HK1221451B - Passenger and vehicle elevator system - Google Patents

Description

Passenger and vehicle elevator system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to elevators and more particularly to a passenger and vehicle elevator system for transporting a vehicle and at least one passenger within a multi-story building.

Background

The increased cost of urban land coupled with the need to provide affordable high density housing and inexpensive commercial or professional office space presents several problems in the development of building complexes, including in particular automotive parking facilities. In particular, the need to develop affordable high density housing such as apartments or condominiums has been problematic in providing sufficient space for parking personal vehicles adjacent to apartments or condominiums or groups of buildings without encountering the high cost of building a building with garage facilities directly above, or more typically directly below, the multi-dwelling unit dedicated building floor or level.

National and local regulatory requirements for fire rated buildings having a garage directly beneath the residential dwelling unit are costly relative to providing affordable housing in many urban areas. Furthermore, irregularly shaped plots that are typically suitable for high density housing in highly developed urban areas also present placement issues with respect to adequate parking spaces for the occupant units of the immediate vehicle owners of individual automotive vehicles.

One solution to the above problem is to develop multi-level garages for motor vehicles directly adjacent to or within buildings that include dwelling units to be occupied by people who typically park their vehicles in the garage. Multi-level garages are desirable in areas where land costs require maximum utilization of land area for rentable or saleable building space. However, multi-story garages can be inconvenient for many building occupants to use if parking is required on the high-rise garage, and the pathway between the high-rise dwelling unit and the garage requires travel between the ground and the high-rise garage level, and between the ground and the high-rise dwelling unit or other occupiable units in a building or group of buildings adjacent the garage.

Multi-level garages have been built in which, because the platforms and the respective building floors are not at the same height, a connecting bridge or corridor between the parking platform and the high-rise building adjacent thereto requires the use of stairs to interconnect the corridor or bridge with the parking platform. This arrangement is not satisfactory for elderly and disabled people, and when moving large items and furniture between the garage and the living unit on the nearest floor.

Other factors that must be considered in developing high density dwellings having multiple levels of garages adjacent thereto relate to the placement of the garages relative to the dwelling units while maintaining sufficient open space therebetween to meet the regulatory and aesthetic requirements of the building occupants.

It is clearly desirable to be able to provide the same access between high floors or building dwelling units on high floors and high-rise garage parking spaces as is provided for persons occupying first-floor dwelling units and corresponding ground parking lots. Not only should the convenience of walking a substantially horizontal path between the living unit and the parking space for the individual vehicles of the building occupants be taken into account, but also the ease with which such activities as trash handling, mailing and picking up, and moving personal items and furniture into and out of the living unit. Furthermore, it is also desirable to be able to maximize the space for parking and residential or office space in such an arrangement.

Therefore, a passenger and vehicle elevator system that addresses the above-mentioned problems is desired.

Disclosure of the invention

Passenger and vehicle elevator systems transport a vehicle containing at least one passenger to a desired parking location within a multi-story building. Passenger and vehicle elevator systems include a plurality of elevator cars arranged substantially equidistant from a central axis of a building. Each elevator car includes a housing and at least one door. The elevator car housing has a floor, a ceiling, and at least one side wall. The elevator car is sized and configured to transport the vehicle and at least one passenger. Preferably, the information related to the parking position is read from the vehicle by an external sensor such as an RFID sensor, a barcode reader, or the like.

A linear translation platform is mounted to the floor of each elevator car housing. The linear translation platform is adapted for automatically transporting the vehicle and at least one passenger through the at least one door. Further, the vehicle can be rotated within the housing by driven rotation of the platform or rotation of the floor, allowing selective angular positioning of the vehicle relative to the housing. The elevator cars are raised and lowered in the corresponding elevator shaft in a manner similar to a conventional elevator.

These and other features of the present invention will become apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a single exemplary floor of a multi-story building utilizing a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an individual elevator car of a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to the present invention.

Fig. 2B is a schematic top view of the isolated elevator car of fig. 2A.

Fig. 3A is a schematic partial cross-sectional environmental top view of a vehicle showing individual elevators in proximity to a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to the present invention.

Fig. 3B is a schematic partial cross-sectional environmental top view showing an extension of the elevator landing of fig. 3A transporting a vehicle into an elevator.

Fig. 3C is a schematic partial cross-sectional environmental top view illustrating a vehicle being transported within the elevator of fig. 3A.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary floor plan of a single floor of a multi-story building B utilizing a passenger and vehicle elevator system 10. In the exemplary floor plan of fig. 1, three individual elevators 12, 14, 16 are shown positioned about a central axis a of a building B. It will be understood that each of elevators 12, 14, 16 includes an elevator car that can be selectively raised or lowered within a cylindrical elevator hoistway by conventional elevator machinery (not shown in the figures for clarity). It is understood that a cylindrical elevator shaft is shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the profile and relative dimensions of the elevator shaft and corresponding elevator car can be varied as desired. Each elevator car includes at least one set of inner doors (or single doors) that selectively open and close, and each floor of the multi-story building includes at least one set of outer doors (or single doors), and preferably two sets of angularly offset outer doors corresponding to each of elevators 12, 14 and 16. It should be understood that any desired number of elevators may be utilized and their position relative to the building floor may vary. In the example configuration of fig. 1 in which three elevators 12, 14, 16 are positioned such that their centers are equidistant from axis a, elevators 12, 14, 16 are arranged in an equilateral triangle with each of elevators 12, 14, 16 serving one of areas 18, 20, 22. For the circular arrangement of the floor plan shown in the example of fig. 1, each of the regions 18, 20, 22 spans an arc of approximately 120 °, and each of the regions 28, 20, 22 is separated from adjacent regions by an exemplary stairwell S or the like.

In the exemplary configuration of fig. 1, each of the regions 18, 20, 22 is bisected (as indicated by the dashed radial lines in fig. 1) such that the region 18 is divided into sub-regions 24, 26; the region 20 is divided into sub-regions 28, 30; and region 22 is divided into sub-regions 24-34. Each of the sub-areas 24-34 represents a separate office space or dwelling space. Thus, in this exemplary layout, each of the three zones 18, 20, 22 contains two separate office or residential spaces. As shown, there are two parking spaces assigned to each of sub-areas 24-34. The sub-area 24 includes a pair of parking spaces 36; sub-region 26 includes a pair of parking spaces 38; sub-region 28 includes a pair of parking spaces 40; the sub-region 30 includes a pair of parking spaces 42; the sub-region 32 includes a pair of parking spaces 44; and the sub-area 34 includes a pair of parking spaces 46. The residence or office space for each sub-area may be arranged radially outward from the corresponding parking space for the sub-area.

Each of elevators 12, 14 and 16 operate in the same manner. In fig. 2A and 2B, a single elevator car 12 is shown. In order for elevator car 12 to provide access to either of the two pairs of parking spaces 36, 38 in sector 18 (in the configuration of fig. 1), the inner door 54 of the elevator car of elevator 12 may include one setting that spans 180 ° of the elevator car, and elevator 12 may be equipped with a dial to select either sub-area 24 to enter parking space 36 or sub-area 26 to enter parking space 38, or the inner door 54 of the elevator car may include two side-by-side settings, each setting spanning 90 ° and the floor of the elevator car can be rotated to select either sub-area 24 or sub-area 26. Preferably, the sub-area 24 has one set of outer doors 56 that open when the sub-area 24 is selected, and the sub-area 26 has another set of outer doors 56 that open when the sub-area 26 is selected. In the exemplary circular configuration of the elevator shown in fig. 1 and 2B, the inner door 54 and outer door 56 must open and close along an arcuate or circumferential path rather than the conventional linear path of a conventional elevator door.

As shown in fig. 2A, vehicle V is positioned on a platform 50 within elevator 12, and platform 50 is mounted on a controllable, rotating mount 52. This rotating mount drives the rotation of the platform 50. Such rotation not only allows selection of any of the four parking spaces within a particular area, but further allows the front end of vehicle V to first enter elevator 12 and then rotate within the elevator to likewise exit elevator 12 with the front end first. Such a rotary platform and driveKinematic systems are well known and any suitable type of controllable, rotating mount 52 may be utilized. One such rotary platform is manufactured by PALISGlobal parkking Technologies GmbH of Gersthofen, germany. Another such fastener is Otto by Fiolzheim, GermanyA rotary disk 505 manufactured by GmbH. Other examples of such rotary platforms for vehicles are shown in U.S. patent No. 4,264,257 issued to Saurwein and U.S. patent application publication No. US 2005/0095092a1 issued to Segal et al, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In addition to having the platform 50 rotated by the rotational mount 52, the platform 50 is preferably also horizontally translatable. Fig. 3A shows vehicle V approaching door 54 of elevator 12 first. In fig. 3B, the door 54 has been circumferentially opened as described above, and the platform 50 is linearly translated beneath the vehicle V and raised to transport the vehicle V. Once the platform 50 is positioned completely beneath the vehicle V and raised to support the vehicle, the platform 50 is translated back into the elevator 12 (as shown in fig. 3C), and the vehicle V can be transported to the desired floor.

It should be understood that any suitable type of drive platform may be utilized. Such translation carriages and fixtures are well known. One such drive platform is manufactured by PALIS Global parkingtechnologies gmbh of Gersthofen, germany. Other examples of such other systems are shown in PCT application publication No. WO 2004/045932A 1 to Zangerle et al and U.S. patent No. 4,768,914 to Sing, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

It should be understood that the system 10 can be used in conjunction with any suitable type of multi-storey building. In use, vehicle V enters a first floor, below a first floor, or lobby floor and travels to one of elevators 12, 14, 16, thereby positioning the vehicle as shown in fig. 3A. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3A, at the entrance, the vehicle passes by the sensor 70. The sensor 70 may be a bar code reader, RFID sensor, or the like, the sensor 70 exchanging signals 72 with a matching tag or device mounted on the vehicle V for identifying the vehicle, the signals 72 including data identifying the designated floor and parking space of the vehicle. In response to the identification of a particular vehicle V and its designated floor and parking space, the vehicle V is directed to the appropriate entrance or staging area in front of the corresponding one of elevators 12, 14, 16 for the particular parking space.

Once at the appropriate staging area, the driver turns off the ignition of the vehicle V and preferably stays within the vehicle V. The doors 54 of the elevators associated with a particular staging area are opened and the automatically controlled translating platform or trolley 50 is moved outward from the elevators. The platform 50 moves under the vehicle V with the vehicle V resting on the platform 50, lifts the vehicle V, and withdraws into the elevator. Elevator doors 54 are then closed and the elevator ascends to the appropriate floor or level.

Once at the appropriate floor or level, the elevator doors 54 open and the laterally moving platform extends outward and stores the vehicle V in its designated parking space. The laterally movable platform is then withdrawn from under the vehicle V, moved back into the elevator, the elevator doors 54 are closed, and the elevator is then ready to move the next vehicle. When the driver of the vehicle V wants to leave the building B, the driver signals the appropriate elevator and the process is reversed.

As described above, since at least two parking spaces are preferably associated with each office or dwelling unit, the system 10 not only raises the vehicle V from the entrance level to the appropriate floor of the building B, but is also able to move the vehicle V to the correct parking space. This is accomplished by a rotational mount 52 for rotating the platform 50. Alternatively, the platform 50 may be equipped with its own turntable, rather than being mounted on a turntable. During ascent from the entrance level, the platform 50 may be rotated, if necessary, so that the vehicle V is placed in the correct parking space. During descent back to the street level, the platform 50 is rotated such that when the elevator doors 54 are opened, the platform 50 moves the vehicle V outward into the departure area. Preferably, the departure area is spaced from the staging area or loading area to enable vehicles to evacuate from the building without interfering with the progress of other vehicles entering the building and waiting in the staging area. It should be understood that although two exemplary parking spaces are shown for each office or dwelling unit, any desired number of parking spaces may be allocated.

Since the vehicle V is transported vertically with one or more passengers in the elevator, and since the vehicle is parked in a building at a level coextensive with the office or residence, it is desirable to avoid running the vehicle engine in the elevator or in the parking area. Thus, once the vehicle V begins to enter the loading or staging area, the carbon monoxide detector 74 will register whether the vehicle engine is running, and a positive response from the carbon monoxide detector 74 will prevent the vehicle from being loaded onto the elevator. For example, door 54 can remain closed until zero or a minimum level of carbon monoxide is measured by sensor 74. If the vehicle engine is off at the time of entry into the elevator but then the engine is started again, one or more carbon monoxide sensors 76 in the elevator will stop the elevator from rising and return the elevator to the entrance level. It should be appreciated that any suitable type of sensor may be utilized to ensure that the vehicle is not operating. Additional sensors may be used to measure vehicle dimensions, motion, etc., such as, for example, laser sensors.

To avoid injury to the vehicle operator and/or any passengers, a suitable motion detector or optical sensor 78 may further be provided in the elevator to detect the opening of the doors or trunk, which may be used as a basis for stopping the raising or lowering of the elevator. In addition, conventional smoke, heat or fire detectors may also be installed in the elevator.

Although elevators 12, 14, 16 may vary in number, size, and overall configuration, each elevator should have a size sufficient to accommodate a vehicle that is, for example, approximately 6 meters long and 2 meters wide. Similarly, each elevator should be able to accommodate the weight of the motor vehicle and its passengers, preferably being able to carry loads up to about 3500 kg.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (19)

1. A passenger and vehicle elevator system, comprising:

an elevator car having a housing and at least one door, the housing having a floor, a ceiling, and at least one side wall, the housing adapted to transport a vehicle and at least one passenger;

a linear translation platform mounted on the floor of the enclosure, the linear translation platform adapted to transport the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the at least one door;

a motion sensor mounted within the housing;

means for preventing the elevator car from parking the vehicle within a building when the motion sensor detects motion within the housing;

means for selectively rotating the vehicle within the housing; and

means for selectively raising and lowering the elevator car.

2. The passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical.

3. The passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 2, wherein the at least one door is curved.

4. The passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to read parking information from the vehicle.

5. The passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an RFID reader.

6. The passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 4, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a bar code reader.

7. A passenger and vehicle elevator system, comprising:

an elevator car configured to be raised and lowered, the elevator car having an opening for a vehicle to enter and exit the elevator car and at least one door to close the opening, the elevator car having a floor, a ceiling, and at least one side wall, the elevator car configured to transport the vehicle and at least one passenger;

a linearly translating platform that can be transferred into and out of the elevator car, the linearly translating platform configured for transporting the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the opening; and

a sensor disposed outside of the elevator car, the sensor to prevent the vehicle from entering the elevator car when the sensor detects that an engine of the vehicle is operating.

8. A method of parking a motor vehicle, comprising:

providing a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to claim 7;

determining whether an engine of the motor vehicle is running using the sensor;

loading the motor vehicle into the elevator car with the platform when it is determined by the sensor that an engine of the motor vehicle is not running; and

denying loading the motor vehicle into the elevator car when it is determined by the sensor that an engine of the motor vehicle is operating.

9. A passenger and vehicle elevator system, comprising:

an elevator car configured to be raised and lowered, the elevator car having an opening for a vehicle to enter and exit the elevator car and at least one door to close the opening, the elevator car having a floor, a ceiling, and at least one side wall, the elevator car configured to transport the vehicle and at least one passenger;

a linearly translating platform that can be transferred into and out of the elevator car, the linearly translating platform configured for transporting the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the opening; and

a sensor mounted within the elevator car that prevents the vehicle from being parked within a building of the elevator system when the sensor detects that an engine of the vehicle is running.

10. A method of parking a motor vehicle, comprising:

providing a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to claim 9;

determining whether an engine of the motor vehicle is running while in the elevator car;

returning the motor vehicle and the elevator car to a staging or loading area and unloading the motor vehicle with the landing if it is determined that an engine of the motor vehicle is running or begins running while in the elevator car;

delivering the vehicle to a designated parking space when an engine of the vehicle is not in operation; and

parking the vehicle in the designated parking space while an engine of the vehicle remains in the non-operational state.

11. A multi-storey building comprising:

individual residences and/or offices, each having a respective parking space;

the passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 7, for delivering the vehicle to the respective parking space.

12. A multi-storey building comprising:

individual residences and/or offices, each having a respective parking space;

the passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 9, for delivering the vehicle to the respective parking space.

13. A passenger and vehicle elevator system, comprising:

an elevator car configured to be raised and lowered, the elevator car having an opening for a vehicle to enter and exit the elevator car and at least one door to close the opening, the elevator car having a floor, a ceiling, and at least one side wall, the elevator car configured to transport the vehicle and at least one passenger;

a linearly translating platform mounted on the floor and translatable into and out of the elevator car, the linearly translating platform configured for transporting the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the opening; and

a sensor positioned on the elevator car, the at least one door remaining closed until the sensor detects that an engine of the vehicle is not running.

14. The passenger and vehicle elevator system according to claim 13, wherein the landing is configured to be rotatable relative to a parking space adjacent the elevator car.

15. The passenger and vehicle elevator system according to claim 13, further comprising a sub-area having at least one parking space, the sub-area having a sub-area door for closing the sub-area relative to an elevator shaft.

16. A multi-storey building comprising:

individual residences and/or offices, each having a respective parking space;

the passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 13, for delivering the vehicle to the respective parking space.

17. A passenger and vehicle elevator system, comprising:

an elevator car configured to be raised and lowered, the elevator car having an opening for a vehicle to enter and exit the elevator car and at least one door to close the opening, the elevator car having a floor, a ceiling, and at least one side wall, the elevator car configured to transport the vehicle and at least one passenger;

a linearly translating platform that can be transferred into and out of the elevator car, the linearly translating platform configured for transporting the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the opening;

a sensor for detecting movement occurring in the elevator car in an area outside of the vehicle, the sensor configured to prevent the vehicle from being parked within a building of the elevator system when the sensor detects motion in the elevator car outside of the vehicle.

18. A multi-storey building comprising:

individual residences and/or offices, each having a respective parking space;

the passenger and vehicle elevator system of claim 17, for delivering the vehicle to the respective parking space.

19. A method of parking a motor vehicle, comprising:

providing a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to claim 17;

determining whether there is motion outside the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is in the elevator car;

delivering the motor vehicle to a designated parking space and parking the motor vehicle in the designated parking space when no motion is detected within the elevator car outside the motor vehicle; and

preventing delivery of the vehicle to the designated parking space when motion is detected outside the vehicle.