Inductive Sensor Vehicle Detection with Periodic Power Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-powered vehicle-detection devices face challenges in accurately detecting electric vehicles and vehicles with fewer ferrous materials due to reduced magnetometer accuracy and interference from environmental conditions like pollution, snow, and water, which affect light and electromagnetic wave-based sensors.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered vehicle-detection device equipped with at least one inductive sensor that generates a magnetic field and sensing signals based on changes, powered by a battery and controlled by additional signals or timing signals, allowing for efficient detection of a wider range of vehicles, including those with fewer ferrous materials, using a combination of passive and high-power inductive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magnetometer is used to detect ferrous metals in vehicles, then vehicle detection capability is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates for electric vehicles with fewer ferrous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using a magnetometer that detects ferrous metal presence to an inductive sensor that measures changes in electrical impedance caused by conductive materials. This parameter change in the detection mechanism allows accurate detection of electric vehicles with fewer ferrous materials by responding to their electrical conductivity rather than magnetic properties.
2Area of stationary object
If light or electromagnetic wave-based sensors are used for vehicle detection, then detection range is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates under environmental conditions like pollution, snow, and water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical and electromagnetic wave-based sensing systems with an electrical inductive sensing system. The inductive sensor uses electrical fields and impedance measurements that are not affected by environmental factors like pollution, snow, or water, thereby maintaining both detection range and accuracy under various weather conditions.
3Measurement precision
If inductive sensor is continuously powered to ensure accurate vehicle detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic polling of the inductive sensor at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous operation. The controller activates the inductive sensor only during these polling periods to detect vehicle presence or removal events, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during battery-powered operation.
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 device effectively detects a wider range of vehicles by periodically powering inductive sensors based on initial detections from passive sensors, reducing energy consumption and maintaining accuracy across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inductive sensor configured to generate a magnetic field based on the first power, and also configured to generate, based on a change to the magnetic field, a sensing signal indicating a presence of an object
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments set forth a device comprising one or more batteries configured to generate a first power, and an inductive sensor configured to generate a magnetic field based on the first power, and to generate, based on a change to the magnetic field, a sensing signal indicating a presence of an object, where delivery of the first power to the inductive sensor is based on one or more additional signals and/or based on a timing signal.