Removable Meter Cover with Sensor for Parking Upgrade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for upgrading street parking meters with vehicle sensing and wireless communication capabilities are labor-intensive and costly, involving extensive infrastructure modifications and electronic waste, making it difficult to efficiently add or replace components in existing meters.
Innovation Solution
A removable cover housing system that can be easily installed on existing parking meters, equipped with a self-contained power source and wireless communication elements, allowing for wireless communication without a functional electrical connection to the existing meter, enabling rapid and low-cost upgrades and retrofits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing parking meters are upgraded with vehicle sensing and wireless communication capabilities using traditional replacement methods, then the sensing and communication functionality is improved, but the installation complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The parking meter system is divided into separate functional modules: the existing meter housing remains as one component, while the new sensor and wireless communication capabilities are encapsulated in a separate removable cover housing. This segmentation allows the upgrade to be implemented by replacing only the cover housing rather than the entire meter, significantly reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The new vehicle sensing and wireless communication components are extracted from the traditional integrated meter replacement process and placed in a separate removable cover housing. This extraction allows the upgrade to be applied to existing meters without requiring replacement of the original meter housing or internal components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional replacement methods are used to upgrade parking meters, then new sensing and communication components can be installed, but labor costs and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the meter into a base unit and a removable cover housing, the upgrade process becomes a simple cover replacement rather than a complete meter replacement. This dramatically reduces installation time and labor requirements while still enabling the installation of new sensing and communication components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete meter replacement is performed to add sensor capabilities, then the sensor functionality is improved, but infrastructure modifications and waste generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and wireless communication components are extracted into a separate removable cover housing that can be applied to existing meters. This approach preserves the original meter housing and internal components, significantly reducing electronic waste compared to complete meter replacement while still providing the desired sensor capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the entire existing meter during upgrade, the invention recovers and retains the original meter housing and internal components. Only the removable cover housing containing the new sensor capabilities is replaced, thereby reducing electronic waste and the associated environmental impact.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing meters are upgraded with new components, then the functionality is improved, but the cost of upgrade increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upgrade is segmented into a separate removable cover housing that can be manufactured independently and applied to existing meters. This segmentation enables standardized mass production of the cover housing, reducing manufacturing costs compared to custom-built complete meter replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable cover housing is designed to be universal and compatible with multiple existing meter models. This universality allows the same cover housing design to be applied across different meter installations, achieving economies of scale in manufacturing and reducing overall upgrade costs.
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 solution facilitates quick, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly upgrades of parking meters by reducing labor and waste, allowing for modular upgrades and improved functionality without the need for extensive infrastructure changes, while protecting the meters from vandalism.
Implementation Method 1
a solar cell battery
Implementation Method 2
the sensor utilizes radar
Data Source
AI summary
Meters and meter covers comprising: a removable cover housing configured to accommodate the upper portion of the internal components of an existing meter, the cover housing engageable with the housing base of the existing meter to cover and enclose the internal components of the existing meter; a sensor affixed to the cover housing, the sensor configured to collect environmental information pertaining to the local external environment of the existing meter; a wireless radio affixed to the cover housing, the wireless radio configured to transmit the environmental information to the existing meter or to a remote server in communication with the existing meter; and a power unit affixed to the cover housing, the power unit supplying power to the sensor and the wireless radio.