Mechanical parking device

The mechanical parking device enhances user convenience and safety by using wireless communication to control pallet movement from a safe position, addressing operational burdens and ensuring secure vehicle handling.

JP2026020617APending Publication Date: 2026-02-10NICHIEI INTEC CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024121991
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-07-29
Publication Date
2026-02-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Mechanical parking devices face challenges in user convenience and safety due to inconvenient operation of the pallet operating unit, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions, and restrictions on the installation position and height of the unit, which can burden users.

Method used

A mechanical parking device equipped with a driving means for raising and lowering a pallet, a control means for controlling the pallet's movement, and a wireless communication means that allows operation only when a user with a wireless slave device is in a predetermined safe position, ensuring safety confirmation using mirrors and enabling operation via a wireless remote controller.

Benefits of technology

Improves user convenience and safety by allowing operation from a safe position, preventing unintended pallet movement, and ensuring secure vehicle handling.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a mechanical parking device superior in convenience in operation.SOLUTION: This mechanical parking device 10 has a driving means 13 for lifting a pallet 12, a control means 60 for controlling lifting of the pallet, and a radio communication means 16 arranged in a position capable of communicating with a radio slave unit 50. The wireless communication means 16 is installed at a position where it can communicate with the wireless slave unit 50 only when the user having the wireless slave unit 50 is located at a predetermined position. The control means 60 drives the driving means 13 to control the elevation of the pallet 12 when the radio communication means 16 can communicate with the radio slave unit 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical parking device, and more particularly to a mechanical parking device that can move a vehicle to an entry / exit position by raising and lowering a pallet on which the vehicle can be loaded. [Background technology]

[0002] Mechanical parking systems that park vehicles in a multi-level manner generally have a pallet on which the vehicle can be placed, and the vehicle can be moved to an entry / exit position by mechanically moving the pallet.

[0003] A user operates a pallet operation unit of a mechanical parking device to perform a process of moving a desired vehicle (own vehicle) to an entry / exit position (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6268212 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When operating a mechanical parking device, it is necessary to ensure safety around the mechanical parking device. The mechanical parking device is equipped with, for example, multiple mirrors that enable the user to check the sides and rear of a vehicle loaded on a pallet. The installation position and angle of the mirrors are adjusted so that when a user operates the pallet operation unit, the user can appropriately check the sides and rear of the vehicle from the operating position. Therefore, in a typical mechanical parking device, the user can operate the pallet while checking the safety around the vehicle by operating the pallet operation unit from the installation position.

[0006] On the other hand, the pallet operating unit is installed in consideration of safety when a vehicle enters or leaves the parking lot. For example, in a two-tiered above-ground mechanical parking system, the pallet operating unit is installed at a relatively high position so that a vehicle does not come into contact with the pallet operating unit when entering or leaving the parking lot. When a user operates the pallet operating unit, they must manually pull it down and move it to a convenient position before operating it. This makes the pallet operating unit inconvenient to operate, and there is a risk that the user will have to put a burden on the operation, especially at night or in rainy weather.

[0007] Furthermore, even in two-tier pit and lift-and-roll mechanical parking devices, there are cases where restrictions are imposed on the installation position and height of the pallet operating unit due to safety considerations, which may reduce user convenience.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its object is to provide a mechanical parking device that is highly convenient to operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the mechanical parking device of the present invention is a mechanical parking device that can move a vehicle to an entry / exit position by raising and lowering a pallet on which the vehicle can be loaded, and is characterized in that it has a driving means for raising and lowering the pallet, a control means for controlling the raising and lowering of the pallet by driving the driving means, and a wireless communication means installed in a position where it can communicate with the wireless slave device only when a user having a wireless slave device is located in a predetermined position, and the control means drives the driving means to control the raising and lowering of the pallet when it is possible to communicate with the wireless slave device via the wireless communication means.

[0010] In the above-mentioned mechanical parking device, the predetermined position may be a position where the user can visually confirm the safety of the area around the vehicle.

[0011] In the above-mentioned mechanical parking device, the wireless communication means may be installed above the predetermined position.

[0012] In the above-mentioned mechanical parking device, the wireless communication means may have a plurality of communication receiving units for communicating with the wireless slave unit, and the communication receiving units may be installed at different positions, and the control means may drive the driving means to control the raising and lowering of the pallet when the wireless communication means is able to communicate with the wireless slave unit via all or any of the plurality of communication receiving units.

[0013] In the above-mentioned mechanical parking device, the control means may identify the pallet for which the lifting and lowering control is to be performed based on ID information received from the wireless slave unit, and drive the drive means to perform lifting and lowering control only on the identified pallet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the mechanical parking device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of operation for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a mechanical parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a mechanical parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing a mechanical parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an external view showing an operation remote controller according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic diagram showing functional configurations of an operation remote controller, a communication antenna unit, and a control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a motor control unit according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An example of a mechanical parking device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the schematic configuration of a mechanical parking device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view, and FIG. 3 is a plan view. As an example, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a two-tiered above-ground mechanical parking device 10. The mechanical parking device 10 is made up of parking units 10a and 10b, which have similar configurations. For this reason, identical components in parking units 10a and 10b are given the same reference numerals, and in this embodiment, only parking unit 10a will be described. The mechanical parking device 10 is installed outdoors.

[0018] The parking unit 10a is roughly composed of a pair of frames 11, 11 arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the vehicle 100 (LR direction shown in Figure 1), and a pallet 12 interposed between the pair of frames 11, 11 and arranged so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction (UD direction shown in Figure 1).

[0019] The frames 11, 11 are provided with guide rails 11c, 11c on opposing side surfaces of each frame 11, 11. The pallet 12 is guided by the guide rails 11c, 11c and is structured to move up and down in the vertical direction (UD direction).

[0020] When the pallet 12 is positioned at the raised position A indicated by the arrow A, the section above the pallet 12 is designated as an upper storage section 20 for storing the vehicle 100, and the section below the pallet 12 is designated as a lower storage section 30 for storing the vehicle 100.

[0021] An entry / exit position X for the vehicle 100 is set on the floor surface 2 continuous with the lower storage section 30. When the pallet 12 is located at the raised position A, the vehicle 100 loaded on the floor surface 2 and stored in the lower storage section 30 is positioned at the entry / exit position X. On the other hand, when the pallet 12 is located at the lowered position B indicated by the arrow B, the lower storage section 30 is reduced or disappeared, and the vehicle 100 loaded on the pallet 12 (stored in the upper storage section 20) is positioned at the entry / exit position X.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a rearview mirror 11a is installed on the rear side (rear side of the vehicle) of the frame 11 to allow the user M to check the safety behind the vehicle 100 positioned at the loading / unloading position X. The installation position and angle of the rearview mirror 11a are adjusted so that the user M can check the situation behind the vehicle 100 when the user M is positioned at the operation position (hereinafter referred to as the pallet operation position S) shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0023] Furthermore, a side confirmation mirror 11b is installed on the top of the frame 11 on the front left side to check for safety on the sides of the vehicle 100. The installation position and angle of the side confirmation mirror 11b are adjusted so that when the user M is located at the pallet operation position S, the user M can check the situation on the sides of the vehicle 100.

[0024] The movement of the pallet 12 up and down (UD direction) is performed by operation of a pallet operation unit 40 or an operation remote control (wireless slave unit, see FIG. 4) 50. The rear frame 11 is provided with a pallet drive motor (drive means) 13 for driving the pallet 12 up and down, and a control unit (control means) 60 for controlling the drive of the pallet drive motor 13. When the pallet operation unit 40 or the operation remote control 50 is operated by a user M, a control signal associated with the operation is transmitted to the control unit 60, and the control unit 60 controls the drive of the pallet drive motor 13.

[0025] An operation pole 14, the tip of which can be swung up and down, is provided on the top of the frame 11 on the front left side, and the pallet operation unit 40 is attached to the tip of the operation pole 14. Also, on the underside of the pallet operation unit 40, there are provided a pulling band 15 for lowering the tip of the operation pole 14 and pulling the pallet operation unit 40 downward, and a communication antenna unit (wireless communication means) 16 for communicating with the operation remote controller 50.

[0026] When the vehicle 100 is to leave the mechanical parking device 10, the user M first uses the side confirmation mirror 11b and rear confirmation mirror 11a at a position directly below the tip of the operation pole 14 to confirm that there are no people or obstacles on the sides or behind the vehicle 100. The position directly below the tip of the operation pole 14 corresponds to the pallet operation position S (predetermined position) described above. At the pallet operation position S, the user M uses the side confirmation mirror 11b and rear confirmation mirror 11a to check the situation around the vehicle 100, thereby being able to confirm the safety of the sides and behind the vehicle 100, which cannot be seen directly. Furthermore, the user M can check the safety of the front of the vehicle and the directly visible sides, and confirm that there are no people or obstacles around the entire periphery of the vehicle.

[0027] Thereafter, at the pallet operation position S, the user M pulls down the pulling band 15 located above the pallet operation unit 40 to lower it. Then, by continuing to hold the pulling band 15 with the pallet operation unit 40 lowered, the user M operates the pallet operation unit 40 while keeping the height position of the pallet operation unit 40 constant. When the operation of the pallet operation unit 40 is finished, the user M releases the pulling band 15, and the pallet operation unit 40 automatically rises and is retracted to a position where it will not come into contact with vehicles entering or leaving the warehouse.

[0028] In order to operate the pallet operating unit 40 as described above, it is necessary to hold the pulling band 15 in a pulled-down state and operate the pallet operating unit 40. For this reason, people with weak muscles or who are short tend to find it difficult to operate the pallet operating unit 40.

[0029] In the mechanical parking device 10 according to the embodiment, an operation remote controller 50 can be used in addition to the pallet operation unit 40 to perform movement operations of the pallet 12 in the mechanical parking device 10. Fig. 4 is an external view showing the schematic configuration of the operation remote controller 50. The operation remote controller 50 has three buttons: an UP button (up button) 52, a DOWN button (down button) 53, and a STOP button (stop button) 54. An IC tag 56 is also provided inside the operation remote controller 50.

[0030] The IC tag 56 is an IC chip and an antenna covered with a protective material (inlet), and is sometimes called an RF tag or RFID tag in addition to an IC tag. The IC tag 56 used in the embodiment may be a passive tag that operates using radio waves from the communication antenna unit 16 as its energy source, or may be an active tag with a built-in battery (power source). Furthermore, it may be a semi-passive tag that combines the characteristics of both a passive tag and an active tag.

[0031] In addition, there are various communication methods for IC tags, such as radio wave induction methods (using the LF (Low Frequency) band or HF (High Frequency) band) and radio wave methods (using the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band), and the communication distance varies depending on the method. The communication distance can be set or changed by adjusting the radio wave output of the communication antenna unit 16. Therefore, in the mechanical parking device 10 according to the embodiment, the most suitable communication method and radio wave output are determined as appropriate depending on the distance from the installation position of the communication antenna unit 16 (more specifically, the IC tag reader unit (communication receiver) described below) to the pallet operation position S. In addition, the IC tag 56 stores vehicle information, which will be described later.

[0032] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of the operation remote controller 50, the communication antenna unit 16, and the control unit 60. The communication antenna unit 16 has an elevation data receiving unit 16a and an IC tag reader unit (communication receiving unit) 16b. The elevation data receiving unit 16a receives signals output in response to pressing of the UP button 52, the DOWN button 53, and the STOP button 54 of the operation remote controller 50, and outputs the signals to the control unit 60.

[0033] The IC tag reader unit 16b communicates with the IC tag 56. As described above, the IC tag reader unit 16b is adjusted (set) so that the distance over which it can communicate with the IC tag 56 is a predetermined distance by adjusting the radio wave output, etc. In the communication antenna unit 16 according to the embodiment, as an example, the installation position of the communication antenna unit 16 is adjusted (set) so that the IC tag 56 and the IC tag reader unit 16b can communicate with each other within a range of approximately 1 meter from the communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b). The communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b) is provided on the underside of the pallet operation unit 40, and therefore communication between the communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b) and the operation remote control 50 (IC tag 56) is possible only when the user M holds the operation remote control 50 in the vicinity of a position directly below the pallet operation unit 40. If user M moves away from the position directly below the pallet operation unit 40 (more specifically, if he / she moves more than 1 m away from the communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b)), communication between the IC tag 56 and the IC tag reader unit 16b will be interrupted.

[0034] Therefore, when the IC tag reader unit 16b is in a state where it can communicate with the IC tag 56, it can be determined that the user M is located directly below the pallet operation unit 40 (pallet operation position S: predetermined position). As described above, the rearview confirmation mirror 11a and the sideview confirmation mirror 11b are set at positions and angles that are suitable for when the user M is located at the pallet operation position S. Therefore, when the user M is located directly below the pallet operation unit 40 (pallet operation position S), the user M can use the rearview confirmation mirror 11a and the sideview confirmation mirror 11b to check for safety behind and to the sides of the vehicle 100.

[0035] When the IC tag reader unit 16b of the communication antenna unit 16 is able to communicate with the IC tag 56, the IC tag reader unit 16b reads vehicle information from the IC tag 56. The IC tag reader unit 16b also outputs to the control unit 60, together with the read vehicle information, information indicating that communication with the IC tag 56 is possible (communication possible information).

[0036] The control unit 60 has an input information control unit 62, a tag information control unit 64, a motor control unit 66, and a recording unit 68. The input information control unit 62 receives a signal output in response to pressing any of the buttons 52 to 54 of the operation remote controller 50 from the elevation data receiving unit 16a, and outputs a control signal to the motor control unit 66 based on the received signal. Specifically, the input information control unit 62 outputs an elevation control signal when it receives a signal in response to pressing the UP button 52, outputs a descent control signal when it receives a signal in response to pressing the DOWN button 53, and outputs a stop control signal when it receives a signal in response to pressing the STOP button 54.

[0037] The tag information control unit 64 outputs the communication availability information and vehicle information received from the IC tag reader unit 16b to the motor control unit 66. Note that if communication between the IC tag reader unit 16b and the IC tag 56 is not possible, the tag information control unit 64 cannot receive the communication availability information and vehicle information from the IC tag reader unit 16b.

[0038] The recording unit 68 records information about the vehicle 100 stored in the mechanical parking device 10 as vehicle information. As an example of vehicle information, the recording unit 68 records information for identifying the vehicle (or its owner) stored in the upper storage unit 20 and information for identifying the vehicle (or its owner) stored in the lower storage unit 30, based on each of the parking units 10a, 10b of the mechanical parking device 10. For example, the license plate number (automobile registration number, vehicle number) of the vehicle 100 and personal information of the user M (name, address, room number, etc.) can be used as vehicle information.

[0039] The motor control unit 66 drives the pallet drive motor 13 to raise and lower the pallet 12 based on the vehicle information and communication availability information received from the tag information control unit 64 and the control signal received from the input information control unit 62.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the motor control unit 66. First, the motor control unit 66 performs processing to acquire communication availability information and vehicle information from the tag information control unit 64 (S.01) and determines whether the communication availability information has been acquired (S.02). If the communication availability information has not been received, it can be determined that the user M is not located at the pallet operation position S (the predetermined position, directly below the pallet operation unit 40). If the user M is not located at the pallet operation position S, the rearview mirror 11a and the sideview mirror 11b may not be providing sufficient safety confirmation, and therefore the operation of driving the pallet 12 should not be permitted. Therefore, if the communication availability information has not been acquired (No in S.02), the motor control unit 66 controls the drive of the pallet drive motor 13 to stop the operation of the pallet 12 (S.12), and then ends the processing.

[0041] On the other hand, if the communication availability information has been acquired (Yes in S.02), the motor control unit 66 determines whether the vehicle information has been acquired, and if so, whether the vehicle information corresponds to any of the vehicle information recorded in the recording unit 68 (S.03). If the vehicle information cannot be acquired, or if the acquired vehicle information does not match the vehicle information recorded in the recording unit 68 (No in S.03), the motor control unit 66 stops the operation of the pallet 12 (S.12) and then ends the process.

[0042] If the answer is No in S.03, the motor control unit 66 stops the operation of the pallet 12 (S.12) and ends the process, thereby preventing the pallet 12 from being moved by operating the operation remote control 50 that has vehicle information different from the vehicle information recorded in the recording unit 68 (or has no vehicle information recorded at all), thereby improving safety performance against vehicle theft, etc.

[0043] If the vehicle information corresponds to the vehicle information recorded in the recording unit 68 (Yes in S.03), the motor control unit 66 receives a control signal from the input information control unit 62 (S.04). Then, the motor control unit 66 determines whether the received control signal is an ascent control signal (S.05), and if it is an ascent control signal (Yes in S.05), it starts the process of driving and controlling the pallet drive motor 13 to raise the pallet 12 (S.06).

[0044] If the control signal is not an ascent control signal (No in S.05), the motor control unit 66 determines whether the received control signal is a descent control signal (S.07), and if it is a descent control signal (Yes in S.07), it starts the process of driving and controlling the pallet drive motor 13 to lower the pallet 12 (S.08).

[0045] If the control signal is not a descent control signal (No in S.07), the motor control unit 66 determines whether the received control signal is a stop control signal (S.09), and if it is a stop control signal (Yes in S.09), it executes a process of driving and controlling the pallet drive motor 13 to stop the pallet 12 (S.10).

[0046] After performing the control process for the pallet 12 (S.06, S.08, S.10), or if the control signal is not a stop control signal (No in S.09), the motor control unit 66 determines whether the pallet 12 has moved to the raised position A or the lowered position B (S.11), and if it has moved to the raised position A or the lowered position B (Yes in S.11), it controls the drive of the pallet drive motor 13 to stop the pallet 12 (S.12), and ends the process.

[0047] Note that the case where the pallet 12 moves to the raised position A or the lowered position B (Yes in S.11) is not limited to the case where the pallet 12 located at the raised position A moves to the lowered position B, or the case where the pallet 12 located at the lowered position B moves to the raised position A. It also includes the case where the pallet 12 located at the raised position A starts to descend once, but then returns to the raised position A without moving to the lowered position B, or the case where the pallet 12 located at the lowered position B starts to ascend once, but then returns to the lowered position B without moving to the raised position A.

[0048] If the pallet 12 has not moved to the raised position A or the lowered position B (No in S.11), the motor control unit 66 determines that the pallet 12 is being driven, returns the process to S.01, and repeats the above-mentioned process.

[0049] As described above, the motor control unit 66 of the control unit 60 determines whether communication between the communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b) and the operation remote control 50 (IC tag 56) is possible based on whether or not communication possible information has been received, thereby making it possible to determine whether the user M is located at the pallet operation position S, and more specifically, whether the user M is operating the movement of the pallet 12 at a position (predetermined position) where safety can be confirmed using the rearview mirror 11a and the sideview mirror 11b.

[0050] When the communication availability information is received, the control unit 60 can determine that the user M is located at a pallet operation position S (predetermined position) where safety can be confirmed using the rearview mirror 11a and the sideview mirror 11b. When the user M is in this position, the user M can operate the pallet 12 while checking for safety using the mirrors 11a and 11b. Therefore, even when the user M operates the pallet 12 using the portable operation remote controller 50 instead of the pallet operation unit 40 installed in the mechanical parking device 10, the user can operate the pallet 12 after sufficiently checking for safety, just as when operating the pallet operation unit 40. Furthermore, the use of the operation remote controller 50 can improve convenience.

[0051] Furthermore, if user M moves more than 1 m from the position directly below the pallet operation unit 40 to a position where safety cannot be confirmed using the mirrors 11a, 11b, even if the user M operates the operation remote control 50, the pallet 12 cannot be moved, so safety can be fully ensured.

[0052] Although the mechanical parking device according to the present invention has been described above using the drawings, the mechanical parking device according to the present invention is not limited to the examples shown in the embodiments. For example, in the mechanical parking device 10 described in the embodiments, the communication antenna unit 16 is installed on the underside of the pallet operation unit 40, and the pallet operation position S is located directly below the pallet operation unit 40. However, the installation position of the communication antenna unit 16 is not limited to the underside of the pallet operation unit 40. As long as the IC tag 56 of the operation remote controller 50 and the IC tag reader unit 16b of the communication antenna unit 16 are able to communicate when the user M is located at the pallet operation position S, where the user M can check for safety using the rearview mirror 11a and the sideview mirror 11b, the installation position of the communication antenna unit 16 is not particularly limited.

[0053] For example, by installing the communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b) at a front position P (for example, a front height position about 1.5 m above the ground, see FIG. 2) of the frame 11 on which the pallet operation unit 40 is installed, the IC tag 56 of the operation remote controller 50 and the IC tag reader unit 16b of the communication antenna unit 16 can communicate only when the user M is located within a radius of about 1 m. Even when the communication antenna 16 is installed in this way, if the user M is in a position where he or she can receive communication information, he or she can check for safety using the rearview mirror 11a and the sideview mirror 11b. This makes it possible to operate the movement of the pallet 12 while ensuring sufficient safety.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, it is also possible to install multiple IC tag reader units 16b at positions equidistant from a location where user M can use mirrors 11a, 11b to check safety (pallet operation position S, predetermined position), and set the position where all (or any two or more) of the IC tag reader units 16b are able to communicate with the IC tag 56 as the pallet operation position S (predetermined position). By installing multiple IC tag reader units 16b in this way, it is possible to set or identify the position of user M with greater accuracy, thereby ensuring sufficient safety.

[0055] Furthermore, in the mechanical parking device 10 according to the embodiment, a case where the mechanical parking device is a two-tiered above-ground type has been described as an example, but the mechanical parking device according to the present invention is not limited to the two-tiered above-ground type, and may be a two-tiered pit type, a lift-and-roll type, or other mechanical parking device. Even in a two-tiered pit type, a lift-and-roll type, or other mechanical parking device, by installing the communication antenna unit 16 near the installation position of the pallet operation unit 40, it is possible to enable communication between the communication antenna unit 16 and the operation remote control 50 (IC tag 56) only when the user M is in the same location as the position where the pallet operation unit 40 is operated.

[0056] Generally, the operating position of the pallet operating unit 40 in mechanical parking devices such as two-tier pit and lift-and-traverse types is a position where safety is sufficiently ensured, with the rearview mirror 11a and sideview mirror 11b being adjusted in position and angle to make it easier to check for safety, and the mirror being positioned outside the front gate. Therefore, by installing the communication antenna unit 16 etc. so that communication between the communication antenna unit 16 (IC tag reader unit 16b) and the operation remote control 50 (IC tag 56) is possible only when the user M is in the same location as the position where the pallet operating unit 40 is operated, sufficient safety can be ensured even when operating the operation remote control 50, and user convenience during operation can be improved.

[0057] Furthermore, in the mechanical parking device 10 according to the embodiment, a case has been described in which wireless communication is performed using the IC tag 56 and the IC tag reader unit 16b for communication between the operation remote controller 50 and the communication antenna unit 16. However, the wireless communication method between the operation remote controller 50 and the communication antenna unit 16 is not limited to the communication method using the IC tag 56 and the IC tag reader unit 16b, and other methods can also be used. For example, wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and ZigBee (registered trademark) can be used. Also, wireless communication methods such as IR-UWB (Impulse-Radio Ultra-Wide Band) can also be used.

[0058] Even when using these wireless communication methods, the communication distance between the operation remote controller 50 and the communication antenna unit 16 can be adjusted by adjusting the radio wave output or by installing multiple communication antenna units 16, and the operation position of the user M relative to the mechanical parking device 10 can be set and adjusted to the desired pallet operation position S (predetermined position). Therefore, based on the reception status of the communication information, it can be determined whether the user M is operating the operation remote controller 50 in a position where safety can be sufficiently confirmed, and it can be determined whether the user M is operating the pallet 12 while ensuring sufficient safety. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the convenience of using the operation remote controller 50.

[0059] Furthermore, the method for determining whether the user M is located at the pallet operation position S is not limited to determining only whether the operation remote controller 50 is in a state where communication is possible between the communication antenna unit 16. For example, it is also possible to configure the control unit 60 to determine whether a person is located at the pallet operation position S by capturing an image of the area around the pallet operation position S using a surveillance camera or the like and analyzing the captured image (image). Also, a detection sensor or the like that detects the presence of a person may be installed at the front position P of the frame 11, and the control unit 60 may determine whether a person (user M) is located at the pallet operation position S.

[0060] Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the operation remote control 50 to be able to move and operate the pallet 12 only when it is determined that the user M is located at the pallet operation position S, using both the communication status between the operation remote control 50 and the communication antenna unit 16 and the presence or absence of the user M based on image analysis.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 60 can identify the vehicle 100 (pallet 12) that is the target of the movement operation by the operation remote controller 50, by comparing and collating the vehicle information acquired from the IC tag 56 of the operation remote controller 50 with the vehicle information recorded in the recording unit 68. Therefore, when the operation remote controller 50 is operated by the user M, the control unit 60 can allow the movement operation only of the pallet 12 (target pallet 12, identified pallet) of the vehicle 100 owned by the user M, and can cancel the movement operation of the pallet 12 that is not the target.

[0062] In this way, by the control unit 60 controlling the movement operation of the pallet 12 based on the vehicle information, it is possible to limit the operation by the operation remote controller 50 to only the movement operation of the target pallet 12 (vehicle 100, identified pallet), and to prevent other vehicles (non-target pallets) from being moved to the entry / exit position X. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary drive operations of the pallet drive motor 13 in the mechanical parking device 10, thereby improving safety in the mechanical parking device 10. Furthermore, by the control unit 60 canceling the movement operation of pallets other than the target pallet 12, it becomes easier for the user M to notice operational errors, and it becomes possible to improve convenience in operation.

[0063] Furthermore, when the control unit 60 confirms that the user M is located at the pallet operation position S by controlling the movement operation of the pallet 12 based on the vehicle information, the control unit 60 can control the pallet drive motor 13 to automatically move the target pallet 12 (user M's vehicle 100) to the loading / unloading position X without the user M having to operate the operation remote control 50 at all, or by pressing any of the buttons 53 to 54 once.

[0064] In this way, the control unit 60 controls the movement operation of the pallet 12 based on the vehicle information, so that the user M, while holding the operation remote controller 50, does not need to operate the operation remote controller 50, but simply positions himself / herself at the pallet operation position S (or simply presses any button once while positioned there), and the user M's vehicle 100 (the target pallet 12, the specified pallet) can be automatically moved to the loading / unloading position X. This makes it possible to further improve user convenience.

[0065] Furthermore, by having the control unit 60 control the movement operation of the pallet 12 based on the vehicle information, even if a child or the like holding the operation remote controller 50 accidentally enters the pallet operation position S and unintentionally operates the operation remote controller 50, it is possible to prevent vehicles other than the vehicle 100 owned by the user M from being moved and the control unit 60 can safely move the vehicle of the user M (the pallet identified by the vehicle information). This makes it possible to prevent accidents that may occur due to unforeseen operations, etc., and to increase safety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 2...Floor 10...Mechanical parking equipment 100...vehicles 10a...Parking unit 10b...Parking unit 11...frame 11a ... Rearview mirror 11b...Side view mirror 11c...guide rail 12...pallets 13...Pallet drive motor (drive means) 14...Operation pole 15... Pulling belt 16...Communication antenna unit (wireless communication means) 16a ... Elevation data receiver 16b...IC tag reader unit (communication receiver unit) 20...Upper storage compartment 30...Lower storage area 40...Pallet operation unit 50...Operation remote control (wireless adapter) 52 ...UP button (up button) 53 ...DOWN button (descent button) 54 ...STOP button 56...IC tag 60...Control unit (control means) 62 ... Input information control unit 64 ... Tag information control section 66...Motor control unit 68...Recording section A...ascending position B…lower position P…Front position S...Pallet operation position X: Intake and exit position M...User

Claims

1. A mechanical parking device capable of moving a vehicle to an entry / exit position by raising and lowering a pallet on which the vehicle can be loaded, a driving means for raising and lowering the pallet; a control means for controlling the elevation of the pallet by driving the driving means; wireless communication means installed at a position where communication with a wireless slave device can be performed only when a user having the wireless slave device is located at a predetermined position; and The control means drives the driving means to control the elevation of the pallet when communication with the wireless slave device is possible through the wireless communication means. A mechanical parking device characterized by:

2. The predetermined position is a position where the user can visually confirm the safety of the area around the vehicle.

2. The mechanical parking device according to claim 1 .

3. The wireless communication means is installed above the predetermined position.

3. A mechanical parking device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. the wireless communication means has a plurality of communication receiving units for communicating with the wireless slave device, and the communication receiving units are installed at different positions, The control means drives the driving means to control the elevation of the pallet when the wireless communication means is able to communicate with the wireless slave device via all or any of the plurality of communication receiving units.

3. A mechanical parking device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The control means identifies the pallet for which the lifting / lowering control is to be performed based on the ID information received from the wireless slave device, and drives the driving means to perform the lifting / lowering control only on the identified pallet.

3. A mechanical parking device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Drilling method for multi layer printed substrate

    JP1987068212A