EP0520917A1 - Automatic garage for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic car park for vehicles. An automatic car park for vehicles (27) according to the invention comprises at least one first carriage (1) and a plurality of parking cells arranged on at least one level, and the said car park comprises at least one second carriage (4) which comprises means (281) for pushing the vehicles (27) so as to enable the vehicles (27) to be loaded onto the said first carriage (1) and to enable the vehicles (27) to be unloaded from the said first carriage (1), and the second carriage (4) preferably comprises, at each of its longitudinal ends, retractable stopping means (281) which can interact with the vehicle (27). The technical field of the invention is that of the construction of devices for handling and storing vehicles. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to automatic parking for vehicles.

The technical field of the invention is that of vehicle handling and storage devices.

The present invention relates more particularly to an installation for parking vehicles, loads or rolling vehicles, adapted in particular to urban space.

Numerous devices are already known for automatic parking of vehicles.

Patent application FR 2 511 417 (FRIED, KRUPP et al.) Describes such a device which comprises an elevator provided with a lifting plane serving vehicle storage boxes, mobile platforms receiving vehicles lifting plane, in which the platforms can be coupled together and brought into the boxes by means of a displacement device.

Patent application FR 2 601 989 (SOVER PARK) describes an automatic car park which includes a descender, a lift, at least 3 autonomous trolleys, and vehicle support pallets, the whole being controlled automatically.

Patent application FR 2 651 823 (JAMAL et al.) Describes a mechanized car park comprising at least one independent mobile transport trolley which can be loaded and unloaded from a vehicle traveling in a straight line, and comprising elements of guidance on the ground to allow the trolley to be moved at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of loading and unloading of the vehicle on the trolley.

Patent application FR 2 600 363 (MARCOULET) describes an automatic car park which also comprises an elevator, removable platforms for each vehicle to be transported, which can be transported by a robot, and which comprises an elevator comprising four lateral openings.

All the devices described in these documents make it necessary to provide in each vehicle storage or storage cell a tray or trolley or vehicle support, which entails a significant additional cost and requires more storage space for each vehicle.

Furthermore, these systems require that the carrier trolley, in order to accommodate a vehicle, go to seek in an empty location a vehicle support which is not used, bring this vehicle support in a vehicle loading area, before going place the vehicle on its support in the unoccupied cell, which causes unnecessary travel and therefore loss of time.

Furthermore, the movement distances of the carriage must be at least equal to the dimensions of the supports which are generally larger than the dimensions of the vehicles, which causes other losses of time and energy.

Also known from application FR 2 646 193 (KOYO JIDOKY COMPANY) is a vehicle conveyor for garages which comprises a thin changer which can pass under a vehicle, and a platform wagon having two parallel rails on which the changer can move. , in which the changer comprises arms provided with comb-shaped teeth, which can come to be located under the tires of the vehicle to be loaded, before the changer is lifted, allowing the vehicle to be loaded on the conveyor.

US Patent 2,077,238 (HENRICKS) relates to a storage device for motor vehicles of the parking lot type; the device comprises several levels, each comprising a transfer platform capable of moving in an aisle extending over each level.

On each transfer platform is provided a trolley which can roll on rails provided on each transfer platform, on an elevator and in each vehicle storage box.

Each carriage comprises a motorized jack of particular shape comprising two bars which can engage under the front axle of a motor vehicle and which alternately makes it possible to raise and lower the front part of the motor vehicle, so that when the part before the automobile is lifted, it can move with the cart.

US Patent 2,428,856 (SINCLAIR) relates to a motor vehicle parking device which comprises a vehicle carrying element and a vehicle transfer device from the carrying element to compartments, or vice versa; the device transfer comprises a pair of longitudinally extending bent arms, which can move longitudinally and whose bent ends can pivot in order to be in an erected position in which the transfer device can drive the moving vehicle.

These latter types of devices which do not include the supports for each vehicle as described in the systems above, nevertheless have drawbacks: one of the main drawbacks of these systems is that they are complex and / or on the other hand cause a significant loss of space (height) in the structure of the car park. The problem posed therefore consists in providing an automatic parking device which does not require a support for each vehicle to be stored in this parking lot, which therefore makes it possible to minimize the space necessary for the storage of these vehicles, which also makes it possible to limit the movement of mobile vehicle handling carts; an objective of the invention is also to provide a parking device which makes it possible to reduce and optimize the time of storage and return of the vehicles entrusted by the users, and to reduce the cost of the parking installation and of its mechanical elements , in particular by minimizing the volume of the car park for a given number of cells.

The solution to the problem posed consists in providing an automatic parking for vehicles, rolling, comprising at least a first trolley which is capable of moving and supporting said vehicles, which parking has a plurality of parking cells, substantially identical, which are arranged regularly , on at least one level, which car park comprises at least a second carriage, known as a pusher carriage, which comprises means for pushing and / or rolling and / or pulling said vehicles, so as to allow loading, one by one, of said vehicles on said first carriage and allowing said vehicles to be unloaded from said first carriage, which second carriage comprises at least two drive wheels with a substantially vertical axis.

Advantageously, said second carriage comprises at each of its longitudinal ends retractable stop means, which can cooperate with said vehicle, preferably respectively with the front and rear bumpers of said vehicle, when they are erected, so as to push and / or retain said vehicle, and so as to allow the free movement of said second carriage relative to said vehicle when they are in the retracted position.

Said second carriage may include means for storing propulsion energy, so that said second carriage is autonomous.

Advantageously, the parking lot comprises in each of said cells directional guidance means of said vehicles, and said second carriage comprises directional guidance means of said vehicles.

Advantageously, said second carriage comprises a chassis of adjustable length, metallic, substantially horizontal of elongated shape, along a longitudinal axis YY1, comprises at least three support wheels of substantially horizontal axis of small diameter, which can rotate freely, and comprises at least two drive wheels with a substantially vertical axis which can be supported on substantially vertical treads, which drive wheels are preferably equipped with tires of width at least equal to 10 centimeters and of diameter at least equal to 20 centimeters.

Preferably, said chassis of said second carriage has two parts which can slide relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of said second carriage, so as to adapt to the length of a vehicle to be moved.

Advantageously, said second carriage comprises at least two optical means for measuring the position of said second carriage, and preferably said second carriage comprises at least two and preferably four receiving devices equipped with CCD detectors which can cooperate with visual cues provided on said first carriage and on the structure of said parking lot.

Advantageously, said second carriage comprises at least two electric motors for driving said driving wheels which can be supplied and / or controlled separately, preferably by means of first means of transferring electrical energy between said first carriage and said second carriage, which first transfer means comprise at least one electrically conductive cable which can be wound on a reel.

Advantageously, said second carriage comprises means electronic for controlling the running of said drive wheel motors and for processing the signals delivered by said position measuring means, and it comprises means for transmitting signals between said second carriage and said first carriage, so that the signals delivered by said means for measuring the position of said second carriage can be supplied to said first carriage and more particularly to the device for controlling the operation of said first carriage, when said second carriage is located on said first carriage.

Advantageously, said transmission means are wireless transmission means, for example by radio waves.

Advantageously, said first carriage comprises at least two electric drive motors for driving wheels and said first carriage comprises, preferably in its lower part, at least two second electrical contact means respectively with at least two second electrically conductive means provided on the structure of said parking lot.

Advantageously, said first carriage comprises a chassis, metallic, of longitudinal axis YY2 which comprises in its central longitudinal part a central space opening at at least one of the longitudinal ends of said carriage, and preferably opening at the two longitudinal ends of said first carriage which space central is open upwards and is delimited by longitudinal chassis elements which give it a generally U-shaped section, which central space can receive at least part of said second carriage.

Advantageously, said first carriage has in its upper part two surfaces on which the wheels of vehicles which are loaded on said first carriage by said second carriage can roll, which surfaces are substantially flat, arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis YY2 of said first carriage , and preferably have a slightly inclined side band, at an angle to the horizontal, preferably less than or equal to about 30 degrees, towards said central space.

Advantageously, each of said parking cells of said parking lot has two surfaces on which the wheels can roll. of said vehicles which are loaded into said cells by said second carriage, which surfaces are substantially flat, disposed substantially symmetrically by the longitudinal axis of said cells and have a slightly inclined side strip, preferably at an angle with a horizontal plane having a value preferably less than 30 degrees, towards a central space arranged in the central longitudinal part of said parking cells, which central space makes it possible to receive at least part of said second carriage.

Advantageously, each of said parking cells comprises retractable stop means which can be actuated during the passage of said second carriage pushing said vehicle, from said first carriage to said parking cell, so as to allow said vehicle to roll in said cell, and which can be actuated during the passage of said second carriage from said cell to said first carriage, so as to prevent the exit of said vehicle from said parking cell, so as to constitute a safety device preventing said vehicle from leaving said cell.

Advantageously, said first carriage comprises electronic means for controlling the running of said drive wheel motors of said first carriage, and it comprises means, preferably wireless, for transmitting signals between said first carriage and a fixed station for controlling said parking lot.

Advantageously, said device comprises at least one entry airlock, at least one exit airlock, at least one elevator, which entry airlock can be closed by an entry door in particular and can be isolated from said elevator by an intermediate door. , and said entry airlock comprises means for detecting the presence of men or animals (such as for example a volumetric infrared radar) and said parking lot comprises means for automatically controlling the operation of said entry door and intermediate door as a function of the signals delivered by said presence detection means.

Advantageously, said entry and exit airlocks comprise a substantially central channel provided with substantially vertical rolling surfaces allowing the movement of said second carriage in said airlocks.

The automatic car parks according to the invention have many advantages compared to known car parks; one of the advantages procured by the invention is that it makes it possible to have car parks which are capable of taking over and returning vehicles or other rolling loads within very limited times; moreover, compared to many known devices, the car parks according to the invention make it possible, compared to the overall volume occupied by the car parks, to have a useful storage volume of the order of around 2/3 of the overall volume when there is a row of cells on either side of the movement paths of the first carriage; this occupancy performance of the overall volume of the car park can be further improved by having several parallel rows of storage cells on either side of the aisles of movement of said first carriage; nevertheless it seems desirable to limit itself to two or three rows of cells on either side of the distribution aisle in order to avoid additional handling times; moreover, in this case it is necessary to systematically provide for a few empty cells at each level of the car park.

Depending on the size of the car park, several assemblies comprising said first carriage and said second pusher carriage may be provided, which may be used simultaneously in order to further reduce the time for picking up and returning vehicles.

Furthermore, a computer system for managing the assembly can be provided for managing the entry or exit orders of vehicles which can be actuated for example by the introduction of a card carried by the user (magnetic card for example ), allowing the management of the care and the vehicle including the security check on the volume of the vehicle and its general condition, allowing the automatic control of one or more elevators, if necessary, in the case of multi-level parking, allowing the control and trajectory monitoring of said first and second autonomous mobile carriages, as well as the optimized overall management of all the movements of said carriages.

Thanks to the particular parking characteristics according to the invention, the supporting structure of said parking cells which can in particular be produced from standard metal profiles, can be produced in the form of a very simple mesh. defining said vehicle parking cells, which requires only very basic and very simple equipment, therefore very inexpensive, in order to receive said vehicles.

The numerous advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description which refers to the appended drawings which illustrate without any limiting character particular examples of realization of automatic parking according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates in side view, schematically, a first embodiment of trolleys equipping a car park according to the invention and is a view along I-I of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates in plan view a vehicle handled by automatic parking carts according to the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates in schematic sectional view a parking lot according to the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates in longitudinal view and schematically carts for automatic parking according to the invention and their mode of use.

FIG. 5 illustrates in schematic plan view the second carriage or pusher carriage illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6a illustrates in plan view a preferred embodiment of a pusher carriage according to the invention, FIG. 6a being a view along VIa-VIa of FIG. 6b.

Figure 6b is a longitudinal view of a pusher carriage according to the invention.

Figure 6c is a view along VIc-VIc of Figure 6b.

Figure 7a is a schematic plan view of a first carriage fitted to a parking lot according to the invention.

Figure 7b is a view along VIIb-VIIb of Figure 7a.

Figure 7c is a view along VIIc-VIIc of Figure 7a.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an automatic car park according to the invention produced so as to form an underground car park and is a view according to VIII-VIII of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates in longitudinal section an embodiment of an automatic underground car park according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a view along X-X of FIG. 9.

Figure 11a illustrates in plan view some details of realization of the structure of a parking lot according to the invention and its mode of use.

Figure 11b is a view along XIb-XIb of Figure 11a.

Figure 11c is a view along XIc-XIc of Figure 11a.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that a first carriage 1 according to the invention comprises a chassis 15 which is provided with wheels 18 which may be driving wheels, by which said first carriage rests on the ground or any other support, and on which said first carriage can roll while moving substantially in the plane of FIG. 1; in the upper part of said chassis are provided rolling surfaces 23 on which a vehicle 27 can be driven which is provided with wheels 31 equipped for example with tires; we see that said vehicle comprises a bumper 301 which can cooperate with the retractable stop 28₁ of a second carriage 4 also called pusher carriage, which carriage 4 is provided with support wheels 6 which can also be drive wheels; it can be seen that said first carriage 1 also includes guide wheels 29 with a substantially vertical axis; the upper part of said retractable stop 28₁ of said second carriage is situated at a height H1 relative to the plane on which said support wheels of said second carriage are placed, and therefore relative to the plane on which said vehicle is placed, which is such that said retractable stop 28₁ in erected position can cooperate with said bumper of said vehicle; more precisely, said retractable stop 28₁ in the erected position can come into contact with said bumper in order to push said vehicle to place it on said first carriage 1 or alternatively to extract said vehicle from said first carriage.

In Figure 2 we see said first carriage 1 which can for example be substantially symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal axis YY2, comprises four wheels 18 of axis YY3, YY4, YY5, YY6 which allow the movement of said first carriage according to arrows F1 , that is to say in a direction parallel to the transverse axis XXI of said first carriage. Said first carriage comprises, at each of its longitudinal ends, said second wheels 29 with a respective substantially vertical axis ZZ1, ZZ2, ZZ3, ZZ4 around which said wheels can rotate, which allows guiding in translation along said transverse axis XXI of said first carriage , in providing support or guide faces parallel to said axis XX1, against which said wheels 29 can bear (support faces not shown in this figure).

It can be seen that on said chassis of said first carriage, said vehicle 27 and said second pusher carriage 4 can move while rolling thanks to their said respective wheels, substantially along said longitudinal axis YY2 of said first carriage, and preferably substantially centered in the transverse direction of said first carriage, so that the longitudinal axis YY1 of said second carriage substantially coincides with said longitudinal axis YY2 of said first carriage and coincides with the longitudinal axis of said vehicle.

We see that said second carriage 4 is provided at each of its longitudinal ends with a retractable stop respectively 28 respectivement, 28₂, and is provided near these said longitudinal ends of two support wheels 6 which can be driven so as to be able to drive in movement said second carriage and also driving said vehicle in movement above said second carriage, by a thrust force transmitted from said second carriage to said vehicle by means of one of said retractable stops which is then in the erected position (erected substantially vertically) and one of said front 30₂ or rear 30₁ bumpers of said vehicle so as to advance or reverse it as indicated by arrows F3.

The length L1 of said first carriage, which can for example be of the order of 5.50 meters makes it possible to completely retract said second carriage, is greater than the length L′2 of said second carriage when said retractable stops of the latter are straightened or erected as shown in Figure 2; the length L2 available between said retractable stops of said second carriage is greater than or equal to the length L3 of vehicles intended to be parked in a parking lot according to the invention.

Furthermore, the width L4 of said second carriage is of course less than the minimum transverse wheelbase of said vehicles intended to be parked in the parking lot, and the height of the chassis 5 of said second carriage is such that it allows said second carriage to slide freely. under vehicles intended to be moved by this transfer system mainly constituted by said first and second carts.

It can be seen that, advantageously, said first carriage is equipped on each of its lateral faces with range finders 36 and 37 which make it possible to identify the position of said second carriage with respect to fixed marks previously installed in said parking lot, and the signals of which can be transmitted to a control-command system for the movements of said carriages.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that in this embodiment of an automatic underground car park according to the invention, dug in the ground 32, said car park comprises on the surface of said ground an entry cell (or airlock) 33 in which are arranged the vehicles intended to be parked, followed by a transfer cell 70, which is itself followed by an evacuation cell 34 (or exit airlock) in which the vehicles can be returned when the user of said vehicle wishes to recover it; we see that in the underground part of said parking lot, cells for storing or storing said vehicles one by one are provided which are marked 2₁, 2₂, 2₃, 2₄, 2₅, 2₆, 2₇, 2₈, 2₉, 2₁₀, in this section and which are distributed over five levels marked 3₁ to 3₅; we see that in this embodiment, a vehicle has been transferred automatically from said input cell 33 by one of said second carriages or pusher carts, in said transfer cell 70, and that at the first underground level is located in the cell 2₁ a vehicle 27 which is handled by another pusher carriage 4. Each of said levels 3₁ to 3₅ has in its central part aisles for displacement of said first carriage 1, which aisles 31 are located at a level substantially lower than the level of the platform shape of said corresponding storage cells, such that, taking into account the height of said first carriage 1, the level of the platform of each of said cells is substantially at the height of the upper part of said first carriage, so that said second carriage and said vehicle can roll and pass freely from said platform of said cell (cell 2₁ in the figure) to the pla te-form or upper part of said first carriage 1.

It should be noted that in a parking lot according to the invention, all of said vehicles must have their internal braking system released in order to be able to roll freely under the impulse of the traction forces. or thrust printed by said longitudinal and retractable stops 28 of said pusher carriage 4.

In a multi-level car park such as that shown in FIG. 3, there is of course an elevator which makes it possible to transfer either the assembly constituted by said first carriage and said second carriage, or an assembly constituted by said first carriage, said second carriage and a vehicle carried by said first trolley, from one of the levels of said parking lot to the ground level of said transfer cell 70 or vice versa (elevator not shown in this figure).

In FIG. 4, an embodiment of a parking lot according to the invention has been illustrated in which said first carriage 1 can travel in an aisle 31 provided or arranged in the ground or the structure of the parking lot, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure. , thanks to the wheels 18 which can be driven and can be guided by said wheels 29 for guiding a substantially vertical axis; we see that said first carriage comprises a chassis 15 which is provided in its upper part with rolling surfaces 23 on which can roll said second carriage 4 as well as said vehicles 27 which are to be transferred.

We see that said second carriage has at its longitudinal ends (left and right in this figure), a retractable stop respectively 28 es and 28 but which can be articulated around a respective axis of rotation XX3 and XX2 substantially perpendicular to the plane of the figure, thanks to a jack 35 at least; we see that said second carriage 4 comprises a chassis 5 to which are fixed support wheels or rollers 6; in this embodiment illustrated in this figure, said second carriage comprises a plurality of position measuring means marked 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48 and which make it possible to measure the position of said second carriage with respect to fixed markings provided in the structure of said car park and which also make it possible to measure the position of said second carriage with respect to the vehicle to be transferred, which position measurement means can be for example acoustic rangefinders, infra -red or others. We see in this figure that said retractable stop 28₁ is in the erected upward position and stands substantially vertically while said second stop 28₂ is in the retracted position and is located substantially in the extension of said chassis 5 of said second carriage; it can also be seen that the first carriage 1 also includes means 36 for measuring the position of said second carriage relative to the structure of said parking lot; advantageously, the overall height H3 of said second carriage, when said stops 28₁ and 28₂ are retracted, is substantially less than the ground clearance H2 of said vehicle; in the state shown in this figure, said second carriage is in a position preliminary to the taking over of said vehicle 27 by said second carriage, which will be carried out by a movement of the latter in a direction directed to the left of the figure so that said second carriage passes between the wheels of said vehicle and under it.

Then, when said second carriage is completely slid under said vehicle so that said stop 28₂ can be erected freely, position which is determined by said measurement means (and said control-command means) of said second carriage, said stop 28₂ will upright, and said second carriage will move (to the right in the figure), in order to push and drive said vehicle on said first carriage.

In FIG. 5, it can be seen that said second carriage 4 comprises, in the vicinity of the longitudinal ends of said chassis 5, four support wheels 6 which can be driven and make it possible to drive said second carriage and said vehicle to be displaced; it can be seen that said measuring means 40, 41 and 48 are provided on the upper face of said chassis 5, that said measuring means 46, 47 on the one hand and 44 and 45 on the other hand are provided on the lateral faces of said chassis , and that said measuring means 38, 39, 42 and 43 are provided on said respective retractable stops 28₁ and 28₂ (which can be actuated by said jacks 35).

In FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c, it can be seen that said second carriage or pusher carriage and / or tractor of vehicles comprises said chassis 5 which extends along the longitudinal axis YY1 of said second carriage and which in this preferred embodiment is mainly constituted by a metal beam with I-profile; it can be seen that said second carriage can roll on treads provided on U-shaped profiles 49, provided in each of said cells storage of said parking lot as well as in the central part of said first carriage, by its carrying wheels or rollers 6 which are mounted free to rotate and are fixed relative to said chassis by known means; we also see said second carriage has wheels 7 which are advantageously driving wheels which can be fitted with tires, and which can be supported with a large contact surface and good grip on the internal face of said U-shaped profiles 49 and thus allow the advancement of said second carriage and of the vehicle which it drives; it can be seen that advantageously said driving wheels 7 of substantially vertical axis ZZ5 can each be rotated by a motor 10 such as for example a DC electric motor of relatively low power, for example of the order of 50 watts, with a substantially vertical axis ZZ6, for example by means of a system of pulleys and belt 50; we see that advantageously the bearing supporting the axis of rotation of each of said drive wheels 7 is mounted at the free end 51a of a spring leaf 51 whose second end 51b is rigidly fixed to said chassis by mounting the built-in type, so as to permanently push said drive wheels outward along arrow F4, and therefore so as to increase their grip on said treads of said section 49 on which said drive wheels bear, by increasing the pressure of said wheels on said profile.

It can also be seen that said second carriage comprises compartments provided with electric batteries 11 making it possible to supply said electric motors for driving said driving wheels and comprises a compartment containing electronic means of control-command of said motors, which electronic means can also receive the signals delivered by position measuring receivers 9₁, 9₂, 9₃, 9₄ which may for example consist of CCD detectors; it can be seen that said CCD detectors 9₁ and 9₂ are mounted laterally on said chassis of said second carriage, in a central zone thereof and that said detectors 9₃ and 9₄ are respectively mounted at the two longitudinal ends of the fixed part of said second chassis cart; we see that at each of its ends are provided the means of articulation of said retractable stops 28₁ and 28₂ which comprise in particular in this embodiment, said jacks 35.

Advantageously, the signals delivered by said CCd position detectors, which are transmitted to said electronic processing means 13, can also be transmitted by means of transmission, for example by radio beam or by infrared beams, to said first carriage (not shown in this figure), by means of transmission and reception and therefore allowing the transmission of information between said first and second carriage; moreover, advantageously, electrical power transmission means are provided, which can cooperate when said second carriage is mounted substantially centrally on said first carriage, and so as to allow connection (via said first carriage) between said batteries of said second trolley and a battery charger external to said first trolley which can be provided in the fixed structure of said car park so as to be able to recharge the batteries of said trolleys when these are not in use, or alternatively which can be provided in said first carriage, the latter being preferably supplied by an alternating voltage supplied by a voltage source provided in said fixed structure.

Said electrical connection means can for example comprise a pair of brushes 71 mounted in the lower part of said second carriage which can cooperate with electrically conductive strips provided in the upper part of said first carriage as shown in FIG. 7a (marks 14₁ and 14₂) .

As illustrated in FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, said first carriage may comprise a chassis, for example metallic 15 which comprises transverse beams 15₁, 15₃, 15₅ and longitudinal beams 15₂, 15₅, 15₆ and 15₈, which beams 15₅ and 15₆ have a substantially vertical face forming a tread against which said driving wheels of said second carriage can bear; we see that said first carriage has a 15₇ floor which joins said longitudinal sections in the lower part of said carriage and has in its upper part two longitudinal 23₁ and 23₂ surfaces which each have a side strip inclined towards the center, that is to say say towards the central longitudinal axis of said first carriage and which are separated by a free space 16 which opens at the longitudinal ends 1a and 1b of said first carriage and in which can be located and roll said second carriage (not shown).

It can also be seen that said first carriage is advantageously provided with four driving wheels 18 which can be respectively driven by motors 17 which can for example be direct current electric motors which can be powered by batteries 19 mounted in said chassis of said first carriage , which motors can be controlled by electronic control means 20 provided in said first carriage; it can also be seen that said driving wheels 18 of said first carriage which can for example be metallic wheels and which can be provided to roll on rails provided in the structure of said parking lot (not shown), are mounted along axes parallel to said longitudinal axis YY2 according to which said second carriage (not shown) can move, so said first carriage which can move along its transverse axis XX2, moves perpendicular to the direction of movement of said second carriage.

In FIG. 8, a vehicle 27 has been illustrated during the taking-over phase by the means for transferring an automatic parking lot according to the invention; said vehicle has been positioned and parked, brakes released, in said entry cell 33 in said parking lot, which is advantageously provided with guide means 58 which make it possible to keep the directional wheels of said vehicle substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof this ; preferably, before moving the vehicle, closing an entry door of said entry airlock after verifying that the occupants have exited the entry airlock using a presence detector such as a radar, and then opening an intermediate door (or metal shutter) which separates said entry airlock from the elevator shaft; said second carriage 4 which is located on said first carriage 1 which is located on the platform of the elevator 52 provided in the structure of said car park, moves in a substantially central channel and provided with substantially vertical lateral treads, according to the arrow F5, its retractable stop in the retracted position so as to pass under said vehicle, then erects said retractable stop 28 after having stopped, then starts again in a movement according to arrow F6, in order to push said vehicle which rolls on its own wheels, as far as said first carriage 1 placed on the platform of the elevator, to a level substantially identical to the level of said input cell 33; when stopping said second carriage on said first carriage, said second stop 28₂ of said second carriage which is also in the erected position, serves as a retainer for said vehicle, then consecutively, the assembly constituted by said vehicle, said first and second carriages can be transferred to one of the levels where one of the said parking cells is available in order to park the said vehicle.

It can be seen in FIG. 9 that said elevator 52 can transfer from ground level 32 and more precisely from the level of said entry cell to said parking lot, said vehicle and said carriages to one of said levels of said underground parking lot; said platform of said elevator can advantageously be provided in its lower part, with a position measuring device 55 which makes it possible to control the position of the platform of the elevator and which makes it possible to stop the latter at predetermined positions corresponding to said level of said parking lot so as to allow the movement of said first carriage, of said platform of said elevator, towards said movement aisles provided in the structure of said parking lot and making it possible to place the vehicle to be stored, for example opposite 'a cell of cells 2 available; we also see that in this parking lot are provided a first assembly comprising said first carriage 1₁ and a second carriage 4₁ which can transfer a first vehicle 27₁ and a second first carriage 1₂, a second pusher carriage 4₂ which can transfer a second vehicle 27₂; advantageously, a control-command station 57 is provided which can centralize the position data of said carriages and of said lift so as to coordinate the movements thereof, and which can also control the ancillary devices such as a request request station. introduction (eg equipped with a bank card reader) or exit barriers from said car park; advantageously, a cell 56 for maintaining said carriages can be provided which can serve as an area for checking or repairing said carriages.

We also see in this figure that at each of said levels of said parking lot, rails are provided which serve as support means and for guiding said first carriages, in their movement in the central aisles allowing them to come and recover a vehicle placed in one of the cells or to park a vehicle there.

It can be seen in FIG. 10 that said first carriage 1 can move on said rails 54 which extend in the central aisle 31 of said parking lot; it can also be seen that the movement cage of said elevator is provided in the extension of said central aisle 31, and that said storage cells 2 of said vehicles are provided on either side of said central aisle; we see that on one side of said central aisle are provided two rows of said cells 2, in which said vehicles can be stored, by means of the transfer of a vehicle possibly hindering access to the desired vehicle in an empty cell 2a located at a predetermined position in said parking lot.

It can also be seen that each of said cells has on the longitudinal lateral faces of its platform, treads 24 which are separated by a space 25, which treads have a substantially horizontal central part and which have a side strip which is advantageously inclined towards the center, that is to say towards said space 25, so as to keep the vehicle aligned, and to keep the directional wheels of said vehicle substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of said vehicle and of said cell, when said vehicle is traveling on said treads 24 under the impulse of said second carriage 4. It can also be seen that in the same way said first carriage is provided with said longitudinal lateral treads 23 which comprise a substantially horizontal central part and comprising a lateral band advantageously inclined towards the longitudinal central part of said first carriage which is t provided with said space 16 allowing movement and containing at least part of said second carriage 4 pushing or extracting one of said vehicles (which is provided at each of its said longitudinal ends with one of said retractable stops 28).

In FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c, it can be seen that the fixed structure (carrier) of a car park according to the invention can be constituted by a lattice of beams, for example metallic, which comprises vertical elements 59, which are rigidly connected with elements horizontal 61; we see that in each of said aisles 31 of displacement of said carriage, which aisles are advantageously superimposed relative to each other, horizontal supports 61 are provided on which are fixed rails 54 which serve as rolling support for said first carriages, and which cooperate with said wheels 18 of said first carriages; in FIGS. 11a and 11b, it can be seen that said second carriage can roll on said platform of said cell at the top left in FIG. 11b and on the raceway provided in the space provided on said first carriage, and drives according to arrow F7 a vehicle 27 which must be stored in said cell 2, by pushing said vehicle by its bumper 30 by means of the rear stop 28 in the erected position, thanks to the drive of said second carriage by said motors propulsion driving said drive wheels 7.

In FIGS. 11a and 11c, it can be seen that each of said cells has two rolling surfaces 24 which have a side strip advantageously inclined at an angle A relative to the horizontal which may preferably be less than 30 degrees and which allows the centering the wheels of said vehicle when it is traveling on said rolling surfaces; said surfaces 24 are separated by said space 25 in which can be located and can slide said second carriage, during the operations of storage or removal of the vehicle from said cell; it can also be seen in FIG. 11a that said first carriage 1 comprises said rolling surfaces 23 which are substantially in the extension of said rolling surfaces 24 of said cells and comprise said longitudinal central space 16 in which a part of the second carriages is located, which is substantially in the extension of said central space 25 arranged in the platform of said cell; it can be seen that, advantageously, in FIGS. 11a and 11c, said drive wheels 7 can rest on the lateral treads 62 provided which delimit said central space 25 and 16 respectively, while said support wheels or rollers 6 of said second carriage, which can roll on the lower horizontal part arranged in said carriage and said central space of said first carriage and of each of said cells, make it possible to support the weight of said second carriage.

Claims (11)

Car park for vehicles comprising a plurality of parking cells (2) arranged on at least one level (3) characterized in that it comprises at least a first trolley (1) capable of supporting a vehicle, and it comprises at least a second trolley which can roll on said first trolley and which comprises retractable means for pushing a vehicle, which second trolley comprises at least two driving wheels (7) of substantially vertical axis. Parking according to claim 1 characterized in that said second carriage comprises means of spring blades (51) making it possible to increase the pressure and the adhesion of said driving wheels on treads (15₅, 15₆, 62) substantially vertical. Parking according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that said second carriage comprises a substantially horizontal frame (5) of elongated shape and of adjustable length. Parking according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said second carriage comprises at least two electric motors (10) for driving said driving wheels which can be powered and / or controlled separately. Parking lot according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes first means for transferring electrical energy between said first carriage and said second carriage, which first transfer means comprise at least one electrically conductive cable which can be '' wind up on a reel. Parking according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said second carriage comprises at each of its longitudinal ends retractable stop means which can cooperate with said vehicle when they are erected so as to push and / or retain said vehicle, and so as to allow the free movement of said second carriage relative to said vehicle when they are in the retracted position. Parking according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it comprises at least one entry airlock, at least one exit airlock, at least one elevator, which entry airlock can be closed by a door entry in particular and can be isolated from said elevator by an intermediate door, and said entry airlock comprises means for detecting the presence of humans or animals (such as for example a volume infrared radar) and said parking lot includes means for automatically controlling the operation of said entry doors and intermediate doors as a function of the signals delivered by said presence detection means. Parking according to claim 7 characterized in that said entry and exit airlocks comprise a substantially central channel provided with substantially vertical rolling surfaces allowing the movement of said second carriage in said airlocks. Parking according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said second carriage comprises at least two means for measuring the position of said second carriage. Parking lot according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the said second carriage comprises electronic means (13) for controlling the running of the said drive wheel motors and for processing the signals delivered by the said position measurement means and in that that it comprises means for transmitting signals between said second carriage and said first carriage. Parking lot according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the said first carriage comprises a chassis (15) with a longitudinal axis YY2 which comprises in its central longitudinal part a central space (16) opening at at least one of the longitudinal ends (1a, 1b) of said first carriage, which central space can receive at least part of said second carriage, and in that said first carriage comprises in its upper part two rolling surfaces (23₁, 23₂), which rolling surfaces are substantially planes, arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis YY2 of said first carriage, and have a lateral strip preferably slightly inclined towards said central space, and in that each of said parking cells of said parking lot has two rolling surfaces (24₁, 24₂) , which running surfaces are substantially flat, arranged substantially symmetrically by the axis longitudinal of said cells and have a side strip slightly inclined towards a central space (25) arranged in the central longitudinal part of said parking cells, which space (25) allows to receive at least part of said second carriage.

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