Pivoting Parking Indicator Attachment for Vehicle Access Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to ensure adequate access to vehicles in crowded parking environments, where drivers often compromise access due to insufficient space, making it difficult to perform tasks like loading and unloading items.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle parking indicator system that attaches to the vehicle and extends to notify adjacent drivers of the required space for accessing the vehicle, using various attachment methods and a pivoting mechanism to indicate the necessary clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a vehicle is parked in a crowded parking lot, then parking space utilization is improved, but adequate access to the vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The parking indicator attachment is installed on the vehicle beforehand and can be extended to notify other drivers of the required access space before parking maneuvers are attempted. This preliminary notification prevents access problems rather than solving them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking indicator attachment serves as an intermediary communication device between the vehicle operator and other drivers. It conveys the message about required access space visually, facilitating coordination without direct communication between drivers.
2Productivity
If parking space is reduced to accommodate more vehicles, then parking capacity is improved, but space for vehicle access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The parking indicator extends perpendicular to the vehicle body, utilizing the vertical/dimensional space rather than horizontal parking space. This allows notification of access requirements without consuming additional parking area, effectively communicating in a different spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking indicator uses visual signals (potentially including color changes or distinctive visual patterns) to communicate access requirements to other drivers, allowing information transmission without physical occupation of additional space.
3Productivity
If drivers park as close as possible to maximize space utilization, then parking efficiency is improved, but ability to perform tasks like loading/unloading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is extended before the driver attempts to load or unload, preliminarily establishing the required clearance zone. This prevents other drivers from inadvertently blocking access during these tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking indicator provides visual feedback to other drivers about the active status of the vehicle and the required access space, enabling them to adjust their behavior accordingly and avoid interfering with loading/unloading operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle parking indicator device to provide an indication of space needed for access into a vehicle. The device includes an interior attachment device securable to an interior of a vehicle door. The device may include an exterior attachment device coupleable to the interior attachment device to releasably secure the exterior attachment device to a window of a vehicle. The device may include a frame connected to the exterior attachment device and configured to support a placard, the frame positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the frame is substantially perpendicular to the window of the vehicle and in the second position the frame is substantially parallel to the window of the vehicle.