Vehicle Route Selection Using Roadside Air Temperature Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems do not consider the thermal efficiency of routes based on air temperature adjacent to the road surface, which can affect the energy consumption and fuel efficiency of vehicles, particularly in pre-heating inlet air for internal combustion engines and air conditioning needs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for thermally efficient route selection that retrieves air temperature data for each route segment and vehicle data, including desired inlet air temperature, to determine the most energy-efficient route by predicting air temperatures using historical data and adjusting for road surface materials, weather, and geographic location, thereby optimizing energy use for both pre-heating and air conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional navigation systems select routes based on traffic and time factors, then travel time and reliability are improved, but energy consumption and fuel efficiency deteriorate due to lack of thermal efficiency consideration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traditional route selection parameters by incorporating thermal parameters (air temperature, road surface temperature, solar radiation) into the navigation system. This allows the system to evaluate and select routes based on both conventional factors (traffic, time) and thermal efficiency factors, thereby reducing energy consumption for heating and air conditioning while maintaining reliable route selection
2Temperature
If vehicle inlet air is pre-heated using additional heating systems, then desired inlet air temperature is achieved, but energy consumption and fuel usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system performs preliminary thermal analysis by retrieving and analyzing air temperature data and road surface temperature data for different route segments before the vehicle travels. This allows the system to identify and select routes where the air is already pre-heated by warm road surfaces, eliminating or reducing the need for additional heating systems and associated energy consumption
3Temperature
If air conditioning is used to cool items in the vehicle, then desired temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates thermal parameters (air temperature, road surface temperature, solar radiation) into route selection to identify routes with naturally cooler conditions. By selecting routes where ambient temperatures are more favorable, the system reduces the thermal load on air conditioning systems, thereby maintaining desired item temperatures while minimizing energy consumption
4Use of energy by moving object
If navigation systems consider thermal factors in route selection, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional data requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is designed to serve multiple functions: it retrieves and processes both conventional navigation data (traffic, time) and thermal data (air temperature, road surface temperature, solar radiation) through a unified route selection algorithm. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide both traditional navigation services and thermal efficiency optimization without requiring entirely separate systems
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
The method reduces energy consumption and fuel usage by selecting routes with pre-heated air temperatures, minimizing the need for additional heating or air conditioning, leading to improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of air adjacent to a road surface
Implementation Method 2
air temperature adjacent to a road surface... pre-heating inlet air
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are techniques for thermally efficient route selection. A request is received for a route for a vehicle to travel from a first geographic location to a second geographic location. Route data is retrieved for each of a plurality of routes, where the route data includes, for each portion of each route at a given time and day, air temperature adjacent to a road surface. Vehicle data is retrieved for the vehicle, where the vehicle data includes a desired temperature of an item being carried and a desired inlet air temperature. The route from the first geographic location to the second geographic location is determined using the route data and the vehicle data, where the route is thermally efficient. The vehicle is directed along the route, where the route specifies a lane from a plurality of lanes of a road for each portion of the route.