Wheel Locking Boot With Keypad and Lug Nut Blocking Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enforcing parking regulations, such as towing vehicles, are time-consuming and costly, and there is a need for a more efficient and cost-effective solution to immobilize vehicles with unpaid parking fines.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle locking boot with an oversized lug nut cover and pad, featuring a horizontal and vertical support arm structure, a keypad for locking and unlocking, and a GPS housing for location tracking, which can be securely attached to a vehicle wheel to prevent movement until fines are paid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a vehicle locking boot is applied to immobilize vehicles with unpaid parking fines, then the need for towing is eliminated saving time and money, but the device complexity increases due to multiple support arms, engagement protrusions, and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking boot is divided into multiple functional segments including a horizontal support arm, first vertical support arm with front engagement protrusion, second vertical support arm with rear engagement protrusion, and a horizontal extension portion. Each segment performs a specific function in the immobilization process, allowing the complex device to be managed through modular functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal extension portion is configured to slide within the receiving sleeve, creating a nested structure where one component moves inside another. This nesting approach allows the locking mechanism to compact when not in use while providing extended functionality when engaged, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If an oversized lug nut blocking plate with pad is used to prevent wheel rotation, then the immobilization effectiveness is improved, but the weight of the locking boot increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lug nut blocking plate is equipped with a pad that appears to be made of a softer, possibly rubberized or foam material attached to a rigid plate structure. This composite construction allows the blocking plate to effectively prevent wheel rotation while the softer pad material may help distribute forces and reduce overall weight compared to a purely metal construction.
3Ease of operation
If a keypad locking mechanism is integrated into the vertical support arm, then the ease of operation is improved for authorized users, but the device complexity increases due to electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad integrated into the first vertical support arm serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the support arm and an access control interface. This multi-functionality approach allows the electronic locking mechanism to be incorporated without adding separate dedicated housing or mounting structures, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a GPS housing is added to track vehicle location, then the enforcement capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS housing is integrated with the existing vertical support arm structure rather than being a separate attached component. By merging the GPS housing with the structural elements already present in the locking boot design, the enforcement capability is enhanced while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle locking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first vertical support arm extending from the horizontal support arm. The first vertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm. A horizontal extension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A second vertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the first engagement portion to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to the first vertical support arm. A global positioning system (GPS) housing is positioned at an upper portion of the first vertical support arm.