Same-Side LIDAR Vehicle Emission Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote emission sensing systems face challenges in accurately differentiating between multiple vehicle exhaust plumes, require complex installation and maintenance, and are not representative of real-world driving conditions, with accuracy dependent on beam height and tailpipe position.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR-based method using a light source and detector on the same side of the road, with scattered light collected from the road surface or bridge, processed to determine exhaust plume components and concentrations, utilizing collimating optics, filters, and a processor for precise analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light source and detector are located on opposite sides of the road, then the beam passes through exhaust plume directly for detection, but the system requires complex installation and maintenance on both sides of the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source and detector into a single location on one side of the road, eliminating the need for opposite-side installation. The system uses a single optical path where light travels through the exhaust plume and is detected by the same-side detector, simplifying both installation and maintenance while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical path into distinct functional zones: light emission through the exhaust plume, interaction with road surface, and detection. This segmentation allows the system to use the road surface as a natural reflector/terminator, eliminating the need for complex opposite-side equipment while maintaining measurement precision
2Productivity
If multiple vehicles are present in multiple lanes, then more vehicles can be monitored, but it becomes difficult to correctly associate each vehicle with its emission data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by using multiple detectors positioned at different locations (e.g., different lanes or angles) to simultaneously monitor multiple vehicles. Each detector's field of view is specifically oriented to capture exhaust from particular vehicles, enabling multi-vehicle monitoring while maintaining accurate vehicle-data association through geometric relationship
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the road surface as an intermediary element that reflects light back to detectors. This intermediary enables the system to capture emission data from multiple vehicles simultaneously by directing reflected light from different vehicle exhaust plumes to different detectors, maintaining clear association between vehicle and emission data
3Measurement precision
If the beam height is adjusted to match tailpipe height, then emission detection accuracy improves, but the system requires precise height matching for each vehicle type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system that can monitor emissions from various vehicle types with different tailpipe heights. By positioning the light source and detector at fixed locations and using the road surface as a reflector, the system maintains a consistent optical path that effectively captures exhaust plume characteristics across different vehicle configurations without requiring height adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection approach from direct beam-through-plume measurement to reflected-light detection from the road surface. This parameter change in the optical path allows the system to maintain effective detection across varying tailpipe heights, as the reflected light path compensates for height variations and maintains measurement accuracy
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 accurate, cost-effective, and efficient remote sensing of vehicle emissions, capable of distinguishing between multiple vehicles and providing representative real-world data without the need for complex setup or labor-intensive operations.
Implementation Method 1
a beam of light 915 generated from the source 910 passes through an exhaust plume 940 emitted from a vehicle 905 driven on the road 901, thereby carrying absorption signal associated with components and concentrations of the exhaust plume 940. The beam 915 is collected by the detector 930
Implementation Method 2
a beam of light 915 generated from the source 910 passes through an exhaust plume 940 emitted from a vehicle 905 driven on the road 901, thereby carrying absorption signal associated with components and concentrations of the exhaust plume 940
Implementation Method 3
a back scattering of light from the surface of the road on which a vehicle is driving or from the bottom of a bridge through which the vehicle is driving is used for returning the radiation, which was emitted by a light source, to the detector
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a device for remote sensing of emissions of a vehicle driven on a road. In one embodiment, the device includes a source for emitting a beam of light and transmitting the emitted light through an exhaust plume emitted from the vehicle to the surface of a lane of the road on which the vehicle is driven, wherein the transmitted light is scattered at the surface of the lane; a detector for receiving at least one portion of the scattered light scattered from the surface of the lane; and a processor for processing the received light therein to provide one or more spectra of the received light so as to determine components and concentrations of the exhaust plume. The source and the detector are located in the same side of the road.