Patent GB-1110241-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for automatically parking vehicles
IPC: E04H6/42
Filed: 1965-04-01
Abstract: 1,110,241. Mechanical garages; conveyers. SPACE Ltd. 1 April, 1965 [1 April, 1964], No. 13957/65. Headings B8A and B8E. [Also in Division G3] An apparatus for parking vehicles comprises a plurality of movable pallets positioned for both clockwise and counter-clockwise circulation around a rectangular circuit defining two parallel aisles and two-parallel transverse rows, at least one aisle having one less pallet than could be accommodated thereon and the pallets abutting end-to-end to define a vacant space, driving means for circulating the pallets in either direction, remotely located pallet call-means for each pallet operatively connected to the drive means for initiating and continuing circulation of the pallets until the called pallet reaches a predetermined terminal position in the shortest number of movements, and vacant space position determining means operatively connected to the call means and the drive means which controls the initial mode of movement as between longitudinal and transverse. A loader is provided for transferring vehicles between the pallets and a loading station disposed adjacent the terminal position, the loader having a vertically movable platform for supporting a vehicle and being adapted to move from the loading station on to an adjacent pallet and by movement of the platform to park a vehicle on the pallet or remove a vehicle therefrom. The loading station may be disposed at the periphery of the aisles or between the latter; Fig. 1A shows the station adjacent one end of an aisle and defines a parking unit. The garage may be a multi-storey building having a plurality of parking units provided on each floor and access to the latter may be by lifts or ramps. In one such garage, Figs. 2A, 2B (not shown), access to the building is at street level and is provided by entrance and exit vestibules (13, 14) separated by a combination stairwell and passenger elevator (15). Each vestibule leads to a turntable (18 or 19) positioned adjacent a lift (20 or 21) which has a loader adapted to have a vehicle driven on to it from the turntable. Another garage, Fig. 3 (not shown) comprises a plurality of parking units on each floor of a multi-storey building, access being by ramps or lifts and the vehicle being driven on to or off the pallets which are automatically controlled. A further multi-storey garage, Fig. 4A (not shown), has on each floor one parking unit with two empty spaces (42, 43), and four fixed parking spaces (44 . . . 47), access being by four elevators (38 . . . 41). Further parking units may be provided on each floor. Another multistorey garage, Fig. 5B (not shown), has on each floor six parking units, each serviced by a lift. In a further multi-storey garage, Fig. 5C (not shown), each floor has two pairs of parking units serviced by four lifts (52 . . . 55) disposed in pairs between each pair of units. A further multi-storey garage, Fig. 6 (not shown), has on each floor a plurality of parking units disposed at 45 degrees to the walls of the garage and serviced by up and down ramps, central pedestrian walkways being provided. The units may be disposed at 90 degrees to the walls. The pallets are each provided with supports such as wheels, ball bearings or roller bearings and are driven by means engaging only one pallet at a time, the other pallets being pushed or pulled by the driven pallet. Each pallet has coupling means on both its ends, the coupling means disengaging and re-engaging with that on other pallets when the pallet is moved between the aisles. The pallet, Figs. 7, 8, 9 comprises a sheet steel base 56 attached to a framework 57 . . . 59 which is mounted on wheels 60, a longitudinal opening 65 being provided by the framework between upper vehicle support plates 66 having openings 67 therein which overlie spaced ribs 69 of the framework. Vehicle stops 70 are provided on the plates 66. Mounted centrally on the bottom of the base 56 is a gear rack 71 for engagement with the pallet drive means and mounted on the top of the base 56 are a spaced pair of gear racks 72 for facilitating movement of the loader. Drive means for the pallets, Figs. 10, 17, comprises a motor 74 which is connected by gearing through magnetic clutches 84, 87, to pinions 93, 95, and 103, 105 which respectively engage the racks 71 of the pallets in the two aisles to drive the pallets along the latter. Magnetic brakes 97, 107a, are provided. Transverse movement of the pallets between the aisles is accomplished by a pair of continuous belts 109, 110 which are spaced apart by a distance equal to the wheel base of the pallets. The belts 109, 110 extend over drums 112 one end pair of which are driven by a motor 118. The loader, Figs. 12, 13 comprises a base frame 119 provided with wheels 120 and having mounted thereon a motor 121 driving pinions 127 which are engageable with the racks 72 on the pallets. Four pneumatic jacks 128 are mounted on the frame 119, the piston rods of the jacks being connected to an upper frame 137 having spaced ribs 140 thereon. The pneumatic jacks 128 may be replaced by hydraulic or mechanical jacks. When disposed in a lift the pinions 127 engage racks 151, Figs. 21A . . . 21E (not shown), which are alignable with the racks 72 on the pallets. In operation the loader is moved between the lift and an adjacent pallet and the frame 137 is raised or lowered while the loader is on the pallet so that the ribs vertically pass between the ribs 69 on the pallet to transfer a vehicle from the pallet to the loader or vice versa. Control of the apparatus is either electrical or electronic. In an electrical circuit, Figs. 22A, 22B (not shown), two sets 156, 157 of toggle switches are used to call a pallet in one or other of the aisles, each switch in each set representing a pallet. The position of the pallets are indicated on a call board. When a switch is closed, e.g. switch (158), the current passes through a normally closed limit switch (160) to empty-space determining switches (161). Four such switches are provided for each parking unit, one at each corner of the latter and these may be electrical, photo-electrical or mechanical detectors. The current passes through the appropriate closed switch (161) to a limit switch (162) which is activated by the pallets so that each time the latter move one position the switch (162) alternately opens and closes generating a pulse of current through a stepping relay (163) which energizes, in correct sequence, motor starters (164 . . . 167) controlling the drive motors for moving the pallets. Once the relay (163) initiates an operational sequence of the motor starters (164 . . . 167) the sequence continues until the called pallet is adjacent the loading station when the limit switch (160) opens and a normally open limit switch (168) closes to energize a lift call relay (169). The limit switches (160, 168) are located on each pallet and are operated mechanically, electrically or photo-electrically by movement of the pallet to the position adjacent the loading station. When the lift reaches the appropriate floor, limit switches (170, 171) close to start the loader sequence; switch (171) causes a stepping relay (172) to energize, in sequence, motor starters (173 . . . 176) for the loader. If switch (159) had been closed instead of switch (158) motor starters (177 . . . 180) would have been energized to operate the associated motors in the reverse direction. In a second circuit, Figs. 23A, 23B (not shown) similar to the first described circuit a pallet is called by closing a push-button switch, e.g. switch (181), to energize an interlock (182) through coil (183) and to pass current through a normally closed limit switch (184), a diode (185) and an empty space determining relay (186) to a stepping switch (187) which energizes motor starters (188). Each time the switch (187) changes its position, limit switch (189) operated by the pallets closes to pass current through relay (190) and the stepper coil (191), the latter advancing the switch (187) through one position. When position (192) is reached limit switch (193) closes to cause coil (194) to reset the switch (187). The sequence is repeated until the called pallet is adjacent the loading station. When the lift reaches the floor limit switch (200) which is related to switch (181) closes mechanically, to pass current through interlock (182) to relay (195) which opens limit switches (196 . . . 199) ensuring resetting of the switch (187). The lift call relay (not shown) is energized by a limit switch (201) closing when the pallet reaches the loading station with the pallet in this position limit switches (184) and (202) open to stop the switch (187) and reset the switch (181). Emergency stop switches (203, 204) are provided. An indicator panel, Fig. 24 (not shown), comprises lights (205, 206) operated by detectors on the pallets engaging fixed switches (207,208) and indicates in which aisle the pallets are disposed. Whether or not a pallet is loaded is determined from an in-out register. An electronic pallet call and in-out register, Fig. 25 (not shown), comprises sets (211, 212) of push-button switches. To call a pallet one of the switches, e.g. (213), is closed energizing a flip-flop switch (214) having a reset terminal (215). The switch (214) energizes a commutating flip-flop (216) through an OR circuit (217). The flip-flop (216) is connected to a lamp which indicates whether or not the pallet is loaded. The flip-flop switch (214) also actuates other control means. A pallet position indicator, Fig. 27 (not shown), which is a forward and backward sequence counter activated by limit switches, has indicator lights in a panel (220); the lights shine through a board (221). Fip-flops (A . . . J) are energized by pulses coming from interlock switches each time the pallets move. An electronic control circuit, Fig. 28 (not shown), operates both the pallet and loader movements and is