Vehicle Mounting Assembly Sensing for Monitoring Device Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle monitoring systems struggle to quickly and accurately track large volumes of monitoring devices, as they only report locations when activated and rely on human operators for recording, leading to inaccurate and timely tracking of device availability and status.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensors and processors that determine the state of vehicle signaling and monitoring devices, generating and communicating sensor signals to indicate whether devices are coupled, available, or require maintenance, enabling automated tracking and reporting of device status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If devices are deactivated when not in use to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to report locations is lost and tracking becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor system acts as an intermediary between the deactivated device and the tracking system. The sensors detect the physical state of the mounting assembly (coupled vs. decoupled) and communicate this information to processors, enabling location tracking without requiring the monitoring device to be activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic reporting mechanism (which requires device activation) with a sensor-based detection system. Instead of relying on the device to electronically report its status, physical sensors detect the mechanical state of the mounting assembly and generate signals that directly indicate device location and availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If human operators manually record device locations and status, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but accuracy and timeliness of tracking deteriorate due to large numbers of devices and frequent swapping
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service tracking through automated sensor detection and processor analysis. The sensors automatically detect device states and the processors automatically determine availability status, eliminating the need for manual recording by human operators while maintaining high accuracy and timeliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that constantly monitor the mounting assembly state and provide real-time information to processors. This automated feedback loop ensures accurate and timely tracking of device locations and availability without human intervention.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and processors are added to enable automated tracking, then tracking accuracy and timeliness improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to justify the added complexity. The same sensors that detect mounting assembly state can also track device location, monitor device availability, and provide maintenance status information, making the additional complexity worthwhile through multiple benefits from a single system.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring device detection system may include a mounting assembly disposed onboard a vehicle system. The mounting assembly couples a vehicle signaling and monitoring device to the vehicle system. One or more sensors may obtain information related to one or more of the mounting assembly or the vehicle system. One or more processors may determine a state of the mounting assembly based on the information obtained by the one or more sensors.