Parking Meter Cap with Integrated Vehicle Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking meter systems lack efficient vehicle detection mechanisms, leading to inaccurate parking enforcement and user privacy concerns, as they often rely on manual monitoring or basic sensors that are not adaptable to varying parking space arrangements.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a vehicle sensor within a modular meter cap that includes a solar panel for power, positioned to detect vehicles within the parking space without obstructing the meter's display, and adjustable to accommodate different space configurations, while being concealed to maintain user privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a vehicle sensor is integrated within the meter housing, then vehicle detection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the meter device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle detection accuracyVSAvoidmeter device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle sensor is integrated within the meter housing, combining the sensor functionality with the existing meter structure. This merging approach improves vehicle detection accuracy while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing the existing housing space rather than adding a completely separate detection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The meter housing serves multiple functions: it protects the meter mechanism, provides mounting for the vehicle sensor, and maintains the operational display visibility. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the sensor is positioned to detect vehicles in the parking space, then detection capability is improved, but user privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle detection capabilityVSAvoiduser privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is positioned within the meter housing to detect vehicles in the specific parking space associated with that meter, rather than having broad surveillance capabilities. This localized detection approach improves detection capability for the intended purpose while minimizing privacy intrusion by limiting the sensor's field of view to only the relevant parking area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the meter cap is made modular to accommodate sensors, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The meter housing is divided into modular components, including a removable meter cap that can be easily detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the cap to be manufactured separately with integrated sensor mounting features, improving adaptability for different sensor configurations while simplifying the manufacturing process through standardized modular parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle sensor is nested within the modular meter cap structure, which itself is part of the larger meter housing assembly. This nested arrangement allows the sensor to be integrated into the cap during cap manufacturing, then the complete cap-sensor assembly is installed as a unit, thereby improving adaptability without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances parking enforcement accuracy by providing real-time vehicle presence data to management systems, reduces manual errors, and maintains user privacy through concealed sensor placement, allowing for adaptable installation across various parking space arrangements.

Implementation Method 1

The meter cap includes a solar panel coupled to the inner surface and configured to supply power to the vehicle sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11783661B2Single space electronic parking meter with meter housing mounted vehicle sensor

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 DUNCAN PARKING TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An upper parking meter outer housing component that includes a parking meter cap is provided. The parking meter cap includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining an interior cavity, and a lower edge portion defining an opening into the interior cavity. The lower edge portion is configured to be coupled to a lower housing component of single space meter such that a meter mechanism may be enclosed within the interior cavity of the upper meter dome. The meter cap includes a vehicle sensor coupled to the inner surface of the upper meter dome. The meter cap includes a solar panel coupled to the inner surface of the upper meter dome and configured to supply power to the vehicle sensor.