Vehicle Odometer Using Capacitor for Intermittent Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing trailer odometer systems for articulated heavy goods vehicles, powered by secondary sources like vehicle stop lamps, can only function during braking, leading to inaccurate distance calculations since power is intermittent, and adding a battery as a secondary power supply increases costs and poses hazards under hazardous load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle odometer system that uses an electronic processor to estimate distance traveled by counting brake applications and calculates distance using both brake application frequency and wheel speed data, with dual power supplies for continuous and intermittent operation, allowing accurate distance tracking even when primary power is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery is used as the secondary power supply, then the odometer can function continuously, but the system cost increases and isolation problems arise under hazardous load restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a capacitor instead of a battery as the secondary power supply. The capacitor is a simpler, cheaper component that provides short-term power during braking events, eliminating the need for expensive batteries and their associated safety isolation requirements while maintaining odometer functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the vehicle's electrical system and the odometer. This capacitor acts as a buffer that stores energy during braking when the stop lamp is activated, providing power to the odometer without requiring a full battery system
2Device complexity
If the odometer is powered from vehicle stop lamps, then system cost is reduced, but the odometer can only function during braking leading to invalid readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the capacitor to preliminarily store electrical energy during braking events when the stop lamp is activated. This stored energy is then available to power the odometer continuously, transforming the intermittent power availability into continuous operation and validating the odometer readings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuous odometer operation by using the capacitor to bridge power gaps. The capacitor maintains power supply continuity by releasing stored energy when the vehicle is not braking, ensuring the odometer functions continuously and produces valid readings throughout the vehicle operation cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A vehicle odometer system including an electronic processor, the processor having an input for a signal indicating a brake of the vehicle to which the odometer system is fitted have been applied, being adapted to calculate at least an estimate of the distance travelled by the vehicle using a first method based on the number of applications of the vehicle brake.