Article storage facility management device and article storage facility management method

Abstract

Management devices (20A, 20B), which are article storage facility management devices, are connected to a measurer (17) that measures the current value of electric power used in charging processing of electric vehicles parked in a mechanical parking lot (10), and the management devices (20A, 20B) are provided with operation processing units (221A, 221B) and processing content changing units (224A, 224B). The operation processing units (221A, 221B) determine the operation content of a drive device (15) that moves a pallet on which a vehicle is mounted in a mechanical parking lot (10), and the processing content of a charging device (14). The processing content changing units (224A, 224B) change the operation content of the drive device (15) or the processing content of the charging device (14) determined by the operation processing units (221A, 221B) when the information of the current value acquired from the measurer (17) is equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a management device for article storage equipment and a management method for article storage equipment. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles using battery power as a power source have become popular. As electric vehicles become popular, it is required to equip a device (charging device) for charging the battery.

[0003] The charging facility is installed in a parking lot in an apartment or large facility, so that the battery can be charged while the electric vehicle is parked in the parking lot.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5156583

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5667812 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] In addition to charging equipment, mechanical parking lots also have various equipment for operating the parking lot. These equipment are operated by electricity and sometimes consume relatively large amounts of electricity depending on the situation. For example, when a pallet loaded with vehicles is raised or lowered, the power consumption of the equipment increases.

[0010] The manager of a mechanical parking lot equipped with charging equipment sets a contracted power amount in the contract with the power company regarding the power use of the parking lot. When the pallet is raised and lowered during the charging of multiple electric vehicles in the mechanical parking lot, the power consumption of the parking lot increases sharply. In order to cope with such a situation, the manager sets the contracted power amount to a larger value in advance. However, the larger the contracted power amount, the higher the electricity bill.

[0011] In addition, a power receiving and transforming device (power receiving device) is installed in the mechanical parking lot to convert the transmitted high voltage into the voltage used by the load. When the mechanical parking lot is equipped with charging equipment, the power receiving and transforming device is enlarged according to the increase in the supplied power. In order to cope with such a situation, the manager sets the power receiving and transforming device to be larger in advance. However, the larger the power receiving and transforming device is, the higher the price is, or the more installation space is required.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a management device for an article storage device and a management method for an article storage device, which can suppress the maximum demand power in an article storage device equipped with a power supply device, and efficiently perform power supply to stored articles and operation of machines in the article storage device.

[0013] Means for solving the problem

[0014] A management device for an article storage device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a current value acquisition unit that acquires information on a current value of power used in power supply processing of a power supply device provided in the article storage device for articles stored in the article storage device; an operation processing unit that determines operation contents of a carrier operation mechanism that moves a carrier loaded with articles in the article storage device and processing contents of the power supply device; and a processing content change unit that changes the operation contents of the carrier operation mechanism or the processing contents of the power supply device determined by the operation processing unit when the information on the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value.

[0015] In addition, in a management method for an article storage device according to an aspect of the present invention, information on a current value of power used in power supply processing of a power supply device provided in the article storage device for articles stored in the article storage device is acquired, and when the acquired information on the current value becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value, the operation contents of a carrier operation mechanism that moves a carrier loaded with articles in the article storage device or the processing contents of the power supply device are changed.

[0016] Effect of the invention

[0017] According to the management device for an article storage device and the management method for an article storage device of the present invention, in an article storage device equipped with a power supply device, the maximum demand power can be suppressed, and power supply to stored articles that are power supply objects and operation of machines in the article storage device can be efficiently performed. Description of the drawings

[0018] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking lot management system using the parking lot management device of the first and second embodiments.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the parking lot management device of the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3A It is a graph exemplifying the time change of the power consumption measured by a measuring device and the power consumption in the entire parking lot when the number of electric vehicles being charged in a mechanical parking lot is small in the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3B This is a graph showing the time-varying usage power of electricity measured by a measuring device and the power of electricity consumed in the entire parking lot when the number of electric vehicles being charged in the mechanical parking lot is relatively large in the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4A This is a graph showing the power of electricity used and the amount of reduction in the movement of each pallet in the mechanical parking lot managed by the parking lot management device of the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4B This is a graph showing the power of electricity used and the amount of reduction in the movement of each pallet in the mechanical parking lot managed by the parking lot management device of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the parking lot management device of the second embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0025] Hereinafter, the management system (parking lot management system) and management method of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The management system uses a parking lot management device as an example of the management device of the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] <<First Embodiment>>

[0027] <Structures of the Management System>

[0028] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the management system 1A using the parking lot management device as the article storage repository according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The management system 1A includes a mechanical parking lot 10 and a management device (mechanical parking lot management device) 20A. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the "mechanical parking lot" will be simply referred to as the "parking lot".

[0029] The parking lot 10 is equipped with storage racks (storage shelves) P1 to P6, power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6, pallets 12-1 to 12-6, and chargers 13-1 to 13-6. In addition, the number of storage racks, power supply devices, pallets, and chargers is not limited to 6. The storage racks P1 to P6 are arranged in the building B to store vehicles as target items. The power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6 are respectively arranged near the corresponding storage racks P1 to P6 to supply power from a commercial power source. The pallets 12-1 to 12-6 are arranged corresponding to the storage racks P1 to P6 and are carriers for loading and transporting vehicles. The chargers 13-1 to 13-6 are arranged corresponding to the respective pallets 12-1 to 12-6. The chargers 13-1 to 13-6 respectively have power plugs 13a-1 to 13a-6 installed on the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6. The power plugs 13a-1 to 13a-6 of the respective chargers 13-1 to 13-6 are installed on the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6. Thus, charging devices 14-1 to 14-6 are constructed. Contacts 11a-1 to 11a-6 are provided on the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6, and these contacts 11a-1 to 11a-6 are used to switch the on / off state of the power supply to the corresponding charging devices.

[0030] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience in explanation, when it is not certain which power supply device among the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6 it is, it is described as the power supply device 11. Similarly, when it is not certain which contact among the contacts 11a-1 to 11a-6 it is, it is described as the contact 11a. Similarly, when it is not certain which pallet among the pallets 12-1 to 12-6 it is, it is described as the pallet 12. Similarly, when it is not certain which charger among the chargers 13-1 to 13-6 it is, it is described as the charger 13. Similarly, when it is not certain which power plug among the power plugs 13a-1 to 13a-6 it is, it is described as the power plug 13a. Similarly, when it is not certain which storage rack among the storage racks P1 to P6 it is, it is described as the storage rack P. Similarly, when it is not certain which charging device among the charging devices 14-1 to 14-6 it is, it is described as the charging device 14.

[0031] In addition, the parking lot 10 is a tower-type or lift-type mechanical parking lot. The parking lot 10 is provided with a driving device 15, a control device (parking lot control device) 16, a measuring device 17, a management device (charging device management device) 18, and an operation panel 19. The driving device 15 is a pallet operating mechanism (carrier operating mechanism) that moves pallets 12-1 to 12-6 between the entrance and exit (not shown) of the building B and each storage shelf (parking space) P1 to P6. The control device 16 controls the driving device 15. The measuring device 17 measures the current value of the electric power supplied by the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6, and sends the measurement result to the management device 18. The management device 18 controls the on / off states of the contacts 11a to 11a-6 according to the instructions from the management device 20A, obtains the charging status information of each charging device, and sends it to the management device 20A. In addition, the management device 18 sends the information (data) of the current value obtained from the measuring device 17 to the management device 20A. The operation panel 19 obtains the operation information of the user and sends it to the management device 20A.

[0032] The management device 20A includes a storage unit 21 and a CPU 22A. The storage unit 21 has a first storage unit (threshold storage unit) 211 and a second storage unit (set value storage unit) 212.

[0033] The operation content of the driving device 15 or the processing content of the power supply device 11 is changed so that the amount of electric power used in the mechanical parking lot 10 does not exceed the contract electric power amount. Therefore, the first storage unit 211 stores a first threshold value for determining whether to change the above operation content or processing content. The first threshold value is a threshold value of the amount of electric power (i.e., the power consumption) related to the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6. In addition, the first storage unit 211 stores a second threshold value for determining whether to return the changed content to the original content after the operation content of the driving device 15 or the processing content of the power supply device 11 is changed.

[0034] The second threshold value can be the same as the first threshold value or a value lower than the first threshold value. In the latter case, it is possible to avoid the situation where the above-mentioned process of changing the processing content and the process of restoring the changed content are frequently repeated due to the occurrence of unstable control.

[0035] The second storage unit 212 stores various information. The various information is, for example, the maximum demand electric power amount related to the parking lot 10, the set value of the maximum acceleration of the pallet 12 when the driving device 15 moves the pallet 12, and the set value of the maximum speed.

[0036] The CPU 22A includes an operation processing unit 221A, a current value acquisition unit 222, a determination unit 223, and a processing content change unit 224A.

[0037] The operation processing unit 221A determines the operation content of the drive device 15 based on the operation content of the user obtained from the operation panel 19 and the like, and sends an operation instruction based on the determined content to the control device 16. In addition, the operation processing unit 221A determines the processing content of the charging device, and sends an operation instruction based on the determined content to the management device 18.

[0038] The current value acquisition unit 222 acquires information (data) of the current value measured by the measuring device 17 from the management device 18. The determination unit 223 determines whether the information of the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211. When the determination unit 223 determines that the information of the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the processing content change unit 224A changes the operation content of the drive device 15 determined by the operation processing unit 221A. For example, as a change in the operation content, the processing content change unit 224A reduces the set value of the maximum acceleration of the pallet 12 stored in the second storage unit 212.

[0039] 〈Operation of the management system〉

[0040] The operation of the management system 1A will be described. When the user parks the electric vehicle in the parking lot 10, the user parks the electric vehicle in front of the entrance / exit (not shown) of the parking lot 10 and operates the operation panel 19 to request an entry process. The operation panel 19 sends the information of the entry process request input by the user to the management device 20A.

[0041] When the management device 20A acquires the entry process request sent from the operation panel 19, the management device 20A generates an execution instruction for an entry call for the operation processing unit 221A to move a predetermined pallet 12 to the entrance / exit. At this time, the operation processing unit 221A generates an instruction to move the corresponding pallet 12 based on the set value of the maximum acceleration and the set value of the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212. The operation processing unit 221A sends the generated instruction to the parking lot 10.

[0042] In the parking lot 10, the control device 16 controls the drive device 15 according to the execution instruction of the entry call obtained from the management device 20A. For example, the control device 16 moves a predetermined pallet 12 to the entrance / exit. When the pallet 12 stops, the control device 16 opens the door of the entrance / exit.

[0043] When the door of the entrance / exit is opened, the user moves the electric vehicle onto the pallet 12 and connects the charger 13 of the pallet 12 to the electric vehicle using a charging cable. After that, the user operates the operation panel 19 to close the door of the entrance / exit. Information such as a door closing instruction generated by this operation is sent to the control device 16 via the management device 20A.

[0044] Based on the obtained door closing instruction, the control device 16 closes the door of the entrance / exit after confirming the safety of the entrance / exit. After that, the action processing unit 221A generates an instruction to move the pallet 12 to a predetermined shelf P and sends this instruction to the control device 16.

[0045] The control device 16 controls the drive device 15 according to the instruction obtained from the action processing unit 221A to move the pallet 12 to a predetermined shelf P. When the pallet 12 moves to the shelf P, the power plug 13a of the charger 13 of the pallet 12 is installed on the power supply device 11, thereby constructing the charging device 14.

[0046] The electric vehicle stored in the parking lot 10 is charged by the charging device 14 at a predetermined period and a predetermined timing. The charging process executed by the charging device 14 is controlled by the management device 18. The management device 18 controls the charging device 14 based on the instruction from the action processing unit 221A of the management device 20A. In addition, the current value for charging can vary according to the type of the vehicle to be charged or the charging speed selected by the user.

[0047] In addition, when the user operates the operation panel 19 during storage, door closing, or other scenarios, the operation panel 19 can receive the current value for charging, the type of the vehicle to be charged, the charging speed selected by the user, the scheduled departure time, or the battery capacity of the electric vehicle. When any of this information is input, the operation panel 19 sends this information to the management device 20A. Also, in this case, the current value for charging can vary according to the value set in advance through the operation panel 19 or the setting value on the side of the stored electric vehicle.

[0048] In addition, the management device 20A can store the order (storage order) of the stored electric vehicles based on the user's operation of the operation panel 19. In this case, the timing for starting the charging process can be set based on the above-mentioned order stored in the management device 20A.

[0049] During the charging process executed by the charging device 14, the measurer 17 measures the current value of the power supplied by the power supply devices 11-1 to 11-6 at a predetermined time interval and sends the measurement result to the management device 18. The management device 18 sequentially sends the information on the current value obtained from the measurer 17 to the management device 20A.

[0050] Figure 2It is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the management device 20A during the charging process performed by the charging device 14. In the management device 20A, the current value acquisition unit 222 acquires information on the current values sequentially transmitted from the management device 18. The determination unit 223 monitors the information on the current values sequentially acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 and determines whether the acquired current value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211 (S1).

[0051] The current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is the current value of the power consumed by the charging device 14. In other words, the current value acquisition unit 222 measures the current value of the power used by the charging device 14. When this current value is less than the first threshold value, it is considered that the charging device 14 is in a low load state (normal state), and when this current value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is considered that the charging device 14 is in a high load state. That is, during the period when the determination unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is less than the first threshold value ("No" in S1), it can be determined that the charging device 14 is in a low load state. Therefore, in this case, the operation processing unit 221A determines the processing content in such a way as to operate the drive device 15 and the charging device 14 using the information pre-stored in the second storage unit 212.

[0052] Here, the amount of power consumed by the devices and equipment in the parking lot 10 when the operation processing unit 221A operates the drive device 15 and the charging device 14 using the information pre-stored in the second storage unit 212 is described.

[0053] Figure 3A It is a graph exemplifying the change over time of the power consumption amount E2-1 measured by the measuring device 17 and the change over time of the total power consumption amount E3-1 of the entire parking lot 10. Figure 3A The power consumption amount E2-1 in shows the value in the case where the number of electric vehicles being charged in the parking lot 10 is relatively small (for example, when charging one electric vehicle). Figure 3A The maximum demand power amount E0 of the parking lot 10 and the first threshold value E1 stored in the threshold storage unit 211 are also shown. The maximum demand power amount E0 is, for example, the contract power amount related to the parking lot 10. The power amount E3-1 is approximately equal to the sum of the power consumption amount E2-1 and the power consumption amount of the drive device 15.

[0054] When the operation processing unit 221A instructs the movement of the pallet 12 at time t0, the driving device 15 starts the movement of the pallet 12 under the control of the control device 16. When the pallet 12 starts to move and the acceleration of its movement increases, the power consumption increases (from time t0 to t1). When the acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 reaches the maximum acceleration stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t1), the maximum acceleration is maintained for a predetermined period, and during this period, the change in power consumption becomes stable (from time t1 to t2).

[0055] After that, when the moving speed of the pallet 12 approaches the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t2), the acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 decreases, and the power consumption decreases (from time t2 to t3). When the moving speed of the pallet 12 reaches the maximum speed and the acceleration becomes 0 (time t3), the constant-speed operation of the pallet 12 is performed for a predetermined time period, and during this period, the change in power consumption becomes stable (from time t3 to t4).

[0056] After that, when the position of the pallet 12 approaches the target position (time t4), the moving speed of the pallet 12 decreases, and the power consumption decreases (from time t4 to t5). When the pallet 12 reaches the target position and the moving speed of the pallet 12 becomes 0, that is, when the pallet 12 stops (time t5), the power consumption E3-1 used is approximately equal to the charged power consumption E2-1.

[0057] When the number of electric vehicles charged in the parking lot 10 increases, the current value of the power used (consumed) by the charging device 14 increases. This current value is obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222. When the determination unit 223 determines that the current value obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value ("Yes" in S1), the processing content change unit 224A decreases the set value of the maximum acceleration of the pallet 12 when the driving device 15 moves the pallet 12, which is stored in the second storage unit 212 (S2). In addition, as the processing of step S2, the processing content change unit 224A may also decrease the set value of the maximum speed of the pallet 12, or may decrease both the set value of the maximum acceleration and the set value of the maximum speed of the pallet 12. That is, as the processing of step S2, the processing content change unit 224A decreases at least one of the set value of the maximum acceleration and the set value of the maximum speed of the pallet 12.

[0058] When performing the movement operation of the pallet 12 after the set value of the maximum acceleration stored in the second storage unit 212 decreases, the operation processing unit 221A generates an instruction to move the pallet 12 based on the newly set (i.e., updated) set value of the maximum acceleration and / or the set value of the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212. Then, the control device 16 controls the driving device 15 based on the instruction generated by the operation processing unit 221A to move the pallet 12.

[0059] By performing the above series of processes, the movement of the pallet 12 can be executed with less power than in the case where the operation content of the pallet 12 is not changed even when the current value becomes equal to or higher than the first threshold value. Here, the power consumption of the equipment and devices in the parking lot 10 when the operation processing unit 221A determines the operation to move the pallet 12 using the changed information in the second storage unit 212 will be described.

[0060] Figure 3B It is a graph illustrating the change over time of the power consumption E2-2 measured by the measuring device 17 and the change over time of the power consumption E3-2 of the entire parking lot 10. Figure 3B The power consumption E2-2 in [the graph] illustrates the value in the case where the number of electric vehicles being charged in the parking lot 10 is relatively large (for example, the case of charging 6 electric vehicles). In addition, Figure 3B The maximum demand power of the parking lot 10, E0, and the first threshold value E1 stored in the threshold storage unit 211 are also described. The power consumption E3-2 is approximately equal to the sum of the power consumption E2-2 for charging and the power consumption of the drive device 15.

[0061] When the operation processing unit 221A instructs the movement of the pallet 12 at time t0, the drive device 15 starts the movement of the pallet 12 under the control of the control device 16. When the movement of the pallet 12 starts and the acceleration of its movement increases, the power consumption increases (from time t0 to t6). When the acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 reaches the changed maximum acceleration stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t6), the maximum acceleration is maintained for a predetermined period, and during this period, the change in power consumption becomes stable (from time t6 to t7).

[0062] The changed maximum acceleration is lower than the maximum acceleration before the change. Therefore, the increase in power consumption during the period from time t0 to t6 is less than the increase in power consumption during the above period from time t0 to t1.

[0063] After that, when the moving speed of the pallet 12 approaches the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t7), the acceleration of the movement decreases and the power consumption decreases (from time t7 to t8). When the moving speed of the pallet 12 reaches the maximum speed and the acceleration becomes 0 (time t8), constant-speed operation is performed for a predetermined time, and during this period, the change in power consumption becomes stable (from time t8 to t9).

[0064] Thereafter, when the position of the pallet 12 approaches the target position (time t9), the moving speed of the pallet 12 decreases, and the power consumption decreases (time t9 to t10). When the pallet 12 reaches the target position and the moving speed of the pallet 12 becomes 0, that is, when the pallet 12 stops (time t10), the power consumption E3-2 during use is approximately equal to the power consumption E2-2 during charging.

[0065] In this way, when the number of electric vehicles being charged in the parking lot 10 is large, the set value of the maximum acceleration is decreased. As a result, even if the pallet 12 moves, the total power consumption E3-2 of the entire parking lot 10 will not exceed the maximum required power E0, and various processes can be executed.

[0066] Thereafter, the determination unit 223 monitors the information of the current values sequentially acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222, and determines whether the acquired current value is equal to or less than the second threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211 (S3). At this time, through the process of step S2, the second storage unit 212 stores the maximum acceleration and / or the maximum speed decreased from the normal set value.

[0067] When the number of charging stations in the parking lot 10 decreases and it is determined in the determination unit 223 that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 becomes equal to or less than the second threshold value (Yes in S3), the process content change unit 224A changes the set value of the maximum acceleration and / or the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212 back to the original set value (normal set value) (S4), and the process of the present embodiment returns to step S1.

[0068] According to the first embodiment described above, when the power used by the charging device 14 is large, the management device 20A decreases the maximum acceleration and / or the maximum speed when the pallet 12 moves, thereby reducing the power consumption. As a result, the maximum required power of the parking lot 10 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently execute charging of electric vehicles and operation of equipment in the parking lot 10 without increasing the contract power.

[0069] In addition, regarding the set value decreased when reducing the power consumption for the movement of the pallet 12, instead of the maximum acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12, the set value of the maximum speed of the pallet 12 may be set.

[0070] Further, in the case where charging can be performed with different current values for each pallet, a limit value of the maximum power consumption used during the movement of one pallet 12 may be preset, and when reducing the power consumption used during the movement of the pallet 12, by reducing this limit value, the power consumption used for each of the plurality of pallets 12 moving simultaneously is decreased.

[0071] In addition, in a case where it is predicted that the elapsed time until the pallet 12 stops at time t10 becomes too long (for example, it is clearly known that it takes 5 minutes or more until the vehicle exits the warehouse), a limit time can be set. The management device 20A can monitor the elapsed time, and when the elapsed time exceeds the limit time, it stops further reduction of the power amount related to the movement of the pallet 12 and reduces the charging power amount of the electric vehicle.

[0072] Figure 4A and Figure 4B shows the power amounts used for the movement of the pallets 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 during the movement operation. For example, as Figure 4A shown, by reducing the limit value E4, in a case where the power amounts used for the movement of the pallets 12-2 and 12-3 exceed the limit value E4, the action contents related to the movement of these two pallets are changed to cut the excess power amount shown by the slashes. Specifically, the acceleration or movement speed of the movement of the pallets 12-2 and 12-3 is reduced.

[0073] Or, as Figure 4B shown, the power amounts used by the pallets 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 during the movement operation can also be reduced at a certain ratio, for example, 20% shown by the slashes. By performing these processes, it is possible to fairly cut the power amounts used for multiple pallets.

[0074] In a case where the parking lot to be managed is a jigsaw parking lot, when the power used by the charging equipment is large, the power amount used for the movement of the pallets can be reduced by reducing the number of pallets that can move simultaneously in the parking lot set in advance.

[0075] In addition, as long as the power amount E3-2 does not exceed the maximum demand power amount E0, the reduced number of pallets can be adjusted to shorten the time from when the user calls the vehicle until the vehicle can be used. For example, in a case where the number of pallets that can move simultaneously in the normal state is 30 pallets, the number of pallets set in advance is reduced, and the number of pallets that can move simultaneously is changed to 10 pallets. In this case, when it is predicted that the time from when the user calls the vehicle until the vehicle arrives and can be used exceeds the predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes), the number of pallets that can move simultaneously is reduced to, for example, 20 pallets (the reduced number of pallets at this time is 10) so that the time until the vehicle can be used converges within the predetermined time (for example, within 5 minutes). And the current amount for charging the electric vehicle can also be reduced at the same time.

[0076] 《Second Embodiment》

[0077] 〈Structure of Management System〉

[0078] The structure of the management system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the Figure 1 parking lot management system 1A described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the detailed description of the parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0079] In the present embodiment, when the determination unit 223 determines that the information of the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing content change unit 224B in the CPU 22B of the management device (parking lot management device) 20B changes the processing mode of the operation processing unit 221B from the normal mode to the charging adjustment mode. The charging adjustment mode is a processing mode for performing the following processing: reducing the amount of power used by the charging device 14 before the movement of the pallet 12 starts.

[0080] <Operation of the management system>

[0081] In the present embodiment, the processing performed by the user when the electric vehicle enters the parking lot 10 and the processing performed in the parking lot 10 according to the instruction of the management device 20B are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Therefore, the detailed description of these processes is omitted.

[0082] The charging process of the electric vehicle entering the parking lot 10 in the present embodiment is also the same as the charging process in the first embodiment. That is, the charging process is performed by the charging device 14. The charging process performed by the charging device 14 is controlled by the management device 18. The management device 18 controls the charging device 14 based on the instruction from the operation processing unit 221B of the management device 20B.

[0083] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the management device 20B during the charging process performed by the charging device 14. The current value acquisition unit 222 of the management device 20B acquires the information of the current value sequentially transmitted from the management device 18. The determination unit 223 monitors the information of the current value sequentially acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 and determines whether it is equal to or greater than the first threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211 (S11).

[0084] During the period when the determination unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is less than the first threshold value ("No" in S11), it can be determined that the charging device 14 is in a low load state (normal state). During this period, the operation processing unit 221B performs the processing of operating the drive device 15 and the charging device 14 in the normal mode. That is, the operation processing unit 221B operates the drive device 15 and the charging device 14 using the information stored in the second storage unit 212 in advance.

[0085] When the number of electric vehicles charging in the parking lot 10 increases, the current value of the power consumed by the charging device 14 increases. This current value is obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222. When the determination unit 223 determines that the current value obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222 becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value ("Yes" in S11), the processing content change unit 224B changes the processing mode of the operation processing unit 221B from the normal mode to the charging adjustment mode (S12).

[0086] After changing the processing mode to the charging adjustment mode, when a movement process of the pallet 12 occurs ("Yes" in S13), the operation processing unit 221B changes the operation of the charging device 14 so as to reduce the amount of power used by the charging device 14 before the start of the movement of the pallet 12 (S14). In order to reduce the amount of power used by the charging device 14, the operation processing unit 221B reduces the number of electric vehicles being charged, for example, by stopping the charging process of a part of the electric vehicles. Alternatively, in order to reduce the amount of power used by the charging device 14, the operation processing unit 221B can reduce the charging speed of the vehicles being charged (i.e., the amount of power supplied per unit time).

[0087] In addition, among the multiple vehicles that have entered the parking lot and have set the scheduled departure time, the vehicles with an earlier scheduled departure time can continue to be charged. On the other hand, for the vehicles with a later scheduled departure time, the power supply amount is preferentially reduced or the power supply is stopped. Thereby, the situation where charging is not performed at the time of wanting to depart can be reduced.

[0088] The above charging and the power supply amount can be controlled based on the battery capacity of the electric vehicle. For example, vehicles with a large battery capacity can continue to be charged, and for vehicles with a small battery capacity, the power supply amount is preferentially reduced or the power supply is stopped.

[0089] The amount of power used in the movement process of the pallet 12 can be pre-identified based on past performance. When reducing the amount of power used by the charging device 14, the operation processing unit 221B determines the number of vehicles for which the charging process is to be stopped based on this past performance.

[0090] In addition, since the charging of the electric vehicle starts at the warehousing time point, when the predicted current value becomes equal to or higher than the first threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211, the charging of the newly warehoused vehicle may not be performed until the total charging current of the newly warehoused electric vehicle and the charging current of the vehicle already being charged becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value. Further, in the case where there are a plurality of newly warehoused vehicles, the newly added vehicle included in the calculation of the total current value may be set as an object starting from the vehicle warehoused earlier. By controlling the charging object and the start of charging in this way, a situation where the first threshold value is greatly exceeded due to the charging of the vehicles warehoused in sequence is prevented. In addition, for the vehicles warehoused after these vehicles, charging can be started after the charging of the vehicles that have already been charged is completed.

[0091] In this way, the amount of power used by the charging device 14 is reduced immediately before the movement process of the pallet 12 is performed. Thereby, even when the movement process of the pallet 12 is performed, it is possible to prevent the total amount of power used in the entire parking lot 10 from exceeding the maximum demand power.

[0092] After that, when the movement process of the pallet ends (Yes in S15), the operation processing unit 221B returns the operation of the charging device changed in step S14 to the original operation (S16). In order to return the operation of the charging device 14 to the original operation, the operation processing unit 221B, for example, restarts the charging of the electric vehicle whose charging has been stopped, or returns the charging speed to the original speed.

[0093] When the number of charging stations in the parking lot 10 decreases and it is determined in the determination unit 223 that the current value obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222 becomes equal to or lower than the second threshold value (Yes in S17), the processing content change unit 224B returns the processing mode of the operation processing unit 221B from the charging adjustment mode to the normal mode (S18), and the processing of the present embodiment returns to step S11.

[0094] In step S17, during the period when the determination unit 223 determines that the current value of the power used by the charging device 14 is not in the low load state (normal state) where it is equal to or lower than the second threshold value (No in S17), it can be determined that the charging device 14 is in the low load state. Therefore, in this case, the processing of steps S13 to S16 is repeated.

[0095] According to the above second embodiment, when the movement process of the pallet occurs while the amount of power used by the charging device 14 in the parking lot 10 is large, the management device 20B reduces the amount of power used by the charging device 14. Thereby, the maximum demand power of the parking lot 10 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to efficiently perform the charging of the electric vehicle and the operation of the equipment in the parking lot 10 without increasing the contract power amount.

[0096] In addition, a parking lot management device can be configured. The parking lot management device switches and executes the response content when the information of the current value obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222 becomes equal to or higher than a preset first threshold value for each week, each time period, or each season, through the processes described in the first embodiment and the processes described in the second embodiment.

[0097] For example, when the actions of the drive device 15 performed by the parking lot control device 16 are frequent, such as during the morning commuting time period, the management device 20A (20B) can reduce the amount of power used by the charging device 14 as described in the second embodiment, and reduce the amount of power used for the movement of the pallet 12 as described in the first embodiment during other time periods.

[0098] For example, when the number of incoming vehicles to the parking lot 10 increases during the night time period, the management device 20A (20B) can also reduce the amount of power used for the movement of the pallet 12 in order to ensure as much as possible the amount of power used by the charging device 14.

[0099] For example, during a week or season when the number of incoming vehicles increases, the management device 20A (20B) can also reduce the amount of power used for the movement of the pallet 12 in order to ensure as much as possible the amount of power used by the charging device 14.

[0100] For example, regardless of the week, time period, or season, when the number of incoming vehicles to the parking lot 10 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the management device 20A (20B) can reduce the amount of power used for the movement of the pallet 12 in order to ensure as much as possible the amount of power used by the charging device 14.

[0101] For example, the management device 20A (20B) can also determine a week, time period, or season with frequent incoming and outgoing actions based on the past usage status of the parking lot 10, and during the determined week, time period, or season, reduce the amount of power used for the movement of the pallet 12 in order to ensure as much as possible the amount of power used by the charging device 14.

[0102] That is to say, the management device 20A (20B) (processing content change unit 224A (224B)) can switch the change of the action content of the drive device 15 and the change of the processing content (processing mode) of the action processing unit 221A (221B) according to a predetermined condition when the information of the current value obtained by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value. By performing the above-mentioned processes, the amount of power used in the parking lot 10 can be reduced more efficiently.

[0103] In addition, when the management device 20A (20B) receives a request to reduce the maximum demand power from an electric power company or the like regarding the amount of electric power used in the parking lot 10, it can reduce both the amount of electric power used by the charging device 14 and the amount of electric power used during the movement of the pallet 12.

[0104] In addition, in a week or time period when the total amount of electric power consumed by the entire building B where the parking lot 10 is installed exceeds a predetermined value, the parking lot management device can similarly reduce both the amount of electric power used by the charging device 14 and the amount of electric power used during the movement of the pallet 12.

[0105] In addition, the processing content change unit 224B of the management device 20B can be set to change the processing content of the charging device 14 corresponding to a part of the pallets 12 preset among the plurality of pallets 12 or pallets 12 other than the preset part of the pallets 12 when changing the processing content of the charging device 14. For example, when the parking lot 10 to be managed shares a company vehicle parking lot and a customer parking lot, in order to preferentially charge the customer's vehicle, when reducing the amount of electric power used by the charging device 14 before the start of the movement of the pallet 12 in step S14, it can be set to reduce only the electric power of the charging device 14 corresponding to the pallet 12 of the company vehicle, or it can be set to reduce only the electric power of the charging device 14 other than the charging device 14 corresponding to the pallet 12 of the customer vehicle.

[0106] By performing such processing, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of electric power used in the parking lot 10 as needed.

[0107] In the above first and second embodiments, as one mode of the management device of the article storage device, a management device for managing a parking lot (mechanical parking lot) equipped with a charging device has been described. However, the embodiment of the management device of the article storage device is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure an article storage device management device that manages a storage device having a power supply device for performing power supply processing on articles being stored other than vehicles, with the same functions as the above mechanical parking lot management device. For example, the article storage device can be a drone port, the stored article can be a drone battery, the power supply device can be a device for supplying power to the stored drone battery, and the article storage device management device can be a management device for managing them. In addition, as the article stored in the article storage device and the article to be powered, for example, there are electronic devices such as portable power supply devices, or equipment such as refrigerators that operate using electric energy.

[0108] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but modifications or variations of the embodiments can be made based on the above disclosure. All the constituent elements of the above embodiments and all the features described in the patent protection scope can be separately extracted and combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0109] For example, when it is predicted that the delay time described later exceeds the limit time, the processing content change unit can change the processing content of the power supply device that reduces the number of items powered by the power supply device. When the operation content of the transporter operation mechanism is changed, the elapsed time from when the transporter movement instruction is received from the transporter operation mechanism until the movement of the transporter is completed is longer than the time before the operation content is changed. Among them, the change in the operation content of the transporter operation mechanism is to reduce at least one of the set value of the maximum acceleration and the set value of the maximum speed when the transporter operation mechanism moves the transporter, or to reduce the set value of the number of transporters that can move simultaneously. This extended time is the above-mentioned delay time. For example, in the comparison with Figure 3A and Figure 3B it corresponds to the difference between time t10 and time t5. That is, the delay time refers to the difference in the elapsed time until the movement of the transporter is completed between before and after the change in the operation content (in other words, the difference in the execution time of the operation content before and after the change).

[0110] For example, the management device (such as the determination unit 223) predicts whether the delay time exceeds a predetermined limit time (such as 5 minutes). When the management device predicts that the delay time exceeds the predetermined limit time, the processing content change unit changes the processing content of the power supply device that reduces the number of items powered by the power supply device. And the processing content change unit can also re-change the movement content so that the delay time does not exceed the predetermined limit time.

[0111] Description of reference numerals

[0112] 1A, 1B Management system (parking lot management system)

[0113] 10 Parking lot (mechanical parking lot)

[0114] 11a, 11a-1 to 11a-6 Contacts

[0115] 12, 12-1 to 12-6 Pallets

[0116] 13, 13-1 to 13-6 Chargers

[0117] 13a, 13a-1 to 13a-6 Power plugs

[0118] 14, 14-1 to 14-6 Charging devices

[0119] 15 Driving device

[0120] 16 Control device (parking lot control device)

[0121] 17 Measuring device

[0122] 18 Management device (charging device management device)

[0123] 19 Operation panel

[0124] 20A, 20B Management devices (mechanical parking lot management devices)

[0125] 21 Storage unit

[0126] 211 First storage unit (threshold value storage unit)

[0127] 212 Second storage unit (set value storage unit)

[0128] 22A, 22B CPUs

[0129] 221A, 221B Action processing units

[0130] 222 Current value acquisition unit

[0131] 223 Judgment unit

[0132] 224A, 224B Processing content change units

Claims

1. A management device for an article storage device, characterized in that, it comprises: a current value acquisition unit that acquires information on the current value of the electric power used in the power supply process of the power supply device provided in the article storage device for the articles stored in the article storage device; an operation processing unit that determines the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism for moving the carrier loaded with articles within the article storage device and the processing content of the power supply device; and a processing content change unit that changes the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism or the processing content of the power supply device determined by the operation processing unit when the information on the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value.

2. The management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the information on the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value, the processing content change unit changes the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism or the processing content of the power supply device so that the total value of the electric power used by the power supply device and the electric power used by the carrier operation mechanism does not exceed a predetermined value.

3. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the processing content change unit changes the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism by reducing at least one of the set value of the maximum acceleration and the set value of the maximum speed when the carrier operation mechanism moves the carrier, or changes the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism by reducing the set value of the number of carriers that can move simultaneously, or changes the processing content of the power supply device by reducing the number of articles supplied with power by the power supply device.

4. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the processing content change unit switches the response content when the information on the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value by changing the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism and the processing content of the power supply device according to the day of the week, time period or season, the number of articles stored in the article storage device, or the past usage status of the article storage device.

5. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the processing content change unit switches the response content when the information on the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value by changing the operation content of the carrier operation mechanism and the processing content of the power supply device according to the scheduled departure time of the article, the battery capacity of the articles stored in the article storage device, or the storage order of the articles stored in the article storage device.

6. The management device according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the difference in the execution times of the operation contents before and after the change predicted to be caused by the change in the operation content of the transporter operation mechanism, that is, the delay time, exceeds a predetermined limit time, the processing content of the power supply device that supplies power to the articles is changed. Herein, the change in the operation content of the transporter operation mechanism is to reduce at least one of the set value of the maximum acceleration and the set value of the maximum speed when the transporter operation mechanism moves the transporter, or to reduce the set value of the number of transporters that can be moved simultaneously.

7. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a plurality of the transporters are provided in the article storage device, when the processing content change unit changes the processing content of the power supply device, it changes the processing content of the power supply device corresponding to a part of the transporters preset among the plurality of transporters or the transporters other than the part of the transporters preset.

8. The management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the processing content change unit receives a request to reduce the maximum demand power regarding the amount of power used in the article storage device, or in a week or time period when the amount of power consumed in the entire building where the article storage device is provided increases compared to a predetermined value, it changes the operation content of the transporter operation mechanism and the processing content of the power supply device.

9. The management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the article storage device is a mechanical parking lot, the articles stored in the article storage device are electric vehicles, and the power supply device is a charging device for charging the electric vehicles.

10. The management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the article storage device is a drone port, the articles stored in the article storage device are drone batteries, and the power supply device is a charging device for charging the drone batteries.

11. A management method for an article storage device, characterized in that, information on the current value of the power used in the power supply process of the power supply device provided in the article storage device for the articles stored in the article storage device is obtained, when the obtained information on the current value becomes equal to or greater than a preset first threshold value, the operation content of the transporter operation mechanism that moves the transporter loaded with articles in the article storage device or the processing content of the power supply device is changed.

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