EP0502453B1 - Management process of a multi-storey garage and device for the implementation of the process - Google Patents

Abstract

In a multi-storey car park having at least one parking shaft (B) and one lift shaft (L), a circular operation (a1, a2, 33) is maintained in which the pallets (P) holding the vehicles (C) are raised from an entrance of the parking shaft (B) to the individual parking spaces (B1-B7) and, when they are to be collected, are moved into the lift shaft (L) which serves exclusively to move the pallets (P) downwards and then to the exit. The pallets (P) then return immediately to the entrance without travelling backwards once more along a route they have just taken. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

Multi-storey garages of this type and methods of operating the same have in various cases been mostly proposed as multi-storey garages, although in principle they could also be built deep. Examples of this can be found in documents DE-B-16 84 789 or DE-A-14 23 545, 28 25 767, 36 21 974 and 37 40 586. All of these proposals have in common the arrangement of at least one storage shaft in which the vehicles form load-bearing pallets. The pallets can be moved in order to get from a lift shaft into which they were lifted to the individual parking spaces and from there to be brought back to the lift shaft when they are picked up in order to drive downwards.

There are a number of disadvantages to these proposals. First of all, the pallets loaded with vehicles are transported up and down in the same shaft, which inevitably leads to mutual hindrance to transport and thus annoying waiting times. The supply of empty pallets and their whereabouts after the departure of the respective vehicle also remain unresolved. Finally, such multi-storey garages require a considerable amount of personnel and often also require driving and the assistance of the vehicle owner, which is annoying and, moreover, also involves dangers when the vehicles are stacked in such a narrow manner.

The invention is based on the object of demonstrating a method for operating such multi-storey garages, one which is problem-free and rapid for the vehicle driver as well as for the operator, with short waiting times and longer Security with simple construction of the garage enables space-saving.

• überflüssige Wartezeiten auf Grund mehrfachen Befahrens ein und desselben Transportweges in verschiedenen Richtungen entfallen;
• es ergibt sich die Möglichkeit einer Automatisierung der Vorgänge, so dass die Sicherheit erhöht und die Mithilfe von Personal oder Kraftzeuglenkern minimiert wird oder sogar ganz darauf verzichtet werden kann;
• dabei bleiben die Vorteile eines Hochgaragensystems voll erhalten, ja es wird eine durchaus flexible Anpassung an die jeweiligen, meist beengten Raumverhältnisse innerhalb einer Grossstadt möglich.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1. Because the fact that the pallets are now transported in a cycle results in a whole series of advantages:

• unnecessary waiting times due to multiple journeys on the same transport route in different directions are eliminated;
• there is the possibility of automating the processes so that security is increased and the assistance of personnel or drivers is minimized or can even be dispensed with entirely;
• the advantages of a multi-storey car park system are fully retained, yes it is possible to adapt flexibly to the respective, usually cramped, spatial conditions within a large city.

This last-mentioned space requirement is further reduced if one proceeds according to claim 2. A lifting shaft to be arranged outside the storage shaft is thus no longer necessary.

A multi-storey garage with the features of claim 3 is therefore particularly suitable for carrying out the method.

If there is talk of a lifting device, this does not mean that the pallets are inevitably guided upwards by them, rather it should be within the scope of the invention such devices which are usually used as lifting devices, lifting devices or the like. are referred to as lifts, or trolleys that protrude from a building like a console and are height-adjustable. Depending on whether it is a Upstairs or underground parking, the lifting device will then have the task of lifting the pallets upwards, in the latter case downwards. The same applies to the expression "lifting arrangement", which delivers parked cars to the exit.

As will become apparent later from the description of exemplary embodiments, the multi-storey garage according to the invention is preferably designed as a high-rise garage, although in principle it can be designed as an underground garage. In addition to the advantages already mentioned above, the towers of a high-rise garage can be produced from easily stackable construction units, which enables large-scale industrial production and thus optimal quality at a low price. In addition, there is an extremely favorable assembly time, although subsequent changes to the size of the garage are quite, and relatively easy, possible, and even easy and practically non-destructive transfer to another location is conceivable, since disassembly and reassembly hardly cause any problems.

Fig.1A

eine erfindungsgemässe Ausführungsform einer Hochgarage in axonometrischer Darstellung;

Fig. 1B

eine Draufsicht auf eine andere Ausführungsform mit der Darstellung eines vollständigen Palettenkreislaufes;

Fig. 1C

ein aus den Fig. 1A und 1B ableitbares Verfahrensschema;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt etwa nach der Linie II-II der Fig. 1A;

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht der beiden Schächte im Sinne des Pfeiles III der Fig. 1A;

Fig. 4

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäss verwendeten Palette, wobei Fig. 4A deren Seitenansicht, Fig. 4B eine Stirnansicht, Fig. 4C einen Schnitt nach der Linie C-C der Fig. 2 und Fig. 4D die bevorzugte Ausführung der Rollenanordnung der Palette veranschaulicht;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer in einem erfindungsgemässen Stapelschacht vorteilhaft verwendeten Führungsschiene für die Paletten, die in

Fig. 6

in Stirnansicht gezeigt ist;

Fig. 7A

die Anordnung einer bevorzugten Hebeeinrichtung innerhalb des Abstellschachtes, die in

Fig. 7B

in Stirnansicht dargestellt ist, wozu

Fig. 7C

eine Ausführungsvariante veranschaulicht und

Fig. 7D

eine mögliche Anordnung am Dache der Hochgarage unter gleichzeitiger Darstellung des zweckmässigen gegenseitigen Versatzes der Hebeeinheiten zeigt;

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf die Schachtanordnung gemäss Fig. 1B, zu der die

Fig. 9

eine Vorderansicht im Sinne der Linie IX-IX der Fig. 1B veranschaulicht;

Fig. 10

eine Variante zu dem in Fig. 1B gezeigten Stapelförderer am Eingange des Abstellschachtes;

Fig. 11A

eine Draufsicht auf eine besonders zweckmässige Einrichtung zum Ausrichten der Palettenräder, wie sie beispielsweise in einer Hochgarage nach den Fig. 1B, 8 und 9 Anwendung finden kann, und wozu die

Fig. 11B

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B der Fig. 11A darstellt;

Fig. 12

eine weitere mögliche Schachtanordnung gemäss der Erfindung;

Fig. 13

die Arbeitsweise einer für die Automatisierung vorteilhaften Programmeinrichtung bei Ankunft eines Fahrzeuges an einer erfindungsgemässen Hochgarage, zu der an Hand der

Fig. 14

die Arbeitsweise der Programmeinrichtung beim Verlassen der Hochgarage durch ein Fahrzeug erläutert werden soll.

Further details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig.1A

an inventive embodiment of a multi-storey car park in axonometric representation;

Figure 1B

a plan view of another embodiment showing a complete pallet cycle;

1C

1A and 1B derivable process scheme;

Fig. 2

a section approximately along the line II-II of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 3

a front view of the two shafts in the direction of arrow III of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 4

a preferred embodiment of a pallet used according to the invention, FIG. 4A showing its side view, FIG. 4B an end view, FIG. 4C a section along the line CC of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4D illustrating the preferred embodiment of the roller arrangement of the pallet;

Fig. 5

a side view of a guide rail advantageously used in a stacking shaft according to the invention for the pallets, which in

Fig. 6

is shown in front view;

Figure 7A

the arrangement of a preferred lifting device within the storage shaft, which in

Figure 7B

what is shown in front view

Figure 7C

illustrates an embodiment variant and

Figure 7D

shows a possible arrangement on the roof of the multi-storey car park, while at the same time showing the appropriate mutual offset of the lifting units;

Fig. 8

a plan view of the shaft arrangement of FIG. 1B, to which the

Fig. 9

a front view in the sense of the line IX-IX of Fig. 1B illustrates;

Fig. 10

a variant of the stacking conveyor shown in Fig. 1B at the entrance of the storage shaft;

Figure 11A

a plan view of a particularly useful device for aligning the pallet wheels, as can be found, for example, in an underground garage according to FIGS. 1B, 8 and 9, and what the

Figure 11B

a section along the line BB of Fig. 11A;

Fig. 12

another possible shaft arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 13

the mode of operation of a program device which is advantageous for automation when a vehicle arrives at a multi-storey car park according to the invention

Fig. 14

the mode of operation of the program device when leaving the multi-storey garage is to be explained by a vehicle.

1A consists of a row of storage boxes B1 to B7 towered one above the other to form a storage shaft B, to the side of which is a lift shaft L with storeys L1 to L7. It is preferred if the two floors belonging together each form a structural double module BiM1 to BiM7 are summarized. It is clear that the number of floors per se can be arbitrary, that is, it is not limited to the seven floors shown, and that the modular construction shown allows a space-saving and inexpensive construction.

The high-rise garage BL according to the invention has a driveway in the usual way, at which it is favorable to arrange at least one of the conventional ticket dispensing devices 56. The removal of a ticket from this device may then expediently trigger the program sequence discussed later with reference to FIG. 13.

The arriving vehicle arrives at a provided pallet P1 via a ramp R. How this pallet P1 is provided will be discussed using an example and an embodiment variant to FIG. 1A, namely with reference to FIG. 1B, although numerous modifications are conceivable for this. It will also be discussed later with reference to FIG. 1B how the pallet P1 reaches the bottom storage box B1 from the position shown in FIG. 1A at the entrance to the storage shaft B. In principle, the respective pallet could have its own drive, which is controlled automatically, for example by production grinding. It would also be conceivable in the sense of the known proposal according to DE-A-36 21 974 to provide for a transmission of the movement of the vehicle wheels to the wheels of the pallet in such a way that the driver himself is concerned with the entry of the pallet P1 into the storage shaft B. this is less preferred because it requires the driver to adapt to the tight space and good driving skills. Rather, it is preferred if the vehicle driver can leave his vehicle before the entrance to the storage shaft B and does not have to worry about the further process, which so that it is free and undisturbed by the contingencies of the driving arts. For this purpose, it is expedient if a horizontal conveyor, not shown in FIG. 1A and later discussed with reference to FIG. 1B, is provided in front of the entrance or in the entrance to the storage shaft B, which transports the pallet P1 in the bottom box in the direction of arrow a1 B1 pulls or pushes.

It should only be hinted here that practically every type of horizontal conveyor is conceivable, for example of the type that is common in washing lines, running between rails, but a lifting cylinder articulated within the box B1 could also pull the pallet P1 inside.

In box B1, the vehicle remains on its pallet unless a box B2 to B7 above it becomes free. However, if this is the case, as shown with the box B5, whose pallet P5 and the vehicle on it have just changed into the elevator shaft L, an empty message is sent to the program discussed later, by means of which a lifting program is triggered becomes. The associated signal transmitter will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, the program with reference to FIG. 13.

In any case, this program lifts the pallets and vehicles underneath Box B5 so that the row above Box B1 is always closed. For this purpose, a hoist is assigned to each floor in FIG. 1A, which comprises four piston-cylinder units 7. The function and mode of operation of these units will be explained later with reference to FIG. 7.

So move the pallets inside the storage shaft B exclusively in the direction of arrow a2 upwards, the lift with the driver's cabin 4 on the lift rope 5 (at 6 the associated drive may be arranged) serves exclusively to convey the pallets or the vehicles parked thereon downwards. The driver only needs to insert his ticket into the designated slot of a ticket acceptance device 57, which calculates the parking price in a conventional manner from the noted and the current time.

In addition, however, each ticket also bears a code marking assigned to the respective pallet, which corresponds to the pallet P5 in the case shown in FIG. 1A. On the basis of this code, the program then starts searching the floors for the associated pallet. This query subroutine will be explained later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 14.

As soon as the query subroutine has found the pallet that is being sought, the elevator drives with the cabin 4 to the relevant floor, whereupon a subroutine for transferring the pallet or the vehicle from B to L begins. For this purpose, a horizontal conveyor of the type previously discussed is expediently assigned to each floor, which pushes the pallet P5 in FIG. 1A from the box B5 into the elevator cabin 4. The lift cabin 4 can be provided with a sensor which monitors the complete entry of the vehicle into the lift cabin 4 and only then releases the next step.

This next step can, but need not, consist in securing the pallet against displacement within the elevator cabin 4. The securing can take place in such a way that the wheels of the pallet are blocked, be it that extendable brake blocks are provided in the lift cabin 4, or that the wheels have one, for example magnetic, have mounted actuable brake on the pallet. A particularly simple type of securing will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 8, in which special control measures for this purpose are omitted.

As soon as the vehicle is safely parked in lift cabin 4, the descent to the lowest lift box L1 in the BiM1 double module begins. This lowermost box L1 can also be equipped with a horizontal conveyor which causes at least one ejection of the pallet P5 in its position P5 'onto a horizontal conveyor located outside the elevator shaft or directly to a position directly in front of the exit of the elevator shaft L. The vehicle can then be boarded and driven by the pallet P5, which then, e.g. by hand by an operator, but preferably by a conveyor arrangement, such as that in fig. 1B shown, is brought to the entrance of the storage shaft B.

It is expedient if a memory and processor unit is provided which registers the extension of the pallet P5 and therefore has the information that this pallet is now in front of the entrance of the shaft B. This makes it possible for the device 56, which is connected to this storage unit, to provide the next ticket with the code of the pallet P5, so that it can be found again in the slot B by the query subroutine.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1A, the box modules are arranged such that the shafts B and L are connected to one another via their narrow sides. But this is by no means a requirement. Rather, it will be shown later that the most varied arrangements of the shafts are possible relative to one another, such as L-shaped arrangements, offset at an angle to one another, etc. This enables one good use of the space which is only sparse in large cities anyway and which is not always given in accordance with the shape of FIG. 1A. It is only necessary to ensure that the pallets can be moved in the desired directions. A range that is particularly well suited for these purposes will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

The embodiment according to FIG. 1B illustrates a storage shaft B 'with a lift shaft L', which are connected to one another via their long side. Again, the pallet P1 is at the entrance to the storage shaft B '. In addition, however, further pallets, for example P15 and P8, are arranged in waiting positions in such a way that several vehicle drivers approach the multi-storey garage at the same time, the vehicles can park in the waiting positions on pallets P1, P15 and P8 and leave everything else to the automatic system.

The access to the shown waiting positions, the number of which can be arbitrary and can therefore be easily adapted to the circumstances, can either take place via a central ticket issuing device 56 (FIG. 1A), or to avoid waiting times via several such devices 56 ', 56 ", 56"', each of which is assigned to a waiting position WP1 to WP3.

A horizontal conveyor in the form of a chain conveyor 58 is assigned to the waiting position WP1 immediately upstream of the entrance to the storage shaft B. The chains of this horizontal conveyor lie in a vertical plane and run over schematically indicated chain wheels 59. The chain links are provided at intervals with drivers (not shown) which engage the pallets laterally and place them in the bottom box B1 (see FIG. 1A). of the manhole B '. Of course, this is only an example of a possible horizontal conveyor, other examples will be based on this 1B will be explained. The advantage of the chain conveyor 58 is that coupling can easily be done by moving the respective pallet into the waiting position WP1 without requiring additional means. Such a horizontal conveyor can also be assigned to a storage box B1 to B7 (FIG. 1A), as will be explained later with reference to FIG. 5.

As soon as the respective pallet has been pulled into the storage shaft B ', the ramping-up begins in the manner described above, depending on the storage space that becomes free. On the other hand, vehicles are called up via a device 57, driven into the elevator shaft L 'and brought from there in the manner also described above through the outlet AL of the elevator shaft L' to a starting position AP, where the pallet P7 is located in the example shown. Now the vehicle can be boarded and driven by the pallet P7, which then remains empty.

As such, the return transport of the pallet P7 to a waiting position can now be triggered by a timer which is set so that there is enough time to get on the vehicle, to start and to drive away. However, a light barrier with light source Ls, reflector Lr and photoelectric converter Lt can also be triggered for the first time when the light beam is interrupted by the approaching vehicle and a second time when the light beam is passed and released, whereupon a conveying subroutine is initiated.

For this purpose, a horizontal conveyor in the form of a fluid piston-cylinder unit 60 is provided, which presses against the side of the pallet P7 and pushes it onto a belt conveyor 61. It goes without saying that such a horizontal conveyor 61 can also be provided inside the boxes, for example in order to remove the respective pallet from the shaft B '. to slide into the elevator shaft L '. 1A may be somewhat more problematic because there is a two-stage movement in the same direction, namely from the waiting position at the entrance to box B1 and from this (if there is no space above) into lift box L1 , so that there is hardly any space for accommodating such a hydraulic or pneumatic sliding unit (unless it can be moved from a rest position to a work position). In the case of FIG. 1B, however, the pallets are pulled into the storage space B 'via the narrow side of the box, and such a pushing unit could therefore definitely engage on the long side. All that is required for this is that the pallet can be moved both longitudinally and transversely, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

It goes without saying that the output AL need not always be arranged on the narrow side, and neither does the input side need to be. For example, with an arrangement of the shafts according to FIG. 1B, the exit could also be located on the long side of the shaft L ', in which case the arrangement of the conveyors 60, 61 and the conveyors 62, 63 still to be discussed will certainly be chosen differently. It can also be seen from FIG. 1A that the invention is in no way limited to the simple arrangement of storage shafts and lift shafts, rather a maintenance shaft 64 can also be provided, in which either stairs and / or a lift, preferably both, are accommodated, and which allows access to both shafts B and L.

The horizontal conveyor 61 designed as a belt conveyor for receiving the entire pallet P7 or as a chain conveyor in the manner of the conveyor used in washing lines a similar conveyor 62 is arranged downstream, which brings the respective pallet into the area of a sliding unit 60 'for transfer to another horizontal conveyor 63. This latter conveyor 63 already contains the waiting positions WP2 and WP3 and finally delivers the respective pallet P15 or P8 to the waiting position WP1 with the chain conveyor 58. The cycle is closed.

If one therefore considers the mode of operation of the two exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a process scheme according to FIG. 1C results. Because however the two shafts B or B 'and L or L' are arranged, there is always a closed circuit of the pallets from the waiting position WP1 at the entrance of the storage shaft B or B ', from where the respective pallet is on the ground initiation by the device 56 is drawn into the box B1 into one of the upper boxes BX, where the pallet can be picked up by the vehicle. This collection is in turn triggered by the device 57, whereupon the lift cabin is brought into the lift box LX of an associated double module BiM, picks up the vehicle and drives down to the bottom floor of the lift box L1. There, the pallet arrives in the starting position AP and triggers the return conveyance of the pallet via the return conveyance path 62 ′, for example, via the light barrier Lrst or in some other way. So none of the routes in different directions, but each route only in one direction. This makes the system fluid and saves waiting times, which also improves acceptance by the public.

If one starts from a shaft arrangement according to FIG. 1A, the enlarged sectional view according to FIG. 2 results. The inventive concept poses a problem insofar as the pallets on each floor have to be held securely on the one hand and a changeover on the other the pallets from the storage shaft B into the lift shaft L must be possible. A whole number of possible solutions are conceivable for this, and the one shown in FIG. 1A with reference to the lifting units 7 is preferred, but not the only one. So the DE-A-36 21 974 individual lifting system with pinion toothing could be used as well as a lift system assigned to each floor, in which on the top floor a number of pairs of chains hang down on each side for each floor and are coupled to the respective pallet , whereby the pallets are suitably equipped with chain catchers (funnel surfaces etc.) and each pair of chains can be driven separately. On the other hand, a rack system according to DE-B-16 84 789 has already been proposed for a horizontal conveyor and could also be used for the purposes of the invention.

In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 2, rails 8a, 8a 'and 8b, 8b' which can be brought from a rest position into a working position are provided on each floor. It goes without saying that the rails 8b, 8b 'can be omitted, since the pallet only needs to be moved into the elevator car 4. However, the arrangement of rails 8b, 8b 'can easily solve the securing problem for the pallet within the lift cabin if its platform is dimensioned such that it can run between the rails 8b, 8b' in the working position shown. In this case, the pallet moves out of the respective box of the storage well B on the rails 8b, 8b 'as soon as the lift cabin is at the appropriate height. If the rails 8b, 8b 'are then brought into their rest position, the underside of the pallet lies directly on the lift platform, without the wheels, which are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2 on the rails 8a, 8a', with the platform come into contact. Only in the lift box L1 are the Wheels 11 placed on the bottom of this box and only then allow the pallet to be driven.

The rails can be moved from the working position to the rest position in a number of ways. For example, it would be conceivable to move the rails 8a to 8b 'horizontally out of the wall of the respective box. However, this would be unfavorable, at least in the case of the elevator shaft L, if the rails were not provided with ramps facing the center of the elevator shaft, which would allow the pallet wheels 11 to slide slowly off the rails. It would still be conceivable to arrange a damping system within the lift cabin 4 in order to prevent the pallet and the vehicle from suddenly sagging when the rails are pulled away. In this regard, the rails 8a and 8a 'are less problematic, and it is therefore entirely conceivable that the rails 8a, 8a' or the rails 8b, 8b 'can be brought from their rest position into the working position and vice versa using different systems.

The problem lies somewhat differently in the storage shaft B. As soon as the respective pallet has been brought to the required height, the rails 8a, 8a 'reach their working position shown in FIG. 2, in which they support the wheels 11 of the pallet P. Then the lifting system need not continue to work. In order to dock this lifting system with the units 7 (FIG. 1A) to the respective pallet P, this can be provided with docking slots 65, 66, in which the respective lifting unit 7 engages. The details will be explained later with reference to FIG. 7, but only so much should be noted here that the slots 65, 66 shown in FIG. 2 lie relatively far inwards, towards the center of the pallet, but are preferably made further out .

In order to enable a smooth transition from the storage shaft B into the elevator shaft L, stationary rails 9a, 9a 'across the width of the respective pillar 1 are provided on pillars 1a, 1a' and 1b, 1b 'of the box construction, which also includes cross bars 2 and 3 . However, it goes without saying that these stationary rails 9 can optionally be omitted if the corresponding cross bars 3a, 3b and possibly 3c are arranged at the corresponding height, so that they enable the pallet P to travel on them in the alignment of the rails 8 .

For automatic control of the multi-storey car park, as is preferred, it is advantageous to install an empty detector inside the boxes in the storage shaft B. This can be designed in different ways and is shown in FIG. 2 - analogous to the light barrier Lrst of FIG. 1B - with a light barrier Lrst 'consisting of a light source Ls', a reflector Lr 'and a converter Lt'. This light barrier is advantageously located in an area in which the front part of the vehicle or the pallet P is arranged, for example to be interrupted by the front wheel of the vehicle. This indicates that the box in question is full. However, as soon as the pallet P with the vehicle changes into the elevator shaft, the rear wheel of the vehicle finally clears the path of the light again, whereby - with a corresponding delay - the release of the corresponding pallet and the respective box is reported to the processor mentioned above, on the other hand, however, a subroutine for adjusting the rails 8, or at least the rails 8a, 8a ', can be triggered, which subsequently sets the hoist into operation for moving the pallets under the freed box.

This advancement can then take place at about the same time for all the pallets underneath, or step by step only the pallet located immediately below is lifted up, thus clearing the box underneath, whereupon the same process is repeated in the lower box. The details of the procedure depend on the respective construction, and possibly also on its dimensions.

It goes without saying that the empty detectors can be arranged and trained in a wide variety of ways. It would therefore be readily conceivable to arrange a light barrier on the underside of the rails 8a, 8a 'in such a way that the light beam is reflected on the vehicle underneath and thus reaches the converter Lt'. At least in the upper boxes, a range finder could also be arranged, for example, on the vertical wall connected to the cross member 3a, so that it measures a short distance when its scanning beam is reflected on a vehicle, a long distance when the box is empty. In general, however, it is preferred if the scanning takes place transversely to the respectively occurring directions of movement of the pallet, as has been explained using the light barrier Lrst '.

The procedure described with reference to FIG. 2 will be clarified with reference to FIG. 3. It can be seen that a vehicle C2 is initially carried by the wheels 11 of the pallet P2 in the position P2 'after transferring to the position C2' within the lift shaft, but with the movement of the rails 8b, 8b '(FIG. 2) In the rest position, the wheels 11 'come into the position 11', in which they float freely, while the pallet P2 lies flat on the floor of the lift cabin 4 and the vehicle C2 is thus secured against unintentional movement within the lift cabin 4 without any further measures.

But in order to be able to correctly identify each pallet - and thus the associated vehicle C2 or C3 - it is advantageous to provide each pallet at a predetermined location with an identification code, for example in the form of a reflective bar code. Of course, the code itself can be arbitrary, for example formed by different colors, but circuits for reading bar codes in a mature form are relatively cheap on the market and also work fairly error-free. A code reading device 68 with a reading device and one or two light sources, as symbolized by the symmetrical arrangement in FIG. 3, is then expediently located on each floor of such a code 67 and notifies the memory and processor unit mentioned of the presence of a specific range a certain floor either on a periodic request or only after initiation via the ticket device 57. In the former case, the location at which each pallet is located is always stored ready for retrieval, so that the retrieval of the vehicle is accelerated, in the other case it must the pallet with the associated vehicle can only be searched for, but this can also happen relatively quickly.

It should be noted that it is not absolutely necessary to assign a reading device 68 to each floor. Theoretically, it would be possible to provide a single reading device 68 which can be moved vertically through the floors and which successively reads the codes of the vehicles or pallets stored in the shaft B. However, this is not the preferred embodiment. Furthermore, it would be readily conceivable to also use the reading device 68 as an empty detector by emitting an empty signal in the absence of a pallet code lying opposite it.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a pallet P used for the multi-storey car park according to the invention. This consists of a pallet floor PB, which is expediently provided by Cross ribs 13 is stiffened. It also serves as stiffening if the base PB is lowered on both sides in the area of the wheel receiving surface ws, so that vertical webs 10, 10 'are formed. 2, the slots 65, 66 are shown in the middle part of the pallet base PB, but it is readily understandable that the preferred arrangement of these support slots 65, 66 in the region of the reinforcing webs 10, 10 'or between they lie, ie on the one hand in the area of the recessed surface ws, on the other hand in the area of a wheel housing adjoining the reinforcement web 10 'with a further reinforcement web 10 ". One of two lifting units offset from one another can thus advantageously engage in a slot arranged in the area of the surface ws , the other in the area of the wheel arch surface wb at a slot 65 or 66 arranged on this surface, as is illustrated by FIG. 7D.

An axis of rotation 12 is preferably fastened, in particular welded, to this wheel arch surface wb, as can be seen enlarged from FIG. 4D. A rotary ring DK for the wheel 11 is mounted on this axis of rotation 12 via a rotary bearing b, which allows the associated pallet wheel 11 to be aligned in different directions. This will not be necessary if a shaft arrangement in the sense of FIG. 1A can be selected, in which the pallets, at least within the shafts B and L, always have to travel in one direction only, but such a pivot bearing b facilitates the maneuverability of the pallet even when it is returned and in particular in the case of the shaft arrangement according to FIG. 1B or an even more complicated arrangement.

A turntable Dk on the pivot bearing b has bearing cheeks 69 arranged in a fork-shaped manner for supporting a wheel axle wa. The area wb of the wheel arch is therefore large enough to to enable rotation of the slewing ring Dk. The outer web 10 ″ may also serve as an attachment surface for drivers of a horizontal conveyor arranged in the respective floor, which drivers M are indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 4B and are made up of a chain link (not shown) of a chain conveyor designed and in the manner of the conveyor 58 Fig. 5 extend in detail shown Föderers. In order to also enable gripping on the front side of the pallet for such a conveyor, the pallet P can be designed with projecting driving surfaces at least in the region of the front and rear ends, as is shown by means of surfaces f (FIG. 4B). However, it would also be conceivable for the reinforcing ribs 13 to protrude somewhat beyond the web 10 ″ if such a chain conveyor and not another type of horizontal conveyor is used.

4C it can be seen that the slots 65 and 66 have different lengths, but this is not absolutely necessary. However, it is expedient to install a securing surface 70 forming a depression at the end of each slot, into which a cross bar 71 of a piston rod pr of a lifting unit 7 (cf. FIG. 1A) can be inserted and held. The surface 70 thus prevents the cross bar 71 from slipping off.

5 and 6, the construction of a rail 8 is shown in detail. It is brought by means of lifting cylinders 16 from a rest position in which it lies essentially vertically (cf. FIG. 6) into the working position shown, whereby it pivots about a pivot bearing 19 carried by brackets 21. The brackets 21, like brackets 17 for the lifting cylinders, are carried by the stands 1a, 1b of the box construction, the lifting cylinders 16 pivoting about axes 20. The piston rods 16a are articulated on an offset 14 of the rail 8 on a pin 18.

The space between the offset 14 and the vertical wall carried by the stand 1a (FIG. 6) may be partially filled by a chain conveyor 58 'shown in FIG. 5, which is omitted in FIG. 6. Like the chain conveyor 58 of FIG. 1B, this conveyor 58 'has chain wheels 59', as well as drivers M fastened to individual chain links, only indicated schematically and projecting in the manner shown in FIG. 4B.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the rail 8 can be folded down in the direction of an arrow 22 in order to clear the way for a new pallet P which is picked up by the lifting units 7 as soon as the rail 8 is empty. In order to secure the rail 8 in its respective position, the lifting cylinders 16 are expediently assigned a hydraulic blocking device (not shown) of a type known per se. Furthermore, it can be expedient to provide a switch S which is actuated by the rail 8 when it is folded down in order to emit a signal (positive or negative type) to the controlling processor or the program, which indicates that the rail 8 has reached the rest position. Only then can the lifting units 7 (Fig. 1A) be operated. A sensor Se can also be provided, which signals that the shown working position has been reached. This sensor can also be implemented in a wide variety of ways, but here it consists of a reed contact which responds to the position of the piston 16b displaceable in the cylinder 16.

5 shows on the one hand the height ratio of the lower run 58 ″ of the conveyor 58 ′, which is able to act on a pallet P (indicated by dash-dotted lines). It can also be seen that the movable rails 8 are each aligned with the rails 9a, 9b stationary mounted on the pillars 1a, 1b.

FIGS. 7A, 7B illustrate two views of the lifting unit 7, which is only hinted at in FIG. 1A. All other units are not shown here. It can be seen that each lifting unit 7 must have a relatively long dimension unless a telescopic cylinder construction is used. Therefore, such a piston-cylinder unit 7 may be articulated more than one floor above the box B1 to be operated on a pivot axis 23 in order to have a sufficient length of its piston rod pr available. This piston rod pr has at its end the cross pin 71 shown in FIG. 4C, which hooks under the pallet base PB after engagement of the piston rod pr in its associated slot 65 or 66.

In order to be able to carry out this docking movement, a drive for a pivoting movement of the unit 7 in the direction of the arrow 25 must be provided. As such, a tooth segment could be connected to the cylinder 7 in order to be driven by a pinion or a worm for this movement, but it also makes sense to use a cylinder unit 24 which is controlled by a program such that first the piston rod pr is extended until the cross pin 71 (FIG. 4C) is below the pallet base PB, whereupon the cylinder 24 causes the pivoting movement 25. The cross pin 71 gets into the recessed surface 70 and hooks there. Now the piston rod pr can be retracted, both sides of the cylinder 24 preferably being connected to the medium reservoir (not shown) in order to avoid a hindrance, in order to allow the pressure medium to flow away freely as required. Alternatively, the cylinder 24 could be forcibly controlled via the pressure medium supplied to it in such a way that it moves slightly when the cylinder 7 swivels Lift the pallet P from the box B1 to the height of the box B2 follows.

As soon as the pallet P has reached the required height, which can be determined, for example, by a reed contact Se1 (FIG. 7B) on the basis of the piston position, the opening of the rail 8 into its working position is initiated via the lifting cylinder 16, so that the pallet P also a slight decreasing movement of the piston rod pr can be parked on the rails 8. Then the lifting unit 7 docks, i.e. the cylinder 24 is actuated in such a way that the cylinder unit 7 pivots out of the respective slot 65 or 66 against the vertical, in order to be extended again when a pallet P from the box B1 is to be brought into the box B2, which is self-evident can only happen if the pallet in box B2 moves upwards or into the elevator shaft L.

As can be clearly seen from FIG. 7B, the end of the piston rod pr engages in the area of the wheel housing of the pallet P, as was described as preferred on the basis of FIG. 4, because the reinforcing webs 10 ', 10 "are located in this area. Accordingly, the docking slot 65 or 66 is to be arranged on the surface wb.

Because the lifting unit 7 is made relatively long, corresponding precautions must be taken on the top floors to ensure that the pallets are lifted there as well. One possibility is shown in FIG. 7C, in which a unit 7a pushing up the pallets is used instead of a piston-cylinder unit 7 (FIGS. 7A, 7B). The pivoting movement 25 is controlled analogously to the illustration in FIG. 7A. It is clear that, if necessary, all lifting units can be formed by pressing cylinders 7a over the entire height of the multi-storey car park, in which case the lowest cylinder units 7a in Basement levels are to be accommodated or lifting cylinders 7 of the type shown in FIG. 7A are used again for the lowermost boxes B1 and B2. When using pressing units 7a, only with regard to the dimensioning of the pallet and rails 8, care must be taken that the piston rods pr 'do not hinder the opening of the rails 8, but this is due to a sufficiently large distance between the wheels 11 and the respective end of the pallet P and the associated docking area is easily possible.

It can be seen that when pushing lifting units 7a are used, a docking slot 65 or 66 is not required. However, it is again expedient if the contact surfaces for the piston rods pr 'are in the region of the reinforcing webs 10, 10' or 10 ''. The attack surfaces can be designed approximately in the manner of the recessed surfaces 70 (FIG. 4C).

Another possibility is shown in FIG. 7D, which also clarifies the reason for the offset arrangement of two docking slots 65, 66. Accordingly, above the top floor of the multi-storey car park, i.e. Above the box B7, a kind of gallows construction with stands 1 'and a cross bar 3' for stiffening is provided, which serves to support the lifting units 7 ', 7' 'for the top floors. Then, while the unit 7 'in the area of the wheel housing of the pallet will engage the surface wb (FIG. 4), the unit 7' 'is arranged offset relative to it for reasons of space, so that it is in the area of the surface ws (FIG. 4B ) will attack where the associated docking slot is to be placed.

The construction 1 ', 3' can either be covered to allow free access of the two lifting units 7 ', 7''downwards without exposing the vehicles underneath to the bad weather, or Units 7 ', 7''reach through slots of a roof structure covering the uppermost box B7, which slots through a slide s1 traveling with the piston rod of the unit 7' on the one hand or through a slide s1 traveling with the cylinder of the unit 7 '''are covered.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate, using FIGS. 2 and 3 similar representations, the conditions in a shaft arrangement according to FIG. 1B. Here, the lift cabin 4 fills, for example, the entire cross section of the lift shaft L ', so that rails 8b, 8b' (see FIG. 2) are omitted, but it is then expedient if the pallet inside the lift cabin 4 is different from this has been described, is secured against unintentional rolling. For example, 4 magnetic fields can be generated in the floor of the lift cabin, which trigger a braking device provided on the pallet.

1B, the pallets P arrive in the direction of the arrow 26 in the storage shaft B ', but can move freely in all directions in a construction of the wheel bearing according to FIG. 4D, so that, if necessary, not only a passage into the Lift shaft L 'in the sense of arrow 27 is possible, but if necessary, several further shafts can be added in order to transfer the pallet P optionally in the direction of arrow 30 into another (not shown) lift shaft when the lift cabin 4 is just occupied .

Likewise, the exit from the lift cabin 4 can take place not only in the direction of the arrow 29, as corresponds to the illustration in FIG. 1B when entering in the direction of the arrow 26, but also in the direction of the arrow 28. In this case, entry and exit would thus occur towards the same side of the building, which means the return of the pallets in the first waiting position WP1 (FIG. 1B) facilitates, on the other hand, a corresponding organization of the access and departure routes to and from the high-rise garage is required. It also goes without saying that it would be possible, if necessary, to add a further storage shaft in the direction of the arrow 28 or 29 in order to use the elevator shaft L 'to descend from two storage shafts.

9 shows the direction of movement for only two shafts B 'and L', the direction a2 again corresponding to the upward movement in the storage shaft B ', the direction 33 for the downward movement in the elevator shaft L'.

1B it has been shown how a type of "terminal" with waiting positions WP1 to WP3 can be created with the aid of a belt or chain conveyor (linear conveyor) 63. However, a rotary conveyor as shown in FIG. 10 is simpler in terms of storage and drive. Such a rotary conveyor 63 'may have arranged parking spaces WP4 to WP7 arranged around an axis of rotation 72. With a corresponding size, a radial alignment of these waiting spaces WP4 to WP7 would also be conceivable, but this necessitates a very large enlargement of the conveyor because of the narrowing radially inward 63 '. The arrangement of the waiting places WP4 to WP7 shown approximately in the circumferential direction is therefore preferred.

The conveyor 63 'formed by a turntable can be supported by wheels (not shown) along a guideway 73. One waiting area at a time, here is the waiting area WP5, is aligned with the entrance of the storage shaft B, so that the associated pallet can be pulled into this shaft. For example, one can be found in the bottom box B1 whose rear wall, opposite the entrance, arranged telescopic cylinder unit, similar to the unit 60 of FIG. 1B, can be arranged, but it does not push, but detects a front end of the respective pallet and pulls it into the box. Because of the circumference of the rotary conveyor 63 ', however, a certain distance from the storage shaft B must be maintained, which may make it difficult to pull it in, if necessary, make it appear that a chain conveyor installed in the bottom of the turntable 63' appears, as can be found in car washes.

It has already been mentioned that the pallets in a slewing ring construction according to FIG. 4D can be moved in all directions. As such, with a corresponding caster (point of contact of the wheel 11 behind the axis of rotation 12), the wheel 11 automatically adjusts to the desired direction depending on the movement impulse given, and this effect can also be used in the present case. On the other hand, it is safer if a rotary construction is used for a forced rotation of the wheel 11 in the desired direction. Such a forced rotating device could be implemented on the pallet in the form of a drivable rotating ring. However, it is preferred if the range of drive devices is kept free.

A forced rotation device according to FIGS. 11A and 11B is suitable for this case. Such a forced turning device is expediently installed in the rails 8 (see FIG. 8) in order to align the pallets entering in the direction of arrow 26 in the direction 27, the respective pallet then moving onto stationary rails 9d, 9d '.

For this purpose, interconnects 45, 46 are provided within the rail bend 14 (cf. FIG. 6) Guide pallet wheels 11 within a groove. At the intersection of the two interconnects 45, 46, a turntable 34 is arranged with a groove 31 receiving the wheel 11. This groove 31 firmly surrounds the respective wheel 11 on both end faces, so that it is inevitably turned around when the disk 34 rotates.

For this purpose, the turntable 34 is connected, for example welded, to a short shaft 37 which is mounted in pivot bearings 36. The. Pivot bearing 36 is optionally supported on a mounting plate 43. An arm 39 is fastened to the rotary shaft 37 by means of a pin 38. The end 40 of the piston rod 35 engages on this arm 39 via a fork which is part of a piston-cylinder unit 35, 41. The cylinder is articulated in a manner not shown with its end opposite the piston rod 35 in such a way that its central axis can move from the position 44 shown in FIG. 11A to a swivel position 44 '.

With the help of this rotary drive, the respective pallet wheel 11 can be forcibly rotated through 90 ° in order to leave direction 26 (FIG. 8) and to pivot in direction 27. It goes without saying that with an angular position of the wheel position deviating from 90 ° (with a corresponding arrangement of the shafts B and L), such a turntable 34 can also be used for a greater or lesser rotation.

A further embodiment is illustrated with reference to FIG. 12, in which two lift shafts B 'and B''are assigned to a lift shaft L'. Here too, the principle explained with reference to FIG. 1C is adhered to, that the upward movement takes place within the storage shafts B ', B'', the downward movement exclusively in the elevator shaft L'. Due to the arrangement of the shafts with adjacent longitudinal sides, a forced turning device according to FIG. 11 will also be advantageous here, unless the entry is in the direction of arrow 48, the exit in the direction of arrow 49, which is also possible.

It has already been mentioned that it is expedient to control the sequence and the synchronization of the various movements by a program device, for example by a microprocessor. The degree of automation depends, of course, on the circumstances and can, of course, be replaced, for example in countries with cheap labor and a lack of capital, if desired, using human labor.

In most cases, however, fully automated work is desired in order to simplify handling for the vehicle drivers as much as possible and also save the operating team. According to FIG. 13, the program sequence takes place with a start St. This start is triggered either by a threshold in front of the ticket dispenser 56 (FIG. 1A) or by pressing a button St 'on the device. Then the usual delivery of a ticket with such devices is carried out by an issuing routine Tio, i.e. a ticket is pushed forward through the slot of the device 56 so far that the driver can grasp it.

Therefore, a decision diamond is then passed out. If the ticket has not yet been taken out of the slot, the exit route n switches to a relatively short waiting time W1, after which the query out begins again. However, if the ticket has already been removed, the program continues with a further waiting time W2 following the exit line y of the diamond out.

The waiting time W2 is dimensioned such that the vehicle driver can drive on the pallet in the waiting position WP1, given after opening a barrier beforehand. Of course, a modification could be that a light barrier or a similar full detector (also in the form of a range finder with digital output) is provided at the waiting position WP1, shortly before the entrance to the storage shaft, which signals the end of the vehicle's ascent to the pallet in the waiting position WP1 reports.

The ticket subroutine TiS, which also includes the possibility of setting the time from the outside via an adjusting device Adj, extends as far as this. After the waiting time W2 has elapsed or after a signal has been received from the full detector mentioned, the pull-in subroutine ES begins, which essentially includes the start-up of the conveyor 58 (FIG. 1B), possibly also of a further conveyor, if two conveyors cooperate to pull in. The pull-in subroutine ES is part of a conveyor routine Fs, which also monitors the arrival of the pallet in box B1. For this purpose, the light barrier Lrst 'shown in FIG. 2 can also be installed in box B1 for monitoring this process. After being interrupted by the vehicle being advanced, this light barrier emits a signal t that corresponds to a decision diamond B1? is fed. If this signal t is not yet available, the pull-in subroutine is kept in operation via its output n, but as soon as the signal t appears, the routine ES is not operated further, but a search subroutine SS is started via the output y , by means of which the empty detectors (light barriers Lrst 'on the individual floors or reading device 68) are queried successively or (better) at the same time whether a space has become available above box B1.

If a free parking space is found, the corresponding empty detector emits an empty signal v, which the decision diamond Sp? is fed. If, after querying all empty detectors, there is no free parking space above box B1, a signal is sent via output n to end the program ("End"). However, if there is an empty space on one of the upper floors, the rhombus Sp? a lifting subroutine HS is started, which actuates all those lifting units in succession or simultaneously which serve to lift the pallets located under the empty space. Only then is it switched to End.

Thus, the vehicle is then stowed in the storage shaft B and, depending on the freeing of boxes above it, is brought higher and higher each time the program shown in FIG. 13 is started. However, if the driver then comes back and wants to pick up his vehicle, all he needs to do is insert his ticket into the designated slot on device 57. This triggers an initiation signal Tii (FIG. 14), which in turn leads to two processes.

On the one hand, the arrival time noted on the ticket is compared with the pick-up time in the usual way by the comparison routine Time, and the price is calculated from this using the routine Price, which then leads to a corresponding display Ind. On the other hand, the reading devices 68 are used to search for the pallet noted on the ticket within the different floors of the multi-storey car park using a search program PNo. Once the pallet has been found, the associated floor is first noted in a memory MEM.

Now it depends on whether the driver has paid the price shown at Ind. This is monitored through a routine pay. Throwing in a partial amount leads to known manner only for correcting the display Ind. But if the full amount has been paid, a signal is sent to a decision diamond paid downstream of the memory program MEM. As long as the pay signal has not yet been issued, the memory program MEM is kept in operation via the output n, ie the stored space remains stored. If the total amount has been paid, an intermediate program Q is possibly selected via the output y of the diamond paid, which passes the determined floor on to the lift control, whereupon a lift program cL begins. This program cL has a decision diamond BX? connected, in which the current position of the elevator car 4 is constantly compared with the target position. If the desired position has not yet been reached, the program cL is continued via the output n, otherwise a pallet retrieval program dP begins via the output y.

With this program dP, for example, a horizontal conveyor is activated within the storage box (conveyor 58 ') in order to transfer the pallet there from the shaft B into the shaft L. Of course, the elevator car 4 could also be provided with such a conveyor, but this is generally not preferred. It is advantageous if the correct transfer of the pallet to the elevator shaft L is monitored. Either the lift cabin has a full detector corresponding to the light barrier Lrst '(FIG. 2) which is arranged at the end of the lift cabin 4 opposite the shaft B, or you are simply satisfied with the empty signal of the light barrier or the empty detector assigned to the storage box, what but can involve uncertainties and in any case additionally requires a sufficiently long time to elapse before the pallet is completely retracted into the lift cabin 4.

Connected to the palettenhol program dP is therefore a decision diamond L? Which keeps the program dP in operation until a signal i (from the sensor installed in the elevator cabin 4, otherwise an empty signal v from the empty detector of the storage box) to the output y switches.

When signal i occurs, a security program Sec can be selected, if necessary, to secure the pallet in the elevator cabin 4 against rolling. For example, the already mentioned magnet activating a braking device of the pallet is energized, but in the preferred case this program Sec can be dispensed with if the arrangement with foldable rails 8b, 8b 'is used, as described with reference to FIG. 2 has been.

The lift can thus be switched to downward travel (program down), the current position of the lift cabin 4 with the TARGET position in the lift box L1 being determined by a decision diamond L1? is compared. It should be mentioned that the decision diamond BX? and L1? be supplied in the usual way with position signals of the lift, as is part of the prior art. In any case, the Down program remains in operation via output n until box L1 is reached, whereupon the output y switches to a pull-out program Out.

The Out program activates a horizontal conveyor of the type discussed, located at the exit of the elevator shaft or in the elevator cabin 4, in order to bring the pallet out of the elevator cabin 4 into the position AP (FIG. 1B). This program can also be operated via a sensor, such as a light barrier, induction loop or the like arranged at the end of AP. are monitored, in which case the Out program is also supplied by this sensor Decision diamond is connected, which continues to keep the Out program going until the vehicle has fully arrived at the starting position AP.

It is then expedient to switch on a waiting program W3 of predetermined time, sufficient for the vehicle to get on and to start it. However, it does not necessarily have to be a predetermined time, rather the duration of the waiting program W3 can also be controlled by the light barrier Lrst (FIG. 1B), the signal of which is fed to a decision diamond off and the waiting program W3 continues to run if the light barrier signal is absent stops, otherwise switches to a conveyor program CS, by means of which the conveyors 60 to 63 are started up simultaneously or in succession, it being understood that the number of the operated conveyors and their training depend on the circumstances.

Numerous variants are possible within the scope of the invention; The modules of the storage or lift shafts can be manufactured individually or as a double module made of steel or concrete or other materials as a unit or assembled from elements. It is important that there are connection surfaces and devices for connecting the neighboring modules. It would also not be absolutely necessary for the lifting units to be docked in to provide slots 65, 66, as was also shown with reference to FIG. 7C. It is sufficient to have a suitably designed docking surface, for example in the form of hooks or the like. to be provided, which are preferably attached between edge reinforcing webs 10, 10 ', 10''running in the longitudinal direction. Finally, the sensors used can also be of various types, such as magnetic, inductive, with laser, ultrasound, etc. Because the modular construction method means that practically all that needs to be installed on the respective site once the foundations are in place is a high-rise garage according to the invention Can be manufactured quickly and in a relatively small space. Even if the lift shaft has been shown in simplified form, it goes without saying that it is equipped in the usual manner with guides, expediently also with a counterweight for the lift cabin 4. The various cylinder units could be formed at least in part by pneumatic cylinders, but a hydraulic pressure medium is preferred. Moreover, it goes without saying that the rails 8 are to be made torsionally rigid on the one hand by means of the offset 14 and on the other hand by stiffening ribs 15, which of course also applies to the pallets P. All fluidic cylinder units are expediently equipped with hose rupture safety devices, pressure-releasable check valves or end position damping devices.

The identification signal transmitters 67 of the pallets P (FIG. 3) also do not necessarily have to be passive in order to be able to be read with the aid of light sources of the reading devices; active, self-illuminating signal transmitters would also be possible, although not preferred.

1B and 10, two horizontal conveyors 63 and 63 'have been described as storage conveyors for the arriving vehicles. However, it would also be conceivable to store the arriving vehicles vertically, for example by having them enter ramps into a vertically moving conveyor in order to save space for the terminal.

FIG. 3 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of an identification signal transmitter 67 together with a reading device 68 which is arranged on the respective floor itself. The arrangement between the floors where the codes 67 can be read as it passes is also conceivable. However, this requires the arrangement of a buffer, since the reading can only be done once.

FIGS. 13 and 14 clearly show how easily a multi-storey car park according to the invention can be automated with relatively simple, linear programs. The individual subroutines may be somewhat more structured if one takes into account that the lifting subroutine HS (FIG. 13) naturally also includes the timely control of the cylinders 16 synchronously with the cylinders 7, or the program dP (FIG. 14 ) at most also includes the actuation of the forced turning device according to FIG. 11, but this means no problem for the programming.

On the other hand, it should not go unmentioned that the invention is by no means limited to high-rise garages, rather the floors could also be built as a kind of basement in the depths. In this case, the cycle in the direction of arrow a2 does not start upwards but leads downwards, whereas the direction of movement 33 does not run downwards but upwards.

Numerous variants are conceivable within the scope of the invention; it will be clear that the forced turning device described with reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B can advantageously also be used in garages of a known type, wherever a change in the straight direction of travel of the wheeled pallets is required. The design of the groove 31 as a device gripping the respective wheel 11 is particularly simple and inexpensive, considering that movable gripping jaws would also be conceivable for this purpose (for example in the manner of robots).

Claims (10)

1. A method for operating a multistory car park having a plurality of parking places which are arranged one on top of the other, each in a story, and into which vehicles (C) standing on pallets (P) can be lifted and out of which said vehicles can be lowered via an elevator shaft for drawing away again, wherein the pallets (P) are guided within a loop in a first movement to the particular parking place (B1-B7) and are moved, in a second movement via the lift shaft (L), without backward movement over the distance last travelled through, to an exit and again to the parking places (B1-B7).
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first movement takes place within a shaft (B) which houses the parking places (B1-B7) and is separate from the elevator shaft (L).
3. A multistory car park for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, having at least one parking shaft (B) which can be entered via at least one entrance and a lifting means (B) leading to at least one exit, wherein a lifting arrangement (7) separate from the lifting means is coordinated with the parking shaft, exclusively for moving the pallets in a first direction and one lifting arrangement (7), coordinated to a lifting shaft leading to the exit of a lifting means for moving the pallets in a second direction (4,5) contrary to the first direction.
4. A multistory car park as claimed in claim 3, wherein a horizontal conveyor (58,58') for transferring the pallets (P) to the parking shaft (B) or from the latter to the lifting means (4,5) or away from said means is coordinated with each story.
5. A multistory car park as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein identification signals (67), preferably code marks, in particular bar codes, are coordinated with the pallets (P), and at least one read means (68) is provided for these signals, preferably at least one read means (68) being coordinated with, if necessary arranged in, each story.
6. A multistory car park as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein a return conveyor arrangement (60-63) for the pallets (P) is provided on the way between the exit of the lifting means (4,5) to the entrance of the parking shaft (B).
7. A multistory car park as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, wherein a storage conveyor (63,63') which holds a plurality of pallets (P) with vehicles and is in particular horizontally displaceable, especially a linear conveyor, is provided before the entrance to the parking shaft.
8. A multistory car park as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein a program means (Fig. 13,14) controlled by at least one detector means (58, 60-63; 4; 16; 7; 7a; 7'; 7"; 41) is provided for the successive actuation of at least two movement means (Lrst, Lrst'; 67, 68; S, Se; Se1).
9. A multistory car park as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the lifting arrangement has a plurality of lifting units (7), each coordinated with a story and if necessary being separately actuating, for moving up the pallets (P) arranged underneath when a parking place (B1-B7) becomes free, wherein the lifting units (7) are preferably formed by piston/cylinder units (7) or wherein guide rails (8) which can be brought from a rest position into position for use and are intended for parking and guiding the pallets (P), in particular pivotable guide rails, together with an actuating drive (16) associated with the guide rails (8), are coordinated with each parking place.
10. A multistory car park as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9, wherein a positive rotary means (31-43) is provided in at least one story (B1-B7) and is expediently incorporated in rails (8) for pallets (P) provided with wheels (11), which positive rotary means (31-43) has a gripping arrangement (31) which grips at least one wheel (11) of the pallet (P), in particular in an interlocking manner, and with which a rotary drive (35-41) is associated, the positive rotary means (31-43) preferably having at least one of the following features:

    a) the gripping arrangement (31) has a groove (31) which at least partially holds or encompasses the particular wheel (11);

    b) it has a turntable (34) which can be driven by the rotary drive (35-41);

    c) the rotary drive (35-41)comprises a swivel arm (39) connected to a shaft (37);

    d) the rotary drive (35-41)comprises a fluid, in particular hydraulic, piston/cylinder unit (35,41).

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