Parking bay and parking system with sloped floor and parking device

Abstract

The parking bay comprises a front wall having a forward opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; a rear wall opposite the front wall having a rear opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; side walls extending between the front and rear walls; and a sloped floor disposed between the front and rear walls and defining a tray receiving opening sized to accommodate a tray, the sloped floor having an upper surface that defines a slope between the front and rear walls.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 479,494, filed October 2, 2023, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 413,073, filed October 4, 2022, which applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including any figures.

[0002] The present specification relates generally to automated parking systems, and more particularly to automated parking systems that handle vehicles that are not located in a fixed position, such as parking gear. [Background technology]

[0003] Unsecured vehicles moving forward or backward while being transported within an automated parking system are a recurring problem within the industry. As the vehicle moves backward or forward during a transition, it may collide with other vehicles stored in the system, the structure supporting the system, the system equipment itself, or even be damaged while being moved within or between floors. In addition to the potential for damage to the vehicle itself, the vehicle's unintended movement may damage system equipment or building elements. Such incidents occur with some regularity and require significant direct human intervention to mitigate and the implementation of any required corrections, which suspends system operation until the resulting condition within the system is corrected.

[0004] Automated parking system manufacturers have deployed a number of approaches to attempt to limit the frequency of these types of incidents caused by unsecured vehicles entering the parking system. However, previous methods used have practical limitations, such as the potential cost of implementing the systems, conditions that limit their effectiveness, and difficulties in meeting U.S. safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an improved parking bay that notifies or warns the vehicle operator that the vehicle is not positioned in a fixed location, such as a parking gear. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In certain embodiments, a parking apparatus, a parking system, and a method for parking a vehicle using the parking apparatus and the parking system include a parking bay including a sloped floor defining a tray receiving opening and a tray positionable within the tray receiving opening, the tray including an upper surface configured to have a slope that matches the slope of the sloped floor when positioned within the tray receiving opening.

[0007] In some embodiments, the parking bay may include a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and a pair of side walls. In some embodiments, the front wall may include a forward opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the rear wall may include a rear opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the pair of side walls may extend between the front and rear walls. In some embodiments, the parking bay may further include a sloped floor disposed between the front and rear walls. In some embodiments, the sloped floor may define a tray-receiving opening sized to accommodate a tray. In some embodiments, the sloped floor may include an upper surface defining a slope between the front and rear walls.

[0008] In some embodiments, the parking system may include a tray having a first upper surface sized to accommodate a vehicle, and a transport mechanism including a lifting mechanism operable between a lowered position and a raised position. In some embodiments, in the lowered position, the lifting mechanism may not engage the tray, and in some embodiments, in the raised position, the lifting mechanism extends to lift the tray. In some embodiments, the parking system includes a parking bay. In some embodiments, the parking bay may include a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and a pair of side walls. In some embodiments, the front wall may include a forward opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the rear wall may include a rear opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the pair of side walls may extend between the front and rear walls. In some embodiments, the parking bay may further include a sloped floor disposed between the front and rear walls. In some embodiments, the sloped floor may define a tray-receiving opening sized to accommodate the tray. In some embodiments, the sloped floor may include an upper surface that defines a slope between the front and rear walls.

[0009] In some embodiments, a method of orienting a tray at a slope within a parking bay may include positioning the tray with a tray transport mechanism within a tray receiving opening defined by a sloped floor within the parking bay and sized to accommodate the tray, the sloped floor being disposed between a front wall and a rear wall of the parking bay, and the tray entering the tray receiving opening through a rear opening formed from the rear wall of the parking bay and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the method may further include positioning a vehicle on an upper surface of the tray, the vehicle entering the parking bay through a front opening formed from the front wall of the parking bay and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the method may further include transporting the tray from the tray receiving opening through the rear opening of the parking bay with the tray transport mechanism.

[0010] These and additional features provided by the embodiments illustrated herein will be more fully understood upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structure is designated with like reference numerals and in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a parking bay according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the parking bay of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A schematically depicts a side view of a tray including a pair of front legs that are longer than the pair of rear legs of the tray, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B schematically depicts a side view of a tray including a drive mechanism according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a parking bay including a drive mechanism and a telescoping portion extending from ground level, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a parking bay having a drive mechanism and a telescoping portion extending from an overdrive platform according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 schematically depicts a perspective view of an automated guided vehicle carrying cars on a tray according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for orienting a tray on a gradient in a parking bay according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The embodiments described herein relate to parking devices, parking systems, and methods for parking vehicles using the parking devices and parking methods described herein. The embodiments of the parking devices and parking systems described herein generally include a parking bay including a sloped floor defining a tray-receiving opening and a tray that can be positioned within the tray-receiving opening. In some embodiments, the tray includes an upper surface designed to have a slope that matches the slope of the sloped floor when positioned within the tray-receiving opening. In some embodiments, an automated guided vehicle ("AGV") may be configured to position or remove a tray within the tray-receiving opening, for example, when a vehicle is parked on the tray. In some embodiments, the AGV may include a lifting mechanism operable between a lowered position (e.g., in which the lifting mechanism does not engage the tray), an intermediate position (e.g., in which the lifting mechanism engages or mates with the tray), and an elevated position (e.g., in which the lifting mechanism extends to lift the tray above a floor surface on which the AGV travels). In one embodiment, an AGV carrying a tray with a vehicle parked thereon may transport the vehicle between the tray and the parking space or parking bay. Various embodiments of the apparatus and system, and the operation of the apparatus and system, are described in more detail herein. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0013] 1 and 2 , a parking bay 100 is shown according to one or more embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, the parking bay 100 includes a plurality of walls defining an enclosure 102. Specifically, the parking bay 100 includes a pair of side walls 104, a top wall 106 extending between the side walls 104, and a sloped floor 108 extending between the side walls 104 opposite the top wall. In one embodiment, the parking bay 100 further includes a front wall 110 and a rear wall 112 opposite the front wall 110. Each of the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 extends between the side walls 104 and the top wall 106, such that in some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 is provided between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may extend entirely between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may extend from only one of the front wall 110 or the rear wall 112 (and, in certain embodiments, toward the rear wall 112 or toward the front wall 110, respectively). In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may not extend from either the front wall 110 or the rear wall 112, and instead may be provided simply between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112. In some embodiments, the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 may define a customer entrance 114 (e.g., an opening at the front of the parking bay 100) and an AGV entrance 116 (e.g., an opening at the rear of the parking bay 100) formed therein, respectively. The parking bay 100 has a parking bay width B defined by the width of the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 (e.g., the distance between the side walls 104). w Additionally, the parking bay 100 has a length B defined by the distance between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 (e.g., the length of the side wall 104). L In other embodiments, customer entrance 114 and AGV entrance 116 may be defined by side wall 104, top wall 106, and sloped floor 108 themselves, such that front wall 110 and rear wall 112 are not present. Thus, in an embodiment, customer entrance 114 may be defined by rear wall 112, side wall 104, sloped floor 108, or a combination thereof, and AGV entrance 116 may be defined by front wall 110, side wall 104, sloped floor 108, or a combination thereof.

[0014] Although not shown, in some embodiments, the parking bay 100 may include a front-facing door provided at the customer entrance 114 of the parking bay 100 and a rear-facing door provided at the AGV entrance 116 of the parking bay 100. In some embodiments, the front and rear doors are pivotally or slidably mounted to the front wall 110 and rear wall 112, respectively, to allow opening and closing relative to the customer entrance 114 and the AGV entrance 116. In other embodiments, the front and rear doors are retractable doors that extend to the front wall 110 and rear wall 112, respectively, and / or to the side wall 104 in embodiments where the front and rear walls 110 and 112 may not be provided. In other embodiments, the front and rear doors may be formed in adjacent walls of the parking bay 100 rather than in opposing walls.

[0015] As described in detail herein, it will be appreciated that a vehicle to be parked within parking garage 118 may enter parking bay 100 through customer entrance 114 formed in front wall 110 and may be moved to a target parking space within parking garage 118 by, for example, being transported by an AGV out of parking bay 100 through AGV entrance 116 formed in rear wall 112. Accordingly, in some embodiments, customer entrance 114 may be sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle, and further, in some embodiments, AGV entrance 116 may be sized to accommodate the width of the AGV or other suitable tray transport mechanism. In other embodiments, a vehicle to be parked within parking garage 118 may enter parking bay 100 through customer entrance 114 formed in front wall 110 and may be transported to a target parking space within parking garage 118 by being transported through AGV entrance 116, which may be formed in one of the side walls 104 rather than the rear wall 112. In other embodiments, a vehicle to be parked may be moved to a target parking space by being lowered through the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100. This embodiment is representative of an elevator configuration that moves a vehicle to a parking space located on a floor of the parking garage 118 other than the floor on which the parking bay 100 itself is located.

[0016] As described in detail herein, in some embodiments, a tray receiving opening 120 is formed in the sloped floor 108 through which a tray is received. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the tray receiving opening 120 may be sized to contain a tray (e.g., tray 128 depicted in FIG. 2 and described below). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may include multiple floor segments that cooperate to define the tray receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 includes an entrance platform 122 provided between the tray receiving opening 120 and the front wall 110 of the parking bay 100, an overdrive platform 124 provided between the tray receiving opening 120 and the rear wall 112 of the parking bay 100, and a pair of transition portions 126 extending between the tray receiving opening 120 and opposing side walls 104 of the parking bay 100. In some embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which the sloped floor 108 is located between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 but does not extend from the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112), the entrance platform 122 may be substantially horizontal (e.g., has no slope). In some embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which the sloped floor 108 is located between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112 but does not extend from the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112), the overdrive platform 124 may be substantially horizontal (e.g., has no slope). In some embodiments, the entrance platform 122 may have a slope that substantially matches the slope of the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the overdrive platform 124 may have a slope that substantially matches the slope of the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the entrance platform 122 and the overdrive platform 124 may have a slope that substantially matches the slope of the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, neither the entrance platform 122 nor the overdrive platform 124 has a slope that substantially matches the slope of the sloped floor 108.

[0017] As described herein, as shown in FIG. 2 , a tray 128 may be positioned within the tray receiving opening 120, and a vehicle to be parked may be positioned on the tray 128. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the tray 128 is sized to accommodate a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 144, described below and depicted in FIG. 4 ). One or more gap eliminators may be provided to eliminate or reduce any gaps that may form between the tray 128 and the sloped floor 108, such as the overdrive platform 124, the entrance platform 122, or the transition section 126. For example, in some embodiments, the gap eliminators of the sloped floor 108 include one or more fixed or movable guides, spacers, bridges, plates, platforms, mechanical devices, or the like, or combinations thereof, operating either actively or passively, that extend between the sloped floor 108 and the tray 128 when positioned within the tray receiving opening 120 to reduce any gaps that may form therebetween.

[0018] As described herein, the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100 is at least partially oriented to slope between the customer entrance 114 and the AGV entrance 116. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100 may slope downward from the AGV entrance 116 toward the customer entrance 114. In other embodiments, the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100 may slope upward from the AGV entrance 116 toward the customer entrance 114. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the ground surface 138 upon which the parking bay 100 is provided is oriented at an angle (at least, in some embodiments, between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112) such that, for example, the AGVs 136 carrying the trays 128 are angled such that the trays 128 may have substantially the same slope as the sloped floor 108. In other embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may be oriented at an angle relative to the ground surface 138, such that the ground surface 138 is substantially horizontal (at least between the front wall 110 and the rear wall 112, in some embodiments) or at an angle relative to the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the AGVs 136 carrying the trays 128 may include a lifting mechanism (described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4 ) with lifting members 136A that, in some embodiments, can support the trays 128 on the AGVs 136. In such embodiments, the lifting members 136A may be independently extendable within a predetermined height range such that the lifting members 136A, in some embodiments, can orient the trays 128 at a slope that substantially matches the slope of the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism may include one lifting member 136A, two lifting members 136A, three lifting members 136A, four lifting members 136A, or five or more lifting members 136A. In one embodiment, the lifting member 136A may be, for example, a telescoping extension rod that can be extended or retracted (e.g., to support, or orient, or adjust the height of, part or all of the tray 128) by, for example, a motor of the lifting mechanism and / or the AGV 136.

[0019] In some embodiments, only a portion of the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100 is oriented at an angle, while other portions of the sloped floor 108 remain horizontal with respect to the ground surface 138. For example, the overdrive platform 124 and the entrance platform 122 may be positioned parallel to each other and horizontally relative to (e.g., planar with or parallel to) a driveway 130 provided outside the parking bay 100 adjacent the customer entrance 114 of the parking bay 100. Thus, the transition portion 126 may be positioned to extend at an angle from the entrance platform 122 to the overdrive platform 124. In some embodiments, the entrance platform 122 may be positioned vertically lower than the overdrive platform 124 such that the transition portion 126 extends upward from the entrance platform 122 to the overdrive platform 124. In other embodiments, the entrance platform 122 may be located vertically higher than the overdrive platform 124 such that the transition section 126 extends downward from the entrance platform 122 to the overdrive platform 124 .

[0020] As described in detail herein, the tray 128 may be positioned within the parking bay 100 through the AGV entrance 116 and received within the tray receiving opening 120 such that the vehicle tray 128 to be parked may be positioned above and subsequently moved backward through the AGV entrance 116 toward a target parking space within the parking garage 118, for example, by operation of the AGV 136 carrying the tray 128. Thus, the overdrive platform 124 is moved out of the path of travel of the tray 128 and the AGV whenever the tray 128 is being moved through the AGV entrance 116 of the parking bay 100. Thus, the overdrive platform 124 may be positioned between an in-use position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which the overdrive platform 124 is positioned in alignment with the remainder of the sloped floor 108, and a retracted position in which the overdrive platform 124 is moved so that the AGV entrance 116 is exposed. Thus, in one embodiment, when the overdrive platform 124 is in the retracted position, the overdrive platform 124 is moved out of the path of travel of the tray 128 and tray transport mechanism (e.g., the AGV 136 depicted in FIG. 4 and shown in further detail below) to expose the AGV entrance 116.

[0021] In one embodiment, the overdrive platform 124 is The overdrive platform 124 is moved vertically away from the top wall 106 of the parking bay 100 and into a stowed position 124' to expose the AGV entrance 116 so as to avoid interference with the tray 128 and the tray transport mechanism that carries the tray 128 through the AGV entrance 116. In other embodiments, the overdrive platform 124 swings toward one or both side walls 104 of the parking bay 100 to the stowed position. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the overdrive platform 124 configured to swing, the overdrive platform 124 may be separable into paired overdrive platform segments such that each overdrive platform segment swings into the stowed position toward a respective side wall 104 of the parking bay 100. For example, one segment of the overdrive platform swings upward toward one side wall 104 of the parking bay 100, and the other segment of the overdrive platform swings upward in the opposite direction toward the other side wall 104 of the parking bay 100. Once the tray 128 is positioned within the tray receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100, the overdrive platform 124 may be returned to the use position.

[0022] 1 and 2 , the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100 is elevated relative to a floor surface 132 of the parking garage 118 located adjacent the AGV entrance 116 of the parking bay 100. As shown in FIG. 2 , the AGV entrance 116 extends to the floor surface 132 of the parking garage 118, and an AGV area 134 is provided below the sloped floor 108. As shown in FIG. 2 , the AGV 136 can enter the parking bay 100 through the AGV entrance 116 and be located within the AGV 134 area below the sloped floor 108. As described in detail herein, once the AGV 136 is located below the sloped floor 108, the AGV 136 can be configured to place or remove a tray 128 within a tray receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100.

[0023] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, when the tray 128 is positioned within the tray receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100, the slope of the tray 128 matches (e.g., matches) the slope of at least the transition portion 126 of the sloped floor 108. As used herein, matching the slope of the tray 128 to the slope of the sloped floor 108 refers to the upper surface 152 of the tray 128 (depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4, and described in further detail below) and the sloped floor 108 having a continuous slope, or a substantially continuous slope without any substantial gaps or substantial changes in elevation at the abutting edges of the upper surface 152 of the tray 128 and the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the slope of the sloped floor 108 may differ from the slope of the tray 128 by 10 degrees or less. In some embodiments, the difference between the slope of the sloped floor 108 and the slope of the tray 128 is + / - 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the difference between the slope of the sloping floor 108 and the slope of the tray 128 is + / - 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the difference between the slope of the sloping floor 108 and the slope of the tray 128 is + / - 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the difference between the slope of the sloping floor 108 and the slope of the tray 128 is + / - 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the difference between the slope of the sloping floor 108 and the slope of the tray 128 is + / - 50 degrees. This therefore provides a smooth transition in vehicle operation, for example, from the entrance platform 122 onto the tray 128 or onto the overdrive platform 124, if the vehicle drives too far forward into the parking bay 100. In cases where the slope of the tray 128 does not match the slope of the sloping floor 108, the vehicle may become stuck, or the vehicle operator may experience a jerky transition on various surfaces within the parking bay 100.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, the top surface 152 of the angled tray 128A is angled at an angle θ tIt should be understood that the angled tray 128A is similar to the tray 128, and therefore, like parts are described with like reference numerals. In some embodiments, the slope of the top surface 152 may match the slope of the sloped floor 108, particularly the transition portion 126. As such, in such embodiments, when the angled tray 128A is positioned within the tray receiving opening 120 of the sloped floor 108, no further adjustment of the angled tray 128A and / or the sloped floor 108 is required to align the angled tray 128A with the sloped floor 108. In some embodiments, the slope of the top surface 152 may be defined by a plurality of legs 154 of the angled tray 128A. In some embodiments, the front leg 154A of the pair of legs 154 defines a first length (l1), and the rear leg 154B of the pair of legs 154 defines a second length (l2), the first length (l1) being greater than the second length (l2). Thus, in such an embodiment, the pair of front legs 154A positions the front end 158 of the angled tray 128A higher than the height of the rear end 162 of the angled tray 128A positioned by the pair of rear legs 154B. However, in other embodiments, the second length (l2) may be longer than the first length (l1) such that the pair of rear legs 154B positions the rear end 162 higher than the height of the front end 158 positioned by the pair of front legs 154A.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3B, in another embodiment, another embodiment of an adjustable tray 128B is described herein. It should be understood that adjustable tray 128B is similar to tray 128, and therefore, like parts are described with like reference numerals. Adjustable tray 128B includes a drive mechanism 135 for orienting upper surface 152 so that front end 158 is vertically movable relative to rear end 162. Drive mechanism 135' may be controlled to adjust the slope of upper surface 152 between a horizontal position 137A and an inclined position 137B, where in horizontal position 137A (depicted by a solid line in FIG. 3B ) upper surface 152 is substantially parallel to ground surface 138, and in inclined position 137B (depicted by a dashed line in FIG. 3B ) upper surface 152 is angled at an angle θ that matches the slope of transition section 126 ( FIG. 1 ). tand extending from the entrance platform 122 to the overdrive platform 124 ( FIG. 1 ) when within the tray receiving opening 120. In this embodiment, once the tray 128B is determined to be located within the tray receiving opening 120 of the parking bay 100 by one or more sensors located on the tray 128B and / or within the parking bay 100 (e.g., sensor 140 of the parking bay 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-2 and described in further detail below and / or navigation sensor 146 of the tray 128B depicted in FIG. 4 and described in further detail below), the drive mechanism 135′ may be actuated to raise, lower, and / or tilt the upper surface 152 of the tray 128B (e.g., between a horizontal position 137A and an inclined position 137B) so that the slope of the upper surface 152 matches the slope of the transition portion 126 and extends from the entrance platform 122 to the overdrive platform 124. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism 135' may be a motor that extends the pair of front legs 154A (e.g., by the pair of front legs 154A being telescopic and having an adjustable length), for example, to provide a slope to the top surface 152. While the drive mechanism 135' is depicted as increasing the length of the pair of front legs 154A in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B , in other embodiments, the drive mechanism 135' may be capable of increasing the length of any, some, or all of the plurality of legs 154, including, in some embodiments, only the pair of rear legs 154B, or both the pair of front legs 154A and the pair of rear legs 154B in different amounts.

[0026] 3C , in another embodiment, the parking bay 100 includes a drive mechanism 135 and one or more extension portions 139 electrically coupled to the drive mechanism 135 for engaging a portion of the tray 128 ( FIG. 1 ), the extension portion 139 engaging a portion of the tray 128 ( FIG. 1 ) when the tray 128 is positioned within the tray-receiving opening 120 and for adjusting the slope of the tray 128 to match the slope of the transition portion 126 and extend from the entrance platform 122 to the overdrive platform 124. For example, the one or more extension portions 139 may be configured to extend and retract from the ground surface 138 in some embodiments such that the telescoping portion 139 engages any, some, or all of the plurality of legs 154 and / or the bottom side of the top surface 152 of the tray 128 ( FIG. 1 ). Specifically, the extension portion 139 may extend from the ground surface 138 from a first height (e.g., depicted by a solid line in FIG. 3C ) to a second height (e.g., depicted by a dashed line in FIG. 3C ) to raise or lower either or both of the front end 158 and the rear end 162 ( FIG. 1 ) of the tray 128. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may include only one extension portion 139 (e.g., configured to engage with the bottom of the upper surface 152 of the tray 128). In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may include only two extension portions 139 (e.g., configured to engage with either one of the pair of front legs 154A or the pair of rear legs 154B of the tray 128). In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may include four telescoping portions 139 (e.g., configured to engage with each of the multiple legs 154). In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 135 may be, for example, a motor that raises or lowers the telescoping portion 139. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may include the telescoping portion 139 without including the drive mechanism 135, such that the telescoping portion 139 has a constant height. In such an embodiment, for example, when the tray 128 is positioned within the tray receiving opening 120, any, some, or all of the legs 154 and / or the bottom side of the top surface 152 may rest on the telescoping portion 139 to provide the tray 128 with a slope that matches the slope of the transition portion 126 provided by the height of the extension portion 139.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3D , in other embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may again include a drive mechanism 135 and one or more telescoping portions 139. However, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3C , in the embodiment of FIG. 3D , the extension portion 139 extends from the overdrive platform 124 to engage the end of the tray 128 adjacent the overdrive platform 124. While only one extension portion 139 is depicted, it will be understood that multiple extension portions 139 may be provided and spaced apart laterally along the overdrive platform 124. In this embodiment, the extension portion 139 may move vertically from a first position (depicted in solid lines in FIG. 3D ) toward the top wall 106 to a second position (depicted in dashed lines in FIG. 3D ) to raise the front end 158 of the tray 128 relative to the rear end 162 ( FIG. 3A ) of the tray 128 located adjacent the customer entrance 114 of the parking bay 100. However, in other embodiments, the extension portion 139 may instead extend from the entrance platform 122 and raise or lower the rear end 162 of the tray 128 relative to the front end 158 ( FIG. 3A ). While the extension portion 139 is electronically coupled to the drive mechanism 135 in the embodiment of FIG. 3D , in other embodiments, the sloped floor 108 may include the telescoping portion 139 but not the drive mechanism 135. In such embodiments, the telescoping portion 139 may be, for example, a pin fixed in a predetermined position (e.g., the position depicted by the dashed lines in FIG. 3D ), in which case the tray 128, while positioned within the tray-receiving opening 120, is lowered so that the pair of rear legs 154B contact the ground surface 138 while the front end 158 of the tray 128 rests on top of the telescoping portion 139.

[0028] It should be understood that other drive mechanisms 135 and methods for adjusting the slope of the tray 128 to match the slope of the sloped bed 108, such as the transition section 126, are not shown herein but are contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the sloped bed 108 and / or the tray 128 may include a drive mechanism 135 that includes one or more movable ramps, pins, clamps, plates, platforms, mechanical devices, etc., or combinations thereof, that operate either actively or passively to orient the tray 128 to provide a slope that matches the slope of the sloped bed 108.

[0029] 1-3B , in some embodiments, like the transition portion 126, the upper surface 152 of the tray 128 may be oriented at an angle greater than 0.5 degrees and less than 10 degrees from the ground plane 138 upon which the parking bay 100 rests. In some embodiments, like the transition portion 126, the upper surface 152 of the tray 128 may be oriented at an angle between 1 and 2 degrees relative to the ground plane 138.

[0030] In some embodiments, the parking bay 100 may include one or more sensors 140, such as electronic sensors, vision systems (e.g., object detection sensors or cameras), mirrors, identified boundaries, etc., or combinations thereof, for detecting the position of a vehicle within the parking bay 100, the presence of a tray 128 within the tray receiving opening 120, and the orientation of the tray 128.

[0031] In some embodiments, parking bay 100 may include a control system 141 (e.g., such as a computer device) configured to command AGV 136, ramp 108, and / or any components of the ramp (in some embodiments, any, some, or all of entrance platform 122, overdrive platform 124, transition section 126, drive mechanism 135, and / or telescoping section 139) to move or operate in response to, for example, a determination (e.g., via sensor 140) that a vehicle (e.g., indicating a desire to be parked within parking garage 118) is approaching parking bay 100.

[0032] In some embodiments, the parking bay 100 further includes one or more indicators 142 that provide instructions to an operator of a vehicle entering the parking bay 100. For example, the indicators 142 may be signs that provide instructions to the operator, such as to drive forward, to position the vehicle in the parking bay, etc. The indicators 142 may provide feedback to the operator to assist in properly positioning the vehicle on the tray 128. In some embodiments, the indicators 142 may include visual and / or audible notification devices, such as, for example, a display, a screen, a mirror, a projection, a speaker, an identified boundary, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0033] Although it is described herein that the AGV 136 may be configured to move vehicles to and from the parking bay 100, it should be understood that other tray transport mechanisms for transporting vehicles to and from the parking bay 100 are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The tray transport mechanism may be, for example, one or more moveable plates, doors, platforms, mechanical conveyors, other pallet moving equipment, or the like, or a combination thereof, operating either actively or passively, for moving the tray 128 into the tray receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108 and / or for transporting vehicles directly without a separate tray 128. In such embodiments, the tray 128 may lack legs (e.g., like the plurality of legs 154 depicted in FIG. 4 and described in further detail below) and, in some embodiments, may rather rest on the tray transport mechanism.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4 , one embodiment of an AGV 136 is depicted carrying a tray 128 that supports the vehicle. In one embodiment, the AGV 136 is an omnidirectional vehicle that includes omnidirectional wheels, such as Mecanum wheels. As used herein, "omnidirectional wheels" refers to any vehicle that can move in a direction other than just the forward longitudinal direction and the rear longitudinal direction. Specifically, the AGV 136 can rotate about its center, move laterally across the vehicle, and move diagonally by independently controlling the direction of rotation of the omnidirectional wheels of the AGV 136. However, it should be understood that the AGV 136 may be any other suitable vehicle and is not limited to an omnidirectional vehicle that includes omnidirectional wheels.

[0035] The AGV 136 includes one or more navigation sensors 146 configured to facilitate guidance with the system and may also include one or more sensors (e.g., visual sensors) configured to detect objects or obstacles, either or both of which are intended to assist the AGV 136 in executing autonomous driving commands. As shown in Figure 4, the AGV 136 traverses the floor surface 132 of the parking garage 118, which is provided with indicia 148 or some other suitable markings identifiable by the navigation sensors 146 of the AGV 136 so that the AGV 136 can orient itself within the parking garage 118. As shown, although other embodiments may use guidance or direction methods, the markings 148 define a grid on the floor surface 132 of the parking garage 118 that identifies each individual parking space where the tray 128 may be parked, and also define one or more paths on the floor surface 132 between the parking spaces (e.g., by substantially parallel lines or curves that define lanes along which the AGV 136 may travel) for the AGV 136 to follow when traveling between the parking bay 100 (depicted in FIG. 1) and the target parking space.

[0036] 4 , the tray 128 includes a tray platform 150 having an upper surface 152 on which the vehicle 144 is initially parked, and a plurality of legs 154 extending from corners of the tray platform 150. The legs 154 of the tray 128 support the tray 128 above the floor surface 132 and also define a gap through which the AGV 136 moves to position itself beneath the tray platform 150 of the tray 128. Specifically, the tray 128 may include a pair of front legs 154A that define a forward gap 156 at a front end 158 of the tray 128, thereby allowing the AGV 136 to position itself beneath the tray 128 through the front end 158 of the tray 128 along the first axis A1, and may also include a pair of front legs 154A that define an aft gap 160 at a rear end 162 of the tray 128, thereby allowing the AGV 136 to position itself beneath the tray 128 through the rear end 162 of the tray 128 along the first axis A1. The pair of front legs 154A and the pair of rear legs 154B also define pair of side gaps 164 on opposite sides 166 of the tray 128, which allow the AGV 136 to be positioned below the tray 128 through the sides 166 of the tray 128 along a second axis A2 that transverses the first axis A1. Thus, in one embodiment, the AGV 136 is sized to be smaller than the front gap 156, the rear gap 160, and the side gap 164.

[0037] AGV 136 includes a lifting mechanism (depicted in FIG. 2 and described above as being formed from lifting member 136A) that is operable between a lowered position in which the lifting mechanism does not engage tray 128, an intermediate position in which the lifting mechanism engages or mates with tray 128, and an elevated position in which the lifting mechanism extends to lift tray 128 off floor 132 of parking garage 118. Specifically, when the lifting mechanism is in the elevated position, the lifting mechanism may extend to engage underside 168 of tray platform 150 to lift tray 128 off floor 132 of parking garage 118. In some embodiments, the AGV 136 may include one or more tray sensors, such as a navigation sensor 146, a separate sensor, e.g., a proximity sensor, for detecting when the AGV 136 is positioned under the tray 128, and for, in response to determining that the lifting mechanism is positioned under the tray 128, actuating the lifting mechanism to move from a lowered position to an elevated position to raise the tray 128. Additionally, when the lifting mechanism is in the elevated position and carrying the tray 128, the navigation sensor 146 of the AGV 136 may be used to determine whether the tray 128 is at a target location, such as a target parking space or parking bay 100, and, in response, actuating the lifting mechanism to move from the elevated position to a lowered position to lower the tray 128 onto the floor 132 of the parking garage 118. However, the AGV 136 may also be configured to engage and move with a vehicle on its own without the use of the tray 128.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 5 and with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a flow diagram 500 illustrates a method for orienting a tray on a slope within a parking bay.

[0039] In block 502, the tray 128 is positioned by a tray transport mechanism (e.g., AGV 136) within the tray receiving opening 120, which is defined by the sloped floor 108 of the parking bay 100 and sized to contain the tray 128. Specifically, the tray 128 enters the tray receiving opening 120 through an AGV entrance 116 defined by the rear wall 112 of the parking bay 100, by the side wall 104 of the parking bay 100, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the tray 128 may not initially be present within the tray receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108, and the overdrive platform 124 may be in the use position. Thus, in some embodiments, in response to receiving a command from the control system 141 that a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 144) desires to be parked within the parking garage, the overdrive platform 124 is actuated to move to a retracted position so that the transport mechanism (e.g., AGV 136) can position the tray 128 within the parking bay 100. 4 enters the parking bay 100 through the AGV entrance 116 and positions the tray 128 within the tray-receiving opening 120 formed in the sloped floor 108. Thereafter, in one embodiment, in response to the tray 128 being detected by one or more sensors 140, the drive mechanism 135 orients the tray 128 so that it is tilted in a manner described herein to match the slope of the transition section.

[0040] In block 504, a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 144) is positioned on the upper surface 152 of the tray 128, at which time the vehicle enters the parking bay 100 through a customer entrance 114 defined by the front wall 110 of the parking bay 100, a side wall 104 of the parking bay 100, or a combination thereof.

[0041] In block 506, the tray 128 (with a vehicle on its upper surface 152, in some embodiments) is transported by a tray transport mechanism (e.g., in some embodiments, an AGV 136) from the tray receiving opening 120 through the AGV entrance 116 of the parking bay 100 (and, in some embodiments, to a parking space, for example). In some embodiments, once one or more sensors determine that a vehicle is properly parked on the tray 128 and the operator has exited the parking bay 100, the drive mechanism 135 may be actuated to allow the tray 128 to be received onto the AGV 136, and the overdrive platform 124 may be actuated to move from the use position to the retracted position. Then, in some embodiments, the AGV 136 may be able to move the tray 128 and the vehicle on the tray 128 out of the parking bay 100 through the AGV entrance 116 to the target parking space within the parking garage 118. It should be understood that a similar process is performed in reverse when the AGV 136 enters the parking bay 100 with a tray 128 carrying a vehicle, or when the tray 128 is already present in the parking bay 100 and the AGV 136 enters the parking bay 100 to retrieve the tray 128.

[0042] By now, it should be appreciated that the parking apparatus, parking system, and method for parking a vehicle using the parking apparatus and parking system described herein are defined herein. The parking apparatus and parking system described herein generally include a parking bay including a sloped floor defining a tray receiving opening, and a tray positionable within the tray receiving opening. The tray includes an upper surface configured to have a slope that matches the slope of the sloped floor when positioned within the tray receiving opening. The system may include a drive mechanism that orients the tray and / or the sloped floor to align the tray and the sloped floor non-parallel to the ground on which the parking bay is provided.

[0043] It should be noted that the terms "substantially" and "approximately" may be used herein to express the inherent degree of indeterminacy that results from any quantitative comparison, value, dimension, or other expression. These terms are also used herein to express the extent to which a quantitative expression may differ from the stated standard without resulting in a change in the basic functionality of the subject matter in question.

[0044] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter are shown herein, such aspects need not be used in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. a front wall having a forward opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; a rear wall opposite the front wall, the rear wall including a rear opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; a pair of side walls extending between the front wall and the rear wall; a sloped floor between the front wall and the rear wall defining a tray receiving opening sized to accommodate a tray, the sloped floor having an upper surface defining a slope between the front wall and the rear wall; Parking bays equipped with:

2. The parking bay of claim 1 , wherein the sloped floor further comprises an entrance platform between the front wall and the tray receiving opening.

3. The parking bay of claim 1 , wherein the sloped floor further comprises an overdrive platform between the tray receiving opening and the rear wall.

4. 4. The parking bay of claim 3, wherein the overdrive platform is operable between an in-use position in which the overdrive platform is aligned with the sloped floor and a retracted position in which the overdrive platform is moved to expose the rear opening.

5. The parking bay of claim 1 , wherein the sloped floor further comprises a transition portion extending between the tray receiving opening in the sloped floor and the side wall of the parking bay.

6. Equipped with more sensors, The sensor the location of the vehicle within the parking bay; the presence of a tray within the tray receiving opening of the sloped bed; an orientation of the tray within the tray receiving opening of the sloped floor; the sensor includes at least one of an electronic sensor and a vision system; A parking bay according to claim 1.

7. further comprising an indicator including a visual notification device, an audible notification device, or both; the indicator is configured to provide instructions to an operator of a vehicle entering the parking bay; A parking bay according to claim 1.

8. a tray having a first upper surface sized to receive a vehicle; a tray transport mechanism including a lift mechanism operable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein in the lowered position, the lift mechanism does not engage the tray, and in the raised position, the lift mechanism extends to lift the tray; Parking bays and Equipped with The parking bay is a front wall having a forward opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; a rear wall opposite the front wall, the rear wall including a rear opening formed therein and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; a pair of side walls extending between the front wall and the rear wall; a sloped floor between the front wall and the rear wall defining a tray receiving opening sized to accommodate the tray, the sloped floor having a second upper surface defining a slope between the front wall and the rear wall; A parking system comprising:

9. 10. The parking system of claim 8, wherein the tray transport mechanism comprises an automated guided vehicle.

10. The parking system of claim 9 , wherein the automated guided vehicle is an omnidirectional vehicle.

11. 10. The parking system of claim 9, wherein the automated guided vehicle comprises at least one of a navigation sensor, a tray sensor, a vision sensor, or a proximity sensor.

12. 9. The parking system of claim 8, wherein the lifting mechanism is further operable in an intermediate position in which the lifting mechanism engages or mates with the tray.

13. the first upper surface of the tray comprises a tray slope; 9. The parking system of claim 8, wherein the tray slope of the tray and the slope of the second upper surface of the sloped floor differ by 10 degrees or less.

14. the tray includes a drive mechanism; the drive mechanism adjusts the tray inclination of the first upper surface of the tray; 9. The parking system of claim 8.

15. The sloped floor includes a drive mechanism; the drive mechanism engages with the tray to adjust the tray slope of the first upper surface of the tray; 9. The parking system of claim 8.

16. the parking bay is located above a floor surface; the sloped floor of the parking bay is at an angle to the floor surface; The angle is 0.5 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less.

9. The parking system of claim 8.

17. The floor surface has at least a parking space on the floor surface; one or more walkways in said floor surface; a floor surface including markings defining one of the 9. The parking system of claim 8.

18. 1. A method for gradient-orienting a tray in a parking bay, comprising: positioning the tray by a tray transport mechanism within a tray receiving opening defined by a sloped floor of a parking bay and sized to accommodate the tray, the sloped floor being disposed between a front wall and a rear wall of the parking bay; the tray entering the tray receiving opening through a rear opening formed in the rear wall of the parking bay and sized to accommodate the width of a vehicle; positioning a vehicle on an upper surface of the tray, the vehicle entering the parking bay through a forward opening formed in the front wall of the parking bay and sized to accommodate the width of the vehicle; transporting the tray from the tray receiving opening through the rear opening of the parking bay with the tray transport mechanism; A method comprising:

19. In response to receiving an indication that the vehicle is desired to be parked, actuating an overdrive platform of the parking bay to move the tray transport mechanism into a retracted position to allow the tray transport mechanism to position the tray within the parking bay; orienting the tray to tilt with a drive mechanism of the sloped floor in response to the tray being detected by a sensor in the parking bay; 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the tray transport mechanism is an automated guided vehicle.

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