Parking Facility and Method for Operating Same

The disclosure relates to a parking facility and to a method for operating same.

Parking facilities or parking devices are used to park motor vehicles in a space-saving fashion with optimization of the access areas. DE 10 2020 102 244 A1 discloses a parking facility. This parking facility for motor vehicles has a parking shelf system with parking grids arranged next to one another and a plurality of parking levels arranged one above the other. The parking levels comprise an uppermost parking level, a lowermost parking level, and at least one intermediate level situated between them. Parking platforms for the motor vehicles are arranged in the parking shelf system, wherein at least one empty space is provided in the at least one intermediate level. Each shelf space has a displacement apparatus for displacing the parking platform in the respective parking level, and at least one lifting apparatus with lifting elements for the vertical transport of the platforms. The lifting elements can be coupled selectively to the parking platform for the vertical transport. A disadvantage is the high number of drives for the vertical and horizontal transport, wherein the complex movement sequences additionally need to be captured by sensors. The parking facility is accordingly complex and costly.

An object of the disclosure, per an embodiment, is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a solution which has a low degree of complexity, functions reliably, and is cost-effective.

The disclosure, per an embodiment, relates to a parking facility or parking device for vehicles, with parking platforms which are arranged movably in at least two parking levels arranged one above the other and at least two parking grids arranged next to one another. This can be referred to, as it were, as a parking shelf system with shelf spaces. At least one of the parking grids is a lifting grid in which the parking platforms are movable vertically, in particular are driven movably, by means of a vertical drive. According to an embodiment, at least one, preferably at least two, of the parking grids is a transverse grid in which the parking platforms are not driven and/or mounted vertically movably, wherein the parking platforms are mounted horizontally movably on tracks of the parking levels and are driven movably via a transverse drive horizontally into the lifting grid or at least one of the lifting grids.

The advantage resides, per an embodiment, in the functional splitting of the functions of the transverse grids which can be held relatively simply and the lifting grids for the vertical transport. The higher degree of complexity of the lifting grids, which have to provide both horizontal and vertical movements as well as the switching between these movement directions, is thus restricted to the lifting grids. Accordingly, fewer drives, other mechanisms, and monitoring sensors are required and the costs are low. The parking platforms should have a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction horizontally, wherein the longitudinal direction is greater than the transverse direction, and adjacently arranged platforms are arranged adjacent to one another by the longitudinal edges. Accordingly, vehicles then stand side by side on the platforms and drive onto the platforms in a longitudinal direction.

According to an embodiment, it is provided that the parking platforms are mounted so that they can roll on tracks of the parking levels. Such a design is not very complex, is not prone to error, and allows the horizontal displacement of the platforms with the expenditure of less force and energy.

The tracks optionally extend over the parking grids which take the form of lifting grids, and this is the case in particular in at least two of the parking levels, preferably in all the parking levels. As a result, the parking platforms can be moved along the track into and/or over the lifting grid. The tracks should here extend horizontally, in particular over all the parking grids. It can furthermore prove to be advantageous, per an embodiment, if parking platforms can be arranged simultaneously in a plurality of parking levels in the parking grid which takes the form of a lifting grid. As a result, a different lifting grid can, for example, be cleared whilst parking levels are temporarily mounted in the lifting grid.

Specifically, the tracks can take the form of rails and the parking platforms can have rollers which run on the rails. This is particularly smooth and enables precise guidance of the parking platforms.

The tracks in the parking grids which take the form of lifting grids are preferably designed as openable, preferably openable in such a way that they are movably mounted in such a way that they can be moved out of the vertical projection (or the movement path) of a parking platform moving vertically through the lifting grid. Accordingly, the platforms can be lifted past the track simply and the mechanism for avoiding a collision can be arranged simply on the sides of the fixedly arranged track.

It is thus possible that the tracks in the parking grids which take the form of lifting grids are driven openably via at least one actuator. Optionally, in a lifting grid each parking level can have a separate actuator for opening the track. This also enables the tracks to be opened selectively, which saves energy and reduces wear on the mechanism. Moreover, the non-opened tracks can be used for the horizontal transport of other platforms.

Alternatively, it is, however, also possible that each lifting grid has a single actuator for opening the tracks which actuates all of the tracks of the lifting grid via a kinematic coupling. Accordingly, only a small number of actuators is required and the complexity is low.

In the case of the switching of a parking platform in the lifting grid from the horizontal movement into the vertical movement, it is advisable to hold the parking platform in the lifting grid first via the vertical drive and possibly raise it (slightly) from the track before the track is opened. This relieves the strain on the mechanism of the track and the platform can be switched smoothly into the vertical movement.

According to a specific embodiment, it is provided that drivers via which the parking platforms are coupled horizontally movably are formed between the transverse drive of a parking level and the parking platforms in this parking level. Drivers have the advantage, per an embodiment, that no decoupling by separate drives is required during the switching from the horizontal movement into the vertical movement. The decoupling is preferably effected, per an embodiment, exclusively by the vertical drive.

Optionally, the drivers can be arranged on one or more driver carriages which are mounted horizontally displaceably and are driven via the transverse drive. Such a carriage allows precise guidance of the driver.

Specifically, the driver carriage or carriages can have a horizontally extending toothed rack which is or are displaceably driven by a drive pinion of the transverse drive. A rotational movement of a fixedly arranged drive motor can thus be transformed simply into a translational movement of the driver carriage.

In an embodiment, at least two adjacently arranged parking platforms of a parking level are driven, with coupled movement, by the transverse drive. No individual movement or no relative movement between these movement-coupled platforms is then possible.

A further possible embodiment consists in the fact that the transverse drive can be configured in such a way that a parking platform in a parking level is displaceably driven only by a single parking grid.

A low degree of complexity can also be obtained by an optional embodiment such that each parking platform which is situated in a transverse grid is driven movably into only one of the lifting grids. The actuating distances are correspondingly small. This can optionally also be implemented in a reverse fashion, namely by each parking platform which is situated in a lifting grid being driven movably into only one of the transverse grids. In a parking level, for example, each parking platform then has only two positions, a regular position in one of the transverse grids and a regular position in one of the lifting grids.

Furthermore, the vertical drive in a lifting grid can optionally have only one or only two drive motors. Accordingly, only a few drive motors are required for the vertical transport. Owing to the masses which need to be moved, the drives are usually the largest necessary drives such that only a small quantity of them are required. If two drive motors are present, they are preferably seated on two opposite sides of the lifting grid, per an embodiment. As a result, the complexity can be minimized for an even platform lift. Conversely, quantities can be minimized with just one drive motor. Actuators can then be used to redirect forces in order to be able to move the platform vertically on all sides evenly, i.e. in particular with no tilting and tipping.

In a specific embodiment, all of the sensors and actuators for moving the parking platforms horizontally are seated in the transverse grids. The parking platforms are then as it were pushed out of the transverse grids and pulled back into them again.

Conversely, all of the sensors and actuators for moving the parking platforms vertically should be seated in the lifting grids. The transverse grids namely do not need such sensors and actuators. This ultimately allows lifting grids and transverse grids to be combined with each other or positioned next to each other simply without the need to provide couplings for sensors and actuators. This modularity with low complexity enables simple assembly.

In an embodiment, the transverse drive has in each transverse grid exactly one drive motor per parking level. Each individual transverse grid is thus capable of performing a horizontal movement of the parking platform in each parking level. A transverse grid is not absolutely required in the lifting grids. There is accordingly the option that the lifting grid or grids has or have no transverse drive.

It can furthermore be provided that at least one of the parking levels is a drive-in level which is configured in such a way that a vehicle can be driven onto a parking platform positioned in the lifting grid at the drive-in level. The access route to the drive-in level typically needs to be provided on site. The lifting grid should have a door which can be opened at the drive-in level. Access to the parking facility can thus be blocked during the movement sequence.

The drive-in level can furthermore be configured in such a way that a vehicle cannot drive onto at least one, preferably all, per various embodiments, of the parking platforms positioned in the transverse grid at the drive-in level. Access for vehicles is thus restricted to the lifting grids. Fewer access areas are thus required. Bicycle parking spaces, seating, etc. can, for example, then be placed in front of the transverse grids. The number of movable and driven doors, which are required only for the lifting grids, can moreover be reduced. The transverse grid or grids can in particular be closed structurally at the drive-in level, for example with fixed cladding, a fixed barrier, a service door, or a wall.

According to one possible embodiment, the parking platforms have coupling devices, in particular suspension points, per various embodiments, to which the vertical drive is coupled in the lifting grid for the purpose of vertical transport. A mechanically simply maintained connection to the vertical drive is thus obtained.

Specifically, the vertical drive in the lifting grid can have four circulating cables or chains which in each case have a driver for one of four corners of one of the parking platforms. This allows very space-saving guidance of the vertical drive.

It can moreover be provided that the four circulating cables or chains in each case have at least or exactly one driver per parking level. As a result, the drivers do not have to be moved into position each time over parking levels. This results in a reduction in access times because empty travel of the drivers is avoided.

The parking facility, per various embodiments, preferably has a maximum number of parking platforms or the exact number of parking platforms such that one of the parking grids, in particular one of the lifting grids, can be completely cleared of parking platforms. It is thus possible always for exactly one lifting grid to be freed as a vertical shaft in order to move a selected platform through the latter.

A simply maintained embodiment is if the parking platforms each have a fixed assigned parking level. The complexity for rearranging the parking platforms between the parking levels is thus avoided. A parking platform requested for removal is then moved back into the original parking level as soon as possible. This in principle also enables the use of different spacings between the parking levels, wherein lower parking levels can then be used, for example, only for limousines and higher parking levels also for SUVs and minivans.

In a specific embodiment, a defined vehicle is assigned in each case to the parking platforms and the respective parking platform has wheel stops customized for this vehicle. By virtue of the exact positioning of the vehicles on the platforms via the wheel stops, in particular short parking platforms, i.e. with smaller safety overhangs, can be used.

In order to obtain the lowest possible horizontal travel distances, the transverse grids and lifting grids should be arranged alternately next to one another.

Also contributing to this aim is an embodiment according to which always exactly one transverse grid is arranged between two lifting grids. In this arrangement, a platform has to be moved by a maximum of one parking space in order to reach a lifting grid. Moreover, all the parking platforms have to be moved by a maximum of one parking space in order to completely free or clear a parking grid.

It is advisable, per an embodiment, that each of the parking platforms can be requested only in one of the lifting grids. The horizontal movement distances are thus minimized.

The parking facility can furthermore have exactly one row of parking spaces. This allows rapid access to the vehicles without drivers having to walk a long way into the parking facility in order to remove a vehicle.

Alternatively, the lifting grids and transverse grids can have at least two rows of parking spaces arranged behind each other, wherein at least or exactly one of the parking platforms of the front row of parking spaces is a transfer platform via which a vehicle can be moved from the drive-in level into the rear row of parking spaces, and vice versa, wherein the transfer platform is preferably not freed as a parking space. A high parking density is thus obtained because the access route does not have to be extended. Just one parking space in the front row of parking spaces is lost to the transfer platform.

The parking facility can have a central control unit which activates all the actuators and optionally also monitors the movement sequences with sensors.

The disclosure moreover, per an embodiment, relates to a method for operating a parking facility as specified above and below and in which the following steps are performed. First, one of the parking platforms in a parking level of the lifting grid or one of the lifting grids is requested (step a)). This typically happens in order to remove a vehicle from the requested parking platform or to park one thereon. Rather rarely, a requester would just like to remove something from the vehicle or put something in it, or the like. A check is then made as to whether the lifting grid is free of the other parking platforms and, if not, the whole lifting grid is cleared of the other parking platforms (i.e. the parking platforms which have not been requested) by horizontally moving these parking platforms from the lifting grid into adjacent transverse grids (step b)). It can here optionally be necessary that platforms also have to be displaced horizontally into adjacent transverse grids. After or at the same time as the clearing (step b)), a check is made as to whether the requested parking platform is already situated in the lifting grid and, if not, the requested parking platform is moved from an adjacent transverse grid into the lifting grid (step c)). As a result, the requested parking platform is then situated in the desired lifting grid, in particular on its own. A check is then made as to whether the requested parking platform is already situated in the lifting grid at the parking level at which the requested parking platform is requested and, if not, the requested parking platform is moved vertically in the lifting grid to the parking level at which the requested parking platform is requested (step d)).

The advantages, per an embodiment, correspond to those of the parking facility and reside in particular in the low complexity of the movement sequences which are to be implemented according to the method, wherein in particular the lifting movements are restricted to the lifting grids. The check can be pure logic, the result of which has already been established such that the handling of the method step is triggered or skipped. The check can, however, also be complemented with sensor technology via which a target state is compared with the actual state detected by sensors.

In the method, freeing of access to the requested parking platform can optionally follow if this parking platform is situated in the lifting grid at the parking level at which the requested parking platform is requested (i.e. after step d)). This is typically a drive-in level and a person can access a vehicle of the parking platform or park a vehicle on the parking platform. No movement sequences of the parking platforms and their drives should take place as long as access is free. As a result, the need for a transfer cabin or the like to protect the person on the requested parking platform can be avoided.

According to the method, per an embodiment, blocking of the access to the requested parking platform after it has been freed can then follow, in which a check is made as to whether the requested platform is situated at the original parking level and, if not, the requested parking platform is moved vertically back into the original parking level. Fixed allocation of the parking platforms in the parking levels is thus obtained.

Specifically, the method can, as part of the vertical movement of the requested parking platform in the lifting grid (i.e. as part of step d)), be provided such that tracks in the lifting grid on which the parking platforms are mounted so that they can roll in the parking levels are opened. Reference is made to the above explanations of the track of the parking facility with respect to the advantages and options, per various embodiments.

The further features of the parking facility can each be used in the method and functionally employed therein.

shows a sketch of a parking facilityin a perspective view with one row of parking spaces Z. This parking facilityis illustrated inin a front view, inin a side view, and inwith respect to the detail of a transverse drive.are therefore described jointly and the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

Visible in, in each case in a schematic illustration, is a portion of a parking facilityfor vehicles, with parking platforms with just a few parking platforms,,. In particular, three parking levels E, E, Eand two parking grids R, Rare illustrated in. Parking levels and parking grids can optionally be expanded almost as desired.

The parking platforms,,are arranged movably in these three parking levels E, E, Earranged one above the other and the two parking grids R, Rarranged next to one another. One of the parking grids R, Ris a lifting grid Rin which the parking platforms,,can be moved vertically by way of a vertical drive. The other one of the parking grids R, Ris a transverse grid Rin which the parking platforms,,are not driven and/or mounted so that they can be moved vertically. The parking platforms,,are here mounted so that they can be moved horizontally by being able to roll with rollers on tracks,,(see in particular) of the parking levels E, E, Eand are driven by means of a transverse drive,so that they can be moved horizontally into the lifting grid R. The tracks,,are configured as rails.

The parking platforms,,have horizontally a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, wherein the longitudinal direction is greater than the transverse direction and the horizontal movement between the parking grids R, Rtakes place in the transverse direction.

Indicated inby a separating line in the trackis the fact that the tracks,,in the parking grids R, Rwhich take the form of lifting grids Rare designed to be openable, namely openable in such a way that they are movably mounted in such a way that they can be moved out of the vertical projection of a parking platform,,moving vertically through the lifting grid R. An actuator is provided for opening the track. The parking platform,,should be raised from the track,,in the lifting grid Rfirst by means of the vertical drivebefore the track,,is opened.

As is clear in particular from, driversby way of which the parking platformis coupled horizontally movably are formed between the transverse driveof a parking level Eand the parking platformat this parking level E. The driverssit on a driver carriagewhich is mounted horizontally displaceably and are driven by way of the transverse drive. The driver carriagehas a horizontally extending toothed rackwhich is displaceably driven by a drive pinionof the transverse drive. In this way, the drivers, the driver carriage, and the parking platformare displaced jointly horizontally by the drive pinion. The transverse driveis configured in such a way that the parking platformin the parking level Eis displaceably driven only by a single parking grid R, R.

The vertical drivehas in the lifting grid Rtwo drive motors which are arranged in the longitudinal direction at the front and rear end of the lifting grid Rand over the parking levels E, E, E. Seated in the transverse grid Rare all of the sensors and actuators for moving the parking platforms,,horizontally. All of the sensors and actuators for moving the parking platforms,,vertically are seated in the lifting grid R.

The parking platforms,,have coupling devices, in particular suspension points, to which the vertical driveis coupled in the lifting grid Rfor the purpose of vertical transport. For this, the vertical drivein the lifting grid Rhas four circulating cables or chains(see) which in turn in each case have a driverfor one of four corners of one of the parking platforms,,. It is thus provided that the four circulating cables or chainshave in each case exactly one driverper parking level E, E, E.