Autonomous Vehicle Parking Optimization via Master-Slave Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking space optimization methods are limited in maximizing the use of larger parking areas, such as those in cities, shopping centers, and event venues, as they only allow for local optimization of spaces and require complex infrastructure, whereas the goal is to achieve efficient use of space by minimizing vehicle gaps and access corridors.
Innovation Solution
A method where vehicles communicate directly with each other and have a master-slave control system to autonomously maneuver and optimize parking spaces, reducing the number and width of access corridors by moving parked vehicles, allowing for a more dense and efficient use of parking space, with the master vehicle role being transferred based on priority and occupancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If vehicles are parked closer together to maximize parking density, then space utilization is improved, but access for vehicles and pedestrians becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of access corridors by automatically moving parked vehicles via master-slave control systems. This allows the parking configuration to transition from static to dynamic, where access corridor width and position can be optimized in real-time based on current needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining wide corridors for access and packing vehicles densely for maximum capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The master control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates vehicle movements to create temporary access pathways. Instead of maintaining permanent wide corridors, the system mediates between parking density requirements and access requirements by dynamically repositioning vehicles to form corridors only when and where needed, enabling both high density and adequate access.
2Quantity of substance
If a centralized control system manages all vehicles in the parking area, then space optimization is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distributed master and slave control units, each vehicle equipped with its own control system. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex centralized infrastructure, as each vehicle independently executes commands based on local conditions and communications with neighboring vehicles, reducing overall system infrastructure complexity while maintaining coordination for space optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Each vehicle's control system is capable of autonomous operation and decision-making regarding its own positioning and movement. The vehicles self-manage their parking and retrieval operations through direct peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the need for extensive external infrastructure such as centralized mechanical moving systems or complex wiring, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving high parking capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If vehicles are moved automatically to optimize parking spaces, then space utilization is improved, but the time required for parking and retrieval operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating optimal parking configurations and preparing access corridor pathways before vehicles need to be retrieved or parked. When a vehicle needs to be accessed, the master control system has already positioned surrounding vehicles to create an access path, minimizing the actual retrieval time. This preliminary repositioning resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance rather than reacting slowly when access is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The master-slave control systems maintain continuous coordination and communication, allowing vehicle movements to be orchestrated smoothly without idle waiting time. As vehicles are parked or retrieved, the system continuously adjusts the configuration of surrounding vehicles to maintain optimal density and access, ensuring that useful action (space optimization) continues without interruption rather than stopping to allow manual access, thereby reducing time loss.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for optimizing parking space by dynamically reducing the gaps between motor vehicles (1, 1') parked in a predetermined parking area (2) by automatically moving the vehicles (1, 1') using their drive, brakes, and steering systems. The vehicles can communicate directly with each other. The parking area (2) is completely unobstructed and is dimensioned to accommodate many vehicles (1, 1') parked side by side and one behind the other. Each vehicle (1, 1') contains a master control system and a slave control system, of which only one is active at any given time in each vehicle (1, 1') located in the parking area (2). A master-slave relationship exists between the vehicles (1, 1') located in the parking area (2) such that an on-board computer in exactly one of the vehicles, which functions as a master vehicle, acts as a central control computer for the on-board computers of all other vehicles, which function as slave vehicles.The master control system directs the slave control systems to carry out both parking and unparking operations of individual vehicles (1') as well as the automatic movement of parked motor vehicles (1) for the purpose of optimizing parking space, wherein movements of parked motor vehicles (1) are carried out row by row and wherein at least one access corridor (4, 4') of variable position and width is kept clear between rows of parked vehicles (1).