LOW-PROFILE SURFACE-MOUNTED WIRELESS PARKING SENSOR

• US 20190311622A1
• Filed: 04/04/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nwave Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nwave Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: BIRCHENKO, Yury
• Granted Patent: US 11,049,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/142 external to the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/145 where the indication depends on the parking areas

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a low-profile, surface-mounted, wireless parking sensor (LPSMPS) that is easy-to-install, easy-to-maintain, easy-to-repair, and low-cost. The LPSMPS can support the weight of a typical motor vehicle without damage to the electronic components therein. The LPSMPS has a disk-like shape and houses a circular printed circuit board (PCB) that includes electronics for motor vehicle sensing and for wireless communication with other devices. Batteries (e.g., standard AA batteries) are positioned around the circular PCB to enable a low overall profile. For example, according to some embodiments, the maximum height of the LPSMPS is less than 20 mm.

Claims

1. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device comprising:

an electronic circuit board comprising circuitry configured to determine proximity to a vehicle and to transmit information to a remote device responsive to detecting the vehicle;

a central pillar protruding through the center of the electronic circuit board, wherein the central pillar connects casing components and supports a vehicle load;

a plurality of batteries for powering the circuitry of the circuit board, wherein the batteries are disposed around the central pillar;

the casing components comprising;

a sensor body component;

a base component coupled to the sensor body; and

a cap component disposed on a top surface of the sensor body and configured to distribute a load across a surface of the cap.

2. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor body component, the base component, and the cap component comprise a maximum height of approximately 20 mm.

3. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of base pillars disposed around the central pillar that connects the casing components.

4. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the central pillar is hollow, and further comprising a solid central pillar that is received by the hollow central pillar to distribute the load across the base component.

5. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the base component comprises tapered sides that become wider towards a bottom surface of the base component to prevent the base component from being dislodged from a parking surface.

6. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, further comprising a hand grip disposed on a top surface of the cap component.

7. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor body component is coupled to the base component and the cap component using metal screws.

8. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 7, wherein the cap component comprises screw holes that are configured to receive the metal screws, and wherein further the screw holes comprise screw reinforcement side ribs configured to reduce a force exerted on the screws from the load.

9. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor body component further comprises a battery compartment for housing the plurality of batteries.

10. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the cap component comprises a plurality of radial and annular ribs extending along an inner surface of the cap component and configured to reduce bending of the cap component and to transfer a force of the load away from the circuit board.

11. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the cap component comprises a plurality of arch shaped ribs covering the battery compartment.

12. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the cap component further comprises a circular rib, and further comprising an o-ring, wherein the o-ring is operable to support the circular rib to uniformly distribute the load, and wherein the circular rib compresses the o-ring to provide a hermetic seal to restrict moisture from passing through the seal.

13. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of batteries comprises standard AA batteries.

14. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor device as described in claim 1, wherein the base component further comprises a pocket disposed on a bottom surface of the base component and configured to receive an adhesive to fix the base component to a parking surface.

15. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor and transmission device comprising:

a casing comprising;

a base;

a sensor body having a top surface, wherein the sensor body is coupled to the base, and wherein the base is configured to be fixed to an external surface; and

a cap coupled to the top surface of the sensor body, wherein the cap is configured to receive a load disposed on the cap and comprises a rib to distribute the load;

a circuit board disposed in the sensor body, wherein the circuit board is configured to detect a vehicle and to transmit information to a remote device responsive thereto;

a plurality of batteries coupled to the circuit board and providing power thereto using a conductor, wherein the conductor is disposed in a groove of the casing; and

an o-ring disposed between the sensor body and the cap, wherein the o-ring is configured to support the rib, and wherein further the o-ring is compressed by the rib to seal an interior cavity disposed between the cap and the sensor body.

16. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor and transmission device as described in claim 15, wherein the o-ring is at least 1 mm thick and is disposed in a groove to provide substantially uniform compression along the circular rib, wherein the o-ring comprises rubber, and wherein the groove is approximately 1 mm deeper than a thickness of the circular rib.

17. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor and transmission device as described in claim 15, wherein the circuit board is circular in shape and surrounds a hollow pillar, and further comprising a solid pillar disposed on the base that penetrates the hollow pillar to support a force exerted on the cap.

18. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor and transmission device as described in claim 17, wherein the plurality of batteries is disposed around the hollow pillar and comprises standard AA batteries.

19. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor and transmission device as described in claim 15, wherein the sensor body, the base, and the cap comprise a maximum height of approximately 20 mm.

20. A surface-mounted wireless parking sensor and transmission device as described in claim 15, further comprising a hand grip disposed on a top surface of the cap.