FR2601989A1 - Automatic car park for all vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Safety silo automatic car park for all vehicles comprising at least two levels 18, each comprising storage cells 2a, 2b distributed on either side of a longitudinal traffic passage, an entrance hall 9, an exit hall, characterised in that all the storage and recovery manoeuvres are controlled automatically from a programming station and carried out by means of: a lowering device 8, a raising device, at least three independent carriages which can move horizontally on longitudinal rails 5, pallets 7 carrying a vehicle 3, one programming station per carriage controlling the movements for pushing and retracting the pallets, as well as the adjustment of the speed of translation, of the starts and stops of the said carriage.

Description

Automatic parking for all vehicles.

 The present invention relates to an automatic parking for all vehicles which can be built in an underground, aerial or semi-buried version, at several fully automated levels in order to minimize the maneuvering routes for placing the vehicles in the different cells, each of they being intended to receive a vehicle.

 There are already many variants of this type of parking, underground or overhead, which rise on several levels, in which the search for a free cell for storage and removal is made directly by the interested party.

 Such works require the provision of a clearance area and high operating costs because of the need to have a large workforce to allow exploitation.

 There are also numerous car parks designed in the same way, in elevation and which include two helical tracks leaning on one side and the other of the cells, serving one for the ascent and the other for the descent of the vehicles. .

 There are also elevated car parks, of limited capacity, in which there is an ascent and descent device for the vertical movements of vehicles at different levels, each comprising a deviation corridor with, on each side, cells forming locations. where the vehicles are driven.

Such solutions involve safety and ventilation problems and require fire-fighting and first-aid equipment, and
a large workforce for operations.

 There are also swinging devices mounted on a loop, which appear at a fixed point to receive a passenger car. This type of device involves waiting to have the swing for entry and exit and requires operating labor.

 The present invention, on the contrary, relates to an automatic parking lot for vehicles of dimensions standardized according to the location, which comprises at least two levels, each comprising storage cells distributed on either side of a longitudinal circulation corridor, an entrance hall and an exit hall, characterized in that all the storage and return operations are controlled automatically from a single programming center and are carried out by means of a descender, an elevator, minus 3 autonomous trolleys with horizontal movement on longitudinal rails, and pallets supporting a vehicle, a programming central by trolley controlling the pushing and withdrawing movements of the pallets, as well as the regulation of the speed of translation, of the departures and stops of said carriage.

 Each trolley can only accomplish longitudinal, horizontal movements, while each pallet, with or without a vehicle, can only accomplish horizontal, transverse movements relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the car park.

 As a result, the service journeys are reduced to a minimum and the useful area in the parking lot is thus distributed as well as possible.

 Each vehicle is operated only by mechanical and hydraulic means controlled electronically. Vehicles enter inside the engine storage volume stopped, thus canceling any risk of pollution by exhaust gas.

 Furthermore, the parking lot of the present invention can also be produced in the form of a mobile assembly transportable by road or by rail for temporary cyclical use.

 No user can enter the car park, which has no traffic area, which is the best guarantee against damage that can be caused to vehicles and their contents; only maintenance personnel have access to it and is solely responsible for any damage to vehicles which may, moreover, be covered by insurance taking effect as soon as they enter the car park.

 The movement of the descent device is done by gravity under the control of a central programming unit for the various operations and their monitoring.

 Gravity descent is controlled by electromagnetic brakes.

 The movement of the lifting device is carried out by four hydraulic cylinders controlled by the programming unit for vertical stop and run maneuvers.

These characteristics as well as the other advantages of the parking lot of the present invention will be better understood thanks to the description which follows, and by an embodiment of this invention referring to the attached drawings (case of an underground parking lot) in which
Figures IA and IB, taken separately, schematically show the longitudinal vertical section XX of the car park, partially shown for the central body comprising the vehicle storage cells, distributed in the different levels.

 FIGS. 2A and 2B taken together, show the partial plan view of the means of access to the upper level of the parking lot and the means of restitution to the user of his vehicle.

 Figure 3 shows an enlarged scale, partially sectioned, of the features of the descent device, apparent in Figures 1A and 2A.

 FIG. 4 represents the vertical cross section, partial, along A-A of FIG. 3.

 FIG. 4A shows the horizontal cross section along the plane N-N of FIG. 3.

 Figure 5 shows an enlarged partially vertical scale of Figure 4 along the vertical plane L-L of the elevator.

 Figure 6 shows the complete cross section of the lifting device according to B-B of Figure 2B.

 FIG. 6A shows an enlarged scale, along 0-0 FIG. 5, of the particularities of attachment of the rail to the mobile chains and of the point of pressure of the lifting cylinders.

Figures 7 and 8 show the features of a carriage shown in Figure 7 by a cross section
CC of FIG. 8, and in partial top view in FIG. 8, in a set with the two locations 38A and 38B of cells for cars facing each other, on one side and the other of the longitudinal circulation corridor 4a , Fig. 2A or 23 in which are placed pallets 7 shown diagrammatically without a car for the simplicity of the representation.

 Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a pallet 7 with a look in the central part highlighting the attachment point of the suction cup 42A, blocking devices 44 of the pallet in stable position, thrust guides and removing the pallet from a storage cell, whether or not loaded with a vehicle.

 Figures 10 and 11 show a longitudinal partial sectional view of the pallet (10), and transverse (11), along Ca, Cb, Cd of Figure 9. Figure li shows a partial cross-sectional view DD of the figure 10.

 FIG. 12 represents a schematic view of the carriage 6 according to a section E-E parked in its circulation corridor in front of two cells 2A and 2B.

 FIG. 13 shows a top view of the carriage 6 without pallet, stopped in the longitudinal circulation corridor, opposite two cells 2a and 2b furnished with pallets 7 in the rest position locked by the pins 44 inserted in the holes 45p and 45c . We also see the levers 59A and 593 used to push and remove the paddles of cells 2a and 2b, in the rest position.

 FIG. 14 shows in a plan view, the slides serving as a guide for the suction cup 42A, to cover the path which will lead it to the guide slides fixed on the pallet 7 towards the attachment housing 40, to introduce it into a cell 2a or 2b, or extract it from these cells.

 FIG. 15, enlarged, shows a detail of the guide slides of the suction cup 42A fixed on the carriage 6, responsible for directing this suction cup, either for hooking on a pallet 7, or for returning the same suction cup to its rest position by guides 65B or 64A.

 FIG. 16 schematically represents the paths of the suction cup 42A either for hooking and removing a pallet, or for pushing this same pallet 7 placed in a cell 2a or 2b (Position As pushed, position Ar withdrawal on the right side, position Bs pushed, position Br left side removal).

 Figures 17 and 18 show the mechanism for pushing and removing a pallet 7 from a storage cell. This mechanism is composed of an articulated arm 52A, 59A, 61A, carrying at its end 52A a suction cup 42A clinging to the pallet in the housing 40. The movement of this mechanism is caused by the jack 63A, its thrust axis 62A articulated on an axis 60A.

 FIG. 19 represents a vertical section of the suction cup 42A along F-F of FIG. 18, in the hooking position in the housing 40 of a pallet (before projection of the stud 80).

FIG. 20 shows a vertical section of the suction cup 42A along CG of FIG. 18, in the position of
transfer or rest.

Figure 21 shows a bottom view of the slides
guide for the suction cup. on pallet 74-74A, the parts in
dotted lines show the parts of the guide rails of the
suction cup attached to the trolley.

Figures 22 and 23 show the
guiding the suction cup from the integral guide rails
pallet to place it on the guide rails of the
slide by maneuvering the slide articulated on the slide 74
raised by the passage of the head of the suction cup 42A, this slide
returning in place by action of the spring 99. The passage of the suction cup
in slide 74A, Fig. 22-23 causes it to protrude for
allow its introduction into the 66AB slide secured to a
pallet in waiting position in a cell on the right or at
left.

Figure 24 shows an enlarged detail of the spring 143
fixed on the slide 74A by a screw 143B. The passage of the head
the suction cup 42A drives by pressure on the spring 143 and 143a,
slide 74A is returned to its initial position by the
springs 144, figures 22 and 23.

Figure 25 shows a view along 0-0 of the
elevating mechanism 11 figure 5. The detailed view of figures 5
and 6 show the position of the cylinders relative to the displacement
rails and the location of the brackets supporting the stops
leveling,
Figure 26 shows in enlarged detail the mechanism
for positioning the ball head of an actuating cylinder
of the elevator assembly.

Figure 27 shows a view according to NN Figt 3 of the mechanism
control mechanism for the leveling stops of the descending device
Figure 28 shows a view along MM from above
control mechanism of the descending device, showing the traction cables of the columns of rotation of the stops 28, motorized by the jack 139, the rotation column being returned to its initial position by a spring placed at the foot of each column.

 Figures 29 and 30 show the detail of each column of rotation of the stops 28b by vertical traction caused by the cable 127 pulling on the column by a yoke.

 Figures 31, 32, 33 show the features on an enlarged scale, in a top view and two side views of the leveling mechanism of the lifting device. The rails repel by rotating the projecting arm 135 which disappears for the passage of the rail and which returns to the console position as soon as the rail has passed over it.

Figures 1A and 1B show the parking lot of the invention in partial longitudinal section, along the vertical plane XX (Figures 2A, 2B), of symmetry of the parking lot, produced in an underground version with several r buried levels 18a, 18b, 18c
The same arrangement can be made in aerial or semi-buried version, with no capacity limit on all sites and in rectilinear parallel or angular version.

 The car park comprises a storage body with an essentially rectangular plane, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry XX, the central part 1 of this construction, consisting of a set of identical planes 18n superimposed and formed for each of these planes 18 of two series of cells 2a, 2b, etc., each of them intended to receive a vehicle 3, a set of identical cells placed on one side and the other of a longitudinal location 4a, forming a service corridor equipped with a couple of fixed rails 5 allowing the movement of a carriage 6 supported by a metal frame forming the parking infrastructure.

 A standby trolley is provided, at each level, either for an exit cycle or for an entry cycle, parked towards the lifting device, without pallet, which will move: for an exit cycle, towards the calling cell furnished with a pallet carrying the vehicle to be returned; and for an entry cycle to the nearest cell for the removal of a pallet to be taken to the entrance hall.

 At the ends of this central part are installed two devices 8 and 11 intended to move vertically: either a carriage 6 provided with a pallet 7, or loaded with a pallet 7 and a vehicle 3. These mechanical assemblies are Qlculés to maneuver the full or partial load of all the carriages placed at each level, either to raise them or to lower them, keeping them rigorously in the longitudinal axis XX.

 The carriage 6 on the descent device 8 is placed on two portions of movable rails in height 10d, exactly at the same level as the fixed rails 5 of the parking lot at level 18a, Figures 1A, 2A.

 The vehicle to be parked enters via the entry track 17, which includes an opto-electronic volume control device and a ticket distributor box. This ticket dispensing device is similar to those of other parking lots known to users.

 The user has his vehicle 3 in the entrance hall 9, guided by ruts in the floor and on the pallet 6 of the carriage 7 waiting on the rails 5e. He closes the doors of his car (without the need to lock them) and heads out through doors 15, the 16th door closes as soon as the car has passed.

 As soon as the evacuation of the passengers from car 3 from the entrance hall 9 is recorded by the contact floor, the door 16u opens to allow the trolley to be placed on the rails 10d of the descender where it stops in the axis vertical RR figure 3. The descender then descends one level and the trolley waiting on the fixed rails 5 in the plane SS Fig.2A goes towards the entrance hall 9 to replace the one that has just left. The door 16u is closed. A new input cycle can then be started.

 As soon as the trolley is immobilized in the entrance hall, and after closing the door 16u, the descender 8 continues its downward travel until the trolley 6 loaded with the car 3 is at the same level as that designated on the ticket. It stops and the carriage 6 goes towards the cell designated by the ticket. A pushing mechanism causes the loaded pallet 7 of the car 3 to enter a cell, either on one side or the other of the service corridor 4a. The carriage 6 released from the pallet and from the vehicle returns to stand by in span 1 in the SS plane (Fig. 2A).

 The exit maneuver is identical. When the user presents his ticket to the electronic reader placed on track 21 (Figures 1B, 2B), the reader indicates the price to be paid for the temporary rental (for tenants by the month or the year, or for co-owners, the presentation of a personal card triggers the start of the return cycle).

 The carriage 6 parked in the corridor 4adans the plan of the bay 1 receives the order from the central to execute a restitution cycle, it is placed on any one of the levels 18, it goes towards the cell designated on the exit ticket and stops precisely in front of a cell 2a and 2b, the gripping mechanism of the pallet 7 operates to extract the said loaded pallet from the vehicle 3 and roll it on the carriage 6.

The carriage 6 then heads towards the elevator where it stops on the rails 10s. The elevator goes up the cart-pallet and car assembly to level 18a located on the same plane as exit hall 12. It stops on this level, the 19th door opens to allow it to be placed on the 5u rails where it stops.

The control unit then commands the door 19 to close and unlocks the doors 103 in order to allow passengers to enter exit hall 12 and get into the car 3. The control unit opens door 19u as soon as all the passengers will have taken their places in their car, a contact floor lining the exit hall 21 causes the door 19u to close. The carriage 6 and the pallet 7 released from their car 3 leave either towards bay 1 in the plane SS at level 18, or towards the waiting area of bay I in the plane SS at any level.

 It is specified that for all its horizontal, vertical and transverse displacements, the vehicle 3 always retains the same orientation Fc (FIGS. 2A and 2B).

 After having briefly illustrated the operational cycles of the entry and exit of a vehicle 3, we will describe separately each of the systems necessary for the operation of the entire car park, object of the present invention. This operation is carried out under the control of an electronic control unit, containing the complete programs of all the maneuvers useful for carrying out the entry and exit cycles with all variants of prohibition for safety reasons and for reasons of pre-orders of certain maneuvers to be executed in priority, for example all the maneuvers intended for the execution of an exit cycle will have priority compared to those of an entry cycle, as soon as the entering vehicle is placed on the descender (in the case of an underground park).

 Figures 3 and 4 show the detail of the descender mechanism. The supporting structure is constituted by the metal pillars H. The vertical movement system of the device 8 is the same as that of the device 11, however the movement of the descender 8 is done by gravity while for the breeder it is obtained by hydraulic cylinders.

 Each mechanical group 8 and 11 comprises four similar chains 22d and 24d forming a loop around toothed wheels 23e joined together by a shaft 25 and by a coupling of bevel gear 26. These chains bear at regular intervals corresponding exactly to the weft of the levels , a rail 10s secured to these chains by a plate 31s FIG. 26.

 For the descender, the shafts 25 are secured to each other by the angle references 26 and the shaft 26a Figures 3, 4 and 4A.

In addition, the shaft 26a is equipped with two electromagnetic brakes 27a provided for moderating and controlling the gravitational descent of the movable assembly of chains which can be loaded with one or more carriages carrying vehicles whose weight can be very variable.

The descent speed must be zero when the rails come into contact with the leveling stops. The chains are kept in a rigorously identical plane throughout their downhill or ascent strokes by rollers circulating in guide slides parallel to the direction of movement of the chains.

 For the elevator in FIG. 5, the whole of the general structure of the mobile mechanism is the same as for the descender, except the removal on the shaft 26a of the magnetic retarders.

Here the upward movement is obtained by the push of four cylinders 13. The geometry and the parallelism of the rails are obtained in an extremely rigorous way by the sliding rollers, and by the horizontal positioning of these two rough abutments integral with the structure fixed.

 For a descent maneuver, the movement of the stops 28 is illustrated in FIGS. 27 to 30. The ascent maneuver causes the movements of the stops 28b illustrated in FIGS. 31 to 33.

 Whether for an uphill race or a downhill race, each maneuver is limited to the distance of one level. The mechanism for the climb includes two sets of four thrust cylinders so that they can act simultaneously: while one game performs a thrust stroke, the other game performs a fallback stroke.

 Figures 25 and 26 illustrate the position of the cylinders in the working phase and in the folding phase. FIG. 26 shows the device for guiding the spherical head of the jack which leads it into the cell 32A secured to the rail and brings it back to the erasing position during the fold-back phase, this not to hinder the passage of the rail pushed by the play of the other jacks placed on a different plane.

 Figure 7 shows a vertical cross section of a general plan of the central part 1 of the car park, section made with the transverse plane SS of two cells 2a, 2b -Figure 2A on each side of the space of the circulation corridor 4a where can circulate or park a trolley 6. In cells 2a and 2b are placed pallets 7 which, for simplicity, are depicted deprived of the vehicle 3.

 Figure 8 shows the detail of the figure in a partial top view. It will be noted that each pallet 7 carries six wheels 33 intended to facilitate the transverse displacements of said pallets, from the support profiles 34c secured to the carriage on the support profiles, secured to the fixed structure 34p, which are strictly parallel, in one exact axis transverse displacement and face each other.

 These sections 34p geometrically delimit the location of each pallet 7 and are repeated for as many cells available throughout the structure, even at the level of the wells used for the apparatuses 8 and 11 for vertical displacement.

 Each carriage 6 comprises a robust framework, constituted by a frame 39 composed of longitudinal members of spacers and cross members in Figures 8, 12 and 13. This carriage moves as well- in one direction as in the opposite direction. it has an electronic brain implementing a movement program for itself and for the maneuvering arms of the pallets it carries. it is also equipped with a translational speed regulating device which varies according to the requested routes. it moves by means of four two-wheel bogies 35i and 36e made of special plastic for load-bearing wheels. These bogies are attached to the chassis so that they allow the trolley to cross any curve. The wheels are all driven and remain in permanent contact with the rail sections, mobile for the lifting and lowering devices, and fixed for the parts serving the parallel rows of cells 2A and 2b.

 The chassis comprises two sets of articulated arms in FIGS. 8, 13, 17, 18, intended to move in traction and in pushing a pallet which has taken place on the sections integral with the carriage. These arms move a suction cup 42A intended to hang the pallet at location 40 in FIG. 9, and to bring this suction cup back to its initial standby position on the carriage. The movement of these articulated arms is obtained by a jack 63B fixed by an axis to the chassis, the movable rod being connected to the arm of the lever 61A articulated on the axis 60A. The hydraulic unit is placed in a box 37 secured to the chassis. All of the electrical and computer equipment is placed in another box placed at the opposite end of the chassis relative to the hydraulic unit.

 Figures 9, 10 and 11 show for Figure 9 a perspective view of a pallet 7 formed of a horizontal structure 41 composed of beams 41e and cross members 41t as well as the formwork 142 constituting the frame Figure 10. The parts parallel longitudinal form two ruts to guide the wheels of the car 3 to be transported, these ruts are provided with projecting ribs which will prevent the car from moving forward or backward during its horizontal transfer. Figure 9 shows the location of the wheels 33 which are asymmetrical to prevent possible tilting during transverse transfer.

 FIG. 10 represents a longitudinal section of the pallet 7 along a line Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd. FIG. 9 comprises a flat showing the central location of the housing 40 intended to receive the suction cup 42A, and the guide slides along an axis DD for the path from the suction cup to the housing 40 or to resume a position of withdrawal on the slides of the carriage. Note on the bottom 142 the position of the projecting ribs inclined with respect to the transverse direction, to allow the wheels of the Vehicles, whatever their wheelbase, to always be in contact with one of them.

 The detail of the mechanism for locking the pallet in a stable position, either on a trolley or in a cell 2a or 2b, is visible in FIG. 9 by the numbers 44A and 44B, reproduced in FIG. 10. The locks 44A and 44B are moved by the movement of the nipple 80 which pushes the slide 56 and which transmits the movement by the fork 57, the return lever 58, the rod 51, the return 50 pushing each lock placed on the longitudinal axis of the pallet in holes made to receive them in the profiles 34c of the carriage and 34p of the cells.

The runners of the pallet are fitted with a special plastic tread, mounted on ball bearings and centered on reinforced plates guaranteeing them perfect transverse parallelism. Note in Figure 10 the position of a BP limit switch signaling the presence of a pallet in the storage cell, the latter being combined with the parking lot filling program.

 In Figure 11, the suction cup is shown in position.

hooking, the ball 55A fulfilling the latch function for the exact positioning of the suction cup; the pin 80 out carrying out the attachment of the pallet to drive it in a transverse movement. (figure 10). FIG. 13 represents a top view of the carriage showing the movement of the levers 59A, 104A, 61A, 52A for positioning the suction cup 42A in mixed dashes under the pallet and in solid lines in the waiting position on the carriage.

An end-of-travel contact 64 (FIG. 18) causes the suction cup to come off when the pallet is placed in its socket, and the lever folds back which returns the suction cup to the carriage in its rest position.

 Figure 14 shows the top view of the guide rails of the suction cup during its travel on the carriage.

Guidance which is done by the lower part of the suction cup, unlike that of the slides fixed on the pallet which is done by the upper part or "head" of the suction cup. The pulling, pushing and pulling paths are represented by single or double arrows for one or other caté of the corridor 4asoit for a cell 2a or 2b, either by an arm, or by the other.

 FIG. 15 shows in enlarged detail the particularity of the slides of the carriage allowing the path of the suction cup 42A driven by the movement arm, and its placement: either on a slide directing it outwards to allow it to hang on to a pallet placed in a cell 2a or 2b, or on a slide directing it towards the center (middle) to hang a pallet placed on the trolley in order to push it into a cell 2a or 2b; the valve 69A directing it outwards and the valve 79B directing it towards the center.

FIG. 16 shows in position As the thrust path of the pallet in a right cell, in position Bs the thrust path in a left cell, in position
Ar the trajectory of withdrawal of a pallet in a cell on the right, in position Br the trajectory of a suction cup for the withdrawal of a pallet placed in a cell on the left.

 Figures 17 and 18 show levers for operating the suction cup 42A and a pallet in thrust or in withdrawal of transverse movement in a cell 2a or 2b. Figure 17 shows a partial part of the carriage stops on a rail 10d carrying a pallet 7 locked by a latch 44 to the profile 34c constituting the structure-of the chassis 39 of a carriage 6. Note the attachment of the lever 61A, 59A, 52A on the frame of the carriage by the axis of rotation 60A. Said articulated lever carries a small cylinder 89 intended to move a cam placed inside the suction cup 42A (FIGS. 19 and 20) via a linkage 85 and 89A.

 FIG. 19 shows a section through the suction cup 42A along F-F and FIG. 20 a section through the following suction cup G-G.

The suction cup 42A consists of a cylindrical head which is inserted in the guide slides of the pallet 7. This cylindrical head is provided with a passage 87 allowing the stud 80 to slide in the housing 40 integral with the pallet in order to print it. the pushing and withdrawing movements of a storage cell 2a or 2b. The pushing of the stud 80 is caused by the cam 81 whose wedge shape 82 causes said stud 80 to move upward. The cam 81 is itself made mobile by the linkage 85 connecting it to the jack 63A previously described (FIGS. 18 and 13), the stud 80 is returned by a withdrawal operation from the jack 89 and by pushing the return spring 83. The stud 80 is hollowed out in its lower part to allow the passage of the cam 81 which moves the stud 80 towards the high by pressing on the pin 88 passing through the base of the stud 80 right through.

The stud 80 has in its middle part a flange intended to hold the spring 83 in place and the stud 80 in the folded-back position. The pushing and withdrawing movements of the cam 81 are integral with the reciprocating movements of the rod of the jack 89A. The cup of the suction cup (figure 20) shows the detail of
control of the electrical limit switch. 79 by the rod 90 terminated on its upper part by a rounded head 90A, sliding in its housing 91 guided by a perforated rib 92.

This rod 90 in the normal rest position is pushed back by the upper wall of the slide 74i arriving in the yy axis of the case 40 of the pallet 7 (FIG. 14) which causes the traction of the jack 89, the displacement of the cam 81, nipple 80 /
of the slide 56, which constitutes the complete maneuver for attaching and detaching a pallet for its insertion or removal from a storage cell.

 FIG. 21 represents a view from below: in solid lines, of the central part of the guide by slides mounted under the bottom of a pallet 7, placed on a carriage stopped between two cells along the corridor 4, The slides 64A, 66AB, 74,74a are formed by profiles forming an upward channel, so as to be able to support the suction cup 42A or 42B by the head.

The lower part of the guide rails shown in dashes is integral with the frame of the carriage and is formed by shaped profiles deuguidant the suction cup 42A by the bottom. The guides 94A and 95B, placed integrally under the floor of the pallet, Figures 21,22,23, are movable relative to the vertical axes 96 and 97, and move to allow passage to the suction cup in the hooking phase, they remain in place to return the suction cup to its rest position on the guide 65B secured to the carriage.

 Figures 22 and 23 show a part 95B of the transverse guide open downwards which develops along the transverse plane of the pallet 7 along DD (Figure 9) whose end parts 74a are extendable to approach the slide of a stopped carriage on the circulation corridor 4a. A movable part 74 of the slide 74 Fig. 22-23 fixed on the pallet is raised to allow the suction cup placed on the slide 66AS of the carriage to access the slide 74AB of the pallet in order to reach the housing 40 for attachment.

 The carriage 6 traversing the corridor 4 stops opposite the cells 2a, 2b where the vehicle 3 which is on the pallet must be stored. As soon as the carriage is stabilized with all possible precision in front of the cells, the operating arm , controlled by the autonomous program of the trolley, deploys and pushes the suction cup to the housing 40 placed on the pallet and drives it to introduce it into cell 2a or 2b, the hanging operation is described during description, Figures 19 and 20. The pallet is then driven to location 2a or 2b where it is introduced by rolling with its rollers 33 on the guides 34c fixed on the frame of the carriage and then on the guides 34p in solidarity with the parking infrastructure.

The passage of the pallet from the trolley on the storage location 2a or 2b is signaled to the programming unit by limit switch B figure 10
The pallet loaded with the vehicle 3 is then in place.

The articulated arm returns to its rest location as does the suction cup 42A. The release of the suction cup was controlled by the limit switch 64, Figure 18. The operation of the cam 81 was performed by the movement of the cylinder rod 62A causing the removal process of the stud 80 and the locking of the pallet by the latches 44, the mechanisms of which have been previously described.

 Figures 24 to 26 show the lifting mechanisms. These mechanisms are constituted by four cylinders P acting vertically the thrust, directly sour the movable rails 10s by means of semi-spherical cells exactly encasing the heads of the cylinders. The jacks are supported by axes articulated on consoles secured to the fixed structure of the car park.

The fixed cylinders of the cylinders are enclosed in elastic pads which keep them in a strictly vertical position during their fallback stroke. The avoidance of the passage of the rails in their ascent movement is caused by the withdrawal of the spherical heads of the jacks, guided by the guide slide 131 formed for the passage of the roller 103a. Each stroke of the set of four cylinders corresponds to the frame of a stage, that is to say the exact dimension between a level and the lower level and a higher level,
The entire mechanism includes two sets of four cylinders acting alte natively: during the lifting stroke of one of the sets of four cylinders, the other set operates a withdrawal stroke in order to be available without delay for a subsequent lifting stroke . This maneuver is controlled directly by the programming unit, blocking all movement of trolleys in horizontal circulation and causing them to stop at the vertical level of the span SS in Figure 2A.

 Figures 27 and 28 describe the operating mechanism of the leveling stops of the descending device.

Figure 27 shows a vertical sectional view along the axis
XX of the upper part of the elevator 8, this assembly is placed right against the entrance hall for an underground work, on the other hand it is located against the exit hall for a work mounted in elevation, the bay 8 comprises at four angles of the descender shaft, four columns for maneuvering all the leveling stops placed on each level. A vertical movement of the columns 28b is obtained by a single pull of the jack 139 bearing on the metallic structure of the parking lot, this movement is transmitted to the four columns by four flexible cables 127 figures 29.30 coupled by chaps to the return lever 128 and to the jack by the articulation 129. The leveling stops are placed to maintain the rails 10d in perfect parallelism with the fixed rails 5 and 5e to allow perfectly straight and flat circulation of the carriages. A vertical traction of the column 28b, by means of the finger 126a, gives, by its race in the helical recess 126b, a rotary movement of the stop 28b allowing it to be erased for the vertical passage of descent of the rails 10d secured to the chain 24s fig. 6A. The return movement of the stop is caused by the descent of the column 28a imparting the opposite rotation to the stop 28 to return it to position 28b.

 Figures 31 to 33 show the leveling device of the lifting device. The stops 135 are assembled on a vertical axis 134 secured to a console-shaped frame fixed to the metal structure of the parking lot. The erasure rotation of the stop is caused by the rise of the rail 10s in contact with the helical part 138. The return of the stop in its initial position is obtained by means of the link 137 hooked to the return spring 136.

 All the devices and devices set in motion for the automatic operation of the car park obey the commands of a single electronic central unit having in memory all the movements and all the prohibitions, according to several cycles including all the situations that may occur in its operation.

 These means are not illustrated or described because they are outside the scope of the present invention and are the subject of devices commonly used for other embodiments.

 The present invention is based on the innovation of an operating cycle, which we have called "circular cycle" due to the continuity of its movements which follow one another without interruption and to differentiate it from those usually employed which use alternative movements d 'round trip, completely transforming the comfort of using so-called automatic car parks today. The automatic car park can only provide continuous continuous service without interruption day or night, 24 hours a day, without any human intervention.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the following examples of an operating mode of the car park.

représente un chariot à l'intérieur duquel - représente une palette sur laquelle peut être posé un véhicule

(dans le cas d'un parking souterrain)
Cycle d'entrée

18a 18b. c. d
Le chariot 1 est en attente d'un utilisateur dans le hall d'entrée. Le chariot 2 est immobilisé dans la travée 1 niveau 18a. Le chariot 3 est immobilisé sur un quelconque niveau inférieur 18b ....

In the next "circular cycle"

represents a cart inside which - represents a pallet on which a vehicle can be placed

(in the case of underground parking)
Entry cycle

18a 18b. vs. d
Cart 1 is waiting for a user in the entrance hall. The carriage 2 is immobilized in the bay 1 level 18a. The carriage 3 is immobilized on any lower level 18b ....

The user collected his ticket at the vending machine located at the entrance. Trolley 3 goes in search of a pallet.

 The user goes to the door of the entrance hall.

The 16th door opens. The carriage 3 extracts a free pallet from a cell, the number of which will appear on the next available ticket in the distributor box placed at the entrance.

The user places his vehicle on the cart 1. The cart 3 stops on the elevator which will mount it at level 18a.

The user gets out of his vehicle, closes his doors and evacuates the entrance hall. Doors 15 are locked. The door 16u opens to allow passage to the carriage 1 which will be placed on the descender. Trolley 3 stops at level 18a

 The carriage 1 goes down one level.

The user no longer has to worry about his vehicle as soon as he has vacated the entrance hall.

18a 18b 18c

The descender stops at level 18a minus one. Trolley 2 passes from bay 1 into the entrance hall. The carriage 3 takes the place of the carriage 2. The door 16u closes.

The carriage 1 may or may not continue its descent towards the level carried on the entry ticket of the user of the vehicle he is transporting.

The carriage 1 pushes the loaded pallet after being stopped in front of the free cell, the number of which is written on the ticket issued to the user at the time of passing through the entry control.

 The carriage is replaced in the bay 1 of any level 18 where it delivered the vehicle to be stored.

 The entry cycle is complete.

Exit cycle

 The user comes to the exit to remove his vehicle from the parking lot. he introduces the ticket that was issued to him at the entrance in the electronic reader which specifies the rental amount. The user pays the amount requested.

Otherwise, his ticket is returned to him.

As soon as the payment has been registered, the exit cycle is launched. The cart 3, parked on the level indicated by the ticket, goes to the cell containing the requested vehicle.

The carriage 3 stops in front of the cell designated by the entry ticket and extracts the requested vehicle therefrom.

The carriage 2 is placed on the descender. The carriage 3 goes towards the elevator.

The carriage 2 descends down to the level which
has just been left by the carriage 3. The carriage 3 is raised up to level 18a. door 19u opens.

The carriage 3 passes from the elevator into the exit hall, the 19th gate closes. Trolley 3 stabilizes in the exit hall. The doors 103 are unlocked, the door 19u opens. The 19th door closes, the doors 103 are unlocked to allow the user to enter the exit hall. The user enters the exit hall, gets into his car, drives it and heads for the outside exit. As soon as he left the hall, door 19u closes, doors 103 are locked. During the same time the carriage 2 is passed on the bay 1 at the level which live to be released by the carriage 3. The carriage 2 goes towards the cell which has just been released by the vehicle called towards the exit, it stabilizes in front of this cell and pushes the pallet to the place left free.

 The carriage 2 returns to parking in bay 1 at the waiting location, it becomes carriage 3 again for a next entry or exit maneuver. The carriage 3 takes the place of the carriage 2 in the waiting position for a next entry or exit maneuver. The user has already left his vehicle, the door 19u has closed, the door 19e has opened, the trolley has left.

 The exit cycle is complete.

 The user who comes to park his car in the parking lot must pass his vehicle through a calibration space. A distributor box sends him a ticket referenced, if necessary, only after checking the volume of the car to be parked (and after payment or not), and if the volume controlled is compatible with the standards set for access to said parking lot.

 The issuance of the ticket by the distributor box triggers the launch of the complete entry cycle, as described above with the operations necessary for storing car 3, the beginning of the cycle being materialized by the opening of the door 16th and unlocking the doors 15.

 The user can then bring his car into the entrance hall, he stops his car as soon as it is in abutment at B (Figures lA and 2A) and leaves it parked there, then switches off the ignition, goes down from his car and closes his doors (without having to lock them) and leaves the entrance hall by the pedestrian doors 15.

 The central computer will have recorded at the same time all the information, the entry time, the date, the space number and the level where the car will be stored.

 The restitution operation will be done in exactly the same way, the computer having a complete program of vehicle data controlling the operations necessary for its restitution.

 it should be noted that no entry or exit operation may be carried out in the presence of natural persons both in the entrance hall and in the exit hall. This presence is detected by a contact floor.

 All launches of an exit cycle will be immediately executed regardless of the positions of the carriages inside the storage volume, the movements of the carriages performing storage maneuvers being blocked, until the vehicle leaves the vehicle.

 Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the devices which have just been described by way of nonlimiting examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. Automatic parking security silo for all vehicles comprising at least two levels (18), each comprising storage cells (2a, 2b) distributed on either side of a longitudinal circulation corridor (4a), a hall entry (9), an exit hall (12), characterized in that all the storage and return operations are controlled automatically from a programming center, and carried out by means of: a descender (8), a lift (11), of at least three autonomous trolleys (6) with horizontal displacement on longitudinal rails (5), of pallets (7), carrying a vehicle (3), of a programming central by trolley controlling the pushing and withdrawing movements of the pallets, as well as the regulation of the speed of translation, of the starts and stops of said carriage. 2. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the initiation of the vehicle storage and return programs (3) is carried out respectively from a distributor and an electronic ticket reader. 3. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the pallets (7) are pushed and pulled transversely relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the parking in a cell (2a, 2b). 4. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the descender (8) operates by controlled gravity by means of electromagnetic brakes (27), and the ltelEvateur (îi) operates by means of four hydraulic cylinders (13). 5. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that for the storage maneuver - the user drives his vehicle (3) on the track (17) comprising  an opto-electronic volume control device and a  ticket dispenser box, - enter the vehicle (3) in the entrance hall (9), through the  door 16th, and stops it on the pallet (7), of a carriage (6),  waiting on the rails (5th), - leaves his vehicle, leaves the hall (9) through the doors (15),  his departure being recorded by the contact floor 14,  which causes the door to open (16u), thus allowing  to the carriage (6) loaded with the vehicle (3), to be placed on the  rails (1Od) of the descender (8), - then the descender (8) joins the level (18) of the cell  (2a, 2b) free chosen by the programming unit, - a second carriage (6), waiting on the fixed rails?  heads towards the hall (9) to replace the first, - once the carriage (6) stops next to the free cell,  a pushing mechanism penetrates the loaded pallet (7)  of the vehicle (3) in said cell (2a or 2b), - the carriage (6) released from the pallet (7) and from the vehicle (3)  returns to its waiting position. 6. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the maneuvers for storing and returning the vehicle are completely independent of each other, and allow continuous entry as well as a permanent exit, without that one of them, individually prevents the other from being carried out according to the process of the course of all the maneuvers registered in the central programming unit for the operation of the parking lot and that of the operation of the trolleys. entry taking place only for carriages carrying vehicles during internal transfers, but not intervening on the trolley placed in the entrance hall (9), and on the maneuvers. doors (16th) and (l6u 7, Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that the restitution operation of the vehicle (3) is carried out according to a process opposite to the storage operation, 8. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the position of the car and of the pallet on which it is placed does not change The vehicle being picked up in the same position as it had at the entrance, that is to say: in the direction Fc of the entry for the entry, and in the direction of the exit for the exit . 9. Automatic parking for all vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that its realization can be carried out by a mobile assembly transportable by road or by rail for temporary cyclical use.