Wireless Traffic Sensor Solar Power and Anti-Theft Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic sensors require wired power supplies, limiting their flexibility, installation ease, maintenance accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, while also being vulnerable to unauthorized removal and difficult to repair.
Innovation Solution
A wireless traffic sensor system with sensors installed in containers using auto-locking spring clips and solar-powered battery charging units, allowing secure installation, remote maintenance, and using cell phones for data relay, enabling accurate and efficient traffic data collection and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired power supply is used for traffic sensors, then power supply reliability is improved, but installation flexibility and ease of maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired power supply system with a wireless electromagnetic power transmission system. The wireless traffic sensor receives power wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for physical power cables while maintaining reliable power supply. This resolves the contradiction by substituting the mechanical connection with an electromagnetic field-based power transfer mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless power transmission intermediary (electromagnetic field coupling system) between the power source and the sensor. This intermediary enables power transfer without direct physical connection, allowing the sensor to maintain reliable power supply while achieving installation flexibility and ease of maintenance through wireless operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If wired power supply is used for traffic sensors, then power supply stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex wired power supply infrastructure (cables, connectors, grounding systems) with a simpler wireless electromagnetic power transmission system. This substitution reduces overall system complexity while maintaining power supply stability through controlled electromagnetic coupling and power management circuits.
3Ease of operation
If wireless traffic sensors are used, then installation flexibility and ease of maintenance are improved, but power supply reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless power transmission intermediary that bridges the power source and the mobile sensor without physical connection. This intermediary maintains power supply reliability through electromagnetic coupling while preserving the sensor's wireless mobility and installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical wired power system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power system, enabling the sensor to maintain both reliability and flexibility simultaneously by receiving power through electromagnetic coupling rather than physical cables.
4Reliability
If sensor is securely affixed to container, then anti-theft protection is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary that enables remote sensor identification and authentication. The sensor's unique identifier is transmitted wirelessly to the authentication server, which verifies credentials and authorizes maintenance operations. This allows the sensor to remain securely affixed while enabling easy repair through wireless authentication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical access control (physical keys, tools, or disassembly) with wireless electromagnetic authentication. The sensor can be securely mounted without physical access points for maintenance, as authorization is granted through wireless credential verification, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of repair.
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 system provides flexible, cost-effective, and accurate real-time traffic data collection and processing, with secure sensor installation and maintenance, reducing the risk of unauthorized removal and facilitating easy battery replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a battery charging unit converts solar power into electrical pulses and transmits the electrical pulses to the plurality of wireless traffic sensors
Implementation Method 2
Each wireless traffic sensor may include a housing, a circuit board, and a sensor. The sensor may be affixed to the circuit board and may be oriented such that a sensing axis of the sensor is substantially perpendicular to a surface of a road
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of present invention provide a wireless traffic sensor system. The system includes a first and a second wireless traffic sensors being installed in ground along a vehicle passing path; and a battery charging unit in vicinity of the first and second wireless traffic sensors, wherein the battery charging unit converts solar power into a plurality of electrical pulses, the electrical pulses being transmitted to at least the first and second wireless traffic sensors; and wherein the first and second wireless traffic sensors convert the plurality of electrical pulses into DC power, the DC power being used in charging a rechargeable battery inside the first and second wireless traffic sensors respectively.