EP2118406B1 - Parking facility for motor vehicles and method of operating same - Google Patents

Abstract

A parking facility for motor vehicles having fixed parking places arranged above each other and each having a guide for a pallet that is displaceable along the guide as well as a lift, which is disposed alongside the fixed parking places and which also carries a guide for the pallet is provided. For displacement of the pallet between the respective guides of a parking place and the lift, the lift is stopped alongside a parking place such that the respective guides are aligned with one another. The guide of the lift at its end facing the parking place is supported on a supporting surface connected to the parking place. The guide of the lift after being set down onto the supporting surface is pivoted about a horizontal pivotal axis until the guide of the lift is in a horizontal position.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a parking system for motor vehicles, which has fixed pitches arranged one above the other, each having a guide for a pallet displaceable along the guide, and a lift arranged next to the fixed parking spaces, which likewise carries a guide for a pallet which is displaceable in this guide, in which, to move a pallet between the leadership of a fixed pitch and the leadership of the elevator so the elevator stops next to a fixed pitch, that the guides of the fixed pitch and the elevator are aligned with each other, the leadership of the elevator at their fixed pitch facing end rests on a support surface connected to the fixed parking space.

In such parks motor vehicles are driven in a drive-in station on a pallet, and this pallet is moved together with the motor vehicle standing in the elevator, which then raises the pallet with the motor vehicle once or lowered and the other, if necessary, also laterally shifts so that the arranged on the elevator pallet can be positioned against a fixed parking space in which the pallet is to be inserted together with the motor vehicle standing thereon.

In this way, each pitch of the shelf-like parking space arrangement can be achieved, so that the pallet carrying the motor vehicle together with this can be inserted after the alignment with the parking space in this. Such a park will be in the document EP-A-0952280 disclosed.

Difficult is the reliable alignment of the guide for the pallet on the elevator on the one hand and the guide for the pallet in the fixed space on the other. Although you can improve this alignment by placing the leadership of the elevator with its end facing the parking space on a fixedly connected to the parking space support surface, but then difficulties arise when the elevator does not reach exactly the necessary height next to a pitch to be approached. Such inaccuracies in the positioning of the elevator can easily occur, even by different loading of the elevator with different vehicles, on the other hand by the high lifting speeds, which are usually used to reduce the delivery times, and / or by wear of the elevator.

It is an object of the invention to provide a generic method in such a way that the guidance of the elevator can be aligned in a simple manner exactly with the guidance of the parking space to be approached.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a method of the type described above, that pivoted the leadership of the elevator after placing it on the support surface to a transverse to the direction of rotation, horizontal, parking space-side pivot axis passing through the support point of the guide of the elevator on the support surface is defined until the guidance of the elevator is horizontal.

By placing the guide of the elevator on the support surface results in a pivot bearing, that is, the guide can on the support surface to a be swiveled horizontal pivot axis, so that by such a pivoting a guide on the elevator can be placed exactly horizontal if it is not exactly horizontally when placing itself or the subsequent stop of the elevator and thus is not aligned exactly for guiding the pitch.

It is advantageous in this case if the guide is pivoted about the pivot axis on the parking space, that the guide of the elevator pivotably mounted on the elevator about an inclination axis parallel to the parking space-side pivot axis is raised or lowered by an upward or downward movement of the elevator. The guide is thus mounted on the elevator also pivotable about an inclination axis, which runs parallel to the parking space side pivot axis, and thus alone by raising and lowering the elevator, the guide of the elevator can be pivoted so that it finally exactly horizontal, even if this is the case initial fast approach of the elevator to the pitch to be approached should not be the case.

While this Korrekturverschwenkung the leadership of the elevator is preferably achieved by a lifting movement of the elevator, according to a modified embodiment of the invention can also be provided that this pivoting of the guide on the elevator takes place in the horizontal by a lifting device arranged on the elevator, such as a hydraulic cylinder or an electric drive.

It is particularly advantageous if, according to a preferred embodiment, the guide of the elevator is pivoted toward the parking space in front of it, before seating on the support surface of a parking space, about a tilt axis extending parallel to the parking space-side pivot axis and pivoted after placement in the horizontal position. The guide on the elevator is so shortly before the guide is placed on the support surface at the pitch to be approached, sloping towards the parking space and only after putting on the support surface, either by a further movement of the elevator, be it by a lifting movement of the Lift arranged lifting device, pivoted in the horizontal. This pivoting movement can be made dependent on the holding position in which the elevator has been stopped relative to the parking space to be approached, and regardless of this actual holding position can be achieved by simply pivoting the guide on the elevator, the horizontal for this guide.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide of the elevator for placement on a support surface of a pitch to be approached in the direction of the guide horizontally from a stroke position in which the guide is in the process of the elevator between different parking spaces such that they the support surfaces of the parking spaces has a distance, moves in a set-up, in which the ends of the guide of the elevator is above the support surface of the pitch to be approached. In this way, it is ensured that the elevator during its raising and lowering and optionally also with a transverse displacement with the guide arranged on the elevator can easily pass by all the parking spaces and the supporting surfaces protruding therefrom. Only when lowering and shortly before reaching the pitch to be approached is the guide on the elevator in the horizontal direction so far moved that it is located with its end above the support surface of the pitch to be approached and hang up on this support surface on further lowering.

It is particularly advantageous if, by the horizontal displacement of the guide of the elevator from the stroke position to the set position by suitable gear means, the guide of the elevator at the same time about the inclination axis pivots so that their approaching the parking space facing end is lowered relative to the opposite end. In this way, no own drive is required for the taking place before placing on the support surface pivoting the guide on the elevator, but it is exploited the movement that learns the guide through the horizontal displacement anyway and then the transmission means in a guide to the parking space leads down lowering pivoting.

For example, it can be provided that leads the leadership of the elevator in the horizontal displacement on a track that lowers at the end of the parking lot to be approached and / or increases at the end of the approaching parking space end.

In a first embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that arranging the axis of inclination of the guides of the elevator in the longitudinal direction in the middle. This results in a relatively simple kinematics, on the other hand, the end of the guide of this inclination axis is only half the guide length away, so that when pivoting the guide a relatively large displacement in the horizontal direction, that is, when pivoting, the distance of the changes End of the guide on the elevator of the leadership in the pitch to be approached, it can cause relatively large gaps.

To avoid this, one can according to a further preferred embodiment, the inclination axis of the guide of the elevator to be approached at the Arrange the parking space facing away from the guide of the elevator, so that the distance between the inclination axis of the guide on the one hand and the support surfaces of the parking space on the other hand is larger.

The park can be constructed symmetrically, that is, you can arrange on opposite sides of the elevator identically designed pitches and align the trained on their opposite sides the same guide either with a to be approached parking space on one side or on the opposite side.

Another embodiment provides that one arranges on opposite sides of the elevator identically designed parking spaces and that one turns the guide on the elevator about a vertical axis of rotation to align the guidance of the elevator with that of a pitch to be approached. Such rotation of the guide of the elevator about the vertical axis may also be useful to connect the guidance of the elevator to a retraction station and / or an extension station.

Particularly suitable are the above methods in parks, in which one in the guides of the elevator, the parking spaces and possibly a Einfahrstation the park, in which a motor vehicle ascends a pallet, and / or an extension station, in which a standing on a pallet motor vehicle this leaves, in each case two superimposed guideways with each shift of a pallet between the elevator and approached parking or retracting or Ausfahrstation in the upper guideway moves a pallet in the lower guideway in the opposite direction, so that always before and after the displacement of the pallets a pallet is located in the guide of the elevator and a pallet in the approached parking space as well as the retraction station and the extension station.

Such a procedure speeds up the pallet change, because it is ensured that at any time at each pitch, in the elevator, in the entry and in the extension station, a free pallet is available, which can be exchanged for a passable or a driven pallet. This speeds up the pallet change both in the area between the elevator and the parking space as well as in the area between the elevator and the entry and exit stations.

It may further be provided that the pallet is lowered from the upper guide track into the lower guide track in the extension station after the motor vehicle has left the upper pallet.

Furthermore, it can be provided that in the entry station lifts a pallet from the lower track into the upper track before a motor vehicle enters the entry station on an upper pallet.

The invention further relates to a park for motor vehicles with juxtaposed fixed spaces, each having a guide for a sliding along the guide pallet, and arranged with a next to the fixed parking spaces, also a guide for a slidably along this guide pallet having elevator a support surface connected to the fixed spaces, on which the approachable to a parking space facing end of the guide of the elevator can be placed to align the guides of the elevator and the pitch to be moved for moving a pallet between these guides, and with a controller for operating the elevator and for moving the pallets.

It is an object of the invention to design a parking system of the generic type such that the alignment of the guides on the elevator and in a parking space to be approached is improved.

This object is achieved in a parking system of the type described above according to the invention that the leadership of the elevator after placing on the support surface transverse to the direction of rotation, horizontal, parking space-side pivot axis forms, which is defined by the support point of the guide of the elevator on the support surface , And that the controller pivoted via a drive, the leadership of the elevator after placing on the support surface to the parking space-side pivot axis until the leadership of the elevator is horizontal.

It is advantageous if the leadership of the elevator is pivotally mounted on this about a parallel to the parking space side pivot axis extending axis of inclination.

In a first preferred embodiment it is provided that the drive for pivoting the guide of the elevator is formed by the elevator and the control for pivoting the guide of the elevator raises or lowers the elevator.

In an alternative embodiment it can be provided that the drive for pivoting the guide of the elevator is formed by a lifting device arranged on the elevator and that the control for pivoting the guide of the elevator raises or lowers the lifting device.

It is particularly advantageous if the control pivots the guide of the elevator with respect to this prior to placement on the support surface of a parking space to a pitch parallel to the pitch-side pivot axis inclination axis to the parking space and pivots it after placement in the horizontal position.

It may further be provided that the guide on the elevator in the horizontal direction by a displacement device parallel to the direction of displacement of the guide is displaced and that the control activates the displacement device such that the leadership of the elevator for placement on a support surface of a pitch to be approached from a stroke position in which the guide in the process of the elevator between different parking spaces is such that it has a distance from the support surfaces of the parking spaces, is moved to a set position in which the ends of the guide of the elevator are above the support surface of the pitch to be approached.

In particular, transmission means may be provided which at the horizontal displacement of the guide of the elevator from the lifting position into the set position, the guide of the elevator at the same time pivot about the inclination axis so that its the approaching parking space facing end is lowered relative to the opposite end.

The transmission means may, for example, comprise a track for the horizontal displacement of the guide of the elevator, which is lowered at the end facing the parking space to be approached and / or rises at the end remote from the parking space to be approached.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the track can be formed by a cam track and at this at the horizontal displacement of the guide adjacent cam.

The cam can be lifted from the cam track upwards, so that thereby a horizontal position of the guide on the elevator can be reached.

It is favorable if the cam track and cam are arranged on two support points arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the guide. In this way, a lifting of the cam of the cam track at one or the other support point done, this is favorable when a symmetrical structure of the park is used and the elevator the guide either to a parking space on one side or on the opposite side to connect the elevator.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the guide is mounted on the elevator in the middle of its longitudinal extent pivotable about the inclination axis. This results in a very simple structure for the pivotability of the leadership of the elevator about a tilt axis.

In another preferred embodiment, it is provided that the inclination axis is arranged on the side of the elevator facing away from the parking space, so that there is a large distance between the inclination axis of the parking space to be approached and thus a very small displacement of the end of the guide on the elevator their pivoting.

The park can be constructed on one side, but it should also be provided that the park is symmetrical, so that on opposite sides of the elevator identically designed parking spaces are arranged and that the guide, which is of the same design on its opposite sides, can be aligned either with a parking space to be approached on one side or on the opposite side.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the guide is pivotally mounted on the elevator about two longitudinally spaced-apart inclination axes. As a result, the pivoting of the guide on the elevator can always be done about the inclination axis, which has the greater distance from the pitch to be approached, that is, it is either the one or the other tilt axis effective.

In a specific embodiment, it may be provided that between the elevator and the guide on the elevator, a handlebar is arranged, one end of which at one bearing pivotable about the one pivot axis with the elevator and at the other bearing point about the other axis of inclination pivoting with the Leadership is connected. In the manner of a swing door, the guide is thus connected to the elevator and can optionally be pivoted in one or in the other direction, wherein one of the two tilt axes serves as a pivot axis for each pivoting movement.

It can be provided that the guide on the elevator is rotatable about a vertical axis.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the park system is provided that the guides of the elevator, the parking spaces and possibly a retraction station, in which a motor vehicle ascends a pallet, or in an extension station, in which a standing on a pallet motor vehicle leaves, two each superposed guideways and that the control with each shift of a pallet in the upper Guideway between the elevator and approached parking space on the one hand or elevator and retracting or Ausfahrstation other hand, a pallet in the lower guideway moves in the opposite direction, so that before and after the displacement of the pallets always a pallet in the leadership of the elevator and a pallet in the guide the approached parking space as well as in the leadership of the retraction station or the extension station is located.

The controller can be designed so that it lowers the pallet from the upper guide track in the lower guideway after the motor vehicle has left the upper pallet in the extension station.

Furthermore, the controller may be configured to lift a pallet from the lower track to the upper track in the entry station before a motor vehicle enters the entry station on an upper pallet.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer Parkanlage mit einem Auf- zug mit um eine Vertikalachse drehbarer Führung und mit über- einander, hintereinander und nebeneinander angeordneten Stell- plätzen;

Figur 2:

eine Draufsicht auf eine Parkanlage ähnlich Figur 1 mit Stellplät- zen auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten eines Aufzugsschachtes;

Figur 3:

eine Seitenansicht der Parkanlage der Figur 2;

Figur 4:

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Aufzuges in Ausrichtung mit einem Stellplatz bei der Übergabe einer mit einem Kraftfahr- zeug beladenen Palette an den Stellplatz und einer leeren Palette an den Aufzug;

Figur 5:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 4 bei zwei hintereinander angeordne- ten Stellplätzen;

Figur 6:

eine schematische Vorderansicht eine Einfahr- oder Ausfahr- station mit zwei übereinander angeordneten Fahrbahnen für Paletten mit einer Palette in der oberen Fahrbahn;

Figur 7:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 6 mit ausgeschwenkten oberen Fahr- bahnen;

Figur 8:

eine Detail-Seitenansicht des Aufzuges beim Vorbeifahren an einem Stellplatz;

Figur 9:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 8 beim Anfahren des Aufzuges an ei- nen Stellplatz mit zum Stellplatz hin abgesenkter Führung des Aufzuges und mit auf eine Stützfläche des Stellplatzes aufge- setzter Führung;

Figur 10:

eine Seitenansicht einer mit einem Stellplatz ausgerichteten, zum Stellplatz hin abfallend geneigten Führung mit einer Hub- einrichtung zum Anheben und Absenken der Führung relativ zum Aufzug;

Figur 11:

ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Führung in einer ähnlichen Stellung wie in Figur 10 mit einer mittigen Schwenklagerung der Führung am Aufzug;

Figur 12:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 11 mit horizontal ausgerichteter Füh- rung durch Höhenverstellung des Aufzuges;

Figur 13:

eine Darstellung eines abgewandelten Ausführungsbeispiels ei- ner Lagerung einer Führung am Aufzug mit einem zwischen Führung und Aufzug angeordneten Lenker und zwei Neigungs- achsen;

Figur 14:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 13 mit der Führung in horizontaler Ausrichtung;

Figur 15:

ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel einer über zwei Nocken- bahnen am Aufzug gelagerten Führung in der Mittelstellung auf dem Aufzug;

Figur 16:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 15 mit der Führung in einer seitlich an den anzufahrenden Stellplatz anschließenden Position und in ei- ner zu dem anzufahrenden Stellplatz hin abgesenkten Schräg- stellung und

Figur 17:

eine Ansicht ähnlich Figur 16 mit der Führung in ausgerichteter Horizontalstellung.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it:

FIG. 1:

a partial perspective view of a park with an elevator with rotatable about a vertical axis guide and with each other, one behind the other and juxtaposed slots;

FIG. 2:

a top view of a park similar FIG. 1 with parking spaces on opposite sides of a lift shaft;

FIG. 3:

a side view of the park of the FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4:

a schematic side view of an elevator in alignment with a parking space in the transfer of a loaded with a motor vehicle pallet to the parking space and an empty pallet to the elevator;

FIG. 5:

a view similar FIG. 4 with two parking spaces arranged one behind the other;

FIG. 6:

a schematic front view of a retraction or extension station with two superimposed lanes for pallets with a pallet in the upper lane;

FIG. 7:

a view similar FIG. 6 with swung-out upper tracks;

FIG. 8:

a detail side view of the elevator when driving past a parking space;

FIG. 9:

a view similar FIG. 8 when approaching the elevator to a parking space with guide of the elevator lowered toward the parking space and with guide placed on a supporting surface of the parking space;

FIG. 10:

a side view of a aligned with a parking space, sloping towards the pitch guide with a lifting device for raising and lowering the guide relative to the elevator;

FIG. 11:

Another preferred embodiment of a guide in a similar position as in FIG. 10 with a central pivotal mounting of the guide on the elevator;

FIG. 12:

a view similar FIG. 11 with horizontally oriented guidance by height adjustment of the elevator;

FIG. 13:

a representation of a modified embodiment of a storage of a guide on the elevator with an arranged between the guide and elevator handlebar and two tilt axes;

FIG. 14:

a view similar FIG. 13 with the guidance in horizontal orientation;

FIG. 15:

A preferred embodiment of a two cam tracks on the elevator mounted guide in the middle position on the elevator;

FIG. 16:

a view similar FIG. 15 with the guide in a position adjoining laterally to the parking space to be approached and in an inclined position lowered to the parking space to be approached and

FIG. 17:

a view similar FIG. 16 with the guide in aligned horizontal position.

The invention will be discussed below in a park 1, in which a plurality of parking spaces 3 are arranged like a shelf above and next to each other on both sides of a lift shaft 2, for this purpose, on both sides of the elevator shaft 2, a framework 4 of vertical beams 5 and arranged horizontal supports 6, this shelf-shaped frame forms individual compartments for the parking spaces 3.

The elevator shaft 2 extends between the two opposing stands 4 over the entire width of these scaffolds 4, and in this elevator shaft 2 a lift 7 is accommodated over the entire length of the elevator shaft 2, which can be moved over the entire height of the scaffold 4. In the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the elevator 7 is mounted vertically displaceable on a over the entire height of the frame 4 extending portal 8, the portal 8 in turn can be moved on rails 9, which extend along the elevator shaft 2.

At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the framework 4 takes two each successively arranged parking spaces 3, so has a depth that corresponds to twice the parking space length. In the embodiments of the Figures 2 and 3 In contrast, only one parking space is provided on both sides of the elevator shaft 2 in the opposing stands 4, so these frameworks 4 have a smaller depth than in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ,

The elevator 7 can also be designed in any other way, for example, it can hang on ropes, it is only essential that the elevator over the entire length of the elevator shaft 2 and over the entire height of the frameworks 4 can be moved. In addition, it can be provided that the elevator is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis, as shown in the illustration of the FIG. 1 becomes clear. As a result, mounted on the elevator motor vehicles can be rotated and thereby introduced in any direction in the parking spaces.

In the parking spaces 3 at the two transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elevator shaft 2 opposite sides each at the lower end of a parking space 3 two parallel to each other and closely superimposed horizontal rails 10, 11 arranged in these rails 10, 11 pallets 12 can be inserted and in Moved longitudinally, which serve the inclusion of motor vehicles 13. The pallets 12 have on their longitudinal sides on rollers 14 which run in the rails 10, 11.

In the same way, two rails 15, 16 are arranged one above the other on the elevator 7, which serve as well as the rails 10, 11 in the parking spaces 3 of the slidable receiving pallets 12.

Two of the parking spaces 3 of the framework 4, for example, two parking spaces in the lower floor of the framework 4, are replaced by a retraction station or extension station. In FIG. 3 Such an extension station 17 is shown schematically at the lower end of the right frame 4. A retraction station is essentially the same design as an extension station 17. The retraction station and the retraction station both have each as well as the parking spaces 3 and the elevator 7 superimposed rails 18, 19, but they are passable on both sides for a motor vehicle, so once from the Side of the elevator 7 ago and the other from the side of an entrance or exit 20 ago.

While the rails 10, 11 of the parking spaces 3 and 15, 16 of the elevator 7 are fixed, this is only with the lower rails 19 of the retraction station and the extension station of the case, while the upper rails 18 are held on a carrier 21 which is pivotally mounted at the retraction station or extension station about a lower pivot point to the outside, so that the upper rails 18 can be swung laterally, as shown in FIG FIG. 7 is shown. Both in the retraction station and in the extension station, a lifting device 22 is arranged, which acts on the underside of a pallet 12 which is mounted in one of the rails 18 or 19. This lifting device 22 can raise and lower the pallet 12, for example, it may be a hydraulic lifting device which engages with several pressure cylinders at different locations of a pallet 12 to raise and lower these evenly and parallel to itself. It is thereby possible to raise the pallets from the lower running rail 19 upwards, when the carriers 21 are laterally swung out with the upper running rails 18, since in this way the space above the lower running rails 19 is released. The pallet 12 can be raised so far that the carrier 21 can be pivoted with the upper rails 18 below the pallet again, so that in a subsequent lowering of the pallet it is received in the upper rails 18 and stored there displaceable. In this way it is possible to change the position of the pallet 12 both in the entry station and in the extension station between the upper rails 18 and the lower rails 19. In FIG. 6 a pallet is shown in the upper rails 18, while the carrier 21 are pivoted. In FIG. 7 the carrier 21 are swung out and the pallet 12 is lowered by the lifting device 22 in the lower rails 19. Of course, this process is reversible.

In normal operation, prior to the setting of motor vehicles in the parking system 1, the entry station, the extension station, the elevator and all parking spaces each equipped with a pallet 12. The pallets are doing in the parking spaces in each case in the lower rails 11, this also applies to the elevator 7 and for the extension station, in the entry station, however, the pallet 12 is located in the upper track rail 18th

A controller 23 is provided, which controls the movements of the elevator 7, the displacement of the pallets 12 along the rails and the raising and lowering of the pallets by means of the lifting device 22 via suitable drives, so that the entire adjustment process for a motor vehicle of this controller 23 automatically is controlled.

To set a motor vehicle 13, this drives into the retraction station, onto the pallet 12 of the retraction station, which is mounted there in the upper running rail 18. When the motor vehicle is completely retracted into the entry station and when the user has left the entry station, this is closed on the drive side and the controller moves the pallet 12 with the motor vehicle 13 thereon in the aligned with the entry-level elevator 7, where the pallet in the free, upper running rail 15 of the elevator 7 is inserted. At the same time the pallet 12 is pushed in the lower running rail 16 of the elevator in the retraction station, there in the lower running rail 19. In this way, so change the pallets of the retraction station and the elevator their position at the same time, so that after this process in the retraction and only one pallet is arranged in the elevator, in the elevator the pallet 12 loaded with the motor vehicle 13, in the entry station an empty pallet 12 in the lower running rail 19. By means of the lifting device 22 this lower pallet 12 becomes in the entry rail in the upper running rail 18 so that the entry station is ready for receiving the next motor vehicle.

The elevator moves by displacement of the portal 8 and by a corresponding lifting movement to the parking space 3, in which the motor vehicle is to be parked. After alignment of the elevator with the appropriate parking space laden with the motor vehicle pallet is inserted into the upper rails 19 of this space, and at the same time arranged in the lower rail 11 of this parking space pallet 12 is pushed into the lower rail 16 of the elevator, so that too in this case, a simultaneous exchange of the positions of the pallets takes place with the result that after this exchange again both in the parking space and in the elevator only one pallet is arranged in the parking space loaded with the motor vehicle pallet in the elevator, the empty pallet, and although in the lower rail 16.

In the FIG. 4 the retraction of a occupied with a motor vehicle 13 pallet 12 is shown in a parking space 3 with simultaneous transfer of an empty pallet from the parking space 3 on the elevator 7. In the arrangement of FIG. 4 the framework 4 has a depth which corresponds to only one parking space, while in the embodiment of the FIG. 5 The framework has a double depth, so that two parking spaces are arranged one behind the other. In FIG. 5 the same change process is shown for this case.

If as in FIG. 1 shown the scaffold 4 has two consecutively arranged parking spaces 3, the loaded pallet can remain immediately adjacent to the elevator shaft 2 or also be pushed completely backwards, as well as the two parking spaces associated with a lower range either remain under the rear or the front parking space , The only important thing is that for each pitch in the scaffolding, not occupied by a motor vehicle, a pallet is present in the lower rails of the corresponding parking space.

In the extension station, a process that is the reverse of the entry station. To extend the elevator brings a loaded with a motor vehicle 13 pallet 12 in alignment with the extension station, in which a free range rests in the lower track 19 so that the elevator can move the pallet with the motor vehicle in the upper track 18. Once this is done, the vehicle can leave the exit station 20 through the exit. The lifting device 22 then lowers the empty pallet 12 into the lower running rail 19, so that the upper running rail is available for receiving the next occupied pallet.

For the alignment of the elevator 7 with the parking spaces 3 special measures are taken to ensure that the rails 15, 16 of the elevator 7 with the rails 10, 11 of the parking spaces 3 are exactly aligned for the transfer of the pallets 12 and run exactly horizontal ,

To move the elevator 7 in the elevator shaft 2 and to raise and lower the elevator, it is necessary that between the parking spaces 3 on the one hand and the elevator 7 on the other hand a gap remains, so that the elevator 7 can be easily passed by the parking spaces. This gap can be relatively large, especially if the elevator 7 is additionally rotatable about a vertical axis, since then there is additional space required for the rotational movement. When transferring the pallets from the elevator to a parking space and vice versa, the rails of the elevator and the parking space should, however, connect directly to each other, so that these rails of the elevator and the parking space together form an interruption-free, continuous raceway for the pallets.

To achieve this, the two rails 15, 16 of the elevator 7, which are hereinafter referred to by the collective term "guide", arranged on the elevator 7 in the horizontal direction slidably. For this purpose, for example, the elevator 7 can carry a drive which shifts the guide relative to the elevator in the horizontal direction, namely either to one side and to the opposite side, depending on which position the guide is to be connected.

This is indeed in the horizontal direction to achieve a connection to the parking spaces, but not this ensures that the rails of the guide are connected in height to the rails of the parking space.

To achieve this in addition to carry the individual parking spaces 3 at its end facing the elevator shaft 2 in the elevator shaft 2 projecting support surfaces 24, for example in the form of at the two rails 15, 16 lower side projections arranged, as can be seen from the FIGS. 8 to 17 becomes clear. The rails 15, 16 of the elevator 7 are equipped on its underside with such projections 25, the support surfaces 24 and the projections 25 are arranged so that when lowering the elevator 7 and thus the rails 15, 16 of the guide, the projections 25th hang the rails 15, 16 on the support surfaces 24 of the parking spaces 3, when the guide has been pushed on the elevator laterally close to one of the two scaffolds 4.

In FIG. 8 the case is shown in which the guide on the elevator 7 is removed from the framework, so that the elevator can easily pass the scaffold 4.

In FIG. 9 In contrast, the case is shown in which the guide is moved horizontally to a frame 4, so that hang when lowering the elevator 7, the projections 25 on the support surfaces 24 and thereby in this area the rails 15, 16 of the elevator with the rails 10th , Align 11 of the parking space 3 in height.

However, a prerequisite for a correct alignment of the rails 15, 16 of the elevator 7 with the rails 10, 11 of the parking space 3 is that the elevator 7 stops in the exact correct position in which these rails straight with the projection 25 on the support surfaces 24th rest. This is very difficult to achieve in practice.

For this reason, it is further provided that the guide about a horizontal, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rails 15, 16 extending axis of inclination is pivotally mounted on the elevator 7. This storage can be done in a simple case by a pivot bearing, which is provided in the middle of the longitudinal extension of the rails 15, 16, as in FIG. 12 is shown. There, the entire guide is pivotally mounted on the elevator 7 at a central bearing point, the pivoting movement is limited by stops 27, 28, so that only relatively small pivoting angle are possible.

In such an arrangement, the elevator 7 can be lowered during lowering in any case so far until the projections 25 rest on the support surfaces 24. If the elevator is then not stopped immediately, but still slightly is further lowered, this only leads to a pivoting of the guide, the support of the projections 25 on the support surface 24, however, is maintained. The controller can then perform a correction movement of the elevator 7 and this again slightly raise until the rails 15, 16 of the guide are exactly horizontal. In this way, when you first start a parking space 3 is not necessary to keep the elevator exactly, but it is sufficient if it stops after the projections 25 have placed themselves on the support surface 24, by a correction movement can then be achieved exactly horizontal orientation become.

In the central storage of the guide, as in FIG. 12 shown, pivoting lead to a relatively large displacement of the ends of the rails 15, 16 in the horizontal direction, since the distance between the pitch axis and the end of the rails is determined only by half the length of the rails. It is therefore better to provide the pitch axis at a greater distance from the ends of the rails.

In the embodiment of the Figures 13 and 14 For this purpose, a handlebar 29 is provided on the elevator 7, which is pivotably mounted with its one end on the elevator 7 about a horizontal, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rails extending first pivot axis 30, while the other end of the arm 29 about a second axis 31 extending parallel thereto is pivotally mounted on the guide. The two pivot axes are in each case at opposite ends of the elevator 7 and thus in the vicinity of the end of the rails 15, 16, so that the guide can be pivoted in both directions about inclination axes, of the patch on the support surfaces 24 end of the rails 15, 16 are almost the entire length of the rails removed. By the handlebar 29, the guide is mounted on the elevator in the manner of a swing door, and thereby there is a pivoting in the a direction about one of the two tilt axes and in the other direction about the other of the two tilt axes. When lowering the elevator and sitting on the projections 25 on a support surface 24, the guide is always pivoted about the tilt axis, which is remote from the support point, so that the horizontal displacement of the supported runner ends is thereby minimized regardless of which side of the guide on the Supporting surfaces 24 of the respective frame 4 rests.

An alignment of the guide with the rails of the parking spaces can be achieved even without a reversal of movement of the elevator when the guide is inclined before placing the projections 25 on the support surfaces 24 so that the guide on the side facing the parking space relative to the parking space is lowered away from the opposite end. In this case, the projections 25 meet a slightly inclined guide on the support surface 24, and this inclination can be compensated for the further lowering of the elevator - possibly at low speed - characterized in that the elevator is stopped only when the guide is exactly horizontal.

To enable this lowering of the guide on the side to be approached parking side, a suitable lifting device 32 can be arranged on the elevator 7, for example, a hydraulic piston-cylinder aggregate, which can pivot the guide about the inclination axis. It can also be provided a plurality of such lifting devices, so that either can be lowered to one side or the other and the inclination axis is thereby arranged as far away from the Aufsetzstelle. Such an arrangement is in FIG. 10 shown. Such a lifting device 32 could also in the embodiments of FIGS. 11 to 14 be used.

A particularly advantageous embodiment is in the FIGS. 15 to 17 shown. In this case, the horizontal movement of the guide is utilized, which is provided in order to reduce the distance between the rails 15, 16 of the elevator 7 on the one hand and the rails 10, 11 of the pitch to be approached 3 on the other.

For this purpose, the guide carries lateral cam tracks 33, 34 which rest on mounted on the elevator 7 cam rollers 35. The cam tracks 33, 34 have two end sections, namely a respective outer end section 36, which projects further down from the guide than a further, inner end section 37, which is offset relative to the end section 36 so upwards. The two end sections 36, 37 are connected by a rising middle section 38.

The distance of the cam rollers 35 is selected so that they are at the central portions 38 when the guide is in its center position, that is, when the guide is moved up to neither the one nor to the opposite other frame. In the horizontal displacement, the cam rollers 35 then reach on one side of the guide to the outer end portion 36 and on the other side to the inner end portion 37, thereby the guide is lowered on the side at which they moved up to a parking space horizontally becomes. This leads to a tendency of the guide, which is caused by its own drive solely by the horizontal displacement of the guide.

As soon as the guide touches down on the supporting surfaces 24 of the parking space 3 to be approached with its projections 25, in the further lowering movement of the elevator, the guide is pivoted about an inclination axis, which passes through the From the support point remote cam roller 35 is formed. From the other cam roller 35, which is close to the support point, the corresponding cam is lifted thereby, so that thereby a further horizontal position of the guide can be achieved during further lowering.

Claims (25)

1. Method of operating a parking facility (1) for motor vehicles that comprises fixed parking places (3) arranged above each other and each having a guide for a pallet (12) that is displaceable along the guide as well as a lift (7), which is disposed alongside the fixed parking places and also carries a guide (15, 16) for a pallet displaceable therein, in which method for displacement of a pallet between the guide of a fixed parking place and the guide of the lift the lift is stopped in such a way alongside a fixed parking place (3) that the guides of the fixed parking place and of the lift are aligned with one another, wherein the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) at its end facing the fixed parking place (3) is supported on a supporting surface (24) connected to the fixed parking place (3), characterized in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) after being set down onto the supporting surface (24) is pivoted about a horizontal parking-place-side pivotal axis, which extends transversely of the displacement direction and is defined by the support point of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) on the supporting surface (24), until the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is in a horizontal position.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide is pivoted about the parking-place-side pivotal axis in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7), which is mounted on the lift (7) so as to be pivotable about an axis of inclination extending parallel to the parking-place-side pivotal axis, is raised or lowered by means of an upward or downward movement of the lift (7).
3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide is pivoted about the parking-place-side pivotal axis in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7), which is mounted on the lift (7) so as to be pivotable about an axis of inclination extending parallel to the parking-place-side pivotal axis, is raised or lowered by means of a lifting device (32) disposed on the lift.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) prior to setting down on the supporting surface (24) of a parking place is pivoted relative to the lift down towards the parking place about an axis of inclination extending parallel to the parking-place-side pivotal axis and after setting down is pivoted into the horizontal position.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) for setting down onto a supporting surface (24) of a parking place to be approached is displaced in displacement direction of the guide horizontally out of a lifting position, in which the guide during travel of the lift (7) between various parking places is situated in such a way that it is spaced apart from the supporting surfaces of the parking places, into a set-down position, in which the ends of the guide of the lift are situated above the supporting surface of the parking place to be approached.
6. Method according to one of claims 1 and 3 and according to claim 4, characterized in that by means of the horizontal displacement of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) out of the lifting position into the set-down position by a suitable gearing mechanism the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is simultaneously pivoted about the axis of inclination in such a way that its end facing the parking place to be approached is lowered relative to the opposite end.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) during the horizontal displacement is guided along a track, which dips at the end facing the parking place to be approached and/or rises at the end remote from the parking place to be approached.
8. Method according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the axis of inclination of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is disposed centrally in the longitudinal direction of the guide.
9. Method according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the axis of inclination of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is disposed at the side of the guide of the lift remote from the parking place to be approached.
10. Parking facility (1) for motor vehicles having fixed parking places (3) arranged above each other and each having a guide for a pallet (12) that is displaceable along the guide, and having a lift (7), which is disposed alongside the fixed parking places and also has a guide (15, 16) for a pallet that is displaceable along said guide, with a supporting surface (24), which is connected to the fixed parking places and onto which the end of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) facing a parking place to be approached can be set down in order to align the guides of the lift and of the parking place to be approached for displacement of a pallet between said guides, and with a control device (23) for operating the lift and for displacing the pallets, wherein the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) after being set down onto the supporting surface (24) forms a horizontal, parking-place-side pivotal axis, which extends transversely of the displacement direction and is defined by the support point of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) on the supporting surface (24), characterized in that the control device (23) by means of a drive pivots the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) after setting down on the supporting surface (24) about the parking-place-side pivotal axis until the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is in a horizontal position.
11. Parking facility according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is mounted on the lift (7) so as to be pivotable about an axis of inclination extending parallel to the parking-place-side pivotal axis.
12. Parking facility according to claim 11, characterized in that the drive for pivoting the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is constituted by the lift (7), and the control device (23) for pivoting the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) raises or lowers the lift (7).
13. Parking facility according to claim 11, characterized in that the drive for pivoting the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) is formed by a lifting device (32) disposed on the lift (7), and in that the control device (23) for pivoting the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) actuates the lifting device (32).
14. Parking facility according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that by means of the control device (23) the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) prior to its being set down on the supporting surface (24) of a parking place (3) is pivoted relative to the lift (7) down towards the parking place (3) about an axis of inclination extending parallel to the parking-place-side pivotal axis and after being set down is pivoted into the horizontal position.
15. Parking facility according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) on the lift (7) is displaceable in horizontal direction by a displacement device parallel to the displacement direction thereof, and in that the control device (23) activates the displacement device in such a way that it displaces the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) for setting down onto a supporting surface (24) of a parking place (3) to be approached in displacement direction of the guide (15, 16) horizontally out of a lifting position, in which the guide (15, 16) during the travel of the lift (7) between various parking places (3) is positioned in such a way that it is spaced apart from the supporting surfaces (24) of the parking places (3), into a set-down position, in which the ends of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) are situated above the supporting surfaces (24) of the parking place (3) to be approached.
16. Parking facility according to claim 15, characterized in that a gearing mechanism is provided, which upon the horizontal displacement of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) out of the lifting position into the set-down position pivots the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) simultaneously about the axis of inclination in such a way that the end of the guide (15, 16) facing the parking place (3) to be approached is lowered relative to the opposite end.
17. Parking facility according to claim 16, characterized in that the gearing mechanism comprises a track (33, 34) for the horizontal displacement of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) that guides the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) during the horizontal displacement on said track in such a way that the guide (15, 16) dips at the end facing the parking place (3) to be approached and/or rises at the end remote from the parking place (3) to be approached.
18. Parking facility according to claim 17, characterized in that the track is formed by a cam track (33, 34) and by cams (35), which during the horizontal displacement of the guide (15, 16) are in contact with said cam track.
19. Parking facility according to claim 18, characterized in that the cam track (33, 34) and the cam (35) can be moved away from one another.
20. Parking facility according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that cam tracks (33, 34) and cams (35) are disposed at two support points disposed with mutual spacing in longitudinal direction of the guide (15, 16).
21. Parking facility according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) is mounted at the centre of its longitudinal extent on the lift (7) so as to be pivotable about the axis of inclination (26).
22. Parking facility according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) is mounted on the lift (7) pivotably at the side of the guide (15, 16) of the lift (7) remote from the parking place (3) to be approached.
23. Parking facility according to one of claims 10 to 22, characterized in that parking places (3) of the same construction are disposed at opposite sides of the lift (7), and in that the control device (23) aligns the guide (15, 16), which is of the same construction at its opposite sides, selectively with a parking place (3) to be approached at the one or at the opposite side.
24. Parking facility according to claim 23, characterized in that the guide (15, 16) is mounted on the lift (7) so as to be pivotable about two axes of inclination (30, 31) disposed with mutual spacing in longitudinal direction.
25. Parking facility according to claim 24, characterized in that between the lift (7) and the guide (15, 16) there is disposed a connecting rod (29), of which one end at the one bearing point (30) is connected pivotably about the one axis of inclination to the lift (7) and at the other bearing point (31) is connected pivotably about the other axis of inclination to the guide (15, 16).

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