Robotic Grid-Based Parking System for High-Density Vehicle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-storey car parks and mechanized parking systems face inefficiencies in space utilization, cost, reliability, and throughput capacity, with only about 10% of the volume being used for parked cars, and existing technologies for high-density storage and retrieval of items are impractical for vehicle parking.
Innovation Solution
A robotic parking system with a framework structure of vertical uprights and a horizontal grid of rails supporting load handling devices that can move independently along the rails, allowing for high-density stacking and retrieval of vehicles, utilizing robotic load handling devices to manage containers of varying sizes and heights, enabling efficient access and storage without the need for aisles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional multi-storey car parks are used, then drivers and passengers can comfortably access their vehicles, but only around 10% of the volume is actually filled with parked cars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level horizontal parking to vertical stacking in three dimensions. Containers are arranged in stacks with multiple levels, utilizing vertical space to achieve up to 40% volume utilization compared to conventional 10% utilization in multi-storey car parks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the parking space into discrete containers that can be independently stacked and accessed. Each container acts as a modular unit that can be positioned at different heights and locations within the framework, enabling efficient space utilization while maintaining access capability.
2Volume of stationary object
If mechanized parking systems are used to increase density, then more vehicles can be parked in less space, but cost and reliability become significant drawbacks
Solution Approach 1:
The load handling devices are equipped with autonomous navigation and container handling capabilities, allowing them to independently retrieve and position containers without human intervention. This self-service mechanism improves reliability by reducing dependency on complex centralized control systems while maintaining high density parking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical crane systems with robotic load handling devices that use sensors, processors, and automated control systems. This substitution improves reliability by using modern robotic technology with redundancy and fault-tolerance capabilities rather than aging mechanical systems.
3Productivity
If robotic load handling devices are used, then throughput capacity and space utilization improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load handling devices are designed as multi-functional units capable of navigation, container gripping, lifting, and precise positioning. Each device can serve multiple containers and stacks, reducing the total number of devices needed and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high throughput capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable load handling devices that can adjust their speed, position, and operational parameters in real-time based on system demands and container locations. This dynamic operation optimizes throughput while simplifying control through adaptive algorithms rather than complex fixed mechanisms.
4Volume of stationary object
If freestanding stacks of containers are used, then storage volume is reduced, but complicated hoisting mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hoisting function from complex centralized mechanisms and distributes it to individual load handling devices. Each robotic device has its own integrated lifting capability, eliminating the need for complicated shared hoisting infrastructure while maintaining freestanding container stacks and reducing overall storage volume requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic parking device is described. The device includes a number of stacks of containers as shown in FIG. 3, the stacks being positioned within a frame structure including uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks, the grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Cars or vehicles are positioned in containers that are moved in to and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The cars are put in to the grid at entry points that may be positioned at points under the stacks.