U.S. patent application number 11/665106 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for wholly automated mobile device and corresponding fast, economical and compact method for parking private vehicles.
Invention is credited to Fridolin Stutz.
Application Number | 20080267748 11/665106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35550648 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080267748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stutz; Fridolin |
October 30, 2008 |
Wholly Automated Mobile Device and Corresponding Fast, Economical
and Compact Method for Parking Private Vehicles
Abstract
The patent claim concerns an automatic parking system for
passenger cars, comprising six independent claims with various
building parts and methods thereto. These comprise a dismountable
construction consisting of one or more automatic parking ramps
whereon the driver leaves his/her vehicle, the vehicle being then
positioned, mechanically centred, gripped and electronically
measured, automatically, so that the vehicle can be displaced by
computer and compactly stored. Said device consists essentially of
a push system (tractor, 40) moving on a rail (tractor rail, 42),
gripping the vehicles at the wheels using forks with specific
rollers (45), pulling same onto the lifting platform (31) in
centred position on the rollers, moving the platform vertically,
rotating the platform about its vertical axis and pushing the
vehicle onto the parking platform (8). On request, the vehicles are
once more pulled onto the lifting platform, transported to the exit
ramp and delivered to the user. The entire device consists of a
reduced number of mobile components such that the construction and
the use of said device are simple and economical. The inventive
device uses the basic shapes of modern vehicles combined with the
inventive method and a computerised allocation of places enables
the space required as well as building and use costs to be
considerably reduced compared to existing systems.
Inventors: |
Stutz; Fridolin; (Lufingen,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL M. AHMADSHAHI
600 ANTON BLVD., STE. 1100
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
US
|
Family ID: |
35550648 |
Appl. No.: |
11/665106 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH2005/000599 |
371 Date: |
June 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/228 ;
414/256 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 6/285 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/228 ;
414/256 |
International
Class: |
E04H 6/18 20060101
E04H006/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 2004 |
CH |
1688/04 |
Claims
1. Generic part Automatic parking installation for passenger
cars
2. Designation of Objects Stationary or mobile device and automatic
process for compact, efficient and economical parking of private
vehicles.
3. Technical features The parking device (FIG. 1) comprising of
several pillars, rails, or columns (2), to which parking platforms
(8) are fixed arranged in circular discs for parking the private
vehicles. At the centre of this, on plates, arranged in several
decks, stands or hangs a lift shaft in a conventional lift (FIG.
6A/FIG. 6B) with a fixed or movable lifting platform (31) that can
be moved back and forth, on which a mechanical push system
(tractor) (40) runs on a horizontal rail (tractor rail) (42), which
grips the vehicles mechanically at their wheels, centres, lifts and
pulls them on to the lifting platform (31). In the design with
movable lifting platform this moves first in the centre (position
2). Thereafter, the lift travels vertically to the assigned deck.
When the lift (FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b) reaches the corresponding deck and
this deck or the entire lift shaft has rotated by the calculated
angle or to the platform assigned by the computer, the lifting
platform is taken to this deck (position 1), in order to push the
car on the parking platform with the tractor. With this method and
the selected, overlapping parking arrangement (FIG. 8), the
compactness can be enhanced enormously vis-a-vis the conventional
systems. When removing the vehicle this is taken back by executing
the steps in the reverse sequence and pushed on to the exit ramp
(9) (tractor position 3). Owing to its simplicity and modular
design the device assembled, dismantled and assembled again very
quickly. To do this, no other constructional measures are needed
except for a connection to the power supply and a firm ground.
4. Characterising part This system is characterised by the fact
that it grips the vehicles automatically, parks them quickly and
economically in a special arrangement, discharges them again when
required and the entire device can be dismantled and re-assembled
on another location with minimal effort. Furthermore, it is also
characterised by the act that the vehicles are gripped
automatically, mechanically and brought to the exact initial
position, in order to transport them automatically and precisely,
horizontally and vertically and to rotate them on the vertical
axis, without need for aids like palettes and conveyor belts.
5. Independent patent claim Automatic parking system for private
vehicles with fixed parking platforms (8) arranged in circular
discs on several decks with a central lift (FIG. 6), the connected
lifting platform (31), a push and pull device (tractor) (FIG. 4)
and with parking and exit ramps, on which the vehicles are cantered
and positioned automatically. This parking system is characterised
by the fact that the vehicles are gripped automatically in
mechanical fashion, are measured electronically and transported
with assistance of computer to specially arranged parking platforms
(8), without making use of accessories like palettes, such that
this parking method and the selected arrangement (FIG. 8) help to
achieve an essentially higher density of the parked cars. The
design is also characterised by the fact that only a few movable
parts are needed, which are restricted only to the lift (61),
tractor (40), and the parking ramps (22) and the components can be
combined together and screwed quickly and easily in modular layout
as hanging or supporting structures, such that the entire system is
mobile and can be reused.
6. Dependent patent claims
7. Parking ramp with cantering system (FIG. 2) Automatic parking
system as per claim 1, with parking ramp, which is characterised by
a centering system, which brings the vehicle to the middle of this
ramp by means of two guide rails (21). These rails are equipped
with rollers that prevent the wheels from ramming against them,
without using any mechanical drive for the purpose, such that these
guide rails are mechanically connected with one another through
swivel arms (37), push rods (28) and cantering rails (29), which
are thus in a symmetric position. These rails, kept under tension
with springs (23), exercise pressure against the middle of the
parking ramp, such that these are pulled away from each other in
the front when the vehicle is driven in. At the same time, it
results that at the back these come together symmetrically and so
push the vehicle with the wheels in the middle of the driveway. The
platform is also characterised by the fact that it is designed with
rollers (25) laid longitudinally, on which the vehicle wheels (16)
can easily be displaced to the side. As an alternative the side
guide rails can also be mounted parallel and fixed, in order to
keep the lateral deviation of the vehicle within limits.
8. Lift shaft and lifting platform (FIG. 3) Automatic parking
system as per claim 1 with a lifting platform (31), characterised
by the fact that this on one hand can be moved forward and back
horizontally, and on the other can rotate laterally along the
vertical axis and also has the suitable shape and dimensions, so
that it can move below the parked front of the car and can join the
parking platforms (8) arranged in circle, as also the parking ramps
(22) and the exit ramp (9). The lifting platform is also
characterised by the fact that the tractor (40), a mechanical
gripping and pushing system, is mounted on a rail which is cantered
and is movable, in order to pull the vehicles on the lifting
platform or to push them from this on to other platforms. As an
alternative the lifting platform can be connected permanently with
the lift. Similarly, as an alternative, the lift, together with the
lift shaft can be designed such that it can rotate on the vertical
axis. (FIG. 4a, 31). This is then characterised by the feature that
it can be rotated with rollers between the pillars of the lift
shaft (FIG. 6b, 65, 68 FIG. 9c, 68) and parking platforms guided on
the side via an electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic drive
(Z9, FIG. 9c, 69), electronically controlled, along the vertical
axis. This ensures an exact cantering and less gaps between the
lifting platform and the parking platform.
9. Tractor (FIG. 4) Automatic parking system as per claim 1 is
characterised by the fact that the vehicles are gripped, cantered
and moved on their wheels, without using aids like palettes or
conveyor belts, when this component, hereinafter referred to as
Tractor (FIG. 4, 40), is on a rail fixed in the middle of the
lifting platform (31). On this, it runs below the vehicle placed on
the parking ramp, presses at the wheels with two rails (forked
rails) (44) that can spread, thereby centres the car exactly and
raises the car to some extent with four forks (45) each having two
roller fingers (46), which are pushed under the wheels, fixes the
vehicle and pulls or pushes it in the desired position.
10. Roller fork (FIG. 5) Automatic parking system as per claim 1
characterised by the fact that the vehicle is gripped, lifted and
pushed on each wheel with a roller fork (45), each comprising of
two roller fingers (46) with horizontal rollers on its rollers
(57). This roller fork (45) is characterised by the feature that it
is fixed in such a way at a rail (forked rail) (44) that its two
roller fingers, comprising of one or two rollers (57) running on
the platform, which carry a third roller (lifting roller) (58) and
travel below the wheel of the vehicle when pulled together and lift
it thereby. The lifting rollers can run either on a separate axis
between and parallel to the rollers, or can be overlaid on this
concentric to the roller (FIG. 5a, 58, FIG. 4a1, 46). In this case
the lifting roller comprises of a segment of a roller, which runs
over the roller and has the form of a segment of a barrel, on which
a straight or a concave plate is set to enlarge the bearing surface
of the wheel.
11. Parking platform, arrangement and parking method (FIG. 8, FIG.
9) Automatic parking system as per claim 1 with a parking
arrangement and a corresponding parking platform (8), characterised
by the fact that by using the conical or oval front sections of the
modern automobiles, with corresponding dimensions and specific
assignment of this, the vehicles can be parked compactly side by
side, when these are cantered precisely and moved automatically
without using palettes or similar aids, the parking platforms have
a specific basic shape and an arrangement in a circular disc and at
an angle of 15 to 30 degrees and the optimum space is assigned to
the cars with a computer, when broad and narrow vehicles receive
the corresponding parking positions. As such the arrangement is
characterised by the fact that the rectangular parking areas
overlap with the front edges and the side margins, and very little
space is needed for manoeuvring and for transporting. Furthermore,
it is also possible to manage without vertical and horizontal
rails, which reduce space in the usable area.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention concerns a device (FIG. 1) and a method for
centering the private vehicles on a platform, gripping them and
transporting them quickly, in order to park them in a space-saving
way, and upon request getting them again from the parked position
automatically and handing them over to the user.
[0002] In combination with a modular design, such that this device
can be quickly and easily mounted, dismantled and remounted, this
is a less costly alternative for the indoor car parks, parking
silos, multi-storeyed car parks and similar systems with a higher
utilisation of space.
STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY
[0003] Private vehicles are parked on the road, in parking lots, in
garages, multi-storeyed car parks or also in access-controlled
automated parking systems. In the typical multi-storeyed car parks,
only about 40% of the ground area and around 30% of the enclosed
volume can be used for parking the private vehicles. While an
average automobile is about 1.7 m wide, 1.6 m high and 4.4.m long,
which results in a cubic volume of around 12 m.sup.3, the regular
multi-storeyed car parks and parking systems include a volume of up
to 80 m.sup.3 and more per vehicle. In contrast to the earlier
models, the modern cars with their compact motors are no longer
rectangular in their shape. These taper conically or in oval shape
mainly at the front, starting from the rear-view mirror at the
side, for which reason a rectangular parking area cannot be used
optimally. A lot of valuable space is thus lost in the usual
parking systems through entry and exit paths, manoeuvring, space
for opening doors, stairs, lifts, footway, solid pillars and beams,
the minimum floor height for persons, as well as escape routes,
illumination and fire-extinguishing systems etc. Parking needs time
and skill and is perceived as unpleasant.
[0004] In other systems the cars are lifted high with lifting
systems, in order to save place, and then these are parked closely
by staff (valet parking). This makes parking more expensive and
increases the access time.
[0005] In the existing parking systems, it is necessary to drive-in
the car exactly in a parking slot for parking, where the driver
automatically receives instructions for cantering the vehicle on a
palette. These palettes, which are needed for displacing the
vehicle, show a rectangular area with the minimum length and width
of the largest car to be parked, plus tolerances for inaccurate
parking and manoeuvring. As such, more area is needed than the
effective average ground area of the vehicle. Furthermore, before
each parking these palettes must be procured or replaced, which
needs a complicated mechanism and extensive control and consumes a
lot of time and space.
[0006] In case of other systems with fixed platforms hanging from
vertical chains, which can be seen occasionally in Asia, the
enclosed space can be used only poorly and the long access time
restricts the actual number of parking spots.
[0007] The known systems are designed as fixed structures, which do
not permit an economical and quick parking and hence are suitable
only for the long-term permanent usage. The long construction time,
high investments and the long-term retention have an
investment-dampening effect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Task of the Invention
[0008] The tasks of the invention are to devise a simple technical
device and an automated method to park the private vehicles quickly
and economically with minimum space requirement and to retrieve
them quickly for the users upon their request.
[0009] In order that the vehicles can be parked as closely and
precisely as possible, taking the car in and out of the storage
should be done automatically. To do this, the modern shapes and the
different sizes of the cars should be taken into account for an
optimum parking. To keep the usage costs below the current level,
the device should be manageable with fewer persons or even without
an operator, and it should have low maintenance, minimum
susceptibility to faults and high reliability. In order to make the
device suitable for temporarily available parcels of lands and gaps
between buildings, and for temporary solutions, it should be
devised in a simple modular design with little effort, which can be
remounted quickly, if needed.
Sub-Tasks
[0010] In order that the vehicles can be gripped mechanically,
displaced and parked precisely, these must first be positioned
correctly. To do this precisely and without errors, it cannot be
left to the customers. Placing the vehicle must be simple. Even
when the vehicle is not placed correctly, the system must fulfil
its task. The first sub-task is thus to centre the vehicle
automatically by mechanical means and to bring it in a uniform,
precise position for the mechanical and electronic collection.
[0011] The vehicles should be moved and stored automatically
through a simple technique without any means of transportation. The
second sub-task is to grip the vehicles accurately and quickly by
means of a method, so as to move it to the assigned position and to
pull it out of this again. For this, the components must be
designed in such a way that these can grip the vehicle at an
appropriate point, suitable for all vehicle types, in order to
place it on the platform of the lift and on the parking ramp, and
finally pull the vehicle out of there again and place it on the
exit ramp to be handed back to the user, when needed.
[0012] The third sub-task is to park the vehicles as closely as
possible with a smart arrangement, with the least wastage of space
and simple construction. The modern basic shapes and the different
widths, heights, and lengths of the cars should be used optimally.
By means of selected arrangement, the method, the
[0013] In order that the vehicles can be parked as closely and
precisely as possible, taking the car in and out of the storage
should be done automatically. To do this, the modern shapes and the
different sizes of the cars should be taken into account for an
optimum parking. To keep the usage costs below the current level,
the device should be manageable with fewer persons or even without
an operator, and it should have low maintenance, minimum
susceptibility to faults and high reliability. In order to make the
device suitable for temporarily available parcels of lands and gaps
between buildings, and for temporary solutions, it should be
devised in a simple modular design with little effort, which can be
remounted quickly, if needed.
Sub-Tasks
[0014] In order that the vehicles can be gripped mechanically,
displaced and parked precisely, these must first be positioned
correctly. To do this precisely and without errors, it cannot be
left to the customers. Placing the vehicle must be simple. Even
when the vehicle is not placed correctly, the system must fulfil
its task. The first sub-task is thus to centre the vehicle
automatically by mechanical means and to bring it in a uniform,
precise position for the mechanical and electronic collection.
[0015] The vehicles should be moved and stored automatically
through a simple technique without any means of transportation. The
second sub-task is to grip the vehicles accurately and quickly by
means of a method, so as to move it to the assigned position and to
pull it out of this again. For this, the components must be
designed in such a way that these can grip the vehicle at an
appropriate point, suitable for all vehicle types, in order to
place it on the platform of the lift and on the parking ramp, and
finally pull the vehicle out of there again and place it on the
exit ramp to be handed back to the user, when needed.
[0016] The third sub-task is to park the vehicles as closely as
possible with a smart arrangement, with the least wastage of space
and simple construction. The modern basic shapes and the different
widths, heights, and lengths of the cars should be used optimally.
By means of selected arrangement, the method, the In this solution,
the vehicles are cantered automatically and exactly on a parking
ramp by driving it on longitudinally aligned rollers (25) on the
parking ramp and moving it with side guide rails (21) while driving
in the vehicle at the wheels (16) in the middle of the parking ramp
(FIG. 2). Rollers on the guide rails prevent the vehicle from
over-rolling. Each of these two guide rails is joined mechanically
to each other on the front and at the back with two swivel arms
(37) and cantering rails (29) and are pressed in the middle by
means of a central tension spring (23). However, since the rear
arms are pressed away from one another by means of another tension
spring (23), the guide rails at the back go to the state of rest in
the open position. If the guide rails are pressed away from each
other by the front wheels when the vehicle is driven in, then the
closing force on the rear arms is increased via the central spring
(23) and the guide rails also close at the back. As a result of
this, the vehicle can be moved in the centre now only at the back.
When the vehicle leaves the parking ramp, the guiding rails go back
to their original resting position, conically closed at the front
and open at the back. In this way, it becomes ready for driving in
the next vehicle. This arrangement does not need any mechanical
drive and is maintenance-free to a large extent.
[0017] The proper positioning of the vehicle is achieved by
instructing the driver to drive till an electronic and mechanical
stopper, upon which a stop signal is given to him. The vehicle is
now gripped mechanically, measured electronically and a computer
determines a suitable parking space for the vehicle. If none is
available, the driver--as in the case of a car washer--is
instructed to put the steering wheel in neutral, to apply the
brakes, to shift the gear to 1 or P, to leave the vehicle and to
close the doors. Once this leaving has been registered
electronically, any further access is barred with the help of a
gate for security. As such, the vehicle is now ready to be parked
and the parking ticket can be issued to the driver. To avoid
delays, several such parking ramps (FIG. 2) can be placed before
one or several unloading zones.
[0018] As an alternative, fixed guide rails or rails with
mechanical drive can also be used for cantering the vehicle. In the
variant of a fixed guide rail, the car is held only within a
specific limit of the lateral deviations. These guide rails are
then aligned for the widest vehicle. The exact cantering is then
done by the arms (forked rails) (44) of the tractor (FIG. 4a, FIG.
4b), which hit upon the wheels synchronously from inside and thus
displace the vehicle to the side and centre it (Z4a1, 42, 37) 2
Tractor (FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b) horizontal displacement
Traktor (FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b) Horizontal Displacement
[0019] In order to manage without palettes or conveyor belts, all
vehicles must be gripped at a uniform point, suitable for all
models. This is done with the help of a device, the tractor (40)
(FIG. 4a), Which centres the vehicle, grips it at the wheels, lifts
it and moves it. The tractor is fixed on the lifting platform and
comprises of hydraulically movable tractor rails (tractor rails)
(42), at which a parallel swivellable forked rail (forked rail)
(44) is fixed on both the sides. Each of these are equipped with
two forks (45) each having two fingers with rollers (51) (roller
fingers). Each of the roller fingers comprises of one to two
rollers (57) and one lifting roller (58). Both the roller fingers
of each fork are connected with each other by means of an actuator
(pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder) (48) and can run freely together
in the forked rail, but are held in the starting position by means
of a spring or else the front-most roller finger can be designed as
fixed.
[0020] The forked rail is connected with the tractor rail via two
rods (41) and a slider (43) mounted on the tractor rail with
pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. This tractor rail can move over
the lifting platform beyond it (31) (FIG. 4a), when is moved in the
corresponding direction by two telescopic cylinders or an
electro-mechanical drive. The forked rail is pressed by the tractor
rail against the wheels, as a result of which the vehicle is moved
exactly in the middle and is stable. Subsequently the two roller
fingers of each fork are moved together, through which the wheels
are lifted on to the lifting rollers (58). When the fingers are
closed, these are fixed with the forked rail, in order to transfer
the lateral movement to the vehicle. This brings the vehicle in a
uniform and precise initial position and can now be measured
electronically, so that the computer can determine the optimum
parking space.
[0021] Next the vehicle--rolling on the roller fingers--is pulled
on to the lifting platform (FIG. 4a Tractor position 1). The
lifting platform (31)--unless designed to be mobile--now moves to
the middle of the lift (61) and then travels vertically to the
assigned deck (Tractor position 2). After the lift has rotated to
the calculated parking platform--in the reverse process--the
tractor discharges the vehicle again (Tractor position 1). The
roller fingers then travel away from each other and the forked
rails then contract. Thereafter, the tractor retreats back to the
lifting platform and is ready for the next vehicle. For discharging
the vehicles on the exit platform (9) the lifting platform and the
tractor travel in the opposite directions (Tractor position 3),
which facilitates the parking in the direction of the traffic.
Roller Finger (FIG. 5, FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c) Grip and Lift
[0022] The transfer of the tensile and impact forces from the
tractor (40) to the wheels and the lifting of the vehicle is
resolved by the mentioned roller fingers (51). These comprise of
one to two rollers (57), which carry a lifting roller (58). The
rollers roll on the corresponding platform. The lifting rollers
(58) serve for lifting and carrying the wheel. The lifting rollers
are designed either as separate rollers or concentric on the same
axis as the rollers, where these then have the form of a segment of
a barrel and overlay the rollers. (Z5a, 58). In this way the
contact surface of the wheels can be enlarged in small increments.
The axes of the rollers have a flange (53) on both the sides. The
inner flange runs in the forked rail (44), where the drive cylinder
(48) is present that contracts the roller fingers. In the open
position these roller fingers are held in a certain starting
position by means of springs. In the closed position the fingers
are mechanically anchored with the rails, in order to transfer the
compression and the tensile forces of the tractor to the vehicle.
The front-most roller can also be anchored fixed and hence this
additional anchoring can be omitted.
Lift and Lifting Platform (FIGS. 3 & 6), Transporting and
Rotating
[0023] The lifting platform (31) comprises of a plate fitted to the
parking platform (8). This is placed on the rollers so that it can
move horizontally lengthwise against the other platforms and can
connect there. This can also be fixed permanently at the lift (at
the lift cabin). Its shape is such that it connects centrally with
the connecting platforms through the conical or rounded fronts and
that the rollers travel over the platform thrusts without hitting.
The lifting platform is mounted on a conventional lift (61). This
leads to vertical guide rails (65) by means of an upper and lower
rail (67) and stabilised. These vertical rails are fixed either
(FIG. 6a) at the parking platforms (8) or (FIG. 6b) or, as a
variant of the vertical lift carrying pillars (68), which rotate
with the lift along the vertical axis. These then form the lift
shaft (62). Thus rotating lift shaft, which is supported on the
side with rollers (FIG. 6b 64) at the platforms, provides an
unrestricted access to this without the hindering guide rails and
supports.
[0024] The tractor is connected with the lifting platform by means
of the mounting of the drive cylinder (48) and through the guide of
the tractor rail (42). In case of a movable lifting platform
design; so that the lifting platform (31) extending below the front
of the vehicle can be moved vertically, it is retracted in the
centre position (platform position 2). For discharging the vehicle,
the vehicle is gripped in the same way with the tractor on the
parking platform, pulled on to the lifting platform and the pushed
on to the other side of this (platform position 3) on the exit ramp
(9).
Parking Platform (8) (FIG. 8, FIG. 9)
[0025] The parking platform (8) comprises of conical plates
(circular discs) with fixing points for suspension or supports. To
ensure that these rails do not extend in the overlapping parking
areas and manoeuvring paths, these are placed in the rear part of
the platform. The conically converging forms enable close parking.
In this way, the rectangular base shapes overlap at the front
corners and on the sides. Large vehicles can extend beyond the
platform on the sides and the wheels can roll in and out on the
adjacent platforms. In case of the movable lifting platform design:
The selected front line of the platform enables on one hand the
maximum lifting of the lifting platform, helps it in exact
cantering during thrust and enables a smooth transfer of the
rollers when the thrusts are transferred. Through the selected
suspension of each individual platform no cross rails are
necessary, and hence no vertical space is needed and the distance
to the ceiling can be kept low. Possible horizontal reinforcements
of the plates can be placed at the side margins, where enough space
is available.
Parking Arrangement and Method (FIG. 8)
[0026] In order that the vehicles can be parked compactly with the
least utilisation of space, the cars are pushed on to small, fixed
parking platforms (8) in keeping with the conical or oval base
forms of the front part of the cars. These are placed star-shaped
in a polygon and form a circular disc. With their conically
converging front section and rounding the vehicles can thus be
parked compactly, in circles, with the front facing the centre
point of the circle. This special compact arrangement is enabled by
the automatic, without using the displacement of the vehicles done
through palettes, through the cantered, exact guiding of the
vehicle during parking, through the computer-assisted optimisation
and allocation of the positions and through the selected design of
the platforms. In this way the rectangular parking ground forms
overlap and their paths overlap when the vehicles are being pushed
in and pulled out. The conical form in the front and the short
front section of the vehicle is used to reduce the distances
accordingly. By means of the electronic measurement and gripping of
the vehicle done in the angle, these are distributed in such a way
on the parking platforms (8) that on the side of each broad car two
small cars can be placed, such that the parking distances is
further reduced. In this way, space is available only for the
average vehicle width for each position and not for the biggest
vehicle.
[0027] Calculations show that the optimum number of vehicles per
deck is around 14 to 20. In case of a higher number the inner space
of the circular discs becomes unnecessarily large. If the number of
the parking platforms is less, the space in the centre becomes too
small or the space requirement for the lift and the lifting
platform becomes too large as compared to the usable area.
[0028] In contrast to the conventional systems and other automated
parking systems with rectangular palettes, the area requirements
here is reduced considerably. No movable parts are necessary on the
individual parking platforms (8), which makes the design very
simple.
[0029] Alternatively, the parking platforms (8) can also be shaped
and mounted closely in such a way that these form a gap-less
circular disc, through which the vehicles can be parked at an
angle, depending upon the width of the car, side by side with the
least distance. This is enabled by placing the pillars (2) widely
outside and supporting the platforms on horizontal rails.
[0030] The vertical rails (71) are present in the outer part
between the parking platforms. Depending on the arrangement none or
only sidewise or radial horizontal rails are necessary below the
platforms. In this way, the height of the floors and hence the
vertical loss of space can be ignored.
[0031] The height of the individual decks i.e. the vertical
distance can be decided before mounting and, if necessary, can be
adjusted to the requirement with least effort. The vertical
distance is to be set for the expected vehicle height to several
different deck heights. Because the deck is allocated based on the
values measured for the vehicle, each vehicle would require only
that much height as necessary. In this way, the space utilisation
efficiency is enhanced once again and the increase is about
three-fold as compared to the conventional multi-storeyed car
parks.
Exit Ramp and Delivery Method
[0032] The exit ramp (9) comprises of a simple plate, on which the
vehicle is pushed by the tractor in the same way as on the parking
platform, but in the forward direction. After the vehicle has been
pushed on to it, the exit ramp is opened and made accessible to the
driver. To avoid delays while driving away, several exit ramps can
be placed, which can be supplemented with connecting loading
zones.
Design
[0033] The lift shaft as well as the cover with the parking
platforms comprise of elements that can be combined together. By
means of a consistent modular design and the use of plug and screw
connection, the mounting is quick and easy. In the reverse
sequence, the assembly can be dismantled again. Optionally, the
cover can also be fixed on to the walls of the building as a
hanging or standing structure. The complete plant can be assembled
above or also below the ground.
[0034] Given the fact that the user has no access to the decks, the
emergency devices such as escape routes and fire-extinguishing
systems, as also stairs, lifts, illumination and ventilation can be
avoided to a large extent. The lift is based on commercial design
with the technology used for lifts for carrying people and
goods.
DRAWINGS
TABLE-US-00001 [0035] Drawing 0 FIG. 0 3D presentation Drawing 1
FIG. 1 Complete overview of the parking system Drawing 1a FIG. 1b
Parking system sectional representation 3D Drawing 2 FIG. 2 Parking
ramp and centering system Details Drawing 2b FIG. 2b Parking ramp
and cantering system with fixed guide rails Drawing 3 FIG. 3
Lifting platform with tractor Drawing 4a FIG. 4a Tractor positions
with movable lifting platform Drawing 4a1 FIG. 4a 1 Tractor with
roller forks operating principle Drawing 4a2 FIG. 4a2 Tractor
positions with fixed lifting platform Drawing 4b FIG. 4b Tractor on
the lifting platform (fixed and moving) Drawing 4c FIG. 4c Tractor
with roller forks Drawing 5a FIG. 5a Roller forks with two rollers
Drawing 5b FIG. 5a Roller forks with 1 roller and overlaid lifting
roller Drawing 6a FIG. 6a Lift with fixed lift shaft Drawing 6b
FIG. 6b Lift and lifting platform Drawing 7 FIG. 7 Parking
arrangement, arrangement with short and long platforms Drawing 8
FIG. 8 Area comparison Drawing 9 FIG. 9 a, b, c Erection method and
overview of design
NUMBERS OF THE COMPONENTS
TABLE-US-00002 [0036] No Designation 2 Pillars 4 Ridge support 5
Lift shaft 6 Chassis 8 Parking platform 9 Exit platform 13
Centering spring 16 Car wheel 19 Centering rail 21 Guide rails 22
Parking ramp 23 Tension spring 25 Roll 28 Push rods 29 Centering
rails 31 Lifting platform 37 Swivel arms 40 Traktor 41 Rods 42
Traktor rails 43 Slider 44 Forked rails 45 Roller fork 46 Roller
finger 48 cylinder 51 Roll fingers 53 Flange 57 Rolls 58 Lifting
rollers 61 Lift 62 Lift Shaft 64 Guiding rollers Lift shaft 65
Guiding rails 66 Counter weight 67 Rail 68 carrying pillars 69
Rotational gear of lift 71 Support of platform 71 Holder of
platform 73 Pillar, support
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