Patent Application
20080145196
This invention relates to a space-saving garage, and more particularly, to a high-rise space-saving garage.
With the progress of society, vehicles have become a general form of transportation in the cities. Especially, with the rapid expansion of economy, the quantity of family vehicles is increasing largely. Taking into consideration the limited land area in the cities, the parking of vehicles occupies a lot of space. Many inventors have participated and are participating in research and development in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. For example, Chinese Pat. No. 02289343.1 issued on 29 Oct., 2003 discloses a multi-level garage, characterized in a main structure on which a gantry cart is installed and moves horizontally along the side travel path of a fixedly car; a movable car is installed inside of the gantry cart; a drive motor is installed inside of the movable car and serves to drive the gears fixedly installed at the two sides of the movable car and capable of gearing with the racks set at the inner side of the standing columns installed at the two sides of the gantry cart to realize the up-and-down movement of the movable car in the gantry cart. This multi-level garage solves the above problems to some extent; however, it still has the following drawbacks: 1) it occupies a certain amount of ground area; 2) the structure is unreasonable and the cost is high; and 3) it is inconvenient to park vehicles or to return vehicles from parking.
In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the present invention to provide a space-saving garage especially suitable for being installed near or in residential districts, hotels, shopping markets, meeting places, and so on.
In accordance with the objective of the present invention, there is provided a space-saving multi-level garage, comprising: a passage frame, which permits vehicles to pass normally; a garage group, which has a multi-storey structure, and each storey has at least two garage units to park vehicles, a vehicle bracket is fixedly set in each garage unit; a longitudinal lifter, which is located in the garage group and the passage frame; a transversely-movable stand, which can move horizontally between the lifter and the garage units; and a lifting frame disposed on the transversely-movable stand, which can put the vehicles into the garage units, or take the vehicles back from the garage units.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the lifting frame comprises a lifting plate, a lifting arm, and a drive device, wherein the lifting plate is installed on top of the lifting arm, the drive device can be in a motor driven up-down structure or a hydraulic up-down structure or a spiral up-down structure to control the ascending or descending of the lifting plate; a plurality of open slots is formed on the vehicle bracket fixedly installed inside of each garage unit; the lifting frame can move horizontally with the transversely-movable stand inside of the garage unit, and the lifting plate on the top of the lifting frame can pass the open slots of the vehicle bracket up and down.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle bracket can comprise a pair of bracket rods; the corresponding lifting plate is designed as a shaped structure, the two side portions are designed to a pair of supporting columns, and the middle portion acts as a connective section; the width of each supporting column is slightly less than the distance between the two adjacent bracket rods on the vehicle bracket; the width of the cross section of the connective section and the lifting arm is less than the distance between the two bracket rods, so that the lifting plate can pass the vehicle bracket up and down easily to fulfill the ascending or descending of vehicles.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the bracket rods of the vehicle bracket inside of the garage unit can be expansion rods.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, a first transverse travel path is disposed on the longitudinal lifter; a second transverse travel path that can be connected with the first transverse travel path is disposed inside of each garage unit, the position of the second transverse travel path is lower than that of the vehicle bracket; the transversely-movable stand can move backward and forward on both the first transverse travel path and the second transverse travel path.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the vehicle bracket and the second transverse travel path is greater than the distance between the first transverse travel path and the lifting frame when it is descended to its lowest position, and is less than the distance between the first transverse travel path and the lifting frame when it is ascended to its highest position.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the crane of the longitudinal lifter is a flat plate, the first transverse travel path is located on the flat plate; and a retractable oblique plate is set at the two sides of the cranes, respectively.
In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a space-saving multi-level garage, comprising: a passage frame, which permits vehicles to pass normally; a garage group, which has a multi-storey structure, and each storey has four garage units that are separated into two rows of garage unit groups relative to each other, a vehicle bracket is fixedly set in each garage unit; a longitudinal lifter, comprising: a motor, a reduction gear box and a chain wheel which are disposed at the middle line of the top of the garage group, the motor drives the chain wheel to rotate via the reduction gear box; a chain wrapped on the chain wheel, the chain wheel drives the chain to move; two cranes fixedly connected to the chain at the two sides of the chain wheel respectively, the length of the chain between the two cranes is slightly longer than the height of the whole multi-level garage, and the two cranes are located relatively between the two rows of garage unit group, so that the first transverse travel path on the cranes can be butt connected with the corresponding second transverse travel path on the garage unit; a transversely-movable stand, which can move horizontally between the lifter and the garage units; a lifting exchange device disposed on the transversely-movable stand, which can put the vehicles on the garage units, or take the vehicles back from the garage units; and a control mechanism, which serves to control the parking or leaving of the vehicles through the engagement of the longitudinal lifter, the transversely-movable stand, and the lifting exchange device.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, one set of longitudinal lifters drives the two cranes at the two sides of the chain wheel to ascend or descend.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of idler wheels is disposed at the fitting portion of the cranes; a plurality of groove-shaped tracks is formed at the fitting portion of the garage group; and the idler wheels are fit for the groove-shaped tracks.
As a result, the space-saving multi-level garage of the present invention provides the following advantages:
1) the passage frame with the garage group located thereon permits vehicles to pass normally, so that the ground area is saved, the existing roadway is not destroyed, and the normal passage of vehicles is not influenced;
2) the lifting exchange device can easily put the vehicles from the transversely-movable stand into the garage units, or take the vehicles back from the garage units to the transversely-movable stand; meanwhile, the contact part of the vehicles to the lifting exchange device is the tire, so that the vehicles can be protected from scratching;
3) the two cranes are fixedly connected to the chains at the two sides of the chain wheel respectively, the whole structure is stable, the power utilization is high; at the same time, one set of lifting power system to drive two cranes is realized, namely, one set of lifting device is used to fulfill the ascending or descending of two cranes, so that the equipment cost and thereby the power consumption is decreased, the economy is effective, the manufacturing cost is low, and the run cost is less expensive;
4) the longitudinal lifter is set inside of the garage group and the passage frame, so that the entire garage structure is stable, strong, and safe;
5) the vehicles are parked in high stories, and therefore can be protected from being stolen to ensure safety; the vehicles are parked inside of the garage units, and therefore can be protected from being exposed to the wind and rain, and are kept out of the sun;
6) the vehicles is parked via the steps of: a) driving the vehicle to the transversely-movable stand on the longitudinal lifter, the transversely-movable stand at this moment is slightly higher than the roadway; b) driving the longitudinal lifter via the motor to ascend to a height equaling to the height of a certain garage unit; c) driving the lifting frame of the lifting exchange device via the motor to ascend to lift the vehicle; d) moving the transversely-movable stand into the garage unit; e) driving the lifting exchange device via the motor to descend to put the vehicle on the vehicle bracket; f) driving the transversely-movable stand back to the longitudinal lifter; and g) driving the longitudinal lifter back to its original position;
7) the vehicle is brought back via the steps of: a) driving the longitudinal lifter via the motor to ascend to a height equaling to the height of a certain garage unit; b) moving the transversely-movable stand into the garage unit; c) driving the lifting frame of the lifting exchange device via the motor to ascend to position the vehicle onto the lifting frame; d) driving the transversely-movable stand back to the longitudinal lifter with the vehicle; e) driving the lifting frame to descend; f) driving the longitudinal lifter to descend to its original position; the transversely-movable stand is flush with the roadway at this moment; g) driving the vehicle away;
8) the chain drive mechanism provides high stability and low cost;
9) the idler wheels at the fitting portion are fit for the grooved shaped tracks so that the moving friction is small and the power utilization is high;
10) the external surface of the garage unit can serve as advertising board;
11) the crane is a flat plate, the existing roadway is not destroyed and the normal passage of vehicles is not influenced; the flat plate structure can decrease the manufacturing cost;
12) the capacity of the garage group is high. For example, if there are four garage units on each storey, four vehicles can be parked, that means the whole garage group can accommodate very many vehicles.
The space-saving multi-level garage of the present invention will hereinafter be described in accordance with the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The passage frame 1 permits vehicles to pass normally, the existing roadway is not destroyed, and the normal passage of vehicles is not influenced. Generally, the passage frame 1 comprises a plurality of standing columns and one or more ceiling plates fixedly supported by the standing columns. A plurality of groove shaped tracks is formed at the fitting portion on both the passage frame 1 and the lifter 3. Namely, the fitting portion between the passage frame 1 and the lifter 3 is the inner sides of the four standing columns.
The garage group 2 is fixedly located on the ceiling plates of the passage frame 1. The garage group 2 has a multi-storey structure, and generally comprises from 5 to 30 stories. Each storey comprises at least two garage units 21 serving to park the vehicles. In the present embodiment, each storey comprising four garage units is taken as an example. The size of each garage unit 21 is designed to fit for the size of a normal vehicle 6, e.g., a car.
Among the four garage units 21, the first garage unit 21 is laid side by side with the second garage unit 21′ to form a first garage unit group, the third garage unit 21″ is laid side by side with the fourth garage unit 21″′ to form a second garage unit group. The first garage unit group and the second garage unit group are located symmetrically back to back with respect to each other. Namely, the gate of the first garage unit 21 is opposite to that of the third garage unit 21′, the gate of the second garage unit 21′ is opposite to that of the fourth garage unit 21″′. An opening is formed between the first garage unit group and the second garage unit group and serves to accommodate the up-down movement of the lifter 3.
A second transverse travel path 22 is set in each garage unit 21. A vehicle bracket 23 to accommodate the vehicle is set inside of each garage unit 21. The position of the second transverse travel path 22 is lower than that of the vehicle bracket 23.
The vehicle bracket 23 has a L-shaped cross section, and is fixedly located symmetrically inside of the garage unit 21, the vertical plate of the bracket 23 is fixed, while the horizontal plate of the bracket 23 acts as the vehicle supporting plate; a plurality of open slots 231 is formed on the supporting plate to form two rows of vehicle bracket rods 232 (as shown in
A groove shaped track is formed on the opposite side edge lines of the four garage units 21 on each storey; the opposite side edge lines act as the fitting portion of the garage group 2.
As shown in
The motor 32, the reduction gear box 33, and the chain wheel 34 are disposed on top of the garage group 2. The chain wheel is disposed at the middle line of the top of the garage group 2. The middle line serves to connect transversely the first garage unit group and the second garage unit group. The motor drives the chain wheel to rotate via the reduction gear box. The chain wheel comprises four cross-distributed chain wheel assemblies.
The chain wheel drives the chain assembly wrapped on the chain wheel to move. The wrapping method of the chain assembly is shown in
The two cranes 31 are fixedly connected to the chains at the two sides of the chain wheel, respectively. The length of the chain between the two cranes is slightly greater than the height of the whole multi-level garage. The movement of the chain assembly drives the cranes 31 to move longitudinally. The chain assembly drives the left crane 31 to ascend, while the right crane 31 to descend; or alternatively, the chain assembly drives the right crane 31 to ascend, while the left crane 31 to descend.
The two cranes are located correspondingly between the first garage unit group and the second garage unit group. The first transverse travel path is set on each crane. The first transverse travel path located on the left crane can be butt connected with the second transverse travel path on the garage unit at the left side of the first garage unit group or the second garage unit group. The first transverse travel path located on the right crane can be butt connected with the second transverse travel path on the garage unit at the right side of the first garage unit group or the second garage unit group.
A plurality of idler wheels is disposed at the side edge line positions of the two cranes, and is fit for the groove shaped tracks. The side edge line position of the crane acts as the fitting portion of the crane.
The transversely-movable stand 4 can move between the lifter 3 and the garage unit 21. At least three motor-driven trolleys are set at the bottom of the transversely-movable stand 4. The transversely-movable stand 4 can move backwards and forwards on the first and second transverse travel paths. A notch is formed on the upper surface of the transversely-movable stand 4.
The lifting frame 5 comprises a lifting plate 51, a lifting arm 52, and a drive device (not shown in the figures), the lifting plate 51 is installed on top of the lifting arm 52. The drive device could be in a motor-driven up-down structure. The lifting plate 51 is designed to be a shaped structure (as shown in
The lifting frame 5 and the vehicle bracket 23 are combined to form the lifting exchange device serving to put the vehicle onto the garage unit 21 or to bring the vehicle back from the garage unit 21.
The distance between the vehicle bracket and the second transverse travel path is greater than the distance between the first transverse travel path and the lifting frame when it descends to the lowest position, and is less than the distance between the first transverse travel path and the lifting frame when it ascends to the highest position.
The control mechanism serves to park or bring the vehicle back through the engagement of the longitudinal lifter 3, the transversely-movable stand 4, and the lifting exchange device.
Since the transversely-movable stand 4 and the lifting frame 5 installed on the transversely-movable stand 4 has a certain height, in order to drive the vehicle onto the lifting frame 5 easily, the following methods can be applied:
1) a pair of potholes to accommodate the longitudinal lifter 3 is formed on the ground, and the depth of the pothole is equal to the height of the transversely-movable stand 4 and the lifting frame 5 installed on the transversely-movable stand 4; a retractable plate is disposed on top of the potholes. When a vehicle travels normally, the plate is opened so that the vehicle can pass the plate normally; when a vehicle needs to be parked, the plate is closed.
2) alternatively, a retractable oblique plate 7 is set at the two sides of the cranes 31 of the longitudinal lifter 3 respectively. A slide slot 311 is formed at the two sides of the cranes 31, respectively. The upper end of the oblique plate 7 is fixedly on the crane 31 via a slide block 72. A supporting plate 71 is further bunched at the middle portion of the oblique plate 7. The other end of the supporting plate 71 is bunched on the crane 31. An idler wheel 72 is installed at the lower end of the oblique plate 7. As shown in
In accordance with the multi-level garage of the present invention, the vehicle is parked via the steps of:
a) descending the longitudinal lifter 3 to the ground, setting the oblique plate 7 down (as shown in
b) driving the longitudinal lifter 3 to ascend via the motor, closing the oblique plate 7 (as shown in
c) controlling the drive device of the lifting frame 5 to ascend the lifting plate 51 and the lifting arm 52 to lift the vehicle;
d) moving the transversely-movable stand 4 into the garage unit 21. At this moment, the lifting plate 51 moves with the transversely-movable stand 4 above the vehicle bracket 23 inside of the garage unit 21 to the desired location;
e) stopping the movement of the transversely-movable stand 4, and controlling the drive device of the lifting frame 5 to descend the lifting plate 51 to a position below the vehicle bracket 23 so as to put the vehicle onto the vehicle bracket 23 to complete the exchange process;
f) moving the transversely-movable stand 4 and the lifting frame 5 back to the longitudinal lifter 3; and
g) returning the longitudinal lifter 3 to its original position.
In accordance with the multi-level garage of the present invention, the vehicle is brought back from a garage unit via the steps of:
a) driving the longitudinal lifter 3 via the motor to ascend to a height equaling to the height of a certain garage unit 21 parked with a vehicle;
b) moving the transversely-movable stand 4 and the lifting bracket 5 into the garage unit 21. At this moment, the lifting plate 5 is located below the vehicle bracket 23;
c) controlling the drive device of the lifting frame 5 to drive the lifting plate 51 ascending to pass through the vehicle bracket 23 to lift the vehicle so as to fulfill the vehicle exchange process;
d) moving the transversely-movable stand 4 back to the longitudinal lifter 3, the lifting plate 51 moves with the transversely-movable stand 4 above the vehicle bracket 23 inside of the garage unit 21;
e) descending the lifting frame 5;
f) descending the longitudinal lifter 3 to its original position, and opening the oblique plate 7; and
g) driving the vehicle away.
A sensor can also be included in the present invention according to demand. Through the engagement of the control mechanism with the sensor, the lifter 3, the movable stand 4 and the lifting frame 5 can be controlled to park vehicle or to retrieve a vehicle back from parking. Namely, by controlling the above multi-level garage, the vehicle can be parked or retrieved according to demand.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
The present invention discloses a space-saving multi-level garage, comprising a passage frame, a garage group fixedly located above the passage frame, a longitudinal lifter, a transversely-movable stand, a lifting frame, and a control mechanism. The multi-level garage of the present invention has a reasonable structure, is convenient to install and use, can be mass produced and industrialized, and provides good industrial usability.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200410010524.5 | Dec 2004 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN05/01058 | 7/18/2005 | WO | 00 | 6/25/2007 |
