Tubular Parking Meter Base for Concealed Coin Vault Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pole-mounted parking meters are vulnerable to vandalism and theft due to exposed coin vault housings, which are a target for attacks, and upgrading or replacing existing mechanisms is costly.
Innovation Solution
A parking meter design featuring a tubular extruded base that surrounds the pole, concealing the coin vault and providing a protected interior space, with a lockable door for access and additional features like solar panels and lights, reducing visible points of attack and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coin vault housing is exposed and accessible for coin collection, then ease of operation is improved, but security against vandalism and theft deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coin vault housing is nested within the tubular extrusion structure, which is further nested within the parking meter assembly. This multi-layer nesting provides concealed access points while maintaining security, as the coin vault is not directly exposed on the exterior surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular extrusion acts as an intermediary structure between the exterior environment and the coin vault housing. It provides a protected intermediate space that allows coin collection functionality while shielding the vulnerable components from direct external access and vandalism.
2Ease of operation
If the coin vault housing door is exposed on the exterior, then ease of operation for coin collection is improved, but the number of attack points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is locally positioned within the tubular extrusion structure rather than on the main exterior housing. This local placement allows operational access while concentrating the access point in a less vulnerable location that is protected by the tubular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The access door is positioned in a different spatial dimension within the tubular extrusion, creating a staggered access arrangement that removes it from the primary exterior attack surface while maintaining functional accessibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a tubular extruded base is added to conceal the coin vault, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular extruded base serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conceals the coin vault housing, provides structural support, creates a protected interior space, and integrates with the existing pole infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate security components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular extrusion merges the security enclosure function with the existing mounting structure, combining protective housing and structural support into a single integrated component that reduces overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A parking meter is provided that has a parking meter mechanism and an extruded tubular base secured to an existing pole. The extruded tubular base encloses a coin canister that may be accessed through either an opening in the base of the parking meter mechanism or a door opening in the extruded tubular base. The extruded tubular base may be secured to the existing pole by an upper ring and a lower ring. One or more lights may be arranged down the sides of the extruded tubular structure to convey information to users or parking enforcement personnel.