Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

To prevent people from entering a parking device when a safety gate is opened or closed, by allowing users to move after a safety gate is completely closed.SOLUTION: A control device is provided at a vehicle entrance / exit gate, and controls a parking device having a drive device for operating a gate that controls entrance and exit of the vehicle. The control device comprises: an operation panel having a key operation switch including an extraction position where key means can be inserted and removed, an off position where the operation of the drive device is stopped, an on position where the operation of the drive device is enabled, and rotation control means that limits rotation of the key means between the off position and the extraction position, and means for accepting a command to close the gate; and a control panel that limits the rotation by the rotation control means when the gate is open, and releases the rotation control means when the gate is closed in response to the command to close the gate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a control device for controlling a parking device that parks a vehicle such as an automobile, a control method for a parking device, or a program for causing a control device to execute the control method for a parking device. [Background technology]

[0002] A multi-level parking system is known as a vehicle parking system in which vehicles are placed on pallets and parked in a stacked manner. In a multi-level parking system, the pallets can be moved up and down or sideways to allow vehicles placed on the pallets to be loaded and unloaded from the entrance / exit gate.

[0003] Such multi-level parking systems have a control panel for operating the pallet movement. Users of the multi-level parking system can operate the control panel to call up the pallet or open and close the entrance and exit doors to allow vehicles to enter and exit the system. For safety reasons, the control panel generally has an emergency stop button so that users can stop the system.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a parking device that, from a safety standpoint, aims to prevent users (e.g., drivers) from leaving the parking device when vehicles whose height exceeds the height limit are parked on the upper pallet. The parking device has an emergency stop switch (equivalent to an emergency stop button) that stops all mechanical operations of the parking device, and an operating unit that has a key switch with three notches (removed, turned off, and turned on) and a key lock mechanism, and the safety gate can be opened and closed using the key lock (the key lock mechanism functions) when the safety key is in the turned on position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-127690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] On the other hand, in the parking device described in Cited Document 1, if some abnormality occurs and the user is unable to operate the emergency stop switch, the parking device cannot be brought to an emergency stop (power off).

[0007] One of the objectives of the embodiment of the present invention is to stop the parking device even if some abnormality occurs and the user is unable to operate the emergency stop switch. Another objective of the embodiment of the present invention is to allow users to move only after the safety gate is completely closed in order to prevent people from entering the parking device when the safety gate is opened or closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device that controls a parking device that is provided at a vehicle entrance / exit gate and has a drive device for operating a gate that controls the entrance and exit of the vehicle, and is equipped with an operation panel that has an extraction position that allows the key means to be inserted and removed, an off position that stops the operation of the drive device, an on position that allows the operation of the drive device, and a key operation switch that includes a rotation control means that limits the rotation of the key means between the off position and the extraction position, and a means for accepting the closing of the gate, and a control panel that controls the rotation to be limited by the rotation control means when the gate is open, and to release the rotation control means when the gate is closed in response to an instruction to close the gate.

[0009] A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a parking device that is provided at a vehicle entrance / exit gate and that controls a drive device for operating a gate that controls the entry and exit of the vehicle, and that includes a key operation switch that has an extraction position where a key means can be inserted and removed, an off position where the operation of the drive device is stopped, an on position where the operation of the drive device is enabled, and a rotation control means that limits the rotation of the key means between the off position and the extraction position, and a means for accepting a closing of the gate, and when the gate is open, when the rotation is limited by the rotation control means, a process is executed to close the gate, and when the gate is completely closed, the rotation restriction by the rotation control means is released.

[0010] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a control device included in the parking device to execute the control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the parking device can be stopped even if an abnormality occurs and the user is unable to operate the emergency stop switch. Also, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to prevent people from entering the parking device when the safety gate is opening or closing, the user can only move after the safety gate is completely closed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a control panel according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 1B to 1D are schematic diagrams of a key-operated switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In order to clarify the description, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, elements having the same functions as those explained with reference to the previous drawings may be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

[0014] In this specification and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to collectively refer to the same or similar components, and a hyphen and a number are added after the reference numerals to refer to them individually.

[0015] In this specification, the letters "first," "second," or "third" attached to each component are convenient labels used to distinguish each component, and have no other meaning unless otherwise specified.

[0016] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, terms indicating directions such as "up" and "down" may be used. With respect to the parking device, the direction in which gravity acts is "down" and the opposite direction is "up."

[0017] In this specification, the first direction D1 intersects the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 intersects the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 (D1D2 plane). For example, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 correspond to the X direction (x direction), the Y direction (y direction), and the Z direction (z direction).

[0018] <Embodiment> A parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] [Outline of the parking device 100] An overview of the parking device 100 will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the parking device 100. Specifically, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the parking device 100 viewed from the side. For example, if the side where the entrance / exit 109 is located is defined as the front, the front is a plane parallel to the plane formed by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and the side is a plane parallel to the plane formed by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3.

[0020] The parking device 100 can store and park the vehicle 101 in a multi-level manner. In addition, the parking device 100 can move a predetermined pallet 104 to an entrance / exit gate 109 in accordance with the elevation of the pallet 104, thereby allowing the vehicle 101 to enter or exit the parking device 100.

[0021] The parking device 100 also includes at least a structure formed by support posts 102, a pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 is placed, a conveying device 106 for operating the raising and lowering of the pallet 104, a gate 108 arranged at the entrance / exit 109 of the vehicle 101, a first sensor 110 for detecting that the pallet 104 is arranged in a predetermined position (fixed position), a second sensor 112 for detecting the opening and closing of the gate 108, a control panel 200 for controlling each component, and an operation panel 300 for operating the parking device 100.

[0022] Pallets 104 are placed in a structure formed by support posts 102. Pallets 104 can be raised and lowered along support posts 102 by a conveying device 106. For example, the structure formed by support posts 102 shown in FIG. 1 forms parking areas P1, P2, P3, and P4 stacked in multiple tiers in the vertical direction (third direction D3). The number of parking areas in parking device 100 is not limited to four (P1 to P4), and may be m (m is a natural number, P1 to Pm).

[0023] Conveying devices 106-2, 106-3, and 106-4 are arranged corresponding to parking areas P2, P3, and P4, respectively. In describing parking apparatus 100, when multiple conveying devices need to be distinguished, they are referred to as conveying devices 106-2, 106-3, and 106-4, and when multiple conveying devices are not distinguished, they are referred to as conveying device 106. Although not shown, parking apparatus 100 may include multiple parking areas arranged vertically and horizontally so that pallets 104 can be moved not only vertically but also horizontally (first direction D1). For example, a first sensor 110 for detecting that pallets 104 are placed in a predetermined position (fixed position) may be installed on each pallet 104 or on each conveying device 106.

[0024] The gate 108 is disposed at the entrance / exit gate 109 of the parking device 100. The gate 108 is opened and closed by operating the operation panel 300. The gate 108 is closed except when it is opened to allow the vehicle 101 to enter or exit the parking device. Therefore, when the pallet 104 is moving, the gate 108 is closed. Since the gate 108 is closed, people cannot enter the parking device 100 while the pallet 104 is moving. For example, a second sensor 112 for detecting whether the gate 108 is open or closed is installed at each gate 108.

[0025] [Operation panel 300] Next, an overview of the operation panel 300 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel 300. Figure 3(A) is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the parking device 100, and Figures 3(B) to (D) are schematic diagrams showing each state of the operation switch 310. Configurations that are the same as or similar to those in Figure 1 will be explained as necessary.

[0026] The operation panel 300 is a user interface that allows a user to input automatic operation instructions (such as instructions to move the pallet 104 and instructions to open and close the gate 108) to the control panel 200. The operation panel 300 is placed outside the parking device 100. For example, the operation panel 300 shown in FIG. 1 is placed on a support 102 near the entrance / exit gate 109 of the parking device 100.

[0027] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 300 includes an operation switch 310, an operation unit 320, a display unit 322, an input unit 324, and an emergency stop button 326.

[0028] The operation switch 310 is a switch for activating the operation panel 300 of the parking device 100. The operation switch 310 is also a switch for enabling the reception of operations corresponding to the position of the operation key 312 (key means) by rotating the operation key 312. For example, the operation switch 310 includes an on position ("on"), a closed position ("closed"), an off position ("off"), an extracted position ("extracted"), a key cylinder 316 that can be rotated by inserting the operation key 312, and a rotation control means 314. The parking device 100 is equipped with a so-called four-notch operation switch 310 that includes "on", "closed", "off", and "extracted".

[0029] The "ON" position is a position that activates the operation panel 300 and permits operation of the operation panel 300 (operation permission, input permission), a position that enables at least one of operation reception by the operation unit 320 and input of information using the input unit 324, a position that enables operation of the drive device, and a position that enables supply of power (electricity) to the drive device that opens and closes the conveyance device 106 and the gate 108. For example, a user can insert the operation key 312 into the key cylinder 316 in the removed position and rotate (rotate) the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "removed" (lower view of FIG. 2 (enlarged view of the operation switch 310)) to "ON" (FIG. 3(B)), thereby setting the operation switch 310 to "ON." Note that, for example, the operation panel 300 is constantly supplied with power from an external power source in order to deal with any abnormality that may occur.

[0030] "Close" is a position that allows for the acceptance of an operation to close the gate 108. For example, a user can rotate (rotate) the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "On" (FIG. 3(B)) to "Close" (FIG. 3(C)) to set the operation switch 310 to "Close."

[0031] The "OFF" position allows the parking apparatus 100 to be stopped. For example, stopping the parking apparatus 100 may mean stopping the operation of the drive devices that open and close the transport apparatus 106 and the gate 108, or may mean disconnecting (cutting off) the supply of power (electricity) to the drive devices that open and close the transport apparatus 106 and the gate 108, or may mean disconnecting the supply of power to the operation panel 300. In this embodiment, as an example, stopping the parking apparatus 100 will be described as disconnecting (cutting off) the supply of power to the drive devices that open and close the transport apparatus 106 and the gate 108. For example, a user can set the operation switch 310 to "OFF" by rotating (rotating) the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "ON" (FIG. 3(B)) to "OFF" (FIG. 3(D)) or from "CLOSED" (FIG. 3(C)) to "OFF" (FIG. 3(D)). That is, the operation key 312 can be set to the "OFF" state.

[0032] The "removed" position allows the operation key 312 to be removed from the operation switch 310 (key cylinder 316). The user cannot insert or remove the operation key 312 from the operation switch 310 (key cylinder 316) in any position other than the "removed" position. For example, the user can remove the operation key 312 from the operation switch 310 (key cylinder 316) by rotating (rotating) the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "off" to "removed" and setting the operation switch 310 to "removed." Since the rotation control means 314 is positioned between "removed" and "off" from the time the gate 108 opens until the gate 108 closes, the operation switch 310 restricts the rotation of the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "off" to "removed." In other words, the user cannot remove the operation key 312 from the operation switch 310 (key cylinder 316) from the time the gate 108 opens until the gate 108 closes.

[0033] The rotation control means 314 may have any configuration as long as it is located between the "unlocked" and "unlocked" positions and can limit the rotation of the key cylinder 316 from "unlocked" to "unlocked" together with the operating key 312. For example, the rotation control means 314 is a solenoid lock.

[0034] Even when the rotation control means 314 is set on the operation switch 310 (when the key cylinder 316 is locked between "removed" and "off" together with the operation key 312), the user can rotate the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "on" to "closed," from "on" to "off," and from "closed" to "off." For example, in the parking device 100, even when the rotation control means 314 is set, the user can rotate the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "on" to "off." Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs and the user is unable to operate the emergency stop button 326, the user can turn the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "on" to "off" to open (cut off) the supply of power to the drive devices that open and close the transport device 106 and the gate 108. Therefore, the parking device 100 includes a configuration that allows the user to perform the same operation as if the user had operated the emergency stop button 326, even when the user is unable to operate the emergency stop button 326. In addition, the device in which the power supply is released (cut off) when the parking device 100 stops when the user turns the key cylinder 316 from "on" to "off" together with the operating key 312 may be different from the device in which the power supply is released (cut off) when the parking device 100 stops when the user operates the emergency stop button 326.

[0035] The user can also close the gate 108 by rotating the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "removed" to "closed" and from "off" to "closed."

[0036] For example, the operation unit 320 includes a lighting lamp and an operation button for each operation procedure. The operation unit 320 may include a touch panel display device, where the lighting lamp and the operation button are displayed on the display device and the user can touch the operation button. The lighting lamp may be an LED, and the operation button may be a push button. For example, the operation buttons include a power-on button, a safety check button, a start button, a gate open button, a gate close button, etc. For example, the power-on button is a button that is pressed to power the parking device 100, the safety check button is a button that is pressed after confirming the safety around the parking device 100, in other words, after confirming that no person has entered the parking device 100, and the start button becomes operable after the safety check button is pressed and is a button that allows movement control of the pallet 104 or the gate 108 in combination with information input by the input unit 324.

[0037] The display unit 322 displays various information based on information input by the input unit 324. The display unit 322 includes, for example, a display device using a liquid crystal or an OLED.

[0038] The input unit 324 accepts information input from a user. The input unit 324 includes, for example, a plurality of buttons. The user can operate the plurality of buttons on the input unit 324 to input predetermined information. For example, the predetermined information is parking area information indicating parking areas P1 to P4, pallet information indicating pallet numbers, etc. Note that, like the operation unit 320, the input unit 324 may include a touch panel display device, and a plurality of buttons may be displayed on the display device so that the user can touch and operate each button.

[0039] The emergency stop button 326 is a button that is operated in an emergency when some abnormality occurs in the parking apparatus 100. For example, when the emergency stop button 326 is operated (pressed), the parking apparatus 100 is stopped to ensure the safety of the user, thereby stopping a specific operation of the parking apparatus 100. In other words, the operation based on the control method of the parking apparatus 100 is stopped. For example, the specific operation of the parking apparatus 100 is the operation of the pallet 104 or the gate 108, and stopping the parking apparatus 100 means opening (cutting off) the supply of power to the drive devices that open and close the transport device 106 and the gate 108.

[0040] Signals transmitted (output) by operation of the operation panel 300 are transmitted (output) to the control panel 200. Specifically, control signals (for example, a power supply instruction signal, etc.) by operation of the operation switch 310, control signals by input operation using the input unit 324, control signals (for example, a pallet movement instruction signal, a pallet movement detection signal, a pallet stop signal, a gate open instruction signal, a rotation control means instruction signal, a rotation control means release signal, etc.) by the operation unit 320, and control signals by operation of the emergency stop button 326 are transmitted (output) to the control panel 200.

[0041] 3(A), the operation panel 300 includes a control unit 328 and a communication unit 334. The operation panel 300 is electrically connected to the control panel 200 and an external power source (not shown). For example, when a user turns the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "removed" to "on," it becomes possible to accept operations on the operation unit 320 and input information using the input unit 324, and it becomes possible to connect the drive devices that open and close the conveying device 106 and the gate 108 to the external power source.

[0042] The control unit 328 is electrically connected to the operation switch 310, the operation unit 320, the display unit 322, the input unit 324, and the communication unit 334. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 328 is also electrically connected to the emergency stop button 326.

[0043] The control unit 328 includes a processor equipped with an arithmetic processing unit 330 including a processing unit exemplified by a CPU, and a memory unit 332 including a storage device exemplified by a ROM and a RAM. The control unit 328 may also include a solid-state drive (SSD), a magnetic recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk), an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a memory-capable element such as a storage medium. For example, the control unit 328 controls each unit of the operation panel 300. In response to instructions based on user operation of the input unit 324, instructions based on operation of the operation unit 320, and instructions based on the emergency stop button 326, the control unit 328 reads a control program stored in the memory unit 332, develops the program on the RAM of the memory unit 332, processes the program in the arithmetic processing unit 330, and transmits (outputs) to the communication unit 334 control signals for executing various functions based on the program (e.g., power-on (e.g., a power supply instruction signal), gate closing (e.g., a gate close signal, a gate close instruction signal), gate opening (e.g., a gate open signal, a gate open instruction signal), etc.). The program may be pre-stored in the storage unit 332, may be stored in the storage unit 332 using a computer-readable recording medium, or may be downloaded via a network and stored in the storage unit 332.

[0044] In addition, based on the control signal received (input) from the communication unit 334, the control unit 328 transmits (outputs) to the operation unit 320, etc., control signals (e.g., gate open completion signal, gate closed door completion signal) for notifying the user of various functions (e.g., gate closing completion, gate opening completion, etc.).

[0045] The communication unit 334 transmits and receives information to and from the control panel 200 under the control of the control unit 328 .

[0046] [Control Panel 200] Next, an overview of the control panel 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 3(A). Configurations that are the same as or similar to those in Figs. 1 and 2 will be described as necessary.

[0047] The control panel 200 controls the operation of each component of the parking device 100. For example, each component is the pallet 104, the conveying device 106, the gate 108, the first sensor 110, the second sensor 112, etc. For example, the control panel 200 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed on the side of the parking device 100. The control panel 200 may also be disposed in the direction in which the vehicle 101 enters the parking device. Note that, for example, the control panel 200, the first sensor 110, and the second sensor 112, like the operation panel 300, are constantly supplied with power from an external power source in order to deal with any abnormalities that may occur.

[0048] For example, the control panel 200 includes a control unit 210 , a display unit 212 , a communication unit 214 , and a power supply unit 216 .

[0049] The control unit 210 may include a processor equipped with an arithmetic processing unit 211 and a memory unit 213 having the same configuration as the processor equipped with the arithmetic processing unit 330 and the memory unit 332 included in the control unit 328 of the operation panel 300. Similarly to the control unit 328, the control unit 210 may also include a solid-state drive (SSD), a magnetic recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk), an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a memory-capable element such as a storage medium. The control unit 210 controls the operation of each component and unit of the parking device 100. For example, the control unit 210 receives a control signal from the operation panel 300, reads a control program stored in the memory unit 213, expands the program on the RAM of the memory unit 213, processes the program using the arithmetic processing unit 211, and transmits (outputs) control signals for executing various functions (e.g., movement of the pallet 104, opening and closing of the gate 108, etc.) based on the program to the conveyance device 106 that moves the pallet 104, the drive device that opens and closes the gate 108, the operation panel 300, etc. Furthermore, the control unit 210 transmits (outputs) to the operation panel 300 a control signal notifying that the gate is fully open (gate opening completed) when the gate is fully opened, and a control signal notifying that the gate is fully closed (gate closing completed) when the gate is fully closed. For example, the drive device includes a motor. The program may be pre-stored in the storage unit 213, may be stored in a storage device using a computer-readable recording medium, or may be downloaded via a network and stored in the storage unit 213. The control panel 200 may also include control devices such as an earth leakage breaker, an inverter, or a relay.

[0050] For example, the display unit 212 may display control information (for example, communication management information) under the control of the control unit 210. At this time, the display unit 212 may display the control information via a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

[0051] The communication unit 214 transmits and receives information to and from each device and the operation panel 300 under the control of the control unit 210 .

[0052] The power supply unit 216 is connected to an external power supply (not shown) and supplies power to each device under the control of the control unit 210.

[0053] [Control method of parking device 100] A method for driving the parking device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a control method for the control device. Configurations that are the same as or similar to those in Figures 1 to 3(D) will be explained as necessary.

[0054] For example, in the explanation of the control method of the parking device 100, an example will be explained in which the vehicle 101 is taken out of the parking area P1. Note that in the control method of the parking device 100, the method for bringing the vehicle 101 into the parking area P1 is the same as the method for taking the vehicle out.

[0055] The user inserts the operation key 312 into the key cylinder 316 of the operation switch 310 in the "removed" position and rotates the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "removed" (lower view of FIG. 2 (enlarged view of the operation switch 310)) to "on" (FIG. 3(B)), thereby activating the operation panel 300. For example, when the operation panel 300 is activated, acceptance of operations on the operation panel 300 is permitted. The control unit 328 instructs the operation unit 320 to light up a safety confirmation button (not shown), and the operation unit 320 lights up the safety confirmation button (not shown).

[0056] Next, after the user confirms whether the parking device 100 is safe to operate, the user presses the safety confirmation button that is illuminated on the operation unit 320, for example.

[0057] Furthermore, the user inputs pallet information and parking area information into the input unit 324 in order to cause the vehicle 101 in the parking device 100 to leave the parking area P1. The input pallet information and parking area information are sent to the control unit 328. The control unit 328 acquires the input pallet information and parking area information. For example, when the control unit 328 acquires the input pallet information and parking area information, it lights up a start button (not shown) on the operation unit 320.

[0058] Next, the user presses the start button. When the start button is pressed, various information generated by the operation unit 320, such as power supply information to the drive devices that open and close the transport device 106 and the gate 108, pallet movement instruction information, and gate open instruction information, is transmitted to the control unit 328. The control unit 328 waits until it acquires the various information (NO in step 100 (S100)).

[0059] When the control unit 328 acquires various information (YES in S100), it generates a power supply instruction signal based on the power supply information and a pallet movement instruction signal based on the pallet movement instruction information, and transmits them to the control panel 200 via the communication unit 334.

[0060] The control unit 210 of the control panel 200 receives the power supply instruction signal and the pallet movement instruction signal via the communication unit 214 of the control panel 200 .

[0061] Based on the power supply instruction signal, the control unit 210 instructs the power supply unit 216 to supply power to the parking device 100. As a result, the drive devices that open and close the transport device 106 and the gate 108 are connected to an external power source (not shown) and are supplied with power from the external power source.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 210 executes a process of moving the pallet 104 based on the pallet movement instruction signal (step 101 (S101)). Specifically, based on the pallet movement instruction signal, the control unit 210 transmits a signal to the drive device to move the pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 in the parking area P1 is placed. As a result, the pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 in the parking area P1 is placed starts to move (move) from a predetermined position (home position) where it is currently located in the parking device 100 toward the entrance / exit gate 109, stops at the entrance / exit gate 109, and waits. Note that in this specification, the predetermined position may be a position in the parking device 100 where the vehicle 101 is permitted to park, may be the parking area Pm where the pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 is placed is permitted to park, or may be a position where the pallet 104 moved and stopped (for example, in front of the entrance / exit gate 109).

[0063] For example, when the pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 is placed in the parking area P1 starts to move, the control unit 210 receives a pallet movement detection signal indicating that the pallet 104 has started to move via the communication unit 214. Note that the first sensor 110 installed near the pallet 104 may detect that the pallet 104 has started to move from its fixed position, and the control unit 210 may receive the pallet movement detection signal indicating that the pallet 104 has started to move from its fixed position via the communication unit 214. Furthermore, upon receiving the pallet movement detection signal, the control unit 210 transmits the pallet movement detection signal to the control unit 328 via the communication unit 334 of the operation panel 300. Furthermore, when the pallet 104 stops and waits at the loading / unloading gate 109, the first sensor 110 detects that the pallet 104 has stopped and is waiting, and the control unit 210 receives a pallet stop signal indicating that the pallet 104 has stopped and is waiting via the communication unit 214.

[0064] When the control unit 328 receives the pallet movement detection signal, it generates a rotation control means setting signal for setting the rotation control means and transmits it to the rotation control means 314 .

[0065] The control unit 328 controls the rotation control unit 314 to be set based on the rotation control unit setting signal (step 102 (S102)). Specifically, the control unit 328 sets the rotation control unit 314 based on the rotation control unit setting signal so that the rotation control unit 314 restricts the rotation of the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 between "removed" and "off". As a result, the rotation control unit 314 locks the rotation of the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 between "removed" and "off" (for example, the thick black arrow in FIG. 3(B)), and the user cannot rotate the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "off" to "removed".

[0066] Furthermore, when the control unit 328 receives the pallet movement detection signal, it transmits a gate open instruction signal based on the gate open instruction information to the control panel 200 via the communication unit 334 (step 104 (S104)).

[0067] The control unit 210 of the control panel 200 acquires a gate open instruction signal via the communication unit 214 of the control panel 200. Upon acquiring the gate open instruction signal, the control unit 210 executes processing to open the gate 108. Specifically, the control unit 210 transmits instruction information (signal) to open (raise) the gate 108 of the loading / unloading entrance 109 where the pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 is placed in the parking area P1 is waiting. As a result, the gate 108 moves upward. The control unit 210 waits until the gate 108 is fully opened. At this time, the control unit 210 generates a gate open standby signal to instruct the gate 108 to wait until it is fully opened. The control panel 200 transmits the gate open standby signal to the operation panel 300 via the control unit 210 and the communication unit 214.

[0068] The control unit 328 of the operation panel 300 receives the gate open standby signal via the communication unit 334 and waits until the gate 108 is completely opened (step 106 (S106)).

[0069] When the gate 108 is fully opened, for example, a second sensor 112 or a switch (not shown) installed near the gate 108 detects that the gate 108 is fully open, and the control unit 210 receives a gate open completion signal indicating that the gate 108 is fully open via the communication unit 214. Furthermore, upon receiving the gate open completion signal, the control unit 210 transmits a gate open completion notification signal and a standby instruction signal to the control unit 328 via the communication unit 334 of the operation panel 300.

[0070] When the control unit 328 receives the gate opening completion notification signal and the standby instruction signal (YES in S106), it transmits a signal indicating that the gate is opened and that it is standby to the display device of the operation unit 320. The operation unit 320 displays that the gate is opened and that it is standby by lighting up. The control unit 328 also waits until it receives a gate closing instruction (step 108 (S108)).

[0071] When the user visually confirms that the gate is open and the standby indicator is lit, the user gets into the vehicle 101 and moves the vehicle 101 from the pallet 104 on which the vehicle 101 is placed in the parking area P1 through the entrance / exit gate 109 to the outside of the entrance / exit gate 109. Furthermore, when the user rotates the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "ON" (FIG. 3(B)) to "CLOSED" (FIG. 3(C)), the control unit 328 acquires a gate close signal (YES in S108). When the control unit 328 acquires the gate close signal, it executes processing to close the gate 108. Specifically, when the control unit 328 acquires the gate close signal, it transmits a gate close instruction to the operation unit 320, and the operation unit 320 illuminates a button (not shown) on the display device of the operation unit 320 to start operating the gate 108. The button for starting the operation of gate 108 and "close" (closed position) displayed on the display device of operation unit 320 may be referred to as a means for accepting the closing of gate 108. The button for starting the operation of gate 108 may be a safety confirmation button for checking the safety around parking device 100, a start button, a button for closing gate 108, a button for opening gate 108, a button for opening and closing gate 108, or may include multiple buttons from the buttons described here.

[0072] For example, a case will be described in which the buttons for starting the operation of the gates 108 are a safety confirmation button and a start button. For example, when a user presses the safety confirmation button after confirming whether the parking device 100 is safe to operate and then inputs a personal identification number into the input unit 324, the control unit 328, for example, acquires safety confirmation completion information. When the control unit 328 acquires the safety confirmation completion information, it lights up the start button on the operation unit 320. When the user presses the start button, the operation unit 320 transmits gate close instruction information to the control unit 328. The control unit 328 acquires the gate close instruction information from the operation unit 320, generates a gate close instruction signal based on the gate close instruction information, and transmits the gate close instruction signal to the control panel 200 via the communication unit 334. Furthermore, after transmitting the gate close instruction signal to the control panel 200, the control unit 328 waits until it receives a notification indicating whether all of the gates 108 are closed (step 110 (S110)). The notification of whether all gates 108 are closed or not is a gate closing completion signal that is generated by the second sensors 112 near all gates 108, detecting that the gates 108 are completely closed.

[0073] The control unit 210 of the control panel 200 receives a gate close instruction signal via the communication unit 214 of the control panel 200. Next, the control panel 200 transmits a gate close instruction signal to the corresponding gate 108, and the corresponding gate 108 begins to close. When the corresponding gate 108 is completely closed, for example, the second sensor 112 or a switch (not shown) detects that the gate 108 is completely closed, and the control unit 210 receives a gate close completion signal via the communication unit 214 indicating that the gate 108 is completely closed. The control unit 210 also receives gate close completion signals from all gates 108 indicating that the gate 108 is completely closed and that the gate 108 is closed via the communication unit 214. Upon receiving the gate close completion signal, the control unit 210 transmits a gate close completion notification signal to the control unit 328 via the communication unit 334 of the operation panel 300.

[0074] When the control unit 328 receives the gate closing completion notification signal (YES in S110), it transmits a gate closing completion signal to the display device of the operation unit 320. When the operation unit 320 receives the gate closing completion signal, the operation unit 320 turns off the display on the display device. Note that when the operation unit 320 receives the gate closing completion signal, the operation unit 320 may light up the display to indicate that the gate closing is complete.

[0075] Furthermore, upon receiving the gate closing completion signal, the control unit 328 controls the rotation control means 314 to be released (step 112 (S112)). Specifically, the control unit 328 transmits a rotation control means release signal based on the gate closing completion signal to the rotation control means 314. As a result, the rotation control means 314 releases the rotation control means between "unplug" and "plug" based on the rotation control means release signal (for example, the thick black arrow in FIG. 3(D)), enabling the rotation of the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312.

[0076] That is, the user can turn the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "closed" (Fig. 3(C)) to "off" (Fig. 3(D)), thereby opening (cutting off) the supply of power to the drive devices that open and close the conveyance device 106 and the gate 108. The user can also turn the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "off" (Fig. 3(D)) to "removed" (lower view of Fig. 2 (enlarged view of the operation switch 310)), thereby removing the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310).

[0077] In this way, the parking device 100 can constantly monitor the opening and closing of the gate 108. As a result, the parking device 100 can detect when the gate 108 is slightly open (when the gate is not completely closed) and set the rotation control means 314 or keep the rotation control means 314 in the set state. As a result, the user cannot remove the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310), which can prevent the user from leaving the parking device 100. Furthermore, when the user operates (presses) the emergency stop button 326, the supply of power to the conveying device 106 and the like is stopped, but the user can release the emergency stop button and turn the operation key 312 to the "off" position to release the abnormal state, and then rotate the operation key 312 together with the key cylinder 316 to "close" or "on" again, completing the operation of closing the gate, and then rotate the operation key 312 together with the key cylinder 316 to "remove", thereby enabling control so that the operation key 312 can be removed from the key cylinder 316.

[0078] As described above, the parking apparatus 100 prevents the user from removing the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310) unless the gate 108 is completely closed, in other words, when the gate 108 is open. For example, even if the user turns the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312 from "ON" to "OFF" while operating the parking apparatus 100, thereby releasing (cutting off) the supply of power to the drive devices that open and close the transport device 106 and the gate 108, the rotation control means 314 is in the set state, so the user cannot remove the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310). Therefore, the parking apparatus 100 configured as described above can prevent the user from leaving the parking apparatus 100. Furthermore, since the parking device 100 can prevent the user from leaving the parking device 100 while the user is using the parking device 100, the parking device 100 can prevent people from entering the parking device when the safety gate is opened or closed, considering that the user is staying in the parking device 100. Therefore, the parking device 100 is a safe parking device.

[0079] <Variation 1> In the parking device according to the first modified example of the present invention, similar to the parking device 100 according to one of the embodiments of the present invention, not only is the user unable to remove the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310) unless the gate 108 is completely closed, but even if the gate 108 is completely closed, if the pallet 104 is not located in a predetermined position (fixed position) (if the pallet 104 is located away from the predetermined position), the user is unable to remove the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310). In other words, if the pallet 104 is moving, the user cannot remove the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310), but if the gate 108 is completely closed and the pallet 104 has stopped and is located in a predetermined position, the user can remove the operation key 312 from the key cylinder 316 (operation switch 310).

[0080] In this case, for example, the first sensor 110 may detect that the pallet 104 has stopped and been placed in a predetermined position, and the control unit 210 may receive a pallet stop signal indicating that the pallet 104 has stopped and been placed in a predetermined position via the communication unit 214. Alternatively, the first sensor 110 may detect that the pallet 104 has stopped, and the control unit 210 may receive a pallet stop signal indicating that the pallet 104 has stopped via the communication unit 214. Upon receiving the pallet stop signal, the control unit 210 transmits the pallet stop signal to the control unit 328 via the communication unit 334 of the operation panel 300. Similar to when the control unit 328 receives a gate closing completion signal, upon receiving the pallet stop signal, the control unit 328 controls the rotation control means 314 to be released. As a result, the rotation control means 314 releases the rotation control means between the "release" and "off" positions based on the rotation control means release signal, enabling the rotation of the key cylinder 316 together with the operation key 312.

[0081] The parking device 100 can constantly monitor whether the pallet 104 is moving or not. As a result, the parking device 100 can detect, using the first sensor 110, a state in which the pallet 104 is moving or a state in which the pallet 104 is not placed in a predetermined position, and can set the rotation control means 314 or keep the rotation control means 314 in a set state.

[0082] <Variation 2> The parking device according to the second modification of the present invention may be provided with a so-called three-notch operation switch including "on," "off," and "unlock," excluding "close" from the parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The other configurations are the same as those of the parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] In this case, for example, the means for accepting the instruction to close the gate 108 is a button displayed on the display device of the operation unit 320 to start the operation of the gate 108. For example, when the control unit 328 receives the gate opening completion notification signal and the standby instruction signal (YES in S106), the control unit 328 lights up the display device of the operation unit 320 to indicate that the gate is opened and is on standby, and to indicate a button for starting the operation of the gate 108. The user visually recognizes the lights up to indicate that the gate is opened and is on standby, moves the vehicle 101 out of the entrance / exit 109, and presses the button to start the operation of the gate 108. Then, the control unit 328 acquires instruction information to close the gate from the operation unit 320, generates an instruction signal to close the gate based on the instruction information to close the gate, and transmits the instruction signal to the control panel 200 via the communication unit 334.

[0084] The components of the control device, parking device control method, or program for controlling a parking device that parks a vehicle such as an automobile, described above as embodiments of the present invention, can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, the components of the control device, parking device control method, or program for controlling a parking device that parks a vehicle such as an automobile, described above as embodiments of the present invention, can be interchanged as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. Furthermore, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or modifies components based on each embodiment, these components are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they maintain the gist of the present invention.

[0085] Furthermore, even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the above-mentioned embodiments, those that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100: parking device, 101: vehicle, 102: support, 104: pallet, 106: transport device, 106-2: transport device, 106-3: transport device, 106-4: transport device, 108: gate, 109: entrance / exit gate, 110: first sensor, 112: second sensor, 200: control panel, 210: control unit, 211: arithmetic processing unit, 212: display unit, 213: memory unit, 214: communication unit, 216: power supply unit, 300: operation panel, 310: operation switch, 312: operation key, 314: rotation control means, 316: key cylinder, 320: operation unit, 322: display unit, 324: input unit, 326: emergency stop button, 328: control unit, 330: arithmetic processing unit, 332: memory unit, 334: communication unit

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a parking device provided at a vehicle entrance / exit gate and having a drive device for operating a gate that controls the entrance / exit of the vehicle, an operation panel having a key operation switch including a removal position where the key means can be inserted and removed, an off position for stopping the operation of the drive device, an on position for enabling the operation of the drive device, and a rotation control means for limiting the rotation of the key means between the off position and the removal position, and a means for receiving a closing signal for the gate; a control panel that controls the rotation control means to restrict the rotation when the gate is open, and to release the rotation control means when the gate is closed in response to an instruction to close the gate.

2. the drive device enables movement of a pallet on which the vehicle is placed; 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control panel controls the rotation control means to limit the rotation when the gate is open or when the gate is closed and the pallet is positioned away from a predetermined position.

3. the drive device enables movement of a pallet on which the vehicle is placed; 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control panel controls the rotation control means to release the restriction on rotation when the gate is completely closed in response to an instruction to close the gate and the pallet is placed in a predetermined position.

4. the drive device enables movement of a pallet on which the vehicle is placed; 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control panel controls the rotation control means to release the restriction on rotation when the gate is completely closed in response to an instruction to close the gate and the pallet is stopped.

5. the key-operated switch includes a closed position; 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the means for accepting the closing of the gate includes a button provided on the control panel for starting the operation of the gate and the closed position.

6. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said rotation is limited by said rotation control means when said key means is in the off position.

7. 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said rotation control means includes a solenoid lock.

8. A method for controlling a parking device provided at a vehicle entrance / exit gate, the method including a key operation switch having an extraction position where a key means can be inserted and removed, an OFF position for stopping the operation of the drive device, an ON position for enabling the operation of the drive device, and a rotation control means for limiting the rotation of the key means between the OFF position and the extraction position, in order to control a drive device that is provided at a vehicle entrance / exit gate and that operates a gate that controls the entry and exit of the vehicle, and a means for accepting a closing door of the gate, executes a process for closing the gate in a state in which the rotation of the gate is restricted by the rotation control means when the gate is open; When the gate is completely closed, the restriction on rotation by the rotation control means is released.

9. the drive device enables movement of a pallet on which the vehicle is placed; 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the process for closing the gate is executed in a state in which the rotation is restricted by the rotation control means when the pallet is positioned away from a predetermined position.

10. the drive device enables movement of a pallet on which the vehicle is placed; 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the restriction on rotation by the rotation control means is released when the gate is completely closed and the pallet is placed at a predetermined position.

11. the drive device enables movement of a pallet on which the vehicle is placed; 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the restriction on rotation by the rotation control means is released when the gate is completely closed and the pallet is positioned away from a predetermined position.

12. the key-operated switch includes a closed position; the means for receiving the gate closure includes a button for initiating operation of the gate and the closed position; 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the process for closing the gate includes rotating a key means inserted into the key-operated switch from a preset position to the closed position, and operating a button to start the operation of the gate.

13. 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein when the key means is rotated to the off position, the rotation is limited by the rotation control means.

14. A program for causing a control device included in the parking device to execute the control method described in any one of claims 8 to 13.

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