Mechanical Course Rating System Using Vehicle Energy Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating cross country and road racing course difficulty lack a standardized and objective measure, leading to inequivalent performance comparisons across different courses, as they rely on subjective factors like human energy levels and course length measurement variability.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical method using a self-propelled vehicle equipped with a power meter to collect and compare energy readings across courses, calculating a difficulty rating as a percentage increase in energy costs between a cross country or road racing course and a standard track, providing an objective and accurate assessment of course difficulty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human energy levels and subjective factors are used to evaluate course difficulty, then the evaluation can be performed without specialized equipment, but the measurement precision and objectivity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human-based energy level assessment with a mechanical measurement system. A vehicle equipped with a power meter mechanically measures energy consumption to evaluate course difficulty, eliminating subjective human factors and improving measurement precision through objective mechanical data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a power meter as an intermediary device between the vehicle and the evaluation system. This intermediary mechanically measures energy consumption and provides objective data, serving as a mediator that transforms subjective human energy assessment into quantifiable mechanical measurements.
2Reliability
If standardized energy measurement equipment is introduced, then objectivity and measurement precision improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a universal measurement approach where the same vehicle and power meter configuration can evaluate different course types (cross country, road racing, track). This multi-functional system provides reliable comparisons across diverse courses while managing system complexity through standardized procedures rather than course-specific equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's power meter system performs self-measurement of energy consumption without requiring external human assessment. The system automatically collects and processes energy data, providing reliable objective measurements while reducing the need for complex external evaluation infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical energy measurement methods are used, then energy measurement accuracy improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring course characteristics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from complex course analysis and focuses it on a single quantifiable parameter: energy consumption. By taking out the evaluation to measure only energy costs rather than attempting to measure all course characteristics simultaneously, the system achieves precise energy measurement while simplifying the detection and measurement process.
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 approach allows for precise and comparable evaluations of performance across different courses by eliminating human variability and improving the accuracy of energy measurements, enabling a standardized difficulty rating system for cross country and road racing courses.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining an energy reading of a self-propelled vehicle as it is propelled on a first course; obtaining an energy reading of the self-propelled vehicle at is it propelled over a second course
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a course difficulty rating method using a mechanical method to obtain an energy differential for obtaining a difficulty rating. More specifically, the present disclosure describes a difficulty rating method used to determine a relative difficulty of a cross country running course or a road racing course using energy information of a self-propelled vehicle. The method includes: obtaining an energy reading of a self-propelled vehicle as it is propelled on a first course; obtaining an energy reading of the self-propelled vehicle at is it propelled over a second course; and comparing the energy readings collected by the self-propelled vehicle over the first course and the second course to determine an energy factor course for the first course.