Stress-Strain Analysis and Optimization of a Parking Duplicator Hanging Grid

Abstract

The increasing fleet of automobiles in metropolitan centers challenges humanity for engineering solutions that allow parking multiple vehicles in confined spaces. A possible solution to this problem is in the verticalization of the spaces through the development of high-tech parking systems capable of parking multiple vehicles in limited spaces. A previous paper presented an innovative parking duplicator device launching a possible solution to the stated challenge. The current discussion presents an optimization study of the dimensions of the elevating platform of the parking duplicator device in the prior academic work. In this study, the search was for enhancing the equivalent stress at minimum weight and this was achieved by means of stress-strain analysis and CAD/CAM technics. First, a conceptual design was developed and the design characteristics of the elevating platform, i.e., a grid were defined. Secondly, the structural analysis of the grid was performed in the software MASTAN2^®. The obtained results of the stress-strain analysis were used while analytically dimensioning the grid and so determining the optimal thickness of the elements that constitute it. The solutions were refined with the finite element method. Finally, a virtual prototype and a detailed project of the grid was developed on the software SOLIDWORKS^® v. 2018. The obtained structure was a simple and inexpensive engineering solution for the elevator platform optimizing the parking system. The methodology applied in the project development of the present discussion demonstrated to be efficient and so it can be applied to the development of virtually any mechanical design.