Parking Meter Antenna Placement for Longer RF Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless single-space parking meters face inefficiencies due to suboptimal antenna placement, leading to higher power consumption and reduced communication range, which are exacerbated by the use of communication protocols like ZigBee or SSIPCO.
Innovation Solution
The antenna is relocated within the parking meter housing to transmit and receive RF signals through a portion with high permittivity, using improved shapes such as 'T', 'F', or 'L' configurations, and housed in a fin cover made of high permittivity material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the antenna is placed in conventional locations within the parking meter housing, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the transmission efficiency of RF signals deteriorates, resulting in higher power consumption and lower communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is moved from conventional internal placements to an external dimension by extending through the upper housing to a fin cover, allowing it to transmit signals through the dome rather than through metal housings. This dimensional change enables better RF transmission without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, as the antenna integrates with the existing fin cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a localized high-permittivity transmission path by having the antenna extend through the upper housing to the fin cover, which is positioned to transmit signals through the dome. This local optimization of the transmission path allows efficient RF communication while keeping the rest of the housing structure simple and easy to manufacture.
2Length of stationary object
If the antenna is placed in conventional locations within the parking meter housing, then the device structure is simplified, but the communication range is reduced due to signal attenuation through metal housings
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna extends through the upper housing to reach the fin cover, creating a transmission path through the dome in a different spatial dimension. This allows RF signals to propagate through non-metallic materials, extending communication range without adding significant structural complexity to the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin cover acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates RF signal transmission. By positioning the antenna to transmit through the fin cover and dome rather than through metal housings, the invention creates an intermediate transmission path that extends communication range while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
3Loss of energy
If conventional antenna placements are used, then the housing structure remains simple, but signal transmission efficiency is reduced due to attenuation through metal housings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the local transmission path by having the antenna extend through the upper housing to the fin cover, creating a localized high-efficiency transmission zone. This local optimization improves signal transmission efficiency without requiring complex modifications to the overall housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna extension through the upper housing to the fin cover creates a new transmission dimension through the dome, bypassing the signal-attenuating metal housings. This dimensional change improves transmission efficiency while keeping the housing structure relatively simple.
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
This configuration enhances transmission efficiency, resulting in a more power-efficient and extended communication range for wireless parking meters.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna coupled to the radio communication module located above the mechanism housing to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals through at least a portion of the parking meter that has a high emissivity to RF signals
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless parking meter with an improved antenna location is described. The antenna may be located within a covering protruding from the top of the parking meter, allowing radio frequency (RF) signals to be transmitted through a portion of the parking meter with high permittivity to the RF signals. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna may be located within the parking meter housing above a lower parking meter mechanism housing so that RF signals can be transmitted through the dome covering of the parking meter, which may have a high permittivity to the RF signals.