Multi-Tower Bicycle Parking With Independent Elevators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle and electric bicycle parking systems, particularly those using overhead or underground towers, face inefficiencies due to the need for a single elevator and entrance, leading to lengthy intervals for parking and retrieval, which limits usage, especially during peak hours when many cyclists are in a hurry.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising multiple towers, each with its own door, manipulator, elevator, and storage containers, connected by a cash box, supply machine, and intake machine, with information screens and handrails, allowing for independent operation and automated processing, enhancing security and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single elevator and one entrance are used for parking towers, then the structure is simpler, but the parking and retrieval time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidparking and retrieval time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the parking system into multiple independent towers, each with its own elevator and entrance. This segmentation allows simultaneous operations in multiple towers, reducing the overall parking and retrieval time while maintaining manageable structural complexity for each individual tower.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If multiple towers with separate elevators and doors are used, then the parking and retrieval time is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking and retrieval timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple towers into an integrated system managed by a central control unit. This merging allows the system to handle multiple operations simultaneously while maintaining centralized control, thus reducing time loss without making individual components overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each tower is equipped with its own elevator and door system that can operate independently, allowing the system to serve multiple functions simultaneously. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex inter-tower coordination while improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual parking procedures are used, then the system is simpler to operate, but the productivity and speed of parking operations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidparking operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated manipulators that independently handle bicycle intake, positioning, and storage without requiring manual intervention. This self-service automation dramatically increases parking operation speed while the central control unit maintains operational simplicity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical parking operations with automated manipulators and control systems. This substitution increases productivity by eliminating human reaction time and manual handling, while the automated system maintains ease of operation through centralized control and user-friendly interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3433452B1Facility for parking bicycles
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 VAPOS SPOL
  • EP3433452B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3433452B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3433452B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Facility for parking bicycles and electric bikes consisting of two to twenty towers, when each tower has a door for loading and unloading of the bikes, where before each door there are placed handrails that create the security corridor between the customer and bicycle and between the handrails there is placed homing bar for a bicycle. Behind the door there is placed the manipulator to safely intake and release the bikes, further the separate elevator and at least six containers for the storage of bikes, when each of the towers has above every door an information screen. The towers are connected by the cash box, supply machine and intake machine. The facility for parking bicycles and electric bikes is controlled by a computer or more computers and all processes take place automatically. All the information needed for the customer are displayed on the display placed above the door of each tower.