Wheel Unit Location Sensor with Motion-Powered Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracking wheeled units is challenging due to their mobility, especially when they range far from their original location, requiring effective location sensing and communication systems that are secure and powered sustainably.
Innovation Solution
A wheel unit equipped with a location sensor and wireless communication system, integrated with a power generator using the wheel's motion, ensuring secure and reliable tracking by determining Cartesian coordinates and transmitting them via cellular communication, with antennas positioned for optimal signal reception and interference minimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a location sensor and wireless communication system are integrated into a wheeled unit, then tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the location sensor, wireless communication system, and power generator into an integrated tracking device mounted on the wheeled unit. This merging of multiple functional components into a single system improves tracking capability while managing device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking device performs multiple functions including location determination, wireless communication, and power generation. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to provide tracking capability while reducing the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a power generator is integrated to power the tracking system, then energy sustainability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power generator is integrated into the wheeled unit to generate electricity from the wheel's motion, allowing the tracking system to power itself. This self-service approach improves energy sustainability by eliminating external power requirements while managing complexity through motion-based power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical power sources with an electromagnetic power generator that converts wheel motion into electrical energy. This substitution improves energy sustainability by utilizing the existing mechanical motion of the wheel to generate electricity for the tracking system.
3Reliability
If antennas are positioned for optimal signal reception, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions antennas at specific locations on the wheeled unit where signal reception is optimized. This local quality approach improves communication reliability by placing antennas in locations with the best possible signal characteristics, such as away from obstructions and with appropriate orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent considers three-dimensional positioning and orientation of antennas to optimize signal reception. By adjusting antenna position in multiple dimensions (height, angle, orientation), the system achieves improved communication reliability while managing the complexity of antenna placement.
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
Enables precise location determination and secure tracking of wheeled units, even when mobile, by utilizing the wheel's motion to power the system and ensuring uninterrupted communication, thus addressing the challenges of mobility and power sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a power generator that generates power using rotation of the rotating wheel with respect to the wheel axle
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel unit includes a rotating wheel, a wheel axle, and a location sensor. The rotating wheel rotates with respect to the wheel axle. The location sensor is disposed in a fixed position with respect to the wheel axle. The location sensor determines coordinates for a location of the wheel unit.