Electric Rental Vehicle Security via Sensor Anomaly Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is currently no method or system to protect electric vehicles from vandalism, theft, or damage during rental collection and return operations at rental sites, which can lead to incorrect handling and security issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors to monitor the state of electric vehicles, comparing measured parameters to predetermined values, and signaling anomalies to prevent damage and ensure secure operations through audible and light signals or remote notifications, using wireless communication networks like GPRS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no monitoring system is installed, then the vehicle is vulnerable to vandalism and incorrect handling, but installing a monitoring system increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: sensor means for detecting vehicle state, comparison means for evaluating sensor data against predetermined values, and signaling means for alerting users. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and specialized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-diagnosis by automatically comparing sensor readings with predetermined values and generating alerts without human intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual monitoring procedures and reduces the complexity of operational control.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then damage prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor means periodically measure vehicle state parameters rather than continuously monitoring all parameters simultaneously. The comparison means evaluates these periodic measurements against predetermined values, and signaling is triggered only when anomalies are detected. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while maintaining effective damage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback signaling to alert users only when actual vehicle state deviates from predetermined acceptable values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to remain energy-efficient by activating full monitoring and alert functions only when necessary, rather than maintaining constant high-energy operation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed to monitor all vehicle parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sensor means are assigned to monitor specific critical vehicle parameters (such as door status, battery state, motor status) rather than using a uniform monitoring approach for all parameters. Each sensor is optimized for its specific measurement task, improving measurement precision for critical parameters while keeping the overall sensor system manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The comparison means serves multiple functions: it compares sensor readings against predetermined values, determines whether anomalies exist, and triggers appropriate signaling. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method (300) for securing an electric rental vehicle when returning/picking up the vehicle at a so-called rental site, said vehicle including at least one sensor for determining at least one state of an element of said vehicle, said method including the following steps: measuring (310, 320) at least one value of at least one parameter by said sensor means, comparing (310, 320) the value of said parameter with at least one predetermined value, and indicating (312, 322, 324) an anomaly if the value is not equal to the predetermined value. The invention also relates to a method for securing an electric rental vehicle when returning/picking up said vehicle, and to a secure vehicle.