Robot Valet Parking Rail and Pallet Layout for Faster Vehicle Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valet parking methods are inefficient in large and complex areas like airport parking lots, requiring significant time for valet service providers to park vehicles and managing varying parking periods, and there is a need for a system that can efficiently manage and automate vehicle parking and pickup using a vehicle transfer robot.
Innovation Solution
A valet parking system utilizing vehicle transfer robots and pallets, along with a server-controlled network, to automate the parking and pickup of vehicles in airport parking zones, including a vehicle stop zone, transfer rail, and parking zones divided into long-term and short-term areas, with robots capable of lifting vehicles and moving them along a continuous rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a valet service provider drives a vehicle directly from the vehicle stop zone to the parking zone, then the parking service can be provided, but it takes a long time for parking and retrieval operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the parking facility into multiple zones (vehicle stop zone, vehicle transfer zone, first vehicle parking zone, second vehicle parking zone) and uses specialized robots for each zone. The first vehicle transfer robot operates in the stop zone for intake, while the second vehicle transfer robot operates in the parking zone for retrieval, enabling parallel operations and reducing overall time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vehicle transfer pallet as an intermediary carrier between the vehicle stop zone and parking zone. The pallet transports vehicles along a transfer rail, eliminating the need for valet providers to manually drive vehicles across the facility, thereby significantly reducing parking and retrieval time
2Quantity of substance
If the parking zone is located far from the terminal for efficient space utilization, then more vehicles can be parked, but it increases the time for drivers to access their vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The parking zone is segmented into a first vehicle parking zone for long-term parking and a second vehicle parking zone for short-term parking. The second zone is positioned closer to the vehicle transfer rail for faster access, while the first zone is positioned farther for maximum space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle transfer pallet and rail system acts as an intermediary transportation network that quickly moves vehicles between the terminal area and distant parking zones. This automated transfer system reduces access time despite the increased distance, as robots can transport vehicles faster than manual driving
3Quantity of substance
If the parking zone is expanded to accommodate more vehicles, then the capacity increases, but the complexity of managing and locating vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server continuously monitors the occupancy status of parking spaces and provides real-time feedback to the vehicle transfer robots. When a retrieval request is received, the server identifies the specific zone and space, guiding the appropriate robot to the exact location, thereby simplifying management of large-scale parking operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated vehicle management where the server autonomously assigns parking spaces, tracks vehicle locations, and coordinates robot operations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual tracking and management, reducing operational complexity despite increased capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A valet parking system includes at least one first vehicle transfer robot located in a vehicle stop zone where a vehicle for valet parking is stopped and configured to move the vehicle stopped in the vehicle stop zone; at least one vehicle transfer pallet configured to load the vehicle moved by the first vehicle transfer robot; a vehicle transfer rail installed from the vehicle stop zone to a vehicle parking zone; at least one second vehicle transfer robot located in the vehicle parking zone and configured to move the vehicle transported by the vehicle transfer pallet to a vehicle parking position in the vehicle parking zone, or moving a vehicle parked in the vehicle parking position back to the vehicle transfer pallet; and a server for controlling the first vehicle transfer robot, the vehicle transfer pallet, and the second vehicle transfer robot.