Vehicle Carriage Transverse Pushers Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic vehicle parking systems face challenges in centering vehicles accurately on the carriage axis, particularly when dealing with vehicles of varying wheelbases, leading to complex and costly solutions that are prone to malfunctions and increased positioning times.
Innovation Solution
A carriage system with rotating clamp elements and transverse pushers that independently move along orthogonal axes, allowing for simultaneous centering and alignment of vehicle axles, enabling flexible handling of vehicles with different wheelbases without the need for additional complex devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pushing bars are used to center the vehicle on the carriage axis, then centering accuracy is improved, but the inner space of the carriage is largely occupied making it difficult to carry out other operations such as rotation, translation and lifting of the clamps
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is separated from the gripping function by introducing independent transverse pushers that operate separately from the rotating clamps. This segmentation allows the pushers to perform centering without interfering with the clamp operations, resolving the space occupation problem while maintaining centering accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse pushers are introduced as intermediary elements that facilitate vehicle centering without requiring the gripping clamps to perform this function. These pushers act as mediators between the vehicle and the carriage frame, enabling centering while preserving the original clamp functionality and movement capabilities
2Manufacturing precision
If additional devices are introduced to realign the vehicle supporting frame after lifting, then centering function is achieved, but the device complexity becomes disproportionate to the simple function performed
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse pushers perform the centering action before the vehicle is lifted by the rotating clamps. This preliminary centering eliminates the need for subsequent realignment devices, as the vehicle is already properly positioned when gripping begins, simplifying the overall system while maintaining alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse pushers are integrated into the existing carriage structure and serve multiple functions: centering the vehicle, guiding it onto the clamps, and working in coordination with the lifting mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate realignment devices, reducing complexity while achieving the desired alignment
3Adaptability or versatility
If one carriage is lifted to decouple from the other, then the second carriage can be positioned under the opposite axle, but the total time for positioning both carriages is considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
Both carriages move forward continuously toward their respective targets without interruption. The independent control allows each carriage to proceed simultaneously rather than requiring sequential lifting and repositioning, maintaining continuous useful action and significantly reducing the total positioning time while preserving positioning flexibility
4Reliability
If the second carriage is positioned only after the front wheels are lifted, then coupling dependence is reduced, but the mobility of the second carriage is restricted and positioning time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage system is segmented into two independently controlled units, each capable of autonomous movement and positioning. This segmentation eliminates the coupling dependence where one carriage must wait for the other, allowing both to operate simultaneously and improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability through independent control
Data Source
AI summary
A carriage for handling a vehicle in an automatic parking system includes a frame axially movable along a first longitudinal axis, rotating clamps, each including a pair of counter-rotating arms rotating with respect to a vertical axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. The carriage includes a transverse-centering unit with transverse pushers, transversely extensible, moving along an axis parallel to the transverse axis and independent of the rotating clamps. In a first retracted position they do not interact with the vehicle wheels. When extended, they come into contact with at least one vehicle wheel. The extensible transverse pushers are on left and right sides of the carriage, and simultaneously move in a symmetrical extension, being operated by a respective motor positioned laterally of the longitudinal axis of the carriage. The extensible transverse pushers include a pantograph for longitudinally aligning the vehicle along the longitudinal axis.