Circulating parking system and its operating method

Abstract

The objective is to provide a circulating parking system and a method for operating it that ensures that electric vehicles are not interrupted from charging while parked and being charged, even when other vehicles enter or exit the system. [Solution] The present invention provides a circulating parking system that has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, and comprises a circulating path 6 formed by at least two elevator shafts 4 and 5 spaced apart from each other, and at least two circulating layers 6A and 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4 and 5, wherein at least one of the elevator shafts 4 and 5 has a charging unit adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path 6, which can continuously charge an electric vehicle M even while the tray 8 is being circulated in the circulating path 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a circulating parking device and an operation method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the number of electric vehicles has started to increase. However, due to the small number of charging stations and the reduction in the driving range due to the heavy use of air conditioners in summer, winter, etc., it is said that the popularization of electric vehicles will still be some time away technically. In the field of mechanical parking devices, the number of facilities for charging electric vehicles while they are parked is increasing.

[0003] As an example of a conventional mechanical parking device, Patent Document 1 discloses a circulating parking facility having a circulation path for storing and circulating standard pallets and charging pallets, and lifting and lowering the pallets on the circulation path by a lifting path provided at the end of the circulation path. The circulation path has a number of layers that is at least one layer more than the minimum number of layers required to store and circulate the standard pallets, and at least one layer of the circulation path is set as a charging specific layer having a charging function for supplying power to the charging pallets. A circulating parking facility with a charging function is described.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes an intermediate lifting device for moving a pallet on which an automobile is placed between the entrance floor and the machine installation floor, a left-side parking device unit positioned to the left of the intermediate lifting device and equipped with multiple layers of pallet travel columns, and moving multiple pallets connected to each other by pallet connecting hardware that can engage and disengage by sliding vertically, along the pallet travel columns, a left-side lifting device positioned at the left end of the left-side parking device unit and moving one pallet at a time between the pallet travel paths of the left-side parking device unit as it is moved horizontally to the left end of the left-side parking device unit, a right-side parking device unit positioned to the right of the intermediate lifting device and equipped with multiple layers of pallet travel columns, and moving multiple pallets connected to each other by pallet connecting hardware, along the pallet travel columns, and a right-side lifting device positioned at the right end of the right-side parking device unit and moving horizontally to the right end of the right-side parking device unit A multi-layer box-type circulating parking system is described, which has a left-side lifting device that moves pallets that have been brought in one by one up and down between the pallet travel paths of the right-side parking system unit, and the intermediate lifting device has the function of moving pallets that have been brought laterally to the right end of the left-side parking system unit one by one up and down between the pallet travel paths of the left-side parking system unit, and the function of moving pallets that have been brought laterally to the left end of the right-side parking system unit one by one up and down between the pallet travel paths of the right-side parking system unit, wherein the intermediate lifting device is equipped with a guide / switching mechanism that guides the pallets being moved up and down along one vertically extending track from the entrance floor to the position between the entrance floor and the top floor of the left and right parking system units, and guides the pallets being moved up and down along two tracks that branch to the left and right and extend vertically at a position below the position between the entrance floor and the top floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-111795 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-176430 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, charging is performed in the circulation path of the storage area. Therefore, when electric vehicles stored in a specific charging layer are brought in or out, the entire pallet on which the electric vehicle is mounted is circulated, and charging to the electric vehicle is cut off during the circulation operation. The same applies when the number of specific charging layers is increased downwards, and also when a circulation path with a specific charging layer is provided on the left side of the lift device connecting to the loading / unloading room. In these cases, charging to the electric vehicle is cut off during the circulation operation.

[0007] In the prior art described in Patent Document 2, a circulation path with numerous pallets is formed on both sides of the intermediate lifting device. When pallets are circulated on the right side of the lifting device, pallets on the left side of the lifting device cannot be circulated, resulting in the inconvenience of longer vehicle entry and exit times. Furthermore, the need to install many lifting devices inevitably increases the cost of the parking system.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a circulating parking system and a method for operating the same, which ensures that the charging of an electric vehicle is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or exit the parking system, even while the electric vehicle is parked and being charged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first embodiment of the circulating parking system has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, and the circulating parking system has a circulating path formed by at least two elevator shafts spaced apart from each other and at least two circulating layers arranged between the two elevator shafts, wherein at least one of the elevator shafts has a charging unit adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path, which is capable of continuously charging an electric vehicle even while the carrier is circulating in the circulating path.

[0010] The circulating parking system according to the second embodiment is configured such that, in the circulating parking system according to the first embodiment, the charging unit is capable of storing and charging the electric vehicle, and the electric vehicle stored in the charging unit is not moved when a vehicle is entered or exited from the circulating path.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the circulating parking system, in the circulating parking system according to the first or second embodiment, the charging carrier stored in the charging section is retracted to a position where the connector of the charging carrier does not interfere with the connector of the carrier circulating in the circulating path.

[0012] The fourth embodiment of the circulating parking system is a circulating parking system according to the first or second embodiment, in which a wide charging carrier is stored in a charging section adjacent to the elevator shaft on the side of the elevator shaft that connects to the entrance / exit room.

[0013] A method for operating a circulating parking system according to the fifth type of circulating parking system has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, wherein the circulating path is composed of at least two elevator shafts spaced apart from each other and at least two circulating layers arranged between the two elevator shafts, and at least one of the elevator shafts has a charging section adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path, wherein the entry of a charging carrier to be stored in the charging section is by moving from the elevator shaft to the level of the charging section to engage with the coupler of the carrier located in the circulating layer, the carrier of the circulating layer is moved to the charging section by moving onto the elevator shaft, the engagement of the coupler is released as the carrier of the circulating layer moves vertically on the elevator shaft, and the charging carrier that has been moved to the charging section is moved by a traverse device arranged in the charging section to a position where it does not interfere with the coupler of the carrier of the circulating layer and stored.

[0014] A method for operating a circulating parking system according to the sixth type of invention has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, wherein the circulating path is composed of at least two elevator shafts spaced apart from each other and at least two circulating layers arranged between the two elevator shafts, and at least one of the elevator shafts has a charging section adjacent to the outside of the circulating path, wherein the discharge of a charging carrier stored in the charging section is performed by moving the carrier of the circulating layer vertically to a position on the elevator shaft where the coupler does not interfere, moving the charging carrier to a position where it can engage with the coupler of the carrier of the circulating layer by a traverse device arranged in the charging section, moving the carrier of the circulating layer vertically on the elevator shaft so that the coupler of the charging carrier and the coupler of the carrier of the circulating layer engage, and as the carrier of the circulating layer moves toward the circulating layer, the charging carrier moves onto the elevator shaft and moves along the elevator shaft to the entry / exit room connected to the elevator shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the first embodiment of the circulating parking system, compared to a mechanical parking system that charges in a circulating path, the charging of an electric vehicle is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or exit the parking system, even while the electric vehicle is parked in the circulating parking system and being charged.

[0016] According to the second embodiment of the circulating parking system, compared to a mechanical parking system that charges in a circulating path, the electric vehicle is not circulated while it is parked in the circulating parking system and being charged, so charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or exit the system.

[0017] According to the third embodiment of the circulating parking system, even when the carriers are circulating along the circulating path, the charging carrier remains stationary without being connected to the carriers moving along the circulating path, so that charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or leave the parking area.

[0018] According to the circulating parking device according to the fourth aspect, compared with a mechanical parking device that can accommodate all trays, it can cope with the opening of a large lid of a charging plug for a wide electric vehicle or an electric vehicle equipped with a rapid charging plug.

[0019] According to the operation method of the circulating parking device according to the fifth aspect, when the carrier is circulating on the circulation path, the charging carrier maintains a stopped state without being connected to the carrier moving on the circulation path. Therefore, charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or leave the warehouse.

[0020] According to the operation method of the circulating parking device according to the sixth aspect, when the carrier is circulating on the circulation path, the charging carrier maintains a stopped state without being connected to the carrier moving on the circulation path. Therefore, charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or leave the warehouse.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a side view showing the overall configuration of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing a state in which a first charging unit is arranged outside a first lifting road in a circulation path of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging an electric vehicle placed on a first charging tray stored in the first charging unit of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging an electric vehicle placed on a first charging tray stored in the first charging unit of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging an electric vehicle placed on a first charging tray stored in the first charging unit of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the first charging tray stored in the first charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a side view showing a state in which a second charging unit is located outside the second elevator shaft in the circulation path of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is an operation diagram showing the state of releasing an electric vehicle that has been placed on the second charging tray stored in the second charging unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is a side view showing a traverse device installed in the first or second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 21] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 22] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 23] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 24] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 25] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 26] This is a side view showing a traverse device installed in the first or second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention. [Figure 27] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 28] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 29]This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 30] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 31] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 32] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 33] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traversing device on the circulation path side and the traversing device of the second charging section of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the tray. [Figure 34] This is a side view showing the overall configuration of a circulating parking system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] This is a plan view showing the relationship between the tray and the movable deck in the entry / exit compartment of a circulating parking system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] This is a front view showing the relationship between the tray and the movable deck in the entry / exit compartment of a circulating parking system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] This is a plan view showing the relationship between a wide charging tray and a movable deck in the entry / exit compartment of a circulating parking system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] This is a front view showing the relationship between a wide charging tray and a movable deck in the entry / exit compartment of a circulating parking system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] An example of a circulating parking system and its operating method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The carrier is described as a tray (pallet) made of steel plate, but this includes forklift-type trolleys.

[0023] <First Embodiment> As an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 and 2 show side views of the main components of the circulating parking system 1 in the first embodiment. The circulating parking system 1 is installed in a structure 1A, and in this embodiment, the structure 1A is made up of a frame.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circulating parking system 1 includes an entry / exit room 2 having an entrance / exit door 2A through which vehicles M enter and exit; a first elevator shaft 4 connected to the opening 1B of the entry / exit room 2, on which a lifting device for raising and lowering trays 8, a first charging tray 18, and a second charging tray 28 for mounting vehicles M is erected; a second elevator shaft 5 on which a lifting device for raising and lowering trays 8 and the second charging tray 28 is erected; a circulation path 6 is formed by a first circulation layer 6B and a second circulation layer 6A that circulate the trays 8 and 28 of the circulating parking system 1; and outside the circulation path 6, a storage room 3 is arranged, on which a first charging unit 10 adjacent to the first elevator shaft 4 and a second charging unit 20 adjacent to the second elevator shaft 5 are located. Here, "tray" is an example of a carrier, "first charging tray" is an example of a first charging carrier, and "second charging tray" is an example of a second charging tray.

[0025] The first elevator shaft 4 has a frame erected upright, a cable-like body 4A is rotatably mounted in the vertical direction, and an elevator rail 4B that functions as part of the circulation path 6 is provided on the cable-like body 4A.

[0026] The second elevator shaft 5 has a frame erected upright, a cable-like body 5A is rotatably mounted in the vertical direction, and an elevator rail 5B, which functions as part of the circulation path 6, is provided on the cable-like body 5A.

[0027] The first circulation layer 6B and the second circulation layer 6A are equipped with a traversing device 7 that circulates each of the trays 8 and 28. The multiple trays 8 arranged in the first circulation layer 6B and the second circulation layer 6A are primarily controlled to store general gasoline vehicles that do not require charging, but electric vehicles M can also be stored if they do not require charging. In this case, a charging requirement button is installed or displayed on an operation panel (not shown) located near the entrance / exit door 2A of the entry / exit room 2, allowing the user to select whether or not charging is required upon entry. By selecting "No" on the charging requirement button, the circulating parking system 1 is controlled by the control panel 40 to call up a tray 8, allowing even electric vehicles M to be placed in a tray 8 on the circulation path 6 side.

[0028] A first charging unit 10 is provided outside the first lifting device 4, that is, adjacent to the outside of the circulation path 6. In this embodiment, the circulation path 6 is composed of two layers, and two first charging trays 18 are stored corresponding to these two layers. A traverse device 12 is provided to pull the first charging tray 18 to a position where the couplers 8A of each tray 8 passing through the circulation path 6 do not interfere with the coupler 18A of the first charging tray 18 when the first charging tray 18 is located in the first charging unit 10 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0029] Furthermore, a second charging unit 20 is provided outside the second lifting device 5, that is, adjacent to the outside of the circulation path 6. In this embodiment, the circulation path 6 is composed of two layers, and two second charging trays 28 are stored corresponding to these two layers. A traverse device 22 is provided to pull the second charging tray 28 to a position where the couplers 8A of each tray 8 passing through the circulation path 6 do not interfere with the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 when the second charging tray 28 is located in the second charging unit 20 (see Figures 1 and 8).

[0030] In this embodiment, the charging outlets in the first charging tray 18 and the second charging tray 28, the power supply device that supplies power to the first charging tray 18 and the second charging tray 28, and the charging cord that connects the charging outlet to the electric vehicle M are not shown in the illustration.

[0031] With this configuration, the electric vehicle M can be stored in the circulating parking system 1 without interrupting its charging, and while maintaining this state, the vehicle M or electric vehicle M located in the circulating path 6 can be moved in and out of the parking system.

[0032] <Dispatch of the first charging tray> Here, the driving operation of the electric vehicle M at the time of departure from the first charging unit, which is characteristic of this embodiment, will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 7. The operation of each traverse device 7 and 12 during the driving operation will be described later.

[0033] Figure 3 is a side view showing the first charging unit 10 positioned outside the first elevator shaft 4 in the circulation path 6, and shows the electric vehicle M stored in the layer below the first charging unit 10 being charged. In this state, as shown in Figure 3, the first charging tray 18 is retracted to a position where the connector 8A of the tray 8 located in the first elevator shaft 4 and the connector 18A of the first charging tray 18 do not interfere with each other.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the state in which the coupler 18A of the first charging tray 18, on which the electric vehicle M stored in the layer below the first charging unit 10 is placed, has been moved to a position where it engages with the coupler 8A of the tray 8. As shown in Figure 4, the first charging tray 18, located in the layer below the first charging unit 10, is moved in the direction of arrow A and then stopped.

[0035] Figure 5 shows the state in Figure 4 where tray 8, which was positioned in the upper layer of the first charging unit 10, engages with the coupler 8A of tray 8 when the first elevator shaft 4 descends, causing the coupler 18A of the first charging tray 18 on which the electric vehicle M stored in the lower layer of the first charging unit 10 is placed to engage with the coupler 8A of tray 8. As shown in Figure 5, tray 8 descends from the top of the first elevator shaft 4 in the direction of arrow B, and the coupler 18A of the first charging tray 18 engages with the coupler 8A of tray 8, while the coupler 8A on the other side of tray 8 also engages with the coupler 8A of another tray 8 that was positioned adjacent to the first elevator shaft 4 in the first circulation layer 6B. Each coupler 8A, 18A is capable of passing through vertically and has a shape that allows for pushing and pulling during horizontal movement.

[0036] Figure 6 shows the operation of moving the first charging tray 18 to the first elevator shaft 4. As shown in Figure 6, the first charging tray 18 is pulled out to the tray 8 located in the adjacent first circulation layer 6B and stops on the elevator rail 4B of the first elevator shaft 4.

[0037] Figure 7 shows the state in which the first charging tray 18 is raised toward the loading / unloading room 2. The first charging tray 18 is moved toward the loading / unloading room 2 when the lifting rail 4B of the first elevator shaft 4 is raised in the direction of arrow C.

[0038] When the first charging tray 18 is placed inside the unit, it is stored in the first charging unit 10 by the reverse operation of the above-described operation.

[0039] <Delivery of the second charging tray> Here, the driving operation of the electric vehicle M with its second charging unit, which is characteristic of this embodiment, when it is being taken out of the parking lot will be explained with reference to Figures 8 to 18. The operation of each traverse device 7 and 22 during the driving operation will be described later.

[0040] Figure 8 is a side view showing the second charging unit 20 positioned outside the second elevator shaft 5 in the circulation path 6, and shows the electric vehicle M stored in the layer above the second charging unit 20 being charged. In this state, as shown in Figure 8, the second charging tray 28 is retracted to a position where the connector 8A of the tray 8 located in the second elevator shaft 5 does not interfere with the connector 28A of the second charging tray 28.

[0041] Figure 9 shows the state in which the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28, on which the electric vehicle M stored in the upper layer of the second charging unit 20 is placed, has been moved to a position where it engages with the coupler 8A of the tray 8. As shown in Figure 9, the second charging tray 28, located in the upper layer of the second charging unit 20, is moved in the direction of arrow D and stops.

[0042] Figure 10 shows the state in which, in Figure 9, tray 8, which was located in the lower layer of the second charging unit 20, engages with the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 on which the electric vehicle M stored in the upper layer of the second charging unit 20 is placed, due to the upward movement of the second elevator shaft 5. As shown in Figure 10, tray 8 is raised from the lower part of the second elevator shaft 5 in the direction of arrow C, and the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 engages with the coupler 8A of tray 8, while the coupler 8A on the other side of tray 8 also engages with the coupler 8A of another tray 8 located adjacent to the second elevator shaft 5 in the second circulation layer 6A.

[0043] Figure 11 shows the operation of moving the second charging tray 28 to the second elevator shaft 5. As shown in Figure 11, the second charging tray 28 is pulled out to the tray 8 located in the adjacent second circulation layer 6A and stops on the elevator rail 5B of the second elevator shaft 5. In conjunction with this, in the first circulation layer 6B, the tray 8 is moved in the direction of arrow A and one tray 8 stops on the elevator rail 5B on the lower side of the second elevator shaft 5. In the second charging unit 20 corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B, the second charging tray 28 is waiting to be charged, and in this case as well, it is stopped in a position where the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 and the coupler 8A of the tray 8 on the second elevator shaft 5 do not interfere with each other.

[0044] Figures 12 to 18 show the preparatory operations for moving the second charging tray 28 to the first elevator shaft 4 by a circulating motion.

[0045] Figure 12 shows the state in which tray 8, which was located at the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the first elevator shaft 4 in Figure 11, has been lowered in the direction of arrow B to the position corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B. This is an operation to create an empty space on the circulation path 6 at the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the first elevator shaft 4. At this time, no operation is performed on the side of the second elevator shaft 5.

[0046] Figure 13 shows the state in which tray 8 and second charging tray 28 on the second circulation layer 6A are moved by one pitch in the direction of arrow D. This creates an empty space at the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A in the second elevator shaft 5.

[0047] Figure 14 shows the state in which tray 8, located at the level corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B of the second elevator shaft 5, is raised in the direction of arrow C. This creates an empty space at the level corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B of the second elevator shaft 5. This action engages the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 with the coupler 8A of the raised tray 8 in the second elevator shaft 5. At this time, no operation is performed on the first elevator shaft 4 side.

[0048] Figure 15 shows the state in the second circulation layer 6A where the tray row, including the second charging tray 28, is moved in the direction of arrow A. This operation moves the tray 8 to the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the second charging unit 20. At this time, the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 and the couplers 8A of the trays 8 located to its left and right remain connected. As this tray row moves in the direction of arrow A, an empty space is created at the level of the second circulation layer 6A of the first elevator shaft 4. At this time, no operation is performed on the side of the first elevator shaft 4.

[0049] Figure 16 shows the state in which the engagement between the coupler of the second charging tray 28, located on the second elevator shaft 5, and the coupler 8A of the tray 8, which has been moved to the second charging unit 20, is released. The second charging tray 28, located on the second elevator shaft 5, is slightly lowered by the downward movement of the elevator rail 5B of the second elevator shaft 5 in the direction of arrow B, and the engagement between the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 and the coupler 8A of the adjacent tray 8 is released.

[0050] Figure 17 shows that tray 8, positioned at the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the second charging unit 20, is moved in the direction of arrow A and stops at a position that avoids interference with the coupler 28A of the adjacent second charging tray 28. During this operation, the descent distance of the second elevator shaft 5 should be only sufficient to release the engagement between the coupler 28A of the second charging tray 28 and the coupler 8A of tray 8, which has been moved to the level of the second circulation layer 6A of the second charging unit 20, so that they do not interfere with each other.

[0051] Figure 18 shows the state in the second elevator shaft 5 where the engagement of the coupler 28A has been released, and the second charging tray 28 has been raised in the direction of arrow C to return to the level of the second circulation layer 6A. In this way, the engagement between the tray 8, which has been moved to the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the second charging unit 20, and the second charging tray 28 located on the second elevator shaft 5 is released, and empty spaces are created at the level position corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the first elevator shaft 4 and at the level position corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B of the second elevator shaft 5. That is, empty spaces are created diagonally in a side view. As a result, box-type circulation operation is possible in the circulation path 6, and the electric vehicle M placed on the second charging tray 28 that is to be discharged is circulated to the first elevator shaft 4 and moved to the entry / exit room 2 connected to the first elevator shaft 4.

[0052] <Traversing device and its operation> Next, in relation to the above-described operating method, the traversing devices 7, 12, and 22 provided in each part will be explained.

[0053] Figure 19 shows the operational relationship between the traverse device 22 installed in the second charging unit 20 and the second charging tray 28 or tray 8. Although Figure 19 shows the second charging unit 20 as an example, it is symmetrical to the first charging unit 10, so the reference numerals are shown on the side of the second charging unit 20 and on the side of the first charging unit 10 are shown in parentheses. As shown in Figure 19, the traverse device 22 has a drive sprocket in the drive unit 22C, and uses multiple driven sprockets to suspend a cable-like body 22A, and has multiple engaging bodies 22B that protrude outside the rotational trajectory of this cable-like body 22A. An engaged body 28C that engages with the engaging body 22B is provided at the end of the second charging tray 28, and when the engaging body 22B engages with the engaged body 28C, the cable-like body 22A rotates in the direction of arrow X, moving the second charging tray 28. The second charging tray 28 is equipped with multiple wheels 28B and is supported so that it can move along the rails 21.

[0054] Figures 20 to 25 show the movement of the second charging tray 28 to the second charging unit, including the operation of the traversing device 7 installed in the circulation unit 6.

[0055] Figure 20 shows the state in which the second charging tray 28 is stopped at the position of the second elevator shaft 5, and shows the initial state in which the second charging tray 28 is moved to the second charging unit 20, using the second circulation layer 6A as an example. The traverse device 7 installed in the second circulation layer 6A is provided with a rope-like body 7A that is suspended in an inverted trapezoidal shape that is convex downwards on a plurality of sprockets, and a plurality of engaging bodies 7B that protrude outward from the rotation of the rope-like body 7A. The engaging bodies 7B engage with the engaged body 8C of the tray 8 or the engaged body 28C of the second charging tray 28 to move the tray row.

[0056] Figure 21 shows the state in which the second charging tray 28 is moved to the second charging unit 20. The traverse device 7's cord-like body 7A rotates counterclockwise, and the engaging body 7B, which is engaged with the engaged body 8C of the tray 8, is driven in the direction of arrow A, causing the tray row to start moving in the direction of arrow A.

[0057] Figure 22 shows that as the cable-like body 7A of the traverse device 7 rotates further counterclockwise, the engaging body 7B, which is engaged with the engaged body 8C of the tray 8, is driven in the direction of arrow A, causing the tray row to move one pitch in the direction of arrow A. At this time, the engaging body 22B of the traverse device 22 installed in the second charging unit 20 engages with the engaged body 28C on the right side of the second charging tray 28 in conjunction with the traverse device 7. In this state, the connecting body 28A of the second charging tray 28 and the connecting body 8A of the adjacent tray 8 remain engaged.

[0058] Figure 23 shows the state in which the tray 8 located in the second elevator shaft 5 is moved by the descent of the elevator rail 5B due to the operation of the cable-like body 5A. This releases the engagement between the connector 8A of the tray 8 and the second charging tray 28A.

[0059] Figure 24 shows the state in which the second charging tray 28 has been moved to the back of the second charging unit 20. This operation involves slightly moving the engaging body 22B of the traverse device 22 in the direction of arrow A, which moves the engaged portion 28C of the second charging tray 28, thereby drawing the second charging tray 28 to the back of the second charging unit 20. At this time, the traverse device 7 located in the second circulation layer 6A remains in a stopped state.

[0060] Figure 25 shows the state in which the tray row located in the second circulation layer 6A has been moved one pitch in the direction of arrow A by the drive of the traverse device 7. At this time, the front tray 8 of the tray row stops in the second elevator shaft 5, but the connector 28A of the second charging tray 28 and the connector 8A of tray 8 do not interfere with each other. As a result, even if box-shaped circulation is performed in the circulation path 6, the second charging tray 28 located in the second charging section 20 does not move at all, and the electric vehicle M (not shown) can be charged continuously without interruption.

[0061] <Modified example of a traverse device> Figure 26 shows a modified example of the traverse device of the second charging unit 20 or the first charging unit 10. Components that are the same as those in the first embodiment, such as the second charging tray 28, are indicated by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 26, the traverse device 122 in the modified example includes a traverse body 122B that is supported by a guide body 122A and moves linearly in the horizontal direction, an engaging body 122C that engages with the engaged body 28C of the second charging tray 28, a drive unit 122D that moves the engaging body 122C in the vertical direction, and a traverse drive unit 122E that moves the traverse body 122B along the guide body 122A.

[0062] The movement of the tray row shown in Figures 27 to 33 is the same as in the first embodiment, so its explanation will be omitted, and the operation of the traverse device 122 will be described. In Figure 30, when the second charging tray 28 is positioned in the second charging section 20 while still engaged with the tray 8, the drive unit 122D of the traverse device 122 is driven in the direction of arrow Y, and the engaging body 122C engages with the engaged body 28C of the second charging tray 28. Next, in Figure 31, the tray 8 located in the second elevator shaft 5 descends, and the engagement between the connector 8A of the tray 8 and the connector 28A of the second charging tray 28 is released. Then, in Figure 32, the traverse drive unit 122E of the traverse device 122 is driven in the direction of arrow X, causing the second charging tray 28 to move in the direction of arrow A, and as shown in Figure 33, the connector 8A of the tray 8 moving to the second elevator shaft 5 and the connector 28A of the second charging tray 28 do not interfere with each other. Even in this manner, when box-shaped circulation occurs in the circulation path 6, the second charging tray 28 located in the second charging unit 20 does not move at all, and the electric vehicle M (not shown) can be continuously charged without interruption.

[0063] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 34 to 38. In the second embodiment as well, the same components as in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment.

[0064] Figure 34 shows an overall side view of the circulating parking device 1 in the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the wide charging tray 118 stored in the first charging unit 10 is wider than the first charging tray 18 and tray 8 in the first embodiment. Here, "wide charging tray" is an example of a wide charging carrier.

[0065] When a wide charging tray 118 is used in the first charging unit 10, the width of the opening 1B of the structure of the loading / unloading compartment 2 must be increased. However, the width of the tray opening in the width direction must be adjusted depending on whether a tray 8 is loaded into the loading / unloading compartment or a wide charging tray 118 is loaded.

[0066] Figures 35 and 36 are a plan view and a cross-sectional front view showing a tray 8 of normal width in the loading / unloading compartment 2. They show a state in which an opening width adjustment section 30 is set on one side of the opening 1B of the building structure. The opening width adjustment section 30 is composed of a movable deck 31, wheels 32 that support the movable deck 31 so as to be movable, a drive unit 33 that moves the movable deck 31, a support 34 that supports the drive unit 33 and the wheels 32, and a cover deck 35 that covers the upper surface of the movable deck 31. As shown in Figure 36, when a tray 8 of normal width is loaded into the loading / unloading compartment 2, the movable deck 31 is moved in the direction of arrow A to match the width of the tray 8 and align with the width of the tray 8.

[0067] Figures 37 and 38 are a plan view and a cross-sectional front view showing the state in which the wide charging tray 118 is laid down in the loading / unloading compartment 2. As shown in Figure 38, when the wide charging tray 118 is laid down in the loading / unloading compartment 2, the movable deck 31 is moved in the direction of arrow D to match the width of the wide charging tray 118, so as to conform to the width of the wide charging tray 118.

[0068] This second embodiment addresses the fact that in recent years, the number of electric vehicle M models with wider body widths has increased, as has the number of models with charging plugs that support both normal and fast charging. In this case, the lid of the charging plug becomes larger, and when the lid is opened during charging, a larger width is required. Therefore, the wide charging tray 118 is added to the first charging unit 10 to accommodate wider electric vehicles or charging plugs with large openings.

[0069] As detailed above, the circulating parking system 1 of the present invention has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, and the circulating path 6 is composed of at least two elevator shafts 4 and 5 installed at intervals from each other and at least two circulating layers 6A and 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4 and 5, and at least one of the elevator shafts 4 and 5 has a charging unit adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path 6, which is capable of continuously charging the electric vehicle M even while the carrier 8 is circulating in the circulating path 6.

[0070] As a result, compared to mechanical parking systems that charge in a circular path, the charging of electric vehicles will not be interrupted when other vehicles enter or exit the parking system, even while the electric vehicle is parked and being charged.

[0071] Furthermore, the charging units 10 and 20 are configured to store and charge the electric vehicle M, and the electric vehicle M stored in the charging units 10 and 20 is not moved when vehicles are moved in or out of the circulation path 6.

[0072] As a result, compared to mechanical parking systems that charge in a circulating path, electric vehicles are not circulated while they are parked and charging in a circulating parking system, so charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or exit the system.

[0073] Furthermore, the charging trays 18 and 28, which are stored in the charging units 10 and 20, are retracted to a position where the connectors 18A and 28A of the charging trays 18 and 28 do not interfere with the connector 8A of the tray 8 that circulates in the circulation path 6.

[0074] As a result, even when carriers are circulating along the circulation route, the charging carrier remains stationary without being connected to the carriers moving along the circulation route, so charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or leave the depot.

[0075] Furthermore, a wide charging carrier 118 is stored in the charging section adjacent to elevator shaft 4, which is one of the elevator shafts 4 and 5 that connects to the loading / unloading room 2.

[0076] This allows for the handling of wider electric vehicles or the opening of the large cover of the charging plug for electric vehicles equipped with a fast-charging plug, compared to mechanical parking systems where all trays are designed to accommodate wider vehicles.

[0077] Furthermore, the operating method of the circulating parking system 1 of the present invention has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, and the circulating path 6 is composed of at least two elevator shafts 4, 5 installed spaced apart from each other and at least two circulating layers 6A, 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4, 5, and the charging unit 10 or 20 is adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path 6 on at least one of the elevator shafts 4, 5, and in the operating method of the circulating parking system 1, the loading of charging trays 18, 28 stored in the charging units 10, 20 is performed by moving from the elevator shaft 4 to the level of the charging unit 10 where it is stored. The charging tray 18 or 28 is moved and engages with the connector 8A of the tray 8 located in the circulation layer 6A or 6B, and is moved to the charging unit 10 or 20 as the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B moves onto the elevator shaft 4 or 5, and the engagement of the connector 8A is released as the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B moves vertically on the elevator shaft 4 or 5, and the charging tray 18 or 28 that has been moved to the charging unit 10 or 20 is moved by the traverse device 12 or 22 located in the charging unit 10 or 20 to a position where it does not interfere with the connector 8A of the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B and is stored.

[0078] As a result, even when carriers are circulating along the circulation route, the charging carrier remains stationary without being connected to the carriers moving along the circulation route, so charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or leave the depot.

[0079] Furthermore, in the operating method of the circulating parking system 1, which has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulation layers, the circulation path 6 is composed of at least two elevator shafts 4 and 5 installed at intervals from each other, and at least two circulation layers 6A and 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4 and 5, and the charging unit 10 or 20 adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulation path 6 on at least one of the elevator shafts 4 and 5, the charging tray 18 or 28 stored in the charging unit 10 or 20 is deployed vertically until the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B is in a position on the elevator shaft 4 or 5 where the connecting body 8A does not interfere The charging tray 18 or 28 is moved by a traverse device 12 or 22 located in the charging unit 10 or 20 to a position where it can engage with the connector 8A of the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B. The tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B is moved vertically on the elevator shaft 4 or 5, causing the connector 18A or 28A of the charging tray 18 or 28 to engage with the connector 8A of the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B. The movement of the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B toward the circulation layer causes the charging tray 18 or 28 to move onto the elevator shaft 4 or 5, move along the elevator shaft 4, and then move to the loading / unloading room 2 which is connected to the elevator shaft 4.

[0080] As a result, even when carriers are circulating along the circulation route, the charging carrier remains stationary without being connected to the carriers moving along the circulation route, so charging is not interrupted when other vehicles enter or leave the depot.

[0081] Although embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to what is described in the specification or drawings, and it goes without saying that other aspects, modifications, or improvements of the present invention are included within the technical scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0082] For example, although the circulation layer was described as having two layers, it is not limited to this and could be three or more layers.

[0083] Furthermore, although the explanation described two elevator shafts, there may be three or more elevator shafts, in which case the charging section would be located outside the elevator shaft at the end.

[0084] Furthermore, if the distance between the loading / unloading room and the circulation path is long, the charging unit may be placed between the loading / unloading room and the circulation path, or it may be placed on the outside of the elevator shaft on the opposite side of the circulation path.

[0085] Furthermore, in cases where there are three or more circulation layers, and the structure of the elevator pit is lowered in part of the uppermost layer, or if air conditioning equipment or power receiving equipment passes through and prevents the circulation path from being formed, the charging unit may be placed on the uppermost layer at a position adjacent to the elevator shaft above the circulation path.

[0086] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described as having a charging section comprising a first charging section 10 and a second charging section 20, it is of course possible to provide only the first charging section 10 or only the second charging section 20, depending on the building layout and other factors. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1. Circulating parking system 1A Structure (framework) 1B opening 2. Inbound / Outbound Room 2A Entrance door 3. Hangar 4. First elevator shaft 4A funicular body 4B Lifting Rail 5. Second elevator shaft 5A funicular body 5B Lifting Rail 6 Circulation path 6A 2nd circulation layer 6B 1st circulation layer 7. Traverse device 7A funicular body 7B Engagement body 8. Tray (an example of a carrier) 8A Concatenation 8B wheels 8C Engaged object 10 1st charging section 11 rails 12 Traverse device 12A funicular body 12B Engagement body 12C drive unit 18. First charging tray (an example of a charging carrier) 18A Connecting Unit 18B wheels 18C Engaged object 20 2nd charging section 21 rails 22 Traverse device 22A Funicular body 22B Engagement body 22C Drive Unit 28. Second charging tray (an example of a charging carrier) 28A Connector 28B wheels 28C Engaged object 30 Opening width adjustment section 31 Movable Deck 32 wheels 33 Drive unit 34 Support 35 Cover Decks 40 Control Panel 118 Wide charging carrier 122 Traverse device 122A Guide System 122B Transverse body 122C Engagement body 122D Drive Unit 122E Traverse Drive Unit M Vehicle or electric vehicle

Claims

1. A circulating parking system having multiple elevator shafts and multiple circulation layers, wherein the circulation path is formed by at least two elevator shafts spaced apart from each other and at least two circulation layers positioned between the two elevator shafts, At least one side of the elevator shaft, adjacent to the outside of the location excluding the circulation path, has a charging unit capable of continuously charging an electric vehicle even while the carrier is circulating in the circulation path. A circulating parking system.

2. The circulating parking system according to claim 1, wherein the charging unit is configured to store and charge the electric vehicle, and the electric vehicle stored in the charging unit is not moved when a vehicle stored in the circulating path enters or leaves the parking area.

3. The circulating parking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the charging carrier stored in the charging section is retracted to a position where the connector of the charging carrier does not interfere with the connector of the carrier circulating in the circulation path.

4. The circulating parking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a wide charging carrier is stored in a charging section adjacent to the elevator shaft on the side of the elevator shaft that connects to the entry / exit room.

5. In a method for operating a circulating parking system having multiple elevator shafts and multiple circulation layers, wherein the circulation path is composed of at least two elevator shafts spaced apart from each other and at least two circulation layers positioned between the two elevator shafts, and at least one of the elevator shafts has a charging section adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulation path, A method for operating a circulating parking system, wherein a charging carrier to be stored in the charging section is moved from the elevator shaft to the level of the charging section and engages with the coupler of the carrier located in the circulating layer, the carrier is moved to the charging section as the carrier in the circulating layer moves onto the elevator shaft, the coupler is released as the carrier in the circulating layer moves vertically on the elevator shaft, and the charging carrier that has been moved to the charging section is moved by a traversing device located in the charging section to a position where it does not interfere with the coupler of the carrier in the circulating layer and is then stored.

6. In a method for operating a circulating parking system having multiple elevator shafts and multiple circulation layers, wherein the circulation path is composed of at least two elevator shafts spaced apart from each other and at least two circulation layers positioned between the two elevator shafts, and at least one of the elevator shafts has a charging section adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulation path, A method for operating a circulating parking system, wherein the discharge of a charging carrier stored in the charging section is as follows: the carrier of the circulating layer is moved vertically on the elevator shaft to a position where the coupling does not interfere; the charging carrier is moved by a traverse device located in the charging section to a position where it can engage with the coupling of the carrier of the circulating layer; the carrier of the circulating layer is moved vertically on the elevator shaft so that the coupling of the charging carrier and the coupling of the carrier of the circulating layer engage; and the charging carrier is moved onto the elevator shaft by the movement of the carrier of the circulating layer toward the circulating layer, and then moved along the elevator shaft to the entry / exit room connected to the elevator shaft.

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