Automated Parking Pallet Stacking for Faster Vehicle Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated parking systems require a large number of pallet movements to retrieve vehicles, making the process time-consuming and inefficient in terms of relocation time and maximum utilization.
Innovation Solution
A pallet picker device and a control system that adapt the number of pallets in the system to current capacity by collecting or providing additional pallets, allowing flexible adjustment of pallets for faster retrieval and maintaining system capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of pallets in the parking system is increased to maximize storage capacity, then the system can store more vehicles, but the retrieval time increases due to more pallet movements being required
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active pallets based on current occupancy levels. When occupancy is low, fewer pallets are active in the system, reducing the number of movements required for retrieval. When occupancy is high, more pallets are activated to maintain storage capacity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the pallet quantity adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of pallet quantity based on system state. By monitoring occupancy levels and adjusting the number of active pallets accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between storage capacity and retrieval efficiency. The control device manages which pallets are active or stacked, effectively changing the operational parameter of pallet quantity to resolve the time-capacity trade-off.
2Loss of time
If the number of pallet movements is reduced to decrease retrieval time, then vehicle retrieval becomes faster, but the maximum storage capacity of the system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic pallet management where the number of active pallets is adjusted in real-time based on occupancy. The control device monitors system state and activates or deactivates pallets as needed, allowing the system to maintain high storage capacity when full while enabling fast retrieval when occupancy is lower. This dynamic approach eliminates the need to choose between capacity and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages pallet activation and deactivation based on occupancy levels without external intervention. The control device self-adjusts the number of active pallets to optimize both retrieval time and storage capacity, making the system self-regulating and adaptive to changing conditions.
3Device complexity
If a fixed number of pallets is used in the system, then system结构简单 (structure is simple), but the system cannot adapt to varying occupancy levels and optimize retrieval efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static pallet configuration to a dynamic one where pallet activation is controlled based on occupancy. The control device manages which pallets are active or stacked, allowing the system structure to remain relatively simple while gaining adaptability through intelligent control. This resolves the contradiction by adding minimal complexity to the physical structure while maximizing functional adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces retrieval time by optimizing pallet movements and maintaining system capacity, with the ability to adjust strategies based on occupancy levels.
Implementation Method 1
The stacking device can be implemented as a simple lifting device, for example by means of a hydraulically operated scissor mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
In an automated parking system with a large number of pallets that can be moved longitudinally and transversely within a parking deck for vehicles to be stored thereon, and with a plurality of transport modules permanently installed on a parking deck to receive the pallets, which are arranged at least partially adjacent to one another in rows and columns, and are designed for the optional transport of the pallets in longitudinal and transverse directions and for their transfer to the transport module adjacent in the respective transport direction, it is provided that the number of pallets that can be moved in the parking system is dynamically adjusted to the occupancy of the parking system by collecting pallets from the transport modules or providing additional pallets using a pallet pick-up device.In this process, unused pallets can be grouped into pallet stacks using a stacking device, which remain movable on the transport modules in the longitudinal and transverse direction, and existing pallet stacks on the transport modules can be broken up to provide additional pallets.