Passive Wireless Route Tags Powered by Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle navigation systems rely on cameras and sensors that can be hindered by inclement weather and infrastructure components susceptible to power outages, leading to potential disruptions in route information transmission.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of passive wireless communication devices, such as near field communication tags, along vehicle routes that are powered by vehicles, providing redundant information for navigation and operation, including route information that can affect speed and direction, and can be reprogrammed for updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive wireless communication devices are deployed along vehicle routes, then reliability of route information transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive wireless communication devices are powered by the vehicle itself through wireless power transfer, eliminating the need for external power infrastructure. The vehicle's power system serves the communication devices, creating a self-sufficient system that improves reliability without requiring grid-powered infrastructure along the route.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive wireless communication devices act as intermediaries between the vehicle and the route information system. These devices receive power and transmit route information wirelessly, mediating the communication between the vehicle's power system and the navigation system, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
2Ease of operation
If infrastructure components are used for route information, then navigation capability is improved, but susceptibility to power outages increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of infrastructure components powering the vehicle's communication system, the vehicle powers the communication devices along the route. This inversion eliminates dependency on grid-powered infrastructure, ensuring navigation capability remains operational during power outages while maintaining ease of use.
3Measurement precision
If cameras and sensors are used for route information, then navigation accuracy is improved, but vulnerability to weather conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive wireless communication devices that transmit route information through electromagnetic fields, creating a non-visual copy of route data that bypasses weather-dependent optical sensors. This copying mechanism preserves navigation accuracy while eliminating vulnerability to rain, fog, or snow that affects camera and sensor performance.
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
Enhances vehicle operation by providing continuous route information regardless of weather conditions or power outages, ensuring reliable navigation and improved vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicles can supply power to (e.g., energize) the communication devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include energizing, by a vehicle, a passive wireless communication device along a route over which the vehicle is traveling; and transmitting information about the route from the energized wireless communication device to the vehicle.