Renovation methods for mechanical parking systems

Abstract

This document provides a method for renovating existing mechanical parking systems to accommodate a larger number of vehicles as required. [Solution] The method for renovating a mechanical parking system involves modifying the support structure 16 of a certain parking level 14, which is one of the support structures 16 that support the pallets 32 provided in each of the multiple parking levels 14 of the parking space 10 of the existing mechanical parking system, thereby changing the height of at least one of the parking spaces in a certain parking level 14 and the parking level 14 below it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for renovating a mechanical parking lot.

Background Art

[0002] As a parking lot that can efficiently park a large number of vehicles in a small space, a mechanical parking lot is known. Although various structures are provided for mechanical parking lots, one of them is a pallet-type mechanical parking lot that uses pallets for transporting vehicles. For example, a mechanical parking lot that combines a lift and a three-dimensional parking layer to improve parking efficiency is provided (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in such a situation, and an exemplary object of one aspect thereof is to provide a method for renovating a mechanical parking lot that renovates an existing mechanical parking lot so that a large number of vehicles according to demands can enter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a method for renovating a mechanical parking lot according to one aspect of the present disclosure is to change the support structure provided on each of a plurality of parking layers in a parking room of an existing mechanical parking lot, and change the size in the height direction of at least one parking space of a certain parking layer and a parking layer below the certain parking layer. A method for renovating a mechanical parking lot.

[0006] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any substitution of the components or expressions of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, etc., is also valid as a form of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an existing mechanical parking system can be modified to accommodate a larger number of vehicles as required. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a mechanical parking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view of the first parking level. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the first modification method. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the second modification method. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the third modification method. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the fourth modification method. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the case of extending the support column. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the case where the support column is shortened. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) to 9(c) illustrate the process of extending the support columns of the first support structure of the first parking level. [Figure 10] Figures 10(a) to 10(c) illustrate the process of extending the support columns of the first support structure of the first parking level. [Figure 11] Figures 11(a) and (b) illustrate the case of repair without using temporary support members. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In the following, identical or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the dimensions of the members in each drawing will be enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Additionally, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiment will be omitted from each drawing.

[0010] While high-roof vehicles are becoming increasingly common, many existing mechanical parking systems are unable to accommodate them. Renovating existing mechanical parking systems to accommodate high-roof vehicles—that is, completely replacing the equipment—is not practical in terms of cost and construction time. Therefore, the present inventors propose a method of renovating existing mechanical parking systems to accommodate high-roof vehicles, that is, modifying a portion of the equipment of the existing mechanical parking systems.

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view of an existing mechanical parking garage 1 to which the mechanical parking garage renovation method according to the embodiment is applied. Figure 2 is a plan view of the first parking level 14_1 in Figure 1. In Figure 2, for the sake of explanation, the display of pallets 32 other than the three pallets 32 on the far right has been omitted. Mechanical parking garage 1 is an underground mechanical parking garage in which parking spaces 10 are provided underground of a building 104 located above ground. However, mechanical parking garage 1 may also be an above-ground mechanical parking garage in which the parking spaces 10 are provided inside the building 104.

[0012] The mechanical parking system 1 comprises an entry / exit room 12, multiple n-level (n=3 in this example) parking levels 14 provided in the parking room 10, multiple pallets 32, a support structure 16 provided for each parking level 14, a lift frame 88, two or four masts 90 provided as support columns along a roughly rectangular elevator shaft 96, and a lifting device 94. The first parking level 14_1 is a parking level on the first basement level, the second parking level 14_2 is a parking level on the second basement level, and the third parking level 14_3 is a parking level on the third basement level. Note that the number of parking levels 14 is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more.

[0013] The pallet 32 is a flat member, and the upper surface 32a on which the vehicle 20 is mounted is substantially rectangular. The mechanical parking lot 1 is a pallet-type parking lot using the pallet 32. This pallet-type mechanical parking lot 1 is configured to park the vehicle 20 in the parking room 10 by raising and lowering the pallet 32 with the vehicle 20 mounted thereon using the lifting device 94 or by moving it in the plane direction using a known transfer device (not shown).

[0014] The boarding and alighting room 12 is provided inside the building 104. The boarding and alighting room 12 is a room for a driver or the like to board and alight from the vehicle 20. The boarding and alighting room 12 is provided at the upper end of the lifting path 96. The boarding and alighting room 12 and the lifting path 96 are connected via an opening 26 large enough for the pallet 32 to pass through. The lifting path 96 is provided along the vertical direction (z direction). The lifting path 96 communicates with each of the plurality of parking levels 14. Therefore, each of the plurality of parking levels 14 and the boarding and alighting room 12 are connected by the lifting path 96.

[0015] The lift frame 88 is substantially rectangular in plan view and is supported by two or four mast 90 so as to be movable up and down. The lifting device 94 is installed at the lower end of the lifting path 96 and raises and lowers the lift frame 88 along the lifting path 96. Note that the lift frame 88, two or four mast 90, and the lifting device 94 can each apply the lift frame, two or four mast, and lifting device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-197417 previously filed by the applicant of the present application.

[0016] Each of the plurality of parking levels 14 includes a plurality of parking spaces S. The plurality of parking spaces S are arranged in a matrix. In the illustrated example, each of the plurality of parking levels 14 includes 12 parking spaces S, and these 12 parking spaces S are arranged in a matrix of 4 rows in the x direction and 3 columns in the y direction. Each parking space S is configured to be able to accommodate the pallet 32. The parking space S is one parking area (one unit of parking) in the parking room 10 where the vehicle 20 can be parked together with the pallet.

[0017] A plurality of support structures 16 support a plurality of pallets 32. The first support structure 16_1 is a support structure for the first parking layer 14_1, the second support structure 16_2 is a support structure for the second parking layer 14_2, and the third support structure 16_3 is a support structure for the third parking layer 14_3.

[0018] Each of the plurality of support structures 16 includes a plurality of columns 40 and a plurality of frames (space frames) 50. However, the lowermost third support structure 16_3 does not include columns 40. A frame 50 is disposed in each of the plurality of parking spaces S of the plurality of parking layers 14. It can also be considered that the parking space S is defined by the frame 50. The frame 50 supports the pallet 32 movably. The columns 40 are disposed at the four corners of each parking space S. The columns 40 at the adjacent corners of adjacent parking spaces S are shared by each other. Each frame 50 is supported on the upper end side of four columns 40. Specifically, the column 40 has a flange 40a on the upper end side, and the frame 50 is supported by this flange 40a. Also, the frame 50 is fixed to the flange 40a by bolts 48.

[0019] In many existing mechanical parking lots 1, columns 40 having a length corresponding to vehicles with a vehicle height less than 1550 mm are used. Therefore, for high-roof vehicles with a vehicle height of 1550 mm or more, there is a risk of interference with the frame 50 of the parking layer 14 above, and thus high-roof vehicles cannot be parked.

[0020] Subsequently, a case of modifying the above-described mechanical parking lot 1 by the method for modifying a mechanical parking lot according to the embodiment will be described. The inventors propose first to fourth modification methods.

[0021] (First modification method) Figure 3 illustrates the first modification method. In the first modification method, the support column 40 of the i-th support structure 16_i for the i-th parking layer 14_i (i=1,···,n-1) is lengthened. This increases the height of the parking space S of the (i+1)th parking layer 14_(i+1), making it possible to park, for example, a high-roof vehicle in the (i+1)th parking layer 14_(i+1). On the other hand, the parking space S of the topmost layer, the first parking layer 14_1, is reduced in height. The first parking layer 14_1 may be used as a parking layer exclusively for low-roof vehicles if it is possible to park low-roof vehicles there. If it is not possible to park a vehicle in the first parking layer 14_1, then the first parking layer 14_1 is considered an unused parking layer. In this case, the first support structure 16_1 for the first parking layer 14_1 may be removed, but removal costs may be reduced by not removing it. Furthermore, by not removing the first support structure 16_1, the cost of repairs if the first parking level 14_1 needs to be restored in the future can be reduced.

[0022] In the illustrated example, the support column 40 of the first support structure 16_1 is lengthened (L0→L1), thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the second parking layer 14_2. However, the support column 40 of the second support structure 16_2 may also be lengthened, thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the third parking layer 14_3. Alternatively, the support columns 40 of both the first support structure 16_1 and the second support structure 16_2 may be lengthened, thereby increasing the height of the parking spaces S of both the second parking layer 14_2 and the third parking layer 14_3. Note that the first support structure 16_1 is the uppermost support structure on which no other support structures 16 rest, and in some cases the first parking layer 14_1 is not used, so it is desirable to modify only the support column 40 of the first support structure 16_1.

[0023] The method for lengthening the support column 40 is not particularly limited. For example, the support column 40 may be lengthened by cutting it and inserting an additional structure (extension column) in between. Alternatively, the existing support column 40 may be replaced with one that is longer.

[0024] (Second modification method) Figure 4 illustrates the second modification method. In the second modification method, the support column 40 of the i-th support structure 16_i for the i-th parking layer 14_i (i=1,···,n-1) is shortened. This increases the height of the parking space S of the i-th parking layer 14_i, making it possible to park, for example, a high-roof vehicle in the i-th parking layer 14_i. On the other hand, the height of the parking space S of the (i+1)th parking layer 14_(i+1) is reduced. The (i+1)th parking layer 14_(i+1) may be used as a parking layer exclusively for low-roof vehicles if it is possible to park low-roof vehicles in it. If it is not possible to park a vehicle in the (i+1)th parking layer 14_(i+1), then the (i+1)th parking layer 14_(i+1) is considered an unused parking layer.

[0025] In the illustrated example, the support column 40 of the first support structure 16_1 is shortened (L0→L2), thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the first parking level 14_1. However, the support column 40 of the second support structure 16_2 may also be shortened, thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the first parking level 14_1. Alternatively, the support columns 40 of both the first support structure 16_1 and the second support structure 16_2 may be shortened to the extent that low-roof vehicles can be parked in the second parking level 14_2 and the third parking level 14_3, thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the first parking level 14_1.

[0026] The method for shortening the support column 40 is not particularly limited. For example, the support column 40 may be shortened by cutting a portion of it in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the existing support column 40 may be replaced with a shorter one.

[0027] (Third modification method) Figure 5 illustrates the third modification method. In the third modification method, the height of the frame 50 of the i-th support structure 16_i for the i-th parking level 14_i (i=1,···,n) is reduced. As a result, the parking space S of the i-th parking level 14_i is increased in the height direction, making it possible to park, for example, a high-roof vehicle in the i-th parking level 14_i.

[0028] In the illustrated example, the height of the frame 50 of the first support structure 16_1 is reduced (t0→t1), thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the first parking layer 14_1. However, the height of the frame 50 of the second support structure 16_2 may be reduced, thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the second parking layer 14_2, or the height of the frame 50 of the third support structure 16_3 may be reduced, thereby increasing the height of the parking space S of the third parking layer 14_3.

[0029] The method for reducing the height of the frame 50 is not particularly limited. For example, the existing frame 50 may be replaced with one that is smaller in the height direction.

[0030] (Fourth modification method) Figure 6 illustrates the fourth modification method. In the fourth modification method, at least the frame 50, preferably the entire first support structure 16_1, of the first support structure 16_1 for the first parking level 14_1 is removed. This increases the height of the parking space S of the second parking level 14_2, making it possible to park, for example, a high-roof vehicle in the second parking level 14_2.

[0031] In the illustrated example, the entire first support structure 16_1 is removed. In this case, it can be seen that the former second parking level 14_2 and the former third parking level 14_3 have become the first parking level 14_1 and the second parking level 14_2, respectively.

[0032] Although not specifically mentioned in the descriptions of the first to fourth renovation methods, multiple renovation methods may be applied to the renovation of a single mechanical parking system.

[0033] For example, the first and fourth renovation methods may be combined. Specifically, in Figure 6, the support columns 40 of the second support structure 16_2 of the second parking level 14_2 may be made longer to increase the height of the parking space S of the third parking level 14_3.

[0034] For example, the second and third modification methods may be combined. Specifically, in Figure 5, simply reducing the height of the frame 50 of the first support structure 16_1 may not be enough to increase the height of the parking space S of the first parking level 14_1 to a degree that allows for the parking of high-roof vehicles. Therefore, in Figure 5, the support columns 40 of the first support structure 16_1 may be further shortened to further increase the height of the parking space S of the first parking level 14_1. In this case, the height of the frame 50 of the second support structure 16_2 may also be reduced, and the support columns 40 of the first support structure 16_1 may be shortened by the same amount, without affecting the height of the parking space S of the second parking level 14_2.

[0035] As described above, by modifying the support structure 16 of a parking level 14 using the first, second, third, or fourth modification methods or a combination thereof, the height of at least one of the parking spaces S of the parking level 14 and the parking level 14 below it is increased, making it possible to park high-roof vehicles in the parking level 14 or the parking level 14 below it.

[0036] Next, we will describe an example of an additional structure used when changing the length of the support column 40 in the first or second modification method.

[0037] Figure 7 illustrates the case of extending the support column 40. In this example, the support column 40 is a hollow pipe. The additional structure 60 includes an extension pipe 62 and two connecting members 64. The extension pipe 62 has the same cross-sectional shape as the support column 40. The support column 40 is cut and the extension pipe 62 is inserted between the two sections. Connecting members 64 are inserted between the support column 40 and the extension pipe 62. The connecting member 64 includes a joint body 64a that is slightly thinner than the support column 40 and the extension pipe 62, and an overhang 64b that extends from the center of the joint body 64a. One end of the joint body 64a enters the support column 40, and the other end of the joint body 64a enters the extension pipe 62. The overhang 64b extends outward beyond the support column 40 and the extension pipe 62. The overhang 64b and the support column 40 are joined by welding or brazing, and the overhang 64b and the extension pipe 62 are joined by welding or brazing. The length of the support column 40 is the sum of the length of the extension pipe 62 and the thickness of the overhang 64b of the two connecting members 64.

[0038] Figure 8 illustrates the case where the support column 40 is shortened. In this example, the support column 40 is a hollow pipe. The additional structure 60 includes one connecting member 64. The support column 40 is sheared in two places, that is, a portion of the support column 40 in the longitudinal direction is cut off, and the connecting member 64 is inserted between them. The overhang 64b and the connecting member 64 are joined by welding or adhesive. The support column 40 becomes shorter by the length that was cut off minus the thickness of the overhang 64b of the connecting member 64. Therefore, the thickness of the overhang 64b must be thinner (shorter) than the length that was cut off.

[0039] Next, an example of the process of extending the support column 40 using the first modification method will be explained. Figures 9-10 illustrate the process of extending the support column 40 of the first support structure 16_1 of the first parking level 14_1.

[0040] In Figures 9(a)-(c) and 10(a)-(c), the left-hand diagram is a plan view of the first parking level 14_1, and the right-hand diagram is a side view of the first parking level 14_1. In Figures 9(a)-(c) and 10(a)-(c), the pallet 32 ​​and frame 50 are omitted from the left-hand diagram, and the pallet 32 ​​is omitted from the right-hand diagram. The lifter 70 is a device for lifting the frame 50 together with the pallet 32. Hereinafter, the act of the lifter 70 lifting the frame 50 together with the pallet 32 ​​will simply be referred to as lifting the frame 50. The lifter 70 is not particularly limited, but is typically hydraulic.

[0041] Refer to Figure 9(a). By moving the pallet 32 ​​together with the lifter 70 in the second parking level 14_2, the lifter 70 is positioned in the parking spaces S[1,1], S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2] of the second parking level 14_2.

[0042] Refer to Figure 9(b). With the frames 50 of the parking spaces S[1,1], S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2] of the first parking level 14_1 supported by the four lifters 70, the four support columns 40 of parking space S[1,1] are cut, the bolts 48 (see Figure 2) of the support columns 40 of parking spaces S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2] are removed, and the frames 50 of parking spaces S[1,1], S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2] are lifted by the four lifters 70. The shading on the lifters 70 indicates that the lifters 70 are supporting the frames 50.

[0043] Refer to Figure 9(c). The four support columns 40 of the parking space S[1,1] are extended by adding an additional structure 60. This releases the lifter 70 located in the parking space S[1,1]. Note that the support columns 40 that are blacked out in the left-hand diagram indicate that they have been extended.

[0044] Furthermore, temporary support members 72 are provided between the frame 50 and the support columns 40 of the parking spaces S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2], and the frame 50 is supported by the support columns 40 via the temporary support members 72. As a result, the lifters 70 placed in the parking spaces S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2] are released. Note that the shaded support columns 40 indicate that temporary support members 72 are provided.

[0045] Refer to Figure 10(a). By moving the pallet 32 ​​together with the lift in the second parking level 14_2, the lifter 70 is positioned in parking spaces S[1,2], S[1,3], S[2,2], and S[2,3].

[0046] Refer to Figure 10(b). The frame 50 is supported by the lifter 70 placed in parking space S[1,2], and the temporary support member 72 between the frame 50 and the support column 40 in parking space S[1,2] is removed. The support column 40 in parking space S[1,2] is cut, the bolts 48 (see Figure 2) of the support column 40 in parking spaces S[1,3] and S[2,3] are removed, and the frame 50 of parking spaces S[1,3], S[2,2] and S[2,3] is lifted by the lifter 70.

[0047] Refer to Figure 10(c). The two unextended support columns 40 of parking space S[1,2] are extended by adding an additional structure 60. This releases the lifters 70 located in parking spaces S[1,2] and S[2,2].

[0048] Furthermore, temporary support members 72 are provided between the frame 50 and the support columns 40 of the parking spaces S[1,3] and S[2,3], and the frame 50 is supported by the support columns 40 via the temporary support members 72. As a result, the lifters 70 placed in the parking spaces S[1,3] and S[2,3] are released.

[0049] Similarly, the support columns 40 for parking spaces S[1,3], S[1,4], S[2,1], S[2,2], S[2,3], S[2,4], S[3,1], S[3,2], S[3,3], and S[3,4] are extended sequentially.

[0050] Next, we will explain the effects of using the temporary support members 72. Figures 11(a) and (b) illustrate the case of renovation without using the temporary support members 72. The white-outlined support columns 40 indicate that they are not extended, while the black-filled support columns 40 indicate that they are extended. In addition, the white-outlined lifters 70 indicate that they are open, i.e., lifters 70 that do not support the frame 50, while the shaded lifters 70 indicate that they are not open, i.e., lifters 70 that support the frame 50.

[0051] In Figure 11(a), the extension of the support column 40 for parking space S[1,1] is complete, and the lifter 70 is not supporting the frame 50, meaning the lifter 70 is released. On the other hand, in parking spaces S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2], only one or two support columns 40 have been extended, so the frame 50 is floating. Therefore, in parking spaces S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2], the lifter 70 needs to support the frame 50, and the lifter 70 is not released. In other words, although the lifter 70 for parking space S[1,1] is released, the lifter 70 for parking spaces S[1,2], S[2,1], and S[2,2] adjacent to parking space S[1,1] is not released, so the lifter 70 for parking space S[1,1] cannot be moved. Therefore, in order to extend the support columns 40 of parking spaces other than parking space S[1,1], it is necessary to add a lifter 70.

[0052] In Figure 11(b), lifters 70 have been added to the parking spaces S[1,3] and S[2,3]. In parking space S[1,2], the extension of the support columns 40 is complete, and the lifter 70 does not support the frame 50, meaning the lifter 70 is released. On the other hand, in parking spaces S[1,3], S[2,1], S[2,2], and S[2,3], only one or two support columns 40 have been extended, so the frame 50 is floating. Therefore, in parking spaces S[1,3], S[2,1], S[2,2], and S[2,3], the lifter 70 needs to support the frame 50, and the lifter 70 is not released. In other words, although the lifters 70 for parking spaces S[1,1] and S[1,2] are released, the lifters 70 for parking spaces S[1,3], S[2,1], S[2,2], and S[2,3] adjacent to parking spaces S[1,1] and S[1,2] are not released, so the lifters 70 for parking spaces S[1,1] and S[1,2] cannot be moved. Therefore, in order to extend the support columns 40 for parking spaces other than parking spaces S[1,1] and S[1,2], it is necessary to add lifters 70.

[0053] Similarly, extending the support columns 40 for all parking spaces S[1,1] to S[3,4] would require the same number of lifters 70 as the number of parking spaces S[1,1] to S[3,4]. This would increase the cost of the renovation. In contrast, the method described in Figures 9-10 requires only four lifters 70, thus reducing the renovation cost.

[0054] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of their components and processing processes, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Such modifications will be described below.

[0055] (First variation) In this embodiment, a method for modifying an existing mechanical parking system to accommodate high-roof vehicles has been described. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the technical concept of this embodiment can also be applied, for example, to cases where, in the future, most vehicles will be mid-roof or low-roof vehicles, and the parking space of an existing parking tier 14 needs to be reduced in order to add a new parking tier 14 to accommodate more such vehicles.

[0056] (Second variation) In the example shown in Figure 7, the support column 40 is cut and an extension pipe 62 is inserted between the columns. However, as a modification, the extension pipe 62 may be connected to the upper end of the support column 40 without cutting it. In this case, the extension pipe 62 has a flange similar to the flange 40a of the support column 40. Furthermore, since the original flange 40a on the support column 40 poses a risk of interference when moving the high-roof vehicle 20 in the planar direction, the original flange 40a may be removed by cutting or other means.

[0057] Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiments resulting from these combinations possess the combined effects of the respective embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 mechanical parking garage, 10 parking spaces, 14 parking levels, 14_1 first parking level, 14_2 second parking level, 14_3 third parking level, 16 support structures, 16_1 first support structure, 16_2 second support structure, 16_3 third support structure.

Claims

1. A method for renovating a mechanical parking system, comprising modifying the support structure of a certain parking level among the support structures that support pallets provided in each of the multiple parking levels of an existing mechanical parking system, thereby changing the height of the parking space in at least one of the parking levels of that certain parking level and the parking level below it.

2. The method for modifying a mechanical parking garage according to claim 1, wherein the modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to cut a part of the support structure.

3. The modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to remove at least a portion of the support structure, according to claim 1, a method for modifying a mechanical parking garage.

4. The modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to add an additional structure to the support structure, according to claim 1, for the modification of a mechanical parking garage.

5. The method for renovating a mechanical parking garage according to claim 1, wherein the modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to replace at least a part of the support structure.

6. The method for renovating a mechanical parking garage according to claim 1, wherein each of the support structures for the plurality of parking levels includes a plurality of support columns and a frame supported by the plurality of support columns for movably supporting pallets.

7. The modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to cut each of the plurality of support columns in the certain parking level and to lengthen the cut portion by placing an additional structure therein, according to claim 6, the method for modifying a mechanical parking system.

8. The modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to cut off a portion of each of the plurality of support columns in the certain parking level in the longitudinal direction, and to shorten the cut-off portion by placing an additional structure shorter than the length of the cut-off portion, as described in claim 6.

9. The modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to replace each of the plurality of support columns in the certain parking level with a support column that is longer or shorter than each of the plurality of support columns, according to claim 6.

10. The modification made to the support structure of a certain parking level is to replace the frame in the certain parking level with a frame that is smaller in the height direction, according to claim 6, the method for modifying a mechanical parking system.

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