Circulating parking system and its operating method

Abstract

The objective is to provide a circulating parking system and its operating method that can store vehicles that are not moved during the circulating process, even when priority vehicles or vehicles parked for extended periods are stored in the circulating parking system. [Solution] The present invention provides a circulating parking system that has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulation layers, and comprises a circulation path 6 formed by at least two elevator shafts 4 and 5 spaced apart from each other, and at least two circulation 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 an extension section 10 or 20 adjacent to the outside of the area excluding the circulation path 6, which allows for continuous parking of a vehicle M without moving it even while the tray 8 is being circulated in the circulation 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, mechanical parking devices with many storage spaces have sometimes been installed in buildings. However, in the case of a circulating parking device, if the number of storage spaces increases, the time required for loading and unloading operations becomes longer, and the waiting time for users may become extremely long when vehicles are loaded and unloaded. However, among the demands to prioritize the loading and unloading of vehicles such as those of the building owner, in the case of a circulating parking device, the priority vehicle may be stored at a position far from the loading and unloading room. In this case, the loading and unloading time cannot be shortened in advance. In addition, vehicles that do not undergo loading and unloading also circulate, and all vehicles move within the storage room.

[0003] As an example of a conventional mechanical parking system, Patent Document 1 describes an intermediate lifting device that moves a pallet on which an automobile is placed between the entrance floor and the machine installation floor, a left-side parking system unit positioned to the left of the intermediate lifting device and equipped with multiple layers of pallet travel columns, and which moves a plurality of 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 system unit and moves one pallet at a time between the pallet travel paths of the left-side parking system unit that has been moved horizontally to the left end of the left-side parking system unit, a right-side parking system unit positioned to the right of the intermediate lifting device and equipped with multiple layers of pallet travel columns, which moves a plurality of 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 system unit, A multi-layer box-type circulating parking system is described, which has a left-side lifting device that moves pallets that have been moved laterally to the right end up one by one 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 moved laterally to the right end of the left-side parking system unit up one by one between the pallet travel paths of the left-side parking system unit, and the function of moving pallets that have been moved laterally to the left end of the right-side parking system unit up one by one 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 a 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]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-176430 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, 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, and similarly, when pallets are circulated on the left side of the lifting device, pallets on the right 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.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a circulating parking system and an operating method thereof that can store vehicles that are not moved during circulation, even when priority vehicles or vehicles parked for extended periods are stored in the circulating parking system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first embodiment of the circulating parking system has a plurality of elevator shafts and a plurality of circulating layers, and the circulating system comprises 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 an extension adjacent to the outside of the area excluding the circulating path, which allows for continuous parking of vehicles without moving them even while the carriers are circulating in the circulating path.

[0008] The circulating parking system according to the second embodiment is configured such that, in the circulating parking system according to the first embodiment, the extension section houses an extension carrier on which vehicles, including priority vehicles, are placed, and when vehicles stored in the carrier on the circulating path enter or leave the parking area, the vehicles stored in the extension section and placed in the extension carrier are not moved.

[0009] In the third embodiment of the circulating parking system, in the circulating parking system according to the first or second embodiment, the additional carrier stored in the additional section moves to a position where the coupling body of the additional carrier does not interfere with the coupling body of the carrier circulating in the circulating path, and maintains a stopped state.

[0010] The fourth embodiment of the circulating parking system is a circulating parking system according to the first or second embodiment, wherein a wide extension carrier is stored in the extension section adjacent to the outside of the elevator shaft that connects to the entrance / exit room.

[0011] A fifth embodiment of a circulating parking system includes 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 positioned between the two elevator shafts, and an additional section adjacent to the outside of the circulating path on at least one of the elevator shafts, wherein the additional carrier to be stored in the additional section is moved from the elevator shaft to the level of the additional section and engages with the coupling body of the carrier located in the circulating layer, the carrier is moved to the additional section as it moves onto the elevator shaft, the coupling body is released as the carrier of the circulating layer moves vertically on the elevator shaft, and the additional carrier that has been moved to the additional section is moved by a traverse device installed in the additional section to a position where it does not interfere with the coupling body of the carrier of the circulating layer and stored.

[0012] A method for operating a circulating parking system according to the sixth embodiment 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 an extension adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path, wherein the retrieval of an extension carrier stored in the extension is performed by moving the carrier of the circulating layer vertically to a position on the elevator shaft where the coupling body does not interfere, moving the extension carrier to a position where it can engage with the coupling body of the carrier of the circulating layer by a traverse device installed in the extension, moving the carrier of the circulating layer vertically on the elevator shaft so that the coupling body of the extension carrier engages with the coupling body of the carrier of the circulating layer, and the extension carrier is moved onto the elevator shaft and moved along the elevator shaft to the entry / exit room connected to the elevator shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the first embodiment of the circulating parking system, the entry and exit times for vehicles, including priority vehicles stored in the added section, are shortened compared to a circulating parking system that only has a circulating path. In addition, vehicles that are not moved during circulation can be stored.

[0014] According to the second embodiment of the circulating parking system, vehicles, including priority vehicles and vehicles parked for extended periods, may be stored without entering the circulating path, thus shortening the vehicle retrieval time. Furthermore, vehicles can be stored without being moved during circulation in the circulating path 6.

[0015] According to the third embodiment of the circulating parking system, even when the carriers are circulating along the circulating path, the additional carriers remain stationary without being connected to the carriers moving along the circulating path, and are therefore not moved when other vehicles enter or leave the parking area.

[0016] According to the fourth embodiment of the circulating parking system, compared to a mechanical parking system where all trays are wide-vehicle compatible, it is possible to load a small number of wide vehicles together.

[0017] According to the operation method of the circulating parking device according to the fifth aspect, since the additional carrier maintains a stopped state without being connected to the carrier moving on the circulation path even when the carrier is circulating on the circulation path, it is continuously stored without being moved when other vehicles enter and leave.

[0018] According to the operation method of the circulating parking device according to the sixth aspect, since the additional carrier maintains a stopped state without being connected to the carrier moving on the circulation path even when the carrier is circulating on the circulation path, it is continuously stored without being moved when other vehicles enter and leave.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [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 where a first additional part is arranged outside the first lift in the 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 a vehicle placed on a first additional tray stored in the first additional part 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 a vehicle placed on a first additional tray stored in the first additional part 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 a vehicle placed on a first additional tray stored in the first additional part of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a first additional tray stored in the first additional part of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a side view showing a state where a second additional part is arranged outside the second lift in the circulation path of the circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] It is an operation diagram showing a state of discharging a vehicle placed on a second additional tray stored in a second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [[ID=(30]] [Figure 19] It is a side view showing a traversing device installed in a first or second additional section of a circulating parking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20]This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 21] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 22] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 23] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 24] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 25] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 26] This is a side view showing a traverse device installed in the first or second extension 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 traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 28] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 29] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 30] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 31]This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 32] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [Figure 33] This is a side view showing the operational relationship between the traverse device on the circulation path side and the traverse device of the second extension unit of a circulating parking system according to a modified example of the present invention, as well as the circulating operation of the trays. [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 the wide extension tray and the movable deck in the entry / exit compartment of a circulating parking system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] This is a front view showing the relationship between the wide extension tray and the movable deck in the entry / exit compartment of a circulating parking system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] 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.

[0021] <First Embodiment> As an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 and 2 show a side view and a plan view 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.

[0022] 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 an elevator device is erected to raise and lower the tray 8, which includes a tray 8 on which vehicles M are mounted, a first additional tray 18, and a second additional tray 28; a second elevator shaft 5 on which an elevator device is erected to raise and lower the tray 8 and the second additional tray 28; a circulation path 6 composed of 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 a storage room 3 located outside the circulation path 6, on which a first additional section 10 adjacent to the first elevator shaft 4 and a second additional section 20 adjacent to the second elevator shaft 5 are arranged. Here, "tray" is an example of a carrier, and "first additional tray" and "second additional tray" are examples of additional carriers.

[0023] 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, which functions as part of the circulation path 6, is provided on the cable-like body 4A.

[0024] The second elevator shaft 5 has an erected frame, 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.

[0025] The first circulation layer 6B and the second circulation layer 6A are provided with a traversing device 7 that circulates each of the trays 8 and 28. The trays 8 arranged in the first circulation layer 6B and the second circulation layer 6A are controlled to primarily store priority vehicles M and general vehicles M that do not require long-term parking, but electric vehicles M can also be stored if they do not require charging.

[0026] A first expansion section 10 is provided on the outside of 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 expansion trays 18 are stored corresponding to these two layers. A traverse device 12 is provided to pull the first expansion tray 18 to a position where the connectors 8A of each tray 8 passing through the circulation path 6 do not interfere with each other (see Figures 1 and 3) when the first expansion tray 18 is located in the first expansion section 10.

[0027] Furthermore, a second expansion section 20 is provided on the outside of 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 expansion trays 28 are stored corresponding to these two layers. A traverse device 22 is provided to pull the second expansion tray 28 to a position where the connectors 8A of each tray 8 passing through the circulation path 6 do not interfere with each other (see Figures 1 and 8).

[0028] With this configuration, priority vehicles M or long-term parked vehicles M can be stored in the circulating parking system 1 without being moved during the circulating operation, and while maintaining this state, vehicles M located on the circulating path 6 can be circulated and enter / exit the parking system. In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 40 denotes a control panel, which contains a computer that controls the overall operation of the circulating parking system 1.

[0029] <Dispatch of the first expansion tray> Here, the driving operation of the first extension unit 10, which is characteristic of this embodiment, when a vehicle, such as priority vehicle M, is being taken out of the depot 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.

[0030] Figure 3 is a side view showing the state in which the first extension unit 10 is positioned outside the first elevator shaft 4 in the circulation path 6, and shows the state in which the priority vehicle M is stored in the layer below the first extension unit 10. In this state, as shown in Figure 3, the first extension tray 18 is pulled in to a position in which the connector 8A of the tray 8 located in the first elevator shaft 4 and the connector 18A of the first extension tray 18 do not interfere with each other.

[0031] Figure 4 shows the state in which the connector 18A of the first expansion tray 18, on which the priority vehicle M stored in the lower layer of the first expansion section 10 is placed, has been moved to a position where it engages with the connector 8A of the tray 8. As shown in Figure 4, the first expansion tray 18, located in the lower layer of the first expansion section 10, is moved in the direction of arrow A and stopped.

[0032] Figure 5 shows the state in Figure 4 where tray 8, which was located in the upper layer of the first extension section 10, engages with the connector 18A of the first extension tray 18 on which the priority vehicle M stored in the lower layer of the first extension section 10 is placed, due to the downward movement of the first elevator shaft 4. As shown in Figure 5, tray 8 is lowered from the top of the first elevator shaft 4 in the direction of arrow B, and the connector 18A of the first extension tray 18 engages with the connector 8A of tray 8, while the other connector 8A of tray 8 also engages with the connector 8A of another tray 8 located adjacent to the first elevator shaft 4 in the first circulation layer 6B. Each connector 8A, 18A is passable vertically and has a shape that allows for pushing and pulling during horizontal movement.

[0033] Figure 6 shows the operation of moving the first additional tray 18 to the first elevator shaft 4. As shown in Figure 6, the first additional tray 18 is pulled out in the direction of arrow A by the tray 8 located in the adjacent first circulation layer 6B and stops on the elevator rail 4B of the first elevator shaft 4.

[0034] Figure 7 shows the state in which the first additional tray 18 is raised toward the loading / unloading room 2. The first additional 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.

[0035] When the first expansion tray 18 is placed inside, it is stored in the first expansion unit 10 by the reverse operation of the above-described operation.

[0036] <Delivery of the second expansion tray> Here, the driving operation of the vehicle M, a characteristic of the second expansion unit in this embodiment, when it is being taken out of the parking lot, for example, a vehicle parked for a long period of time, 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.

[0037] Figure 8 is a side view showing the second extension section 20 positioned outside the second elevator shaft 5 in the circulation path 6, and shows the state in which the long-term parked vehicle M stored in the upper layer of the second extension section 20 is stored. In this state, as shown in Figure 8, the second extension tray 28 is pulled in to a position where the connector 8A of the tray 8 located in the second elevator shaft 5 and the connector 28A of the second extension tray 28 do not interfere with each other.

[0038] Figure 9 shows the state in which the connecting body 28A of the second extension tray 28, on which the long-term parked vehicle M stored in the upper layer of the second extension section 20 is placed, has been moved to a position where it engages with the connecting body 8A of the tray 8. As shown in Figure 9, the second extension tray 28, located in the upper layer of the second extension section 20, is moved in the direction of arrow D and stops.

[0039] Figure 10 shows the state in Figure 9 where tray 8, which was located in the lower layer of the second extension section 20, engages with the connector 28A of the second extension tray 28 on which the long-term parked vehicle M stored in the upper layer of the second extension section 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 connector 28A of the second extension tray 28 engages with the connector 8A of tray 8, while the other connector 8A of tray 8 also engages with the connector 8A of another tray 8 located adjacent to the second elevator shaft 5 in the second circulation layer 6A.

[0040] Figure 11 shows the operation of moving the second additional tray 28 to the second elevator shaft 5. As shown in Figure 11, the second additional 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 additional section 20 corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B, the second additional tray 28 is waiting, and in this case as well, it is stopped in a position where the connector 28A of the second additional tray 28 and the connector 8A of the tray 8 on the second elevator shaft 5 do not interfere with each other.

[0041] Figures 12 to 18 show the preparatory operations for moving the second additional tray 28 to the first elevator shaft 4 by a circulating motion.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Figure 13 shows the state in which tray 8 and the second additional 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 of the second elevator shaft 5.

[0044] 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 connector 28A of the second additional tray 28 with the connector 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.

[0045] Figure 15 shows the state in the second circulation layer 6A where the tray row, including the second additional 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 additional section 20. At this time, the connector 28A of the second additional tray 28 and the connectors 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 in the first elevator shaft 4. At this time, no operation is performed on the side of the first elevator shaft 4.

[0046] Figure 16 shows the state in which the coupling body of the second additional tray 28, located on the second elevator shaft 5, is released from the coupling body 8A of the tray 8, which has been moved to the second additional section 20. The second additional 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 coupling body 28A of the second additional tray 28 is released from the coupling body 8A of the adjacent tray 8.

[0047] Figure 17 shows that tray 8, located at the level corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A of the second extension unit 20, is moved in the direction of arrow A and stopped at a position that avoids interference with the connecting body 28A of the adjacent second extension tray 28. During this operation, the descent distance of the second elevator shaft 5 should be only enough to release the engagement between the connecting body 28A of the second extension tray 28 and the connecting body 8A of tray 8, which has been moved to the level of the second circulation layer 6A of the second extension unit 20, so that they do not interfere with each other.

[0048] Figure 18 shows the state in the second elevator shaft 5 where the engagement of the connecting body 28A has been released, and the second additional 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 extension section 20, and the second additional tray 28 located on the second elevator shaft 5 is released, and empty spaces are created at the level position of the first elevator shaft 4 corresponding to the second circulation layer 6A and at the level position of the second elevator shaft 5 corresponding to the first circulation layer 6B. That is, empty spaces are created diagonally in a side view. As a result, box-type circulation operation is possible in the circulation shaft 6, and the long-term parked vehicle M placed on the second additional tray 28 that is about to be released is circulated to the first elevator shaft 4 and moved to the entry / exit room 2 connected to the first elevator shaft 4.

[0049] <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.

[0050] Figure 19 shows the operational relationship between the traverse device 22 installed in the second extension section 20 and the second extension tray 28 or tray 8. Although Figure 19 shows the second extension section 20 as an example, it is symmetrical to the first extension section 10, so the reference numerals are shown on the side of the second extension section 20 and on the side of the first extension section 10 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. At the end of the second extension tray 28, there is an engaged body 28C that engages with the engaging body 22B, 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 extension tray 28. The second additional tray 28 is equipped with multiple wheels 28B and is supported so that it can move along the rail 21.

[0051] Figures 20 to 25 show the movement of the second additional tray 28 to the second additional section, including the operation of the traversing device 7 installed in the circulation section 6.

[0052] Figure 20 shows the state in which the second additional tray 28 is stopped at the position of the second elevator shaft 5, and shows the initial state in which the second additional tray 28 is moved to the second additional section 20, using the second circulation layer 6A as an example. The traverse device 7 installed on 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 additional tray 28 to move the tray row.

[0053] Figure 21 shows the state in which the second additional tray 28 is moved to the second additional section 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.

[0054] Figure 22 shows that as the cable-like body 7A of the traverse device 7 rotates further counterclockwise, the tray row is moved one pitch in the direction of arrow A by the drive of the engaging body 7B, which is engaged with the engaged body 8C of the tray 8, in the direction of arrow A. At this time, the engaging body 22B of the traverse device 22 installed in the second extension unit 20 engages with the engaged body 28C on the right side of the second extension tray 28 in conjunction with the traverse device 7. In this state, the connecting body 28A of the second extension tray 28 and the connecting body 8A of the adjacent tray 8 remain engaged.

[0055] 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 additional tray 28A.

[0056] Figure 24 shows the state in which the second expansion tray 28 has been moved to the back of the second expansion section 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 expansion tray 28, thereby pulling the second expansion tray 28 to the back of the second expansion section 20. At this time, the traverse device 7 located in the second circulation layer 6A remains in a stopped state.

[0057] Figure 25 shows the state in which the tray row located in the second circulation layer 6A is moved by 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 additional tray 28 and the connector 8A of tray 8 do not interfere with each other. As a result, even if box-type circulation is performed in the circulation path 6, the second additional tray 28 located in the second additional section 20 does not move at all, and the parked vehicle M can be parked continuously in a stopped state for a long period of time without moving.

[0058] <Modified example of a traverse device> Figure 26 shows a modified example of the traverse device of the second extension unit 20 or the first extension unit 10. Note that components identical to those in the first embodiment, such as the second extension 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 supported by a guide body 122A and performing linear motion in the horizontal direction, an engaging body 122C that engages with the engaged body 28C of the second extension tray 28, a drive unit 122D that moves the engaging body 122C vertically, and a traverse drive unit 122E that moves the traverse body 122B along the guide body 122A.

[0059] 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 additional tray 28 is located in the second additional section 20 while still engaged with 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 additional tray 28. Next, in Figure 31, tray 8 located in the second elevator shaft 5 descends, and the engagement between the connector 8A of tray 8 and the connector 28A of the second additional 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 additional tray 28 to move in the direction of arrow A, and as shown in Figure 33, the connector 8A of tray 8 moving to the second elevator shaft 5 and the connector 28A of the second additional tray 28 do not interfere with each other. Even in this manner, even if box-type circulation is performed in the circulation path 6, the second additional tray 28 located in the second additional section 20 does not move at all, and long-term parked vehicles M (not shown) can be continuously parked in a stationary state without moving.

[0060] <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.

[0061] Figure 34 shows an overall side view of the circulating parking system 1 in the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the wide extension tray 118 stored in the first extension unit 10 is wider than the first extension tray 18 and tray 8 in the first embodiment. Here, "wide extension tray" is an example of a wide extension carrier.

[0062] When using the wide extension tray 118 in the first extension section 10, the width of the opening 1B of the structure of the loading / unloading room 2 must be increased. However, the width of the tray opening in the width direction must be adjusted depending on whether the tray 8 is loaded into the loading / unloading room 2 or the wide extension tray 118 is loaded into it.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Figures 37 and 38 are a plan view and a cross-sectional front view showing the state in which the wide extension tray 118 is laid down in the loading / unloading compartment 2. As shown in Figure 38, when the wide extension 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 extension tray 118, so as to conform to the width of the wide extension tray 118.

[0065] This second embodiment addresses the fact that in recent years, the number of vehicle types with wider body widths has increased, and in some cases, these vehicles cannot be stored in the conventional width tray 8, or even if they can be stored, the width is at the very limit of the storage restrictions. This second embodiment allows for the storage of wider vehicles M by adding the wide extension tray 118 to the first extension section 10.

[0066] As detailed above, the circulating parking device 1 of the present invention has a plurality of elevator shafts 4, 5 and a plurality of circulating layers 6A, 6B, and the circulating path 6 is composed of at least two elevator shafts 4, 5 installed at intervals from each other and at least two circulating layers 6A, 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4, 5, and at least one of the elevator shafts 4, 5 has an additional section 10 or 20 adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path 6, which allows for continuous parking of the vehicle M without moving it even while the tray 8 is being circulated in the circulating path 6.

[0067] As a result, compared to a circulating parking system 1 that only has a circulating path 6, the entry and exit times for vehicles, including priority vehicles and long-term parked vehicles, stored in the additional section 10 or 20 are shortened. In addition, vehicles M can be stored without being moved during circulation in the circulating path 6.

[0068] Furthermore, the extension unit 10 or 20 is configured to house an extension tray 18 or 28 on which vehicles M, including priority vehicles, are placed. When vehicles M stored in the tray 8 of the circulation path 6 are moved in or out, the vehicles M placed on the extension tray 18 or 28 stored in the extension unit 10 or 20 are not moved.

[0069] As a result, vehicles M, including priority vehicles M, are stored without entering the circulation path 6, thus shortening the vehicle M retrieval time. Vehicles M placed on the additional trays 18 or 28 stored in the additional section 10 or 20 are not moved.

[0070] Furthermore, the additional trays 18 or 28 stored in the expansion unit 10 or 20 move to a position where the connecting body 18A or 28A of the additional trays 18 or 28 does not interfere with the connecting body 8A of the tray 6 that circulates in the circulation path 6, and maintain a stopped state.

[0071] As a result, even when the tray 6 is circulating along the circulation path 6, the additional tray 18 or 28 remains stationary without being connected to the tray 6 moving along the circulation path 6, and is therefore not moved when other vehicles M enter or leave the depot.

[0072] Furthermore, a wide extension tray 118 is stored in the extension section 10 adjacent to the outside of elevator shaft 4, which connects to the loading / unloading room 2, of the elevator shafts 4 and 5.

[0073] This makes it possible to accommodate a small number of wider vehicles, compared to mechanical parking systems where all trays are designed to accommodate wider vehicles.

[0074] Furthermore, the operating method of the circulating parking system 1 of the present invention has a plurality of elevator shafts 4, 5 and a plurality of circulating layers 6A, 6B, and the circulating path 6 is composed of at least two elevator shafts 4, 5 installed at intervals from each other and at least two circulating layers 6A, 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4, 5, and an additional section 10 or 20 adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path 6 on at least one of the elevator shafts 4, 5, in the operating method of the circulating parking system, the additional trays 18, 28 stored in the additional section 10, 20 are stored from the elevator shaft 4 or 5 The additional tray 18 or 28 is moved to the level of the installation section 10 or 20 and engages with the connector 8A of the tray 8 located in the circulation layer 6A or 6B. As the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6 moves onto the elevator shaft, the additional tray 18 or 28 is moved to the additional section 10 or 20. As the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B moves vertically on the elevator shaft, the engagement of the connector 8A is released. The additional tray 18 or 28 that has been moved to the additional section 10 or 20 is then moved by the traverse device 12 or 22 installed in the additional section 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 stored therein.

[0075] As a result, even when the tray 8 is circulating along the circulation path 6, the additional tray 18 or 28 remains stationary without being connected to the tray 8 moving along the circulation path 6, and is continuously stored without being moved when other vehicles M enter or leave the depot.

[0076] Furthermore, the operating method of the circulating parking system 1 has a plurality of elevator shafts 4, 5 and a plurality of circulating layers 6A, 6B, and the circulating path 6 is composed of at least two elevator shafts 4, 5 installed at intervals from each other and at least two circulating layers 6A, 6B arranged between the two elevator shafts 4, 5, and an additional section 10 or 20 adjacent to the outside of the position excluding the circulating path 6 on at least one of the elevator shafts 4, 5. In the operating method of the circulating parking system 1, the additional trays 18 or 28 stored in the additional section 10 or 20 are retrieved by moving the trays 8 of the circulating layer 6A or 6B up and down to a position on the elevator shaft where the connecting body 8A does not interfere. The additional tray 18 or 28 is moved in a certain direction and moved by a traverse device 12 or 22 installed in the additional section 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 so that the connector 18A or 28A of the additional tray 18 or 28 engages with the connector 8A of the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B. As the tray 8 of the circulation layer 6A or 6B moves toward the circulation layer 6A or 6B, the additional tray 18 or 28 is moved onto the elevator shaft, moved along the elevator shaft 4, and then moved to the loading / unloading room 2 which is connected to the elevator shaft 4.

[0077] As a result, even when the tray 8 is circulating along the circulation path 6, the additional tray 18 or 28 remains stationary without being connected to the tray 8 moving along the circulation path 6, and is continuously stored without being moved when other vehicles M enter or leave the depot.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] Furthermore, although the explanation described two elevator shafts, there may be three or more elevator shafts. In this case, the additional section would be located outside the elevator shaft at the end.

[0081] Furthermore, if the distance between the loading / unloading room and the circulation path is long, the additional section 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.

[0082] Furthermore, in cases where there are three or more circulation layers, and the elevator pit structure is located 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, an additional section may be placed on the uppermost layer adjacent to the elevator shaft above the circulation path.

[0083] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described as providing a first extension section 10 and a second extension section 20, it goes without saying that depending on the building layout, only the first extension section 10 or only the second extension section 20 can be provided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Circulating parking system 1A Structure (framework) 1B opening 2. Inbound / Outbound Room 2A Entrance door 3. Storage Room 4. First elevator shaft 4A funicular body 4B Lifting Rail 5. Second elevator shaft 5A funicular body 5B Lifting Rail 6 Circulation route 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. First Expansion Section 11 rails 12 Traverse device 12A funicular body 12B Engagement body 12C drive unit 18. First additional tray (an example of an additional carrier) 18A Connecting Unit 18B wheels 18C Engaged object 20 Second Expansion Section 21 rails 22 Traverse device 22A Funicular body 22B Engagement body 22C Drive Unit 28. Second additional tray (an example of an additional 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 extension tray (an example of a wide extension carrier) 122 Traverse device 122A Guide System 122B Transverse Body 122C Engagement body 122D Drive Unit 122E Traverse Drive Unit M Priority vehicle or long-term parked vehicle or 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, and at least one of the elevator shafts has an extension adjacent to the outside of the area excluding the circulation path, which allows for continuous parking of vehicles without moving them even while the carriers are circulating in the circulation path. A circulating parking system.

2. The circulating parking system according to claim 1, wherein the additional section is configured to house additional carriers on which vehicles, including priority vehicles, are placed, and when vehicles stored in the carriers on the circulating path enter or leave the parking area, the vehicles stored in the additional carriers housed in the additional section are not moved.

3. The circulating parking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the additional carrier stored in the additional section moves to a position where the coupling body of the additional carrier does not interfere with the coupling body of the carrier circulating in the circulation path and maintains a stopped state.

4. The circulating parking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a wide extension carrier is stored in the extension adjacent to the outside of the elevator shaft that connects to the loading / unloading 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 an additional section adjacent to the outside of the area excluding the circulation path, A method for operating a circulating parking system, wherein the additional carrier to be stored in the additional section is moved from the elevator shaft to the level of the additional section and engages with the coupling body of the carrier located in the circulating layer, the additional carrier is moved to the additional section as the carrier in the circulating layer moves onto the elevator shaft, the coupling body is released as the carrier in the circulating layer moves vertically on the elevator shaft, and the additional carrier that has been moved to the additional section is moved by a traverse device installed in the additional section to a position where it does not interfere with the coupling body of the carrier in the circulating layer and is 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 an additional section adjacent to the outside of the area excluding the circulation path, A method for operating a circulating parking system, wherein the additional carrier stored in the expansion section is moved vertically on the elevator shaft to a position where the carrier of the circulation layer does not interfere with the connecting body, the additional carrier is moved by a traverse device installed in the expansion section to a position where it can engage with the connecting body of the carrier of the circulation layer, the carrier of the circulation layer is moved vertically on the elevator shaft so that the connecting body of the additional carrier engages with the connecting body of the carrier of the circulation layer, and the additional carrier is moved onto the elevator shaft by the movement of the carrier of the circulation layer toward the circulation layer side, and is moved along the elevator shaft to the entry / exit room connected to the elevator shaft.

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