U-Shaped Guide Gutter for High-Speed Automated Lane Keeping

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical contact system (conductive rails and sliding contacts) between the infrastructure and vehicle to transfer electrical energy. This mediator enables efficient power transfer through direct physical contact while maintaining ease of operation through automated contact mechanisms during normal driving conditions.

The patent combines on-board battery storage with off-board infrastructure-based power delivery systems. This hybrid approach merges the advantages of both systems, allowing vehicles to use smaller batteries supplemented by dynamic charging from overhead or roadside conductive rails, thereby reducing the environmental burden of large battery manufacturing and recycling while maintaining energy autonomy.

The patent segments the guidance system into discrete modular components including sectional rails, standardized vehicle mounting points, and modular power transfer units. This segmentation allows the complex mechanical guidance system to be implemented in manageable sections, reducing overall infrastructure complexity while maintaining continuous trajectory control reliability through precise alignment of segments.

The patent implements beforehand cushioning through redundant mechanical guidance systems and emergency stop mechanisms that are pre-positioned along the trajectory. These systems provide a safety buffer that activates automatically upon detecting failures in the primary autonomous control systems, allowing reduced driver vigilance while maintaining safety through multiple layers of pre-arranged protective measures.