Solar-Powered Wireless Roadway Temperature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roadway temperature sensing systems require trenching for power and data transmission cables, increasing installation costs and potentially damaging the road surface due to moisture ingress and freezing-thawing cycles, and lack the ability to determine the direction of heating of the roadway surface.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, solar-powered roadway temperature monitoring module with embedded thermistors and a microprocessor that uses wireless RF transmission to send temperature data to a remote receiver, eliminating the need for trenching and allowing determination of heating direction through temperature analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power and data cables are used to connect the temperature sensor module to the roadside base station, then electrical power and digital data transmission can be achieved, but trenching must be dug through the road surface which increases installation cost and damages road integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The module uses a solar cell array to generate its own electrical power, eliminating the need for external power cables and trenching. The solar cells are integrated into the module housing, allowing the system to be self-powered and installed without disrupting the road surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable installation system with a wireless transmission system. Data is transmitted via wireless signals (such as radio frequency) between the embedded module and the roadside base station, eliminating the need for physical cable trenches and reducing installation complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple modules are embedded in the roadway to monitor temperature in multiple lanes, then temperature monitoring coverage is improved, but the integrity of the road surface deteriorates due to ingress of moisture and freezing-thawing action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power and data transmission components from the embedded module design. By using wireless transmission and solar power, the module requires only a small embedding cavity rather than extensive cable trenches, minimizing disruption to road surface integrity while maintaining monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The module design integrates multiple functions into a single compact unit: temperature sensing, solar power generation, wireless data transmission, and weatherproof housing. This multi-functional integration allows comprehensive monitoring without requiring separate infrastructure for each function, reducing overall impact on road integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a self-contained solar-powered module with wireless transmission is used, then installation cost is reduced by eliminating trenching, but the device complexity increases due to integration of solar cells, microprocessor, and RF transmitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple subsystems (solar power generation, microprocessor control, temperature sensing, and wireless transmission) into a single integrated module. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed and connected, simplifying the overall installation process despite the increased internal complexity of the module.
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
Significantly reduces installation costs by eliminating trenching and provides accurate data for optimizing anti-icing/de-icing treatments by determining the source of roadway heating, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of chemical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a solar cell array positioned proximate the top surface for providing an electrical potential at a pair of output terminals
Implementation Method 2
a RF transmitter... capable of telemetering temperature data from one or more sensing elements in the module to a remote receiver station via wireless transmission
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of temperature sensing elements, e.g., thermistors is embedded in the block comprising the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An improved roadway temperature monitoring system is designed to be powered by solar energy for measuring and transmitting sensed roadway surface temperatures over a wireless link to remote workstations comprises a module housing fabricated from a light-transmissive, thermally conductive tough plastic for containing a solar cell array, a microprocessor, a spread spectrum RF transmitter, a plurality of temperature sensing elements and a battery supply therefor whose charge is maintained by the solar cell array.