Two-wheel parking system

Abstract

Two-wheeled vehicle parking system (10) with a system base (12) for setting up on a floor (17) and with at least one lifting device (22) arranged on the system base (12), by means of which a two-wheeled vehicle (40) can be displaced substantially vertically from a floor position (B) into a parking position (P), characterized in that the lifting device (22) is designed such that a lower end of the two-wheeled vehicle (40) in the parking position (P) is arranged at least 1.5 m higher than the floor (17).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a two-wheeler parking system by means of which a two-wheeler, preferably a plurality of two-wheelers, can be moved into a respective parking position.

[0002] For the purposes of this document, a two-wheeler is any type of vehicle with two wheels running one behind the other in a single lane, in particular bicycles, scooters, mopeds, motor scooters, and motorcycles. A two-wheeler is preferably a means of transporting one or more people.

[0003] In recent years, so-called electric scooters, also known as electric kick scooters or e-scooters, have become established in urban traffic. These are small, single-track two-wheelers similar to kick scooters. However, the electric scooter has an electric motor and an electrical energy storage unit (battery), allowing it to be powered solely by the electric motor. In many cases, pedaling is an alternative option.

[0004] Such electric scooters are designed for use over short distances, particularly within cities. For this purpose, a number of rental companies have been established that rent such electric scooters for individual rides for a fee. A selected electric scooter is usually paid for and rented, specifically unlocked, via a mobile phone app. After a ride, the electric scooters can be parked almost anywhere.

[0005] The battery is often charged by mobile charging vehicles (small vans) that collect the electric scooters at night, charge them and then place them in an orderly manner in specific locations for the next rental.

[0006] Since there is generally no obligation to park an electric scooter in a specific location after a trip, it happens that such electric scooters are parked or even left in an untidy manner in inner-city areas, causing a nuisance to others. Consequently, some cities have restricted the use of such electric scooters.

[0007] In the field of electric scooters, it is known (DE 20 2019 003 436 U1) to arrange a device for parking electric scooters in a single row, in a double row or in a ring at a central location as a mobile or immobile frame.

[0008] From the document DE 20 2019 004 032 U1 a charging station for electric scooters is known, whereby the charging station has boxes equipped with solar cells and batteries in which electric scooters can be housed and charged.

[0009] From the document EP 3 831 643 B1 a charging station for scooters is known in which a large number of scooters are placed next to each other on the ground and are held and, if necessary, charged by means of lateral holders.

[0010] From the document US 2021 / 0206279 A1, a docking station for electric scooters is known, where several electric scooters can be parked and charged directly one after the other.

[0011] Against this background, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved two-wheel parking system that enables less disruption in the public area.

[0012] The above object is achieved according to one aspect of the present disclosure by a two-wheeler parking system having a system base for setting up on a floor and having at least one lifting device arranged on the system base, by means of which a two-wheeler can be displaced substantially vertically from a floor position into a parking position, wherein the lifting device is designed such that a lower end of the two-wheeler is arranged at least 1.5 m higher than the floor in the parking position.

[0013] This measure can minimize the amount of space required for parking two-wheelers in public spaces, i.e. squares and pedestrian areas, since the space beneath a parked two-wheeler is not permanently occupied.

[0014] The height of the lower end of the bicycle in the parked position is preferably at least 2.0 m higher than the ground, in particular 2.5 m higher than the ground. In these cases, it is also possible for people to walk underneath a bicycle parked in this way.

[0015] The lifting device can be a mechanical lifting device or a motor-driven, particularly electric, lifting device. In one embodiment, the lifting device can be driven by muscle power, for example, via a chain and pulley or the like. Preferably, however, the lifting device is driven by a lift drive, which can in particular comprise an electric motor, by means of which, for example, a toothed belt or a chain is driven to move a bicycle from the ground position to a parking position.

[0016] Two-wheelers are usually single-track vehicles, but in the broadest sense they can also be three-wheelers, but in any case they are not four-wheeled vehicles like cars.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the lifting device is configured such that a steering column of the two-wheeler is arranged at least 2 m higher than the ground in the parking position. Preferably, the steering column of the two-wheeler is located at least 2.5 m, in particular 3.0 m or even 3.5 m above the ground in the parking position.

[0018] This can also save space in public areas, especially if the two-wheeler is an electric scooter that is essentially vertically aligned when parked.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the system base comprises a vertically aligned base column on which the lifting device is arranged.

[0020] The column may, for example, have a diameter in a range of 40 cm to 100 cm, preferably in a range of 40 cm to 60 cm.

[0021] In this embodiment, the two-wheelers are preferably individually moved from a ground position to a parking position in a star-shaped arrangement on the system base by means of respective lifting devices. In other words, a plurality of lifting devices can be arranged on the system base in the form of a vertically aligned column, distributed around the circumference of the column, which lifting devices can preferably be operated independently of one another. The number of two-wheelers that can be parked on such a base column is between 3 and 25, preferably between 6 and 10, and in particular is 8.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the system base may, for example, comprise a vertical wall on which a plurality of lifting devices are arranged parallel to one another.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the system base comprises a roof configured to cover at least a portion of a two-wheeler in the parked position from above.

[0024] This makes it possible to protect the bicycles from the environment, especially rain and similar elements, when parked. It also makes it possible to protect the lift device located on the system base from environmental influences.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the roof has an attic or roof chamber within which at least one mobile radio antenna is arranged for establishing a mobile radio connection.

[0026] The mobile radio antenna is, in particular, a mobile radio antenna for the decentralized construction of a mobile network (such as a 5G network or a network based on future mobile radio technologies). If a mobile radio antenna is located in the attic, a mobile radio relay station is preferably located inside the system base.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous if the roof and / or the attic are made of a material that is essentially transparent to mobile radio waves, e.g. a plastic material.

[0028] The above-mentioned base column, on the other hand, is preferably made of a metal, in particular steel and / or aluminum.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the two-wheeler is an electric two-wheeler that can be driven using a battery, wherein a charging arrangement is fixed to the system base, which is designed to charge the battery of an electric two-wheeler in the parking position.

[0030] The electric two-wheeler is preferably an electric scooter or e-scooter, as described at the beginning and as is often offered for rental for individual trips by rental companies.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the charging arrangement is designed to charge the battery inductively.

[0032] In this case, it is preferred if an induction coil arrangement is fixed to the electric two-wheeler and if a charging coil arrangement for inductive charging by means of the charging arrangement is fixed to the system base. These coil arrangements are preferably located opposite one another in the parked position at a relatively small distance, so that inductive charging is possible via the air gap thus formed. This allows the charging process to be largely automated.

[0033] In general, the battery of an electric two-wheeler can be designed to be removable. However, it is always preferable for the battery to be charged in the parked position while remaining attached to a frame or rack of the electric two-wheeler.

[0034] According to an alternative embodiment, which can also be implemented in addition to inductive charging, the charging arrangement is designed to charge the battery via a charging cable.

[0035] The charging cable can be manually connected to a corresponding charging port (e.g., charging socket) on the electric two-wheeler while it is in the ground position. This electrical connection then remains while the electric two-wheeler is raised from the ground position to the parking position.

[0036] It is particularly preferred if the charging arrangement has a charging socket or a charging plug which is designed to establish an electrical connection with a complementary charging plug or a complementary charging socket, in particular when the electric two-wheeler is in the parking position.

[0037] As mentioned above, it is generally conceivable that the electrical connection between the electric two-wheeler and the system base is made when the electric two-wheeler is in the ground position, namely by manual plugging.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the charging arrangement is designed such that the electrical connection is established due to the movement of the electric two-wheeler into the parking position.

[0039] The charging socket and charging plug of the system base or electric two-wheeler are preferably arranged relative to each other in such a way that the electrical connection is established when the vehicle is moved into the parking position. This allows the charging process to be largely automated.

[0040] According to a further preferred aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the system base has a cavity within which at least part of an electrical energy distributor (e.g. in the form of a mains connection), and / or at least part of a charging arrangement and / or at least part of a mobile radio relay station is / are arranged.

[0041] As a result, the interior of the system base, in particular a cylindrical cavity of a base column, can be used to accommodate such devices.

[0042] According to a further preferred aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the lifting device comprises a holding device for holding a portion of the two-wheeler, wherein the holding device is vertically movable by means of the lifting device in order to move a two-wheeler substantially vertically from the ground position into the parking position.

[0043] The holding device can be designed as a mechanical holding device into which a part of the two-wheeler is inserted in order to move it safely from the ground position into the parking position and to hold it safely in the parking position so that falling of the two-wheeler is impossible.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the holding device is designed to hold the bicycle in the area of ​​one of the wheels of the bicycle, in particular in the area of ​​the front wheel. The holding device is preferably coupled to a lift drive, in particular a traction mechanism thereof.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferred if the holding device is designed to hold the two-wheeler in the region of a hub or axle of one of the wheels.

[0046] This makes it possible for the two-wheeler to pivot freely from a substantially horizontal alignment of the wheels to a substantially vertical alignment of the wheels when moving from the ground position to the parking position.

[0047] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the holding device has a holder which includes a receiving groove for receiving the hub or axle, wherein the receiving groove is aligned substantially horizontally when the lifting device is in the ground position.

[0048] This makes it possible to move the electric two-wheeler with the front wheel horizontally into the holding device so that the hub or axle of the front wheel enters the receiving groove.

[0049] The holding device can be designed to lock the hub or axle of the bicycle in the receiving groove, particularly to secure the bicycle in the parking position. However, the holder with the receiving groove can also rotate by, for example, 90° during the upward movement, so that the receiving groove points upward and the bicycle is securely held in the parking position.

[0050] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1 constitutes a separate invention, the two-wheeler is held in the parked position such that a connecting line of the wheels is aligned substantially vertically. In the present context, "substantially vertically aligned" means that the wheels are aligned at an angle of ± 20° with respect to the vertical (i.e., for example, inclined by 70° to the vertical).

[0051] It is particularly advantageous if the two-wheeler is held in the parking position so that one front wheel is positioned above the rear wheel.

[0052] The diameter of a base column can, as mentioned, be in the range of 40 cm to 60 cm.

[0053] The height of the base column up to the section where a front wheel of the two-wheeler is held can, for example, be in a range of 3.5 m to 4.5 m. This ensures that at least a free space of 2.0 m or more is created below the two-wheeler in the parked position. The space required for parking a large number of two-wheelers in public spaces can thus be essentially reduced to the footprint of the base column. The space surrounding the base column can, if necessary, only be occupied during a parking maneuver or a parking maneuver.

[0054] If the system base includes the base column, the roof is preferably a rotationally symmetrical roof, e.g. a mushroom-shaped roof, which offers little wind resistance and at the same time provides good protection underneath such an umbrella.

[0055] The diameter of the roof can, for example, be in a range of 1.5 to 3.0 m, preferably in a range of 2.0 to 3.0 m.

[0056] The total height of the two-wheel parking system can, for example, range from 4.5 m to 6.5 m.

[0057] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a two-wheel parking system; Fig. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of a two-wheel parking system; Fig. 3 a sectional view along a line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a sectional view along a line IV-IV of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 a perspective view of the two-wheel parking system of the Fig. 2 to 4.

[0059] In Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a two-wheel parking system and is generally designated 10.

[0060] The two-wheel parking system 10 has a system base 12, which can be column-like or wall-like. In the present case, the system base 12 has a base column 14, which can be round or oval in plan view, but can also be polygonal if necessary.

[0061] The base column 14 is erected on a ground 17 by means of a base 16, which is anchored, for example, in the ground, so that it stands vertically. The ground 17 is, for example, a public area in an inner-city area.

[0062] The base column 14 is designed as a hollow column and defines a cavity 18. A power distributor 20 is arranged in the cavity 18. The power distributor 20 is connected in particular to a public electrical grid and thus provides a mains voltage and / or a high-voltage connection.

[0063] On the outside of the base column 14 there is at least one lifting device 22 (preferably a plurality of lifting devices 22, of which Fig. 1, however, only one is shown) which are designed to move a two-wheeler 40 substantially vertically from a ground position B into a parking position P.

[0064] The lifting device 22 is preferably motor-driven, namely by means of a Fig. 1 schematically indicated lift drive 24, which may include an electric motor and a traction mechanism. The lift drive 24 is arranged in the cavity 18 and is supplied with electrical energy by means of the energy distributor 20.

[0065] Furthermore, a charging assembly 26, which is designed to charge a battery of an electric two-wheeler, is arranged in the cavity 18. The charging assembly 26 can include a charging coil assembly 28 for inductive charging, which is optionally arranged in an area on the outside of the base column 14.

[0066] The charging arrangement 26 is also connected to the energy distributor 20 and is supplied with electrical energy via the latter.

[0067] Furthermore, a mobile radio relay station 30 can be arranged in the cavity 18, which is also supplied with electrical energy via the power distributor 20. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile radio relay station 30 can be connected to a mobile radio antenna 32, which is accommodated in an attic 34 of a roof 36 of the system base 12.

[0068] The roof 36 covers the base column 14 from above and defines an overhang by means of which two-wheelers located in the parking position P and / or the lifting device 22 are protected from the environment from above, in particular from rain.

[0069] The shape of the roof 36 is arbitrary. The material of the roof 36 is preferably transparent to mobile radio waves 38, via which a mobile radio connection can be established between a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) and the mobile radio antenna 32.

[0070] In Fig. 1 also schematically depicts a two-wheeler 40, which in this case is designed as an electric two-wheeler in the form of an electric scooter (e-scooter). The electric scooter 40 includes a front wheel 42 and a rear wheel 44, which are mounted in the usual manner on a scooter frame 46. The rear wheel 44 is generally not steerable. The front wheel 42 is steerable in a conventional manner by means of a handlebar 48 and a steering column 50.

[0071] The electric scooter 40 can be a rentable electric scooter that has a mobile phone connection and can be rented by people for short trips, for example.

[0072] The concept implemented here can be such that, to rent an electric scooter 40, the scooter is requested from the parking position P via a mobile phone app, then lowered by the lifting device 22 into the ground position B, where the electric scooter can then be picked up for the planned trip. Furthermore, the rental concept can include the requirement to subsequently return the rented electric scooter to any system base 12, i.e., to transfer it from the ground position B to a parking position P at the base column 14.

[0073] An energy storage device 52 in the form of a battery can be attached to the scooter frame 46.

[0074] The lifting device 22 has a holding device 60 by means of which an electric scooter 40 can be held in the area of ​​its front wheel 42, as shown in Fig. 1 is schematically indicated by a hook-like holding device 60. The holding device 60 can be moved vertically on the system base 12 by means of the lifting device 22, namely from the Fig. 1 into a parking position P, which is arranged in such a way that the electric scooter in the parking position P does not disturb people walking underneath.

[0075] In particular, the electric scooter 40 is transferred from the ground position B, in which the front wheel 42 and the rear wheel 44 are aligned substantially horizontally, to the parking position P. There, it is pivoted about its front axle such that the front wheel 42 and the rear wheel 44 are aligned substantially vertically in the parking position P, as shown in Fig. 1. The parking position P is arranged at a height such that a lower end of the bicycle is at a height H1 above the ground. H1 is preferably greater than 1.5 m, preferably greater than 2 m, and in particular greater than 2.5 m.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred if the steering column 50 of the electric scooter 40 in the parking position P is located at a height H2 above the ground 17, wherein H2 is preferably greater than 2 m, in particular greater than 2.5 m and preferably greater than 3 m.

[0077] The battery 52 is connected to the electric scooter 40 with an unspecified induction coil arrangement (directly or indirectly via a control device), which in the parking position P is opposite the charging coil arrangement 28 of the charging arrangement 26 via a small air gap in order to enable inductive charging of the battery 52.

[0078] Alternatively or additionally, a charging cable 62 having a charging plug 63 (or a charging socket) can be arranged on the holding device 60. Similarly, a charging socket 64 (or a charging plug) can be arranged on the scooter frame 46, making it possible to electrically connect the charging cable 62 to the electric scooter 40 in the ground position B.

[0079] When the holding device 60 is transferred from the ground position (60B) to the parking position (60P), the electrical connection 63 / 64 thus established is maintained. The charging cable 62 is therefore preferably connected to the charging arrangement 26 via a trailing cable or a sliding contact or the like.

[0080] In Fig. 1 further indicates that the electric scooter 40 has an electric motor 66 in the area of ​​its rear wheel 44, via which the electric scooter 40 can be driven and which is supplied with energy from the battery 52.

[0081] In the Fig. 2 to 5, a further embodiment of a two-wheel parking system 10A is shown, which in terms of structure and operation generally corresponds to the two-wheel parking system of Fig. 1. Identical elements are therefore identified by the same reference numerals. The differences are essentially explained below.

[0082] In the two-wheel parking system 10A, exactly eight lifting devices 22 are arranged on the base column 14, which are evenly distributed over the circumference of the base column 14 and each, as shown in Fig. 5, have a vertically aligned and cross-sectionally U-shaped guide rail for the wheels of an electric scooter 40.

[0083] If there is a scooter in each parking position P, the ends of the handlebars are spaced less than 50 cm apart. This results in a compact arrangement.

[0084] It can also be seen that the space on the ground 17 around the base column 14 is generally free, thus minimizing the space required for parking eight electric scooters. In other words, the "parking" or "storage" of the electric scooters is shifted from the public area to the upper level, thus minimizing the space required for this.

[0085] The roof 36 is essentially mushroom-shaped and is made of a plastic material, for example a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

[0086] The holding device 60 has a holder 61 with a receiving groove that is essentially horizontal in the ground position B and into which a hub or axle of the front wheel 42 can be inserted. After insertion, the holding device 60 can then be moved vertically by means of the lifting device. In this case, it is conceivable to design the holder 61 such that the hub or axle of the front wheel of the electric scooter 40 is locked before lifting in order to prevent it from falling out of the holding device 60. Alternatively, it is also possible to design the holding device 60 such that the holder 61 rotates by 90° when transferred from the ground position B to the parking position P, so that the receiving groove that is horizontal in the ground position B is vertically oriented, so that an electric scooter can be held captively in the parking position P.

[0087] The holding device 60 is designed in particular such that the rest of the electric scooter 40 can pivot about the axis of the front wheel when the front wheel 42 is lifted from the ground position B into the parking position P, so that it assumes a substantially vertical position in the parking position. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2019 003 436 U1

[0007] DE 20 2019 004 032 U1

[0008] EP 3 831 643 B1

[0009] US 2021 / 0206279 A1

[0010]

Claims

[1] Two-wheel parking system (10) with a system base (12) for setting up on a floor (17) and with at least one lifting device (22) arranged on the system base (12), by means of which a two-wheeler (40) can be moved substantially vertically from a floor position (B) into a parking position (P), characterized by that the lifting device (22) is designed such that a lower end of the two-wheeler (40) in the parking position (P) is arranged at least 1.5 m higher than the ground (17). [2] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized by that the lifting device (22) is designed such that a steering column (50) of the two-wheeler (40) is arranged at least 2 m higher than the ground (17) in the parking position (P). [3] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 1 or 2 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized bythat the system base (12) has a vertically aligned base column (14) on which the lifting device (22) is arranged. [4] Two-wheel parking system according to one of claims 1-3 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized by that the system base (12) has a roof (36) which is designed to cover at least part of a two-wheeler (40) in the parking position (P) from above. [5] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 4, characterized by that the roof (36) has an attic within which at least one mobile radio antenna (32) is arranged for setting up a mobile radio connection. [6] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 5, characterized by that the roof (36) and / or the attic (34) is formed from a material that is substantially transparent to mobile radio waves (38). [7] Two-wheel parking system according to one of claims 1-6 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized bythat the two-wheeler (40) is an electric two-wheeler (40) that can be driven using a battery (52), wherein a charging arrangement (26) is fixed to the system base (12), which is designed to charge the battery (52) of an electric two-wheeler (40) in the parking position (P). [8] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 7, characterized by that the charging arrangement (26) is designed to charge the battery (52) inductively. [9] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the charging arrangement (26) is designed to charge the battery (52) via a charging cable (62). [10] Two-wheel parking system according to one of claims 7-9, characterized byin that the charging arrangement (26) has a charging socket or a charging plug (63) which is designed to establish an electrical connection between the charging arrangement (26) and the battery (52) with a complementary charging plug or a complementary charging socket (64), in particular when the electric two-wheeler (40) is in the parking position (P). [11] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 10, characterized by that the charging arrangement (26) is designed such that the electrical connection is established due to the movement of the electric two-wheeler (40) into the parking position (P). [12] Two-wheel parking system according to one of claims 1-11 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized bythat the system base (12) has a cavity (18) within which at least part of an electrical energy distributor (20), at least part of a charging arrangement (26) and / or at least part of a mobile radio relay station (30) is / are arranged. [13] Two-wheel parking system according to one of claims 1-12 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized by in that the lifting device (22) has a holding device (60) for holding a portion of the two-wheeler (40), wherein the holding device (60) is vertically movable by means of the lifting device (22) in order to move a two-wheeler (40) substantially vertically from the ground position (B) into the parking position (P). [14] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 13, characterized by that the holding device (60) is designed to hold the two-wheeler (40) in the region of one of the wheels (42, 44) of the two-wheeler (40). [15] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 14, characterized bythat the holding device (60) is designed to hold the two-wheeler (40) in the region of a hub of one (42) of the wheels (42, 44). [16] Two-wheel parking system according to claim 15, wherein the holding device (60) comprises a holder (61) which includes a receiving groove for receiving the hub, the receiving groove being oriented substantially horizontally when the lifting device (22) is in the ground position (B). [17] Two-wheel parking system according to one of claims 1-16 or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized by that the two-wheeler (40) is held in the parking position (P) such that a connecting line of the wheels (42, 44) is aligned substantially vertically. [18] Two-wheeled vehicle parking system according to claim 17, wherein the two-wheeled vehicle (40) is held in the parking position (P) such that a front wheel (42) is arranged above the rear wheel (44). [19] Two-wheeled vehicle parking system according to one of claims 1-18, wherein the system base (12) comprises a plurality of lifting devices (22) for establishing a plurality of parking positions (P) for a corresponding plurality of two-wheeled vehicles (40).

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