Driverless Vehicle Guidance and Power via Road Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driverless car technologies face challenges such as high operational costs, limited range, and slow reaction times due to reliance on fossil fuels and complex communication systems, which hinder their adoption for regular city transport and lead to increased emissions and accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system where driverless electric vehicles are guided by a board computer using optical and radiofrequency imaging devices to follow road guidelines and info-lines, enabling precise navigation, communication with other vehicles for traffic management, and power supply through batteries or electric traction on elevated roads, ensuring safe and efficient travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If electric motors are used in driverless vehicles, then emissions are reduced to zero, but the vehicle range is limited to under 200 km due to battery weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply by switching between battery power for short distances and overhead electric traction for long distances. The system dynamically adapts the power source based on route requirements, allowing zero emissions for urban trips while extending range for intercity travel through the overhead catenary system.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is designed with multi-functionality to operate on two different power systems: onboard batteries for short-range urban transport and overhead electric traction for long-range intercity routes. This universal design allows the same vehicle to achieve both zero emissions and extended range by selecting the appropriate power source.
2Measurement precision
If optical imaging devices are used for guideline detection, then guidance precision is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to road dirt and poor reflection quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radiofrequency tags embedded in the road as an intermediary medium. Instead of directly imaging the road surface, the system uses optical devices to detect these reflective tags, which provide clear, dirt-resistant optical signals. This intermediary approach maintains high guidance precision while eliminating vulnerability to road dirt and poor reflection quality.
3Reliability
If complex communication systems are used for traffic management, then coordination between vehicles is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through overhead sensors that detect vehicle positions and transmit this information to the central control system. The control system then provides feedback signals to vehicles for speed and positioning adjustments. This simple feedback loop achieves reliable traffic coordination without complex communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Vehicles use their own onboard sensors and processors to detect guidelines, radiofrequency tags, and overhead signals, making autonomous decisions without heavy reliance on complex inter-vehicle communication. Each vehicle serves itself by processing local information, reducing the need for complex communication systems while maintaining coordination.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If driverless steering systems are implemented, then road accident mortality decreases, but the systems are only suitable for special applications and not regular city transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by switching between different guidance modes: optical imaging for regular city streets with visible guidelines, radiofrequency tag detection for intersections and complex road markings, and overhead electric traction signals for highways. This dynamic mode switching enables driverless systems to handle both special applications and regular city transport effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle incorporates multiple detection systems (optical cameras, radiofrequency receivers, overhead sensor compatibility) that can be adapted to various road types and conditions. This multi-functional design allows the driverless system to operate universally across different environments, from controlled test tracks to complex urban intersections and highways.
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
This solution reduces emissions to zero, decreases road accidents, and provides a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable transportation system with extended range, addressing the limitations of existing technologies and improving traffic flow and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The steering of the vehicle is derived from the optical scanning of the guideline situated on the surface of the road by the optical guideline imaging device fixed on the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The board computer controls vehicle movement parameters by optical scanning of the info-line present on or in the surface of the road by the info-line optical imaging device fixed on the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
The board computer controls the vehicle movement parameters by way of optical or radiofrequency scanning of the info-line present on or in the surface of the road
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatic guidance of the motor vehicles on roads is based on the guidance of motor vehicles (1) with electric actuator (2) on roads (4) is executed only by a board computer (9), which coordinates direction guidance, driving parameters and vehicle (1) actuator (2) in interaction with a mobile data transfer either from a stationary central computer (12) and/or from other locally present board computers (9) of the surrounding motor vehicles (1). Steering the vehicle (1) is derived from the optical scanning of the guideline (6) situated on or in the surface of the road (4) by an optical guideline imaging device (3.1) located on the vehicle (1). Driving parameters of the vehicle (1) are derived from the optical and/or radiof requency scanning of the info-line (7) situated on or in the surface of the road (4) by optical and/or radiof requency info-line imaging devices (3.2, 3.3) located on the vehicle (1). Driving parameters for at least one electric actuator (2) and/or battery (13) of the vehicle (1) are derived the electric energy take-off through at least one electric power bus (5) fixed on the vehicle (1) and at least on one section oriented towards the road (4) and/or to the road barrier (14) from electric traction (8) located on the elevated part of the road (4) and/or in the road barrier (14).