Patent review and novel design of vehicle classification system with TRIZ

Abstract

The classification and counting of vehicles play a crucial role in transportation engineering. With the growth of technology, the automated vehicle classification system has improved over the last few decades. To avoid reinventing the wheel, a patent review is a must. In many engineering disciplines, the TRIZ method is used to guide further inventive improvement. This article studies the development trend of the vehicle classification system and the appropriateness of the TRIZ tool. Twenty-two relevant patents have been selected for the investigation. Through the proposed solutions documented in related patents, their contradicting parameters and inventive principles are identified. Inventive principles are also predicted from TRIZ contradiction matrices from both Altshuller and Mann and it is found that using Mann's contradiction matrix is more accurate. The development direction is reviewed with the TRIZ evolution trend and is presented visually as an evolution potential radar plot. Finally, a novel design of vehicle classification system is proposed.