Vehicle Emission Control via Dynamic Population Density Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicles with internal combustion engines contribute to poor air quality in densely populated areas, and existing measures to reduce emissions are inadequate in dynamically adjusting to varying population densities and emission sources.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that estimate population density using location data to adjust the vehicle's operating modes, selecting emission-reducing strategies based on current and predicted population density, energy expenditure, and environmental conditions along the vehicle's route, activating different emission reduction modes to minimize emissions and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If emission reduction measures are continuously activated in motor vehicles, then emissions are reduced, but energy consumption and time expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle emissionsVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts emission reduction measures based on real-time population density estimates and environmental conditions. Operating modes are not continuously activated but rather adapted dynamically to current conditions, allowing the vehicle to switch between different emission reduction strategies and conventional operation based on whether the vehicle is in densely populated areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (emission reduction intensity, operating mode selection) based on varying conditions such as population density, environmental data, and vehicle route. This allows optimization of the balance between emission reduction effectiveness and energy consumption by adjusting parameters rather than maintaining fixed continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If emission reduction measures are continuously activated in motor vehicles, then emissions are reduced, but time expenditure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle emissionsVSAvoidtime expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary estimation of population density and environmental conditions along the planned route before executing emission reduction measures. This allows proactive planning of emission reduction strategies, avoiding last-minute activations that would consume excessive time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If population density estimation and dynamic mode adjustment are implemented, then emission reduction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle emissionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes existing multi-functional components (location devices already present for navigation, existing sensors for environmental data) rather than adding dedicated specialized components. The population density estimation leverages data from smartphones and location services that already exist in the vehicle ecosystem, reducing the need for additional dedicated hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary estimation approach, deriving population density indirectly from location data and smartphone signals rather than direct counting. This intermediary method simplifies the measurement process compared to direct population monitoring while still providing sufficient accuracy for emission reduction decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10137885B2Method and device for operating a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system and method for operating a vehicle having different operating modes affecting emissions include activating, by a vehicle controller, at least one of the different operating modes affecting emissions selected in response to an estimated population density of a designated area associated with a current location or an anticipated future location of the vehicle.