This invention relates, in general, to a multi-level, automated parking structure wherein entering vehicles can be automatically transferred by one or more elevators to levels of generally circular, particularly annular construction having vacant parking spaces and wherein means are provide for transferring vehicles from the elevators to the vacant parking spaces and, in reverse, for transferring the vehicles from the parking spaces to the elevators for subsequent retrieval.
Automated parking systems are known which are provided with computerized and mechanical means to take control over a vehicle upon its arrival and to park it automatically in an available parking space, the vehicle being later returned to its driver, on demand. Recent developments in computerization and automation have lowered labor costs and rendered these systems speedier and more reliable. Automated parking systems offer obvious advantages over ramped garages, such as a saving in driver time and in fuel consumption, as well as the elimination of noxious fumes. These systems also minimize the dangers of accidents, theft and violence.
Nevertheless, few automated parking systems have actually been installed or enjoyed financial success, possibly because of high cost but mainly due to their inability to carry out vehicle parking and retrieving rapidly and efficiently enough when many clients are waiting in line, namely their steady throughput is too low and not reliable.
The prior art contains examples of automated parking structures having successive circular, particularly annular parking levels, none of which, however, have provided a solution for the combined problems of construction costs and rapid vehicle throughput. Such examples are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,915,908; 5,851,098; 5,674,040; 5,478,182; 4,039,089, CH 684,203 A5; and European 0445,712-A1.
Of particular interest is U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,676 which discloses a circular parking garage which includes from two up to five rotating elevators in a central shaft of the parking system. This structure is volume-consuming as the inner diameter of the center, devoted to vehicle transfer, is very large, because of the spatial requirements of a central structural shaft wherein a plurality of rotatable elevators are located.
Also of interest is the disclosure in JP 4,149,377 of a multilevel parking structure, each level comprising a pair of coaxial rotary parking platforms respectively and independently served by inner and outer elevators. The structure is not provided with any means for ensuring transfer of vehicles from one rotating platform to its coaxial neighbor. Furthermore the location and mode of operation of the elevators do not, for example, offer any back-up provision for the eventuality that the inner elevator fails to function.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,091 discloses a circular parking system using rotatable carousels to transfer vehicles to concentric spaces in a round, special purpose building. A few such carousels act to move the cars vertically and, by rotation of the carousel, also horizontally. Here one carousel is not able to approach the entrance of other levels because another carousel occupies the space at that time. Hence the response time of the system is slow. Also, the center shaft is dedicated to car transfer and therefore the volumetric efficiency of the system is relatively small.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,571 includes a ring of elevators, but each elevator serves only certain parking sites, so that temporary failure of said elevator will prevent exit of vehicles parked in these sites, so that no redundancy is optional. This patent, like many others in the prior art, uses pallets rather than dollies for transferring and storing the vehicles which makes it dependent on a pallet handling system and additional needed space, that further reduce the throughput of such system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved multi-level, automated vehicle parking structure in which at least some of the disadvantages inherent in the prior art constructions are substantially reduced.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-level, automated vehicle parking structure, comprising:
This provision of the structure with a plurality of centrally located elevatora who centre base lines are not radially directed with respect to the rotational axis of the structure and, their association with off-radially directed parking spaces on the platforms allows for a very significant economy in space in the central air shaft (as compared with the space required to accommodate radially directed elevators). This, together with the possibility of supplementing the central elevators with additional elevators disposed adjacent the outer peripheries of the rotatable platforms radically increases the vehicle throughput capacity of the styructure.
Preferably, the rotatable platforms are surrounded by coaxial stationary platforms with similarly off-radial parking spaces, motorised dollies being provided for transferring vehicles between each par of coaxial platforms. The outer stationary platform can be of segmented construction with the outer elevators being displaceable in the inter-segmentary spaces.
It will be appreciated that, the provision, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, of a bank of elevators within the inner periphery of the rotatable platforms and which are off-radially directed and which are designed to communicate with similarly off-radially directed parking spaces on the platforms allowsw for a maximal number of elevators in a minimal spatial region thereby considerably contributing to to an increased vehicle throughput with minimal increase of constructional space.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided
As distinct from the prior art structures, referred to above, there is the continuing possibility of transfer of vehicles from the inner rotary to the outer stationary platforms and vice versa. Furthermore optimal use of constructional space is achieved when the outer stationary platforms are constructed in segmental form with the elevators vertically displaceable in the inter-segmental spaces or intervals.
Preferably said vehicle entry and exit level comprises:
Such an arrangement allows for a radically increase potential for rapid and effective vehicle throughput especially during peak traffic times.
In all cases the motorised dollies which are employed to transfer vehicles from and to the elevators and between the rotary and stationary platforms can be of the AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) type whilst appropriate computer controlled systems are used to ensure the ready elevator availability and the appropriate positioning of a vacant parking space as well as the control of the motorised dollies.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The installation 1 includes one or more elevator shafts 5 extending vertically through the installation. Each elevator shaft includes an elevator car 9 for transferring vehicles between each of the parking levels 2 and the entry/exit level 3. The elevator shafts may be located in the center of the installation as shown in
Each parking space in the installation 1 preferably has an associated sensor that determines whether the parking space is occupied or vacant. A change in the status of each space (occupied or vacant) is transmitted in real time to a computer and stored in a database associated with the computer. The sensor may be, for example, an electromagnetic permeability detector planted in each parking space which senses the metallic presence of a vehicle overlying the sensor, to generate a signal which is supplied to the data base of the computer to indicate whether the parking space is free or taken.
When a vehicle enters the entry/exit level 3 the computer generates a map-giving the existing status of the parking spaces in the facility and determines the closest vacant parking space on the parking levels 2 that elevator. The car is delivered into an elevator car, and the computer then generates a command signal to the elevator car to rise to the parking level 2 upon which the determined vacant parking space is located. Movement of vehicles on the entry/exit level 3 and on the parking levels 2 is by means of motorized dollies, as described in detail below.
Where a high throughput is desirable, drive-in and drive-out facilities can be Located on two levels, for example, with one being at street level and the other at basement level, accessible by way of a ramp or ramps. During regular operation, drive-in facilities could be in the basement and drive-out at street level, but at peak hours both levels could cooperate to serve either entering or departing vehicles. The two parking levels can be served by a double-decker elevator as described in detail below.
Transferring a vehicle from an elevator car, for example, the elevator car 9a located in the elevator shaft 6, to a vacant parking space 20a takes place at a position wherein the center base line 24 of the parking space 20a is aligned with the center base line 16 of the elevator car 9a. The centerlines 14 of the parking spaces 20, are tangential to a circle 28 having its center at the axis X, where the diameter of the circle 28 is the distance between the centerlines 14 and 16, of the two elevator shafts 4 and 6, respectively.
This arrangement of the two elevator shafts 4 and 6 in which the two center lines 14 and 16 do not lie on radii of the parking level 2 minimizes the area of the central space 26, which need only occupy an area slightly greater than a single rotating elevator. (Two central elevators whose centerlines lie on a diameter of a circular parking level require a central space at least twice the area of the central space 26). A rotary drive (not shown) rotates the rotatable platform 8 around the axis X so as to align the centerline of an available parking space 20 with the center base line of an elevator car 9a.
Vehicles 30 are transferred between the elevator cars 9 and the parking spaces 20 by motorized dollies 17 that are attached to the floor of the elevator cars 9 by umbilical electrical or hydraulic cords. The motorized dollies 16 may be, for example, electrically powered through an umbilical point cord tethered to the elevator. The cord winds around a spring-loaded reel so that when the dolly travels out of the elevator, the cord unwinds from the reel, and when the dolly returns to its elevator station, the cord rewinds.
Further attention is now directed to
The central region 59 is divided into four quadrants A, B, C and D by a cruciform partition wall 70.
In each one of the elevators 64a-64d, is an elevator car 9 upon which an electrically-powered motorized dolly 76 is installed. The motorized dolly 76 is loadable by a vehicle to be parked and functions in the same manner previously described, to transfer a vehicle from an elevator car 9 to a vacant parking space 80 that is in line with the elevator. As in the previous embodiment, the center base lines of the parking spaces 80 do not lie on a radius of the parking platform 2b. The center base lines 82a-82d of the elevators 64a-64d, respectively, coincide with the center base lines 86 of a parking space 80.
The center base lines 86 of the parking spaces 80, are tangential to a circle 90 having a common center with the center X of the installation, where the diameter of the circle 90 is the distance between the centerlines of each pair of elevators 64a and 64b; and 64c and 64d.
In the embodiment shown in
In the facility illustrated in
The outer stationary platform 56 and the inner rotary platform 54 each has a circular array of parking spaces 80. The outer stationary platform 56 has a greater number of parking places than the inner rotary platform 54. The motorized dollies, 57 are powered by a rechargeable battery power pack, and are therefore untethered. The dolly is therefore itinerant, being free to travel throughout the facility to transfer vehicles to and from spaces in the rotary platform 54 and spaces in the stationary platform 56. The itinerant dollies, when not active, are stationed in vacant spaces in the stationary platform.
Encircling the stationary platform 56 is a rail 59 with sockets for recharging the power pack of a dolly when a plug at the rear of the pack engages the socket (not shown).
Since the outer platform 56 is stationary, an elevator 61 may be located in the platform 56 to carry a vehicle to be parked to any level of the facility having a vacant space.
When a vehicle at the entry/exit 3 level wishes to enter one of the elevators 64a-64d, the vehicle must be correctly oriented with respect to the center line 82a-82d of the respective elevator, so that the center line of the entering vehicle is aligned with the center line of the elevator so that the vehicle does not veer to one side of the elevator.
Attention is now directed to
When a vehicle 114 departs the installation 1, it is brought down by an elevator, say elevator 64c, and is deposited by its dolly 76 onto the turntable 92c The turntable 92c then turns to align the vehicle 114 thereon with exit opening 102c so as to permit the vehicle to depart the installation.
The bank of elevators rotates, until they are aligned with a parking space. Although the elevators turn together, they travel vertically quite independently which differentiates them from a single central elevator system with two parking places.
Vehicles can be transferred between the rotatable platform 214 and parking spaces 226 on the outer stationary platform 224 and back by means of an electrically powered, motorized dolly 222 on a turntable 220 whose center is the axis X of the instillation 1. The rotatable platform 214 rotates so that the vehicle to be transferred is aligned with an available parking space 226 on the stationary platform 224. At the same time central turntable 220 rotates and aligns dolly 222 with the vehicle and the available parking space 226. Dolly 222 is then powered to travel under the vehicle, load it, transfer it to the available parking space 226 on the stationary platform 224, unload it there and then return to the turntable 220. In reverse, a vehicle 228 parked on the stationary platform 224 can be transferred to the rotatable platform 214. As the dolly 222 only travels in straight lines, it can be tethered to the center of the turntable 220 by an umbilical electric line.
Attention is now directed to
An electrically powered, motorized dolly 276 is stationed on each of the elevators that is adapted to accommodate and be loaded by a vehicle that is to be parked. The rotatable inner platform 254 is rotated so as to align a vacant parking space with the elevator 264. The dolly 276 is then powered to transport the vehicle from the elevator 264 to the vacant parking space on the rotatable platform 254 and to unload the vehicle in the vacant space. The unloaded dolly 276 then returns to its station in the elevator 264 so that it can subsequently retrieve the parked vehicle or receive another vehicle to be parked.
Vehicles can be transferred between the rotatable platform 254 and the stationary platform 256 by means of electrically-powered motorized dollies 258, stationed on a turntable 260, whose center is on the axis X of the installation 1. The rotatable platform 254 is rotated so that a vehicle in a parking space on the rotatable platform 254 is aligned with an available parking space 282 on the stationary parking platform 258. At the same time, the central turntable 260 rotates and aligns an electrically powered dolly 258 with the vehicle and the available parking space 282. One of two dollies 258 is then powered to run under the vehicle, load it, transfer it to the available parking space on stationary platform 256, unload it and return to turntable 260. As the dollies travel in straight lines they can be tethered to the center of the turntable 260 by an umbilical electric cord which winds around a spring-loaded reel so that, when the dolly 258 leaves the turntable 260 the cord unwinds and when the dolly returns to the turntable the cord then rewinds. The two dollies 258 are shown in
An important feature of this embodiment is that the center base lines of the three elevators 264 are 22.5° apart and the center base lines of the seven turntables 290 lie on radial lines 45° apart. The rotatable transfer platform 252 in the entry/exit level has 16 transfer spaces on radial lines 22.5° apart. The rotation of the rotatable transfer platform 252 is programmed to stop precisely with the center base line of a transfer space 291 aligned with the center base line of an elevator 264. Due to the 16-fold radial symmetry of parking level 2d, the remaining 2 elevators and the 7 turntables will also be aligned with other transfer spaces 291 so that a number of vehicle transfers can take place simultaneously to and from elevators 264a-264c and to and from turntables 290 while the rotatable transfer platform 252 is temporarily stationary.
An arriving vehicle rides onto a turntable 290 and is rotated thereby so that the center base line of the vehicle is radially aligned with a transit space 291 on the rotatable transit platform 252. An electrically powered mechanical dolly 270 on a central turntable 272 transfers the vehicle from the turntable 290 to a transient space 291 on the rotatable transfer platform 252. The alignment of an available parking space 291 on the rotatable transform platform 252 and a vehicle on a turntable 290 generates a command to the dolly 270 to cross the rotatable transfer platform 274, which is stationary during the transfer, and enter the security cell 292 through opening 298. It then loads the vehicle standing on the turntable 290, transfers it to a transfer space 291 on the rotating transfer platform 252, unloads it and returns to turntable 272. The reverse procedure is performed when a vehicle is to be moved from the rotatable transfer platform 252 to a turntable 290. The motorized dollies 270 may be powered through umbilical cords tethered to the turntable 272. The four motorized dollies on the center turntable 272 are shown at fixed right angles to each other, so that when the turntable 272 is aligned with a turntable 290, the other three dollies will be aligned with three other turntables 290. As described above, the four dollies can also be supported by swinging arms (not shown) that pivot around the central axis, much like the hands of a clock.
Vehicles are transferred from the rotatable transfer platform 252 to an elevator 264 by an electrically-powered, motorized tethered dolly 276 stationed in the elevator; which moves under the vehicle on the rotatable transfer platform; loads the vehicle and transfers it to the elevator which then rises or descends to a parking level. The reverse procedure occurs when a departing vehicle is to be moved an elevator 264 to the rotatable transfer platform 252, and in a further transfer, onto a turntable 290 during departure.
The elevator 120 includes an upper floor 125 supported by two or more vertically-extending columns 126 whose height is fixed to align the upper floor 125 and the lower floor 129 with the surfaces of two adjacent parking levels 2 and 2′ from which or to which the two vehicles are to be transferred. Floor 125 of the elevator has a dolly 127a therein for transferring the vehicle on that floor to the parking level 2, and lower floor 129 has a dolly 127b therein for transferring the vehicle on that floor to the adjacent parking level 2′.
Both floors 125 and 129 preferably include chocks 130 at both ends of the dollies 127 to prevent horizontal movement of the dollies and vehicle until the floors 125 and 129 are aligned with the parking levels 2 and 2′, respectively. The elevator may be provided with sensors and controls to assure that the chocks 130 can only be withdrawn into the elevator floor when the elevator floor is properly aligned with the a parking level 2 or an entry/exit level 3. No elevator doors are then required.
While in the specific embodiments described above the use of tethered and untethered motorized vehicles has been mentioned, it is clear that an AGV type device can be used throughout.
This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending parent application PCT/IL01/00658 in which the U.S. has been designated, filed 18 Jul. 2001, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, itself claiming priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 09/620,228, filed 20 Jul. 2000.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/IL01/00658 | Jul 2001 | US |
Child | 10347520 | Jan 2003 | US |
Parent | 09620228 | Jul 2000 | US |
Child | PCT/IL01/00658 | Jul 2001 | US |