Mechanical parking lot

Abstract

To provide mechanical parking lots capable of recharging EV vehicles with a relatively simple configuration.SOLUTION: A mechanical parking lot 10 comprises a boarding room 12 and parking rooms 14, 16, and 18 for storing vehicles 20 that have been moved from the boarding room 12. The parking rooms 14, 16, 18 comprise an irradiation unit 22 that irradiates a photoelectric conversion unit with light for supplying power to the vehicle 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Mechanical parking lots are generally known as parking lots that can efficiently park many vehicles in a small space. Various structures are provided for mechanical parking lots, one of which is a pallet-type mechanical parking lot, in which vehicles are placed on a pallet and the pallet is moved vertically and horizontally using rails and grooves to transport the vehicles to an available pallet space. In addition, a mechanical parking lot that improves parking efficiency by combining a lift (elevation mechanism) and a multi-level parking layer with this pallet-type mechanical parking lot is also provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Meanwhile, in recent years, low-noise, clean electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (hereinafter collectively referred to as EVs) have begun to become popular. EVs are powered by electricity from secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries mounted on the vehicles. Currently, it takes several tens of minutes to several hours to charge these secondary batteries. Therefore, a technology has been proposed in which an outlet is provided on a pallet, and the secondary battery of the EV is charged while the EV is parked in a parking lot (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-197417 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-107447 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to charge the secondary battery of an EV vehicle from the outlet installed on the pallet, it is necessary to supply power to the pallet from a power supply device installed in the parking space. However, if the power supply device and the pallet are connected with a cable, there is a risk that the freedom of movement of the pallet will be impaired. It is not easy to supply power from a power supply device to a pallet that can move freely vertically and horizontally in the parking space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a mechanical parking lot that can charge EVs with a relatively simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a mechanical parking lot according to one aspect of the present invention includes a boarding / deboarding room and a parking room for storing a vehicle moved from the boarding / deboarding room. The parking room includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light to a photoelectric conversion unit for supplying power to the vehicle.

[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 capable of charging EVs can be provided with a relatively simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mechanical parking lot according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the B1F parking space in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration for controlling the turning on and off of an irradiation unit in a mechanical parking lot according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control of turning on and off lights in the mechanical parking lot according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a mechanical parking lot according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the B1F parking space in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration for controlling the turning on and off of an irradiation unit in a mechanical parking lot according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control of turning on and off lights in a mechanical parking lot according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted as appropriate. Also, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Also, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiment are omitted in each drawing.

[0012] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mechanical parking lot 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the B1F parking space 14 in Fig. 1. Note that the B2F parking space 16 and the B3F parking space 18 are configured in the same manner as the B1F parking space 14.

[0013] The mechanical parking lot 10 is a so-called underground mechanical parking lot that is provided up to three basement floors below a building 104 provided above ground. Note that the mechanical parking lot 10 may be an above-ground mechanical parking lot provided within a building on the ground.

[0014] The mechanical parking lot 10 includes a boarding / deboarding room 12, a parking room for storing vehicles moved from the boarding / deboarding room 12, a plurality of pallets 32, a first transfer device 56, a plurality of second transfer devices 58, a lift frame 88, an elevator 96, and a lifting device 94. The parking rooms include a B1F parking room 14 on the first basement floor, a B2F parking room 16 on the second basement floor, and a B3F parking room 18 on the third basement floor.

[0015] The boarding / deboarding room 12 is used for loading and unloading vehicles into and from the mechanical parking lot 10, and is provided within a building 104. The boarding / deboarding room 12 is provided at the upper end of the elevator shaft 96. The boarding / deboarding room 12 is provided with a pallet opening 100 that is substantially rectangular in plan view and communicates between the boarding / deboarding room 12 and the elevator shaft 96.

[0016] The pallet 32 ​​is a flat member, and the upper surface on which the vehicle is mounted, i.e., the vehicle mounting surface 32a, is substantially rectangular. The mechanical parking lot 10 is a pallet-type parking lot that uses the pallet 32. This pallet-type mechanical parking lot 10 is configured to park the vehicle 20 in the parking space by using the lifting device 94 to raise and lower the pallet 32 ​​on which the vehicle 20 is mounted, or by using the first transfer device 56 and the second transfer device 58 to move the pallet 32 ​​two-dimensionally in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0017] B1F parking space 14, B2F parking space 16, and B3F parking space 18 each include 10 parking spaces. When viewed from above, these 10 parking spaces are arranged in a matrix of 5 rows in the vertical direction (x direction in the figure) and 2 columns in the horizontal direction (y direction in the figure) that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. Of course, the arrangement of the parking spaces is not limited to this. Each parking space has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is configured to be able to accommodate a pallet 32. The parking space, together with the pallet 32, is one parking area (one unit of parking) within the parking room where a vehicle 20 can be parked.

[0018] The elevator shaft 96 is provided along the vertical direction (z direction). The elevator shaft 96 communicates with each of the B1F parking spaces 14, the B2F parking spaces 16, and the B3F parking spaces 18. A lifting device 94 that raises and lowers the lift frame 88 is installed at the lower end of the elevator shaft 96. A mast 90 is provided as a support at the corner of the elevator shaft 96.

[0019] The lift frame 88 is supported by a mast 90 so as to be freely raised and lowered, and is raised and lowered along a hoistway 96 by a lifting device 94. A first transfer device 56 is provided on the upper part of the lift frame 88. The lift frame, mast, and lifting device described in JP 2009-197417 A, previously filed by the applicant, can be respectively applied for to the lift frame 88, the mast 90, and the lifting device 94.

[0020] The pallet 32 ​​is mounted on the top of the first transfer device 56. The first transfer device 56 is configured to be able to move the pallet 32 ​​in one direction in a plane (the x direction in the figure). The second transfer device 58 is provided in each parking space and moves the pallet 32 ​​in the x and y directions across the parking spaces. The y direction is a direction perpendicular to both the x and z directions. The first transfer device 56 and the second transfer device 58 can be applied to the conveying device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-29681, which was previously filed by the applicant. As shown in FIG. 2, anti-tip rollers 38 are installed between the parking spaces to support the pallet 32 ​​when it moves across the parking spaces.

[0021] The mechanical parking lot 10 according to the present embodiment can charge the secondary battery of an EV vehicle while it is parked. The vehicle that can be charged while parked in the mechanical parking lot 10 according to the present embodiment is an EV vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit. In this specification, the "photoelectric conversion unit" is a member for supplying power to the vehicle, and receives irradiation of light such as sunlight and directly converts the energy into electrical energy. The photoelectric conversion unit is a general term for semiconductor devices that utilize the photovoltaic effect, such as solar cells, solar cell cells, and solar cell modules. The photoelectric conversion unit is a thin sheet-like member, and may be provided on the roof, bonnet, door, etc. of the vehicle. In this specification, a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit is appropriately called a "vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit". The vehicle 20 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit, and a photoelectric conversion unit 23 is provided on the roof.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, each of a plurality of parking spaces provided in a mechanical parking lot 10 is provided with an irradiation unit 22. The irradiation unit 22 irradiates light to a photoelectric conversion unit 23 of a vehicle 20. The photoelectric conversion unit 23 converts the light into electricity, and this electricity is charged in a secondary battery of the vehicle 20. The irradiation unit 22 may be one that emits light suitable for power generation in the photoelectric conversion unit 23, and as an example, one that uses a blue LED as a light source may be used.

[0023] In FIG. 1, the irradiation unit 22 is positioned on the ceiling of each parking space so as to irradiate light downward, but the position is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of irradiating light to the photoelectric conversion unit 23 of the vehicle 20, and may be positioned, for example, on the side wall, pillar, or bottom surface of each parking space.

[0024] In the mechanical parking lot 10 according to the present embodiment, although the chargeable vehicles 20 are limited to vehicles equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit, it is sufficient to simply place the irradiation unit 22 in each parking space of the parking lot. Since there is no need to connect a cable from a power supply to the pallet 32 ​​that moves in the parking lot, the configuration is extremely simple. In addition, it is easy to adapt to existing mechanical parking lots. In the mechanical parking lot 10 according to the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 and the pallet 32 ​​are not in contact with each other. Therefore, even if the irradiation unit 22 is introduced into the mechanical parking lot 10, it does not affect the freedom of movement of the pallet 32 ​​at all.

[0025] Each of the irradiation units 22 may be configured to be individually controllable for turning on and off. By controlling the turning on and off of each of the irradiation units 22, power saving can be achieved. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration for controlling the turning on and off of the irradiation unit 22 in the mechanical parking lot 10 according to the first embodiment. Each block shown here can be realized in hardware terms by elements and mechanical devices such as a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer, and in software terms by a computer program, etc., but here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art who have read this specification that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the control configuration for turning on and off the illumination unit 22 includes a vehicle detection unit 24, a vehicle information acquisition unit 26, and a control unit .

[0027] The vehicle detection unit 24 detects whether or not a vehicle is parked in each parking space. The method of detecting a vehicle is not particularly limited, and the presence or absence of a vehicle in each parking space may be detected using a sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or a laser sensor, or image recognition. Alternatively, since the management system for the mechanical parking lot has position information of the entered vehicle in association with the pallet, the presence or absence of a vehicle in each parking space may be detected from that information.

[0028] The vehicle information acquisition unit 26 acquires vehicle information as to whether or not the vehicle parked in the parking space is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit. The information as to whether or not the vehicle is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit may be acquired, for example, when the vehicle enters the parking space or when a reservation for entry is made. Alternatively, if the vehicle parked in the parking space is a connected car, the information as to whether or not the vehicle is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit may be acquired by communicating with the vehicle.

[0029] The control unit 28 individually controls the turning on and off of the irradiation units 22 based on the information acquired from the vehicle detection unit 24 and the vehicle information acquisition unit 26.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the light on / off control in the mechanical parking lot 10 according to the first embodiment. First, the vehicle detection unit 24 detects whether or not a vehicle is parked in the parking space (S10). If a vehicle is parked in the parking space (Y in S10), the process proceeds to S12. On the other hand, if a vehicle is not parked in the parking space (N in S10), the control unit 28 turns off the illumination unit 22 (S16). This prevents light from being illuminated onto parking spaces where no vehicles are parked, thereby saving power.

[0031] In S12, the vehicle information acquisition unit 26 acquires vehicle information as to whether or not the vehicle parked in the parking space is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit. If the parked vehicle is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit (Y in S12), the control unit 28 turns on the illumination unit 22 (S14). This causes the photoelectric conversion unit 23 of the vehicle 20 to generate power, and the secondary battery is charged.

[0032] On the other hand, if the stopped vehicle is not a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit (N in S12), the control unit 28 turns off the illumination unit 22. This prevents light from being emitted to gasoline vehicles and EVs that do not have a photoelectric conversion unit, thereby enabling further power saving.

[0033] The mechanical parking lot 10 may be equipped with a sunlight lighting system 40. The sunlight lighting system 40 is a system that collects sunlight using a collector 42 installed outdoors and conveys the sunlight to a desired location via optical fiber. The irradiation unit 22 may be configured to be able to irradiate sunlight sent from the sunlight lighting system 40 via optical fiber. In this case, for example, during clear daytime weather, light irradiation by power supply from a power supply device is unnecessary (or at least reduced), so energy can be saved.

[0034] Second embodiment Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a mechanical parking lot 50 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of the B1F parking space 14 in Fig. 5. Note that the B2F parking space 16 and the B3F parking space 18 are configured similarly to the B1F parking space 14.

[0035] The mechanical parking lot 50 shown in Fig. 5 can also charge the secondary battery of an EV while it is parked. A vehicle that can be charged while parked in the mechanical parking lot 50 according to this embodiment is an EV whose secondary battery can be charged via a charging cable, and does not need to be equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit.

[0036] In the mechanical parking lot 50 according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, a photoelectric conversion unit 52 is provided on the pallet 32. In Fig. 6, the photoelectric conversion unit 52 is provided along the long side of the upper surface of the pallet 32, but the position of the photoelectric conversion unit 52 is not particularly limited. However, taking into consideration that the vehicle 20 will be placed on the pallet 32, it is desirable to place the photoelectric conversion unit 52 at a position on the upper surface of the pallet 32 ​​that is not covered by the vehicle 20. In addition, the position of the photoelectric conversion unit 52 is not limited to the upper surface of the pallet 32, and it may be placed on the lower surface of the pallet 32.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, the pallet 32 ​​is further provided with an outlet 54. In Fig. 6, the outlet 54 is disposed in the center of the rear part of the upper surface of the pallet 32, but the location of the outlet 54 is not particularly limited as long as it is a location that does not get in the way when the vehicle 20 is parked on the pallet 32. The outlet 54 is a power supply unit for supplying the power generated by the photoelectric conversion unit 52 to the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 6, the outlet 54 is connected to the vehicle 20 via a charging cable 55.

[0038] In the mechanical parking lot 50 according to this embodiment, an irradiation unit 22 is also provided in each of a plurality of parking spaces, as shown in Fig. 5. The irradiation unit 22 irradiates light onto a photoelectric conversion unit 52 of a pallet 32. The photoelectric conversion unit 52 converts the light into electricity, and this electricity is charged into a secondary battery of the vehicle 20 via a charging cable 55 from an outlet 54.

[0039] 5, the irradiation unit 22 is arranged to irradiate light downward on the side of the ceiling of the parking space so that light is suitably irradiated to the photoelectric conversion unit 52 arranged on the upper surface of the pallet 32 ​​as shown in Fig. 6, but the irradiation unit 22 can be arranged depending on the position of the photoelectric conversion unit 52 on the pallet 32. For example, when the photoelectric conversion unit 52 is arranged on the underside of the pallet 32, the irradiation unit 22 may be arranged on the bottom side of the parking space so that light can be irradiated to the pallet 32 ​​from below.

[0040] According to the mechanical parking lot 50 of this embodiment, it is possible to charge an EV vehicle that is not equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit. In addition to arranging the irradiation unit 22 in the parking space as in the mechanical parking lot 10 shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to provide the photoelectric conversion unit 52 and the outlet 54 on the pallet 32, but it is not necessary to connect a cable from a power supply device to the pallet 32 ​​that moves in the parking space. In the mechanical parking lot 50 of this embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 and the pallet 32 ​​are also in non-contact. Therefore, even if the irradiation unit 22 is introduced into the mechanical parking lot 50, it does not affect the degree of freedom of movement of the pallet 32 ​​at all.

[0041] In the mechanical parking lot 50 according to this embodiment, each of the illuminating units 22 may be configured to be individually controllable to be turned on and off. By controlling the turning on and off of each of the illuminating units 22, it is possible to save power.

[0042] 7 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration for controlling the turning on and off of the irradiation unit 22 in the mechanical parking lot 50 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the control configuration for turning on and off the irradiation unit 22 includes a connection detection unit 70 and a control unit 72.

[0043] The connection detection unit 70 detects whether or not the outlet 54 and the vehicle 20 are connected to be able to supply power via the charging cable 55. The method of detecting the connection is not particularly limited, and the presence or absence of a connection may be detected for each parking space using a sensor or image recognition. Alternatively, if the vehicle parked in the parking space is a connected car, connection information may be obtained by communicating with the vehicle.

[0044] The control unit 72 controls the turning on and off of the irradiation units 22 individually based on the information acquired from the connection detection unit 70.

[0045] 8 shows a flowchart of the light on / off control in the mechanical parking lot 50 according to the second embodiment. First, the connection detection unit 70 detects whether the outlet 54 and the vehicle 20 are connected via the charging cable 55 so as to be able to supply power (S20). If they are connected (Y in S20), the control unit 72 turns on the illumination unit 22 (S22). This causes power to be generated in the photoelectric conversion unit 52 of the pallet 32, and the secondary battery is charged via the outlet 54 and the charging cable 55.

[0046] On the other hand, if no vehicle is parked in the parking space (N in S20), the control unit 28 turns off the illumination unit 22 (S16). This stops illumination of light into parking spaces where the outlet 54 and the vehicle 20 are not connected, thereby enabling power saving.

[0047] The mechanical parking lot 50 may also be equipped with a sunlight lighting system 40. The irradiation unit 22 may be configured to be able to irradiate sunlight transmitted from the sunlight lighting system 40 via an optical fiber. In this case, for example, during clear daytime weather, irradiation of light by power supply from a power supply device is unnecessary (or at least reduced), so energy can be saved.

[0048] In the mechanical parking lots according to the first and second embodiments described above, the vehicle is charged using light emitted from the irradiation unit 22, but this may be combined with normal charging using power from a power supply device.

[0049] 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]

[0050] 10, 50 mechanical parking lot, 12 boarding and disembarking space, 14 B1F parking space, 16 B2F parking space, 18 B3F parking space, 20 vehicle, 22 irradiation unit, 23, 52 photoelectric conversion unit, 24 vehicle detection unit, 26 vehicle information acquisition unit, 28, 72 control unit, 32 pallet, 40 solar lighting system, 54 outlet, 55 charging cable, 70 connection detection unit.

Claims

1. The boarding and disembarking compartments, a parking room for storing the vehicles moved from the boarding / alighting room; Equipped with The parking space is a mechanical parking lot equipped with an irradiation unit that irradiates light to a photoelectric conversion unit to supply power to the vehicle.

2. The mechanical parking lot according to claim 1 , wherein the photoelectric conversion unit is provided in the vehicle.

3. The parking facility includes a plurality of parking spaces; The illumination unit is provided in each of the plurality of parking spaces, The mechanical parking lot according to claim 2 , wherein each of the illumination units can be individually controlled to be turned on and off.

4. The mechanical parking lot according to claim 3 , wherein each of the illumination units is turned on when a vehicle is parked in the corresponding parking space.

5. The mechanical parking lot according to claim 4 , wherein each of the illumination units is turned on when a vehicle parked in the corresponding parking space is a vehicle equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit.

6. Further comprising a pallet on which the vehicle is loaded; The photoelectric conversion unit is provided on the pallet, The mechanical parking lot according to claim 1 , wherein the pallet is provided with a power supply unit for supplying the electricity generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to the vehicle.

7. The mechanical parking lot according to claim 6 , wherein the irradiation unit irradiates light to the photoelectric conversion unit when the power supply unit and the vehicle are connected so as to be able to supply power.

8. A mechanical parking lot as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the irradiation unit is capable of irradiating sunlight transmitted from a sunlight collecting system via an optical fiber.

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