Vehicle Train Regulation via Wireless Categorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle train regulation systems face challenges in maintaining safe and efficient spacing between vehicles, particularly when unknown vehicles without wireless communication capabilities join the train, as existing technologies rely on clear line-of-sight sensors and reactive communication methods, which are limited in detecting and responding to vehicles further ahead or those without communication facilities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a processor unit to receive and analyze vehicle parameters, categorize vehicles based on communication capabilities, and generate control signals to regulate vehicles within the train, ensuring safe distance maintenance and fuel efficiency, even with unknown vehicles, by employing wireless communication and sensor fusion techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If distance sensors and cameras are used for vehicle regulation, then driver reaction time is eliminated and response speed is improved, but the system cannot detect vehicles more than a couple of vehicles ahead due to line-of-sight limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication as an intermediary to transfer information between vehicles. Instead of relying solely on direct sensor detection, vehicles exchange data about their state, actions, and traffic conditions wirelessly, allowing each vehicle to obtain information about distant vehicles through multiple hops in the vehicle train.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the information gathering function between local sensors (for immediate vicinity) and wireless communication network (for distant vehicles). Each vehicle acts as a node that can both sense its local environment and communicate with other nodes, collectively building a comprehensive view of the entire vehicle train.
2Loss of information
If wireless communication is used to obtain vehicle information, then information about vehicle state and actions can be obtained, but vehicles without wireless communication facilities cannot be detected or regulated
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation system is designed to work with multiple types of vehicles - those with wireless communication capabilities and those without. The system can obtain information from communicating vehicles and still regulate the entire train by combining this with sensor data and propagation models, making the system universally applicable to mixed vehicle compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
For vehicles without wireless communication, the system uses other vehicles as intermediaries. Communicating vehicles can act as probes, detecting and reporting information about non-communicating vehicles through sensor measurements and wireless communication, thereby enabling indirect observation and regulation of all vehicles in the train.
3Use of energy by moving object
If vehicles travel in close formation to reduce air resistance, then fuel consumption is reduced by 15-20%, but traffic safety is compromised due to reduced time gap between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors vehicle positions, speeds, and distances through wireless communication and sensors, providing real-time feedback to the regulation algorithm. This enables dynamic adjustment of spacing and speed to maintain safety margins while optimizing fuel efficiency, allowing vehicles to travel closer than traditional static safety distances would permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation system performs preliminary calculations and predictions about vehicle behavior and traffic conditions using obtained information and propagation models. By anticipating future states and potential hazards, the system can proactively adjust vehicle spacing and speed to prevent unsafe conditions before they arise, enabling closer formation travel with maintained safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for regulating vehicles in a vehicle train which comprises a leader vehicle and at least one further vehicle adapted to communicating via wireless communication. The system comprises a processor unit adapted to receiving data related to one or more vehicle parameters for a vehicle in the train or within an area around the train, to analysing said data according to predetermined criteria, to placing said vehicle in one of a predetermined number of categories based on the result of said analysis, each of which categories has rules for how at least one vehicle in the train is to be regulated on the basis of the categorisation, to generating at least one control signal which indicates how one or more vehicles in the train are to be regulated on the basis of said categorisation and to sending the control signal to one or more control units on board one or more of the train's vehicles, which are then regulated accordingly. The invention relates also to a method for regulating vehicles in a vehicle train.