Two-Stage Vehicle Detection With Backup Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle detection systems require high maintenance due to reliance on RF energy converters for power supply, which is inefficient and requires frequent maintenance, especially in busy traffic areas, and struggle to accurately detect moving vehicles at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle detection system with two separate energy storage devices and a two-stage sensor system, where the first sensor is always active and the second sensor is activated only when needed, allowing for precise detection of both stationary and moving vehicles, and enabling the system to switch to a secondary energy source if the primary one fails, reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RF energy converters are used for power supply, then the system can operate wirelessly, but the transmitting power required is high and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RF energy converter component from the system entirely. Instead of using wireless energy transfer, the invention employs conventional wired power supply through cables connected to the ground sensor, thereby eliminating the need for high-power RF transmission while maintaining wireless communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cables as an intermediary power transmission medium between the power source and the ground sensor. This mediator enables efficient energy transfer with minimal loss, avoiding the inefficiencies of wireless RF power transfer while preserving the wireless communication advantage.
2Ease of operation
If RF energy converters are used for power supply, then the system can operate wirelessly, but maintenance intervals become short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the RF energy converter from the system architecture, eliminating the component that requires frequent maintenance. By using standard wired power connections, the system benefits from the reliability and longevity of conventional electrical infrastructure.
3Reliability
If the first sensor is always active, then moving vehicles can be detected, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-stage detection approach where the first sensor (always active) performs preliminary detection of vehicle presence. When a vehicle is detected, the second sensor is activated for more precise measurement. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain high detection reliability while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the second sensor inactive during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic activation of the second sensor based on detection needs. Instead of continuous operation, the second sensor is activated only when the first sensor detects a vehicle, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
4Device complexity
If a single energy store is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system fails completely when the energy store malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements redundancy in the energy supply system by using multiple energy stores. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if one energy store fails, the system can switch to another, preventing complete system failure and maintaining operational availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can discard the malfunctioning energy store and recover operation using the remaining functional energy stores. This approach allows the system to continue operating with reduced capacity rather than complete failure, and the failed component can be replaced during scheduled maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle detection system for monitoring stationary and moving vehicles is disclosed. The vehicle detection system includes a housing and a first sensor and a second sensor each configured to detect the moving vehicles. A control unit, and a first energy store as well as a second energy store configured to supply the vehicle detection system with electrical energy independently of one another are also provided. The control unit is designed in such a way that the first sensor is permanently switched on during operation of the vehicle detection system and the second sensor is only switched on for a predetermined time when the first sensor has detected a vehicle. The control unit is designed in such a way that, when the voltage of the first energy store falls below a first predetermined voltage, the vehicle detection system is supplied with electrical energy by the second energy store.