Lightweight Wooden Deck Modules for Aerial Car Parks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial car park solutions face challenges in quickly and easily assembling modular deck modules due to their heavy weight, requiring high-capacity handling and transport, which complicates assembly and can stress the ground, encroach on parking spaces, and are difficult to dismantle.

Innovation Solution

The use of lightweight wooden deck modules with a supporting structure that includes stringer bases and posts with height adjustment, along with inter-box sealing systems and RFID chips for management, allows for quick assembly and easy dismantling while preserving ground-level parking spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If heavy metal deck modules are used to ensure structural strength, then the car park floor can support vehicle loads, but the modules become difficult and time-consuming to assemble and require high-capacity handling means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from heavy metal to lightweight wood, reducing the weight of deck modules while maintaining structural strength through optimized wooden box construction with connecting ribs and plates. This enables easier assembly and handling without compromising load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite wooden structures combining different wood components (boxes, ribs, plates) to create deck modules that achieve both lightweight properties and structural strength, avoiding the need for heavy metal construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stress or pressure

If multiple support points are added to distribute the weight of the car park, then ground stress is reduced, but the parking spaces on the lower floor are encroached upon and comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground stressVSAvoidparking space availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the lightweight property of wooden deck modules to counterbalance the need for multiple support points. The reduced weight of wood compared to metal allows the car park structure to be supported by fewer posts, preserving ground-level parking spaces while maintaining acceptable ground stress levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Reliability

If the car park is constructed using heavy modules to ensure durability, then the structure can withstand long-term use, but the assembly and dismantling operations become complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to lightweight wood, which reduces assembly time while maintaining durability through proper wooden box construction with connecting ribs and plates that ensure structural integrity over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the car park into modular wooden deck modules that can be independently assembled and dismantled. Each module is a complete functional unit with integrated sealing and support features, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly without compromising overall structure durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional metal deck modules are used, then the car park can be built with standard materials, but the sealing between modules becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to wood, which has more forgiving dimensional stability characteristics compared to metal. This simplifies the sealing system design, allowing for effective sealing between wooden modules using straightforward gasket or joint designs rather than complex compensation mechanisms required for thermal expansion and contraction in metal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3767057B1Equipment for forming an overhead car park including timber deck modules
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 PARK&PLAY
  • EP3767057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention relates to equipment for forming a parking level comprising rectangular deck modules (2) arranged to form, in assembled position, at least part of the deck (4) of an above-ground parking level. Each deck module (2) comprises a wooden box (8) having an upper plate (9) and a lower plate (10) joined by connecting ribs (12), the upper plate (9) being provided with a waterproofing coating, inter-box sealing systems (16) ensuring continuous waterproofing between the upper plates (9) of adjacent boxes.