Movable Road Linkage for Traffic-Adaptive Energy Harvesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of vehicles on roads contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating the development of alternative energy harvesting solutions to mitigate these emissions.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvesting apparatus comprising a movable road component that moves under vehicle weight, coupled with a link that switches between rigid and flexible configurations to either harvest or isolate energy, utilizing sensors and actuators to optimize operation based on traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the link is kept in rigid configuration continuously, then energy can be harvested from all vehicles, but energy is wasted during periods with no traffic and the apparatus cannot operate efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The link is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, switching between rigid and flexible states based on traffic conditions. During idle periods, the link adopts a flexible configuration that isolates the movable road component, preventing energy waste. When vehicles are detected, the link transitions to rigid configuration to enable energy harvesting. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between continuous harvesting efficiency and idle energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the link (rigidity) based on operational conditions. The link's rigidity parameter is adjusted from flexible to rigid state when traffic is detected, and vice versa during idle periods. This parameter change allows the system to optimize energy harvesting during traffic while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
2Loss of energy
If the link is kept in flexible configuration during idle periods, then energy is conserved, but the apparatus cannot harvest energy when vehicles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by transitioning the link to rigid configuration in advance of vehicle arrival. Sensors detect approaching vehicles and trigger the link to switch from flexible to rigid state before the vehicle reaches the movable road component, ensuring energy harvesting is ready when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect traffic conditions and provides feedback to the control mechanism that adjusts the link configuration. When vehicles are detected, the feedback signal triggers the link to transition to rigid configuration for energy harvesting. When no vehicles are present, the feedback signal allows the link to remain flexible, conserving energy.
3Productivity
If the movable road component moves freely under vehicle weight, then energy harvesting is maximized, but the road surface becomes uneven affecting vehicle comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The road surface is segmented into fixed sections and a movable energy harvesting section. The movable section is isolated from the fixed road sections by the link mechanism, which contains the movement to a specific zone. This segmentation allows the movable section to move for energy harvesting while the fixed sections maintain road surface uniformity and vehicle comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The link acts as an intermediary mechanism between the movable road component and the fixed road structure. It mediates the movement by allowing controlled displacement during energy harvesting while maintaining overall structural integrity and surface uniformity, thus enabling both energy harvesting and vehicle comfort.
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 apparatus efficiently harvests energy from vehicle movement, storing or using it for additional devices, reducing emissions by converting kinetic energy into usable forms.
Implementation Method 1
a movable road component that is configured to move away from a raised position due to a weight of one or more vehicles on the movable road component
Implementation Method 2
in the rigid configuration, the link is configured to be transfer force from the movable road component to act as a work input
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a movable road component (106) that is configured to move away from a raised position due to a weight of one or more vehicles on the movable road component; a link (108) that is coupled to the movable road component, the link being movable between a rigid configuration and a flexible configuration, wherein in the rigid configuration, the link is configured to transfer force from the movable road component to act as a work input; and wherein in the flexible configuration, the link is configured to substantially isolate the movement of the movable road component to prevent the link from acting as a work input.