Vehicle Platoon Pressure Sensing for Fair Drag Benefit Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately determine the beneficial effects of vehicle platooning, such as reduced drag and fuel consumption, due to dynamic conditions and complex influences on aerodynamic drag, making it difficult to quantify and fairly share the benefits between vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electronic processing unit that determines the difference in pressures acting on leading and following vehicles to calculate a benefit value, characterizing the platoon's effect, by using pressure sensors and direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication to share data and integrate the benefit over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vehicle platooning is implemented to reduce drag and improve efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but accurately determining and quantifying the beneficial effect becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that directly measure the aerodynamic pressure difference between the leading and following vehicles. This mediator provides objective, quantifiable data about the beneficial effect without requiring complex calculations or assumptions about drag reduction, thereby simplifying the determination process while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex aerodynamic calculations and simulations with direct mechanical pressure measurements. Instead of using sophisticated computational models to estimate drag reduction, the system uses pressure sensors to directly measure the pressure difference, substituting a simple mechanical measurement for a complex computational approach.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are installed on vehicles to measure aerodynamic pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they measure both the aerodynamic pressure during platooning and can potentially be used for other vehicle operational parameters. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by providing versatile measurement capabilities that benefit multiple aspects of vehicle operation and benefit determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensors are integrated into the vehicle's existing sensor network and communication systems, allowing them to automatically provide data to the benefit determination system without requiring separate dedicated measurement infrastructure. The vehicle's own electronic control units and communication buses serve the dual purpose of vehicle control and benefit measurement, reducing overall system complexity.
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 precise determination and fair sharing of the platoon's beneficial effects, allowing for efficient operation and rewarding participants based on the calculated benefit value.
Implementation Method 1
measuring pressure which a vehicle body receives while a vehicle is driven by a plurality of pressure sensors installed in the vehicle body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a beneficial effect of a platoon (10) comprising a leading vehicle (12) and a following vehicle (14). In a first step, at least one first pressure acting on the leading vehicle (12) is determined by means of an electronic processing unit (18, 22). In a second step, at least one second pressure acting on the following vehicle (14) is determined by means of the electronic processing unit (18, 22). In a third step, a difference between the first and second pressures is determined by means of the electronic processing unit (18, 22). In a fourth step, at least one benefit value is determined on the basis of the difference, by means of the electronic processing unit (18, 22), the benefit value characterizing the beneficial effect of the platoon (10) on at least one of the vehicles (12, 14) .