Multi-level parking facility

Abstract

To provide a multi-level parking facility capable of preventing vehicles from getting damaged by detecting whether the vehicle is over the height limit when entering the garage with a minimal configuration.SOLUTION: The multi-level parking facility includes: an entry detection sensor 35 that detects a vehicle getting onto a pallet placed on a boarding level; a vehicle height limit sensor 37 that detects whether or not vehicles getting on the pallet placed on the boarding level are a high-riding vehicle; a vehicle detection sensor 30 having multiple spans 15-17, which detects the vehicles getting on the pallet placed on the boarding level at each span 15-17; and a controller device 40 that determines that the vehicle is over the height exceeding the limit in a case where, in a low vehicle height span where a pallet is placed to allow a low-height vehicle to enter by performing an entrance operation, the entry detection sensor 35 detects the entry of a vehicle and the vehicle height limit sensor 37 detects a high-riding vehicle, and where the vehicle detection sensor 30 detects an incoming vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a multi-level parking facility having multiple levels and spans of storage space. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a multi-level parking facility with a lift-and-cross type storage space with multiple levels and spans, vehicles are parked on a pallet that moves across the middle level of the entrance area, and on a pallet that moves up and down from the upper and lower levels toward the empty space in the middle level. Vehicles that are parked in a multi-level parking facility include low-height standard cars (hereinafter, low-height cars are collectively referred to as "low-height cars") and high-height high-roof cars and SUVs (sports utility vehicles) (hereinafter, high-height cars are collectively referred to as "high-height cars").

[0003] In the case of multi-level parking facilities with a lower level in an underground pit, the lower level is often a storage space for low-height vehicles, and the middle level on the boarding surface is a storage space for high-height vehicles, as they enter and exit the facility. In addition, there are some where the upper level is a storage space for either high-height or low-height vehicles.

[0004] In the case of such a multi-level parking facility, when a vehicle enters the facility, pallets are lined up on all spans of the entrance surface, so it is possible that the driver may mistakenly enter the pallet that should be entered by the driver. If a user of a high-height vehicle mistakenly enters the pallet for low-height vehicles, if the machine is operated while the vehicle is over the height limit, the pallet for low-height vehicles will be stored in the underground pit, and the middle pallet will move sideways, causing an accident in which the middle pallet damages the vehicle in the underground pit. In addition, when a user enters a loan car, they may enter the car without realizing that the vehicle is over the height limit, causing an accident in which the vehicle is damaged in the same way.

[0005] In addition to damaging the vehicle, such accidents occur when the next user operates the device, so there is often no one to use the damaged vehicle, making it impossible to move the vehicle immediately and requiring time for recovery.

[0006] Prior literature on preventing vehicle height limits from being exceeded includes a method of determining which entry / exit section a vehicle entering / exiting is located at among multiple entry / exit sections arranged in parallel by recognizing an image of the vehicle entering / exiting section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0007] Furthermore, in another prior document, a camera photographs the license plate of a vehicle that has entered a pallet, and the suitability of entry is determined based on the vehicle specifications obtained from the license plate information and the restrictive conditions associated with the entered pallet (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-149648 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2022-55478 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 requires a lot of configuration and costs because it photographs a vehicle undergoing entrance / exit operations at multiple entrance / exit sections, recognizes the images, and determines which entrance / exit section the vehicle is located in.

[0010] Furthermore, the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 requires a complex mechanism, such as processing images captured by a camera and acquiring vehicle specifications based on the image-processed information, and therefore requires a large configuration and costs.

[0011] An object of the present application is to provide a multi-level parking facility that can detect whether a vehicle is over the height limit when entering the parking lot with a minimal configuration and prevent vehicle damage accidents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A multi-level parking facility according to one aspect of the present application comprises a plurality of storage spaces having a plurality of spans in multiple levels, a predetermined level of the multiple levels being a boarding level, at least one level different from the boarding level being a low vehicle height vehicle storage level, and a pallet of the low vehicle height vehicle storage level being raised and lowered and placed in an empty span of the boarding level so that pallets are placed in all spans of the boarding level, the multi-level parking facility comprising an entrance detection sensor that detects a vehicle entering from outside onto the pallet placed on the boarding level at an entrance portion of the boarding level, and a detection sensor that detects a vehicle entering the pallet placed on the boarding level from the outside at an entrance portion of the boarding level, and a detection sensor that detects a vehicle entering the pallet placed on the boarding level when the vehicle is a high vehicle height vehicle. a vehicle detection sensor that is arranged on the boarding level of the plurality of spans and detects the vehicle that has been stored on the pallet on each of the spans; and a control device that, in the span where the pallet of the low height vehicle storage level is placed on the boarding level by a storage operation, detects that the vehicle is entering the storage using the entry detection sensor and detects that the vehicle is a high height vehicle using the vehicle height limit sensor, and determines that the vehicle height limit has been exceeded when the vehicle detection sensor detects the entered vehicle.

[0013] With this configuration, in a multi-level parking facility having multiple spans on multiple levels, when a vehicle is stored on the pallet of a low height vehicle storage level with the pallet of this low height vehicle storage level placed on an empty span of the boarding level by a parking operation, it is possible to determine whether the entering vehicle exceeds the height limit by detecting the vehicle by the entry detection sensor at the entrance of the boarding level, detecting that it is a high height vehicle by the vehicle height limit sensor, and detecting the entering vehicle by the vehicle detection sensor. This prevents a high height vehicle that exceeds the height limit from being stored on the pallet of the low height vehicle storage level and being stored in the low height vehicle storage level, and makes it possible to prevent accidents after storage caused by storing a high height vehicle on the pallet of the low height vehicle storage level.

[0014] The vehicle may also be provided with a fence that closes the front of the storage space of the boarding stage, and the control device may be configured to prevent the fence from being closed when it determines that the vehicle height limit is exceeded.

[0015] With this configuration, if it is determined that a vehicle is being stored that exceeds the height limit in the span where the pallet of the low height vehicle storage level is placed, the fence cannot be closed and the storage cannot be completed.

[0016] The control device may also be configured to enable closing of the fence when the vehicle detection sensor no longer detects the vehicle in the span where it has been determined that the vehicle height limit has been exceeded.

[0017] With this configuration, the user will recognize that the vehicle height limit has been exceeded because the fence cannot be closed and the entry into the parking lot cannot be completed, and by moving the vehicle out, the fence can be closed and the entry operation can be completed.

[0018] Furthermore, when it is determined that the vehicle height limit is exceeded, the control device may be configured to notify the vehicle height limit being exceeded.

[0019] With this configuration, the user can be notified that a high-height vehicle has been stored in the span in which the pallet of the low-height vehicle storage level is arranged.

[0020] In addition, the vehicle detection sensor may be composed of a retroreflective beam sensor, the multi-stage storage space may have an upper stage above the boarding stage, and the pallet on the upper stage may have a reflective member of the retroreflective beam sensor on its underside.

[0021] With this configuration, when a retroreflective beam sensor is used as the vehicle detection sensor, a reflective member that reflects the beam emitted from the sensor body is located on the underside of the upper pallet, thereby preventing dirt such as dust and the adhesion of water droplets.

[0022] In addition, the upper pallet may have a convex portion protruding upward between supporting surfaces on which the vehicle tires are placed, the supporting surfaces extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and the reflective member may be provided on the underside of the convex portion.

[0023] With this configuration, the reflective member is provided in the recessed portion formed by the convex portion of the upper pallet, so that the reflective member does not interfere with vehicles entering and leaving the shed.

[0024] The reflective member may also be provided on a framework that defines the plurality of storage spaces.

[0025] With this configuration, when a retroreflective beam sensor is used as a vehicle detection sensor, the beam emitted from the beam body can be reflected by the reflective member provided in the framework even when the upper pallet is not on the upper level. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the multi-level parking facility of the present application, it is possible to appropriately detect whether a vehicle exceeds the height limit when entering the parking lot with a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to prevent vehicle damage accidents caused by exceeding the height limit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first multi-level parking facility according to a first embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first multi-level parking facility shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are drawings of an upper pallet provided with the reflector shown in FIG. 2, in which (A) is a front view and (B) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view seen from the side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing a second multi-level parking facility according to a second embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the second multi-level parking facility shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a portion of the frame on which the reflector shown in FIG. 6 is provided. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a third multi-level parking facility according to the third embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the first half of a flowchart for determining whether a vehicle exceeds the height limit in the multi-level parking facility of the present application. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the latter half of the flowchart for determining whether a vehicle exceeds the height limit in the multi-level parking facility of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] An embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, the multi-level parking facilities 1, 50, 70 will be described as having a plurality of storage spaces 6-8, each of which has three levels and three spans 15-17. In each of the multi-level parking facilities 1, 50, 70 in the following embodiment, the middle level is the entrance level, allowing high-height vehicles HV to enter and exit the parking facility, and the middle level is used for low-height vehicles LV and high-height vehicles HV to enter and exit the parking facility. In addition, the concepts of up, down, left, and right directions in this specification and claims are assumed to be consistent with the concepts of up, down, left, and right directions in a state facing the fence 21 as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the concept of the front-rear direction is assumed to be consistent with the concept of the front-rear direction in which the direction in which high-height vehicles HV and low-height vehicles LV enter and exit the parking facility is the front, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the high-height vehicles HV and low-height vehicles LV are also collectively referred to as vehicles V.

[0029] <First multi-level parking facility> Fig. 1 is a front view showing a first multi-level parking facility 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first multi-level parking facility 1. Figs. 1 and 2 show the ground and other parts in cross section.

[0030] The first multi-level parking facility 1 is constructed with a framework 5 formed by a plurality of support columns 2 and cross beams 3 as a skeleton. The framework 5 forms a storage space with three levels vertically and three spans 15-17 horizontally. The first multi-level parking facility 1 has an upper storage space 6 in the upper level capable of storing high-height vehicles HV, a middle storage space 7 in the middle level capable of storing high-height vehicles HV, and a lower storage space 8 in the lower level for storing low-height vehicles LV. In the first multi-level parking facility 1, the lower storage space 8 is a storage level for low-height vehicles. The lower storage space 8 is provided in a pit 9 formed by excavating underground, and the middle storage space 7 on the ground level is a designated level for the boarding level 20. The upper storage space 6 and the middle storage space 7 have a height that allows high-height vehicles HV to be stored, and the lower storage space 8 has a height that allows low-height vehicles LV to be stored.

[0031] In the upper storage space 6, three upper pallets 10 (in this example, A to C are attached from left to right) are arranged side by side. In the lower storage space 8, three lower pallets 11 (in this example, F to H are attached from left to right) are arranged side by side. In the middle storage space 7, two middle pallets 12 (in this example, D and E are attached from left to right) are arranged side by side, which is one less than the number of spans, and the middle pallet 12 can move sideways. In the state shown in the figure, the middle pallets 12 (D, E) are located in the left span 15 and the right span 17, the center span 16 is an empty span, and the lower pallet 11 (G) of the low vehicle height storage stage is raised and arranged in this empty span. In the boarding stage 20, two middle pallets 12 and one lower pallet 11 are arranged, and pallets are arranged in all spans.

[0032] The middle pallet 12 can be moved laterally in the middle storage space 7 by a lateral movement drive unit (not shown). The upper pallet 10 can be raised and lowered in the same span between the upper storage space 6 and the middle storage space 7 by a lifting chain driven by a lifting drive unit 14 (Fig. 3). The lower pallet 11 can be raised and lowered in the same span between the lower storage space 8 and the middle storage space 7 by a lifting chain driven by a lifting drive unit (not shown). Note that the lateral movement of the middle pallet 12 and the raising and lowering of the upper pallet 10 and the lower pallet 11 can be performed using the same configuration as that in a known multi-level parking facility, and therefore a detailed description of the configuration for moving these pallets 12, 10, 11 laterally and raising and lowering them will be omitted.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the upper pallet 10 in the upper storage space 6 of the high vehicle height vehicle storage level is also called the high vehicle height pallet, and the lower pallet 11 in the lower storage space 8 of the low vehicle height vehicle storage level is also called the low vehicle height pallet. In addition, the spans 15-17 when a high vehicle height pallet is placed in the middle storage space 7 of the boarding level are also called the high vehicle height span, and the spans 15-17 when a low vehicle height pallet is placed in the middle storage space 7 of the boarding level are also called the low vehicle height span. The low vehicle height span is only when the lower pallet 11, which is a low vehicle height pallet, is moved to the middle storage space 7, and is a maximum of one span. In the state shown in the figure, the central span 16 is a low vehicle height span.

[0034] Further, an operation panel 25 is provided on the support pillars 2 of the framework body 5. The operation panel 25 receives entry and exit operations by users. An openable and closable fence 21 is provided in front of the boarding step 20 between the boarding floor 22 and the boarding step. The fence 21 is opened and closed in the vertical direction by a fence opening and closing drive unit 23 via a chain (not shown). By opening the fence 21, the vehicle V can be entered and exited at the boarding step 20.

[0035] <Entry detection sensor / vehicle detection sensor> The first multi-level parking facility 1 is provided with an entrance detection sensor 35 and a vehicle height limit sensor 37 at the front of the middle storage space 7 so as to cross the entire span 15-17 in the left-right direction. The entrance detection sensor 35 and the vehicle height limit sensor 37 can be beam sensors. The entrance detection sensor 35 is provided at a height at the entrance of the middle storage space 7, which is the boarding step 20, so as to be able to detect the vehicle V entering from the outside. The entrance detection sensor 35 irradiates a beam so as to cross the entire span 15-17 in the left-right direction, and detects the entry of the vehicle V when the beam 36 is blocked by the entering vehicle V. The entrance detection sensor 35 can determine that the vehicle V has entered the designated position of the pallet when it detects the vehicle V and then no longer detects it. The entrance detection sensor 35 may be a front end position restriction sensor that detects the protrusion of the front of the vehicle. The entrance detection sensor 35 may also be an obstacle detection sensor provided so as to cross the entire span. The entrance detection sensors 35 may be installed in two in the front-rear direction to determine the traveling direction of the vehicle V, and the entrance or exit of the vehicle V may be determined in the order of detection. The two entrance detection sensors 35 may be used as both a front end position restriction sensor and an obstacle detection sensor, which are normally provided.

[0036] The vehicle height limit sensor 37 is provided so as to traverse in the left-right direction the entire span 15-17 of the middle storage space 7. The vehicle height limit sensor 37 is provided at a height exceeding the vehicle height limit value of the low height vehicle LV, and detects the entry of the high height vehicle HV when a beam 38 is interrupted when the high height vehicle HV enters the storage space.

[0037] <Vehicle detection sensor> Each span 15-17 is provided with a vehicle detection sensor 30 that detects, in the respective span 15-17, a vehicle V stored on a pallet 10-12 arranged on the entrance level 20. The vehicle detection sensor 30 is provided in the left-right central portion of each of the spans 15-17 in the middle storage space 7.

[0038] The vehicle detection sensor 30 of the first multi-level parking facility 1 is composed of a retroreflective beam sensor. The vehicle detection sensor 30 has a sensor body 31 and a reflector 32 as a reflecting member, and detects an obstruction between the sensor body 31 and the reflector 32. The sensor body 31 is provided at the rear lower part of the center in the left-right direction of each span 15-17 of the middle storage space 7. The sensor body 31 is arranged so as to irradiate a beam 33 diagonally forward in each span 15-17. The sensor body 31 irradiates the beam 33 from the rear of each span 15-17 forward in the entrance direction, so that it does not interfere with the entry and exit of the vehicle V. The reflector 32 is provided on the lower surface at the front of the upper pallet 10, and reflects the beam 33 irradiated from the sensor body 31. The reflecting member is not limited to a plate-shaped member.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the upper pallet 10 provided with the reflector 32 shown in FIG. 2, where (A) is a front view and (B) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view from the side. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the upper pallet 10 has a protruding portion 10b protruding upward between tire placement surfaces 10a extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4(B), the reflector 32 is attached to a bracket 34 provided toward a recessed portion on the lower surface of the protruding portion 10b. Since the reflector 32 is provided in the recessed portion on the lower surface of the upper pallet 10, it does not protrude downward from the upper pallet 10 and does not interfere with the entry and exit of the vehicle V. In addition, since the reflector 32 is provided on the lower surface of the upper pallet 10, it is possible to prevent dirt such as dust and water droplets from adhering to the upper pallet 10. The reflector 32 may be attached to the reinforcing material 13 of the upper pallet 10. The reflector 32 can be easily attached by providing it on the lower surface of the upper pallet 10.

[0040] The first multi-level parking facility 1 emits a beam 33 from the sensor body 31 of the vehicle detection sensor 30 toward a reflector 32, and detects a vehicle V when the vehicle V enters a pallet arranged in the middle storage space 7 and interrupts the beam 33.

[0041] Furthermore, if a reflector 32 is attached to the underside of the upper pallet 10, the reflector 32 cannot be used when the upper pallet 10 moves to the middle storage space 7. However, because the upper level of the first multi-level parking facility 1 is a storage space for high vehicle heights, it is not necessary to determine whether the vehicle height limit has been exceeded when the upper pallet 10 moves to the middle storage space 7. Therefore, the vehicle detection sensor 30 may be disabled for the span in which the upper pallet 10 moves to the middle storage space 7.

[0042] <Control device> The first multi-level parking facility 1 is equipped with a control device 40 which operates each of the pallets 10-12 in response to input from the operation panel 25. The control device 40 places a call pallet operated by the operation panel 25 on the entrance level 20. The control device 40 stores the span in which the call pallet input from the operation panel 25 is placed. The control device 40 uses the vehicle detection sensor 30 to detect which span the incoming vehicle has entered.

[0043] The control device 40 has a processor, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, an I / O interface, etc. The control device 40 realizes each determination by the processor performing arithmetic processing using the volatile memory based on a program stored in the non-volatile memory.

[0044] <Entry into the first multi-level parking facility> As shown in FIG. 1, the first multi-level parking facility 1 places the lower pallet 11 of the low height vehicle storage level in the middle storage space 7 of the central span 16 when the lower pallet 11(G) is called by the operation panel 25. The state of FIG. 1 shows a state in which a high height vehicle HV is stored in the middle pallet 12 of the left span 15 and the upper pallet 10 of the right span 17, and a low height vehicle LV is stored in the lower pallet 11 of the central span 16. In this case, when the low height vehicle LV is stored, the storage detection sensor 35 detects the low height vehicle LV, but the vehicle height limit sensor 37 does not detect the low height vehicle LV. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle detection sensor 30 provided in each span 15-17 detects the low height vehicle LV when the beam 33 irradiated from the sensor body 31 provided in the central span 16 toward the reflector 32 is blocked by the stored low height vehicle L. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the lower pallet 11(G) of the low height vehicle storage tier is loaded onto the central span 16, so the central span 16 is a low vehicle height span. In this example, a low height vehicle LV that is not detected by the vehicle height limit sensor 37 is loaded onto the central span 16 that loads the lower pallet 11 of the low height vehicle storage tier, so there is no problem with loading.

[0045] In the first multi-level parking facility 1, when a high-height vehicle HV enters the lower pallet 11 (G) of the low-height vehicle storage level in a state in which the lower pallet 11 (G) is placed in the middle storage space 7 of the central span 16 as shown in FIG. 1, both the entrance detection sensor 35 and the vehicle height limit sensor 37 detect the high-height vehicle HV. In addition, the vehicle detection sensor 30 detects the high-height vehicle HV when a beam 33 irradiated from a sensor body 31 provided on the central span 16 toward a reflector 32 is blocked by the entered high-height vehicle HV. In the first multi-level parking facility 1, when the vehicle height limit sensor 37 detects the high-height vehicle HV and the vehicle detection sensor 30 detects the high-height vehicle HV in the central span 16, which is a low-height span, the first multi-level parking facility 1 determines that the vehicle height limit is exceeded and prevents the vehicle from entering the facility. The determination of whether the vehicle height limit is exceeded will be described in detail in a flowchart described later.

[0046] <Second multi-level parking facility> Fig. 5 is a front view showing a second multi-level parking facility 50 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a side view of the second multi-level parking facility 50, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the second multi-level parking facility 50. Note that the same components as those in the first multi-level parking facility 1 are given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted.

[0047] The second multi-level parking facility 50 is an example in which the lower storage space 8 is a low height vehicle storage stage, and the upper storage space 6 is also a low height vehicle storage stage. The second multi-level parking facility 50 uses a recursive reflection type beam sensor as the vehicle detection sensor 60, and a sensor body 61 is provided at the rear lower part of the center in the left-right direction of each span 15-17 of the middle storage space 7. The sensor body 61 irradiates a beam 63 diagonally forward in each span 15-17, and reflects the beam 63 with a reflector 62 provided on the back surface of the upper pallet 10. The configuration for reflecting the beam 63 with the reflector 62 provided on the back surface of the upper pallet 10 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4(B), so a description thereof will be omitted. In the second multi-level parking facility 50, the upper pallet 10 of the low height vehicle storage stage moves to the middle storage space 7 by a calling operation, so that the reflector 32 that reflects the beam 62 disappears from the upper storage space 6. In the second multi-level parking facility 50, since the upper storage space 6 is a storage level for low-height vehicles, when the upper pallet 10 is moved to the middle storage space 7, a reflector 62 is required for the vehicle detection sensor 60 to detect a vehicle V that has entered the upper pallet 10.

[0048] In the second multi-level parking facility 50, a reflector 64 is also provided on the cross beam 3 above the entrance to the middle storage space 7. The reflector 64 provided on the cross beam 3 reflects the beam 63 emitted from the sensor body 61 of the vehicle detection sensor 60 when the upper pallet 10 is not in the upper storage space 6, thereby detecting the entered vehicle V. The reflector 64 may be provided on the support pillar 2. The second multi-level parking facility 50, in which the upper storage space 6 is a low-height vehicle storage level, is often installed indoors with a ceiling, and there is little need to prevent dirt and water droplets from getting on the reflector 64. The second multi-level parking facility 50 has the same other configuration as the first multi-level parking facility 1, so a description of the other configuration will be omitted.

[0049] <Vehicle detection sensor> Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view showing a portion of the framework 5 on which the reflector 64 shown in Fig. 6 is provided. As shown in Fig. 6, a vehicle detection sensor 60, which is a retroreflective beam sensor, has a sensor body 61 and reflectors 62 and 64 which are reflective members. As shown in Fig. 8, the reflector 64 which reflects the beam 63 of the sensor body 61 is provided on the cross beam 3 of the framework 5. The reflector 64 is provided on a bracket 65 which is provided on the cross beam 3 of the framework 5 at a predetermined angle.

[0050] In the second multi-level parking facility 50, in order to store the low height vehicle LV in the upper storage space 6, the upper pallet 10 of the low height vehicle storage level is lowered and placed in the middle storage space 7. In this state, there is no upper pallet 10 in the upper storage space 6, but the beam 63 emitted from the sensor main body 61 can be appropriately reflected by the reflector 64 provided on the cross beam 3 of the framework body 5. The second multi-level parking facility 50 emits the beam 63 from the sensor main body 61 of the vehicle detection sensor 60 toward the reflector 64, and detects the entry of a vehicle V entering the upper pallet 10 arranged in the middle storage space 7 when the beam 63 is blocked by the vehicle V.

[0051] The second multi-level parking facility 50 is identical to the first multi-level parking facility 1 except that the upper storage space 6 is a storage space for low-height vehicles LV and the reflector 64 of the vehicle detection sensor 60 is provided on the framework body 5, so explanations of other configurations will be omitted.

[0052] <Entry into the second multi-level parking facility> As shown in Fig. 5, when the upper pallet 10(B) of the low vehicle height storage section is called by the steering wheel 25 in the second multi-stage parking facility 50, the upper pallet 10 of the low vehicle height storage section is arranged in the middle storage space 7 of the central span 16. The state in Fig. 5 shows a state where a high vehicle height vehicle HV is stored in the middle pallet 12 of the left span 15, a low vehicle height vehicle LV is stored in the upper pallet 10 of the right span 17, and a low vehicle height vehicle LV is being stored in the upper pallet 10 of the central span 16. In this case, when the low vehicle height vehicle LV is stored, the storage detection sensor 35 detects the low vehicle height vehicle LV, but the vehicle height limit sensor 37 does not detect the low vehicle height vehicle LV. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle detection sensor 60 provided in each of the spans 15 to 17 detects the low vehicle height vehicle LV when the beam 33 irradiated from the sensor main body 61 provided in the central span 16 toward the reflector 64 is blocked by the low vehicle height vehicle LV. The example shown in Fig. 5 calls the upper pallet 10(B) of the low vehicle height storage section in the central span 16, so the central span 16 is a low vehicle height span. In this example, since a low vehicle height vehicle LV that is not detected by the vehicle height limit sensor 37 is stored in the central span 16 where the lower pallet 11 of the low vehicle height storage section is called, the storage is problem-free.

[0053] When a high vehicle height vehicle HV is stored in the upper pallet 10 arranged in the middle storage space 7 of the central span 16 in the second multi-stage parking facility 50, both the storage detection sensor 35 and the vehicle height limit sensor 37 detect the high vehicle height vehicle HV. Also, the vehicle detection sensor 60 detects the high vehicle height vehicle HV when the beam 63 irradiated from the sensor main body 61 provided in the central span 16 toward the reflector 64 is blocked by the stored high vehicle height vehicle HV. When the second multi-stage parking facility 50 detects a high vehicle height vehicle HV with the vehicle height limit sensor 37 and the vehicle detection sensor 60 detects the high vehicle height vehicle HV in the central span 16 which is a low vehicle height span, it is determined that the vehicle height limit is exceeded, and subsequent storage operations are disabled.

[0054] <The Third Multi-Stage Parking Facility> 9 is a side view showing a third multi-level parking facility 70 according to the third embodiment. The third multi-level parking facility 70 differs from the first multi-level parking facility 1 only in the vehicle detection sensor 80. The same components as those in the first multi-level parking facility 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of those components will be omitted.

[0055] The vehicle detection sensor 80 of the third multi-level parking facility 70 is composed of a diffuse reflection type beam sensor, which shines light on a detected object and detects the detected object by the reflected light. The vehicle detection sensor 80 is provided at the rear lower part of the center in the left-right direction of each span 15-17 of the middle storage space 7. The vehicle detection sensor 80 is arranged to irradiate a beam 83 toward the front of the middle storage space 7. The third multi-level parking facility 70 irradiates the beam 83 toward a vehicle V stored in a pallet arranged in the middle storage space 7, and detects the entering vehicle V by the beam 83 reflected by the vehicle V. The vehicle detection sensor 80 may be such a sensor. The third multi-level parking facility 70 has the same configuration as the first multi-level parking facility 1 except for the vehicle detection sensor 80, so a description of the other configurations will be omitted. In addition, the determination of whether the vehicle is over the height limit is also the same as the first multi-level parking facility 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0056] <Detection control for exceeding vehicle height limit in multi-level parking facilities> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the first half of a flowchart for determining whether a vehicle height limit is exceeded in a multi-level parking facility, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the second half of the flowchart for determining whether a vehicle height limit is exceeded. The following explanation will be given using the reference numerals of the first multi-level parking facility 1. The first multi-level parking facility 1 determines in the control device 40 whether the vehicle height limit is exceeded based on the spans 15-17 on which the pallet called for entry is arranged and the spans 15-17 on which the entry of the vehicle V is detected by the vehicle detection sensor 30. In the following example, a case will be described in which the lower pallet 11 of the low height vehicle storage level is called and arranged in the middle storage space 7 by an entry operation.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 10, a user turns on the power on the operation panel 25 (S1). Next, the user inputs a call number and presses the start button (S2). This call operation operates the first multi-level parking facility 1, and the call pallet is moved to the middle storage space 7 of the entrance level 20 (S3). When the call pallet is placed in the middle storage space 7, the fence 21 is opened (S4).

[0058] In the case of leaving the warehouse, the determination as to whether or not to enter the warehouse (S5) is "NO," and the user drives the vehicle V on the pallet placed in the middle storage space 7 to leave the warehouse (S6). Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 11, the user presses the fence close button on the operation panel 25 (S7), which closes the fence (S8). The user then turns off the power (S9), completing the leaving process.

[0059] On the other hand, if the determination of whether or not the vehicle is to be stored in the warehouse (S5) in FIG. 10 is "YES", the user drives the vehicle V and stores it in the pallet arranged in the middle storage space 7 (S10). The control device 40 determines whether or not both the vehicle height limit sensor 37 and the storage detection sensor 35 have detected the vehicle V (S11). If this determination is "NO", the storage detection sensor 35 detects both the high-height vehicle HV and the low-height vehicle LV, but the vehicle height limit sensor 37 does not detect the low-height vehicle LV. Therefore, since the vehicle height limit sensor 37 does not detect the vehicle, it can be determined that the storing vehicle V is a low-height vehicle LV. If the storing vehicle V is a low-height vehicle LV, it can be stored in either the middle storage space 7 or the lower storage space 8 without any problem. In this case, after completing the storing, the user presses the close button of the fence 21 on the operation panel 25 (S7), closes the fence (S8), and turns off the power (S9) as shown in FIG. 11 to end the storing operation.

[0060] If the determination (S11) of whether or not both the vehicle height limit sensor 37 and the entry detection sensor 35 in Fig. 10 have detected a vehicle is "YES," then it is determined whether or not the vehicle detection sensor 30 has detected the entering vehicle V in the low vehicle height span (S12). That is, it is determined whether or not the entry is to the low vehicle height span where the call pallet is placed. If this determination (S11) is "NO," then it is determined that the high vehicle height vehicle HV is entering the high vehicle height span, and the entry is problem-free. In this case, after completing the entry, the user, as shown in Fig. 11, presses the close button for the fence 21 on the operation panel 25 (S7), closes the fence (S8), and turns off the power (S9) to end the entry.

[0061] If the determination of whether the vehicle detection sensor 30 has detected the vehicle V in the low vehicle height span in FIG. 10 (S12) is "YES," it is determined that a high vehicle height vehicle HV has entered the low vehicle height span, and as shown in FIG. 11, "Vehicle height limit exceeded" is displayed, and the closing operation of the fence 21 is disabled (S13). By disabling the closing operation of the fence 21, subsequent entry operations are not possible, and the entry is not completed. The user checks the display of "Vehicle height limit exceeded" and causes the vehicle V to exit the low vehicle height span (S14). The control device 40 determines whether the vehicle detection sensor 30 in the low vehicle height span has stopped detecting the vehicle V (S15), and if this determination is "YES," it determines whether both the vehicle height limit sensor 37 and the entry detection sensor 35 have not detected the vehicle V (S16). If the answer is "YES," it can be determined that the high-height vehicle HV that entered the low-height span has left, the "Vehicle Height Limit Exceeded" display is cleared, and the fence can be closed (S17). The user can then confirm that the "Vehicle Height Limit Exceeded" display has been cleared, press the close button for the fence 21 on the operation panel 25 (S7), close the fence 21 (S8), and turn off the power (S9) to end the process.

[0062] The above-mentioned flowchart ends by canceling the "Vehicle height limit exceeded" display and enabling the closing operation of the fence 21, but the user can then be prompted to start entering the parking lot again at a high vehicle height span.

[0063] In addition, when a vehicle V entering a pallet of a low vehicle height storage level enters without being detected as exceeding the vehicle height limit, and then both the vehicle height limit sensor 37 and the entry detection sensor 35 enter an undetected state, and the vehicle detection sensor 30 enters a detected state, the multi-level parking facility 1 determines that the vehicle has entered and stopped normally. After that, even if the vehicle height limit sensor 37 detects, it will not determine that the vehicle height limit has been exceeded. In this way, the multi-level parking facility 1 prevents the vehicle height limit sensor 37 from detecting a person when the vehicle V is entered and the person exits the facility, resulting in the vehicle height limit being exceeded.

[0064] <Other Modifications> In the above-described multi-level parking facilities 1, 50, 70, an indicator light or warning lamp for vehicle height limit exceeded may be installed near the operation panel 25 operated by the user. When the control device 40 determines that the vehicle height limit is exceeded, it may notify the user by turning on / flashing the light, thereby informing the user that the vehicle height limit is exceeded and encouraging the user to leave the parking lot. The notification that the vehicle height limit is exceeded may be made by a warning buzzer or voice.

[0065] In addition, the multi-level parking facilities 1, 50, 70 are not limited to the configurations in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the multi-level parking facilities 1, 50, 70 may have a configuration with more spans. In addition, the first multi-level parking facility 1 may be provided with the reflector 62 of the second multi-level parking facility 50, and is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0066] <Summary> As described above, with the multi-level parking facilities 1, 50, 70 described above, when a high-height vehicle HV is stored on a pallet of a low-height vehicle storage level that has been called, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle height limit has been exceeded based on detection of the entering vehicle by the entrance detection sensor 35, the vehicle height limit sensor 37, and the vehicle detection sensors 30, 60, 80. This makes it possible to prevent vehicle damage accidents that may occur when a high-height vehicle HV is stored on a pallet for low-height vehicles.

[0067] Moreover, the cost of equipment can be reduced by reducing the number of components required to prevent vehicles from exceeding the vehicle height limit. Also, the system can be added to existing multi-level parking facilities, making it possible to add a vehicle height limit exceeding prevention function to existing multi-level parking facilities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. First multi-level parking facility 3 crossbeam 6 Upper storage space 7 Middle storage space 8 Lower storage space 10 Upper Pallet 10b Convex part 11 Lower Pallet 12 Middle Pallet 15 Left Span 16 Center Span 17 Right Span 25 Operation panel 30 Vehicle detection sensor 31 Sensor body 32 Reflector (reflective material) 33 Beam 35 Entry detection sensor 36 Beam 37 Height limit sensor 38 Beam 40 Control device 50 Second multi-level parking facility 60 Vehicle detection sensor 61 Sensor body 62 Reflector (Reflective material) 63 Beam 64 Reflector (Reflective material) 70 3rd Multi-level Parking Facility 80 Vehicle detection sensor 83 Beam LV low vehicle height HV high vehicle height V Vehicle

Claims

1. A multi-level parking facility comprising a plurality of storage spaces each having a plurality of spans in a multi-level configuration, a predetermined level of the multi-level configuration being a boarding level, at least one level different from the boarding level being a low vehicle height vehicle storage level, and a pallet of the low vehicle height vehicle storage level being raised and lowered and placed in an empty span of the boarding level, thereby placing a pallet in all spans of the boarding level, An entrance detection sensor that detects a vehicle entering the pallet arranged on the entrance level from the outside at an entrance portion of the entrance level; a vehicle height limit sensor that detects that the vehicle entering the pallet arranged on the entrance level is a high-height vehicle; A vehicle detection sensor is disposed on the entrance level of each of the spans and detects the vehicle that has been stored on the pallet on each of the spans; A multi-level parking facility is provided with a control device that detects the vehicle entering the span where the pallet of the low height vehicle storage level is placed on the entry level by an entry operation, detects that the vehicle is a high height vehicle by the vehicle height limit sensor, and determines that the vehicle height limit is exceeded when the entering vehicle is detected by the vehicle detection sensor.

2. A fence is provided to close the front of the storage space of the boarding stage, 2. The multi-level parking facility according to claim 1, wherein the control device disables closing of the fence when it determines that the vehicle height limit is exceeded.

3. 3. The multi-level parking facility according to claim 2, wherein the control device enables closing of the fence when the vehicle detection sensor no longer detects the vehicle in the span where it has been determined that the vehicle height limit has been exceeded.

4. 3. The multi-level parking facility according to claim 1, wherein the control device notifies the user of the vehicle height exceeding the vehicle height limit when the control device determines that the vehicle height limit is exceeded.

5. The vehicle detection sensor is constituted by a retroreflective beam sensor, The storage space of the multiple stages has an upper stage above the boarding stage, 3. A multi-level parking facility according to claim 1, wherein the pallet in the upper level has a reflective member for the regression reflection type beam sensor on its underside.

6. The upper pallet has a protrusion that protrudes upward between a support surface on which tires of the vehicle are placed, the support surface extending in the front-rear direction, The multi-level parking facility according to claim 5 , wherein the reflective member is provided on a lower surface of the convex portion.

7. The multi-level parking facility according to claim 5 , wherein the reflective member is also provided on a framework that defines a plurality of the storage spaces.

Images