Mechanical parking lot

Abstract

To provide a mechanical parking lot that allows smooth entry and exit.SOLUTION: A mechanical parking lot 100 includes: a getting on / off area 2; a parking room 3 in which a plurality of vehicles can be parked; and a control unit 8 that controls a vehicle having a connected function and capable of automatic driving when a predetermined condition is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical parking lot. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a mechanical parking facility in which vehicles enter and leave the facility by transferring them between the entrance and exit gate and the parking area using a carrying-in / out means. In this facility, a number of carrying-in / out waiting spaces where vehicles wait are provided on the side of a conveyor path that extends toward the carrying-in / out means. This facility is provided with conveyor means that carries the vehicles and travels along the conveyor path, transferring the vehicles between the carrying-in / out means and the carrying-in / out waiting spaces. The conveyor means has wheels, and travels on a fixed route on traveling rails with the vehicles loaded on the pallets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-062919 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the facility described in Patent Document 1, the waiting space for entering and leaving the facility is integrated with the boarding and disembarking space where users get on and off the vehicle, and these spaces are not separated, so the facility does not meet the equipment standards for boarding and disembarking spaces. In addition, this facility is disadvantageous in terms of cost because it uses large-scale equipment as a transportation means.

[0005] In a mechanical parking lot, if a vehicle is left behind after being left without the user coming to collect it, the boarding and disembarking space will be occupied by the leaving vehicle, temporarily halting operation of the entire parking lot and preventing smooth entry and exit. The equipment described in Patent Document 1 has a similar problem when the entry and exit waiting space is full, and there is room for improvement in terms of realizing smooth entry and exit.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a mechanical parking lot that allows smooth entry and exit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a mechanical parking lot of one embodiment of the present invention includes a boarding and disembarking area, a parking space capable of parking multiple vehicles, and a control unit that controls an autonomously capable vehicle with connected functionality when certain conditions are met.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, devices, systems, etc. are also valid aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a mechanical parking lot that allows smooth entry and exit can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mechanical parking lot according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the mechanical parking lot of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a flowchart showing the exit operation of the mechanical parking lot of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a retrieval operation including a retrieval reservation. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 2 is a flowchart showing the parking operation of the mechanical parking lot of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the exit operation of the mechanical parking lot of FIG. 1. [Figure 9]13 is a flowchart showing another example of the entrance operation of the mechanical parking lot of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a mechanical parking lot according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a mechanical parking lot according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and modified examples, the same or equivalent components and members are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The dimensions of the members in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted in each drawing.

[0012] In addition, although terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component, and the components are not limited by these terms.

[0013] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a mechanical parking lot 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the mechanical parking lot 100. The following description will be based on the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. For convenience, the X-axis direction corresponds to the horizontal front-rear direction, the Y-axis direction corresponds to the horizontal left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical up-down direction. The Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are each perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

[0014] In this embodiment, all vehicles 1 using the mechanical parking lot 100 are assumed to be autonomous vehicles with a connected function, and capable of moving to a destination without the driver's instructions on vehicle speed and steering, under control of an external device, for example, the mechanical parking lot 100. In other words, in this embodiment, the mechanical parking lot 100 only accepts autonomous vehicles with a connected function.

[0015] The connected function is a function that connects the vehicle to the outside world through communication, and for example, has at least a communication function between the mechanical parking lot 100 and the vehicle, or between vehicles.

[0016] An autonomous vehicle may be a fully autonomous vehicle in which an automatic driving device mounted on the vehicle controls the driving operation, i.e., the vehicle speed and steering, or may be an autonomous vehicle in which a driver in the vehicle performs some of the driving. In addition, the autonomous vehicle here also includes a vehicle in which the vehicle speed and steering can be controlled by remote control from outside, for example, the mechanical parking lot 100.

[0017] The overall configuration of the mechanical parking lot 100 will be described. The mechanical parking lot 100 includes a boarding / disembarking area 2, a parking space 3, a transport device 4, a loading / unloading area 5, a temporary parking area 6, and a control unit 8. In the first embodiment, the boarding / disembarking area 2 and the temporary parking area 6 are provided in an interior space 16 of a building 28 on the ground, and the parking space 3 is provided underground.

[0018] Hereinafter, a vehicle waiting to enter the mechanical parking lot 100 or a vehicle in the act of entering may be referred to as an "entering vehicle," and a vehicle waiting to leave the mechanical parking lot 100 or a vehicle in the act of leaving may be referred to as an "leaving vehicle." In addition, in this specification, a state in which a vehicle remains in a place, regardless of whether a person is in the vehicle or not, is referred to as "stopped." In particular, when a vehicle is stopped for the purpose of being kept in a place continuously, it is referred to as "parked." In stopping and parking, the time that a vehicle remains in a place is referred to as "stopping time."

[0019] The boarding and disembarking area 2 is an area where people get on and off the vehicle 1. The boarding and disembarking area 2 is configured to allow the vehicle 1 and the user 12 of the vehicle 1 to enter and exit. In this embodiment, multiple (for example, 4) boarding and disembarking areas 2 are provided. In this embodiment, the boarding and disembarking area 2 is surrounded by walls on all four sides and has a first entrance / exit 24 leading to an approach space 14 adjacent to the outside of the building 28, and a second entrance / exit 26 leading to the internal space 16 of the building 28. In other words, the boarding and disembarking area 2 in this embodiment constitutes a boarding and disembarking room. Note that the boarding and disembarking area 2 does not have to be surrounded by walls. In this case, the mechanical parking lot 100 can be realized at a lower cost and in a smaller space.

[0020] The first entrance / exit 24 communicates with the roadway 15 via the approach space 14. A vehicle 1 entering the garage enters the approach space 14 from the roadway 15, and enters the boarding / disembarking area 2 through the first entrance / exit 24. A vehicle 1 leaving the garage exits from the boarding / disembarking area 2 through the first entrance / exit 24 into the approach space 14, and enters the roadway 15 from the approach space 14.

[0021] The first entrance 24 is configured to be able to restrict entry and exit of the vehicle 1 and the user 12 to the boarding and disembarking area 2. The first entrance 24 is provided with a first door 242 that opens when allowing entry and exit of the vehicle 1 and the user 12 and closes when restricting entry and exit. In Fig. 1, the open first door 242 is indicated by arrow A, and the closed first door 242 is indicated by arrow B. Hereinafter, opening and closing the first door 242 will be referred to as opening and closing the first entrance 24.

[0022] The second entrance 26 is provided with a second door 262 that opens when allowing the entry and exit of the vehicle 1 and closes when restricting entry and exit. In Fig. 2, the open second door 262 is indicated by arrow C, and the closed second door 262 is indicated by arrow D. Note that hereinafter, opening and closing the second door 262 will be referred to as opening and closing the second entrance 26.

[0023] The first entrance 24 is opened when the vehicle 1 enters the boarding / disembarking area 2 from the approach space 14 or exits from the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the approach space 14, and is closed otherwise. The second entrance 26 is opened when the vehicle 1 enters the boarding / disembarking area 2 from the interior space 16 or exits from the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the interior space 16, and is closed otherwise.

[0024] The parking space 3 is configured to be capable of parking multiple vehicles 1. The parking space 3 in this example has one or multiple (e.g., two) floors. Each floor of the parking space 3 is provided with multiple parking sections 32 for parking the vehicles 1, and a moving mechanism 34 for moving the vehicles 1. The moving mechanism 34 can move the vehicles 1 between the parking sections 32 and the transport device 4, and between the multiple parking sections 32.

[0025] The transport device 4 is configured to be capable of carrying the vehicle 1 into the parking space 3 and to be capable of carrying the vehicle 1 out of the parking space 3. In other words, the transport device 4 is a moving mechanism that moves the vehicle 1 between the boarding / disembarking area 2 and the parking space 3.

[0026] The loading / unloading area 5 is configured so that the vehicle 1 can enter. The loading / unloading area 5 is an area for the vehicle 1 to get on and off the transport device 4. In a configuration in which the parking space 3 is provided on a different floor from the boarding / unloading area 2 as in this embodiment, the transport device 4 is a lift device capable of raising and lowering the vehicle 1, and the loading / unloading area 5 is a lift room, which may be referred to as the lift room 5 in the following description. As an example, the lift room 5 is provided with a pallet that is transported together with the vehicle 1 between the ground floor and the first or second basement floor by the lift device. Hereinafter, the pallet that is raised and lowered by the lift device may be simply referred to as a "lift".

[0027] 2, a plurality of (for example, two) conveying devices 4 are provided in the interior space 16 of the building 28. Only one conveying device 4 may be provided. The ground floor portion of each conveying device 4 is provided on the same floor as the boarding and disembarking area 2.

[0028] The temporary parking area 6 is configured to be able to temporarily park an outgoing vehicle 1 or an incoming vehicle 1. The temporary parking area 6 in this example is provided in an area that is connected to the boarding / disembarking area 2 and the transport device 4 in the internal space 16 of the building 28. The temporary parking area 6 in FIG. 2 has multiple (e.g., three) parking sections 61 for parking the vehicles 1. By temporarily parking the vehicles 1, the temporary parking area 6 can exert a function of mitigating time lags such as the movement time of the vehicles 1 and the processing time of the internal mechanism 7 (hereinafter referred to as a "buffer function"). The internal mechanism 7 is each mechanism in the boarding / disembarking area 2, the parking space 3, and the transport device 4.

[0029] In the example of Fig. 2, the control unit 8 is provided inside an operation panel 81 installed on the outer wall of the building 28. The control unit 8 can be realized by a combination of hardware resources and software resources, or by hardware resources alone. As hardware resources, elements and circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory can be used. As software resources, programs such as an operating system and applications can be used.

[0030] The control unit 8 controls the operation of the internal mechanism 7 of the mechanical parking lot 100. In particular, the control unit 8 can control the operation of the transport device 4, the opening and closing operation of the first entrance 24 and the second entrance 26 of the boarding and disembarking area 2, and the operation of the moving mechanism 34 of the parking space 3.

[0031] The control unit 8 is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle 1 having the connected function as described above via the communication unit 9. The communication unit 9 may be installed at an appropriate position in the mechanical parking lot 100 as in the example of Fig. 2, or may be provided inside the operation panel 81 like the control unit 8. The communication unit 9 may be installed in various places in the building 28 and the mechanical parking lot 100 as necessary.

[0032] The control unit 8 transmits instructions to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 and controls the vehicle 1 .

[0033] The control unit 8 transmits instructions to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to control the movement of the vehicle 1. Specifically, the control unit 8 controls the movement from the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the lift room 5 or the temporary parking area 6, the movement from the lift room 5 to the boarding / disembarking area 2 or the temporary parking area 6, and the movement from the temporary parking area 6 to the boarding / disembarking area 2 or the lift room 5. When the control unit 8 moves the vehicle 1 to be removed from the parking space 3 to the lift room 5 at the time of leaving the parking lot, it transmits instructions to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to move the vehicle 1 from the lift room 5 to the boarding / disembarking area 2. This enables the mechanical parking lot 100 to perform a smooth leaving operation. In addition, when the control unit 8 receives a request for entry from the user 12 via the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17, and then detects by an appropriate sensor or the like that the vehicle 1 to be entered has entered the boarding and disembarking area 2 and that the user 12 has disembarked from the vehicle 1 to be entered and exited from the boarding and disembarking area 2, the control unit 8 transmits an instruction to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to move the vehicle 1 to be entered from the boarding and disembarking area 2 to the lift room 5. This enables a smooth entry operation by the mechanical parking lot 100. In addition, when leaving and entering the parking lot, the control unit 8 transmits an instruction to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 in a predetermined case as described later in detail, to move the vehicle 1 from the boarding and disembarking area 2 or the lift room 5 to the temporary parking area 6, or from the temporary parking area 6 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 or the lift room 5.

[0034] For example, the control unit 8 may move the vehicle 1 to the destination by using the autonomous driving function of the vehicle 1. In this case, the vehicle 1 includes an appropriate sensor for acquiring information about the surroundings of the vehicle 1. The sensor may be, for example, a camera that captures an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 1 or a distance sensor that detects the distance to an obstacle around the vehicle 1. The control unit 8 transmits map information and destination information to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9. For example, when moving the vehicle 1 from the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the temporary parking area 6, the control unit 8 transmits map information including at least the boarding / disembarking area 2, the temporary parking area 6, and the passage between them, and information about the location of the temporary parking area 6, which is the destination, to the vehicle 1. After receiving the map information and destination information, the vehicle 1 moves to the destination based on them. For example, the vehicle 1 may determine a driving route to the destination based on the map information and destination information, and move to the destination using the driving route. The control unit 8 may determine a driving route to the destination and transmit the driving route to the vehicle 1.

[0035] For example, the control unit 8 may remotely control the vehicle 1 to move the vehicle 1 to the destination. In this case, the mechanical parking lot 100 includes an appropriate sensor for identifying the position of the vehicle 1 in the boarding / disembarking area 2, the temporary parking area 6, the lift room 5, and the passage between them. The sensor may be, for example, a CCD camera. The control unit 8 determines a travel route from the current location to the destination. For example, when moving the vehicle 1 from the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the temporary parking area 6, the control unit 8 determines a travel route from the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the temporary parking area 6. The control unit 8 may store a travel route for each of the current location and the destination in advance. The control unit 8 grasps the position of the vehicle 1 based on information from the sensor, and transmits instructions regarding the vehicle speed and steering for each behavior such as going straight, turning right or left, and stopping to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9, and moves the vehicle 1 along the travel route.

[0036] In any case, the control unit 8 may control the vehicle 1 and move the vehicle 1 using known or future available technology.

[0037] The control unit 8 transmits instructions to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 and controls starting and stopping of the engine of the vehicle 1. For example, the control unit 8 stops the engine of the incoming vehicle 1 at an appropriate timing and starts the engine of the outgoing vehicle 1 at an appropriate timing. The control unit 8 preferably stops the engine of the incoming vehicle 1 that has been moved to the lift room 5 before lowering the lift. In addition, the control unit 8 preferably starts the engine of the outgoing vehicle 1 after moving the outgoing vehicle 1 to the lift room 5. This makes it possible to prevent exhaust gas from filling the parking space 3 and maintain a state in which workers can enter the parking space 3 for maintenance.

[0038] The control unit 8 may also transmit an instruction to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to control the opening and closing of the door mirrors (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The control unit 8 may close the door mirrors of the entering vehicle 1 at an appropriate timing. For example, the control unit 8 may receive door mirror opening and closing information from the entering vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 before the entering vehicle 1 enters the loading and unloading area (lift room) 5, for example, in the boarding and disembarking area 2, and when the door mirrors of the entering vehicle 1 are open, transmit an instruction to the entering vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to close the door mirrors of the entering vehicle 1. This makes it easier to stop the entering vehicle 1 within a predetermined parking area of ​​the loading and unloading area (lift room) 5, and makes the entry smooth. For example, the control unit 8 may also receive door mirror opening and closing information from the entering vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9, for example, in the boarding and disembarking area 2 or the lift room 5, before the lift starts to descend, and when the door mirrors of the entering vehicle 1 are open, transmit an instruction to the entering vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to close the door mirrors of the entering vehicle 1. This makes it possible to avoid collisions between the door mirrors of the vehicle 1 and components of the mechanical parking lot 100 while the lift is rising or falling, thereby enabling smooth entry and exit. In addition to the door mirrors of the vehicle 1, the control unit 8 may also control the opening and closing of an automatically extendable antenna and an automatically openable and closable door, for example, storing the antenna of the entering vehicle 1 and closing the door at an appropriate timing.

[0039] The control unit 8 may also transmit an instruction to the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to control turning off the headlights (not shown) of the vehicle 1. For example, when the control unit 8 receives information indicating that the headlights of the entering vehicle 1 are on from the entering vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9, or when the control unit 8 detects that the headlights of the entering vehicle 1 are on by an appropriate sensor, the control unit 8 may transmit an instruction to the entering vehicle 1 via the communication unit 9 to turn off the headlights of the entering vehicle 1. This can prevent the battery of the vehicle 1 from becoming empty due to forgetting to turn off the headlights. It can also prevent a vehicle with an empty battery from interfering with the operation of the mechanical parking lot 100. The sensor may be provided in the boarding and disembarking area (boarding and disembarking room) 2, in the lift room 5, or in another location.

[0040] (1st action) A first operation characteristic of the embodiment will be described. If the user does not come to pick up the vehicle 1 that has been moved from the parking space 3 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 to leave the parking lot, the boarding and disembarking area 2 will be occupied by the exiting vehicle 1, and the mechanical parking lot 100 will temporarily be unable to operate. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the stopping time of the exiting vehicle 1 in the boarding and disembarking area 2 has exceeded a first time, the control unit 8 controls the vehicle 1 to move the vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6. In this case, the occupation of the boarding and disembarking area 2 is released, and the mechanical parking lot 100 becomes operable.

[0041] If the first time is too short, unnecessary operations will increase when users arrive in a short period of time. If the first time is too long, the time during which the mechanical parking lot 100 cannot operate will increase. The first time can be set by experiment or simulation within a range in which these problems can be tolerated. As an example, the first time can be set in the range of 1 minute or more and 60 minutes or less.

[0042] (2nd action) The second operation will now be described. If the temporary parking area 6 is occupied for a long period of time by the vehicle 1 moved in the first operation, the buffer function of the temporary parking area 6 will be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the parking time of the vehicle 1 moved to the temporary parking area 6 in the temporary parking area 6 exceeds the second time period, the control unit 8 controls the vehicle 1 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the vehicle 1 to the parking space 3.

[0043] If the second time is too short, unnecessary operations increase when users arrive in a short period of time. If the second time is too long, the buffer function decreases. The second time can be set by experiment or simulation within a range in which these problems can be tolerated. As an example, the second time can be set in the range of 1 minute or more and 60 minutes or less.

[0044] The first time in the busy season may be set to be shorter than the first time in the off-season. The second time in the busy season may be set to be shorter than the second time in the off-season. The control unit 8 may change the first time or the second time based on at least one of a season, a date, a day of the week, and a time period. The first time or the second time may be changed based on at least one of a season, a date, a day of the week, and a time period.

[0045] (3rd action) The third operation will be described. In this embodiment, a departure instruction can be issued to the target vehicle 1 based on the operation of the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17 carried by the user. The mobile terminal 17 may be a smartphone with a predetermined operation application installed, or may be another wireless communication terminal. When the control unit 8 receives the first departure instruction from the user 12, it controls the target vehicle 1 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the target vehicle 1 to the boarding and disembarking area 2.

[0046] If the vehicle 1 moved to the loading / unloading area 2 in response to the first exit instruction is left behind, the vehicle 1 may occupy the loading / unloading area 2, and the mechanical parking lot 100 may temporarily be unable to operate. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 1 is stopped in the loading / unloading area 2 for a first time period, the control unit 8 controls the vehicle 1 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6. The first time period of the third operation can be set from the same perspective as the first time period of the first operation. The first time period of the third operation may be the same as or different from the first time period of the first operation.

[0047] (4th action) The fourth operation will be described. In the case where the target vehicle 1 is parked in the temporary parking area 6 by the third operation, when the control unit 8 receives a second leaving instruction from the user 12 after the first leaving instruction, the control unit 8 controls the target vehicle 1 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the target vehicle 1 to the boarding and disembarking area 2. In this case, the target vehicle 1 can be promptly left.

[0048] (5th action) The fifth operation will be described. In this embodiment, a reservation for leaving the target vehicle 1 can be made based on the operation of the operation panel 81 or the user's mobile terminal 17. In making a reservation for leaving the vehicle, the control unit 8 accepts and stores in advance input of information such as the target vehicle 1 and its leaving time. The control unit 8 starts moving the target vehicle 1 from the parking space 3 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 at a time that is a predetermined time earlier than the reserved, i.e., stored, leaving time. This allows the user to promptly leave the target vehicle 1 from the boarding and disembarking area 2.

[0049] If the target vehicle 1 moved by the fifth operation remains parked in the boarding / disembarking area 2 for a long time, the target vehicle 1 may be moved to the temporary parking area 6 by the first operation, or the target vehicle 1 may be transported to the parking space 3 by the second operation.

[0050] (6th action) The sixth operation will be described. There are cases where multiple reservations for leaving the parking lot are concentrated within a certain period of time, such as the morning commute time. In this case, if some or all of the target vehicles 1 are moved to the temporary parking area 6 in advance, the vehicles can be taken out smoothly. Therefore, in this embodiment, when there are a predetermined number or more of reservations for leaving the parking lot within a predetermined period of time, the control unit 8 controls the target vehicles 1 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the target vehicles 1 for which reservations for leaving the parking lot are made from the parking space 3 to the temporary parking area 6 in advance.

[0051] When the target vehicle 1 moved by the sixth action remains parked in the temporary parking area 6 for a long time, the target vehicle 1 may be moved to the parking space 3 by the second action.

[0052] The first to sixth operations may be executed in combination as necessary.

[0053] An example of the exit operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 configured as described above will be described. Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the exit operation S110 of the mechanical parking lot 100. In these figures, the right side of the dashed line shows the operation of the mechanical parking lot 100, and the left side of the dashed line shows the event of the user 12.

[0054] Please refer to Fig. 3. Operation S110 is started when the user 12 selects "leave" from the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17. When operation S110 is started, the control unit 8 determines whether or not there is a vehicle waiting to be left (S111).

[0055] If there is an item waiting to be taken out (Y in S111), the control unit 8 sets the status to a waiting state for taking out (S112). At this time, the user 12 can receive the order of taking out sent by the control unit 8. The control unit 8 judges whether or not the order of taking out has arrived (S113). If the order of taking out has not arrived (N in S113), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to S112.

[0056] If there is no vehicle waiting to leave (N in S111) or if the vehicle's turn to leave has arrived (Y in S113), the control unit 8 starts leaving the parking space. Specifically, the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 in the parking space 3 by the moving mechanism 34 and places it on the conveying device 4 (S114), raises the lift to move the target vehicle 1 to the lift room 5 on the ground floor (S115), opens the second entrance 26 (S117), starts the engine of the target vehicle 1, and then moves the target vehicle 1 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 (S118), and closes the second entrance 26 (S120). The control unit 8 may stop the engine of the target vehicle 1 that has been moved to the boarding and disembarking area 2. This can prevent the boarding and disembarking area 2 from being filled with exhaust gas. The control unit 8 transmits to the user at an appropriate timing that the leaving vehicle 1 has arrived at the boarding and disembarking area 2, and the user 12 can receive that the leaving vehicle has arrived at the boarding and disembarking area 2.

[0057] After receiving the notification of the arrival of the departing vehicle 1, the user 12 can operate the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17 to open the first entrance / exit 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2.

[0058] Next, the control unit 8 judges whether or not an opening operation has been performed (S122). If an opening operation has not been performed (N in S122), the control unit 8 judges whether or not the stopping time of the target vehicle 1 in the boarding / alighting area 2 has exceeded a first time (S123). The stopping time can be measured by a timer. If the first time has not been exceeded (N in S123), the control unit 8 returns the process to S122 after waiting for a predetermined time, for example. If the stopping time has exceeded the first time (Y in S123), the control unit 8 advances the process to S128 in FIG. 4.

[0059] If the opening operation is performed (Y in S122), the control unit 8 opens the first entrance 24 (S124). When the first entrance 24 is opened, the user 12 can get on the vehicle 1 and exit the boarding and disembarking area 2 together with the vehicle 1.

[0060] The control unit 8 determines whether the vehicle 1 has exited the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S125). If the vehicle 1 has not exited (N in S125), the control unit 8 waits, for example, for a predetermined time, and then returns the process to the beginning of S125. If the vehicle 1 has exited (Y in S125), the control unit 8 closes the first entrance / exit 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S126). When the first entrance / exit 24 is closed, the exit is completed.

[0061] Refer to FIG. 4. When the stopping time has passed the first time (Y of S123), the control unit 8 executes the first operation described above. Specifically, the control unit 8 opens the second entrance 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S128), moves the target vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6 (S131), and closes the second entrance 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S132). Here, the first operation is completed. The control unit 8 may stop the engine of the vehicle 1 that has been moved to the temporary parking area 6. In this case, it is possible to prevent exhaust gas from filling the internal space 16. When moving the vehicle 1 with its engine stopped in the temporary parking area 6, the control unit 8 starts the engine before moving it.

[0062] Next, the control unit 8 judges whether the stop time of the target vehicle 1 in the temporary parking area 6 has exceeded the second time (S134). If the stop time has not exceeded the second time (N in S134), the control unit 8 judges whether an opening operation has been performed (S135). If an opening operation has not been performed (N in S135), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to S134. That is, the control unit 8 continues to monitor whether the user 12 has performed an operation to open the first entrance 24 of the boarding / alighting area 2.

[0063] When the opening operation is performed (Y in S135), the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 parked in the temporary parking area 6 to the boarding / disembarking area 2. Specifically, the control unit 8 opens the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S137), moves the target vehicle 1 to the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S138), closes the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S140), and jumps the process to the beginning of S124 in Fig. 3 to execute S124-S126.

[0064] If the stopping time has exceeded the second time in S134 (Y in S134), the control unit 8 executes a second operation to cancel the leaving operation. Specifically, the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 to the lift room 5 (S143), preferably stops the engine of the target vehicle 1, and then lowers the lift to move the target vehicle 1 to the underground parking space 3 (S144), and moves the target vehicle 1 to a specified parking section 32 by the moving mechanism 34 and stores it there. This completes the second operation and thus the leaving operation cancellation. The control unit 8 transmits the fact that the leaving operation has been canceled to the user 12 at an appropriate timing, and the user 12 can receive the fact that the leaving operation has been canceled.

[0065] Next, an example of the exit operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 when an exit reservation is made will be described. Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of the exit operation S210 of the mechanical parking lot 100. In these figures, the right side of the dashed line shows the operation of the mechanical parking lot 100, and the left side of the dashed line shows the event of the user 12.

[0066] Please refer to Fig. 5. Operation S210 is started by the user 12 selecting "reserve leaving" from the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17. When operation S210 is started, the control unit 8 secures a reservation slot including the reserved time T1 for leaving for the target vehicle 1 (S211).

[0067] Next, the control unit 8 determines whether the preparation start time T2 has passed (S212). The preparation start time T2 can be set to a time that is earlier than the reservation time T1 by a preliminary movement time ΔT. The preliminary movement time ΔT is set based on the time required for the vehicle 1 to move from the parking space 3 to the boarding / disembarking area 2. For example, the preliminary movement time ΔT may be a time that is a margin added to the time required for the vehicle 1 to move.

[0068] If the preparation start time T2 has not passed (N in S212), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S212.

[0069] When the preparation start time T2 has passed (Y in S212), the control unit 8 judges whether there is room for operation (S213). Having room for operation means that there is space in the temporary parking area 6 and there is no vehicle 1 that will immediately use the transport device 4 due to leaving the parking lot, etc. When there is room for operation (Y in S213), the control unit 8 executes a preliminary movement operation to move the target vehicle 1 from the parking space 3 to the temporary parking area 6.

[0070] In the preliminary operation, the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 by the moving mechanism 34 and places it on the transport device 4 (S216), raises the lift to move the target vehicle 1 to the lift room 5 on the ground floor (S217), starts the engine of the target vehicle 1, and then moves the target vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6 (S219). The control unit 8 may stop the engine of the vehicle 1 that has been moved to the temporary parking area 6.

[0071] Next, the control unit 8 judges whether the reservation time T1 has passed (S220). If the reservation time T1 has not passed (N in S220), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S220. If the reservation time T1 has passed (Y in S220), the control unit 8 jumps the process to S226.

[0072] If there is no margin for operation in S213 (N in S213), the control unit 8 judges whether the reservation time T1 has passed (S214). If the reservation time T1 has not passed (N in S214), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S213.

[0073] When the reservation time T1 has passed (Y in S214), the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 by the moving mechanism 34 and places it on the conveying device 4 (S223), raises the lift to move the target vehicle 1 to the lift room 5 on the ground floor (S224), opens the second entrance 26 (S226), starts the engine of the target vehicle 1, moves the target vehicle 1 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 (S227), and closes the second entrance 26 (S229). Note that the target vehicle 1 moved to the temporary parking area 6 in S219 is moved from the temporary parking area 6 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 in S227. The control unit 8 may stop the engine of the target vehicle 1 moved to the boarding and disembarking area 2. The control unit 8 transmits to the user at an appropriate timing that the leaving vehicle 1 has arrived at the boarding and disembarking area 2, and the user 12 can receive that the leaving vehicle 1 has arrived at the boarding and disembarking area 2.

[0074] After receiving the notification of the arrival of the departing vehicle, the user 12 can use the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17 to perform an opening operation to open the first entrance / exit 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2.

[0075] Next, the control unit 8 judges whether or not an opening operation has been performed (S231). If an opening operation has not been performed (N in S231), the control unit 8 judges whether or not the stopping time of the target vehicle 1 in the boarding / alighting area 2 has exceeded a first time (S233). The stopping time can be measured by a timer.

[0076] If the first time has not elapsed (N in S233), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to S231. If the stopping time has elapsed for the first time (Y in S233), the control unit 8 advances the process to S238 in FIG.

[0077] If the opening operation has been performed (Y in S231), the control unit 8 opens the first entrance 24 (S234). When the first entrance 24 is opened, the user 12 gets on the vehicle 1 and exits the boarding and alighting area 2 together with the vehicle 1.

[0078] The control unit 8 determines whether the vehicle 1 has exited the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S235). If the vehicle 1 has not exited (N in S235), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S235. If the vehicle 1 has exited (Y in S235), the control unit 8 closes the first entrance / exit 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S236). When the first entrance / exit 24 is closed, the exit is completed.

[0079] Refer to Fig. 6. If the stopping time has exceeded the first time (Y of S233), the control unit 8 executes the first operation described above. Specifically, the control unit 8 opens the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S238), moves the target vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6 (S241), and closes the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S242). Here, the first operation is completed. The control unit 8 may stop the engine of the target vehicle 1 that has been moved to the temporary parking area 6.

[0080] Next, the control unit 8 judges whether the stop time of the target vehicle 1 in the temporary parking area 6 has exceeded the second time (S244). If the stop time has not exceeded the second time (N in S244), the control unit 8 judges whether an opening operation has been performed (S245). If an opening operation has not been performed (N in S245), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to S244. That is, the control unit 8 continues to monitor whether the user 12 has performed an operation to open the first entrance 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2.

[0081] When the opening operation is performed (Y in S245), the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 parked in the temporary parking area 6 to the boarding / disembarking area 2. Specifically, the control unit 8 opens the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S247), moves the target vehicle 1 to the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S248), closes the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S250), and jumps the process to the beginning of S234 in Fig. 5 to execute S234-S236.

[0082] If the stopping time has exceeded the second time in S244 (Y in S244), the control unit 8 executes a second operation to cancel the departure reservation. Specifically, the control unit 8 moves the target vehicle 1 to a lift room (S253), preferably stops the engine of the target vehicle 1, and then lowers the lift to move the target vehicle 1 to the underground parking space 3 (S254), and moves the target vehicle 1 to a specified parking section 32 by the moving mechanism 34 and stores it there. This completes the second operation and thus the departure cancellation. The control unit 8 transmits a message to the user at an appropriate time that the departure reservation has been canceled, and the user 12 can receive the notification that the departure has been canceled.

[0083] Next, an example of the entrance operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the entrance operation S310 of the mechanical parking lot 100. In these figures, the right side of the dashed line shows the operation of the mechanical parking lot 100, and the left side of the dashed line shows the event of the user 12.

[0084] Operation S310 is an example of an entry operation when all the boarding / alighting areas 2 are occupied by vehicles, in other words, when all the boarding / alighting areas 2 are full and not vacant. Operation S310 includes a temporary evacuation operation in which, when the boarding / alighting areas 2 are occupied and cannot accommodate another entry request, some of the occupied vehicles are moved to the temporary parking area 6 to vacate the boarding / alighting areas 2 and accommodate another entry request.

[0085] Operation S310 is started when the user 12 selects entry from the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17. When operation S310 is started, it is determined whether there is space in the temporary parking area 6, that is, whether some or at least one of the temporary parking areas 6 is vacant (S311). If there is no space in the temporary parking area 6 (N in S311), the control unit 8 transmits the entry waiting time to the user 12 (S312). At this time, the user 12 can receive the entry waiting time. After executing S312, the control unit 8 ends operation S310.

[0086] If there is space in the temporary parking area 6 (Y in S311), the control unit 8 executes the temporary evacuation operation (S313-S318). Specifically, the control unit 8 selects the boarding / alighting area 2 in which the vehicle has been waiting for the longest time in the boarding / alighting area 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "selected boarding / alighting area 2") (S313), opens the second entrance / exit 26 of the selected boarding / alighting area 2 (S314), moves the vehicle 1 in the selected boarding / alighting area 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "selected vehicle 1") to the temporary parking area 6 (S317), closes the second entrance / exit 26 of the selected boarding / alighting area 2 (S318), and transmits the entry availability information to the user 12 (S319).

[0087] After receiving the entry availability information, the user 12 can perform an opening operation to open the first entrance / exit 24 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 using the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17.

[0088] Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not an opening operation has been performed (S320). If an opening operation has not been performed (N in S320), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S320. If an opening operation has been performed (Y in S320), the control unit 8 opens the first entrance 24 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S322).

[0089] When the first entrance 24 is opened, the user 12 drives the vehicle 1 into the selected boarding and alighting area 2, disembarks from the vehicle 1, and exits the selected boarding and alighting area 2.

[0090] Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the user 12 has exited the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S323). If the user 12 has not exited (N in S323), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S323.

[0091] If the vehicle has exited (Y in S323), the control unit 8 closes the first entrance / exit 24 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S324), moves the entering vehicle 1 to the parking space 3 (S325), and returns the selected vehicle 1 from the temporary parking area 6 to the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S326). In S325, the control unit 8 controls the entering vehicle 1, the transport device 4, and the moving mechanism 34 to move the entering vehicle 1 to a predetermined parking section 32. In S325, the control unit 8 preferably stops the engine of the entering vehicle 1 that has been moved to the lift space 5, and then lowers the lift to move the entering vehicle 1 to the parking space 3. After S326 is executed, the entering operation is completed.

[0092] Next, we will explain another example of the exit operation of the mechanical parking lot 100. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the exit operation S410 of the mechanical parking lot 100. In these figures, the right side of the dashed line shows the operation of the mechanical parking lot 100, and the left side of the dashed line shows the event of the user 12.

[0093] Operation S410 is an example of a departure operation in a state where all of the boarding / disembarking areas 2 are occupied by vehicles. Operation S410 includes a temporary evacuation operation in which, when the boarding / disembarking areas 2 are occupied and another departure request cannot be accommodated, some of the occupied vehicles are moved to the temporary parking area 6 to vacate the boarding / disembarking areas 2 and accommodate another departure request.

[0094] Operation S410 is started when the user 12 selects exit from the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17. When operation S410 is started, the control unit 8 judges whether there is space in the temporary parking area 6, that is, whether some or at least one of the temporary parking areas 6 is vacant (S411). If there is no space in the temporary parking area 6 (N in S411), the control unit 8 transmits the exit waiting time to the user 12 (S412). At this time, the user 12 can receive the exit waiting time. After executing S412, the control unit 8 ends operation S410.

[0095] If there is a space in the temporary parking area 6 (Y in S411), the control unit 8 executes the temporary evacuation operation (S413-S418). Specifically, the control unit 8 selects the boarding / disembarking area 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "selected boarding / disembarking area 2") in which the outgoing vehicle has been waiting for the longest time in the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S413), opens the second entrance / exit 26 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S414), moves the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "selected vehicle 1") in the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 to the temporary parking area 6 (S417), closes the second entrance / exit 26 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S418), moves the outgoing target vehicle 1 in the parking space 3 to the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S419), and transmits the outgoing availability information to the user 12 (S420). In addition, in S419, the control unit 8 controls the moving mechanism 34, the conveying device 4, and the outgoing target vehicle 1 to move the outgoing target vehicle 1.

[0096] After receiving the exit availability information, the user 12 can use the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17 to perform an opening operation to open the first entrance / exit 24 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 .

[0097] Next, the control unit 8 judges whether or not the door has been opened (S421). If the door has not been opened (N in S421), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S421. If the door has been opened (Y in S421), the control unit 8 opens the first entrance 24 of the selected boarding / disembarking area 2 (S422).

[0098] Once the first entrance 24 is opened, the user 12 can board the vehicle 1 and exit with the vehicle 1 from the boarding and disembarking area 2 .

[0099] Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 has exited the selected getting on / off area 2 (S423). If the vehicle 1 has not exited (N in S423), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S423.

[0100] If the vehicle has left the parking area (Y in S423), the control unit 8 closes the first entrance / exit 24 of the selected vehicle getting on / off area 2 (S424) and returns the selected vehicle 1 from the temporary parking area 6 to the selected vehicle getting on / off area 2 (S425). After S425 is executed, the leaving operation is completed.

[0101] Next, we will explain another example of the entrance operation of the mechanical parking lot 100. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the entrance operation S510 of the mechanical parking lot 100. In these figures, the right side of the dashed line shows the operation of the mechanical parking lot 100, and the left side of the dashed line shows the event of the user 12.

[0102] Operation S510 is an example of an entry operation in a state where entry requests have been made from a plurality of vehicles and an entry queue has formed in front of the mechanical parking lot 100. Operation S510 includes an intermediate transport operation that, when an entry queue has formed, moves some of the entering vehicles to the temporary parking area 6, thereby shortening the waiting time by the time it takes for the transport device 4 to rise and fall.

[0103] Operation S510 is started automatically or based on the operation of the operation panel 81 when an entry queue is formed based on multiple entry requests. When operation S510 is started, the control unit 8 sets the temporary parking area 6 to an entry vehicle only mode or an entry vehicle priority mode (S511). The entry vehicle only mode is a mode in which the temporary parking area 6 is not used for outgoing vehicles, regardless of the status of outgoing vehicles. In the entry vehicle priority mode, entering vehicles use the temporary parking area 6 when there are entering vehicles, regardless of the status of outgoing vehicles, and the temporary parking area 6 is also used for outgoing vehicles when there are no entering vehicles.

[0104] After executing S511, the control unit 8 judges whether or not the user 12 of the entering vehicle has performed an operation to open the first entrance / exit 24 using the operation panel 81 or the mobile terminal 17 (S512). If the opening operation has not been performed (N in S512), the control unit 8 waits for a predetermined time, for example, and then returns the process to the beginning of S512.

[0105] If the opening operation is performed (Y in S512), the control unit 8 opens the first entrance 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S513). When the first entrance 24 is opened, the user 12 drives the vehicle 1 into the boarding / disembarking area 2, disembarks from the vehicle 1, and exits the boarding / disembarking area 2.

[0106] The control unit 8 determines whether the user 12 has exited the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S514). If the vehicle 1 has not exited (N in S514), the control unit 8 waits, for example, for a predetermined time, and then returns the process to the beginning of S514 and repeats S514. If the vehicle 1 has exited (Y in S514), the control unit 8 closes the first entrance / exit 24 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S515), opens the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S516), moves the vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6 (S519), and closes the second entrance / exit 26 of the boarding / disembarking area 2 (S520). The control unit 8 may stop the engine of the vehicle 1 that has been moved to the temporary parking area 6.

[0107] By executing steps up to S520, even if the lifting and lowering operation of the conveying device 4 is not completed in time, the boarding and disembarking area 2 will not be occupied by vehicles waiting to enter the warehouse, and the next vehicle can enter the warehouse.

[0108] After executing S520, the control unit 8 may return the process to the beginning of S512 and repeat S512-S520, or may cancel the entering vehicle exclusive mode or the entering vehicle priority mode and switch to the normal mode.

[0109] The above operations S110, S210, S310, S410 and S510 are merely examples, and various modifications are possible.

[0110] According to this embodiment, by temporarily parking the entering or leaving vehicle 1 in the temporary parking area 6, the effects of the movement time of the vehicle 1 and the processing time and phase time lag of each mechanism of the internal mechanism 7 can be mitigated, thereby reducing the waiting time for entering or leaving the facility.

[0111] According to this embodiment, as an example, when the stopping time of the departing vehicle 1 in the boarding / disembarking area 2 has elapsed a predetermined first time, the control unit 8 controls the vehicle 1 to move the vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6. This makes it possible to reduce the long-term occupation of the boarding / disembarking area 2 by the departing vehicle 1.

[0112] According to this embodiment, when the stopping time of the vehicle 1 transported to the temporary parking area 6 in the temporary parking area 6 has elapsed a predetermined second time, the control unit 8 controls the vehicle 1 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the vehicle 1 to the parking space 3. This makes it possible to reduce the long-term occupation of the temporary parking area 6 by the departing vehicle 1.

[0113] According to this embodiment, when a request for leaving the parking lot is received for another vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 being left is parked in the boarding / disembarking area 2, the control unit 8 moves the vehicle 1 parked in the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the temporary parking area 6. This reduces the waiting time for leaving the parking lot.

[0114] According to this embodiment, when a request for entry of another vehicle 1 is received while a vehicle 1 being departed is parked in the boarding / disembarking area 2, the control unit 8 moves the vehicle 1 parked in the boarding / disembarking area 2 to the temporary parking area 6. This reduces the waiting time for entry.

[0115] According to this embodiment, when there are a predetermined number or more of exit reservations within a predetermined time, the control unit 8 may control the target vehicle 1 for which the exit reservation is made and parked in the parking space 3 and the internal mechanism 7 to move the target vehicle 1 to the temporary parking area 6. This can reduce the long-term occupation of the boarding and disembarking area 2 by the target vehicle 1.

[0116] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, a case where a mechanical parking lot only accepts autonomous vehicles with connected functions (hereinafter also referred to as "compatible vehicles"). In the second embodiment, a case where a mechanical parking lot accepts vehicles that do not have at least one of an autonomous driving function and a connected function (hereinafter also referred to as "non-compatible vehicles") in addition to compatible vehicles is described below. The following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0117] The mechanical parking lot 100 of this embodiment is configured as shown in Figures 1 and 2, similar to the mechanical parking lot 100 of the first embodiment.

[0118] Since the control unit 8 cannot move the non-compliant vehicle 1, the user 12 gets on and off the non-compliant vehicle 1 in the lift room 5, i.e., on the lift. Also, the temporary parking area 6 is not used for the non-compliant vehicle 1.

[0119] The operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 when the corresponding vehicle 1 leaves and enters the parking lot is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0120] The operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 when the non-compliant vehicle 1 leaves the parking lot will be described. When the control unit 8 receives a request to leave the parking lot for the non-compliant vehicle 1, it controls the moving mechanism 34 and the transport device 4 when the turn of the vehicle to leave the parking lot arrives, moves the non-compliant vehicle 1 to be left to the lift room 5, and notifies the user that the vehicle 1 has arrived at the lift room 5. The control unit 8 may receive an input from the user along with the request to leave the parking lot to determine whether the vehicle 1 to be left is a compliant vehicle, or may identify the vehicle 1 by attempting a predetermined communication with the vehicle 1 to be left after receiving the request to leave the parking lot, or may grasp the vehicle 1 by using information stored at the time of entry into the parking lot. When identifying the vehicle 1 by attempting a predetermined communication, the control unit 8 may transmit an inquiry message to the vehicle 1 to confirm whether the vehicle is a compliant vehicle or not, and may determine that the vehicle 1 is a compliant vehicle when a response message indicating that the vehicle is a compliant vehicle in response to the inquiry message is received from the vehicle 1, and may determine that the vehicle 1 is a non-compliant vehicle when a response message indicating that the vehicle is not a compliant vehicle in response to the inquiry message is received from the vehicle 1 or when a response message to the inquiry message is not received (i.e., a response message is not sent).

[0121] Furthermore, when the control unit 8 has received a departure reservation for a non-compliant vehicle 1, once the reservation time has passed, it controls the moving mechanism 34 and the transport device 4 to move the non-compliant vehicle 1 to be left to the lift room 5, and notifies the user that the vehicle has arrived at the lift room 5. The control unit 8 may receive an input from the user along with the departure reservation as to whether the vehicle 1 to be left is a compliant vehicle, or may identify this by attempting a specified communication with the vehicle 1 to be left after receiving the departure reservation, or may use information stored at the time of entry.

[0122] The user 12 gets into the non-compliant vehicle 1 to be departed in the lift room 5, exits the lift room 5 together with the non-compliant vehicle 1, and then exits to the roadway 15, i.e., outside the mechanical parking lot 100. In the example of Fig. 2, since it is necessary to pass through the boarding and disembarking area 2 to exit to the roadway 15, the control unit 8 opens and closes the first entrance 24 and the second entrance 26 at appropriate times.

[0123] If a user does not come to pick up a non-compliant vehicle 1 that has been moved from a parking space 3 to a lift space 5 for leaving the parking space, the non-compliant vehicle 1 occupies one of the lift spaces 5, temporarily preventing the mechanical parking lot 100 from operating or reducing the operating rate. In this embodiment, the control unit 8 controls the transport device 4 and the moving mechanism 34 to return the non-compliant vehicle 1 to the parking space 3 when the non-compliant vehicle 1 stops in the lift space 5 during leaving the parking space for a third time. If the third time is too short, unnecessary operations increase when a user arrives in a short time. If the third time is too long, the mechanical parking lot 100 cannot operate for a long time. The third time can be set by experiment or simulation within a range that allows these problems. As an example, the third time can be set in a range of 1 minute or more and 60 minutes or less.

[0124] The operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 when a non-compliant vehicle 1 enters the parking lot will be described. When the control unit 8 receives a request to exit the non-compliant vehicle 1, it guides the non-compliant vehicle 1 to the lift room 5. The user 12 enters the non-compliant vehicle 1 into the lift room 5, disembarks from the non-compliant vehicle 1, exits the lift room 5, and then exits the mechanical parking lot 100. In the example of FIG. 2, since it is necessary to pass through the boarding and disembarking area 2 to enter the lift room 5, the control unit 8 opens and closes the first entrance 24 and the second entrance 26 at appropriate times.

[0125] The control unit 8 may receive input from the user along with the warehousing request to determine whether the vehicle 1 to be stored is a compatible vehicle, or may determine whether the vehicle 1 to be stored is a compatible vehicle by attempting a specific communication with the vehicle 1 to be stored that is parked at a specific location after receiving the warehousing request.

[0126] When the user 12 exits the lift room 5, the control unit 8 controls the transport device 4 and the moving mechanism 34 to move the non-compliant vehicle 1 to a predetermined parking section 32.

[0127] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, according to the second embodiment, the convenience of the mechanical parking lot 100 is improved because the non-compliant vehicle 1 is also accepted.

[0128] [Third embodiment] In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which the mechanical parking lot accepts both compatible and non-compatible vehicles, similar to the second embodiment. The following will mainly describe the differences from the second embodiment.

[0129] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a mechanical parking lot 100 according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the floor on which the boarding / disembarking area 2, the lift room 5, and the temporary parking area 6 are provided has a first area R1 in which the corresponding vehicle 1 moves, and a second area in which the non-corresponding vehicle 1 moves. The first area R1 and the second area R2 do not overlap. In other words, on the floor, the movement range of the corresponding vehicle 1 and the movement range of the non-corresponding vehicle 1 are completely separated. A partition wall 22 may be provided between the first area R1 and the second area so that vehicles cannot move between them.

[0130] The boarding and disembarking area 2 and the temporary parking area 6 for the compliant vehicles 1 are provided in the first area R1. The transport device 4a is a transport device for transporting the compliant vehicles 1 into and out of the parking space 3. A loading and unloading area (lift room) 5a corresponding to the transport device 4a is provided in the first area R1. The transport device 4b is a transport device for transporting the non-compliant vehicles 1 into and out of the parking space 3. A loading and unloading area (lift room) 5b corresponding to the transport device 4b is provided in the second area R2.

[0131] The operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 at the time of leaving the parking lot will be described. When the control unit 8 receives a request for leaving the parking lot for the corresponding vehicle 1, when the turn of leaving arrives, it controls the moving mechanism 34 and the transport device 4 to move the corresponding vehicle 1 to be left to the lift room 5a. The operation thereafter is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0132] When the control unit 8 receives a request to leave the depot for a non-compliant vehicle 1, and when its turn for leaving arrives, the control unit 8 controls the moving mechanism 34 and the transport device 4 to move the non-compliant vehicle 1 to be left to the lift room 5b, and notifies the user that the vehicle has arrived at the lift room 5b. The control unit 8 may receive an input from the user along with the request to leave whether the vehicle 1 to be left is a compliant vehicle, or may identify the vehicle 1 by attempting a predetermined communication with the vehicle 1 to be left after receiving the request to leave, or may use information stored at the time of entry.

[0133] When the control unit 8 has received a departure reservation for the non-compliant vehicle 1, after the reservation time has passed, it controls the moving mechanism 34 and the transport device 4 to move the non-compliant vehicle 1 to be left to the lift room 5b, and notifies the user that the vehicle has arrived at the lift room 5b. The control unit 8 may receive an input from the user along with the departure reservation as to whether the vehicle 1 to be left is a compliant vehicle or not, or may identify the vehicle 1 by attempting a predetermined communication with the vehicle 1 to be left after receiving the departure reservation, or may use information stored at the time of entry.

[0134] The user 12 gets into the non-compliant vehicle 1 to be removed from the lift room 5b, exits the lift room 5b together with the non-compliant vehicle 1, and then exits to the vehicle lane 15, i.e., outside the mechanical parking lot 100.

[0135] The control unit 8 may receive input from the user along with the exit request to determine whether the vehicle 1 to be released is a compatible vehicle, or may determine this by attempting a specified communication with the vehicle 1 to be released after receiving the exit request, or may use information stored at the time of entry.

[0136] When the stopping time of the non-compliant vehicle 1 in the lift room 5 during leaving the parking lot has elapsed the third time, the control unit 8 controls the transport device 4 and the moving mechanism 34 to return the non-compliant vehicle 1 to the parking room 3. The third time in this embodiment can be set from the same viewpoint as the third time in the second embodiment.

[0137] The operation of the mechanical parking lot 100 when entering the parking lot will be described. When the control unit 8 receives an entry request from the corresponding vehicle 1, it guides the corresponding vehicle 1 to the boarding and disembarking area 2 when it is the vehicle's turn to enter the parking lot. The subsequent operation is the same as in the embodiment.

[0138] When the control unit 8 receives a request for entry of the non-compliant vehicle 1, it guides the non-compliant vehicle 1 to the lift room 5b when its turn for entry arrives. The user 12 causes the non-compliant vehicle 1 to enter the lift room 5b, gets off the non-compliant vehicle 1, exits the lift room 5b, and then exits the mechanical parking lot 100. When the user 12 exits the lift room 5b, the control unit 8 controls the transport device 4 and the moving mechanism 34 to move the non-compliant vehicle 1 to a predetermined parking section 32.

[0139] The control unit 8 may receive input from the user along with the warehousing request to determine whether the vehicle 1 to be stored is a compatible vehicle, or may determine whether the vehicle 1 to be stored is a compatible vehicle by attempting a specific communication with the vehicle 1 to be stored that is parked at a specific location after receiving the warehousing request.

[0140] According to the third embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the second embodiment. In addition, according to the third embodiment, the movement range of the compatible vehicle 1 and the movement range of the non-compatible vehicle 1 are separated, so that the user 12 of the non-compatible vehicle 1 can walk more safely from the lift room 5b to the outside of the mechanical parking lot 100 and from the outside of the mechanical parking lot 100 to the lift room 5b.

[0141] The present invention has been described above based on an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each processing step, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Such modifications will be described below.

[0142] (First Modification) Although not mentioned in the first embodiment, the control unit 8 may determine whether or not the vehicle 1 related to the entry request is a compatible vehicle, and if it is not a compatible vehicle, may notify the user 12 of that fact, for example, by displaying such a fact on a monitor (not shown). The control unit 8 may receive from the user 12 the entry request together with the entry request whether or not the vehicle 1 related to the entry request is a compatible vehicle, or may determine by attempting predetermined communication with a vehicle parked at a predetermined position, such as in front of the boarding and disembarking area 2, after receiving the entry request.

[0143] (Second Modification) In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the parking space 3 is provided on a different floor from the boarding and disembarking area 2, but this is not limited thereto. As shown in Fig. 11, the parking space 3 may be provided on the same floor as the boarding and disembarking area 2. The pallet carrying the vehicle 1 can move horizontally to the lift room 5 of the parking space 3 on the same floor. Inside the parking space 3, the pallet can move horizontally in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0144] (Third Modification) In the embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example, the number of boarding and alighting areas 2 is four or two, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of boarding and alighting areas 2 may be one, three, or five or more.

[0145] (Fourth Modification) In the embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example, the number of lifts is two, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of lifts may be one or three or more.

[0146] (Fifth Modification) In the embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example, the number of temporary parking areas 6 is three, but this is not limiting. For example, the number of temporary parking areas may be one, two, four or more.

[0147] (Sixth Modification) In the embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example, the number of floors of the parking space is two, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of floors of the parking space may be one or three or more.

[0148] (Seventh Modification) Unlike the second embodiment, the mechanical parking lot 100 may include an automatic transport vehicle such as an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) that transports the non-compliant vehicle 1. In this case, the non-compliant vehicle 1 can be treated in the same way as a compliant vehicle 1. A user 12 of the non-compliant vehicle 1 can get on and off the non-compliant vehicle 1 in the boarding and disembarking area 2.

[0149] Each of these modified examples provides the same functions and effects as the embodiment.

[0150] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. A new embodiment resulting from the combination has the combined effects of the respective embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 1 vehicle, 2 boarding / disembarking area, 3 parking space, 4 transport device, 5 loading / unloading area, 6 temporary parking area, 7 internal mechanism, 8 control unit, 12 user, 24 first entrance / exit, 26 second entrance / exit, 100 mechanical parking lot.

Claims

1. a boarding and disembarking area where people get on and off the vehicle; A parking space capable of parking multiple vehicles; a control unit that controls a connected vehicle capable of autonomous driving when a predetermined condition is satisfied; Equipped with a mechanical parking lot.

2. Equipped with a temporary parking area where vehicles can be temporarily parked, The mechanical parking lot described in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the automatically operable vehicle parked in the boarding / disembarking area and moves it to the temporary parking area when the specified condition is met.

3. The mechanical parking lot according to claim 2 , wherein the specified condition is that the automatically operable vehicle parked in the boarding and disembarking area has been parked for a first period of time while leaving the parking lot.

4. The mechanical parking system of claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the vehicle and an internal mechanism of the mechanical parking system to move the vehicle to the parking space when the vehicle that has been moved to the temporary parking area and is being parked in the temporary parking area for a second period of time.

5. The mechanical parking lot of claim 2, wherein the specified condition is that a request for entry of another vehicle is received while the automatically operable vehicle being exited is parked in the boarding and disembarking area.

6. The mechanical parking lot of claim 2, wherein the specified condition is that a request for another vehicle to leave the parking lot is received while the automatically operable vehicle currently leaving the parking lot is parked in the boarding and disembarking area.

7. The mechanical parking lot described in claim 2, wherein when there are a specified number or more of exit reservations within a specified time period, the control unit controls the vehicle that is the subject of the exit reservation parked in the parking space and the internal mechanism of the mechanical parking lot to move the subject vehicle to the temporary parking area.

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