AGV Parking Garage Layout for High-Density Fast Vehicle Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parking garages face challenges in increasing vehicle density due to limitations in human valet capabilities and mechanical systems, which result in longer retrieval times and higher costs, especially in urban areas where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an automated parking system utilizing a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and a controller that manages the scheduling and planning of vehicle storage and retrieval, allowing for efficient navigation and rearrangement of vehicles based on pick-up times and priority preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If human valets are used to manually park vehicles in tight configurations, then vehicle density can be increased, but the system is limited by steering dynamics and minimum spacing requirements, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to autonomously transport and position vehicles within the parking garage, eliminating the need for human valets. The AGVs navigate independently using controllers that calculate optimal paths and execute positioning maneuvers, enabling self-service vehicle management that overcomes human steering limitations and reduces retrieval times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical steering system limitations of human-operated vehicles with an automated propulsion system. The AGVs use controlled propulsion forces to move vehicles horizontally and position them precisely, substituting the mechanical constraints of steering wheels and human reaction times with programmable motion control that can achieve tighter configurations and faster retrieval.
2Quantity of substance
If mechanical parking systems such as stackers or rack and rail systems are installed, then vehicle density can be significantly increased, but the upfront costs and system complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the parking garage into multiple zones with smaller AGVs operating independently in each zone. Rather than implementing a single complex mechanical system throughout the entire garage, the solution segments the space and uses multiple simple, autonomous vehicles that can navigate independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high vehicle density.
Solution Approach 2:
The AGVs are designed as multi-functional units that can perform multiple operations: transporting vehicles between levels, positioning vehicles in tight configurations, and retrieving vehicles on demand. This universal design replaces the need for specialized mechanical systems like stackers or rack-and-rail mechanisms, achieving high density without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If vehicles are parked in tight configurations, then space utilization improves, but the minimum spacing between vehicles necessary for entry and exit increases retrieval time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions by using AGVs to place vehicles in optimized configurations when they are first parked. The controller calculates and executes positioning maneuvers that anticipate future retrieval needs, pre-positioning vehicles to minimize future retrieval times while maximizing space utilization. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming repositioning during retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle positioning based on real-time conditions and retrieval priorities. The controller continuously monitors the parking garage state and repositions vehicles using AGVs to optimize both space utilization and retrieval efficiency. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, maintaining high density while ensuring fast retrieval when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A parking system including a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), a bay, and a controller. The controller is configured to send instruction to an AGV to move into the bay to receive a target vehicle in response to receiving a parking reservation from a user device, send instruction to the AGV to navigate the target vehicle to a target parking space, and send instruction to at least a subset of the AGVs to rearrange the target vehicle based on a pick up time indicated in the parking reservation.