JP7621150B2 - Multi-storey parking device and computer program thereof, and method for modifying a multi-storey parking device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a multi-story parking system, a computer program for the system, and a method for modifying the multi-story parking system.

Conventionally, a mechanical multi-story parking system has been proposed, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-story parking system in which a pallet for normal cars and a pallet for high-roof cars are provided so that they can be raised and lowered or circulated in the vertical direction, and a fence is provided in front of the boarding area so that the fence can be raised and lowered to open the boarding area when entering or leaving the parking lot, and the fence is lowered to close the boarding area when not entering or leaving the parking lot. A restriction plate that can be raised and lowered is provided above the boarding area to restrict the entry of high-roof cars.

JP 2003-253904 A

However, in conventional multi-level parking systems that are configured with a multi-level system in which the maximum height for each storage space varies and that do not have the restricting plate of Patent Document 1, users may mistakenly park their vehicles in the wrong pallet among multiple pallets lined up on the left and right. For example, a user may mistakenly park a high-roof vehicle in a standard-car pallet that is located next to a high-roof pallet for which the user has a contract.

In addition, even if one fence were provided for each pallet in the above-mentioned conventional multi-story parking system, for example, when a high-roof vehicle is to be parked, the user may not be able to distinguish the maximum height of the pallet at which the vehicle is to be parked, and may mistake a pallet for a standard-sized vehicle for a high-roofed vehicle and attempt to park the high-roofed vehicle on the pallet for a standard-sized vehicle.

On the other hand, in conventional multi-story parking systems that have a lower storage space underground and middle and upper storage spaces above ground, there are many configurations in which only pallets for standard vehicles can be stored in each of the lower and upper storage spaces. In such conventional multi-story parking systems, pallets for standard vehicles and pallets for high-roof vehicles are mixed at the boarding level (which also serves as the middle storage space) where vehicles enter and leave the parking lot. However, in the above conventional configuration, even if photoelectric tubes (projectors and receivers) that can simultaneously detect whether a vehicle entering the parking lot exceeds the height at which it can enter the parking lot for multiple entrances corresponding to each of the multiple pallets lined up on the left and right are arranged so that the light emitted from the projectors crosses the multiple entrances horizontally at the boarding level (middle storage space), it is not easy to identify the pallet at the position where the light is blocked.

This disclosure has been made in light of these points, and its purpose is to appropriately prevent erroneous entry into a mechanical multi-story parking system.

To achieve the above object, the first disclosure is a mechanical multi-story parking system in which multiple entry/exit sections are arranged in parallel at the entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the system, and the multi-story parking system is equipped with a first detection unit that can simultaneously detect whether the height of a vehicle during an entry operation exceeds a first height limit for the multiple entry/exit sections, and a determination unit that can determine which entry/exit section the vehicle during an entry operation is located in among the multiple entry/exit sections.

The first disclosure is directed to a mechanical parking device that allows a vehicle to enter and exit a plurality of entry/exit sections arranged in parallel on the boarding level, and park the vehicle. The first detection unit is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds the first limit height for the plurality of entry/exit sections arranged in parallel on the boarding level, and the determination unit is configured to determine the entry/exit section in which the vehicle during the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry/exit sections arranged in parallel on the boarding level. According to this configuration, if the first limit height is set to a height that is higher than the height at which a vehicle can enter an entry/exit section for normal vehicles and lower than the height at which a vehicle can enter an entry/exit section for high-roof vehicles, the first detection unit can appropriately detect the entry of a high-roof vehicle into any of the plurality of entry/exit sections. Then, the determination unit can determine the entry/exit section into which a vehicle (the above-mentioned high-roof vehicle) that has exceeded the first limit height is about to enter. In other words, the first detection unit and the determination unit make it easy to identify, for example, the entry/exit section in which a vehicle that may have been erroneously entered is located among the plurality of entry/exit sections. Therefore, the first disclosure makes it possible to appropriately prevent incorrect storage.

The second disclosure is the first disclosure, further comprising a second detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting the height of a vehicle entering and exiting a parking lot at multiple parking lots based on a second limit height set at a position higher than the first limit height.

In this second disclosure, if the second limit height is set to be, for example, higher than the height at which a vehicle can enter an entrance/exit section for high-roof vehicles and lower than the ceiling height of each entrance/exit section, the second detection section can detect when a vehicle exceeding the maximum entrance height is attempting to enter the section.

The third disclosure is the first or second disclosure, in which the multiple entry/exit sections have different entry heights depending on the storage space assigned to them among the multiple storage spaces provided in the multi-story parking device, and the first limit height is set corresponding to the entry/exit section with a relatively low entry height. Here, transportation between the entry/exit sections and the storage spaces is performed in a substantially horizontal or vertical direction.

In this third disclosure, for example, when the entrance width is the same but the possible entry height of the entry/exit section differs depending on each storage space corresponding to the entry/exit section located at the boarding level based on the user's call operation, by setting the first limit height to, for example, a height higher than the possible entry height into the entry/exit section for standard vehicles and a height lower than the possible entry height into the entry/exit section for high-roof vehicles, the first detection unit can properly detect when a high-roof vehicle is about to enter one of the multiple entry/exit sections.

The fourth disclosure is the third disclosure, further comprising a control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit, and the control unit selects whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit to the control in the entry/exit unit where the determination unit has determined that the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located, based on the possible entry height corresponding to the storage space assigned to the entry/exit unit.

In this fourth disclosure, the control unit can optimize the processing operation by selecting whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit to the control based on the possible storage height corresponding to the storage space.

The fifth disclosure is any one of the first to third disclosures, further including a control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit. The control unit is configured to control the detection result by the first detection unit and the determination result by the determination unit in association with each other.

In this fifth disclosure, the control unit controls the detection result by the first detection unit and the determination result by the determination unit in association with each other, so that it is possible to identify the entry/exit section where a vehicle that has exceeded the first height limit is located among multiple entry/exit sections.

The sixth disclosure is the fourth or fifth disclosure, further comprising an alarm unit controlled by the control unit. The control unit activates the alarm unit when the first detection unit detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation at the entrance/exit unit exceeds the first height limit, and the determination unit determines the entrance/exit unit in which the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation is located, and the entrance height of the entrance/exit unit in which the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation is located is lower than the first height limit.

In the sixth disclosure, when the first detection unit detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering operation at the entry/exit section exceeds the first height limit, and the determination unit determines the entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located, and the entry height of the entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located is lower than the first height limit, the control unit activates the notification unit, thereby preventing erroneous entry.

The seventh disclosure is the fourth or fifth disclosure, further comprising a prohibition unit controlled by the control unit. And, when the first detection unit detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation at the entrance/exit unit exceeds the first limit height, and the determination unit determines the entrance/exit unit where the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation is located, and the entrance height of the entrance/exit unit where the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation is located is lower than the first limit height, the prohibition unit of the control unit prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device.

In the seventh disclosure, when the control unit detects that the height of the vehicle being entered into the entry/exit section exceeds the first height limit, and the determination unit determines the entry/exit section in which the vehicle being entered is located, and the entry height of the entry/exit section in which the vehicle being entered is located is lower than the first height limit, the prohibition unit prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device, thereby making it possible to prevent, for example, the operation of the multi-story parking device of transporting the entry/exit section in an erroneously entered state to a specified storage position.

The eighth disclosure is any one of the first to seventh disclosures, in which each loading/unloading section has a pallet on which a vehicle that has been loaded into the loading/unloading section can be placed, and an identification section disposed near the front end of the top surface of the pallet. The determination section is configured to determine which loading/unloading section the vehicle being loaded into is located in by performing image recognition of the state in which the identification section is hidden by the vehicle being loaded into the loading/unloading section.

In this eighth disclosure, the determination unit performs image recognition of a state in which an identification unit located near the front end of the top surface of the pallet is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a storage entry operation, thereby making it possible to appropriately identify the storage/return section in which the vehicle undergoing a storage entry operation is located.

The ninth disclosure is any one of the first to seventh disclosures, in which the determination unit is configured to be able to capture images of vehicles entering and leaving each entry/exit section. The determination unit is configured to determine which entry/exit section the vehicle entering/exiting is located in by identifying at least one moving object detection area that detects a vehicle entering/exiting as a moving object from among multiple moving object detection areas preset within the capture range.

In this ninth disclosure, the determination unit captures an image of a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation in a plurality of motion detection areas that are preset within the photographing range, and identifies at least one motion detection area that detects the vehicle as a moving object, thereby making it possible to appropriately identify the entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is located.

The tenth disclosure is any one of the first to ninth disclosures, in which the first detection unit comprises a light projector and a light receiver. The light projector and the light receiver are arranged so that the light emitted from the light projector crosses the multiple loading and unloading sections in the horizontal direction.

In this tenth disclosure, a light-projector and a light-receiver are arranged so that the light emitted from the light-projector crosses multiple entry/exit sections in the horizontal direction, and it is possible to appropriately detect, with a simple configuration, whether the height of a vehicle during an entry operation exceeds the first height limit.

The eleventh disclosure is any one of the first to ninth disclosures, in which the first detection unit is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds the first height limit for multiple entry/exit sections by processing images captured by a camera.

In this eleventh disclosure, the first detection unit is configured to detect the height of the target vehicle by processing images captured by a camera, so that the vehicle undergoing the entry operation can be appropriately identified. In addition, by appropriately processing images captured by a camera, it is possible to handle vehicles of various shapes.

The twelfth disclosure is any one of the first to eleventh disclosures, in which the determination unit is configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in a determination section that is set in a range from the front of the multi-story parking device to the front end of the designated entrance position in the direction in which the vehicle enters.

In this twelfth disclosure, it is possible to make a judgment by excluding vehicles that have already been stored in the storage/retrieval section and are in their designated storage positions. This makes it possible to appropriately determine which storage/retrieval section a vehicle undergoing a storage/retrieval operation is attempting to enter.

The thirteenth disclosure is a computer program for causing a multi-story parking system to function as a multi-story parking system according to any one of the first to twelfth disclosures.

In the thirteenth disclosure, a computer program that achieves the effects described in the first to twelfth disclosures above can be obtained.

The fourteenth disclosure is a method for modifying a multi-story parking system by providing a first detection unit and a determination unit to an existing multi-story parking system and causing it to function as a multi-story parking system according to any one of the first to twelfth disclosures above.

In this 14th disclosure, an existing multi-story parking system can be easily modified to have the same effects as those in the first to twelfth disclosures above.

As explained above, this disclosure makes it possible to appropriately prevent incorrect storage.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a multi-story parking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the multi-story parking system as viewed from the side. FIG. 3 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2, showing a vehicle being loaded into a loading/unloading section located in a storage space on the middle level. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the main components of the multi-story parking system. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the control unit. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing another example of the processing operation of the control unit. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged front view showing a part of the multi-story parking apparatus of the first modified example. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged front view showing a part of the multi-story parking apparatus of the second modified example. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the moving object detection method of the fourth modification. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the moving object detection method of the fourth modification. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a moving object detection area according to the moving object detection method of the fourth modification.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description of the embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mechanical multi-story parking system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-row, multi-level (in the illustrated example, a three-level system with an upper level, a middle level, and a lower level) multi-level parking system 1. The multi-story parking system 1 is constructed with a framework formed by multiple support columns 2, a front beam 3, and cross beams (not shown) as a skeleton.

In the following explanation, the positional relationship of each element constituting the multi-story parking device 1 will be defined based on the left-right direction when the multi-story parking device 1 is viewed from the front. That is, the side of the support pillar 2 located on the left side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be defined as the "left side", and the side of the support pillar 2 located on the right side of the paper in FIG. 1 will be defined as the "right side". In addition, with regard to the front-to-rear direction of the multi-story parking device 1, the side of the drive-in area 12 described below (left side of the paper in FIG. 2) will be defined as the "front side", and the back side of the multi-story parking device 1 (right side of the paper in FIG. 2) will be defined as the "rear side".

(First and second storage areas)
The multi-story parking device 1 is divided into a first storage area R1 located on the left side of the paper in Fig. 1 and a second storage area R2 located on the right side of the paper in Fig. 1. Each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2 is provided with storage spaces 4 to 6 for arranging a plurality of loading/unloading sections 10 (described later) in each tier. In Figs. 1 to 3, the position of the ground or road surface is illustrated as "FL". In this embodiment, the loading/unloading section 10 in the middle storage space 5 located at a height corresponding to FL is the entry level where loading/unloading is performed.

The middle storage space 5 is located above ground, which is also the boarding level. The lower storage space 4 is located underground, directly below the middle storage space 5. The upper storage space 6 is located directly above the middle storage space 5. In this embodiment of the multi-story parking device 1, only standard vehicles X can be stored in the lower and upper storage spaces 4, 6. Both standard vehicles X and high-roof vehicles Y can be stored in the middle storage space 5.

(Intake and delivery section)
As shown in Fig. 1, the multi-story parking system 1 is equipped with a plurality of loading/unloading sections 10. Each loading/unloading section 10 is configured so that the height at which it can be loaded varies depending on the specific storage space to which it is assigned among the storage spaces 4 to 6. The loading/unloading section 10 assigned to the middle storage space 5 is stored in the middle level, and the vehicle can be loaded and unloaded from the middle storage space 5, which is at the boarding level.

Each loading/unloading section 10 has a pallet 11 on which vehicles that have been loaded into the loading/unloading section 10 can be placed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a drive-in section 12 is provided on the ground or road surface located in front of the middle storage space 5 to allow vehicles to enter each loading/unloading section 10.

The multi-story parking device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of five pallets 11 assigned to the upper storage space 6, four pallets 11 assigned to the middle storage space 5, and five pallets 11 assigned to the lower storage space 4. In the state shown in FIG. 1, two pallets 11 for ordinary cars X are arranged side by side in the upper storage space 6 in the first storage area R1. Three pallets 11 are arranged side by side in the middle storage space 5 in the first storage area R1. Specifically, a pallet 11 for ordinary cars X assigned to the upper storage space 6 is arranged at the left end of the middle storage space 5, and two pallets 11 for high-roof cars Y assigned to the middle storage space 6 are arranged to the right of it, and the pallets 11 for ordinary cars X and the pallets 11 for high-roof cars Y are mixed. Three pallets 11 for ordinary cars X are arranged side by side in the lower storage space 4 in the first storage area R1.

In the upper and lower storage spaces 4, 6 of the second storage area R2, two pallets 11 for ordinary vehicles X are arranged side by side. In the middle storage space 5 of the second storage area R2, two pallets 11 are arranged side by side. Specifically, in this state, two pallets 11 for high roof vehicles Y are arranged in the middle storage space 5 of the second storage area R2.

In the first and second storage areas R1, R2, the loading/unloading sections 10 assigned to the middle storage space 5 can be moved left and right between the adjacent storage spaces by a drive unit (not shown). In addition, the loading/unloading sections 10 assigned to the upper and lower storage spaces 4, 6 can be raised and lowered between the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level, by driving a lift drive unit and lift chains 8 (in the case of the upper level) (not shown). In other words, the first and second storage areas R1, R2 can be integrated to allow the multiple loading/unloading sections 10 to be moved between the lower and middle levels, the upper and middle levels, and the middle storage spaces 4, 5, 6.

(fence)
As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the multi-story parking device 1 is equipped with two fences 9. Each fence 9 is provided to correspond to the first and second storage areas R1, R2. Each fence 9 is disposed above the entrance area 12. Each fence 9 is configured to be able to be opened and closed in the vertical direction by an opening/closing drive unit 7 (see Figure 2).

As shown in FIG. 2, when the fence 9 is closed, the multiple loading/unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 (entry level) are isolated from the outside, such as the road. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the fence 9 is open, the multiple loading/unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 are connected to the outside, such as the road. In this open state, it is possible for vehicles to enter and leave the garage at each loading/unloading section 10 located in the middle storage space 5.

(Identification unit)
1 to 3, an identification unit 13 is provided on the upper surface of each pallet 11. The identification unit 13 is arranged near the front end of the pallet 11. The identification unit 13 is configured so that a determination unit 23 (described later) can recognize the identification unit 13 from above the pallet 11 when there is no vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation and no vehicle is placed on the pallet 11 and when a vehicle is placed in a designated warehousing position on the pallet 11, and is configured so that when there is a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation, the determination unit 23 (described later) cannot recognize part or all of the vehicle from above the pallet 11 during the process of the vehicle entering the pallet 11.

The identification unit 13 may be, for example, a letter, a figure, a symbol, or a color, or a combination thereof. Specifically, the identification unit 13 may be, for example, a serial number (pallet number) assigned to each pallet 11. The identification unit 13 may also be associated with the purpose of the pallet 11 determined for each vehicle height (pallet 11 for normal vehicles X and pallet 11 for high roof vehicles Y). The pallet number may be set so that it can be matched with the possible entry height corresponding to the entry/exit section 10 that appears in an image captured by the determination unit 23 described later.

(Control Unit)
As shown in Fig. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is installed inside a control panel (not shown) included in the multi-story parking device 1. The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 20 is configured to, for example, read a computer program stored in a storage unit (not shown) into the RAM and execute the computer program on the CPU.

The control unit 20 is configured to control each of the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the determination unit 23, the notification unit 24, and the prohibition unit 25, which will be described later. A series of processing operations performed by the control unit 20 will be described later.

(First detection unit)
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a first detection unit 21. The first detection unit 21 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1 and R2. The first detection unit 21 is provided in the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level. The first detection unit 21 provided in the first storage area R1 is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all three entrance/exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The first detection unit 21 provided in the second storage area R2 is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all two entrance/exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The first limit height H1 is set in correspondence with the entrance/exit section 10 (the entrance/exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X in this embodiment) that is a relatively low entrance height.

The first detection unit 21 in this embodiment is composed of a pair of photocells P1, P2. The pair of photocells P1, P2 consists of, for example, a light projector and a light receiver. The light projector and the light receiver are each attached to the pillars 2, 2 facing each other in the left-right direction of the multi-story parking device 1. The first detection unit 21 may be configured such that a reflective photocell that has both a light projector and a light receiver integrated into one pillar 2 is provided on only one of the pillars 2, and a reflective material such as a retroreflector is provided on the opposing pillar 2.

The light projector and light receiver constituting the first detection unit 21 are arranged so that the light L1 emitted from the light projector crosses horizontally in front of the multiple loading/unloading units 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The first detection unit 21 is also arranged at a height where the light L1 emitted from the light projector is the first limit height H1 from the top surface of the pallet 11. This allows the first detection unit 21 to simultaneously detect whether the first limit height H1 is exceeded for the multiple loading/unloading units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 in the first and second storage areas R1 and R2.

The first limit height H1 is set, for example, so as to be higher than the height at which the standard vehicle X can enter the loading/unloading section 10, and lower than the height at which the high roof vehicle Y can enter the loading/unloading section 10. Specifically, when the height at which the standard vehicle X can enter the loading/unloading section 10 is, for example, 1550 mm, the first limit height H1 is set, for example, at a position 1600 mm above the top surface of the pallet 11, so as to allow for a margin for changes in vehicle height due to the swaying of the vehicle during loading/unloading and the loading condition, and to be lower than the ceiling height of the storage space for the standard vehicle X.

With the above settings, if the vehicle being entered is a high-roof vehicle Y, the light L1 emitted from the spotlight is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver. As a result, the first detector 21 detects that the height of the vehicle (high-roof vehicle Y) exceeds the first height limit H1.

On the other hand, if the vehicle being parked is a passenger car X, the light L1 emitted from the projector is not blocked by the vehicle and reaches the receiver. In other words, the first detector 21 does not detect that the height of the vehicle (passenger car X) exceeds the first height limit H1.

(Second detection unit)
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a second detection unit 22. The second detection unit 22 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1 and R2. The second detection unit 22 is provided in the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level. The second detection unit 22 provided in the first storage area R1 is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the second limit height H2 for all three entrance/exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5. The second detection unit 22 provided in the second storage area R2 is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the second limit height H2 for all two entrance/exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5.

The second detector 22, like the first detector 21, is composed of a pair of phototubes P1, P2 (light projector and light receiver). The second detector 22 is positioned at a height where the light L2 emitted from the light projector is the second restricted height H2 from the top surface of the pallet 11. Note that the specific configuration of the second detector 22 is similar to that of the first detector 21, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The second limit height H2 is set at a position higher than the first limit height H1. Specifically, the second limit height H2 is set, for example, to be higher than the height at which the high roof vehicle Y can enter the loading/unloading section 10, and lower than the height at which each storage space 5 can actually be entered (for example, the ceiling height of each loading/unloading section 10). More specifically, when the height at which the high roof vehicle Y can enter the loading/unloading section 10 is 2000 mm, for example, the second limit height H2 is set at a position, for example, 2050 mm above the top surface of the pallet 11.

With the above settings, if the vehicle being parked is taller than a typical high-roof vehicle Y or has a roof carrier (not shown) attached to the roof of the vehicle (i.e., if the vehicle is over-height), the light L2 emitted from the spotlight is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver. As a result, the second detection unit 22 detects that the height of the vehicle exceeds the second restricted height H2.

(Determination unit)
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a determination unit 23. In the multi-story parking device 1 according to this embodiment, one determination unit 23 is provided for each of the first and second storage areas R1, R2. The determination unit 23 is provided corresponding to the middle storage space 5, which is the boarding level. The determination unit 23 is configured to determine which of the multiple entry/exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is located in which the vehicle currently entering the parking area is located.

The determination unit 23 is, for example, a photographing device such as a camera. In this embodiment, the determination unit 23 is attached to the underside of the front beam 3 that constitutes the multi-story parking device 1.

When attached to the front beam 3, the determination unit 23 is configured to recognize the identification unit 13 on each pallet 11 located in the middle storage space 5. The determination unit 23 is then capable of determining which of the multiple entry/exit units 10 the vehicle currently entering the warehouse is located in by performing image recognition of the state in which the identification unit 13 is hidden by the vehicle currently entering the warehouse.

2 and 3, the determination unit 23 is configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle undergoing a parking operation in the determination section J in the direction of the vehicle's entry. In this specification, "during parking operation" may include a state in which the vehicle is moving and a state in which part of the vehicle is temporarily stopped in the determination section J during the parking operation. As shown in FIG. 2, the determination section J refers to a section set in a range from the front of the multi-story parking device 1 (e.g., the rear end of the front support 2) to the front end of the designated parking position (e.g., a position 100 mm rearward from the rear end of the front support 2). Here, the designated parking position refers to a range equivalent to the entire length of the vehicle. Note that the front end of the designated parking position may be a position where the identification unit 13 is partially or entirely hidden by a vehicle (X or Y) that has already been parked, so that the determination unit 23 does not determine that a vehicle is undergoing a parking operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the front end may be located approximately in the center of the identification unit 13 in the front-rear direction in a side view.

(Notification section and prohibition section)
As shown in Fig. 4, the multi-story parking device 1 includes a notification unit 24 and a prohibition unit 25. The notification unit 24 and the prohibition unit 25 are controlled by the control unit 20. Specifically, the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24 when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation into the entrance/exit unit 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the determination unit 23 determines that the maximum entrance height of the entrance/exit unit 10 at which the vehicle undergoing the entrance operation is located is lower than the first limit height H1 (in this embodiment, the entrance/exit unit 10 for standard vehicles X). In addition, when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of the vehicle undergoing entry into the entry/exit unit 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the judgment unit 23 determines that the maximum entry height of the entry/exit unit 10 at which the vehicle undergoing entry is located is lower than the first limit height H1 (in this form, the entry/exit unit 10 for passenger cars X), the prohibition unit 25 prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device 1.

Here, "prohibiting some of the operations of the multi-story parking device 1" means, for example, prohibiting the closing operation of the fence 9 by a user, while not restricting the opening and closing of the closed fence 9 on the adjacent side, reservation input, and various operations of the multi-story parking device 1 by the manager. Note that multi-story parking devices 1 are generally provided with an interlock that prevents the pallet 11 from operating unless the fence 9 is closed.

The notification unit 24 may be, for example, an alarm device (i.e., a device capable of issuing visual and/or auditory information) attached to a driver's control panel (not shown) located near the access point 12. The notification unit 24 is not limited to the alarm device, and may be an external device (not shown) (e.g., a mobile terminal carried by the user, an operation remote control, an in-vehicle device, etc.) that issues visual and/or auditory information.

(Processing operation by the control unit)
A series of processing operations by the control unit 20 in the case of warehousing will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In the series of processing operations illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the control unit 20 controls the detection result by the first detection unit 21 and the determination result by the determination unit 23 by associating them with each other. Note that as the series of processing operations by the control unit 20, at least one of the processing operations illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 may be applied.

Here, prior to the processing operations illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, when starting to enter a vehicle into the multi-story parking device 1, a user calls the entry/exit unit 10. Specifically, for example, the user authenticates using authentication means such as a PIN number or IC card given in advance to the driving operation panel, and if the authentication is successful, the entry/exit unit 10 in which the user can enter (such as a specific entry/exit unit linked to the user contract or an empty entry/exit unit at a height that allows the contracted vehicle to enter) is transported, and when the placement at the boarding level is completed and entry is possible, the fence 9 is opened and the vehicle can enter. Then, the user gets into the vehicle and starts entering the entry/exit unit 10. A series of processing operations by the control unit 20 from this point onwards are as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

Figure 5 illustrates the processing operation when the control unit 20 performs a detection step by the first and second detection units 21 and 22, and then performs a determination step by the determination unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S101, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the entry is complete. For example, when the user performs an operation to close the fence 9, the control unit 20 determines that the entry is complete. The control unit 20 may also determine that the entry is complete when it is determined by a known detection means or the like that the vehicle is parked at the designated entry position in the entry/exit unit 10 and that there are no foreign objects other than people or vehicles at the entry level of the storage areas R1 and R2. If the entry is complete in step S101 (YES), this series of processing operations ends. On the other hand, if the entry is not complete in step S101 (NO), the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the second detection unit 22 detects whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the second limit height H2. If the second detection unit 22 detects in step S102 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (YES), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the second detection unit 22 does not detect in step S102 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the first detection unit 21 detects whether the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds the first limit height H1. If the first detection unit 21 detects in step S103 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (YES), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the first detection unit 21 does not detect in step S103 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (NO), the process returns to step S101.

In step S104, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the identification unit 13 on the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation. If the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the identification unit 13 is hidden (YES) in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the result in step S104 is NO, the process returns to step S101.

In step S105, the determination unit 23 determines which of the multiple entry/exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is the entry/exit unit 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located. Then, the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the control unit 20 judges whether the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is for standard vehicles X. That is, it judges whether the entry height of the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is lower than the first limit height H1. Specifically, if the control unit 20 pre-stores the entry height of each entry/exit section 10 and grasps the current position of each pallet 11, it is possible to judge whether the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is determined by the judgment unit 23 is for standard vehicles X. In addition, if the identification unit 13 is configured, for example, by a serial number assigned to each pallet 11 or is associated with the purpose (entry height) of the pallet 11 determined for each vehicle height, it is also possible to use this information to judge whether the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is for standard vehicles X. If the result of step S106 is YES, which indicates that the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is for standard vehicles X, proceed to step S107. On the other hand, if step S106 shows that the entrance/exit section 10 where the vehicle being entered is located is not for standard vehicles X, the process returns to step S101.

In step S107, the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24 and/or the prohibition unit 25. This completes the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 5.

In the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 5, if the user notices the erroneous entry and resolves the error state (the state in which step S107 is executed) in advance (for example, if the first detection unit 21 does not detect and/or the judgment content in the judgment unit 23 is changed), the process may return to the start position shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, in the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 5, the case where the process proceeds to step S107 when step S102 is YES (i.e., steps S103 to S106 are skipped) is exemplified, but steps S103 to S106 may be executed as necessary. For example, the judgment steps (steps S104 and S105) of the judgment unit 23 may be executed when the judgment unit 23 needs to distinguish between the passage of a vehicle and the passage of a person other than a vehicle (e.g., a user), or when it is necessary for the notification unit 24 to display the corresponding entry/exit unit 10 when making a notification.

In addition, even if the first detection unit 21 detects that the first limit height H1 has been exceeded in step S103 shown in FIG. 5, if the determination unit 23 does not recognize a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation at any of the entry/exit units 10 in step S104 (if No), the process returns to step S101. However, this is because, for example, it is possible that the vehicle has simply detected the passage of a person, and therefore this is not regarded as an error state, and step 104 can also be omitted.

Next, FIG. 6 describes the processing operation when the control unit 20 performs a determination step by the determination unit 23, and then performs a detection step by the first and second detection units 21 and 22 based on the determination result of the determination unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step S201 (corresponding to step S101 in FIG. 5), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the warehousing has been completed. If the warehousing has been completed (YES) in step S201, this series of processing operations ends. On the other hand, if the warehousing has not been completed (NO) in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202 (corresponding to step S104 in FIG. 5), the determination unit 23 determines whether or not the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the identification unit 13 on the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation. If the determination unit 23 has image-recognized that the identification unit 13 is hidden in step S202 (YES), the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203 (corresponding to step S105 in FIG. 5), the determination unit 23 determines which of the multiple entry/exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is the vehicle currently entering the parking lot. Then, the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the answer is No in step S202, the process returns to step S201.

In step S204 (corresponding to step S102 in FIG. 5), the second detection unit 22 detects whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the second limit height H2. If the second detection unit 22 detects in step S204 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (YES), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the second detection unit 22 does not detect in step S204 that the height exceeds the second limit height H2 (NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205 (corresponding to step S106 in FIG. 5), the control unit 20 judges whether the entry/exit section 10 where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is for standard vehicle X. If step S106 determines that the entry/exit section 10 where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is for standard vehicle X (YES), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if step S205 determines that the entry/exit section 10 where the vehicle undergoing entry is located is not for standard vehicle X (NO), the process returns to step S201.

In step S206 (corresponding to S103 in FIG. 5), the first detection unit 21 detects whether the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds the first limit height H1. If the first detection unit 21 detects in step S206 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (YES), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the first detection unit 21 does not detect in step S206 that the height exceeds the first limit height H1 (NO), the process returns to step S201.

In steps S205 and S206, it has already been determined in step S203 whether the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing entry is located is for passenger cars X, so if the answer is No, the process may return to step S204.

In step S207 (corresponding to step S107 in FIG. 5), the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24 and/or the prohibition unit 25. This completes the series of processing operations by the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 6.

[Effects of the embodiment]
In the multi-story parking device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first detection unit 21 is configured to simultaneously detect whether or not the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for the multiple entry/exit sections 10, and the determination unit 23 is configured to determine the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entering operation is located in the multiple entry/exit sections 10. According to this configuration, if the first limit height H1 is set to a height that is higher than the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry/exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X and lower than the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry/exit section 10 for the high-roof vehicle Y, the first detection unit 21 can detect the entry of the high-roof vehicle Y into any of the multiple entry/exit sections 10. Then, the determination unit 23 can appropriately determine whether or not the entry/exit section 10 into which the vehicle (the high-roof vehicle Y) that has exceeded the first limit height H1 is attempting to enter is the entry/exit section 10 for the standard vehicle X. In other words, the first detection unit 21 and the determination unit 23 can easily identify the entry/exit unit 10 in which the vehicle is attempting to enter the parking lot is located among the multiple entry/exit units 10, and detect the possibility of erroneous entry. Therefore, the multi-story parking device 1 can appropriately prevent erroneous entry.

In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, if the second limit height H2 is set to be higher than the height at which a vehicle can enter the entry/exit section 10 for high-roofed vehicles Y and lower than the ceiling height of each entry/exit section 10, the second detection unit 22 can detect when a vehicle that exceeds the maximum entry height is attempting to enter.

The heights at which the multiple entry/exit sections 10 can enter differ depending on the storage space to which they are assigned among the multiple storage spaces 4 to 6, and the first limit height H1 is set to correspond to the entry/exit section 10 with a relatively low entry height. For this reason, for example, when the entry heights of the entry/exit sections 10 differ depending on the storage spaces corresponding to the entry/exit sections 10 arranged at the boarding level based on the call operation by the user even for the same entrance (row), if the first limit height H1 is set to be higher than the height at which the entry/exit section 10 for standard vehicles X can enter and lower than the height at which the entry/exit section 10 for high-roof vehicles Y can enter, the first detection unit 21 can detect that the high-roof vehicle Y is about to enter any of the multiple entry/exit sections 10, and the entry of the high-roof vehicle Y into the entry/exit section 10 for standard vehicles X can be appropriately detected based on the judgment of the judgment unit 23.

The control unit 20 also selects whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit 21 to the control in the entry/exit unit 10 where the determination unit 23 has determined that a vehicle undergoing an entry operation is located, based on the possible entry height corresponding to the storage space assigned to the entry/exit unit 10. Specifically, if the possible entry height corresponding to the storage space is, for example, a height at which a standard-sized vehicle X can be entered, the control unit 20 may apply the detection result by the first detection unit 21 to the control. On the other hand, if the possible entry height corresponding to the storage space is, for example, a height at which a high-roof vehicle Y can be entered, the control unit 20 may not apply the detection result by the first detection unit 21 to the control. As a result, the processing operation by the control unit 20 can be optimized.

In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, the control unit 20 controls the detection result by the first detection unit 21 and the judgment result by the judgment unit 23 in association with each other, so that it is possible to identify the entry/exit section 10 in which a vehicle that has exceeded the first limit height H1 is located among multiple entry/exit sections 10.

In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of a vehicle entering the entry/exit section 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the determination unit 23 determines which entry/exit section 10 the vehicle is located in, and the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry/exit section 10 is lower than the first limit height H1 (i.e., YES in step S106 shown in FIG. 5 or step S205 shown in FIG. 6), the control unit 20 activates the notification unit 24, thereby preventing erroneous entry.

In addition, in the multi-story parking device 1, when the first detection unit 21 detects that the height of a vehicle entering the entry/exit section 10 exceeds the first limit height H1, and the determination unit 23 determines which entry/exit section 10 the vehicle is located in, and the height at which the vehicle can enter the entry/exit section 10 is lower than the first limit height H1 (i.e., YES in step S106 shown in FIG. 5 or step S205 shown in FIG. 6), the prohibition unit 25 prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device 1, thereby preventing, for example, the operation of the multi-story parking device 1 of transporting the entry/exit section 10 in an erroneous state to a specified storage position.

In addition, in the multi-story parking system 1 according to this embodiment, the determination unit 23 performs image recognition of the state in which the identification unit 13 located near the front end of the top surface of the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a parking operation, thereby making it possible to appropriately identify the entry/exit section 10 in which the vehicle undergoing a parking operation is located. Furthermore, if the identification unit 13 is provided, for example, in the center of the pallet in the left-right direction, where it will be hidden by a vehicle undergoing a parking operation, people walking between the pallets or near the pallet edge will not be determined to be a vehicle undergoing a parking operation, making it possible to distinguish between a vehicle undergoing a parking operation and the passage of people other than vehicles (for example, users).

In addition, in the multi-story parking system 1 according to this embodiment, the first detection unit 21, consisting of a light projector and a light receiver, is arranged so that the light L1 emitted from the light projector crosses the multiple entry/exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 in the horizontal direction. This allows for a simple configuration to properly detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entry operation exceeds the first limit height H1.

The determination unit 23 is also configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in the determination section J in the direction of the vehicle's entry. This configuration makes it possible to make a determination excluding vehicles that have already been stored in the storage/retrieval unit 10 and are in their designated storage positions. This makes it possible to appropriately determine which storage/retrieval unit 10 a vehicle undergoing a storage/retrieval operation is attempting to store in.

[First Modification of the Embodiment] <<Determination Unit is a Pair of Phototubes>>
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a camera is used as the determination unit 23, and one determination unit 23 is provided in each of the first and second storage areas R1 and R2, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the determination unit 23 may be configured with a pair of phototubes P1 and P2 (a light projector and a light receiver) instead of an image capture device such as a camera. Also, the determination unit 23 may be provided for each loading/unloading unit 10 located in the middle storage space 5 in each of the first and second storage areas R1 and R2.

In the first modified example shown in FIG. 7, a pair of photoelectric tubes P1 (23), P2 (23) are attached to the lower part of the front beam 3 and to the underside of each entry/exit section 10 (near the entrance section 12), respectively. The light L3 emitted from the spotlight extends vertically. Even with this modified example, it is possible to determine which of the multiple entry/exit sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is in a position where a vehicle is entering the parking area, because the light L3 emitted from the spotlight is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver.

[Modification 2 of the embodiment] <<Determination unit is a phototube arranged diagonally>>
In addition, in the above-mentioned modified example 1, the light L3 emitted from the floodlight extends in the vertical direction, but this is not limited to the embodiment. That is, as in modified example 2 shown in Fig. 8, a pair of phototubes P1 (23), P2 (23) may be arranged on a diagonal line on the front side of each loading/unloading section 10, and the light L3 emitted from the floodlight may be configured to extend along the diagonal line.

Even with the determination unit 23 shown in this modified example, it is possible to determine which of the multiple entry/exit units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 is located in which vehicle is currently entering the garage, because the light L3 emitted from the spotlight is blocked by the vehicle and does not reach the receiver.

[Modification 3 of the embodiment] <<The determination unit has a photoelectric tube on the periphery of the pallet>>
In the above-mentioned modified examples 1 and 2, the pair of phototubes P1, P2 constituting the determination unit 23 are attached to the lower part of the front beam 3 and the lower side of each loading/unloading section 10 (near the entrance section 12), respectively, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the pair of phototubes P1, P2 may be attached to the left and right peripheral parts in front of each pallet 11 (not shown). Even in this modified example, the determination unit 23 can be functioned.

[Modification 4 of the embodiment] <Determination unit detects moving object>
In the above embodiment, the determination unit 23 performs image recognition to detect a state in which the identification unit 13 on the top surface of the pallet 11 is hidden by a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 23 may be configured using a moving object detection method as shown in the following modified example 4.

The determination unit 23 of the fourth modified example is configured to be able to photograph vehicles entering and leaving each entry/exit unit 10. The determination unit 23 is configured to determine the entry/exit unit 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the multiple entry/exit units 10 by identifying at least one moving object detection area Md (see FIG. 11) in which a vehicle undergoing the entry operation is photographed and detected as a moving object in multiple moving object detection areas Md that are preset within the shooting range. With this configuration, the entry/exit unit 10 in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located can be appropriately identified.

Here, the determination unit 23 in variant example 4 is, for example, a camera installed above the access road in front of the entry/exit section 10. The determination unit 23 is not limited to the above camera, and may be configured to capture images of vehicles entering multiple entry/exit sections 10, such as one that captures images from the front of the entry/exit section 10 from the front side of the multi-story parking device 1 or from diagonally above. The motion detection area Md may be set in the determination section J in the above embodiment. The determination unit 23 may be configured with multiple cameras for each row of the entry/exit section 10, or may be configured with multiple or one camera that captures images of some or all of the rows together.

Below, we will explain an example of how to use the moving object detection method in variant 4 with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

The setting screens SS1 and SS2 shown in Figures 9 and 10 are mainly used to set the motion detection area. The setting screens SS1 and SS2 correspond to the screen of a computer (not shown) connected to the camera, for example. Note that the setting screens SS1 and SS2 may be screens resulting from mode switching (e.g., switching to maintenance mode) of the operation panel (not shown) of the multi-story parking device 1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the setting of the moving object detection area Md by the moving object detection method will be described. The entire area in which all the squares shown in FIG. 11 are arranged vertically and horizontally corresponds to the range in which the determination unit 23 can capture images. Each square is a unit area in which the moving object detection area Md can be set individually. In FIG. 11, the squares with dot hatching in the figure correspond to the moving object detection area Md. In this embodiment, a moving object detection area Md consisting of four squares is set in front of each loading/unloading unit 10. On the other hand, the area without dot hatching is set as being outside the moving object detection area Md.

In this way, in the fourth modification, the determination unit 23 can identify at least one moving object detection area Md in which a vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is photographed and detected as a moving object in a plurality of moving object detection areas Md that are preset in association with each of the warehousing entry and exit sections 10 within the shooting range. As a result, in this modification, the warehousing entry and exit section 10 (the warehousing entry and exit section 10 located in the center of the paper in FIG. 11) in which the vehicle undergoing a warehousing operation is located can be appropriately identified among the three warehousing entry and exit sections 10 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, if the moving object detection area Md is set, for example, only within the vehicle passage range, people walking outside that range are not determined to be vehicles undergoing a warehousing operation, so that the passage of vehicles can be distinguished from the passage of people other than vehicles (for example, users). In addition, if a vehicle is determined to be undergoing a warehousing operation only when multiple moving objects are detected simultaneously in the moving object detection area Md that is preset in association with the warehousing entry and exit section 10, only objects of a certain size can be determined to be vehicles, and passage other than vehicles can be excluded.

[Fifth Modification of the Embodiment] <<First Detection Unit is Image Processing>>
In the above embodiment, the first detector 21 is configured to include a pair of photocells P1 and P2, but is not limited to this. For example, the first detector 21 may be configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for a plurality of entrance/exit sections 10 by processing images captured by a camera.

Specifically, a camera (not shown) is attached near the first limit height H1 of the support pillar 2 of the multi-story parking device 1 so as to capture images, for example, approximately horizontally (left-right direction). The camera then uses image processing to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle being loaded exceeds the first limit height H1 for multiple loading/unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5. This makes it possible to properly identify the vehicle being loaded. Furthermore, by properly processing the images captured by the camera, it is possible to accommodate vehicles of various shapes. Furthermore, image processing may be used to distinguish between the passage of vehicles and the passage of people other than vehicles (for example, users).

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the embodiment using the identification portion 13 (such as a pallet number) provided near the front end of the top surface of the pallet 11 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, instead of the identification portion 13 (such as a pallet number), a frontage number (not shown) marked on the entrance portion 12 of each loading/unloading portion 10 may be applied.

In the above embodiment, the first detection unit 21 provided in the first storage area R1 simultaneously detects whether the height of the vehicle during the storage operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all three storage/return units 10 located in the middle storage space 5, while the first detection unit 21 provided in the second storage area R2 simultaneously detects whether the height of the vehicle during the storage operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all two storage/return units 10 located in the middle storage space 5, but this is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the first and second storage areas R1 and R2 may be regarded as one storage area, and one first detection unit 21 provided in the one storage area may be configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the storage operation exceeds the first limit height H1 for all five storage/return units 10 located in the middle storage space 5 shown in FIG. 1. For example, a pair of photocells P1, P2 constituting one first detector 21 may be attached to each of the support columns 2 located on the left and right sides of the paper in FIG. 1, and the pair of photocells P1, P2 may be configured to simultaneously detect all five loading/unloading sections 10 located in the middle storage space 5 shown in FIG. 1. The second detector 22 may also be configured in the same manner as the other embodiments of the first detector 21 described above.

In the above embodiment and its modified examples 1 to 5, the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the determination unit 23, the control unit 20, the notification unit 24, and the prohibition unit 25 have been described as being included in the elements that make up the multi-story parking device 1. However, for example, the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the determination unit 23, the control unit 20, the notification unit 24, and the prohibition unit 25 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured as a single control unit. The control unit may be provided in an existing multi-story parking device in order to remodel the existing multi-story parking device.

Alternatively, a judgment unit including at least the first detection unit 21 and the judgment unit 23 may be configured and provided in an existing multi-story parking device. Furthermore, for example, a configuration similar to the identification unit 13 described in the above embodiment may be provided on the upper surface of a pallet installed in an existing multi-story parking device. By improving an existing multi-story parking device in this way, at least the main effect described in the above embodiment (i.e., the effect that the first detection unit 21 and the judgment unit 23 make it easy to identify the entry/exit unit 10 in which a vehicle is currently entering the parking area) can be obtained. As a result, even an improved existing multi-story parking device can appropriately prevent erroneous entry.

Furthermore, the processing operations by the control unit 20 described in the above embodiment may be controlled by a computer program. The computer program may also be incorporated into a computer installed in, for example, an existing multi-story parking system. The computer then controls the equipment (photocells, cameras, etc.) installed in the existing multi-story parking system according to the computer program, making it possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above embodiment in the existing multi-story parking system.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

This disclosure can be used industrially as a mechanical multi-story parking system with multiple entry and exit sections arranged in parallel.

1: Multi-storey parking device 4: Lower storage space 5: Middle storage space 6: Upper storage space 9: Fence 10: Entry/exit section 11: Pallet 12: Access section 13: Identification section 20: Control section 21: First detection section 22: Second detection section 23: Determination section 24: Notification section 25: Prohibition section R1: First storage area R2: Second storage area H1: First limit height H2: Second limit height J: Determination section

Claims (13)

A mechanical multi-story parking device in which a plurality of entry/exit sections are arranged in parallel at an entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the parking lot,
A first detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting whether or not the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry/exit sections;
a determination unit capable of determining an entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry/exit sections ,
Each of the loading and unloading sections is
A pallet on which vehicles stored in each of the loading/unloading sections can be placed;
an identification portion disposed on an upper surface of the pallet near a front end portion thereof;
A multi-story parking device, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine which entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located by performing image recognition on the state in which the identification unit is hidden by the vehicle undergoing the entry operation . A mechanical multi-story parking device in which a plurality of entry/exit sections are arranged in parallel at an entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the parking lot,
A first detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting whether or not the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry/exit sections;
a determination unit capable of determining an entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry/exit sections,
The determination unit is configured to be able to photograph vehicles entering and leaving each of the entrance and exit sections,
A multi-story parking device, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine which entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located by identifying at least one of a plurality of motion detection areas that are preset within a shooting range and in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is detected as a moving object. The multi-story parking system according to claim 1 or 2,
The first detection unit includes a light projector and a light receiver,
A multi-story parking device, wherein the light-projector and the light-receiver are arranged so that the light emitted from the light-projector crosses the multiple entrance and exit sections in a horizontal direction. A mechanical multi-story parking device in which a plurality of entry/exit sections are arranged in parallel at an entrance level to allow vehicles to enter and exit the parking lot,
A first detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting whether or not the height of a vehicle during a warehousing operation exceeds a first limit height for the plurality of entry/exit sections;
a determination unit capable of determining an entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located among the plurality of entry/exit sections,
A multi-story parking device, wherein the first detection unit is configured to simultaneously detect whether the height of the vehicle during the entrance/exit operation exceeds the first limit height for the multiple entrance/exit sections by image processing using camera photography. The multi -story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A multi-story parking device further comprising a second detection unit capable of simultaneously detecting the height of the vehicle undergoing the entering/exiting operation for the multiple entry/exit sections based on a second limit height set at a position higher than the first limit height. The multi -story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The plurality of entry/exit sections have different entry heights according to the storage spaces allocated to them among the plurality of storage spaces provided in the multi-story parking device,
A multi-story parking device, wherein the first limit height is set corresponding to the entry/exit section at a relatively low entry height. The multi-story parking system according to claim 6 ,
A control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit,
The control unit selects whether or not to apply the detection result by the first detection unit to control at the entry/exit unit where the determination unit has determined that the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located, based on the entry height corresponding to the storage space assigned to the entry/exit unit. The multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A control unit for controlling the first detection unit and the determination unit,
A multi-story parking device, wherein the control unit is configured to control the detection result by the first detection unit and the judgment result by the judgment unit in association with each other. The multi-story parking system according to claim 7 or 8 ,
Further comprising an alarm unit controlled by the control unit,
The control unit activates the alarm unit when the first detection unit detects that the height of a vehicle undergoing entry into the entry/exit section exceeds the first limit height and the determination unit determines the entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing entry is located, and when the entry height of the entry/exit section in which the vehicle undergoing entry is located is lower than the first limit height. The multi-story parking system according to claim 7 or 8 ,
Further comprising a prohibition unit controlled by the control unit,
The control unit of the multi-story parking device is a multi-story parking device in which, when the first detection unit detects that the height of a vehicle undergoing entry into the entry/exit unit exceeds the first limit height and the determination unit determines the entry/exit unit in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located, and when the entry height of the entry/exit unit in which the vehicle undergoing the entry operation is located is lower than the first limit height, the prohibition unit prohibits all or part of the operation of the multi-story parking device . The multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
A multi-story parking device, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in a determination section set in a range extending from the front of the multi-story parking device to the front end of the designated entry position in the direction in which the vehicle enters. A computer program for causing a multi-story parking device to function as the multi-story parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 . A method for modifying a multi-story parking device, comprising providing the first detection unit and the judgment unit to an existing multi-story parking device and causing it to function as the multi-story parking device described in any one of claims 1 to 11 .

Images