An electric vehicle license plate self-service issuing device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of electric vehicle license plate self-service dispensing device, belong to self-service terminal technical field.The device includes cabinet, access card device and display and control unit.Access card device has side-by-side arrangement, first bin and first card taking mechanism, second bin and second card taking mechanism, which are independent of each other.Each card taking mechanism includes driving motor and push plate.The utility model realizes the uninterrupted operation of license plate distribution, real-time identification and remote supervision in distribution process, solves the problem of license plate management confusion and supervision disconnection under traditional manual management mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles, used for the automatic issuance of license plates for electric vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous growth in the number of electric vehicles, higher requirements have been placed on the standardized management and issuance of their license plates. Currently, electric vehicle license plates in China are mainly issued through offline stores. The vehicle management office pre-allocates a certain batch of license plates to authorized stores, where store staff manually store and process the registration. This traditional management model has revealed many problems in practice: First, physical management of license plates is difficult. Stores themselves store a large number of physical license plates, posing a risk of loss, damage, or theft. Second, there is a serious lack of oversight. The vehicle management office struggles to accurately and in real-time track the inventory, issuance quantity, and specific flow of license plates at each store, leading to a discrepancy between the number of license plates issued and the actual number issued, creating potential problems for the standardized use of license plates. Third, the issuance process relies on manual labor, which is inefficient and prone to errors, failing to meet the growing demand for convenient services.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, several technical solutions have been proposed. For example, Chinese patent application CN110689704A discloses a self-service license plate issuing machine that automatically issues license plates through a storage bin and a push mechanism. However, such solutions often employ a single license plate storage bin design. When the bin is full, the machine must stop and wait for manual replenishment, affecting service continuity. Furthermore, their function focuses solely on the physical issuance itself, lacking deep data integration with the backend monitoring system, thus failing to achieve real-time verification and recording of the issuance process.

[0004] Other solutions attempt to incorporate information technology. For example, CN110556022A involves an intelligent management system for electric vehicle license plates, focusing on the application, binding, and information tracking of license plates, but it does not involve automated hardware equipment for physical issuance. In addition, although existing technologies include dual-compartment self-service card retrieval devices as described in CN111145452A, their design is usually suited for thin items such as cards. The two compartments may share a single card retrieval mechanism or have a simple switching logic, which is not directly applicable to electric vehicle license plates that differ in material, weight, size, and management process. Furthermore, it is not integrated with the specific needs of license plate management, such as real-time OCR (Optical Character Recognition) recognition and remote monitoring.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a dedicated device that can integrate physical automated issuance of license plates, real-time identification and verification of the issuance process, remote monitoring of issuance data, and high equipment availability, so as to completely solve the management problems of electric vehicle license plates in the terminal issuance process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles with a reasonable structural design.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is a self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles, which is characterized by the following: Cabinet (1); A card storage and retrieval device (2) is installed inside the cabinet (1). The card storage and retrieval device (2) includes a first hopper (21) and a second hopper (215) arranged side by side, a first card retrieval mechanism (23) corresponding to the first hopper (21), and a second card retrieval mechanism (235) corresponding to the second hopper (215). The first card retrieval mechanism (23) and the second card retrieval mechanism (235) are independently arranged. The display and control unit (3) is mounted on the cabinet (1) and electrically connected to the access card device (2); The first card-retrieving mechanism (23) and the second card-retrieving mechanism (235) both include a drive motor (231) and a pusher plate (232) driven by the drive motor (231), which are used to push out the corresponding number plates (214) in the corresponding hopper (21) in sequence; The cabinet (1) is provided with a first card outlet and a second card outlet, which are respectively corresponding to the first silo and the second silo.

[0008] Preferably, the hopper (21) of this utility model includes a removable discharge box (212), and the top of the discharge box (212) is provided with a discharge box handle (211).

[0009] Preferably, the material box (212) of this utility model is used to place stacked number plates (214), and a pressure block (213) is provided above the uppermost number plate (214).

[0010] Preferably, the card storage and retrieval device (2) of this utility model further includes a hopper positioning device (22) for positioning the hopper (21); the card retrieval mechanism (23) further includes a position sensor (233) for detecting the position of the pusher plate (232).

[0011] Preferably, the cabinet (1) of this utility model is provided with a cover door (13, 14) covering the first hopper and the second hopper respectively, and a rear door (12) located on the rear side; the cover door (13, 14) and the rear door (12) are provided with electronic locks (16, 17, 18).

[0012] Preferably, the present invention also includes an OCR recognition module disposed inside the cabinet (1), wherein the recognition area of ​​the OCR recognition module is located on the card dispensing path of the hopper (21) and is located before the card dispensing port.

[0013] Preferably, the control unit of this utility model is configured to: when it is detected that the number plates (214) in the first hopper (21) have been issued, control the plate issuance process to automatically switch to taking plates from the second hopper (215) and issue a prompt message.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and effects: 1. Uninterrupted and highly available continuous card issuance service is achieved. By setting up two completely independent hoppers (21) and corresponding card retrieval mechanisms (23), when the number of cards in one hopper is exhausted, the system can automatically and seamlessly switch to the other hopper to continue working, while prompting staff to replenish the number of cards. This design effectively avoids the drawback of traditional single-hopper equipment having to stop and wait due to card replenishment, greatly improving the service time of the equipment and the user experience.

[0015] 2. A closed-loop management system of "issuance-identification-supervision" has been established to fundamentally eliminate management loopholes. This utility model integrates an OCR recognition module into the license plate issuance path. Each license plate issued undergoes real-time identification, and data such as license plate information, issuance time, and collection point are uploaded to the remote supervision platform in real time. This allows the vehicle management office to accurately grasp the entire process of each license plate from issuance to collection, achieving precise control over the number of license plates and full traceability of their flow, solving the core pain points of regulatory disconnect and discrepancies between records and actual conditions in the traditional model.

[0016] 3. Improved convenience and safety of operation and maintenance. The silo (21) adopts a modular pull-out material box (212) design, which allows staff to quickly load and replenish license plates in batches, just like changing printing consumables, making the operation simple. The silo cover doors (13, 14) on the cabinet (1) are equipped with electronic locks (16, 17, 18), which, combined with remote authorized opening, effectively ensure the physical security of the license plates and prevent unauthorized access.

[0017] 4. The user self-service process has been optimized, improving efficiency and accuracy. Users can complete the vehicle registration process online by scanning the QR code on the device screen, and the issuance of the license plate is automatically triggered after the business review is approved. The entire process tightly couples online business approval with offline hardware execution, reducing manual intervention. This not only improves issuance efficiency but also ensures the consistency of "person-vehicle-license plate" information through OCR recognition as a final electronic verification before issuance, significantly improving issuance accuracy.

[0018] 5. Highly specialized and reliable. This utility model is a specialized design for the size, material, and stacking characteristics of electric vehicle digital license plates (214). For example, the design of the pressure block (213) in the material box ensures that the license plates are stacked neatly and are easy to push out; the material bin positioning device (22) ensures the filling accuracy. Compared with the scheme of modifying the general card issuing mechanism, this device has a lower card card rate and higher stability and reliability in long-term operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cabinet structure of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the cabinet of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the card-taking mechanism of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the card-retrieving mechanism of this utility model when the material box is not loaded.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the silo structure of this utility model.

[0026] Labeling Explanation: 1. Cabinet Body; 11. Sheet Metal Shell; 12. Rear Door of Cabinet; 13. Right Compartment Door; 14. Left Compartment Door; 15. Spring Handle; 16. Electronic Lock A; 17. Electronic Lock B; 18. Electronic Lock C; 19. Base Feet; 2. Card storage and retrieval device; 21. Hopper; 211. Material box handle; 212. Material box; 213. Press block; 214. Number plate; 22. Hopper positioning device; 23. Card retrieval mechanism; 231. Drive motor; 232. Push plate; 233. Position sensor; 234. Elastic column mounting base; 235. Second card retrieval mechanism.

[0027] 3. Display and control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments. The following embodiments are explanations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0029] Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The following description is based on the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-2 The described embodiments are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0031] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0032] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] Example 1: like Figures 1 to 6 The diagram illustrates the structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The electric vehicle license plate self-service issuance device provided in this embodiment mainly consists of a cabinet 1, a license plate storage and retrieval device 2 installed in the cabinet 1, and a display and control unit 3 set on the front of the cabinet 1.

[0034] The cabinet 1 includes a sheet metal outer shell 11, an openable rear door 12, and feet 19 fixed to the base. Two parallel loading openings are located on the top front side of the cabinet 1, covered by a left compartment door 14 and a right compartment door 13, respectively. The compartment doors (13, 14) are closed by spring handles 15 and integrate electronic locks A 16 and B 17 for controlling their opening permissions. An electronic lock C 18 is located on the rear door 12. All electronic locks are electrically connected to a control unit, enabling remote authorization for unlocking or recording of unlocking events.

[0035] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The card storage and retrieval device 2 is the core functional module. It mainly consists of three parts: a hopper 21, a hopper positioning device 22, and a card retrieval mechanism 23. Two complete card storage and retrieval devices 2 are fixedly installed side by side on the base inside the cabinet 1, forming an independent first card dealing unit and a second card dealing unit.

[0036] Specifically, the storage bin 21 is used to hold and provide the numbered license plates 214 to be issued. The storage bin 21 includes a pull-out tray 212 with a handle 211 at the top. Staff can neatly stack 100 numbered license plates 214 (200 can be applied for initially) obtained from the vehicle management office into the tray 212, placing a pressure block 213 on top to maintain the stability of the stack. The storage bin positioning device 22 is fixed to the base, and its interior forms a guide groove that matches the shape of the tray 212. When license plates need to be loaded, staff, with remote authorization, open the corresponding storage bin door (13 or 14), and using the handle 211, vertically insert the full tray 212 downwards along the guide groove into the storage bin positioning device 22 until it is in place.

[0037] The card-retrieving mechanism 23 is correspondingly located in front of each hopper 21. Each card-retrieving mechanism 23 includes a drive motor 231 driven by a control unit, a pusher plate 232 driven by the motor through a transmission mechanism (such as a lead screw or rack and pinion), and a position sensor 233 for detecting the initial position of the pusher plate 232. The movement path of the pusher plate 232 is directly opposite the edge of the bottommost number card 214 of the dispensing box 212. In addition, on the other side of the hopper 21, an elastic column mounting base 234 is provided. When the number card 214 is pushed out, it has inertia, and a pressure block 213 presses it down, which serves to fix it.

[0038] Inside cabinet 1, an OCR recognition module (not shown separately in the figure) is fixedly installed along the card dispensing path of hopper 21. Its recognition area is located in the middle of the pusher plate 232's travel. On the front of cabinet 1, there are two card dispensing ports (not labeled in the figure) corresponding to the two hoppers 21, for users to retrieve card numbers. Photoelectric sensors are installed inside the card dispensing ports to detect whether a card has been taken.

[0039] The display and control unit 3 integrates a touch screen, a main controller, and communication modules (such as 4G / 5G and Ethernet). The main controller communicates with the drive motor 231, all sensors (position sensor 233, hopper inventory sensor, card dispenser sensor, etc.), OCR recognition module, electronic lock, and remote monitoring platform server.

[0040] The following combination Figures 1 to 6 The workflow of this embodiment is described in detail below: Step 1: Initialization and Loading. Store staff apply for license plates from the regulatory platform via a mobile app. After approval, they collect the physical license plates from the vehicle management office. Staff operate the device screen to request the opening of, for example, the left compartment cover 14. After authorization by the platform, the control unit opens the electronic lock A 16. Staff open the compartment cover 14, insert the material box 212, already filled with digital license plates 214 and pressure blocks 213, into the left-side hopper positioning device 22, and close the compartment cover 14. The right-side hopper can be filled in the same way or used as a spare empty hopper.

[0041] Step Two: Self-Service License Plate Collection. When registering a vehicle, the owner uses their mobile phone to scan the QR code displayed on the monitor and control unit 3 screen to access the official license plate registration mini-program, submit the required documents online, and complete the review and payment. After successful registration, the mini-program sends a license plate collection instruction containing the registration number to the device control unit.

[0042] Step 3: Card Issuance and Recognition. After receiving a valid command, the control unit first checks if the current main material bin (as shown on the left) has sufficient stock. If so, it starts the drive motor 231 on the left. The drive motor 231 drives the pusher plate 232 forward, horizontally pushing out the first numbered plate 214 at the bottom of the left material box 212. This plate is first pushed to the OCR recognition area and pauses. The OCR recognition module takes a picture of it and recognizes the plate number. After successful recognition, the information of "Business Number - Plate Number - Time - Device ID" is packaged and uploaded to the remote monitoring platform in real time. After the platform confirms the successful recording, it sends a continue command to the device.

[0043] Step Four: Card Dispensing and Reset. Upon receiving the continue command, the control unit activates the drive motor 231 again, and the pusher plate 232 continues to push the identified numbered card 214 forward until it is fully dispensed from the left-side card dispenser for easy user pickup. After the user removes the card, the card dispenser sensor detects an "empty object" state and sends feedback to the control unit. The control unit then controls the drive motor 231 to reverse, causing the pusher plate 232 to retract until the position sensor 233 is triggered, confirming that the pusher plate 232 has returned to its initial position. This completes one card dispensing cycle and awaits the next command.

[0044] Step 5: Bin Switching and Notification. Each bin 21 is equipped with an inventory detection sensor at its bottom. The sensor is triggered when the number plates in the left bin are about to run out or have already run out. After the current card issuance process is completed, the control unit automatically switches the main card issuance unit to the right bin to ensure that the next card issuance command can still be executed immediately. At the same time, the control unit sends a notification through the screen and simultaneously to the monitoring platform and the store staff's mobile APP, prompting "The number of number plates in the left bin is insufficient, please replenish them in time."

[0045] Step Six: Material Replenishment and Maintenance. Upon receiving the notification, staff can request to open the left-side bin cover 14 and directly lift the left-side material discharge box 212 for replenishment. During this replenishment process, the equipment continues to provide normal service via the right-side bin and the tag-retrieving mechanism, achieving truly uninterrupted operation.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be noted that the shapes and names of the parts and components described in the specific embodiments described in this specification may differ. All equivalent or simple variations made to the structure, features, and principles described in this utility model patent concept are included within the protection scope of this utility model patent. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of this utility model or exceed the scope defined in these claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles, characterized in that, include: Cabinet (1); A card storage and retrieval device (2) is installed inside the cabinet (1). The card storage and retrieval device (2) includes a first hopper (21) and a second hopper (215) arranged side by side, a first card retrieval mechanism (23) corresponding to the first hopper (21), and a second card retrieval mechanism (235) corresponding to the second hopper (215). The first card retrieval mechanism (23) and the second card retrieval mechanism (235) are independently arranged. The display and control unit (3) is mounted on the cabinet (1) and electrically connected to the access card device (2); The first card-retrieving mechanism (23) and the second card-retrieving mechanism (235) both include a drive motor (231) and a pusher plate (232) driven by the drive motor (231), which are used to push out the corresponding number plates (214) in the corresponding hopper (21) in sequence; The cabinet (1) is provided with a first card outlet and a second card outlet, which are respectively corresponding to the first silo and the second silo.

2. The self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hopper (21) includes a removable discharge box (212), and the top of the discharge box (212) is provided with a discharge box handle (211).

3. The self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material box (212) is used to place stacked number plates (214), and a pressure block (213) is provided above the topmost number plate (214).

4. The self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The card storage and retrieval device (2) further includes a hopper positioning device (22) for positioning the hopper (21); the card retrieval mechanism (23) further includes a position sensor (233) for detecting the position of the pusher plate (232).

5. The self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabinet (1) is provided with a cover door (13, 14) covering the first and second hoppers respectively, and a rear door (12) located on the rear side; the cover door (13, 14) and the rear door (12) are provided with electronic locks (16, 17, 18).

6. The self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an OCR recognition module installed inside the cabinet (1), wherein the recognition area of ​​the OCR recognition module is located on the card dispensing path of the hopper (21) and is located before the card dispensing port.

7. The self-service license plate issuing device for electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to automatically switch the card issuing process to take cards from the second hopper (215) when it is detected that the numbered cards (214) in the first hopper (21) have been issued, and issue a prompt message.

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