U.S. patent application number 12/247711 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for automated vehicle parking garage with catwalk installation.
Invention is credited to Haim Shani.
Application Number | 20090148259 12/247711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40549662 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090148259 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shani; Haim |
June 11, 2009 |
Automated Vehicle Parking Garage with Catwalk Installation
Abstract
An automated parking garage includes a three-dimensional
warehousing facility for receiving a vehicle at a delivery bay,
storing the vehicle in a parking area, and retrieving the vehicle
from the parking area. The parking garage includes mechanical
elements for transporting the vehicle between the delivery bay and
the parking space, namely, at least one shuttle vehicle and at
least one elevator. A central computer is in electrical
communication with each of the mechanical elements to control the
movement of the corresponding elements in the facility. A main
catwalk extends the length of the facility to define parking spaces
in the parking area to receive at least two vehicles, each vehicle
having a front end and a rear end, with the desired end of each
vehicle adjacent the main catwalk.
Inventors: |
Shani; Haim; (Shoham,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL
SUITE 3100, PROMENADE II, 1230 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30309-3592
US
|
Family ID: |
40549662 |
Appl. No.: |
12/247711 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60978581 |
Oct 9, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/231 ;
414/246; 414/757; 414/800 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 6/183 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/231 ;
414/246; 414/800; 414/757 |
International
Class: |
E04H 6/00 20060101
E04H006/00; E04H 6/06 20060101 E04H006/06; E04H 6/28 20060101
E04H006/28 |
Claims
1. In an automated parking garage having a three-dimensional
warehousing facility for receiving a vehicle at a delivery bay,
transporting the vehicle between the delivery bay and a parking
area using shuttle vehicle and an elevator in electrical
communication with a central computer controlling the movement of
the shuttle vehicle and elevator in the facility, the improvement
in the automated parking garage comprising: a main catwalk
traversing the parking area, the catwalk defining parking spaces in
the parking area to receive a first vehicle and a second vehicle,
each vehicle having a front end and a rear end, with the desired
end of each vehicle proximate the main catwalk.
2. The automated parking garage as described in claim 1, wherein
the main catwalk further comprises an inner catwalk traversing the
parking area and an outer catwalk along an edge of the parking
area, with the front end of the first vehicle proximate the inner
catwalk and the front end of the second vehicle proximate the outer
catwalk.
3. The automated parking garage as described in claim 1 wherein the
catwalk is positioned below the path of travel of the shuttle
vehicle.
4. The automated parking garage as described in claim 1 further
comprising a rotatable platform in electrical communication with
the central computer, the central computer directing the rotation
of the platform to the desired orientation for the vehicle
thereon.
5. The automated parking garage as described in claim 1 further
comprising: a second main catwalk traversing a second parking area,
the second catwalk defining parking spaces in the second parking
area to receive additional vehicles; and a connecting catwalk
joining the two main catwalks in separate parking areas.
6. An automated parking garage for storing vehicles in a parking
space, the automated parking garage comprising: a housing having a
delivery bay on a ground level and multiple levels for storing
vehicles; a central aisle extending along the length of the housing
to define two parking areas; at least one shuttle vehicle located
on each level of the housing, each shuttle vehicle traveling along
the central aisle to horizontally transport a vehicle; an elevator
positioned in the housing proximate the central aisle to vertically
transport vehicles in the housing; a central computer in electrical
communication with the platform, each shuttle vehicle, and each
elevator to control the operation of the platform, each shuttle
vehicle, and each elevator; and a main catwalk extending along each
parking area below the path of each shuttle vehicle, the main
catwalk defining the parking spaces to receive vehicles proximate
the catwalk; wherein the shuttle vehicles transport the vehicles
between one parking space and one elevator.
7. The automated parking garage as described in claim 6, wherein
the main catwalk separates the parking area into parking spaces for
at least two vehicles, each vehicle having a front end and a rear
end, with the desired end of each vehicle positioned adjacent the
main catwalk.
8. The automated parking garage as described in claim 7, further
comprising a rotatable platform to receive a vehicle and position
the vehicle to the desired orientation corresponding for the
desired end of each vehicle to be positioned adjacent the main
catwalk.
9. An automated method for storing a vehicle having a front end and
a back end in a three-dimensional warehousing facility and
providing access to one end of the stored vehicle, the method
comprising the steps of: a. receiving the vehicle in a delivery
bay; b. determining a first parking space for the first vehicle on
a parking level using a central computer; c. transferring the
vehicle from the platform to an elevator using a shuttle vehicle;
d. vertically moving the vehicle to the parking level with the
elevator; e. transferring the vehicle from the elevator to the
first parking space on the parking level using a second shuttle
vehicle; and f. storing the vehicle in the first parking space with
the front of the vehicle proximate a main catwalk extending the
length of the facility.
10. The method as described in claim 9, further comprising after
step b) the step of rotating a platform supporting the vehicle in
the delivery bay to a desired orientation for the vehicle in the
determined first parking space.
11. The method as described in claim 10, further comprising the
steps of: receiving a second vehicle in the delivery bay on the
rotatable platform; determining a second available parking space
proximate the first parking space using a central computer;
rotating the platform according to the desired orientation of the
second vehicle in the second parking space; transferring the second
vehicle from the platform to the elevator using a shuttle vehicle;
vertically moving the second vehicle to the parking level with the
elevator; transferring the second vehicle from the elevator to the
second parking space on the parking level using a second shuttle
vehicle; and storing the second vehicle in the second parking space
with the front of the second vehicle proximate the main
catwalk.
12. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step
of storing the second vehicle in the second parking space opposite
the first vehicle, the front of the second vehicle facing the front
of the first vehicle.
13. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step
of: providing a main catwalk having a inner catwalk and an outer
catwalk; storing the first vehicle in the first parking space
proximate the inner catwalk; and storing the second vehicle in the
second parking space proximate the outer catwalk.
14. The method as described in claim 10 wherein step c) further
comprises the step of: transmitting an electronic signal from the
central computer to the rotatable platform to direct the rotation
of the platform.
15. The method as described in claim 10 wherein step g) further
comprises the step of: providing the main catwalk slightly below
the path of travel of the second shuttle vehicle.
16. The method as described in claim 10 wherein step b) further
comprises: choosing from multiple parking levels in the facility
above and below a ground level.
17. In an automated parking garage having a three-dimensional
housing for receiving a vehicle at an entrance, transporting the
vehicle between the entrance and a parking area using shuttle
vehicles on multiple levels in the housing and an elevator in
electrical communication with a central computer controlling the
movement of the shuttle vehicle and elevator in the facility, the
improvement in the automated parking garage comprising: a primary
bridge traversing the parking area to define parking spaces to
receive a first vehicle and a second vehicle, each vehicle having a
front end and a rear end, with the desired end of each vehicle
proximate the primary bridge, wherein the primary bridge is
positioned slightly below the path of travel of the shuttle vehicle
on the corresponding level.
18. The automated parking garage as described in claim 17, wherein
the primary bridge further comprises an inner bridge traversing the
parking area and an outer bridge along an outer edge of the parking
area, with the front end of the first vehicle proximate the inner
bridge and the front end of the second vehicle proximate the outer
bridge.
19. The automated parking garage as described in claim 17 further
comprising a rotatable platform in electrical communication with
the central computer, the central computer directing the rotation
of the platform to the desired orientation for the vehicle
thereon.
20. The automated parking garage as described in claim 17 further
comprising: a second primary bridge traversing a second parking
area, the second bridge defining parking spaces in the second
parking area to receive additional vehicles; and a connecting
bridge along the edge of the parking areas joining the two primary
bridges in separate parking areas.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/978,581 filed Oct. 9, 2007, which is
incorporated herein in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an automated system and an
automated method for storing items in a three-dimensional
warehousing facility, having a catwalk for accessing vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a conventional three-dimensional automated vehicle
parking garage, mechanical elements or motorized conveyances, such
as lifts (elevators), cranes, shuttle vehicles (moving platforms),
turntables, and other mechanical elements are used to transport a
vehicle from an entry/exit station at the arrival/departure level
of the parking garage to a parking space in the parking garage and
then retrieve the vehicle from the parking space and transport the
vehicle to the entry/exit station, without human assistance.
[0004] In general, a typical automated vehicle parking garage
consists of a storage (or parking) area with individual parking
spaces, one or more entry/exit stations (or bays) for accepting a
vehicle from a driver for parking and for delivering the vehicle to
the driver upon retrieval, and motorized conveyances (mechanical
elements), such as elevators and shuttle vehicles, used to
transport the vehicle from the entry/exit station to the parking
space and to transport the vehicle from the parking space to the
entry/exit station for driver retrieval. The conventional
three-dimensional automated vehicle parking garage is controlled
and managed by a control system based on PLCs (programmable logic
controllers) or other control circuitry, and by central management
software running on a central management computer that operates the
control system. The control system is typically resident on one or
more PLCs, and the central management software is typically
resident on a central management computer that receives inputs from
and sends command to the various mechanical elements (e.g.
elevators and shuttle vehicles) to coordinate the movement of those
mechanical elements, namely, the transportation of a vehicle
between the entry/exit station and the parking space.
[0005] Automated parking systems such as those described above are
designed to provide automated and unattended storage and retrieval
of vehicles, and therefore only automatic conveying devices have
access to the storage area, and access is not provided to the area
where the vehicles are stored. Since human access is not required
for normal operation, such systems are designed without a catwalk,
stairs or similar devices in order to provide maximum capacity.
However, in certain countries or states, human access may be
required by the local authorities according to fire abatement
regulations.
[0006] Another problem that arises from the structure of the
automated garage is the safety of the persons that are to maintain
the facility. Like any other electromechanical system, preventive
maintenance is constantly needed. Due to the nature of the
automated parking solution, access to some of the elements in the
system may require severe safety considerations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An automated vehicle parking system having a catwalk
structure or bridge installed within the vehicle storage area is
described herein. The parking system facilitates the physical
access of parked vehicles on different floors by fire abatement
teams equipped with fire abatement equipment, as well as the access
of maintenance personnel, to each stored vehicle within the system,
in a safe and fast way. The main catwalk is positioned proximate
the parking area and will maximize the number of available parking
places and make efficient use of the space. This garage does not
require any increase of the total footprint and land requirements
of the system over conventional systems.
[0008] Further objects, features and advantages will become
apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description
of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings and
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1a is a top plan view of the ground floor of a
three-dimensional automated vehicle parking garage having a
catwalk;
[0010] FIG. 1b is a side elevational view of the stairs used in the
automated parking garage of FIG. 1a;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the floors other than the
ground floor of the automated parking garage of FIG. 1a;
[0012] FIG. 3a is a side elevational view of the automated parking
garage of FIG. 1a;
[0013] FIG. 3b is a cut away view of the automated parking garage
of FIG. 3a taken along the lines of Detail A;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the ground floor of a second
embodiment of a three-dimensional automated vehicle parking garage
having a catwalk;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the automated parking
garage of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the ground floor of a third
embodiment of a three-dimensional automated vehicle parking garage
having a catwalk;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the floors other than the
ground floor of the automated parking garage of FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 8a is a side elevational view of the automated parking
garage of FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 8b is a cut away view of the automated parking garage
of FIG. 10a taken along the lines of Detail A;
[0020] FIGS. 9 and 10 are side elevational views of additional
variations of the embodiment of the parking garage illustrated in
FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the ground floor of a fourth
embodiment of a three-dimensional automated vehicle parking garage
having a catwalk;
[0022] FIGS. 12 and 13 are side elevational views of the automated
parking garage of FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the automated parking
garage of FIG. 11; and
[0024] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a central computer that may be
used for control of the mechanical elements of the parking
garage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1a-3b, a three-dimensional automated
vehicle parking garage 10 is illustrated schematically. The parking
garage 10 includes a building 11 that surrounds parking or storage
areas 14 for vehicles 12, with multiple parking areas 14 being
located on multiple levels L1-L4a (see FIG. 3a). Each parking area
14 of the parking garage 10 has parking or storage spaces 16, which
are respectively labeled P1-P31 and P1a-P31a on each of the floors
L1-L4a (see FIGS. 2 and 3a). With continuing reference to FIG. 1a,
the parking garage 10 has several entrance/exit stations or
delivery bays 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d (four in this example) for
accepting the vehicle 12 from a ground-level entry point 8. Each
entry bay 24a-24d leads to a rotating platform 33 on the ground
floor L0, which will position the vehicle 12 in the desired parking
orientation as described herein. These delivery bays 24a-24d define
an entry/exit station for a driver for parking the vehicle 12 and
for retrieving the vehicle 12 after being stored at the parking
garage 10.
[0026] The vehicle 12 is moved from the entry/exit station 24a by
means of mechanical elements or motorized conveyances, such as
shuttle vehicles 34 and elevators 30 as controlled by a central
management computer 26 (see FIG. 15). For example, the ground floor
L0 of parking garage 10 shown in FIG. 1a has three shuttle vehicles
34 and two elevators 30a, 30b. For the vehicle 12 presented for
parking at the entry/exit station 24a, the shuttle vehicle 34 moves
the vehicle 12 from the entry/exit station 24a to a parking space
16 on floor L0. If no parking space 16 is available on floor L0,
the shuttle vehicle 34 carries the vehicle 12 to elevator 30a or
30b. The elevator 30a or 30b lifts or lowers the vehicle 12 from
ground floor L0 to the desired floor level L1-L4a having an
available parking space 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a, the
parking garage 10 has several levels other than the ground floor
L0, namely, floor L1 above the ground floor L0 and floors L1a-L4a
below the ground floor L0. Of course, the number of levels above
ground and below ground may vary according to any parking garage
design. When the vehicle 12 reaches the desired floor level having
an available parking space 16, a second shuttle vehicle 34 on that
floor will retrieve the vehicle 12 from the elevator 30 and deliver
the vehicle 12 to the available parking space 16.
[0027] Each floor L1-L4a of the first embodiment, other than the
bottom or ground floor L0 of FIG. 1a, has a layout as illustrated
in FIG. 2. Each parking space 16 on floor level L1 and L1a-L4a is
identified by a floor number, a row number, and a rank number. As
shown in FIG. 2, each parking space 16 is specifically identified
as an outer space P1-P31 or an inner space P1a-P31a. An aisle 22
extends along the length of the parking garage 10 between the first
set of inner spaces P1a-P16a and the second set of inner spaces
P17a-P31a. In the embodiment illustrated, the length of the housing
11 from space P1 to space P16 is approximately 140 feet, and the
width of the housing 11 is substantially 107 feet.
[0028] The elevators 30 are located along the aisle 22. The shuttle
vehicles 34 on ground floor L0 move along aisle 22 between the
elevators 30 in order to deliver vehicles 12 from the elevators 30
to the parking spaces 16, such as the vehicle 12 from elevator 30
to the parking space 16 or to retrieve the vehicle 12 from the
parking space 16 and to return the vehicle 12 to the elevator 30a.
The selection of the particular shuttle vehicle 34 and the
particular elevator 30a or 30b is made by the central computer 26
or a distributed control system. The decision depends on variables
such as the location and status of those particular mechanical
elements at the time the instruction is issued to move the vehicle
12 between the parking space 16 and one of the elevators 30a or 30b
on ground floor L0, with the central computer 26 monitoring each of
the variables.
[0029] The parking garage 10 integrates main or primary catwalks 40
(or walkways or bridges) and safety meshes 39 in the vehicle
storage area 14 where the vehicles 12 are stored. Through various
embodiments illustrated herein, the automated parking garage 10
provides the access to each parked vehicle 12 with a design that
uses the minimum usable space for catwalks 40 while conforming with
fire department regulations and providing maximum safety. When
required, the access is provided to the front of the parked
vehicles 12, where the engine is located and which is more
susceptible to fire hazards. In all of the alternative embodiments
discussed herein, the catwalks 40 are designed to allow access only
to one side of the vehicle 12, and in certain alternatives a single
catwalk 40 path allows access to two adjacent vehicles 12.
[0030] As depicted in Figure la, the main catwalk 40 in each floor
L1 and L1a-L4a is located centrally between the inner row of
parking spaces 16 (individually labeled P1-P31) and the outer row
of parking spaces 16 (individually labeled P1a-P31a). More
specifically, one main catwalk 40 is located in a first parking
area 14 between parking spaces labeled P1-P16 and P1a-P16a, and
another main catwalk 40 is located in a second parking area 14
between parking spaces labeled P17-P31 and P17a-P31a. A connecting
catwalk 41 (or bridge or walkway) will join the main catwalks 40
positioned in the rows of parking spaces 16. Additionally, as
discussed herein, alternative embodiments of the main catwalk 40
may also be located at the perimeter of the parking garage 10. In
each embodiment, the catwalk 40 is positioned slightly underneath
the path of the shuttle vehicles 34 in each respective floor
L1-L4a, overlapping the same footprint when looked at from above
(see FIGS. 2 and 3a). Note that the width of the main catwalk 40
illustrated in FIG. 1 is approximately 3.5 feet, although other
dimensions may be incorporated to achieve the desired overall width
of the housing 11, and the width of the connecting catwalk 41 is
four feet, although other dimensions may be used to control the
overall length of the housing 11. As a result, the catwalk 40 does
not require an additional footprint (length or width) in order to
be implemented in the parking garage 10. It is noted that catwalks
40 are typically not used in parking garages. If they are
incorporated, then they are added to the area outside the parking
spaces 16 or they increase the center aisle, which undesirably
increases the length and/or width of the overall parking garage 10.
Each catwalk 40 is accessible by a human at a stairway 25 that
extends vertically above and below the ground level L0. It is to be
noted that the connecting catwalk 41 (and any other paths on the
outer perimeter of the parking area 14) are not in the travel path
of the shuttle vehicle 34, and therefore may be positioned at the
same level of travel of the shuttle vehicle 34 and not necessarily
below.
[0031] Even with parking spaces 16 in double or triple deep layouts
in the parking area 14, the main catwalk 40 is located centrally
between the rows of parking spaces 16 and overlapping the shuttle
vehicle paths. Only catwalks 40 positioned on each side of the
parking spaces 16 will increase the total width of the parking
garage 10, therefore keeping the total footprint of the building 11
as small as possible.
[0032] The first step of using the parking garage 10 is the vehicle
12 entering the entrance bay 24a-24d. The driver of the vehicle 12
will follow one or more traffic signs that lead to the desired
entrance bay 24a-24d. A second signal or display, such as a traffic
light (green/red display), will notify the driver when the
particular bay 24a-24d is ready to receive the vehicle 12. Note
that the entrance bay 24a-24d may also be used for exit (depending
on the layout of the facility).
[0033] The driver will then direct the vehicle 12 toward the
particular entrance bay 24a-24d. When the approaching vehicle 12
has passed a specified point, an automatic roll-up door (not
illustrated) opens. The driver will then direct the vehicle 12
inside the corresponding bay 24. An automatic sensors system (not
illustrated) will assist the driver in positioning the vehicle 12
in the correct location. The central computer 26 or control system
will monitor the vehicle 12 via the sensors system to verify that
the measurements of the particular vehicle 12 fit within the
specified dimensions of the parking garage 10 and the parking space
16 to safely accept the vehicle 12. If any of the measurements of
the vehicle 12 exceed the allowed limitation, then the driver will
be requested to withdraw the vehicle 12 from the parking garage
10.
[0034] When the vehicle 12 has been positioned correctly in the bay
24, the central computer 26 will provide a corresponding notice. to
the driver using a display panel, such as: "The vehicle is parked
correctly. Please leave the vehicle." The driver will engage the
parking brakes, check that all the vehicle 12 doors are closed, and
leave the entrance bay 24. The driver will walk to an automatic
parking ticket machine 52 to take a parking ticket, with the ticket
machine 52 being in electrical communication with the central
computer 26. The ticket machine 52 may be located in or near the
bay 24 (such as in a waiting room 50). The central computer 26 will
be able to accommodate regular drivers that pay for parking on a
monthly or yearly basis. Optionally, an image of the vehicle 12
including license plate number is automatically captured by a
camera (not illustrated) before the storage process begins, to
facilitate identification of the vehicle 12 in the case parking
ticket is lost by the driver. After exiting the bay area 24, a
system component connected to the central computer 26 will check
that the bay 24 area is clear before starting the automatic
process.
[0035] Once the bay 24 is clear, the central computer 26 will begin
the process of automatically conveying the vehicle 12 to an
available parking space 16 using shuttle vehicles 34, conveyors,
elevators 30 and/or other automated conveying devices or mechanical
elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver will park the
vehicle 12 in the delivery bay 24 on the rotating platform 33.
However, it should be noted that the rotating platform 33 can be
located down the path of the entry level and no necessarily at the
delivery bay 24. After the vehicle 12 has been scanned, the central
computer 26 will determine the available and appropriate parking
space 16 for the vehicle 12, and the vehicle 12 will be rotated, if
necessary, to achieve the desired orientation with respect to the
catwalk 40 and the available parking space 16. That is, software
operated by the central computer 26 will determine whether the
front or rear is to be proximate the main catwalk 40, and then
direct the rotating platform 33 to rotate the vehicle 12 by 180
degrees to provide the desired orientation of the vehicle 12 before
being loaded onto the mechanical elements for moving the vehicle
12. Thus, the parking garage 10 will store the vehicles 12 so that
each vehicle 12 will always face a catwalk 40 for easy access to
the front of the vehicle 12.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, the vehicle 12 is then
moved from the rotating platform 33 to the elevator 30 using the
shuttle vehicle 34 or other moving means. Once on the elevator 30,
the vehicle 12 will be moved vertically to the desired floor L1-L4a
as determined by the computer system 26. Once positioned at the
desired floor L1-L4a, the vehicle 12 is engaged by a second shuttle
vehicle 34 to transfer the vehicle 12 horizontally to the desired
parking slot 16, where the vehicle 12 is to be stored on the
corresponding metal beams of the parking garage 10.
[0037] One or more main catwalks 40 are positioned adjacent the
parking slots 16, with the main catwalk 40 being positioned
underneath or below the path of the travel of the shuttle vehicle
34 that moves the vehicle 12 horizontally (see FIG. 3a). The
distance between the shuttle vehicle 34 and the respective catwalk
40 is minimal (typically measured in a few inches) so that any
persons accessing a vehicle 12 via the catwalk 40 will be
positioned at a conventional height to access the vehicle 12.
[0038] When the driver wishes to retrieve the vehicle 12 from the
parking space 16, he will enter the waiting room 50 and insert the
parking card (or member card) to the automatic payment machine or
identification station 52, which could include a separate computer
or be a link to the central computer 26. The station 52 calculates
the parking time for the particular vehicle 12, and after the
payment process is complete and/or valid membership is
authenticated, the automatic vehicle retrieval process is
started.
[0039] The driver can follow the process on a display in the
waiting room 50 that shows the list of vehicles 12 that are being
retrieved and the estimated time left before each vehicle 12 is
expected to reach an exit bay 24a-24d. The vehicle 12 will be
engaged by a shuttle vehicle 34 in the parking space 16 and taken
to one of the elevators 30, and then returned to the ground floor
L0. The vehicle 12 will then be transported to the rotatable
platform 33, and using information stored in the central computer
26, the system will determine if the vehicle 12 needs to be rotated
for the vehicle 12 to be in the exit-facing position in the bay
24a-24d. Once the vehicle 12 has been placed in the exit bay
24a-24d, the driver will be notified by a message on the display
showing the number of the particular bay 24a-24d where the vehicle
12 is located. The driver enters the correct bay 24a-24d, finds the
vehicle 12 in a convenient exit-facing position, and leaves with
his vehicle 12.
[0040] This invention provides the safest method to access every
component of the system (shuttle vehicle 24, elevator 30, etc.) for
regular maintenance or repairs. Any other solution is either more
risky (without catwalks 40, maintenance persons have to walk on the
storage shelving structure, and sometimes needs to be suspended to
reach remote components), or compromise space utilization (there is
always the possibility to add catwalks 40 that are not overlapping
the moving shuttle vehicle as suggested by this invention, and
therefore increase the total width or length of the system, thus
requiring more land area).
[0041] In a second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, vehicles 12
are stored in a double-deep storage system like the first
embodiment. That is, the vehicles 12 face each other in the same
parking area 14, so that one main catwalk 40 is installed between
the inner row of parking spaces and outer row of parking spaces.
Thus, based on the position of the catwalk 40, the user is always
provided access to the front of the vehicles 12. However, in this
embodiment, additional elevators 30 may be included into the
parking garage 10. Such additional elevators 30 expedite the
storage and retrieval of the vehicles 12.
[0042] In a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8b, vehicles 12 are
stored in a double-deep storage system of parking spaces 16.
However, rather the main catwalk 40 is not positioned between the
inner row of parking spaces and outer row of parking spaces as with
the previous embodiments. Rather, the main 15. catwalk 40 is
replaced with an outer catwalk 40o (or walkway or bridge) and an
inner catwalk 40i (or walkway or bridge) that extend along opposite
sides of the parking area 14, with the outer catwalk 40o and inner
catwalk 40i each being more narrow than the main catwalk 40. While
this embodiment is not as efficient in usage of space, it provides
additional channels to access the vehicles store in the garage 10.
The advantage of this embodiment is a better ability to service the
shuttle cars 34 that operate horizontally on the main aisle 22.
[0043] Looking to FIG. 8a, the vehicles 12 are parked in a
direction opposite the previous embodiments. Namely, the front of
one vehicle 12 will face the inner catwalk 40i while the front of
an abutting vehicle 12 will face the outer catwalk 40o.
Consequently, the orientation of the vehicle 12 is to be taken into
consideration by the central computer 26 when the vehicle 12 is
positioned on the rotatable platform 33.
[0044] In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the outer
catwalk 40o is moved between the vehicles 12, providing a more
narrow catwalk 40o than the main catwalk 40 shown in FIG. 1a. In
this embodiment, the front of each vehicle 12 is directed toward
the center of the building 11, such that the front of one vehicle
12 will face the inner catwalk 40i and the front of the abutting
vehicle 12 will also face the outer catwalk 40o. In the embodiment
of FIG. 9, the inner catwalk 40i has a smaller safety mesh 39, thus
reducing the cost of the system without compromising the safety. In
the embodiment of FIG. 10, the inner catwalk 40i has a safety mesh
39 utilizing the whole aisle 22, and bridging catwalks 40i to
facilitate movement between the two sides.
[0045] In a fourth alternative illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, vehicles
12 are stored in a triple-deep storage system. In this embodiment,
one parking area 14a has a standard width with a main catwalk 40
extending there through. The width of the second parking area 14b
is extended to allow three vehicles 12 positioned in the parking
area 14b, and includes a main catwalk 40 extending there through
along with an inner catwalk 40i abutting the aisle 22. In the first
parking area 14a, the vehicles 12 are stored as with the first
embodiment. In the second parking area 14b, two vehicles 12 are
facing in opposite directions; one toward the inner catwalk 40i and
one toward the main catwalk 40. The third vehicle 12 will face the
main catwalk 40. In this design, the main catwalks 40 allow access
to the fronts of the vehicles 12 in the center of the building 11,
and the inner catwalk 40i allows access to the vehicles 12 facing
the center aisle 22. Although this embodiment may not be as
efficient in usage of space as the earlier embodiments, it provides
additional channels to access vehicles 12 stored in the garage and
uses only the minimum extra space required for the center catwalk
40.
[0046] While an AUTOMATED VEHICLE PARKING GARAGE WITH CATWALK
INSTALLATION has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and
modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the
invention as described herein and as described in the appended
claims.
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