U.S. patent application number 11/052631 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for automated parking garage.
Invention is credited to Haag, Gerhard.
Application Number | 20050220594 11/052631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36793627 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050220594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haag, Gerhard |
October 6, 2005 |
Automated parking garage
Abstract
An automated parking garage. The garage comprises a multi-floor
building having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage
area for storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet. An
entrance-level floor of the building includes an entry/exit station
(EES) on for receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior
entrance through which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing
interior entrance that provides access to the storage area and
through which the loaded pallet is transported, the loaded pallet
and unloaded pallet adapted to be positioned at floor level in the
EES. The garage includes a pallet stacking station for storing the
unloaded pallet, the pallet stacking station located over a shuttle
aisle that extends under the EES. A pallet shuttle that traverses
the shuttle aisle to a first position under the EES for handling
the unloaded pallet in the EES, and to a second position under the
pallet stacking station for stacking the unloaded pallet. The
garage also includes a transport system for transporting the loaded
pallet in the storage area.
Inventors: |
Haag, Gerhard; (Clearwater,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TUCKER, ELLIS & WEST LLP
1150 HUNTINGTON BUILDING
925 EUCLID AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44115-1475
US
|
Family ID: |
36793627 |
Appl. No.: |
11/052631 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11052631 |
Feb 7, 2005 |
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10133557 |
Apr 27, 2002 |
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6851921 |
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10133557 |
Apr 27, 2002 |
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09364934 |
Jul 30, 1999 |
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10133557 |
Apr 27, 2002 |
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09790460 |
Feb 22, 2001 |
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09790460 |
Feb 22, 2001 |
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09364934 |
Jul 30, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/529 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 6/245 20130101;
E04H 6/22 20130101; E04H 6/422 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/529 |
International
Class: |
E04H 006/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automated parking garage, comprising: a multi-floor building
having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage area for
storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet; an entry/exit
station (EES) on an entrance-level floor of the building for
receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior entrance through
which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing interior entrance that
provides access to the storage area and through which the loaded
pallet is transported, the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet
adapted to be positioned at floor level in the EES; a pallet
stacking station for storing the unloaded pallet, the pallet
stacking station located over a shuttle aisle that extends under
the EES; a pallet shuttle that traverses the shuttle aisle to a
first position under the EES for handling the unloaded pallet in
the EES, and to a second position under the pallet stacking station
for stacking the unloaded pallet; and a transport system for
transporting the loaded pallet in the storage area.
2. The garage of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle storage
racks include a first vehicle storage rack and a second vehicle
storage rack that are aligned end-to-end such that the transport
system operates to access the second vehicle storage rack through
the first vehicle storage rack.
3. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
vertical lift conveyor that transports the loaded pallet vertically
between floors of the multi-floor building.
4. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
lower carrier assembly that extends into the EES to handle the
loaded pallet.
5. The garage of claim 1, wherein each floor of the multi-floor
building includes a carrier aisle over which at least one carrier
assembly traverses to access each of the vehicle storage racks
thereon.
6. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
vertical lift conveyor that transports the loaded pallet vertically
between floors of the multi-floor building and a carrier assembly
that traverses the horizontal length of a floor, such that vertical
lift conveyor has associated therewith a vehicle storage rack that
is accessible by the carrier assembly only through the vertical
lift conveyor.
7. The garage of claim 1, wherein the EES includes a pallet support
mechanism that operates in one of a support position and a
non-support position such that when the unloaded pallet is removed
from the EES to the pallet stacking station, the pallet shuttle
traverses to the first position under the EES and operates a pallet
shuttle elevation mechanism of the pallet shuttle to raise the
unloaded pallet from underneath so that the pallet support
mechanism can be operated to the non-support position.
8. The garage of claim 1, wherein the pallet stacking station
includes a pallet vertical lift that performs one of vertically
transporting a pallet bundle from a non-entrance-level floor to a
pallet stack support mechanism of the pallet stacking station, and
from the pallet stack support mechanism to the non-entrance-level
floor.
9. The garage of claim 1, wherein a customer initiates storage of
the loaded pallet with the transport system via an automated
parking teller associated with and located outside of the EES in
which a vehicle of the customer entered.
10. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system comprises a
lower carrier assembly on the entrance-level floor that includes a
turntable that rotates the loaded pallet in a horizontal plane once
in the storage area.
11. The garage of claim 8, wherein the pallet vertical lift
includes: tongs for supporting at least one pallet; a tong
controller operatively attached to the tongs for controlling the
tongs in both an open position and a closed position; a tong
suspension system for suspending the tongs; and a vertical lift
motive means for elevating the tongs relative to the pallet
stacking station.
12. The garage of claim 9, wherein the automated parking teller
communicates with a garage control system such that in response to
the customer conducting a transaction thereof, the garage control
system closes an exterior door of the exterior entrance of the EES
and opens an interior door of the interior entrance of the EES.
13. The garage of claim 1, wherein the EES includes a first
retractable pallet support mechanism operative in a support
position and a retracted position, which the support position
supports both the loaded and unloaded pallet, and which retracted
position facilitates the transfer of support to the pallet
shuttle.
14. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
lower carrier assembly and an upper carrier assembly, each of which
includes a rack entry module that extends therefrom, such that the
rack entry module of the lower carrier assembly extends
horizontally into at least one of the EES, a vertical lift
conveyor, and the plurality of storage racks, and the rack entry
module of the upper carrier module extends into the plurality of
storage racks and the vertical lift conveyor.
15. The garage of claim 14, wherein the rack entry module raises
and lowers the loaded pallet.
16. The garage of claim 1, wherein the pallet stacking station
operates to release the unloaded pallet to the pallet shuttle and
retrieve the unloaded pallet from the pallet shuttle.
17. The garage of claim 1, wherein the pallet stacking station
operates to release the unloaded pallet to the pallet shuttle from
the bottom of a pallet bundle and retrieve the unloaded pallet from
the pallet shuttle to the bottom of the pallet bundle.
18. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes an
upper carrier assembly for a non-entrance-level floor of the
multi-floor building, which non-entrance-level floor is other than
the entrance-level floor, such that the upper carrier assembly
traverses the non-entrance-level floor to access at least one of
storage racks associated therewith and a vertical lift
conveyor.
19. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
plurality of upper carrier assemblies for each non-entrance-level
floor of the multi-floor building, which non-entrance-level floor
is other than the entrance-level floor, such that the plurality of
upper carrier assemblies traverse the non-entrance level floor to
access at least one of the plurality of storage racks associated
therewith and a vertical lift conveyor.
20. The garage of claim 19, wherein the plurality of upper carrier
assemblies for a given non-entrance-level floor operate
independently and overlappingly.
21. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
lower carrier assembly for the entrance-level floor such that the
lower carrier assembly traverses the entrance-level floor to access
at least one of storage racks, a vertical lift conveyor, and the
EES.
22. The garage of claim 1, wherein the transport system includes a
plurality of lower carrier assemblies for the entrance-level floor
such that the plurality of lower carrier assemblies traverse the
entrance-level floor to access at least one of storage racks, a
vertical lift conveyor, and the EES.
23. The garage of claim 22, wherein the plurality of lower carrier
assemblies for the entrance-level floor operate independently and
overlappingly.
24. The garage of claim 22, wherein the plurality of lower carrier
assemblies only transport loaded pallets.
25. The garage of claim 1, wherein the garage includes a plurality
of the EES on the entrance-level floor, and a plurality of the
pallet shuttles, which the plurality of the pallet shuttles
traverse the shuttle aisle to access a selected one of the
plurality of the EES.
26. The garage of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of the
pallet shuttles operate independently and overlappingly.
27. An automated parking garage, comprising: a multi-floor building
having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage area for
storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet; an entry/exit
station (EES) on an entrance-level floor of the building for
receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior entrance through
which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing interior entrance that
provides access to the storage area and through which the loaded
pallet is transported, the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet
adapted to be positioned at floor level in the EES; a transport
system for transporting the loaded pallet in the storage area,
which transport system includes, a lower carrier assembly movable
over a lower carrier aisle for removing from and inserting into the
EES the loaded pallet, a vertical lift conveyor that interfaces
with the lower carrier assembly and conveys the loaded pallet
vertically between the entrance-level floor and a
non-entrance-level floor, and an upper carrier assembly movable
over an upper carrier aisle of the non-entrance-level floor that
interfaces with the vertical lift conveyor and transports the
loaded pallet between the vertical lift conveyor and a storage
rack, a pallet stacking station that maintains the unloaded pallet
for use in the EES, which pallet stacking station includes, a
pallet vertical lift for vertically processing the unloaded pallet,
and a pallet stack support mechanism for supporting the unloaded
pallet, and a pallet shuttle movable over a shuttle aisle to a
first position under the EES and to a second position under the
pallet stacking station, which pallet shuttle traverses the shuttle
aisle to facilitate transportation of the unloaded pallet
therebetween.
28. The garage of claim 27, wherein the pallet shuttle moves to the
first position under the EES and elevates the unloaded pallet to a
predetermined vertical position within the confines of a pallet
support mechanism of the EES, which pallet support mechanism closes
to capture the unloaded pallet in a supporting position.
29. The garage of claim 27, wherein the pallet shuttle moves to the
second position under the pallet stacking station and elevates the
unloaded pallet to a predetermined vertical position of the pallet
stack support mechanism, which pallet vertical lift then captures
the unloaded pallet in a supporting position.
30. The garage of claim 27, wherein the pallet vertical lift
captures and elevates at least one unloaded pallet from the pallet
stack support mechanism and transports the at least one unloaded
pallet to a non-entrance-level floor for storage.
Description
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/133,557, filed on Apr. 27, 2002, which is a
Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applications: Ser. No.
09/364,934 entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING AND
STORING PALLETS IN AN AUTOMATED PARKING STRUCTURE" filed Jul. 30,
1999; and Ser. No. 09/790,460 entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
DISTRIBUTING AND STORING PALLETS IN AN AUTOMATED PARKING STRUCTURE"
filed Feb. 22, 2001, which is a Divisional of Ser. No. 09/364,934,
the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is related to automated vehicle parking
garages and associated systems.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] Automated parking garage systems have been employed since
the late 1950's utilizing crane systems, conveyors, hydraulics and
pneumatics to transport and store vehicles within a parking
structure. Recently, more advanced garage systems have been
developed which include computer-controlled, specialized equipment
for carrying vehicles to assigned parking spaces in a way similar
to the way that computerized assembly lines or warehouses store and
retrieve miscellaneous goods. In such assembly line and warehouse
systems, a computer assigns a location for each item as it is
received from its manufacturer, and robotic equipment carries each
item to its assigned location. The same equipment is dispatched to
the location when the item requires retrieval. Often, the items
stored in a warehouse are placed on pallets to facilitate
transportation and storage of the items. The use of pallets as
supporting elements for the transport and storing of vehicles is
also typical of more advanced automated parking garage systems.
[0006] Examples of automated parking garage systems are described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,561 of Takaoka, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,246 of
Broshi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,364 of Schneider et al., and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,669,753 of Schween.
[0007] Automated parking garage systems typically utilize one of
two methods to store and retrieve vehicles. A first prior art
method employs pallets and assigns a separate pallet to each
vehicle storage bay. In such systems, when a vehicle is to be
parked or stored in a storage bay, the pallet associated with the
storage bay is transported from the storage bay to the garage
entrance where the vehicle is located. The vehicle is loaded onto
the pallet and the pallet carrying the vehicle is transported to
the storage bay where both the pallet and vehicle are stored until
retrieved.
[0008] When a stored vehicle is to be retrieved, the pallet
carrying the vehicle is transported from the storage bay to a
garage exit. The vehicle is then unloaded from the pallet, and the
pallet is transported back to the storage bay until it is needed
again to store a vehicle.
[0009] Although the first prior art method accomplishes the
function of transporting vehicles to and from assigned storage
bays, it has significant shortcomings. A first shortcoming is the
inefficient use of time when storing or retrieving a vehicle. Using
the first prior art method, a driver parking a vehicle is required
to idly wait while a pallet is delivered to the garage entrance
from an assigned storage bay. Although garages may provide a
limited pallet buffer (e.g., five pallets), it is not enough to
handle the queues that may occur during periods of high volume
business, such as in the morning and afternoon.
[0010] A second shortcoming is that the first prior art method of
handling empty pallets impedes the throughput of the garage and
fails to provide an endless, continuing and timely stream of
pallets.
[0011] A further shortcoming of the first prior art automated
parking method is that handling empty pallets impedes the primary
purpose of an automated parking garage, that is, the storing and
retrieving of vehicles. Specifically, the same equipment that is
used to store and retrieve vehicles is utilized to handle empty
pallets thereby promoting inefficient utilization of that
equipment.
[0012] Yet another significant shortcoming of the first method is
that it can only handle one vehicle and one procedure at a time.
Thus, systems employing the first prior art method cannot park an
incoming vehicle at the same time they are retrieving an empty
pallet, and vice versa. As a result, an unacceptably long queue
often forms at the entrance of such a garage during periods of high
volume business.
[0013] According to the second prior art method, a single carrier
module is used to service all storage bays without the use of
pallets. In such systems, the module is stored at an idle position
in an aisle of the garage when it is not in use. When a vehicle is
to be parked or stored in a storage bay, the vehicle is loaded from
an entry/exit station onto the module. The module carrying the
vehicle is transported to the storage bay where the vehicle is
unloaded. The empty module is transported back to the idle position
while the vehicle remains stored until it is retrieved. Typically,
the vehicle is loaded/unloaded to/from the module using either the
vehicle's own drive system or a crane that traverses the aisles and
reaches from the foundation to the roof.
[0014] When a stored vehicle is to be retrieved, the module is
transported from the garage entrance to the storage bay in which
the vehicle is stored. The vehicle is loaded onto the module and
the module carrying the vehicle is transported to the garage exit.
The vehicle is then unloaded from the module, and the empty module
is transported to the garage idle position where it remains until
it is needed to store or retrieve a vehicle.
[0015] Although the second prior art method eliminates the need to
handle empty pallets, it has several shortcomings. Specifically, it
requires excessive handling of the vehicle such as grabbing the
tires in one way or another. The second prior art method also makes
inefficient use of time when storing and retrieving a vehicle.
Further, using the second prior art method puts vehicles at risk
for being soiled during transportation (such as by oil or hydraulic
fluid from the crane).
[0016] Accordingly, there is a need for an automated parking garage
system that addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.
Specifically, there is a need for a system that delivers a pallet
to an incoming vehicle driver before or shortly after the driver's
vehicle enters an automated parking garage. Further, there is a
need for a system that reduces the time required to retrieve a
stored vehicle. There is still a further need for a system handling
empty pallets that does not utilize or otherwise impede the
equipment used to store and retrieve vehicles. There is yet a
further need for a garage system that provides throughput
sufficient to service garage customers during periods of high
volume business.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one
aspect thereof, comprises an automated parking garage. The garage
comprises a multi-floor building having a plurality of vehicle
storage racks in a storage area for storing a loaded pallet or an
unloaded pallet. An entrance-level floor of the building includes
an entry/exit station (EES) on for receiving a vehicle, the EES
having an exterior entrance through which the vehicle is driven
and, an opposing interior entrance that provides access to the
storage area and through which the loaded pallet is transported,
the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet adapted to be positioned at
floor level in the EES. The garage includes a pallet stacking
station for storing the unloaded pallet, the pallet stacking
station located over a shuttle aisle that extends under the EES. A
pallet shuttle that traverses the shuttle aisle to a first position
under the EES for handling the unloaded pallet in the EES, and to a
second position under the pallet stacking station for stacking the
unloaded pallet. The garage also includes a transport system for
transporting the loaded pallet in the storage area.
[0018] The garage also includes a mechanism for delivering and
storing pallets. According to another aspect of the present
invention directed toward storage of pallets, a pallet shuttle is
positioned in a first position under an entry/exit station. The
entry/exit station is an area for receiving and discharging a
vehicle. It includes a pallet and a first retractable pallet
support mechanism supporting the pallet. The method also includes
the step of elevating a support platform of the pallet shuttle to
support the pallet. The method further includes the steps of
retracting the first retractable pallet support mechanism, lowering
the support platform and pallet, and moving the pallet shuttle from
the first position to a second position under a pallet stacking
station for storing a pallet. The support platform is then elevated
thereby lifting the pallet into the pallet stacking station. A
second retractable pallet support mechanism operative to support
the pallet is then engaged, and the support platform is lowered,
thereby causing the second retractable support mechanism to support
the lowest pallet in the pallet stacking station.
[0019] Still another aspect of the present invention is directed
toward delivery of a pallet to an entry/exit station of the
automated parking garage, the pallet shuttle is positioned in a
second position under the pallet stacking station. The pallet
stacking station includes a pallet stack having a lowermost pallet.
The pallet stacking station also includes a second retractable
pallet support mechanism supporting the lowest pallet of the pallet
stack. The support platform of the pallet shuttle is then elevated,
thereby lifting the pallet stack within the pallet stacking
station, retracting the second retractable pallet support
mechanism, and lowering the support platform, thereby causing the
lowermost pallet of the pallet stack to pass through the second
retractable support mechanism of the pallet stacking station. The
second retractable support mechanism is then engaged, thereby
supporting all of the pallets of the pallet stack except the
lowermost pallet. The pallet shuttle and the lowermost pallet are
then moved from the second position to the first position under the
entry/exit station for receiving and discharging a vehicle. The
entry/exit station includes the first retractable pallet support
mechanism operative to support a pallet. The support platform and
the pallet are then elevated, thereby positioning the pallet in the
entry/exit station, and the first pallet support mechanism is
engaged, thereby supporting the pallet.
[0020] It is a further aspect of the present invention to increase
the efficiency of an automated parking garage by significantly
increasing the throughput of an automated parking garage, and
improving the performance of the automated parking garage by, for
the most part, handling empty pallets separately from the mechanics
employed to store and retrieve vehicles on the all floors of the
garage.
[0021] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred
embodiment of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the
more pertinent aspects thereof. These aspects should be construed
to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features
and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial
results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a
different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of
the disclosure. Accordingly, other aspects and a fuller
understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the
summary of the invention and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automated parking garage
employing the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an entry/exit station (EES)
of the automated parking garage of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate isometric views of the EES of
FIG. 2 during the removal of an empty pallet;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the EES of FIG. 2 and an
adjacent pallet stacking station (PSS);
[0027] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the PSS of FIG. 4 receiving a
pallet for storage;
[0028] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the PSS of FIG. 5 and a
pallet vertical lift (PVL) in an open position;
[0029] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the PVL of FIG. 6 partially
descended in an open position;
[0030] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the PVL of FIG. 6 fully
descended in an open position;
[0031] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the PVL of FIG. 6 fully
descended in a closed position;
[0032] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the PVL of FIG. 6 fully
ascended in a closed position;
[0033] FIG. 11a is an isometric view of the exterior and interior
door of the EES of FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 11b is a more detailed isometric view of the EES of
FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 12 illustrates a more detailed view of the PSS assembly
that includes the pallet stack support mechanism and PVL;
[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates an end view of the vertical lift
conveyor (VLC) assembly;
[0037] FIG. 14 illustrates a more detailed view of the mechanisms
utilized for retrieving and replacing a pallet, loaded or unloaded,
in the EES;
[0038] FIG. 15 illustrates a more detailed view of the carrier
module utilized in the levels of the garage other than the entrance
level;
[0039] FIG. 16 illustrates a more detailed mechanical view of the
pallet shuttle; and
[0040] FIG. 17 illustrates a more detailed mechanical view of a
REM.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an
automated parking garage 100 that incorporates the method and
apparatus for distributing and storing pallets according to the
present invention. As shown, automated parking garage 100 includes
six entry/exit stations (EES) 200. Each EES 200 is for receiving
and releasing vehicles stored in the automated parking garage 100.
In this particular embodiment, there are provided three pallet
stacking stations (PSS) 400 that are located near the several EES
200. Of course, more or fewer EES 200 and PSS 400 may be employed
depending on the actual and projected throughput of the garage 100.
The one or more PSS 400 are for storing empty pallets 212, which
pallets are used for supporting vehicles during vehicle storage and
retrieval operations. The pallet 212 is removed from the PSS 400
and distributed to the EES 200 as necessary to accommodate incoming
vehicles. The pallet 212 is removed from the EES 200 and stored in
the PSS 400 as necessary to accommodate outgoing vehicles. Pallets
212 are transported between the plurality of EES 200 and PSS 400
using one or more pallet shuttles (not shown, but described more
fully hereinbelow).
[0042] The automated parking garage 100 includes a number levels
(or floors) each including a plurality of vehicle storage slots 114
for storing vehicles. As shown, each storage slot 114 comprises an
interior storage rack 116 and an exterior storage rack 118 such
that the storage slot 114 may store up to two vehicles. Thus a
first vehicle may be stored in the interior storage rack 116 and a
second vehicle may be stored in the exterior storage rack 118. In
addition to the storage available for vehicles shown in FIG. 1,
storage for vehicles is provided on upper and/or lower floors of
the automated parking garage 100. One or more vertical lift
conveyors (VLC) 120 are provided for transporting vehicles between
floors of the automated parking garage 100. Note that the disclosed
automated parking garage architecture is sufficiently flexible to
accommodate varying rows of parking, for example, two rows, three
rows, fours rows, etc.
[0043] During storage and retrieval operations, a vehicle is
transported on a supporting pallet 212 between the storage slot 114
and one of the EES 200 using a carrier module 110. The carrier
module 110 accomplishes such transportation via an aisle 112. The
carrier module 110 includes a rack entry module (REM) (described in
more detail hereinbelow) for transferring the pallet 212 (in an
empty or unloaded state, or carrying a vehicle in a loaded state)
between the carrier module 110 and, the interior and exterior
storage racks (116 and 118), an EES 200, or a VLC 120.
[0044] The facilities of the automated parking garage 100,
including the VLC 120, the carrier module 110, REM, pallet shuttle
250, and pallet vertical lift (PVL) 610 (shown in greater detail
hereinbelow) are controlled by a central garage computer control
system. The central computer control system, executing the
appropriate system control software, is preferably housed in one or
more control rooms 126. The automated parking garage 100 further
includes one or more lobbies 124 where a customer may request a
vehicle to be retrieved, and pay for the automated parking
service.
[0045] When a vehicle enters the automated parking garage 100, the
vehicle enters one of the EES 200 through an open exterior door 210
and moves onto the pallet 212, both of which are described in
greater detail hereinbelow. Before the vehicle enters one of the
EES 200, an interior door 211 is closed to prevent the vehicle
occupants from accessing the interior of the automated parking
garage 100. The driver and passengers of the vehicle exit the
vehicle and EES 200, and activate the automated parking process via
an automated parking teller located just outside of the exterior
door 210 of the EES 200, thereby closing the exterior door 210 of
the EES 200. In response thereto, the carrier module 110 moves
along the aisle 112 to a position corresponding to the EES 200
through which the vehicle entered the garage 100. The REM of the
carrier module 110 is controlled to remove the loaded pallet 212
from the EES 200 and retrieve it onto the carrier module 110. The
carrier module 110 includes a turntable mechanism (described in
greater detail hereinbelow) that then turns 180 degrees so that the
vehicle can be retrieved to the EES 200 wherein the customer can
drive out of the EES 200, instead of having to back out. In an
alternative garage embodiment, where one or more EES 200 are
constructed on either side of the aisle 112, the turntable feature
may not be necessary since the vehicles can now enter an EES 200 on
one side of the aisle 112, and exit via an different EES on the
other side. The central computer determines the availability of a
select one of the plurality empty storage racks (116 or 118) in
which to store the vehicle with supporting pallet 212. The central
computer then directs the carrier module 110 to traverse the aisle
112 to a position corresponding to the predetermined empty storage
rack (116 or 118) of the storage slot 114.
[0046] In the event that the predetermined storage rack (116 or
118) is located on a different floor of the garage 100, the carrier
module 110 is positioned across from one of the VLC 120, and the
REM is controlled to transfer the pallet 212 with vehicle to the
VLC 120. The VLC 120 transports the pallet 212 with vehicle to the
appropriate floor of the automated parking garage 100 where both
the pallet 212 and vehicle are transferred to another carrier
module 110 on that floor. Once the other carrier module 110
carrying the pallet 212 with vehicle is in a position corresponding
to the predetermined storage rack, e.g., exterior storage rack 118
on the floor, the REM is controlled to transfer the pallet 212 with
vehicle to the predetermined storage rack 118 for storage. One of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that similar steps may be
executed when retrieving the vehicle from the storage rack 118 on
either the upper/lower or entrance floors.
[0047] According to the present invention, the pallets 212 that are
not in use (i.e., supporting a stored vehicle) are stored in the
PSS 400 by a pallet storage and distribution system. In other
words, the pallets 212 are distributed from the PSS 400 to a nearby
EES 200 only as necessary to accommodate incoming vehicles.
Similarly, when an outgoing vehicle vacates its pallet 212, the
unloaded pallet 212 may be transferred to the PSS 400 for storage.
The pallets 212 stored in PSS 400 provide an immediate inventory of
empty pallets for operating the automated parking garage 100.
Additional pallets 212 may be stacked (or accumulated) into pallet
bundles in a pallet stack support mechanism (described in greater
detail hereinbelow) and stored for future use in an otherwise empty
parking rack (e.g., interior rack 116) on upper/lower floors. Such
additional pallets 212 may be stored and retrieved using either
dedicated hardware, or the same hardware used for storing and
retrieving vehicles on the upper/lower floors. If dedicated
hardware is not used, requests for storing and retrieving pallet
stacks to/from storage racks are preferably processed during a lull
in the operation of the automated parking garage 100 (such as at
3:00 am) in order to efficiently utilize the resources of the
automated parking garage 100.
[0048] Note that there is a number of VLCs 120 constructed into the
garage 100 (six in this embodiment) to provide vertical access
between the floors, and that the VLCs 120 are constructed on an
interior row 128. Thus there are corresponding VLC storage racks
130 "behind" the VLCs 120 in an exterior row 132 that can be
utilized for storing a vehicle. In order to do so, the VCL 120 must
be elevated to the level of the VLC storage rack 130 so that the
carrier module 110 supporting a loaded pallet 212 can insert the
loaded pallet across (or through) the VLC 120 to the VLC storage
rack 130. Of course, for retrieving the vehicle, the VCL 120 must
be in position at the level of the VLC storage rack 130 from which
the vehicle is to be retrieved in order for the carrier module 110
to gain access to the loaded pallet 212 stored in the VLC storage
rack 130.
[0049] Since the garage 100 is a multi-level building having a
plurality of vehicle storage racks, each level has an aisle 112
with associated rail system and one or more carrier modules 110 for
traversing the length of the garage 100 at that level. The carrier
modules 110 of any particular floor operate independently in
accordance with instructions from the garage control system. There
is also overlapping range of the carrier modules 110 of any given
floor as they traverse the aisle of that floor such that at least
two carrier modules 110 can access the same storage slot 114 and
the same VLC 120. Of course, the carrier modules 110 of the
entrance level also have overlapping range such that any EES 200
can be accessed by at least two of the carrier modules 110 of the
entrance level.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an isometric
representation of one of the ESS 200. The EES 200 is a bay located
on an entrance floor of the automated parking garage 100 at grade
level or other levels where vehicles enter or exit the garage 100,
and having dimensions similar to a residential single-car garage.
Typically, the EES 200 will have a width of between approximately
fourteen and sixteen feet, and a length of between approximately
twenty and twenty-two feet.
[0051] As indicated above, the EES 200 includes the interior door
211 (not shown) for providing access between the EES 200 and the
interior of the automated parking garage 100. The EES 200 further
includes the exterior door 210 through which an incoming vehicle
may enter or an outgoing vehicle may exit, the automated parking
garage 100. When entering the garage 100, the incoming vehicle is
positioned on the pallet 212, which pallet 212 forms a central
portion of the floor of EES 200. The incoming vehicle may be
positioned on the pallet 212 using any number of mechanisms, such
as grooves, bumpers, lights (e.g., marquees) and acoustic signals.
A passenger walkway 214 is provided on either side of the pallet
212 to enable the driver and other passengers of a vehicle to exit
the vehicle and EES 200 of the automated parking garage 100 prior
to initiation of the vehicle storage process.
[0052] The pallet 212 is supported by two retractable pallet
supports 216. Each retractable pallet support 216 includes a track
220 and a track retractor 218. The pallet 212 has a pallet lip 213
running the length of each side. A portion of the pallet lip 213
for each side of the pallet 212 lies on top of the respective track
220. The pallet 212 is installed into and removed from the EES 200
using a pallet shuttle 250. The pallet shuttle 250 is disposed
underneath the EES 200 in a separate runway extending parallel to
the aisle 112. The pallet shuttle 250 includes a pallet shuttle
base 252 having motive means for moving the pallet shuttle 250
between a first position underneath the EES 200, and a second
position underneath the PSS 400 (not shown). The motive means for
moving the pallet shuttle 250 may include wheels, a track, and/or
any other well-known movement mechanisms. The pallet shuttle 250
further includes a pallet shuttle support platform 256 for carrying
the empty pallet 212, and a pallet shuttle elevation mechanism 254
for raising and lowering the pallet shuttle support platform 256
(and any pallet 212 supported thereupon).
[0053] When the pallet 212 is distributed to one of the EES 200,
the pallet shuttle 250 carrying the pallet 212 is positioned under
the appropriate EES 200. The retractable pallet support mechanism
216 is then controlled to cause the track retractors 218 to drive
the tracks 220 to a retracted position, thereby allowing the pallet
shuttle 250 to elevate the pallet 212 into the proper position for
installation into the EES 200. To complete the installation of the
pallet 212 into the EES 200, each retractable pallet support
mechanism 216 causes the corresponding track retractors 218 to
extend, driving the tracks 220 into a support position. Once the
tracks 220 are in a support position, the pallet shuttle support
platform 256 is lowered, causing the pallet 212 to rest onto the
tracks 220, and installation of the pallet 212 is complete, leaving
the pallet shuttle 250 free to be used for other tasks. One of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that similar steps may be
executed to remove the pallet 212 from the EES 200 for storing in
the PSS 400.
[0054] Reference is now to FIGS. 3A-9 that illustrate the structure
and operation of the present invention, including the steps
performed for storing the pallet 212 that has been vacated by an
outgoing vehicle. Of course, the same structural elements can be
used to perform steps for distributing the pallet 212 to the EES
220 for an incoming vehicle.
[0055] FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric representation of the EES
200, and the structure of the present invention for executing the
first steps required for removal of the pallet 212 from the EES
200. As shown, the pallet shuttle 250 causes the pallet shuttle
elevation mechanism 254 to raise the pallet shuttle platform 256
into a position supporting the pallet 212. Each retractable pallet
support mechanism 216 then causes the corresponding track
retractor(s) 218 to position the tracks 220 in a retracted
position, which clears the pallet lip 213 on each of the sides of
the pallet 212. The pallet 212 and pallet shuttle support platform
256 are then lowered by the pallet shuttle elevation mechanism 254
by passing through the aperture defined, in part, by the tracks
220.
[0056] FIG. 3B shows the status of the pallet shuttle 250 just
after the pallet 212 has been removed from the EES 200. The pallet
shuttle 250 is illustrated with the pallet shuttle elevation
mechanism 254 in a partially lowered state. Once the pallet shuttle
elevation mechanism 254 sufficiently lowers the pallet shuttle
support platform 256 and pallet 212, the pallet shuttle 250
transports the pallet 212 to another part of the parking garage 100
for storage.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a broader view
isometric representation of the EES 200 showing the PSS 400
adjacent to the EES 200. The PSS 400 includes a pallet stack
support mechanism 410 with pallet latches 411 that provide support
for a stack of pallets 412 that are suspended over the pallet
shuttle 250. The PSS 400 is used to store the pallets 212 that may
be immediately delivered to EES 200. The PSS 400 further serves to
store the empty pallets 212 recently removed from the EES 200.
[0058] Once the pallet 212 has been removed from the EES 200, as
illustrated hereinabove in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the pallet shuttle
base 252 of the pallet shuttle 250 traverses on a shuttle rail
system carrying the empty pallet 212 and moves into an alignment
position under the PSS 400. The PSS 400 and the pallet stack 412
are then lowered to a position where the empty pallet 212, as
supported by the pallet shuttle support platform 256, is lifted by
the pallet shuttle elevation mechanism 254 into the PSS 400 from
below, and ultimately placed at the bottom of pallet stack 412. The
pallet stack support mechanism 410 is configured to permit the
pallet 212 to enter the PSS 400 from underneath, and to provide
support for the pallet 212 and the remaining pallets in pallet
stack 412 once all of the pallets are rested on pallet support
mechanism 410.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the insertion
of the pallet 212 into the PSS 400. The pallet shuttle 250 is
illustrated with the pallet shuttle support platform 256 elevated
such that the pallet 212 is lifted under the pallet stack 412 until
the pallet stack support mechanism 410 with the pallet latches 411
catch the pallet 212 from underneath and provide vertical support
for pallet stack 412, once the pallet shuttle support platform 256
is lowered. The PSS 400 is designed to accommodate a pallet stack
412 of up to ten pallets. As necessary, the pallet stack 412 may be
removed from PSS 400 by a pallet vertical lift (PVL) to an
upper/lower floor for medium or long-term storage.
[0060] FIGS. 6 through 10 illustrate the structure and steps
performed to remove the pallet stack 412 for medium or long-term
storage. Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a
representation of the PSS 400. As shown, the PSS 400 is filled to
capacity with the pallet stack 412 having ten pallets 212. As
further shown in FIG. 6, a PVL 610 is positioned directly above the
PSS 400 for lifting the pallet stack 412. The PVL 610 includes a
pair of tongs 612 for supporting the weight of pallet stack 412
during lifting. The PVL 610 further includes a PVL support 614 and
PVL motive means 616 for raising and lowering the tongs 612.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated the PSS 400 of
FIG. 4, and the PVL 610 partially descended with the tongs 612 in
an open stance during the removal process of a pallet stack 412.
The PVL 610 operates to lower the tongs 612 along the sides of
pallets 212 of the pallet stack 412, and after the tongs 612 pass
the bottom pallet of the pallet stack 412, the PVL 610 closes the
tongs 612 and then lifts the pallet bundle 412. The pallet stacker
ten disengages, to an upper/lower floor for medium or long term
storage.
[0062] When bringing a pallet bundle 412 to the PSS 400, the PVL
610 is fed a pallet bundle 412 from equipment of the upper or lower
floor. The PVL 610 then lowers the pallet bundle 412 into the
pallet stack support mechanism 410, where the pallet latches 411
engage the lowest pallet of the pallet bundle 412. The PVL 610 then
further lowers a short distance (e.g., 1-2 inches), and disengages
the tongs 612 to an open stance. Once the PVL 610 elevates above
the pallet bundle 412, the PVL 610 then closes the tongs 612 and
rises to a upper floor position. The steps are reversed, as
indicated in the description hereinbelow, when removing a bundle
from the PSS 400 to a storage location.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a view of the
PVL 610 fully descended with the tongs 612 in an open stance.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated the PVL 610 in
a fully descended position with the tongs 612 in a closed position.
The tongs 612 are illustrated in a closed position in preparation
for the PVL 610 rising, and thereby supporting the weight of pallet
stack 412. The pallet stack 412 is then lifted vertically and
removed from PSS 400 for longer-term storage in another portion of
automated parking garage 100. Once the PVL 610 is in an upper or
lower floor position, secondary parking machinery may be used to
retract the pallet stack 412 from the PVL 610. Such secondary
parking machinery may then store the pallet stack 412 in an empty
vehicle storage rack (e.g. storage rack 116). Of course, a similar
process may be employed to retrieve the stored pallet stack 412 and
supply it to the PVL 610.
[0065] The PVL 610 lifts the pallet bundle 412 either up or down
depending if utilized in an underground garage or an above ground
garage; in either case the PVL 610 moves the pallet bundle 412 to a
floor other than the entrance floor (i.e., floor with the EES
220).
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated the tongs 612
in a closed stance and the PVL 610 in a fully ascended position
while supporting pallet stack 412.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 11a, there is illustrated a general
diagram of the EES 200, and the locations of the exterior door 210
and interior door 211 thereof.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 11b, there is illustrated a more
detailed view of the EES 200. As indicated hereinabove, the EES 200
facilitates entry and exit of a vehicle of the parking garage 100.
The EES 200 is similar in size to a conventional residential
single-car garage. The EES 200 includes the exterior door 210 that
provides access by a vehicle to the exterior of the garage 100 once
retrieved, and entry to the garage 100 for parking, and the
interior door 211 (in a cutaway portion) that provides access to
the interior of the garage 100. The exterior and interior doors
(210 and 211) can be roll-up doors such that the "up" position puts
either door on a rail in the ceiling area of the EES 200. In normal
operation, only one door is open at any point in time.
[0069] The EES 200 has a ceiling 1100 that is closed off to
preclude exposure to mechanisms that may be constructed overhead.
Similarly, the EES 200 includes a first sidewall 1102 and a second
sidewall 1104, both of which are constructed for safety purposes to
prevent exposure to the mechanisms interior to the garage 100. The
floor area 1103 of the EES 200 includes the pallet 212 and the
walkways 214 on either side of the pallet 212 so that the customer
can exit or enter the vehicle from the walkways 214. The top of the
pallet 212 is positioned substantially at floor level with the
walkways 214 to presenting potential trip hazards to customers. As
illustrated, the pallet 212 includes a pair of tire guides 1108
into which the vehicle tires should enter when the vehicle is
driven onto the pallet 212. This helps the customer determine where
to park the vehicle on the pallet 212.
[0070] In this particular embodiment, an automated parking teller
1106 is provided exterior to the EES 200 that the customer accesses
to purchase the parking service, and to initiate the parking
process. Once the transaction is completed, the customer makes a
selection that initiates the parking process, causing the exterior
door 210 to close. Note that in an alternative embodiment, the
automated parking teller 1106 can be located inside of the EES 200
such that once the parking transaction is completed at the teller
1106, the customer (and any passengers) must exit the EES 200 prior
to the parking process initiating. In either case, the interior of
the EES 200 can include one or more motion sensors that prevent
initiation of the automated parking garage mechanisms by the garage
control system when motion is detected by the presence of the
customer and/or passengers in the interior of the EES 200. Thus
when the customer has paid for the parking service, and the
customer and all passengers have vacated the EES 200, the motion
sensors indicate as such, and the control system of the garage 100
then enables the parking procedure for that vehicle.
[0071] At the EES 200, the transaction includes either giving a
ticket, reading an RF (radio frequency) tag (e.g., an EZ pass or
similar), or reading a credit card. It is appreciated that other
conventional transaction methods can also be provided with suitable
accommodations for processing such transactions. Once the customer
returns and wants his car back, he/she simply goes to the lobby 124
where a ticket reader, credit card reader, or RF reader is utilized
to process the corresponding method for clearing payment, thereby
initiating retrieval of the vehicle. A message center in the lobby
124 will tell the customer where to pick up the vehicle (i.e.,
which of the EES 200 or terminals).
[0072] As indicated hereinabove, more robust implementations of the
automated parking teller 1106 can accommodate payment methods that
include cash, debit cards, rechargeable pre-purchased parking debit
cards, or many other conventional means for completing the
transaction. Additionally, the automated teller 1106, and other
automated tellers associated with the other EES 200 of the garage
100 are networked to one or more computer systems that facilitate
the use of the aforementioned payment methods. For example, where a
credit card is utilized, the teller 1106 must interface to a
network that provides access to the credit database of the card
user so that payment can be properly authorized. Such access can be
provided via a packet-switched network such as the Internet, by the
circuit-switched network of the Public Switched Telephone Network,
or GPS (global positioning system).
[0073] Additionally, the garage 100 can be suitably constructed to
provide services other than simply parking the car. For example,
the customer could, at the time of accessing the automated teller
1106, select that his or her vehicle be washed during the time in
which the vehicle is parked at the garage 100. Thus at some time, a
garage attendant would be made aware of the purchased service,
retrieve the vehicle, wash it, and return the vehicle to its
parking rack in the garage 100. Other services can also be provided
as desired by the garage owner, in a more robust implementation of
the garage 100 such as performing routine engine maintenance to
include changing oil, performing a tune-up, car detailing, etc.
[0074] Note that the disclosed automated garage 100 can be
implemented to accommodate storage for items other than vehicles.
For example, the pallet 212 can be adapted to accommodate
compatible storage containers such that the containers can be
delivered, stored, and retrieved utilizing the existing garage
equipment and systems. Additionally, such storage containers can be
constructed for use within the garage 100 without using the pallet
212.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a more
detailed isometric of the PSS assembly 400 that includes the pallet
stack support mechanism 410 and PVL 610. In this particular
embodiment, the PSS 400 is constructed into a multi-floor steel
beam framework 1201 suitable for supporting and lifting the pallet
bundle 412. The PSS 400 includes the pallet stack support mechanism
410 in which pallets are either accumulated from the EES 200 when
vehicles are retrieved for a customer, and removed from the pallet
bundle 412 for use in the EES 200 in preparation to receive a
vehicle. The PSS 400 is constructed over a shuttle rail system 1200
that accommodates the pallet shuttle 250. The PVL 610 is suspended
from the framework 1201 such that it can be lowered to either
replace or remove the pallet stack 412 of the pallet stack support
mechanism 410. Thus the PVL 610 operates over the height of several
floors, in accordance with the particular garage design, such that
when the pallet stack 412 is to be handled, the pallet stack 412
can be elevated to and from upper (or lower floors).
[0076] The PSS 400 includes the PVL motor 616 (e.g., an
electromechanical motor) that operates in accordance with control
signals from the central control system to either raise or lower
the PVL 610 by driving a rotating shaft 1204 to take in or let out
the PVL support 614 (i.e., a suspension means).
[0077] In operation, the pallet shuttle 250, when receiving control
signals from the control system computer, traverses the shuttle
rail system 1200 in a lateral (or x-axis) direction 1203 from the
EES 200, and is positioned under any of the PSS 400 of the garage
100. The pallet shuttle 250 includes two pairs of steel shuttle
wheels 1207 at each end that engage the shuttle rail system 1200.
When bringing the pallet 212 to the PSS 400, the control system
signals the pallet shuttle elevation mechanism 254 (not shown)
contained in the pallet shuttle base 252 of the pallet shuttle 250
to lift the pallet shuttle support platform 256. The pallet shuttle
support platform 256 is raised to a point such that the supported
pallet 212 on the pallet shuttle support platform 256 contacts the
lowest pallet of the pallet bundle 412, and continues rising
forcing the pallet bundle 412 vertically to a height sufficient to
allow the pallet stack support mechanism 410 to capture the pallet
212 by engaging the support latches 411. The pallet shuttle support
platform 256 then lowers to a transport position such that the
pallet shuttle 250 can traverse the shuttle rail system 1200 in
accordance with instructions from the garage control system.
[0078] In a scenario where the pallet bundle 412 is removed from
the PSS 400 for storage, the PVL 610 is controlled to lower about
the pallet bundle 412. The tongs 612 are in an open stance for
clearing the pallet bundle 412, and the PVL 610 is lowered to a
point where the top edge 1206 of the tongs 612 is just lower than
the bottom of the lowest pallet of the pallet bundle 412. The tongs
612 are then closed and secured for lifting the pallet bundle 412,
after the pallet stack support mechanism 410 disengages the stack
latches 411. The PVL 610 then rises to a floor predetermined by the
garage control system. When brought into position at the designated
floor, the PVL 610 is aligned at that floor such that the lower
portion 1208 of the channel beam of the tongs 612 facilitates
insertion of a REM (not shown) for removal of the pallet bundle 412
from the PVL 610. An upper carrier module (UCM) assembly (described
in greater detail hereinbelow) that comprises the REM and UCM
accesses the PVL 610 from a UCM rail system 1210 of that floor.
[0079] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated an end view
of the VLC assembly 120. As indicated hereinabove, the VLC assembly
120 operates to transport only loaded in the vertical (or z-axis)
direction between the various floors of the garage 100. The VLC 120
is constructed within the steel girder structure of the garage 100
so that a carriage 1300 engages each of four beams at its corners
when reaching the appropriate floor (or level). As illustrated, the
unloaded carriage 1300 is positioned in a locking mode at a level
of the garage 100 where one end of the carriage 1300 is positioned
between two end girders (1302 and 1304). The carriage 1300 includes
an electromechanical means 1305 that operates in accordance with
control signals from the central control system to rotate a locking
shaft 1306 to cause two pairs of opposing locking pins to engage
the corner girders. Here, one pair of pins (1308 and 1310) is
illustrated as engaged to respective corner girders (1302 and
1304). The electromechanical means 1305 connects to another shaft
near the other end of the carriage 1300 to control locking pins at
that end in a similar manner.
[0080] In this particular rendition, the VLC 120 is shown with a
loaded pallet 212 (i.e., supporting a vehicle 1312). Note that the
VLC 120 accommodates the loaded pallet 212 in the same way the
pallet 212 is supported by the retractable pallet support mechanism
216 of FIG. 2, that is, by the pallet lips 213. The REM 1314
associated with the particular floor is shown inserted into that
VLC 120 under the loaded pallet 212 such that the pallet 212 can be
raised sufficiently to remove the loaded pallet 212 from the VLC
120 (for a removal operation). The REM 1314 includes the wheels
1315 for rolling the REM 1314 into the VLC 120 on VLC rails 1316.
The carriage 1300 also includes corner assemblies 1318 at each
corner thereof that connect to vertical lifting means (not shown),
for example, chains, so that the carriage 1300 can be raised or
lowered within the vertical shaft of the VLC 120 defined by the
corner girders.
[0081] Referring now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a more
detailed view of the mechanisms utilized for retrieving and
replacing a pallet; loaded or unloaded, in the EES 200. As
illustrated, the unloaded pallet 212 is resting on the tracks 220
within the EES 200. The tracks 220 can be retracted utilizing a
number of track retractors 218, which are electromechanical devices
operating under control of the garage control system. That is, when
the pallet 212 is to be retrieved from or returned to the PSS 400
(not shown), the track retractors 218 operate to spread the tracks
220 (along the x-axis) sufficiently so that the pallet 212 can be
lowered downward (in the z-axis) by the pallet shuttle 250.
Similarly, when the pallet 212 is being returned to the EES 200
from the PSS 400, and elevated from below into position such that
the pallet lips 213 are just above the supporting surface of the
tracks 220, the track retractors 218 operate to move the tracks 220
inward so that the pallet 212 can be lowered the short distance
thereonto. Note the pallet shuttle 250 travels under the EES 200 on
the shuttle rail system 1200, as indicated hereinabove. Note also
that the PSS 400 need not be adjacent to the EES 200, since the
shuttle rail system 1200 facilitates travel to virtually any
location along the length of the garage 100.
[0082] When a customer has departed the EES 200, and initiated the
parking procedure for a vehicle, a type of carrier module 110
utilized on the entrance level of the garage 100, denoted
hereinafter as a lower carrier module (LCM) system 1400, is moved
into alignment with the EES 200 by the garage control system. The
LCM system 1400 includes an LCM turntable 1402 that rotates 180
degrees in a horizontal plane, a lower carrier 1403 having carrier
wheels 1404 on each end that provide for traversing the length of
the garage 100 (on the x-axis) on an LCM rail system 1406, and a
lower rack entry module (REM) 1408 for insertion into the EES 200
(in the y-axis). Note that the number and orientation of the lower
carrier wheels 1404 are such that at least one wheel 1404 of a pair
is always in a supporting role of the lower carrier 1403 on the LCM
rail system 1406.
[0083] The LCM turntable 1402 includes a rail (or wheel guide) 1410
on each side into which the wheels 1412 on either side of the lower
carrier REM 1408 travel. The lower carrier REM rails 1410 of the
LCM turntable 1402 are designed to align with a lower inside
L-portion 1414 of the channel beams that function as the tracks 220
that support the loaded pallet 212 in the EES 200. The lower inside
L-portion 1414 of each track 220 functions as a rail over which the
wheels 1412 roll in order to position the lower carrier REM 1408
under the pallet 212. Note that the rails 1410 need not be in close
proximity or direct contact with the corresponding lower inside
L-portion 1414, since the REM wheels 1412 are grouped into pairs
that are suitably spaced in a supporting role. If the loaded pallet
212 is selected for storage on the current floor, the LCM system
1400 moves to the designated storage slot 114, and the REM 1408
extends into either the interior storage rack 116 or fully to the
exterior storage rack 118 to store the loaded pallet 212.
[0084] Alternatively, if the garage control system directs that the
loaded pallet 212 is to be stored on a different floor, the LCM
system 1400 and loaded pallet 212 move to the VLC 120 (not shown)
where the loaded pallet 212 is placed into the VLC 120 for vertical
movement to the other floor.
[0085] The lower carrier REM 1408 of the LCM system 1400 includes a
lower REM control means 1416 that communicates with the garage
control system to process signals that control functions of the
lower carrier REM 1408, including movement into and out of the EES
200 and elevation of an elevating means. The lower REM control
means 1416 connects electrically to a first wheel drive section
1417, which first wheel drive section 1417 includes the following
general components (that are not illustrated here, but are shown in
greater detail in FIG. 17): a first drive means, a first transfer
means, and a first set of four wheels 1412 with a pair located on
each side and near the end of the REM chassis. The lower REM
control means 1416 also connects electrically to a second wheel
drive section 1419, which second wheel drive section 1419 includes
a second drive means, a second transfer means, and a second set of
four wheels 1413 with a pair located on each side and near the
opposite end of the REM chassis. The first and second drive means
may be one or more electromechanical motors that drive the wheels
(1412 and 1413) so that the lower carrier REM 1408 moves along the
y-axis into and out of the tracks 220 of the EES 200. The first and
second transfer means that transfer the drive torque from the first
(and second) drive means to the wheels 1412 (and 1413) can include
any combination of conventional equipment such as shafts, gears,
belts and pulleys, or chains that suitably designed into the lower
carrier REM 1408 to facilitate such functions.
[0086] The lower REM 1408 also includes a lower REM elevator motive
means 1418 under control of the lower REM control means 1416 so
that an elevator component (not shown) of the lower REM 1408 can be
raised to support the loaded or unloaded pallet 212 in the EES 200,
and lowered for transport of the pallet and/or vehicle along the
LCM rail system 1406. The elevator component comprises a platform
for mating with the underside of the pallet 212 to prevent shifting
of the pallet 212 during transport. The lower REM elevator motive
means 1418 includes one or more electric motors of sufficient
operating parameters to drive raising and lowering of the pallet
212 when loaded. The elevator component can include several screw
jacks, screw actuators, or similar means that connect to the lower
REM elevator motive means 1418 to facilitate the elevating process
of the lower carrier REM 1408.
[0087] The lower carrier 1403 also includes a lower carrier control
means (not shown) in communication with the garage control system,
and a lower carrier drive means (not shown) both of which
facilitate operation thereof along the LCM rail system 1406 to
position the LCM 1400 in alignment with the tracks 220. Once
aligned, the lower carrier REM 1408 moves along the tracks 220
under the pallet 212, and raises the pallet 212 sufficiently to
clear the tracks 220, and exits the EES 200 back onto the LCM 1402
with the pallet 212. Of course, the lower carrier REM 1408 is of a
width that allows it to be elevated between the tracks 220 when the
tracks are closed in a supporting role, to support the pallet 212
for removal from the EES 200. As described, the track retractors
218 need not be operated when removing or retrieving a loaded
pallet 212 from the EES 200.
[0088] Note that LCM assembly 1400 is only operable on the entrance
level floor, while the UCM assembly operates on any floor other
than the entrance level floor. Floors other than the entrance level
floor have only a fraction of the vehicle-handling load performed
on the entrance floor. Thus the UCM assembly is more often
available to move the pallet bundle 412 in and out of the PVL 610,
and into and out of storage slots on those floors. The VLC 120 and
LCM assembly 1400 preferably are never utilized to handle pallet
bundles 412 or an empty pallet; these machines should only handle
loaded pallets. The UCM assemblies handle only a portion of the
vehicles depending on the number of floors in the garage 100.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated the carrier
module 110 utilized in the levels of the garage 100 other than the
entrance level, and hereinafter denoted specifically as an upper
carrier module (UCM) assembly 1500. The UCM assembly 1500 includes
an upper carrier 1502 and an upper carrier REM 1504 (similar to
lower carrier REM 1408). The upper carrier 1502 is similar to the
lower carrier 1403 of the LCM system 1400, except that the upper
carrier 1502 includes upper carrier rails (or wheel guides, similar
to the rails 1410 of the LCM system 1400) 1506 within which wheels
1508 (similar to the wheels 1412 of the lower carrier REM 1408 of
the LCM system 1400) situated on either side of the upper carrier
REM 1504 travel to facilitate movement of the upper carrier REM
1504 along the y-axis. Thus generally, the only difference between
the LCM assembly 1400 and the UCM assembly 1500 is that the LCM
assembly 1400 includes the LCM turntable 1402 with the rails 1410,
and the UCM assembly 1500 includes the upper carrier 1502 with the
rails 1506, but not turntable feature. The UCM system 1500 includes
an upper REM control means 1510 and an upper REM motive means 1512,
both of which provide similar functions as the corresponding
control means 1416 and motive means 1418 of the lower carrier REM
1408.
[0090] The upper REM control means 1510 communicates with the
garage control system to process signals that control functions of
the upper carrier REM 1504, including movement into and out of the
storage slot 114 (extending across the interior storage rack 116 to
the exterior storage rack 118) and elevation of an elevating means.
The upper REM control means 1510 connects electrically to a first
wheel drive section 1511, which first wheel drive section 1511
includes the following general components (that are not illustrated
here, but are shown in greater detail in FIG. 17): a first drive
means, a first transfer means, and a first set of four wheels 1508
with a pair located on each side and near the end of the upper
carrier REM chassis. The upper REM control means 1510 also connects
electrically to a second wheel drive section 1513, which second
wheel drive section 1513 includes a second drive means, a second
transfer means, and a second set of four wheels 1509 with a pair
located on each side and near the opposite end of the upper carrier
REM chassis. The first and second drive means may be one or more
electromechanical motors that drive the wheels (1508 and 1509) so
that the upper carrier REM 1504 moves along the y-axis into and out
of tracks 1514 of the storage slot 114. The first and second
transfer means that transfer the drive torque from the first (and
second) drive means to the wheels 1508 (and 1509) can include any
combination of conventional equipment such as shafts, gears, belts
and pulleys, or chains that suitably designed into the upper
carrier REM 1504 to facilitate such functions.
[0091] The upper carrier REM 1504 also includes an upper REM
elevator motive means 1512 under control of the upper REM control
means 1510 so that an elevator component (not shown) of the upper
carrier REM 1504 can be raised or lowered while supporting the
loaded or unloaded pallet 212, and further lowered for transport of
the pallet 212 and/or vehicle along a UCM rail system 1516. The
elevator component comprises a platform for mating with the
underside of the pallet 212 to prevent shifting of the pallet 212
during transport. The upper carrier REM elevator motive means 1512
includes one or more electric motors of sufficient operating
parameters to drive the raising and lowering of the pallet 212 when
loaded. The elevator component can include several screw jacks that
connect to the upper carrier REM elevator motive means 1512 to
facilitate the elevating process of the upper carrier REM 1504. The
upper carrier 1502 includes similar arrangements, e.g., a control
box, drive sets, etc., to move in the x-axis along the aisles of
the associated floors.
[0092] In this particular scenario, the unloaded pallet 212 is
stored in one of the many vehicle storage slots 114 of the upper
(or lower) levels of the garage 100. Thus the storage slot 114
includes the support beams 1514 that are fixed within the garage
structure. Similar to the LCM system 1400 mentioned hereinabove,
the UCM system 1500 operates over the UCM rail system 1516
extending essentially the length of the garage 100. Each level
includes a single UCM rail system 1516 and one or more UCM systems
1500 operating independently under control of the garage control
system to retrieve or store loaded and unloaded pallets 212.
[0093] In operation, the UCM system 1500 moves into alignment with
the storage slot 114 under control of the garage control system.
The alignment process is similar to that of the LCM system 1400
such that the upper carrier wheel guides 1506 are aligned with a
lower L-portion 1518 of the corresponding support beams 1514. The
upper carrier REM 1504 is then controlled to move onto the lower
L-portion of the support beams 1514 in a position under the pallet
212. The carrier module 1502 remains in alignment position while
the upper carrier REM 1504 elevates to support the pallet 212. The
upper carrier REM 1504 is then controlled to return onto the upper
carrier 1502. Similar to operation of the lower carrier REM 1408,
upon return, the upper carrier REM 1504 lowers back to a more
stable position onto the upper carrier 1502 for transport of the
pallet 212 to one of the several VLCs 120.
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 16, there is illustrated a more
detailed mechanical view of the pallet shuttle 250. As indicated
hereinabove, the pallet shuttle 250 comprises the pallet shuttle
base 252, the pallet shuttle elevation mechanism 254, and pallet
shuttle support platform 256. The pallet shuttle base 252 includes
the shuttle wheels 1207 on each end that are in rolling contact
with the shuttle rail system 1200. The pallet shuttle elevation
mechanism 254 comprises four mechanical screw actuators (1600,
1602, 1604, and 1606) that operate from an elevation drive means
1607 that is under the coordinated control of a shuttle control
means 1608, which shuttle control means 1608 communicates with the
garage control system at the control room 126 to facilitate
operation of the pallet shuttle 250. The pallet shuttle elevation
mechanism 254 elevates between the tracks 220 when in the EES 200
to position sufficient to support the unloaded pallet so that the
tracks 220 can be retracted (or spread apart) by the track
retractors 218. When operating with the PSS 400, the pallet shuttle
elevation mechanism 254 elevates to a position sufficient to
support all of the pallets 212 currently stored in the PSS 400, and
where stack latches 411 of the pallet stack support mechanism 410
can then move to support a portion of the bottom pallet of the
stack of pallets 412.
[0095] The pallet shuttle base 252 includes one or more shuttle
drive means 1610 (e.g., electric motors) for driving the wheels
1207 to travel along the shuttle rail system 1200, and to lock into
position the pallet shuttle 250 when vertically aligned under the
EES 200 or any of the PCC 400 locations to handle the pallet 212.
The drive means 1610 couple to corresponding gear boxes 1612 in
which transfer equipment resides to couple the drive means 1610 to
the corresponding wheel sets 1207. As indicated hereinabove, such
transfer equipment can include belts, pulleys, gears, chains, and
shafts as used conventionally with such equipment.
[0096] Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated a more
detailed mechanical view of a REM 1700 (similar to lower carrier
REM 1408 and upper carrier REM 1504). The REM 1700 includes a first
wheel drive section 1702 and a second wheel drive section 1704. The
first wheel drive section 1702 includes a first wheel drive means
1706 (e.g., an electromechanical motor) that operates under control
of a REM control means 1708 (similar to lower carrier control means
1416 and upper carrier control means 1510). The first wheel drive
means 1706 is mounted to a first transfer means 1710 such that
torque provided therefrom is transferred to the wheels 1712
associated with the first wheel drive section 1702. As indicated
hereinabove, such transfer is suitably provided by conventional
mechanisms such as belts and pulleys, gears, chains and/or
shafts.
[0097] Similarly, the second wheel drive section 1704 includes a
second wheel drive means 1714 (e.g., an electromechanical motor)
that operates under control of the REM control means 1708. The
second wheel drive means 1714 is mounted to a second transfer means
1716 such that torque provided therefrom is transferred to the
wheels 1718 associated with the second wheel drive section 1704.
Note that the first and second drive means (1706 and 1714) are
operated synchronously by the REM control means 1708. However, it
is appreciated that the first and second drive means (1706 and
1714) may also be operated independent of one another, which
provides a back-up feature if one of the drive means (1706 or 1714)
should fail.
[0098] The REM 1700 also includes an elevator motive means 1720
under control of the REM control means 1708 so that an elevator
component (not shown) can be raised or lowered while supporting the
loaded or unloaded pallet 212, and further lowered for transport of
the pallet 212 and/or vehicle. The elevator component comprises a
platform for mating with the underside of the pallet 212 to prevent
shifting of the pallet 212 during transport. The REM elevator
motive means 1720 includes one or more electric motors of
sufficient operating parameters to drive the raising and lowering
of the pallet 212 when loaded. The elevator component can include
several screw actuators or similar means located in elevator gear
boxes (1722 and 1724), and that connect to the REM elevator motive
means 1720 to facilitate the elevating process.
[0099] Note that all vehicle storage operations in the storage area
of the garage 100 (i.e., the area of vehicle storage racks) and
handling of loaded pallets to and from the EES, can be generalized
as being accomplished by a transport system, which transport system
includes the VLC assembly 120, the LCM system 1400, UCM assembly
1500, carrier aisle systems, etc., although the UCM can be used to
handle pallet bundles 412, which of course, are unloaded pallets.
As mentioned hereinabove, the PSS 400 handles only unloaded
pallets.
[0100] Since the garage 100 includes a number of upper and lower
module systems (1400 and 1500) operating independently under
control of the garage control system on various levels, it is
appreciated that communication from the garage control system to
the module systems (1400 and 1500) is preferably, but not
necessarily, wireless to preclude the need for large wiring harness
and extensive routings of cable suspended throughout the garage
structure. Thus each module system (1400 and 1500) would
communicate wirelessly with the garage control system via a unique
frequency.
[0101] Although this invention has been described in its preferred
forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that
the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by
way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction
and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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