Automated Parking Platform Drive Unit with Bellows and Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated parking systems with overlapped floors require a large number of mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electronic components, leading to complex and energy-intensive operations, with frequent maintenance needs due to the need for raising and lowering platforms and swinging wheels for orientation changes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of simplified control devices for movable platforms with a reduced number of components, utilizing a bellows element and rotating rollers to lift and rotate platforms along guide rails without the need for raising or lowering, and eliminating the requirement for swinging wheels, allowing for quick and efficient orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical systems with swinging wheels and raising/lowering mechanisms are used, then platforms can be displaced and oriented along guide rails, but the system becomes complex with many movable parts requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical systems (swinging wheels, raising/lowering mechanisms) with a linear motor system that uses electromagnetic fields to directly propel platforms along guide rails. This substitution eliminates multiple movable mechanical parts while maintaining the ability to displace and orient platforms efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear motor system serves multiple functions: it propels platforms along guide rails, enables orientation changes, and eliminates the need for separate raising/lowering mechanisms. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining operational capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If multiple mechanical components and electro-mechanical systems are used for platform control, then platforms can be precisely positioned and oriented, but energy consumption increases and maintenance requirements rise
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor system replaces energy-intensive mechanical transmission systems with direct electromagnetic propulsion. This substitution reduces energy consumption while maintaining precise positioning control through electronic regulation of the electromagnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback and control algorithms to automatically adjust platform positioning without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This self-regulating approach reduces energy consumption while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional systems with swinging wheels and raising/lowering mechanisms are used, then platforms can change orientation and position, but the systems require considerable mechanical power and periodic maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor system replaces mechanical components subject to wear (swinging wheels, gears, raising/lowering mechanisms) with electromagnetic components that have no moving parts. This substitution dramatically reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining full adaptability for platform positioning and orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical transmission components from the system, retaining only the essential functions of platform displacement and orientation through direct electromagnetic actuation. This extraction eliminates the parts that require periodic maintenance.
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
This solution reduces the complexity and energy consumption of automated parking systems by minimizing mechanical and electronic components, simplifying maintenance, and enabling efficient platform displacement and orientation without the need for extensive mechanical power or periodic maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first linear motor disposed in the movable platform and adapted to propel the movable platform along the guide rails
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor disposed in the movable platform and adapted to detect a position of the movable platform along the guide rails
Implementation Method 3
a second sensor disposed on the parking floor and adapted to detect a position of the movable platform in a direction orthogonal to the guide rails
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~7
AI summary
Drive units for movable platforms for supporting and transporting motor-vehicles for automated parking systems having one or more overlapped floors, adapted to actuate and to transport said movable platforms toward and from parking positions selected in advance. There are provided two drive units (10) identical to each other, adapted to displace the movable platforms (11), one in the longitudinal direction and the other one in the transversal direction of each parking floor, each one of which comprises a lifting and sliding unit (14) constituted by a rotating roller (19) and a bellows element (16), and an actuating unit (15) constituted by a gearmotor (36) and movement transmission members (33, 34, 35) for the lifting and sliding unit (14).