Modular Toll Control Device for Emergency Vehicles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency vehicle and aircraft systems lack efficient and modular solutions for toll payment control, particularly in detecting and processing vehicle information for toll status determination, which requires extensive modifications and lacks autonomous operation capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A toll control device integrated with a sensor system and control unit on a carrier platform, capable of generating and sending vehicle information for toll payment processing, featuring removable and space-efficient integration, including sensors for 360-degree detection and regenerative energy sources for autonomous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a toll control device is integrated into an emergency vehicle system, then toll payment control capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoll payment control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toll control device is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently installed on the emergency vehicle. This segmentation allows the toll control functionality to be added without redesigning the entire emergency vehicle system, thereby improving adaptability while managing device complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The toll control device is designed to be universally applicable to different emergency vehicle types and platforms. By creating a multi-functional device that can operate on various vehicle types, the system achieves improved adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive modifications are made to integrate toll control into emergency vehicles, then toll payment control is achieved, but ease of manufacture and deployment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoll payment controlVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The toll control device is pre-configured and pre-assembled as a complete functional unit before installation on the emergency vehicle. This preliminary preparation includes pre-installed sensors, processors, and communication modules, allowing for rapid deployment without extensive on-site modifications to the vehicle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By dividing the toll control system into separate, self-contained modules that can be independently manufactured and tested, the system enables easy installation and removal without requiring extensive modifications to the emergency vehicle's existing structure or systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If fixed installation of toll control device is used, then stable operation is achieved, but adaptability and ease of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation stabilityVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system for the toll control device is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the device to be securely installed for stable operation during use, while also enabling easy removal and repositioning when needed, balancing operational reliability with adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If conventional toll control systems are used without autonomous capabilities, then system simplicity is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoll processing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toll control device incorporates autonomous operation capabilities including automatic vehicle detection, automatic toll calculation, and automatic payment processing. The system serves itself by making decisions and executing transactions without requiring constant human intervention, thereby improving productivity while the modular design keeps complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 quick and efficient toll payment control with reliable vehicle detection and classification, minimizing mechanical changes to the vehicle and allowing for easy installation and removal, while ensuring autonomous operation through solar power, thus improving toll status determination and payment processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the toll control device has at least one renewable energy source, in particular a solar cell, to supply the toll control device with electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3459056B1Service vehicle or aircraft having a carrier platform and a toll checking device, toll checking system, and method for checking a toll payment
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 JENOPTIK ROBOT GMBH
  • EP3459056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3459056B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3459056B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a service vehicle or aircraft, comprising a carrier platform and a toll checking device (102) for a carrier platform (100). The toll checking device (102) comprises a sensor device (106) for producing vehicle information (110) representing a vehicle (200) in the environment of the service vehicle or aircraft and a control unit (108) having an interface to a toll data processing device (112). The control unit (108) is designed to transmit the vehicle information (110) to the toll data processing device (112) via the interface and to receive from the toll data processing device (112) toll payment information (114), which is produced by using the vehicle information (110) and represents the toll payment associated with the vehicle (200). The toll checking device (102) is or can be arranged on the carrier platform (100) and can be removed from the carrier platform (100).