Parking Robot Segmented Transport Surface for Curve Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking robots face difficulties navigating tight curves and ramps due to their size and lack of flexibility, leading to potential collisions, tipping, or breaking under the weight of vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A parking robot with at least two separate transport surface sections connected by a flexible mechanism, such as a rope, chain, or articulated joint, allowing for mobility and flexibility in maneuverability, including wheels to prevent ground contact and improve stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid transport surface is used for the parking robot, then structural strength is maintained, but the robot cannot navigate tight curves and ramps due to lack of flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to navigate curves and rampsVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The transport surface is divided into multiple separate sections (first transport surface section and second transport surface section) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the robot to navigate curves and ramps by adjusting the relative positions of the sections, resolving the contradiction between needing flexibility for adaptation and maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport surface transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure with movable connections. The articulated connection allows the transport surface sections to change their relative positions and angles, enabling the robot to adapt to various terrains like curves and ramps while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the parking robot is made larger to carry vehicles, then load capacity is sufficient, but maneuverability in tight spaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacity for vehiclesVSAvoidmaneuverability in tight spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the transport surface into separate articulated sections, the robot maintains its overall size for vehicle capacity while allowing individual sections to move independently. This enables the robot to navigate tight spaces by articulating the sections, effectively reducing its footprint during maneuvers while preserving full load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3710652B1Parking robot
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3710652B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3710652B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3710652B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a parking robot, which comprises: a transport surface for transporting a motor vehicle, said transport surface having at least two separate transport surface portions. Between said transport surface portions a flexible connection is formed so that the at least two transport surface portions are movably connected to one another.