METHOD FOR PARKING AND RETRIEVAL OF A VEHICLE AND DEVICE THERETO

Abstract: The invention includes a device for parking vehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, wherein the device is provided with vertically displaceable lifting means (7) with which one carrying platform at a time is displaceable in vertical direction. This carrying platform (5) is intended to support a vehicle. The device also includes horizontal transporting means for taking a platform, which may or may not be loaded with a vehicle, in horizontal direction of the vertical transporting means and carrying it into a parking position.

Description: METHOD FOR PARKING AND RETRIEVAL OF A VEHICLE AND DEVICE THERETO The invention relates to a method for parking a vehicle, to a method for retrieving a parked vehicle and to a device for parking vehicles for supplying and deliv¬ ering at an entry/exit position. The parking of vehicles in urban areas is becoming an increasingly acute problem. A common solution is to build multi-storey car parks in which a vehicle can be driven to a parking place. However, these car parks are large in size and a significant part of the volume there- of is laid out as traffic lanes whereby this space cannot be employed as useful parking space. Automatic car parks also exist wherein a vehicle is automatically carried to a parking position by transporting means designed specif¬ ically for this purpose. In such a car park a significant part of the available volume is also set out with driving lanes whereby here also the number of parking positions per unit of volume is limited. In addition, automatic car parks entail very costly constructions which are suscep¬ tible to breakdown, wherein the waiting times during retrieval of a parked vehicle can be very long. The present invention has for its object to provide an improved method for parking and retrieving a vehicle in addition to a device for parking vehicles for supply¬ ing and delivering at an entry/exit position, with which vehicles can be parked and retrieved in relatively simple manner. It is of great importance here with a relatively limited investment to obtain a good ratio of the usefully employed parking volume to the total volume of a parking device. The present invention provides for this purpose methods as according to claims 1 and 2. The invention also provides a device for parking vehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, comprising: at least one parking position for a vehicle, a carrying platform associated with each sepa¬ rate parking position for supporting a vehicle, lifting means for vertical displacement of one carrying platform at a time between the entry/ exit position and a position adjoining a park¬ ing position, and horizontal transporting means for horizontal displacement of a carrying platform between a position adjoining the parking position and the parking position. The methods and device according to the invention make it possible with comparatively very simple means to park vehicles in parking positions which adjoin a verti- cal transport shaft. Use is hereby made in very efficient manner of available space for parking vehicles. The required entry/exit space is also very limited. The entry/exit space of a parking device according to the invention can be embodied in the size of a so-called standardized parking unit. The parking device can be placed above the entry/exit space, can be placed under the entry/exit space (i.e. underground) or it is possible to operate a combined underground and aboveground parking device with the single entry/exit space. These options make the parking device according to the invention very flexible and highly suitable for integration into already existing building developments and infrastructure. The energy costs for the use of such a device can remain very limited on account of the comparatively short transport distances and the hereby limited accelerations the vehi¬ cle must undergo. In a preferred embodiment of the parking device a vertical projection of the parking position on the plane through the entry/exit position adjoins the entry/exit position. In another preferred embodiment at least two parking positions are located in the same plane which in vertical projection on the plane through the entry/exit position adjoin the opposite sides of the entry/exit position. These steps minimize the horizontal transport¬ ing distance to displace a carrier from the vertical transport shaft to a parking position. This step also optimizes the useful use of space and also optimizes the waiting times for parking and retrieval of a vehicle. In preference at least two parking positions are located vertically above each other. By providing the parking device with a plurality of storeys the total capacity of a parking device can in principle be extended without limit. In yet another preferred embodiment of the parking device the lifting means comprise: a frame part, a verti¬ cal guide for guiding the frame part, a drive for dis¬ placing the frame part vertically along the guide, and coupling means for releasable coupling of the carrying platform to the frame part. The carrying platform prefer¬ ably comprises a support frame on which a carrying plate is suspended and the lifting means and the parking posi¬ tion are provided with receiving means for the support frame. Using such a construction both the vertical and horizontal movements can be realized in structurally very simple manner. An additional advantage is that in partic¬ ular countries a carrying platform with a suspended carrying plate falls under other legislation than a lift construction wherein the carrying plate on which the vehicle stands supports on the vertical guide on the underside of the carrying plate. This enables a less expensive construction. A preferred embodiment of the horizontal transport- ing means is described in claim 9. Such horizontal trans¬ porting means are structurally simple and thus inexpen¬ sive. These coupling means are also little susceptible to breakdown and are reliable in use. The device preferably comprises control means for displacing to the entry/exit position a carrying platform with a specific vehicle placed thereon, and displacing a non-loaded carrying platform to the entry/exit position. A user of the parking device can go to the control means and there for instance pull out a parking card. The control means relate the parking card to the carrier and therefore also to the vehicle parked on the carrier. The control means then ensure that the carrying platform with vehicle parked thereon is carried away to a parking position which must be stored in a memory of the control means. When the parking card is fed once again into the control means the control means ensure that the associat¬ ed platform is displaced from the parking position to the entry/exit position. It is also possible to charge an account of the parking card holder or to request a pay¬ ment before providing access to the entry/exit position. The parking device is preferably of modular con¬ struction. A parking device module herein comprises at least: a parking position and a vertical guide part. It is also possible to embody a parking device module with horizontal transporting means. Yet another parking device module can be embodied with the vertical transporting means. By means of the modular construction a parking device can be combined and/or replaced in very simple manner which is optimal in a specific situation of use. This does not require any further specific costs. The present invention will be further elucidated with reference to the non-limitative embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a parking device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of horizontal trans¬ porting means according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows several side views and a top view of a number of alternative parking devices according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a side view of a combination of two parking devices according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows a top view of a combination of four parking devices according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows a top view of an alternative combina¬ tion of six parking devices according to the invention, Fig. 7 shows two side views and a top view of anoth¬ er alternative combination of three parking devices according to the invention, Fig. 8 shows yet another alternative combination of a number of parking devices according to the invention, Fig. 9 shows a side view of two different parking devices according to the invention, and Fig. 10 shows a top view of yet another combination of six parking devices according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a parking device 1 in which five park¬ ing positions 2 are arranged. A vehicle 3 is driven into an entry/exit space 4 such that it is placed on a carry¬ ing plate 5. This latter is suspended from a frame part 7 using cables or rods 6 (referred to hereinbelow as rods 6) . Using a motor 8 and cables 9 the frame part 7 is vertically displaceable along vertical guides 10. Frame part 7 is herein provided with horizontal guides 11. In the horizontal guides 11 of frame part 7 is received a support frame 12 on which the rods 6 of carrying plate 5 engage. That is, support frame 12 is connected to carry¬ ing plate 5 by rods 6. By operating the motor 8 the frame part 7 can be displaced in vertical direction such that support frame 12 adjoins a horizontal guide 13 forming part of a parking position 2. By means of horizontal displacing means 16, which will be further elucidated in fig. 2, support frame 12 can be displaced out of frame part 7 in horizontal direction until it is situated in the horizontal guide 13 of parking position 2. The carry¬ ing plate 5 suspended below support frame 12 and having vehicle 3 resting thereon is then also situated in the parking position 2. For the sake of clarity a carrying plate 5 and a support frame 12 connected thereto by means of rods 6 are shown in this figure only in one parking position 2. It will however be apparent that all parking positions 2 are provided with a support frame 12 with associated carrying plate 5, with the exception of one parking position 2. The support frame 12 with carrying plate 5 forming part of the empty parking position 2 is situated in the entry/exit space 4. As soon as the empty parking position has been filled, and the vehicle 3 is thus situated in the parking position, the frame part 7 can be placed in a position such that it adjoins a sup- port frame 12 associated with a carrying plate 5 which is empty when a subsequent vehicle must be placed in the parking device 1 or adjoining a support frame 12 with an associated carrying plate 5 on which a specific vehicle is standing which at that moment must be taken out of the parking device 1. It is noted that access doors (not shown in this figure) are arranged at the front and rear of the entry/exit space 4. The frame part 7 can only be displaced when these doors are closed. It will be appar¬ ent that this step has been taken with a view to safety aspects. Also shown in this figure are schematic control means 14 which are located in a space 15 specifically adapted for this purpose. This space 15 is not essential. The control area 15 can also be employed as parking position 2. It is possible to embody the parking device 1 in modular form, wherein a parking device module consists for instance of two layers, i.e. it then has only two storeys instead of the three storeys shown in this fig¬ ure. Fig. 2 shows the horizontal displacing means 16, wherein a motor 17 drives a pulley 18 whereby a rope, chain or belt 19 runs. A spindle construction can also be employed for this purpose. The hook 22 as shown in this figure is directed upward, which means that it can co-act with an eye 21 mounted on a support frame 12 forming part of a parking position 2 which is located above entry/exit space 4. A hook 22 which can co-act with a support frame 12 forming part of a parking position 2 located beneath entry/exit space 4 must protrude downward. For simple assembly of a parking device 1 it is possible to opt for a T-shaped embodiment of the hook 22 so that this can be used for any support frame 12 irrespective of the posi¬ tion at which this support frame 12 is arranged in a parking device 1. Fixed onto the rope 19 is a hook 20 with an eye 21. by rotating the pulley 18 the hook 20 can be moved rearward as according to arrow Pl from the position shown here. A support frame 12 is first of all carried as according to arrow P2 to the correct height such that the horizontal guide 11 in frame part 7 con¬ nects onto the horizontal guide 13 of the parking posi¬ tion 2. When the two horizontal guides 11,13 are fully connected up to each other a hook 22, which hook 22 is rigidly connected to support frame 12, will also fall into the eye 21 of the hook 20 of the horizontal displac¬ ing means 16. By moving the hook 20 of the horizontal displacing means 16 as according to arrow Pl the support frame 12 will be pulled along and the rollers 23 with which support frame 12 is displaceable in horizontal guide 11 will move across into horizontal guide 13 of parking position 2. Support frame 12 and the carrying plate 5 suspended thereon can thus be displaced in hori¬ zontal direction. It will be apparent that for the oppo¬ site effect the hook 20 of the horizontal displacing means must be displaced from a position close to the pulley 18 in a direction opposite to that of arrow Pl. Fig. 3 shows a first parking device 24 of the type as shown in fig. 1 of two storeys located above ground. Such a parking device 24 can consist for instance of a single parking device module. The parking device 25 has five storeys located above ground. In top elevation it is apparent that the parking positions 2 adjoin two sides of the vertical transporting column in which the frame part 7 is displaceable. Supply of a vehicle can take place as according to arrow P3 while delivery of the parked vehi¬ cle is possible as according to arrow P4. Finally, fig. 3 shows a parking device 26 in which one and a half storeys of the parking device 26 are arranged underground and three and a half storeys are situated above ground. It is also noted here that four parking positions 2 are located in a building 27. Fig. 4 shows a combination of two underground park¬ ing devices 28. The entry/exit spaces 4 of parking devic- es 28 are located above ground at some distance apart. The underground parking positions 2 of parking devices 28 are mutually adjoining. Such a combination has the advan¬ tage that the parking capacity, particularly at peak loads, can be embodied sufficiently large so that waiting times can remain limited. Fig. 5 shows a top view of a combination of four parking devices 29 with which a circulation of vehicles can be created as required, such as indicated for in- stance by the arrows P5. It should however be apparent that the placing of parking devices 29 provides very many options and can be optimized in accordance with the specific mode of use. Another example hereof is shown in fig. 6, wherein parking devices 29 connect onto each other in both transverse and lengthwise direction. When the parking combination comprises a plurality of access¬ es, maintenance can be carried out on a part of the combination while the parts not being serviced can remain in operation. Fig. 7 shows an alternatively embodied parking device 30, wherein the parking positions 2 adjoin the short side of vertical transporting column 31. When three parking devices 30 are placed contiguously, the entry/ exit spaces will thus also be mutually contiguous. A completely underground variant of a combination of parking devices 30 is shown in fig. 8. Also shown here in side view is that parking devices 30 can also connect onto each other in lengthwise direction, so that a vehi¬ cle circulation can be realized for instance as according to the arrows P8. Fig. 9 shows a schematic side view of a parking device 32 which shows schematically the situation where a carrying plate 5 is suspended from a frame part 7 by means of rods 6. The parking position 2 is also shown in the situation where a carrying plate 5 suspended from rods 6 is situated therein. In the normal operating situation all parking positions 2 will be provided with such a carrying plate 5. It may also be that one parking position 2 is not provided with a carrying plate 5 since this latter is then suspended from frame part 7 as can be seen in fig. 9. Another alternative embodiment is also shown in fig. 9, wherein an aboveground part 33 of a parking device 34 is provided with a vertically displaceable frame part 7 and an underground part 35 of parking device 34 is like¬ wise provided with a vertically displaceable frame part 7. It is stated emphatically here that the control of the frame parts 7 must be embodied such that the frame parts 7 are prevented from coming into mutual contact. The advantage of two frame parts 7 is that the device 34 can put away and deliver vehicles relatively more quickly. Finally, fig. 10 shows yet another configuration 36 of six parking devices.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for parking a vehicle by the successive steps of: placing a carrying platform for the vehicle in an entry/exit position, - placing the vehicle on the carrying platform, vertically displacing the carrying platform with the vehicle placed thereon from the en¬ try/exit position to a position adjoining a parking position, and - horizontally displacing the carrying platform with vehicle placed thereon from the position adjoining the parking position to the parking position. 2. Method for retrieving a parked vehicle by the successive steps of: horizontally displacing a carrying platform with vehicle placed thereon from a parking position to a position adjoining the parking position, - vertically displacing the carrying platform with vehicle placed thereon from the position adjoining the parking position to an entry/exit position, and driving the vehicle off the carrying platform. 3. Device for parking vehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, comprising: at least one parking position for a vehicle, a carrying platform associated with each sepa¬ rate parking position for supporting a vehicle, - lifting means for vertical displacement of one carrying platform at a time between the entry/ exit position and a position adjoining a park¬ ing position, and horizontal transporting means for horizontal displacement of a carrying platform between a position adjoining the parking position and the parking position. 4. Parking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a vertical projection of the parking position on the plane through the entry/exit position adjoins the entry/exit position. 5. Parking device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, where- in at least two parking positions are located in the same plane which in vertical projection on the plane through the entry/exit position adjoin opposite sides of the entry/exit position. 6. Parking device as claimed in any of the claims 3- 5, wherein at least two parking positions are located vertically above each other. 7. Parking device as claimed in any of the claims 3- 6, wherein the lifting means comprise: a frame part, a vertical guide for guiding the frame part, a drive for displacing the frame part vertically along the guide, and coupling means for releasable coupling of the carrying platform to the frame part. 8. Parking device as claimed in any of the claims 3- 7, wherein the carrying platform comprises a support frame on which a carrying plate is suspended and the lifting means and the parking position are provided with receiving means for the support frame. 9. Parking device as claimed in any of the claims 3- 8, wherein the horizontal transporting means comprise a coupling member for releasable coupling of the carrying platform to the horizontal transporting means and the coupling member is movable between a position in which it is connectable to a carrying platform located in a park¬ ing position and a position in which it is connectable to a carrying platform located contiguously of the parking position. 10. Parking device as claimed in any of the claims 3-9, wherein the device comprises control means for displacing to the entry/exit position a carrying platform with a specific vehicle placed thereon and for displacing a non-loaded carrying platform to the entry/exit posi¬ tion. 11. Parking device as claimed in any of the claims 3-10, wherein the parking device is of modular construc¬ tion. 12. Parking device as claimed in claim 11, wherein one parking device module comprises at least: a parking position and a vertical guide part. *****

Inventors: VAN DIJK TJEBBE MEINDERT, VAN DIJK, TJEBBE, MEINDERT
Applicants: DESIGNER & LICENSEE OF PRODUCT, DIJK TJEBBE MEINDERT VAN, DESIGNER & LICENSEE OF PRODUCTS AND PROJECT, INC., VAN DIJK, TJEBBE, MEINDERT
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E04H6
IPC codes: E04H6