Parking System

Abstract

In a parking system having movable parking platforms, at least a part of the parking platforms of a front row, when viewed in the direction of entry, has a roof spanning the parking platform. The parking platforms provided with a roof can optionally be vertically adjusted to different positions, i.e., to an entry/exit position, in which the parking platform is on an entry level which allows a vehicle to be driven over in order to be parked, or to a drive-over position, in which the roof is located on the entry level and can be driven over by a vehicle driving in to reach a parking platform located in the row behind it, as well as in a parking position which is lowered in relation to the drive-over position and in which a further parking platform can be moved transversely over the roof.

Claims

1. A parking system for motor vehicles, the parking system comprising: a frame; and a plurality of parking platforms supported by the frame, wherein the respective parking platforms at least partially define a plurality of parking spaces for parking motor vehicles, the parking platforms are arranged next to one another, on at least two levels one above the other, and in at least two rows one behind the other, when viewed in the direction of entry of a motor vehicle into the parking system, the rows include a front row, and the parking platforms include front parking platforms in the front row, the parking platforms are configured to be raised and lowered at least on levels above and/or below an entry level within the frame, the parking platforms are configured to be moved horizontally at least on one level in a transverse direction to form a gap, a roof spans above a front parking platform of the front parking platforms, and the roof and the front parking platform are configured to move vertically to: an entry/exit position, in which the front parking platform is on an entry level which allows a vehicle to be driven over the front parking platform in order to be parked, a drive-over position, in which the roof is located on the entry level and configured to be driven over by a vehicle driving in to reach a parking platform located in the row behind the roof, and a parking position which is lowered in relation to the drive-over position, and wherein in the parking position, a parking platform of the parking platforms is configured to be moved transversely over the roof.

2. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein at least the parking platforms of a row arranged below the entry level are respectively provided with roofs.

3. A parking system according to claim 2, wherein only the parking platforms on the lowest level in the front row are provided with roofs.

4. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be coupled with a parking platform which is vertically adjacent in order to carry out a shifting movement in the transverse direction.

5. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be coupled with a parking platform which is adjacent in the transverse direction in order to carry out a shifting movement in the transverse direction.

6. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein gaps are configured to be formed over a plurality of levels.

7. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein: at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be moved on the entry level only horizontally in the transverse direction to form a gap, and the at least some of the parking platforms cannot be raised and lowered.

8. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein the parking platforms on the lowest level: are configured to be raised and lowered, and cannot be moved horizontally.

9. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a frame for each row.

10. A parking system according to claim 1, wherein the parking platforms assume the highest vertical position in the entry/exit position.

11. A parking system for motor vehicles, the parking system comprising: a frame; and a plurality of parking platforms supported by the frame, wherein the respective parking platforms at least partially define a plurality of parking spaces for parking motor vehicles, the parking platforms are arranged next to one another, on at least two levels one above the other, and in at least two rows one behind the other, when viewed in the direction of entry of a motor vehicle into the parking system, the rows include a front row, and the parking platforms include front parking platforms in the front row, at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be raised and lowered, at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be moved horizontally in a transverse direction to form a gap, a roof spans above a front parking platform of the front parking platforms, and the roof and the front parking platform are configured to move vertically to: an entry/exit position, in which the front parking platform is on an entry level that allows a vehicle to be driven over the front parking platform in order to be parked, a drive-over position, in which the roof is located on the entry level and configured to be driven over by a vehicle driving in to reach a parking platform located in the row behind the roof, and a parking position that is lowered in relation to the drive-over position, and wherein in the parking position, a parking platform of the parking platforms is configured to be moved transversely over the roof, and at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be coupled with a parking platform that is vertically adjacent in order to carry out a shifting movement in the transverse direction.

12. A parking system according to claim 11, wherein at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be coupled with a parking platform that is adjacent in the transverse direction to carry out a shifting movement in the transverse direction.

13. A parking system according to claim 12, wherein gaps are configured to be formed over a plurality of levels.

14. A parking system according to claim 13, wherein: at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be moved on the entry level only horizontally in the transverse direction to form a gap, and the at least some of the parking platforms cannot be raised and lowered.

15. A parking system according to claim 14, wherein the parking platforms on the lowest level (i) are configured to be raised and lowered and (ii) cannot be moved horizontally.

16. A parking system according to claim 15, wherein the parking platforms assume the highest vertical position in the entry/exit position.

17. A parking system for motor vehicles, the parking system comprising: a frame; and a plurality of parking platforms supported by the frame, wherein the respective parking platforms at least partially define a plurality of parking spaces for parking motor vehicles, the parking platforms are arranged next to one another, on at least two levels one above the other, and in at least two rows one behind the other, when viewed in the direction of entry of a motor vehicle into the parking system, the rows include a front row, and the parking platforms include front parking platforms in the front row, at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be raised and lowered, at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be moved horizontally to form a gap, a roof above a front parking platform of the front parking platforms, and the roof and the front parking platform are configured to together move vertically to: an entry/exit position, in which the front parking platform is on an entry level that allows a vehicle to be driven over the front parking platform in order to be parked, a drive-over position, in which the roof is located on the entry level and configured to be driven over by a vehicle driving in to reach a parking platform located in the row behind the roof, and a parking position that is lowered in relation to the drive-over position, and wherein in the parking position, a parking platform of the parking platforms is configured to be moved transversely over the roof.

18. A parking system according to claim 17, wherein: the roof is a first roof; the front parking platform is a first front parking platform; a second roof spans above a second front parking platform of the front parking platforms, and the second roof and the second front parking platform are configured to together move vertically to: a second entry/exit position, in which the second front parking platform is on the entry level that allows a vehicle to be driven over the second front parking platform in order to be parked, a second drive-over position, in which the second roof is located on the entry level and configured to be driven over by a vehicle driving in to reach a parking platform located in the row behind the second roof, and a second parking position that is lowered in relation to the second drive-over position, and wherein in the second parking position, a parking platform of the parking platforms is configured to be moved transversely over the second roof.

19. A parking system according to claim 18, wherein at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be coupled with a parking platform that is adjacent in the transverse direction in order to carry out a shifting movement in the transverse direction.

20. A parking system according to claim 20, wherein at least some of the parking platforms are configured to be coupled with a parking platform that is vertically adjacent in order to carry out a shifting movement in the transverse direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings are provided as examples, may be schematic, and may not be drawn to scale. The present inventive aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples depicted in the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary parking system with three parking levels, on each of which up to six adjacent parking platforms are arranged in two rows.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along the section line A-A of the parking system shown in FIG. 1, wherein a front parking platform is moved (e.g., raised) to its entry/exit position for parking a vehicle.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the parking system, wherein the front parking platform is moved by lowering into its drive-over position so a motor vehicle can drive over the first row via the roof of the parking platform on the same level with the entrance to reach the parking platforms in the second row.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a representation according to FIG. 3, wherein the front parking platform was lowered and a second parking platform in the front row was moved laterally over the lowered parking platform.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a representation according to FIG. 4, wherein the front parking platform was lowered to a lowest parking position and two further parking platforms in the front row were moved laterally over the lowered parking platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In this detailed description, various aspects and features are herein described with reference to the accompanying figures. These aspects and features generally pertain to exemplary parking systems for motor vehicles.

[0027] Specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to those having ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed parking systems may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. As another example, features disclosed as part of one embodiment can be used in the context of another embodiment to yield a further embodiment. In some instances, well-known aspects have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. This detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and it is intended that other embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] As noted, the present invention relates to a parking system for motor vehicles. An exemplary parking system includes a plurality of parking platforms arranged next to one another, on at least two levels one above the other and in at least two rows one behind the other in a frame with parking spaces. The parking platforms can be raised and lowered at least on levels above and/or below an entry level within the frame and can be moved horizontally at least on one level in a transverse direction to form a gap.

[0029] An exemplary embodiment of a parking system 1 for motor vehicles 2 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the parking system 1 includes two rows X1, X2 each with six columns Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, and Y6. In each column Y, three parking platforms 10, 11, 12 can be arranged one above the other. The parking platforms 12 on the lowest level of the front row X1 have a drive-over roof, which is configured in the form of a drive-over bridge.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows that the parking system 1 includes a frame G, which is arranged within a pit B. Within pit B, the frame G is surrounded on the circumferential sides and on the underside by a wall W (see FIG. 2), which is formed, for example, by the foundation or a casing of an underground parking structure of a building (not shown).

[0032] Among other things, the frame G has numerous pillars 5 with a rail guide 6 and transverse rails 8, which are designed to allow for a displacement of the parking platforms 10, 11, as described in more detail (below). For example, C-profiles can be used as rails, in which rollers attached to the parking platforms are guided. In this specific exemplary embodiment, the transverse rails 8 are located in the area of the upper parking platforms 10.

[0033] FIG. 1 also shows that both in the first row X1 and in the second row X2 a gap 20 is formed in the last column Y (i.e., column Y6) in that the upper two parking platforms 10, 11 are omitted. The parking platforms 10, 11 on the upper and central levels can be moved in transverse direction y on the transverse rails 8 of the frame G, so the respective parking platforms 10, 11 in transverse direction y are moved into a gap 20 to form a gap in another column X.

[0034] The upper parking platforms 10 include a transverse drive by which each parking platform 10 on the upper level can be adjusted in transverse direction y. Alternatively, the transverse drive can be fixed to the frame G.

[0035] The parking platforms 10 can be moved individually or coupled. For this purpose, coupling members are provided on the respective parking platforms 10. Corresponding coupling members are described in European Patent Publication No. 1,020,591 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and which is referenced to avoid unnecessary repetition. The respective parking platforms 10 can be coupled with each other and with the transverse drive via coupling members and can optionally be moved in transverse direction y by the transverse drive. When moving in transverse direction y, the parking platforms 10 are supported on the transverse rails 8 by suitable bearing mechanisms, such as rollers.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the entry level, in which vehicles 2 can drive onto one of the parking platforms 10, 11, 12, is located on the top level. However, the present parking system is not limited to this configuration. The entry level can also be located on a central parking level.

[0037] Four pillars 5 respectively surround a parking platform 10, 11, 12 and support the essentially rectangular parking platforms 10, 11, 12 at the corners. The parking platforms 11, 12 have guide mechanisms corresponding to the rail guide 6 arranged on the pillars 5. The parking platforms 11, 12 are movably held in vertical direction z on the pillars 5, and the parking platforms 11, 12 can carry out raising or lowering movements in vertical direction z.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows that between the first row X1 and the second row X2 and on the side of the second row X2 facing the wall W a respective lift drive 30 is arranged. The lift drive 30 is positioned in vertical direction z and includes a hydraulic cylinder 31, two deflection rollers 32, 33, and a traction device 34 (e.g., cable). The traction device 34 is guided through the deflection rollers 32, 33.

[0039] The lift drive 30 between the first row X1 and the second row X2 is provided for raising and lowering the parking platforms 11, 12 in the first row X1, while the lift drive 30 between the second row X2 and the wall W is provided for raising and lowering the parking platforms 11, 12 in the second row.

[0040] Furthermore, the lift drive 30 is configured in the manner of a wire rope with U-shaped traction device loops 35 in which the deflection roller 32 of the hydraulic cylinder 31 is located. Thus, the movement of the hydraulic cylinder 31 generates a movement of the parking platforms 11, 12 twice as large or twice as fast during the raising movement or the lowering movement. The motor vehicles 2 can thus be raised or lowered on the parking platforms 11, 12 at a high speed.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary parking system 1 includes three different parking platforms 10, 11, 12. All parking platforms have a parking space 15 formed by a drive-over plate 14. The parking platforms 10, which are arranged on the top level, can only be moved laterally, because the top level also represents the entry level.

[0042] The parking platforms 11 are the parking platforms shown in FIG. 1 to be located on the central parking level. Essentially, parking platforms 11 are identical to the parking platforms 10 but can be raised vertically onto the entry level or lowered onto their parking position (e.g., they can also be moved laterally in a horizontal direction to form a gap on the central level by being coupled above on the upper level and moved laterally together with said parking platform 10).

[0043] Therefore, the parking platform 10 on the top level can be moved either laterally by itself to raise the parking platform 11 below on the central level, or the central parking platform 11 can be coupled with the upper parking platform 10 and moved laterally together with the upper parking platform 10 so the parking platform 12 on the lowest level can be raised to the entry/exit position or, alternatively, to the drive-over position.

[0044] The parking platforms 12 are located on the lowest level. These can be raised and lowered vertically if there is a gap on each of the levels above. A lateral move of the parking platforms 12 of the lowest level is not provided, because there is no need to form a gap on the lowest level.

[0045] In addition to the parking space 15 formed by the drive-over plate 14, the parking platforms 12 in the front row X1, when viewed in the direction of entry, include a roof 16, which also has a drive-over plate 17 and which is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the drive-over plate 14 of the parking space 15 on the parking platform 12. The distance between the parking space 15 and the roof 16 involves a clearance height adapted to the height of the motor vehicles 2 to be parked on the parking space 15 and typically amounts to between 1.6 meters and 2.0 meters or more. Instead of a drive-over plate, which forms the respective parking platform, open pallets or the like, which essentially consist only of rails, can also be used to save weight.

[0046] The roof 16 configured in the form of a drive-over plate 17 is not used as a parking space, but as a drive-over bridge for vehicles to reach a parking platform in the rear row X2. Accordingly, the parking platforms 12 in the rear row X2 are not provided with a roof 16, because it is unnecessary to drive over a lowered platform in the rear row. In contrast to the parking platforms 10 and 11 on the upper two levels of frame G, parking platforms 12 can be raised and lowered but cannot be moved laterally.

[0047] Therefore, on the lower level there are six parking platforms 12, which can be raised individually into a gap 20 onto the level above. On the upper level there are five parking platforms 10. These can be moved laterally to form the gap 20 but cannot be lowered or raised. On the central level there are five parking platforms 11, which can be raised and lowered individually to the entry level and which can also be moved laterally when coupled with a parking platform 10 above.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows the drive-over plates 15 of the upper parking platforms 10, which are aligned with the entry level. Through the gap 20 it is possible to see from the lowest parking platforms 12 in column Y5 their respective drive-over plate 14, which represents the parking space 15 of the parking platforms 12. Furthermore, it is possible to see in the front row X1 through the gap in column Y6 the roof 16 of the lower parking platforms 12. However, in the rear row X2 it can be seen from the same position the drive-over plate 14 of the corresponding lower parking platforms 12 because, as noted, they do not have roofs.

[0049] The parking platforms 11, 12 can be raised or lowered into different positions in vertical direction z. In FIG. 2, a gap is formed in the first row X1 on the top level and the lower parking platform 12 is raised into the gap up onto the top level in their so-called entry/exit position (e.g., the vehicle 2 can drive on ground level or on one level from the entrance to the parking space 15 of parking platform 12).

[0050] In the back row X2 there are parking platforms 10, 11, 12 in their parking positions (e.g., parking platforms 11, 12 are lowered). The parking platform 10 is aligned with the entrance or exit so a vehicle could drive over a parking platform or a roof of a parking platform in the front row X1 onto the parking platform 10 in the rear row. For this purpose, a connecting bridge 9 is provided between the two parking rows X1 and X2. The connecting bridge 9 covers a gap in the frame G between the first row X1 and the second row X2 on the entry level. First, however, FIG. 2 shows the situation in which a vehicle is parked on parking platform 12 of the front row.

[0051] Based on the situation shown in FIG. 2, in FIG. 3 the platform 12 in the first row X1 occupied by the first vehicle 2 was lowered, first to its drive-over position, in which the roof 16 of the parking platform 12 is aligned with the entry level, so a second vehicle 2 can drive over the roof 16 to reach the parking position on the parking platform 10 in the rear row.

[0052] In FIG. 4, starting from the situation shown in FIG. 3, the parking platform 12 in the first row X1 has now been lowered further, so that in the upper row another parking platform 10 can be moved laterally to the released position above the lowered parking platform 12. A third vehicle 2 can be driven onto and parked on this parking platform 10. A displacement movement of the parking platforms 10 in a horizontal direction can also take place with a vehicle already parked on it. That is, not only empty parking platforms but also parking platforms occupied by a vehicle can be moved horizontallyand vertically, too, if provided for.

[0053] Finally, FIG. 5 shows the situation in which, starting from the situation shown in FIG. 2, the parking platform 12 in the front row was lowered to its parking position on the lowest level and two coupled parking platforms 10, 11 were moved to the gap on the top and central levels. For example, the parking platform 11 was already occupied by a vehicle. Another vehicle 2 can now be driven onto the parking space formed by the top parking platform 10 and parked there.

[0054] To occupy the two lower parking spaces 15 in the rear row X2, the parking platforms 10, 11 occupied by vehicles 2 must be again moved laterally to form a gap in the front row X1. Now the lower parking platform 12 of the front row X1 can be raised onto its drive-over position so vehicles can drive over its roof 16 onto a free parking space in the rear row. Accordingly, to occupy the lowest parking space 15 in the rear row X2, a gap must also be formed in the manner described above to be able to raise the lower parking platform 12 in the rear row X2.

[0055] The parking platforms 10, 11, 12 in columns Y can be raised and lowered together in vertical direction z by the lift drive 30. Both parking platforms are provided with appropriate coupling devices, so they can be operatively connected with the lift drive 30. Such an exemplary embodiment of the parking system 1 is advantageous for a parking system 1 with many levels. In this way, only a single lift drive per column Y is required for all parking platforms 10, 11, 12 arranged vertically one above the other, regardless of the number of levels Z involved. The lift drive 30 can also be used to raise or lower two adjacent rows X.

[0056] The lift drive 30, as well as the transverse drives, are controlled by an intelligent control system that has a user interface by which the parking system 1 can be operated by the users.

[0057] In exemplary embodiments, the parking system 1 is controlled by the control system in such a way that the motor vehicles 2 are delivered to the user at the same position or the same column Y for parking and leaving the parking space. The user can use the user interface to request his parked vehicle and pick it up where he parked it.

[0058] Thus, in accordance with the present disclosure, an exemplary parking system 1 for motor vehicles 2 makes the best possible use of the limited installation space within a pit B for the accommodation of numerous motor vehicles 2 and which permits rapid access to the motor vehicles 2, as the intelligent control system, together with dynamic lift drives and transverse drives, enables the parking platforms 11, 12 to be moved in vertical direction z, and the parking platforms 10, 11 to be moved in transverse direction y.

Other Aspects and Embodiments

[0059] The foregoing detailed description and accompanying figures set forth typical embodiments of parking systems for motor vehicles. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent that numerous other parking-system embodiments may be provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure may utilize any variety of aspects, features, or steps, or combinations thereof. The figures may be schematic representations that are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0060] It is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more of the terms substantially, about, approximately, and/or the like, to qualify each adjective and adverbs of the foregoing disclosure, to provide a broad disclosure. As an example, it is believed those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that, in different implementations of the features of this disclosure, reasonably different engineering tolerances, precision, and/or accuracy may be applicable and suitable for obtaining the desired result. Accordingly, it is believed those of ordinary skill will readily understand usage herein of the terms such as substantially, about, approximately, and the like.

[0061] The use of the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

[0062] While various aspects, features, and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects, features, and embodiments will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art. The various disclosed aspects, features, and embodiments are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the present invention includes at least the following claims and their equivalents: