Carousel Parking Towers With Direct Conveyor Vehicle Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carousel-type parking systems require loading and unloading docks, increasing surface area needs and installation time, and are prone to trolley malfunctions, with manual retrieval not possible in case of malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing two or more carousel-type parking towers arranged in a specific configuration with autonomous conveyors and chocking arms to transport vehicles, optimizing space and safety by allowing direct vehicle transfer between towers and enabling faster, safer operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If loading and unloading docks are used in carousel-type parking systems, then vehicle handling can be performed, but the surface area needed increases and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vehicle loading/unloading function directly into the gondola structure itself, eliminating the need for separate loading docks. The gondola serves dual purposes: it is both the transport carrier and the loading/unloading platform, thereby reducing the overall surface area required for the parking facility while maintaining full vehicle handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gondola is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the transport carrier and the loading/unloading dock. This universal design allows the same structure to perform multiple functions (transport and vehicle handling) without requiring additional dedicated spaces for loading docks, thus optimizing space utilization.
2Ease of operation
If loading and unloading docks are used in carousel-type parking systems, then vehicle handling can be performed, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the loading/unloading function into the gondola structure itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate dock installations. This integration reduces the number of components that need to be installed and coordinated, thereby reducing overall installation time while maintaining full vehicle handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the loading/unloading function from the external dock structure and incorporates it directly into the gondola. This extraction eliminates the need for separate dock installations and reduces installation complexity and time requirements.
3Ease of operation
If support rods are used for vehicles in carousel parking, then vehicles can be positioned, but the surface area needed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vehicle positioning function into the gondola structure itself. The gondola serves as both the transport carrier and the positioning platform, eliminating the need for separate support rods and thereby reducing the surface area required for the parking facility while maintaining full vehicle positioning capability.
4Extent of automation
If trolley malfunction occurs in prior art systems, then automated transport fails, but manual retrieval is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism that enables manual intervention when automated transport fails. The system includes features that allow manual positioning and retrieval of vehicles from the gondola, serving as a backup when the automated trolley system malfunctions, thus maintaining ease of operation while preserving full automation capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic parking system comprising at least one carousel-type parking tower (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) comprising pods (60) each comprising a storage tray (65) for storing a vehicle (100), the system comprising at least one transport conveyor (90) so as to carry or deposit the vehicle, and support means for at least partially supporting the weight of the pod receiving a conveyor and a vehicle, wherein the parking system may comprise several parking towers in a row. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the towers and the at least one conveyor.