Centralized Control System for Automated Parking Garages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic parking garage systems lack efficient user-centric control and optimization, leading to inefficiencies in parking space allocation, increased energy consumption, and longer waiting times due to the absence of centralized management and real-time data processing.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising a user data processing unit with a user interface for selecting and booking parking spaces, a central computing unit for managing storage and removal times, and a communication interface for optimizing parking platform positioning within the garage, utilizing a network of transport devices including conveyor belts for rapid and efficient vehicle storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized control system with real-time data processing is implemented, then parking space allocation efficiency is improved and energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into a central control unit that handles high-level decision-making and local control units at each parking garage that handle execution and real-time monitoring. This segmentation allows the central unit to optimize allocation across multiple garages while local units manage immediate operations, improving overall efficiency without requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary booking and reservation of parking spaces before vehicles arrive. Users can book spaces in advance through the user data processing unit, allowing the system to pre-allocate resources and plan optimal parking platform positioning before actual vehicle arrival, thereby improving allocation efficiency and reducing real-time processing complexity.
2Loss of time
If parking platforms are repositioned based on arrival times and occupancy levels, then user waiting times are minimized and garage utilization is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts parking platform positioning based on real-time arrival times and occupancy levels. Rather than static positioning, platforms are moved to optimal locations closer to loading/unloading areas when vehicles are expected soon, and to remote locations when waiting times are longer, optimizing the balance between user convenience and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters such as platform positioning, transport device activation, and garage selection based on varying conditions including arrival time predictions and current occupancy levels. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to minimize waiting times during peak periods while reducing energy consumption during off-peak periods.
3Productivity
If multiple parking garages are managed with centralized control, then overall system utilization is maximized, but communication requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple parking garages are merged into a single managed network under centralized control. The central control unit aggregates occupancy data, booking information, and operational status from all garages, enabling optimal vehicle distribution across the entire network. This merging maximizes overall utilization by allowing vehicles to be directed to any available garage rather than being confined to a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where occupancy sensors, booking systems, and operational data from all parking garages are transmitted to the central control unit, which processes this information and sends back control commands. This feedback mechanism ensures real-time optimization of vehicle distribution across multiple garages while managing communication loads through efficient data aggregation and processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control system (16) for a number of automated parking garages (1.1 to 1.y) with at least one user data processing unit (15), comprising an application program with a user interface for selecting and booking at least one parking space (P1 to Pn) within an automated parking garage (1.1 to 1.y) and a communication interface (15.1) for communication with a central computing unit (17), and at least one central computing unit (17), comprising at least one communication interface (17.1) for communication with a number of user data processing units (15) and at least one communication interface (17.2) for communication with the parking garages (1.1 to 1.y), wherein the central computing unit (17) is at least dependent on a value obtained during booking and/or while approaching the booked parking garage (1.1 to 1.y).y) The invention controls the storage and retrieval times of vehicles (3) to be parked in or out of the parking garage (1.1 to 1.y) and the repositioning of vehicles (3) within the parking garage (1.1 to 1.y) based on the arrival time (t) transmitted from at least one user data processing unit (15) to the central computing unit (17). The invention further relates to a method for operating a number of automated parking garages (1.1 to 1.y).