity without physical expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of building more roads with an information-based control system. Sensors, communication networks, and algorithms substitute for physical infrastructure expansion, using data processing and automated control to manage traffic flow efficiently through existing road networks.
2Loss of time
If drivers maintain individual speed preferences to meet personal travel goals, then individual travel time optimization is achieved, but overall traffic flow becomes disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where the central control unit receives real-time data from sensors and vehicle communications, processes this information through optimization algorithms, and sends back updated speed recommendations and route assignments. This closed-loop system dynamically balances individual travel goals with overall traffic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The central traffic flow control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it optimizes for individual vehicle travel times, maintains overall traffic flow efficiency, reduces emissions, and adapts to changing traffic conditions. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by achieving multiple objectives through a single integrated system.
3Ease of operation
If e-cars use conventional quick charging stations, then charging capability is provided, but charging time is significantly longer than refueling and infrastructure availability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary charging actions by allowing e-cars to charge during movement rather than requiring stationary stops. The mobile charging units travel alongside vehicles and transfer energy during transit, performing the charging action before the vehicle would otherwise need to stop, thereby eliminating dedicated charging time from the travel schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile charging units as intermediaries between the electrical grid and e-cars. These mobile units act as moving energy transfer stations that bridge the gap between stationary charging infrastructure and moving vehicles, enabling charging without requiring the car to stop at fixed charging locations.
4Ease of operation
If human drivers control vehicles with individual driving behaviors, then driver autonomy is maintained, but traffic disruptions and congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where control authority shifts between human drivers and the central automated control system based on traffic conditions. The system continuously adapts the level of automation, allowing human autonomy when conditions permit but transitioning to automated control when traffic optimization is needed, creating a flexible hybrid control regime.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for controlling the flow of traffic of vehicles, in particular passenger cars, on public roads, comprising the steps of: providing a central traffic flow control unit, in particular a cloud platform, provided in a communication network and storing infrastructure information of the roads on the central traffic flow control unit; establishing a data connection between vehicles and the central traffic flow control unit via the communication network;wherein the vehicles transmit parameters to the central traffic flow control unit, wherein an algorithm implemented on the central traffic flow control unit creates an optimized traffic flow for all vehicles and an individual driving profile for a single vehicle based on the parameters and the infrastructure information, wherein the individual driving profile is extracted from the optimized traffic flow. The invention further relates to a method for mobile refueling of vehicles and a mobile refueling unit that uses the method.