Automated Parking Charging Column for Safe Vehicle Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recharging electric or hybrid vehicles in automated parking areas poses safety risks due to inaccessible parking spots and moving vehicles, requiring a system that minimizes human intervention and prevents exposure to hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
A vertically extending recharging column with a power socket and cable, integrated with a horizontal conveyor device and robotic arm, allowing for automated translation and coupling with vehicles, enabling safe and efficient recharging without direct user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional power socket recharging system is used in automated parking areas, then users can recharge vehicles, but users are exposed to safety risks from moving vehicles and inaccessible parking spots
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated recharging where the robotic arm autonomously positions and connects the power cable to the vehicle without user intervention. The vehicle itself is positioned by the automated parking system, and the recharging process occurs automatically once the vehicle is in the parking spot, eliminating the need for users to physically access hazardous areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the power source and the vehicle, performing the dangerous task of cable connection in the hazardous automated parking environment. The robotic arm can safely navigate the automated parking space, position itself near the vehicle, and establish the electrical connection without exposing human users to moving vehicles and mechanical structures.
2Productivity
If users manually connect power cables in automated parking areas, then recharging can occur, but human intervention exposes users to hazardous environments with moving vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm performs the entire recharging operation autonomously - positioning itself, connecting the power cable, and maintaining the connection throughout the charging process. This automation eliminates human exposure to moving vehicles while maintaining continuous power transfer, ensuring both safety and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of plugging and managing power cables by users is replaced with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm uses mechanical arms and end-effectors to handle the power cable connection, substituting human mechanical interaction with automated mechanical systems that can operate safely in the automated parking environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed power socket system is used, then installation is simple, but the system cannot adapt to moving vehicles in automated parking areas
Solution Approach 1:
The recharging system transitions from a static fixed power socket to a dynamic robotic arm that can move and reposition itself. The robotic arm dynamically adjusts its position to follow the vehicle's movement within the automated parking system, maintaining optimal connection positioning while adapting to different vehicle locations and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm serves multiple functions: it positions itself relative to the vehicle, connects and manages the power cable, and can potentially service multiple different vehicle types and positions. This multi-functional design provides adaptability to various vehicle movements and configurations without requiring separate fixed infrastructure for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a process of recharging electric or hybrid vehicles in an automated parking area is described, said recharging process comprising the steps of:providing a vehicle (300) to be recharged to an interface platform (200) between the vehicle and a carriage for moving vehicles; said interface platform (200) being combined with a first horizontal conveyor device (20); said first horizontal conveyor device (20) being in turn coupled to a recharging column (10), the drag plate (22) and said recharging column (10) being in their at rest/recharging position;bringing said drag plate (22) and said recharging column (10) to a conveying/forward position;bringing a carriage for moving vehicles below said vehicle (300);coupling at least one portion of said carriage for moving vehicles to at least one wheel of said vehicle (300) and to said recharging column (10); such as to decouple said recharging column (10) from said first horizontal conveyor device (20);conveying said vehicle (300) together with said recharging column (10) on a parking spot (400) provided with a second horizontal conveyor device (20);coupling said recharging column (10) to the drag plate (22) of said second horizontal conveyor device (20);translating said drag plate (22) of said second conveyor device (20) together with said recharging column (10) in its at rest/recharging position such as the power socket (6) of said column (10) is engaged with and is electrically supplied by a corresponding power socket (18).