U.S. patent application number 13/129567 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for automatic load-parking system.
Invention is credited to Thomas Petalas.
Application Number | 20110274523 13/129567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40810376 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110274523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Petalas; Thomas |
November 10, 2011 |
AUTOMATIC LOAD-PARKING SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention relates to an automatic load-parking system
comprising:--a plurality of storage locations placed at different
levels;--at each level, at least one main aisle enabling access to
the storage locations;--at least one shuttle configured to carry
the load to be parked and to move the latter horizontally into the
storage locations;--at least one carrier configured to carry the
shuttle and move the latter horizontally into the main aisle;--at
least one elevator configured to carry the shuttle and/or the
carrier and move them vertically from one level to the other in a
vertical shaft; and--a control unit enabling the automatic
management of the movement of the shuttle, the carrier, and the
elevator so as to move the loads between a transfer area and the
storage locations. The invention is characterized in that the
storage locations (12) are not all the same size; the heights,
widths, and lengths thereof vary, so the control unit (2) is
equipped with a means for detecting the size, i.e. the length,
width, height, and optionally the weight, of each parked load
placed in the transfer area (11) so that said loads are moved and
parked in free locations, the sizes of which come closest to the
sizes of the loads, said system comprising a device for fixing
prices that are proportional to the size of the loads to be parked
and optionally to the weight thereof.
Inventors: |
Petalas; Thomas; (Marseille,
FR) |
Family ID: |
40810376 |
Appl. No.: |
13/129567 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
November 30, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR09/52339 |
371 Date: |
July 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 6/285 20130101;
E04H 6/422 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/231 |
International
Class: |
E04H 6/18 20060101
E04H006/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2008 |
FR |
0858185 |
Claims
1. A system for automatically parking loads, the system comprising:
a plurality of storage spaces positioned on different levels, at
each level, a traffic lane enabling access to the storage spaces, a
shuttle configured to support the load to be parked and maneuver it
horizontally into the storage spaces, a transport carriage
configured to carry the shuttle and move it horizontally in the
traffic lane, an elevator configured to support the shuttle and/or
the transport carriage and move them vertically from one level to
another in a vertical shaft, a control unit enabling automatic
management of the movement of the shuttle, of the transport
carriage and of the elevator so as to move the loads between a
transfer area and the storage spaces, characterized by the fact
that: the storage spaces are not all the same dimensions: the
heights, widths and lengths being variable, the control unit is
arranged with means to detect the outline: length, width, height
and possibly the weight of each load to be parked positioned in the
transfer area, so that the aforementioned loads are moved and
parked in empty locations with dimensions closest to their outline,
the aforementioned system comprising a device to charge
proportional to the outline of the loads to be parked and possibly
proportional to their weight.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes
a computer program enabling maintenance in memory of the outline of
loads to be parked and real-time analysis of available locations so
as to move a load from a location where it was originally parked by
default to another location that has become free and whose
dimensions are closest to its outline and/or be moved to other
locations where they can be combined to optimize the available
space.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of the
length and the width of the load is performed using motorized
carriages running on horizontal guide rails fixed against the walls
and/or ceiling of the transfer area, the aforementioned carriages
being equipped with scanners for the measurement of the
dimensions.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of the
length and the width of the load is performed using motorized
carriages running on horizontal guide rails fixed against the walls
and/or ceiling of the transfer area, the aforementioned carriages
being equipped with cameras to capture the image of the
aforementioned load, the central unit being equipped with a program
enabling calculation of the dimensions of the aforementioned load
from the aforementioned image.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle, the
transport carriage and the elevator are independent of each other
and move with their own drive mechanism means.
6. A system according to claim 1, comprising multiple shuttles and
multiple transport carriages and multiple elevators, the number of
shuttles, transport carriages, and elevators not being equal.
7. A system according to claim 1, comprising multiple shuttles and
multiple transport carriages and multiple elevators, the number of
shuttles, transport carriages, and elevators being changeable by
the activity periods.
8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the loads to be parked
are automobile vehicles, the dimensions of storage spaces varying
to correspond to commercial vehicles having small outline, medium
outline, or large outline.
9. A system according to claim 1, wherein: the loads to be parked
are automobile vehicles the shuttle is configured to pass under a
vehicle and position itself between the wheels of the latter, the
lateral edges of the shuttle are equipped with means of gripping of
each wheel of the aforementioned vehicle, the means of gripping
each comprise a stop element coupled to a cradle serving as support
tray during the transport of the aforementioned vehicle, the
aforementioned cradle being configured to pass under a wheel and
tip into a locked position where the aforementioned wheel is
sandwiched between the aforementioned cradle and the aforementioned
stop element.
10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the cradles and stop
elements are mounted on movable arms between a folded position
where they are parallel to the lateral edges of the shuttle and an
extended position where they are perpendicular to the
aforementioned lateral edges and wherein the aforementioned shuttle
comprises a front part and a rear part equipped with means of
gripping respectively of the front wheels and the rear wheels of
the vehicle, the aforementioned parts being mobily mounted on the
shuttle so that the aforementioned cradles can pass between the
aforementioned wheels and tilt into locked position
11. A system according to claim 9 one, wherein a control panel
enables the users to indicate their identity or the identity of
their vehicle so that the control unit automatically recognizes
them and admits the parking of their vehicle, the panel used being
tactile recognition and/or card with or without contact and/or by
voice recognition.
12. A system according to claims 11, wherein the control panel is
positioned in proximity to the transfer area or in a remote
location such as apartments, offices, commercial centers, airports,
train stations, hospitals, hotels, or others or accessible via a
computer or a remote portable terminal.
13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport carriage
is equipped with a turntable enabling rotation of the shuttle and
the load about a vertical axis.
14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport carriage
moves via axles on which are mounted wheels, each wheel being
rotated by an independent gear motor and each axle being equipped
with a clutch enabling disengaging of its associated gear
motor.
15. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle moves via
axles on which are mounted wheels, each wheel being rotated by an
independent gear motor and each being equipped with a clutch
enabling disengagement of its associated gear motor.
16. A system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply of the
transport carriage is implemented using conductor wipers attached
to the aforementioned carriage and brushing on electric rails
positioned in the traffic lanes.
17. A system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply of the
shuttle is implemented using batteries equipped with chargers.
18. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle is equipped
with wheels rolling on roll strips positioned on the transport
carriage and/or storage spaces and/or in the elevator and/or in the
transfer area, the aforementioned shuttle being provided at the
front and the rear with brushes arranged to clean the
aforementioned roll strips during its movement.
19. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transport carriage
is equipped with wheels rolling on roll strips positioned in the
traffic lanes, the aforementioned carriage being provided at the
front and the rear with brushes arranged to clean the
aforementioned roll strips during its movement.
20. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle is equipped
with a device to detect an object abandoned in a storage space, the
aforementioned detection device being formed by a projecting arm
positioned at the front and at the rear of the aforementioned
shuttle, the end of the aforementioned arm being provided with a
detection sensor.
21. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle is equipped
with a device to recognize the ground, the aforementioned
recognition device being formed by a wheel for recognizing the
ground attached to the front and to the rear of the aforementioned
shuttle, the aforementioned wheels being coupled to sensors so that
when the aforementioned wheels are no longer in contact with the
ground, the control unit is instantly alerted and stops the drive
mechanism of the aforementioned shuttle.
22. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first bar codes are
positioned in the traffic lanes, in line with storage spaces and/or
in line with the transfer area and/or in line with elevator, bar
code readers being positioned on the sides of the transport
carriage so as to be able to read the aforementioned first and
wherein second bar codes are placed in the storage space and/or the
transfer area and/or in the elevator and/or in the transport
carriage, the bar code readers being positioned on the sides of the
shuttle so as to be able to read the aforementioned second bar
codes.
23. A system according to claim 1, wherein the elevator and/or the
transfer area comprise roll strips on which is positioned the load,
recentering bars coming to exert a lateral pressure on the
aforementioned load so as to center it to the aforementioned roll
strips, the aforementioned roll strips being provided with rollers
mounted freely in rotation on axes parallel to the direction of
insertion of the load, the latter rolling on the aforementioned
rollers during the action of the aforementioned lateral thrust
24. A system according to claim 1, wherein the elevator, its drive
mechanism device and its guide device, are mounted in a fixed or
adjustable mobile structure forming the vertical shaft.
25. A system according to claim 1, wherein certain loads to be
parked are automobile vehicle with electric drive mechanism, before
being moved, these vehicles are pre-positioned on a table connected
to a current source and equipped with a means for electrically
recharging their drive means.
26. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer area leads
directly onto an elevator or directly onto a traffic lane.
27. A system according to claim 1, wherein any defect encountered
during the use of the aforementioned system is recovered, in the
form of information, in real time to the control unit and/or to a
remote management technique that processes the aforementioned
information.
28. A system according to claim 1, wherein the loads correspond to
a fleet of vehicles placed at the disposition the users, the
control unit incorporating a fleet management program comprising
instructions for managing the modification of the aforementioned
fleet and/or to manage the taking of a vehicle and/or to manage the
return of a vehicle and/or to manage the selection of a vehicle by
the aforementioned system depending on the category assigned to the
identity of a user.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] An object of the invention is a system for automatically
parking loads, and in particular motor vehicles. The system is
suitable, however, for the handling of boats, bikes, packages,
merchandise, etc.
[0002] The invention relates to the general technical field of the
storage of objects with a certain order, in warehouses or
buildings, and more particular to the field of parking for parking
cars and two-wheel conveyances with means of transport moving
horizontally and vertically without human intervention.
Prior Art
[0003] Fully automated parking lots are known to the person of
skill in the art and have been the subject of numerous patent
applications or patents. By way of example the following documents
can be cited: EP 0,875,644 (SOILMEC), EP 0,987,384 (STOLZER), WO
91/12396 (DUOTECH INNOVATION), WO 96/05390 (SKY PARK HOLDING), FR
2,511,417 (FRIED), FR 2,600,363 (MARCOULET), FR 2,601,989 (SOVER
PARK), FR 2,646,193 (KOYO JIDOKI COMPANY), U.S. Pat. No. 2,651,823
(JAMAL), U.S. Pat. No. 2,077,238 (HENRICKS), U.S. Pat. No.
2,428,856 (SINCLAIR) or DE 1,228,390 (HUBERTUS).
[0004] All these systems generally comprise:
[0005] a plurality of storage spaces positioned on different
levels,
[0006] at each level, at least one traffic lane enabling access to
the storage spaces,
[0007] at least one shuttle configured to support the load to be
parked and maneuver it horizontally into the storage spaces,
[0008] at least one transport carriage configured to carry the
shuttle and/or the transport carriage and move them horizontally in
the traffic lane,
[0009] at least one elevator configured to support the shuttle and
move it vertically from one level to another in a vertical
shaft,
[0010] a control unit enabling automatic management of the movement
of the shuttle, of the transport carriage and of the elevator so as
to move loads between a transport area and the storage spaces.
[0011] These systems are based on the following technical
principle: at the time of the arrival of a vehicle (and more
generally of a load to be handled), the latter is automatically
handled in a transfer area. The vehicle is mounted on a shuttle
itself mounted on the elevator. Once the vehicle is positioned on
the shuttle, the elevator ascends and/or descends to bring the
entire shuttle+vehicle to a level where the vehicle is going to be
parked. Arriving at the desired level, the shuttle on which is
positioned the vehicle is going to leave the elevator to be
positioned on a transport carriage. The latter will circulate in
the traffic lanes to bring the shuttle+vehicle assembly to a free
location. The shuttle is going to then leave the transport carriage
and discharge the vehicle at the selected location. The
localization of a storage space and the movement of different means
of transport (elevator, shuttle, transport carriage), are driven
automatically by the control unit.
[0012] All the benefits associated with these systems are easily
inferred: handling and restitution of vehicles in a much reduced
time, improved performance of the overall volume of storage space,
limitation of manpower, etc. However, in all the systems mentioned
above, for the same overall volume of storage, one finds
approximately the same number of storage spaces. Indeed, the
storage spaces have standard sizes and are generally large enough
to park the most bulky vehicles of the market.
[0013] The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,753 (SCHWEEN) describes a
system for automatically parking vehicles. The storage spaces are
not all the same dimensions but only their length is variable.
Their width and their height are constant. A means enables testing
of the height and length of a vehicle and possibly its weight for
the sole purpose of authorizing or prohibiting the entry of the
vehicle into the parking area.
[0014] Given this state of affairs, the main objective of the
invention is to modify the structures of the known systems of the
prior art, in order to improve their storage capacity and make them
more attractive from the perspective of users.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0015] The technical solution proposed by the invention is a system
for automatically parking loads of the type known from the prior
art, that is to say comprising:
[0016] a plurality of storage spaces positioned on different
levels,
[0017] at each level, at least one lane enables access to the
storage spaces,
[0018] at least one shuttle configured to support the load to be
parked and maneuver it horizontally into the storage spaces,
[0019] at least one transport carriage configured to carry the
shuttle and move it horizontally in the traffic lane,
[0020] at least one elevator configured to support the shuttle
and/or the transport carriage and move them vertically from one
level to another in a vertical shaft,
[0021] a control unit enabling automatic management of the movement
of the shuttle, of the transport carriage and of the elevator so as
to move the loads between a transfer area and the storage
spaces,
[0022] This system, however, differs by the fact that:
[0023] the storage spaces are not all the same dimensions: the
heights, widths and lengths being variable,
[0024] the control unit is arranged with means to detect the
outline: length, width, height and possibly the weight of each load
to be parked positioned in the transfer area, so that the
aforementioned loads are moved and parked in empty locations with
dimensions closest to their outline,
[0025] the aforementioned system comprising a device to charge
proportional to the outline of the loads to be parked and possibly
proportional to their weight.
[0026] These features enable parking of loads depending on their
dimensions and thus maximization of the volume available for
storage. In addition, the pricing rule is more fair than in prior
art systems, making the parking system of the invention
particularly attractive.
[0027] To make best use of the storage volume, the control unit
incorporates a computer program enabling maintenance in memory of
the outline of parked loads and real-time analysis of available
locations so as to move a load from a location where it was
originally parked by default to another location that has became
free and whose dimensions are closest to its outline.
[0028] Similarly, the control unit incorporates a computer program
enabling maintenance in memory of the outline of parked vehicles
and analysis in real time the available spaces so as to move the
loads from a space where they were being initially parked by
default to other spaces where they can be combined in order to
optimize the available room.
[0029] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the
measurement of the length and the width of the load is performed
using motorized carriages running on horizontal guide rails fixed
against the walls and/or ceiling of the transfer area, the
aforementioned carriages being equipped with scanners for the
measurement of the dimensions.
[0030] Equivalently, the measurement of the length and the width of
the load is performed using motorized carriages running on
horizontal guide rails fixed against the walls and/or ceiling of
the transfer area, the aforementioned carriages being equipped with
cameras to capture the image of the aforementioned load, the
central unit being equipped with a program enabling calculation of
the dimensions of the aforementioned load from the aforementioned
image.
[0031] Parking-related features according to the outline of the
load are independent, that is to say, do not interact with the
other features mentioned.
[0032] To improve system reliability, the shuttle, the transport
carriage and the elevator are independent of each other and move
with their own drive mechanism means. This feature is independent
of other features.
[0033] It advantageously provides multiple shuttles, multiple
transport carriages and multiple elevators, the number of shuttles,
transport carriages, and elevators not necessarily being equal in
order to increase the flow of loads to be parked. This feature is
independent of other features.
[0034] It is possible to provide multiple shuttles, multiple
transport carriages and multiple elevators, the number of shuttles,
transport carriages, and elevators being changeable according to
the activity periods. This feature is independent of other
features.
[0035] The loads to be parked can be automobile vehicles, the
dimensions of spaces varying to correspond to commercial vehicles
having small outline, medium outline, or large outline.
[0036] Preferably:
[0037] the loads to be parked are automobile vehicles (cars,
motorbikes . . . ),
[0038] the shuttle is configured to pass under a vehicle and
position itself between the wheels of the latter,
[0039] the lateral edges of the shuttle are equipped with means of
gripping of each wheel of the aforementioned vehicle,
[0040] the means of gripping each comprise a stop element coupled
to a cradle serving as support tray during the transport of the
aforementioned vehicle, the aforementioned cradle being configured
so as to pass under a wheel and tip into a locked position where
the aforementioned wheel is sandwiched between the aforementioned
cradle and the aforementioned stop element.
[0041] To reduce the bulk of the shuttle, the cradles and stop
elements are mounted on movable arms between a folded position
where they are parallel to the lateral edges of the shuttle and an
extended position where they are perpendicular to the
aforementioned lateral edges.
[0042] Also, the shuttle will be able to comprise a front part and
a rear part equipped with means of gripping respectively the front
wheels and the rear wheels of the vehicle, the aforementioned parts
being mobily mounted on the shuttle so that the aforementioned
cradles can pass between the aforementioned wheels and tilt into
locked position.
[0043] Advantageously, when the shuttle is positioned under the
vehicle, the articulated arms spread out between the wheels of the
aforementioned vehicle so that the cradles and the stop elements
are arranged at the aforementioned wheels.
[0044] The features relating to the gripping wheels of a motor
vehicle are independent, that is to say, do not interact with the
other features mentioned.
[0045] It is advantageous to provide a control panel enabling the
users to indicate their identity or the identity of their vehicle
so that the control unit automatically recognizes them and admits
the parking of their vehicle, the panel used being tactile
recognition and/or card with or without contact and/or by voice
recognition. This panel may be positioned near the transfer area or
in a distant local (apartments, offices, commercial centers,
airports, train stations, hospitals, hotels, . . . ) or accessible
via a computer or a remote portable terminal. This feature is
independent of other features.
[0046] The transport carriage is advantageously equipped with a
turntable enabling rotation of the shuttle and the load about a
vertical axis so that it can, if necessary, guide the
aforementioned shuttle and the aforementioned load in the direction
of advancement into the storage spaces. This feature is independent
of other features.
[0047] To improve the reliability and dependability of the system,
the transport carriage moves via axles on which are mounted wheels,
each wheel being rotated by an independent gear motor and each
being equipped with a clutch enabling disengagement of its
associated gear motor. This feature is independent of other
features.
[0048] For the same purpose, the shuttle moves via axles on which
are mounted wheels, each wheel being rotated by an independent gear
motor and each being equipped with a clutch enabling disengagement
of its associated gear motor.
[0049] According to a preferred implementation feature simplifying
the system design, the power supply of the transport carriage is
implemented using conductor wipers attached to the aforementioned
carriage and brushing on electric rails positioned in the traffic
lanes. This feature is independent of other features.
[0050] According to another advantageous feature of the invention
enabling a quasi-automatic maintenance of the system, the shuttle
is equipped with wheels rolling on roll strips positioned on the
transport carriage and/or in the storage spaces and/or in the
elevator and/or in the transfer area, the aforementioned shuttle
being provided at the front and at the rear with brushes arranged
to clean the aforementioned roll strips during its movement. This
feature is independent of other features.
[0051] For the same purpose, the transport carriage is equipped
with wheels rolling on roll strips positioned in the traffic lanes,
the aforementioned carriage being provided at the front and at the
rear with brushes arranged to clean the aforementioned roll strips
during its movement.
[0052] To improve the predictive maintenance of the system, the
shuttle is advantageously equipped with a device to detect an
object abandoned in a storage space, the aforementioned detection
device being formed by a projecting arm positioned at the front and
at the back of the aforementioned shuttle, the end of the
aforementioned telescopic arm being provided with a detection
sensor. This feature is independent of other features.
[0053] The shuttle is equipped with a device to recognize the
ground, the aforementioned recognition device being formed by a
wheel for recognizing the ground attached to the front and to the
rear of the aforementioned shuttle, the aforementioned wheels being
coupled to sensors so that when the aforementioned wheels are no
longer in contact with the ground, the control unit is instantly
alerted and stops the drive mechanism of the aforementioned
shuttle.
[0054] To improve the positioning accuracy of the transport
carriage in the traffic lanes, first bar codes are preferably
positioned in the lanes, in line with storage spaces and/or in line
with the transfer area and/or in line with the elevator, bar code
readers being positioned on the sides of the transport carriage so
as to be able to read the aforementioned first bar codes.
[0055] In order to improve the accuracy of the positioning of the
shuttle, second barcodes are advantageously positioned in the
storage spaces and/or in the transfer area and/or in the elevator
and/or in the transport carriage, bar code readers being arranged
on the sides of the shuttle so as to read the aforementioned second
bar codes.
[0056] Features relating to the positioning of the transport
carriage and of the shuttle by barcodes are independent, that is to
say, do not interact with the other features mentioned.
[0057] The elevator and/or the transfer area comprise roll strips
on which are positioned the load, recentering bars coming to exert
a lateral pressure on the aforementioned load so as to center it to
the aforementioned roll strips. The latter can be provided with
rollers mounted freely in rotation on axes parallel to the
direction of insertion of the load, the latter rolling on the
aforementioned rollers during the action of the aforementioned
lateral thrust. These features relating to the centering of the
load are independent, that is to say, do not interact with other
features mentioned.
[0058] According to yet another advantageous feature of the
invention facilitating the change of the system depending on the
configuration of the site wherein it must be installed and/or
depending on periods of activity, the elevator, its drive mechanism
and its device guide, are mounted in a fixed or mobile structure
forming the movable vertical shaft. This feature is independent of
other features.
[0059] When certain loads to be parked are automobile vehicles with
electric drive mechanism (cars, motorbikes, or others), before
being moved, these vehicles can be pre-positioned on the table
connected to a current source and equipped with a means for
electrically recharging their drive mechanism means. This feature
is independent of other features.
[0060] Any defect encountered during the use of the aforementioned
system is recovered, in the form of information, in real time to
the control unit and/or to a remote management system that
processes the aforementioned information. This feature is
independent of other features.
[0061] According to yet another advantageous feature of the
invention, the loads correspond to a fleet of vehicles placed at
the disposition the users, the control unit incorporating a fleet
management program comprising instructions to manage the
modification of the aforementioned fleet and/or to manage the
taking of a vehicle and/or to manage the return of a vehicle and/or
to manage the selection of a vehicle by the aforementioned system
depending on the category assigned to the identity of a user. This
feature is independent of other features.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0062] Other advantages and features of the invention will become
more apparent upon reading the description of a preferred
implementation made that is going to follow, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, mode by way of indicative and non limiting
examples and in which:
[0063] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a building or warehouse
incorporating the system in accordance with the system in
accordance with invention,
[0064] FIG. 2 is a sectional view along A-A of the building of FIG.
1,
[0065] FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of the system in
accordance with the invention in a configuration variant,
[0066] FIG. 4 is a schematic view partially illustrating the
interior of the system in accordance with the invention,
[0067] FIG. 5 is a sectional view along B-B of the interior of the
system shown in FIG. 4,
[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an elevator according to the
invention,
[0069] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the elevator platform
alone,
[0070] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the elevator
platform illustrating the device to recenter the load,
[0071] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a shuttle according to the
invention, the device for detecting an abandoned object being in
folded position,
[0072] FIG. 10 is a top view of the shuttle of FIG. 9, the device
for detecting an abandoned object being in extended position,
[0073] FIGS. 11a and 11b schematically show the grip of a wheel of
an automobile vehicle by the shuttle,
[0074] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a transport carriage
according to the invention on which is positioned on a shuttle,
[0075] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the structure of a
transport carriage equipped with a turntable, the aforementioned
table having pivoted.
IMPLEMENTATION MODES OF THE INVENTION
[0076] The invention that will now be described makes reference to
the handling of automobile vehicles of the passenger car, van,
truck or motorbike (motorcycle, Segway.RTM., . . . ) type. However,
the system of the invention applies to the handling of other loads
such as bicycles, boats, merchandise, materials or commodities,
etc.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system is designed to be
incorporated into a building or a warehouse, above ground, buried
or mixed. The building 1 comprises an access 10 enabling a user to
bring his vehicle into a transfer area 11 or go out of it. A
traversant transfer area 11, equipped with an input port and an
output port arranged face to face, can also be provided.
Equivalently, one or multiple transfer areas, one or multiple input
ports and one or multiple different output ports that are arranged
at various locations in the building 1, can also be provided.
[0078] Once introduced into the transfer area 11, the C vehicle
enters a parking zone comprising a plurality of storage spaces 12
arranged on different levels. On one level, the storage spaces 12
may be isolated from each other or, conversely, some of them can be
arranged one behind the other. At each level, at least one lane 13
enables access to storage spaces 12, which may be single or
arranged in a driveway. At least one shuttle 120 is configured to
support the vehicle to be parked and maneuver horizontally along
the Y axis, in the storage spaces 12, even when some of them are
arranged one behind the other. At least one transport carriage 130
is configured to carry the shuttle 120 and move horizontally along
the X axis perpendicular to the Y axis in the lane 13. And at least
one elevator 140 is configured to support the shuttle 120 and/or
transport carriage 130 and move vertically along the Z axis
perpendicular to the other two axes X and Y, from one level to
another, the aforementioned elevator is moving in a vertical pipe
14. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention and
as explained in the following description, the shuttle 120, the
transport carriage 130 and the lift 140 are independent of each
other and move with their own drive means.
[0079] A control unit 2, remote or incorporated into an equipment
room of the building 1, enables automatic management of the
movement of the transport carriage 130 and of the elevator 140, in
a manner to move the vehicles between the transfer area 11 and the
storage spaces 12, without direct human intervention and without
using the motor of the vehicles. This control unit 2 enables
control of not only the free sites and those that are occupied, but
also the position and status (available or not) the various means
of transport 120, 130, 140. The controller 2 can also optimize the
placement strategies and of the vehicles to optimize the strategies
for moving the transport means 120, 130, 140, to optimize the
allocation of resources and means necessary to the movements of
vehicles to be parked.
[0080] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the traffic lanes 13 comprise a
rolling surface S on which the transport carriages 130 circulate.
These traffic lanes may be in the form of a trough, that is to say
that the rolling surface S is lined with vertical walls enabling
guidance of the movement of the transport carriages 130. Storage
spaces 12 are oriented perpendicular to the lanes 13. They are
formed by two bands 12a which are designed to rest the vehicles.
The bands 12a are arranged to form a central channel 12b in which
is designed to move a shuttle 120. Note that the central channel
12b is raised with respect to the rolling surface S, so that the
upper surface of the transport carriages 130 on which rest and move
the shuttle 120 is located in the same plane as the rolling surface
of the aforementioned central channel 12b. The shuttle 120 can thus
easily reach the channels 12b when positioned on the transport
carriages 130. And conversely, the shuttle 120 can easily reach
transport carriages 130 when positioned on the channel 12b.
[0081] When a transfer area 11 opens directly into a traffic lane
13 (FIG. 3), the aforementioned transfer area has a footprint
similar to that of storage spaces 12, that is to say that the
footprint is formed by two bands on which the vehicles are designed
to rest, the aforementioned bands being raised in a manner to form
a central channel in which is designed to move the shuttle 120 for
the grip of the aforementioned vehicles. The running surface of the
central channel of the transfer area 11 being located in the same
plane as the upper surface of transport carriages 130 on which rest
and move a shuttle 120. A transfer area 11 that opens directly into
a storage space 12 lane could also be provided.
[0082] The number and the position of the transfer areas 11, the
fact that they open directly on an elevator 140 or directly on a
traffic lane 130 or directly onto lanes of storage spaces 12 and/or
that these transfer areas 11 are transversing or not, will be
established based on the configuration and constraints related to
the installation site.
[0083] In a configuration such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
operation is the following: a vehicle C arrives in enters the
transfer area 11 and is positioned on the elevator 140; the latter
brings the vehicle to a level determined by the control unit 2 and
wherein spaces 12 are free; a shuttle 120 handles the vehicle, that
is to say that the latter is positioned on the aforementioned
shuttle (the latter can also be positioned on the elevator 140 and
handle the vehicle directly in the transfer area 11), arrived at
the level determined by the control unit 2, the loaded shuttle 120
load is supported by a transport carriage 130 that moves in the
traffic lane 13 and bring it to a free storage space 12, the loaded
shuttle 120 then exits the transport carriage 130, reaches the free
storage space located by the control unit 2 and unloads the vehicle
at that storage space. The return of the vehicle from its storage
space 12 up to the transfer area 11 (where to another area of
recovery) is carried in a similar manner.
[0084] In another configuration, for example that shown in FIG. 3
and where a transfer area 11 opens directly into a traffic lane 13,
without being equipped with an elevator, the operation can be the
fallowing: a vehicle C arrives in the transfer area 11 where it is
supported by a shuttle 120, the latter, loaded, is then supported
by a transport carriage 130 which circulates in the traffic lane 13
and bring it either to a free storage space located at the same
level as the transfer area 11, or on an elevator 140 positioned at
and/or the other end of the traffic lane and enabling parking of
the vehicle at another level; in the latter case, the loaded
shuttle is positioned on the elevator 140, which bring it to the
level determined by the control unit 2. (it can also be provided
that the assembly of the transport carriage 130+loaded shuttle 120
moves through the elevator 140); the loaded shuttle 120 is then
supported by a transport carriage 130 that moves in the traffic
lane 13 and brings it to the level of a free storage space 12; the
loaded shuttle 120 leaves the transport carriage 130, reaches the
free storage space located by the control unit 2 and discharges the
vehicle at this storage space. The return of the vehicle, from its
storage space up to the transfer area (or towards another
recuperation zone) is carried out in a similar manner.
[0085] According to the invention, the storage spaces 12 are not
all the same dimensions: the heights, widths and lengths are
variable. In practice, the dimensions of emplacements 12 vary in a
manner to correspond to the dimensions of commercial vehicles
having small outline (for example cars marketed under the mark
SMART.RTM. or motorcycles), medium outline (for example touring
cars or vans), or large outline (for example 4.times.4 type
all-terrain or trucks). This configuration thus enables parking of
vehicles having small outline in the storage spaces 12 having small
dimensions, vehicles of medium side outline in storage spaces
having standard dimensions and vehicles of large outline in storage
spaces having large dimensions. This enables avoidance of the
drawbacks of prior art systems wherein a vehicle having small
outline is located systematically parked in a storage space having
much larger dimensions. This parking oriented as a function of the
outline of the vehicle is implemented with the aid of the fact that
the control unit is arranged with means to detect the outline of
each vehicle that penetrates into the transfer area, so that the
vehicles are moved and parked in free storage spaces whose the
dimensions are closest to the to their outline, thus totally
optimizing the storage volume.
[0086] The elevator 140, the transport carriage 130 and the shuttle
120 are equipped with means for communicating with the controller.
These means can be, for example, antennas for the reception of
communication data transmitted by the control unit 2. This data is
transmitted over the air terrestrial links, by radio waves, by
radiating cables, satellites, Bluetooth, WiFi (for example IP
protocol under standard 8002.11) or others. Each translation axis
of the transport means 120, 130, 140 is marked so that the unit 2
can easily control the movement of the elevator 140 to reach the
proper level (z), the transport carriage 130 to reach the proper
storage space lane locations 12 (x), and the shuttle 120 to reach
the proper storage space (y). The control unit 2 manages in real
time the availability of storage space 12.
[0087] The control unit 2 is in the form of a fixed or portable
computer, equipped with a processor, controller or any other
equivalent means enabling management of the parking of vehicles.
One can provide to incorporate software, or a computer program, for
supervision of the management in real time based on needs of user
and operators. For example, one can provide multiple shuttle and
multiple elevators in order to increase the flow of vehicle
processing. Typically, one can reasonably anticipate that in the
early morning, at noon and the end of afternoon, the activity will
be most intense, because these periods correspond to office
entry/exit. Similarly, in certain places, certain times of the year
may be busier than others (for example summer resorts). During
these periods of intense activity, the control unit 2 can control
the movement of the set of transport means 120, 130 and/or 140,
while during periods of "peak", only a limited number of ways
transport means will be activated. It is also possible to add
transport means 120, 130 and/or 140 during the periods of high
activity and to them remove during periods of low activity, thus
enabling optimization of the investment. The control unit 2 can
also include a computer program enabling analysis of the activity
of the system to deduce from it the periods of activity and/or
adapt in real-time the processing capability of the aforementioned
system. Similarly, the users can indicate to the control unit 2 the
time at which they wish to retrieve their vehicles in a manner such
that the aforementioned unit controls the transport means so that,
on the approach of the indicated time, the vehicle is parked in a
location that is close to the exit port. The control unit 2 can
also control the acceleration ramps of the drive mechanisms of the
different transport means 120, 130, 140 so as to increase their
pace depending on the desired flow rate.
[0088] To maximize the processing flow rate of vehicles, the
applicant noticed that the number of shuttles 120, transport
carriages 130 and elevators 140 trucks need not necessarily be
equal. Indeed, in a first configuration, a number of transport
carriages 130 greater than the number of shuttles 120 and in
another configuration a number of shuttles greater than the number
of transport carriages can be provided. It is the same for the
elevators 140.
[0089] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the
control unit 2 includes a computer program enabling maintenance in
memory of the outline of the parked vehicles and to analyze in real
time the available storage space 12 to parked by default to another
storage space that has become free and whose dimensions move a
vehicle from a storage space where it was being initially are
closest to its outline. For example, take the case where a first
vehicle having small outline, of type SMART.RTM. is presented in
the transfer area 11. Perhaps at this moment, the only free storage
space 12 is a storage space having intermediate dimensions,
designed for conventional private passenger type vehicles. The
control unit 2 is then going to control the transport means 120,
130, 140 in order to transfer the first vehicle into this unique
free storage space. In the course of the day, another user wants to
retrieve a second parked vehicle, therefore freeing a storage
space. If this new liberated storage space is a storage space
having small dimensions, then the control unit 2 will control the
transport means 120, 130, and/or 140 to transfer the first vehicle
to this new storage space.
[0090] Also, the control unit 2 will incorporate a computer program
to enable maintenance in memory of the outline of parked vehicles
and analysis in real time the available storage spaces so as to
move the vehicles from a storage space where they were being
initially parked by default to other storage spaces where they can
be regrouped in order to control the available space. By way of non
limiting example, the control unit 2 can control the transport
means 120, 130, 140 in order to park two vehicles small outlines in
a single storage space having large dimension or, in a similar
manner, to park a vehicle having large outline in two storage
spaces having small dimensions.
[0091] The various transport means will now be described in more
detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The elevator 140
is shown schematically in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is constituted by a
metallic frame on which are affixed to roll strips 141 arranged in
a manner to form a central channel 142. The latter will serve as
the passage of the shuttle 120. The rolling surface of the central
channel 142 is located in the same plane as the upper surface of a
transport carriage 130 on which a shuttle 120 is adapted to rest
and circulate. The metallic frame is laid out with a drive
mechanism 143 in a way to be moveable in the vertical shaft 14. In
practice, the frame is guided in vertical translation by the
vertical rails 144 and the drive mechanism 143 is constituted by a
motor, a gearbox, and a chain angle transmission. However, any
other drive mechanism and guidance device such as cylinders,
winches, deformable scissor lifting structures can be used by the
person of skill in the art to raise or lower the elevator 140 from
one level to another. According to an advantageous feature of the
invention, the elevator 140, its drive mechanism device and its
guidance device 144, are mounted in a fixed or mobile moveable
structure 1400 forming the vertical shaft 14. In this manner,
according to the configuration of the site where the system in
accordance with the invention is designed to be installed or
according to the periods of activity, is possible to easily move
and/or add and/or remove elevators 140. In practice, the structures
1400 can be fixed or mobile. In the latter case, the structures
1400 are mounted or motorized wheels.
[0092] Each level of building 1 is advantageously marked by a bar
code positioned in the shaft 14, in line with the end of traffic
lanes 13. A bar code reader is positioned on one of lateral edges
of the frame of elevator 140 in a way to be able to read the
barcodes. In this way, the control unit 2 can know the exact
position of an elevator 140 in the shafts 14 and stop its drive
mechanism 143 when the correct level is reached. A similar result
would be achieved by equipping the elevators 140 with a GPS.RTM.
type navigation device connected to the control unit 2.
[0093] In a configuration such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when
the vehicle enters the transfer area 11, it advances to the step on
the two roll strips 141 to abut against two front flaps 145 which
are in open position. The detection of the front wheels of the
vehicle is carried out by a photo detector cell placed on the walls
of the transfer area and/or a presence sensor placed at the front
flaps 145. Rear flaps 146, controlled by actuators, open in a
manner to come to block the wheels before front wheels of the
vehicle and form, with the front flaps 145, a ground clearest
device with articulated wedge. The slightest deflection of the
articulated wedge thus formed, is confirmed by an audio signal
and/or visual signal all on a screen provided in the transfer area
11. Any other means enabling blockage of the front wheels of the
vehicle can however be used by the person of skill in the art.
[0094] A means to center the vehicle or on the roll strips 141 can
advantageously be provided. To do this, and with reference to FIG.
8, on each roll strips 141 is provided centering bars 147 coming to
exert a lateral thrust, (represented by the arrow) on the wheels W
of the vehicle in a manner to re-center the latter on the
aforementioned rings. In practice, a centering bar per vehicle
wheel is provided. These bars 147 are mounted mobile between a
position where they retract into the frame of the elevator 140
(position where the bars are represented in dotted lines) and a
position where they exert a lateral thrust on the wheels W. In
working position, the bars 147 are positioned in a manner to
simultaneously excerpt symmetric thrust forces on the wheels on
each side of the vehicle. According to the arrangement of FIG. 8,
the wheels W of the vehicle being swerved towards the left of the
aforementioned figure, only the bars 147 of the right are going to
exert on the wheels from the right a lateral thrust towards the
right is a manner to re-center the aforementioned vehicle. The bars
147 are controlled by cylinders and the re-centering force is
preferable maintained for the time necessary for the movement of
the vehicle. To facilitate the lateral movement of the vehicle on
the roll strips 141, on the latter are provided rollers 148 mounted
freely in rotation on axles parallel to the insertion direction of
the aforementioned vehicles on the elevator 140, the aforementioned
rolling vehicle on the aforementioned rollers during the action of
the lateral thrust.
[0095] Once the vehicle is stationary and centered, its outline is
measured. The measure of the length and of the width of the vehicle
is carried out using motorized carriages moved on the horizontal
guidance rails fixed against the lateral walls and/or the ceiling
of the transfer area 11, the aforementioned chariots being equipped
with scanners for measurement of the dimensions. The use of a
scanner enables rapid taking of the dimensions of the vehicle.
However other means of measurement such as image recognition can be
used by a person of skill in the art. For this latter case, the
carriages are equipped with cameras for taking of the image of the
vehicle, the central unit 2 being equipped with a program enabling
calculation of the dimensions of the aforementioned load using the
aforementioned image. The carriages used are motorized by
gearmotors and are moved on systems in translation for example of
the type DSL4.RTM. of HEPCO.RTM.. Each gearmotor is coupled to a
coder enabling management of the movement of the carriage to which
it is coupled. The scanner is of the type known to the person of
skill in the art and enables measurement of the overall length and
width of the vehicle. For a rapid taking of the measure of the
width, a first chariot that manages the right side of the vehicle
and a second chariot that manages the left side will be able to be
provided. The number of carriages for the measurement of the width
can also be multiplied.
[0096] The measurement of the height is carried out by a
positioning on the lateral walls of the transfers zone 11 two
vertical ELCOM.RTM. profile. A first profile equipped with
REFLEX.RTM. cells is positioned vertically on one of the lateral
walls and a second profile equipped with complementary reflectors
is positioned on the facing lateral wall. As a function of the
cells whose beam is interrupted by the vehicle, it is easy to
desert to determine the height of the latter. In an implementation
variation, the height of the vehicle could be measured using
motorized carriages moving on the vertical guidance rails fixed
against the walls of the transfer area, the aforementioned
carriages being equipped with scanners. However, other means of
measurement of the outline, such as image recognition, can be used
by the person of skill in the art.
[0097] It can also be advantageous to determine the weight of the
vehicle by means of a spring balance arranged with the roll strips
141. The ground clearance of the vehicle can also be measured, that
is to say the spacing between the rocker panel and the rolling
surface of the roll strips 145. Indeed, a ground clearance too low
can impair the installation of the shuttle, as this is described
later in the description. This measure of ground clearance can be
effected, for example, by means of a hinged shoe positioned at the
entrance of the transfer area 11. The least deflection of this
articulated shoe will generate data that will be sent and managed
by the unit 2, the latter being able to emit an audio and/or signal
on a screen provided in the transfer area 11.
[0098] For loyal users, one could make provision for identifying
their vehicles such that it is not necessary to take a measurement
at each use. It will suffice, for example, for these users to
indicate, on a control panel provided for this purpose, their
identity or the identity of their vehicle so that the control unit
2 recognizes them and automatically admits to the parking. The
panel used is advantageously a panel with touch recognition and/or
card with or without contact and/or by voice recognition. This
panel will be positioned in proximity to the transfer area 11 or in
a distant local annexed to the building 1 or not (apartments,
offices, commercial centers, train station, hospitals, hotels . . .
) or accessible via a computer or a remote portable terminal
(mobile phone, PDA,).
[0099] When all these measurements are effected and analyzed by the
control unit 2, the vehicle is authorized to be parked or not. A
pricing system proportional to the outline of vehicles to be
parked, and possibly proportional to their weight, can be provided.
Indeed, it seems natural to charge less for the vehicles having
small outline and possibly lighter vehicles (which require less
energy consumption to move and less storage volume).
[0100] The control unit 2 manages the ascent or descent of the
elevator 140 in the shaft 14 so as to bring the vehicle to a level
where a free storage space 12 is intended for it. When the elevator
arrives at the desired level 140, the vehicle is supported by a
shuttle 120.
[0101] In the case where a transfer area 11 is not equipped with an
elevator 140 (as for example the configuration of FIG. 3) and opens
directly into a traffic lane 13, it must be understood that the
aforementioned transfer area is provided with an impression on the
floor similar to that described previously for elevator 140 and
includes all of the means of maintaining the vehicle in position
and the means of measuring weight and ground clearance described
above. A vehicle located in such a transfer area is supported by a
shuttle 120 carried by a transport carriage 130 that bring it
either a free storage space 12 or in front of an elevator 140 to
bring the aforementioned vehicle to another level.
[0102] A shuttle 120 in accordance with the invention is shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. It is formed from a metal frame. In practice, the
shuttle 120 moves using four motorized axles, each equipped with
two wheels 121, that is a total of eight wheels, four on each side.
A greater or lesser number of wheels 121 may of course be
considered. The eight wheels 121 are dimensioned in a way to
support approximately 11 tons. The independent drive mechanism of
each axle is provided by four geared motors whose power is adapted
to the configuration of the system in accordance with the invention
(in order to go fast and/or to effect relatively long distances,
the drive mechanism will be given high-power). Each axle is
equipped with a clutch enabling disengagement of its associated
gear-motor in case of failure it. In this case, the control unit 2
is informed and the latter possibly commands the other shuttles in
a way to increase their pace. The powering of the gear-motors is
made using batteries equipped with chargers. The chargers take
their sources on conductor rails 122 fixed on the lateral sides of
the frame and on which brushes a broom attached to the transport
carriages 130, so that the batteries are recharged when the shuttle
120 is positioned on the aforementioned car. The drive system of
the shuttle 120 is therefore completely autonomous.
[0103] The shuttle 120 is configured to pass under the vehicle and
positioned between the wheels of the aforementioned vehicle. The
shuttle is preferably fitted with direct reflection cells
configured to enable detection of the vehicle wheels and centering
of the aforementioned shuttle relative to the aforementioned
wheels. In practice, the shuttle has a length of approximately 6 m,
a width of approximately 1 m and a height of approximately 20 cm.
In any event, the shuttle 120 is dimensioned in a way to roll in
the central channel 142 of the elevator 140, in the gutter of a
transfer area 11 communicating directly with a circulation 13 or in
the central channel 12b of a storage space 12, when the
aforementioned shuttle leaves the transport carriage 130.
[0104] Once the shuttle 120 is positioned under the car, the
gripping of the wheel can be carried out. To do this, the lateral
sides of the shuttle 120 are equipped with gripping means 123, 124
for each wheel of the vehicle. These gripping means are adapted to
the majority of vehicle models on the market. In practice, the
shuttle 120 is equipped with four gripping means, two on the front
part and two on the rear part. These gripping means each comprise a
stop element 123 coupled to a cradle 124 serving as support tray
during the transportation of the vehicle, the aforementioned cradle
being configured in a way to pass under the wheel and tilt into a
locked position where the aforementioned wheel is clamped between
the cradle and the stop element. The fixed stop elements 123 fixed
and the mobile cradles 124 have concave elements in common that, in
the locked position, combine to form a wedge in which is held in
the wheel. In practice, the cradles 124 are mounted rotatable
around a horizontal axis parallel to the direction of advancement
of the shuttle. The cradles 124 and the stop are elements 123 are
mounted on mobile arms between a folded position where they are
parallel to the lateral sides of the shuttle 120 and an extended
position where they are perpendicular to the aforementioned lateral
sides (the movement of the articulated arms is represented by the
arrows in FIGS. 9 and 10). The arms are articulated around a
vertical axle 125. When the shuttle 120 is at rest without load or
is in transit between the transport carriage 130 and the elevator
140, the arms are folded position so that it can be positioned
under the vehicle to be loaded. Once positioned under the vehicle,
the arms spread out so that the cradles 124 are positioned at the
wheels of the vehicle. The shuttle 120 comprises a front part 120A
and rear part 120B equipped with a gripping means 123, 124
respectively for the front wheels and the rear wheels of the
vehicle. These two parts 120A and 120B are mobily mounted on the
shuttle 120 so that the cradles 124 can easily pass under the
wheels and tilt into locked position. In practice, the two parts
120A and 120B are symmetrical and translate lengthwise, but in
opposite directions, via ball screw motors, 1200A and 1200B
respectively.
[0105] The loading of a vehicle on the shuttle 120 will now be
described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 11a and 11b. When
the shuttle 120 is positioned under the vehicle, the articulated
arms are spread between the wheels W of the aforementioned vehicle
so that the cradles 124 and the stop elements 123 are positioned at
the aforementioned wheels. The advance of the parts 120A and 120B
is controlled by the motorized ball screws until the cradles 124
arrive at the contact of the wheels (FIG. 11a). When the parts
120A, 120B continue their course, the cradles 124 pivot around
their horizontal axis of rotation in 1240 and under the traction
force of the ball screws pass under the wheels W of the vehicle
(FIG. 11b). In this locked position, the wheels W are held in
position from one side of by the cradle 124 and from the other by
the stop element 123.
[0106] The unloading of the vehicle from the shuttle 120 is made in
a similar manner. When the shuttle 120 leaves the transport
carriage 130 and positions the vehicle at a free parking space, the
parts 120A and 120B recede. Under the traction force of the ball
screws, the cradles 124 repass under the wheels W and pivot about
their axle 1240 to return in their initial loading position and
release the aforementioned wheels. The articulated arms fold then
so as to return to the folded position in order that the shuttle
120 can exit the channel 142 and come back on the transport
carriage 130.
[0107] The shuttle 120 can be equipped with a device enabling
detection of an abandoned object (for example a vehicle, another
shuttle, . . . ) in a storage space 12. Indeed, it is possible that
an object is accidentally present in a storage space, most
particularly in the channel of this storage space, and is likely to
hamper the circulation of the aforementioned shuttle. Referring to
FIG. 10, the detection device is formed by a projecting arm 128
positioned at the front and at the rear of the aforementioned
shuttle, the end of the aforementioned arm being provided with a
detection sensor 129, preferably having an ultrasonic probe. The
arm 128 is moved by actuators 126 between a rest position where it
is retracted against the front part of the shuttle 120 (FIG. 9) and
an active position where it extends towards the front of the
aforementioned shuttle (FIG. 10). When the shuttle 120, moves the
arm 128 is in active position. In case of contact with an object,
the control unit 2 is notified immediately, human intervention
being able to then be necessary to get rid of the object and/or
reposition it. A camera, combined with a lighting means or not, can
possibly be provided at the front and at the rear of the shuttle
120 in a manner to be able to view, on a screen, the type of object
that encumbers the storage space.
[0108] Also, it can be advantageous for the shuttle 120 to include
a device to recognize the ground. Indeed, the shuttle is designed
to leave a transport carriage 130 in order to roll in the channel
of a transfer area 11 and/or the channel 142 of an elevator 140
and/or in the channel 12b of a storage space 12. In case of poor
positioning of the transport carriage 130 in a traffic lane 13, for
example if it is not exactly in line with a storage space 12 or in
line with a transfer area 11 or in line with an elevator 140, the
shuttle 120 can be brought to take off the aforementioned carriage,
which, understandably, can be seriously detrimental to the
functioning of the system. It is the same when shuttle 120 leaves
space for the storage space 12 or a transfer area 11 or an elevator
140 and the transport carriage 130 is not present to receive it.
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the ground recognition device is
advantageously composed of a ground recognition wheel attached to
the front and to the rear of the shuttle 120. There wheels 127 are
coupled to sensors, so that when the aforementioned wheels are no
longer in contact with the ground, the control unit 2 is notified
instantly and stops the drive mechanism of the shuttle 120 in order
to stop its movement.
[0109] Generally, any defect encountered during the use of the
system in accordance with the invention can be recovered, in the
form of information, in real time to the control unit 2 and/or to a
centralized remote management system that processes the
aforementioned information. This information management can lead to
the installation of degraded operation strategies that can lead to
manual handover of the system. This information can be processed by
the manager of the building 1 and/or by a centralized management
system composed of sedentary and/or mobile personnel equipped with
portable terminals for direct access to the system.
[0110] To optimize the precision of the positioning of shuttle 120,
bar codes are preferably placed in storage spaces 12 and/or
transfer areas 11 and/or in the elevators 140 and/or transport
carriages 130, and more particularly on the walls of their channel,
bar code readers are positioned on the sides of the aforementioned
shuttles in a way to be able to read the aforementioned barcodes.
In this way, the control unit 2 can know the exact position of a
shuttle 120 and stop its drive mechanism when it has reached the
desired position. A similar result would be achieved by equipping
the shuttles 120 with a GPS.RTM. type navigation device connected
to the control unit 2.
[0111] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the
shuttles 120 are equipped with wheels 121 rolling on roll strips
positioned on the transport carriages 130 and/or storage spaces 12
and/or the elevators 140 and/or in the transfer areas 11,
preferably positioned in their respective channel, the
aforementioned shuttles being provided on their front part and on
the rear part with brushes arranged in a way to clean the
aforementioned roll strips when moving. This cleaning can be
continuous or on demand, that is to say, driven by the control unit
2 in case of need.
[0112] A transport carriage 130 in accordance with the invention is
shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. By way of example, the transport carriage
130 can have a length of approximately 5.5 m, a width of
approximately 2.2 m and a height of approximately 40 cm. It is a
metal frame with two roll strips 132 on which roll the shuttle 120.
Referring to FIG. 13, the transport carriage 130 moves via four
motorized axles, each equipped with two wheels, that is a total of
eight wheels, four on each side. A greater or lesser number of
wheels can obviously be considered. The eight wheels are
dimensioned in order to be able to support approximately 11 tons.
The independent drive mechanism of each axle is provided by four
geared motors whose power is adapted to the configuration of the
system in accordance with the invention (in order to go fast and/or
to effect relatively long distances, the drive mechanism will be
given high-powered). Each axle is equipped with a clutch enabling
disengagement of its associated gear-motor in case of failure of
it. In this case, the control unit 2 is informed and the latter
possibly commands the other transport carriage in a way to increase
their pace. The power supply of geared motors is advantageously via
conductor wipers attached to the transport carriage. These pick-ups
brush on electric rub on rails attached to vertical walls of the
traffic lanes. In an implementation variation, and similarly to
that described above for the shuttle 120, the energy supply can be
made by means of batteries.
[0113] The wheels of transport carriage 130 preferably run on roll
strips positioned in the traffic lanes 13, the aforementioned
carriages being provided on their front part and on their back part
with brushes arranged so as to clean, continuously or on demand,
the aforementioned roll strips during their movement.
[0114] According to an advantageous feature of the invention shown
on FIG. 13, the transport terror to 130 is equipped with a
turntable 133 enabling pivoting of the shuttle 120 and the load
about a vertical axis. It can in fact be useful to modify the
orientation of the table in a way such that the transported vehicle
is always facing forward or that the shuttle 120 is oriented in the
in the same direction as the storage spaces 12 and/or that the
elevator 140 during or unloading of the aforementioned vehicle. In
any event, the use of this turntable enables reduction of the width
of the storage spaces 12 and of the transfers zone 11 and therefore
enables optimization of the available space in the installation
site while increasing the processing rate of the vehicles by
effecting this rotation in the background during the movement of
the transport carriage 130. In practice, the table 133 comprises in
its center an exterior crown wheel 1330 meshed by a motorized gear
pair 1331. The rotation of the table it is advantageously provided
by two gearmotors of 1.1 KW with a torque output of 130 N.m and
positioned at 180.degree. from each other. The rotation is 14 turns
in clockwise direction and 14 turns in counterclockwise direction.
The table 133 is also equipped with runners 1332 rolling on the
circular roll bands 1333 positioned around the wheel 1330.
[0115] To optimize the precision of the positioning of transport
carriages 130 in the traffic lanes 13, barcodes are preferentially
positioned in the aforementioned traffic lanes, in line with
storage spaces 12 and/or in line with transfer areas 11 and/or in
line with elevators 140, bar code readers being positioned on the
sides of the aforementioned carriages so as to be able to read the
aforementioned barcodes. In this way, the control unit 2 can know
the exact position of a transport carriage 130 in the traffic lanes
13 and stop its drive mechanism when it has reached the desired
position. A similar result can be attained by a equipping the
transport carriages 130 with a GPS.RTM. type navigation device
connected to the control unit 2.
[0116] It can be advantageous to equip the transport carriages 130
with an anti-collision device to avoid the carriages being able to
come in contact as they move in the traffic lanes 13. To do this,
two anti-collision cells positioned respectively at the front and
at the rear of the transport carriages 130 will be provided.
[0117] When certain loads to be parked are automobile vehicles
(cars, motorbikes, or others) with electric drive mechanism, before
being moved, these vehicles can be pre-positioned on the table
connected to a current source and equipped with a means for
electrically recharging their drive mechanism means. This will then
be the table+vehicle assembly that will be handled by the shuttle
120.
[0118] The system in accordance with the invention can also be used
to place vehicles at the disposition of users. For example in the
case of office buildings and/or businesses and/or rental agencies
that make vehicles available, it can be necessary to manage the
fleet of the aforementioned vehicles. To do this, the control unit
2 can incorporate:
[0119] a fleet management program comprising instructions to
manage:
[0120] .fwdarw.change in the fleet: removing an obsolete vehicle,
introducing a new vehicle, freezing the use of a vehicle . . .
[0121] .fwdarw.pick-up of a vehicle: triggered by the presentation
of a "multiservice" badge, user type<=>vehicle type
association, time stamp of each vehicle pick-up, unlocking of a
locker enabling access to a fuel card, unlocking of a locker
enabling access to keys of the vehicle,
[0122] .fwdarw.return of a vehicle: triggered by the presentation
of the "multiservice" badge, consistency tests with the pick-up of
the vehicle (user/badge/vehicle verification), handling of the
return of the fuel card, reestablished kilometerage, handing of
possible anomalies and reestablished with the manager, timestamp of
the vehicle return with reassignment of vehicle availability
(schedule management),
[0123] .fwdarw.choice of a vehicle by the system depending on the
category assigned to the identity of the user,
[0124] a reservation program comprising instructions for managing
the accessibility from the Internet by the client (user mode):
information about the identity of the user, vehicle category,
vehicle pick-up time, vehicle return time, confirmation of the
availability of vehicle, application of deadlines before taking and
after return, reporting unavailabilities, replacing the vehicle in
availability mode if the user does not come to pick it up, if the
vehicle is absent (mapping error), the system signals this to the
manager and delivers another vehicle in the same category,
[0125] a program to manage the accessibility via a Web browser,
[0126] a program to manage the accessibility to user cards,
[0127] a program to manage the accessibility to vehicle cards,
[0128] a program for the management of the relationship between the
type of user and the corresponding category,
[0129] a program to manage the definition of authorizations between
categories of vehicles,
[0130] a program to manage the possibility of category overlap in
case of out of stock,
[0131] a program to manage the optimization of the choice of
vehicle in the requested category,
[0132] a program to manage the reservation schedule facility (user,
vehicle, duration and planning),
[0133] a program to include or not include a category in the
available reservation,
[0134] a program to manage the display of anomalies,
[0135] a program to manage user profiles for levels of access to
operations of the application (administrator, user and manager)
comprising instructions to manage: direct choice of vehicle,
vehicle suspension, forcing of entered values (in case of error) of
kilometerage, in the area of fuel, acknowledgment of anomalies,
display of mapping of the storage zone, editing of the reservation
schedule, editing of the tracking status of the vehicles (user,
total period of use, category), tracking of fuel cards, exportation
of data to a spreadsheet, tracking of first level maintenance of
the vehicles (oil change . . . )
[0136] a management program for options of the application
(customization) comprising instructions for managing: the choice of
language, filtering of the access to the functions/visibility of
data according to the profile (in administrator mode), the help
line, the customization of the appearance, the editing of profiles,
the customization of reference tables,
[0137] a program for the tracking of assignments comprising
instructions to manage:
[0138] .fwdarw.vehicles and equipment: taxes due (fees, waivers),
maintenance (types and frequency of visits), consumptions (energy
types and levels of consumption), insurance, warranty deadlines,
deadlines for renewal, additional fields selected by the user
(possibility of adding fields),
[0139] .fwdarw.personnel: personnel that can be assigned to receive
a vehicle, personnel in charge of equipment, shop staff if the
fleet is equipped with one or multiple incorporated workshops,
drive and use personnel if the use tracking modules are installed,
specializing the data according to the type of agent concerned,
proposing in the consultation lists only the necessary agents in
the operational context in progress,
[0140] a program for the tracking of counters comprising
instructions to manage: the choice of the unit of activity, the
management of counter changes, the computer interface on board the
cars, the interface with activity management application,
[0141] a program for the tracking of factory price comprising
instructions to manage:
[0142] .fwdarw.the consumptions: processings of tests (highlight of
anomalies in view of norms of consumption), statistics by product,
supplier, assignments, incorporating of the cost of consumptions
with the complete factory price
[0143] .fwdarw.the maintenance: possible control phase, date of
service and downtime of the equipment, supplies (internal or
external), number and date of order if the service follows an order
with which it is then attached, possible line with an accident
report file, nature of the service (repair, prevention, accident,
tire, adjustment) wording of the service, that can result from the
reference to a classification, degree of importance, index counter,
amounts, list of parts and supplies, generation of a maintenance
log authorizing multicriteria consultations, statistics by nature
of the service and/or member group and/or supplier, incorporation
of the cost of the maintenance with the price of complete factory
price, forward-looking management of operations,
[0144] .fwdarw.miscellaneous costs and revenues,
[0145] a program for administrative management comprising
instructions to manage:
[0146] .fwdarw.accidents: background information covering all
aspects of need in the simplest cases, additional descriptive
information, location, third parties, circumstances, information
from administrative and financial management,
[0147] .fwdarw.the minutes: identification and description of
minutes (cause and circumstances, amount, . . . ), assignment to
the responsible user, administrative tracking of the minutes
approved by your services (status date: resolved, sent to
associate, litigation, closure, . . . )
[0148] .fwdarw.tracking of contractual periods and kilometerage
(which can evolve in the framework of successive amendments)
enabling an effective control of the time/kilometerage pair,
detailed content and cost of benefits and services, according to
the indicated interval, possibility of test of invoices received
with respect to the contractual parameters,
[0149] .fwdarw.credit cards: inventory the cards in effect by
supplier, vehicle and user, declare the products authorized for
each card, card renewals, declaration of losses and thefts, control
of invoiced services with respect to authorized benefits (automatic
alert to the entry or editing in the list of anomalies in case of
integration by interface),
[0150] .fwdarw.insurance,
[0151] .fwdarw.tax: sticker, TVS, non-deductible charge, business
tax
[0152] .fwdarw.engineering controls,
[0153] a program for technical management comprising instructions
to manage:
[0154] .fwdarw.preventive: nomenclature of visits and operations,
for each among them, a period based on duration and/or the activity
of vehicles and equipment involved as well as their age bracket
when necessary
[0155] .fwdarw.incorporated workshop(s),
[0156] .fwdarw.stockage(s),
[0157] .fwdarw.fuel tanks: valuating the takings with internal
pumps according to unit costs of each site, track quantities in
tanks and manage re-supply,
[0158] .fwdarw.tires,
[0159] .fwdarw.management of workshop personnel: recording of
periods of unavailability (vacations, illnesses . . . ), history of
work performed (time reported on maintenance operations is
automatically taken into account by the management module of the
workshop personnel), possibility of recording various times (except
workshop work)
[0160] a program for the management of use comprising instructions
to manage:
[0161] .fwdarw.pools
[0162] .fwdarw.short-term rentals and transport: commercial section
with tariffs, tracking of contracts . . . ,
[0163] .fwdarw.contracts for rentals and services,
[0164] .fwdarw.operations personnel: recording of periods of
unavailability (vacations, illnesses, . . . ), history of
assignment, possibility of recording various times
(non-operating),
[0165] a program for configurable transverse connectivity options:
electronic document management, accounting, off-fleet, B.O.
universe, multilingualism, reporting module, exportation of data
(spreadsheet, sql database, xml . . . ), printing of reports,
etc.
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