Parking Equipment

Abstract

To provide a parking device that determines abnormality of an electromagnetic contactor.SOLUTION: A parking device includes: motors for actuating objects, respectively; a power supply line; electromagnetic contactors that include first main contacts and first auxiliary contacts interlocking with the first main contacts, connect the motors with the power supply line at the first main contacts, and control supply of power from the power supply line to the motors; a first control unit that is connected to the electromagnetic contactor and transmits a first control signal for controlling the electromagnetic contactors so as to close the first main contacts; and a first detection unit that is connected to the first auxiliary contacts and detects an opened / closed state of the first auxiliary contacts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a parking device for parking a vehicle such as an automobile, etc. Also, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a control method of a parking device for parking a vehicle such as an automobile, etc. [Background technology]

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

[0003] The movement of the pallets is performed by driving a motor of a transport device provided on the pallet, and an electromagnetic contactor that controls the supply of power is connected to the motor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). That is, when a user of the multi-level parking device operates the operation panel to enter or exit a vehicle, the electromagnetic contactor is controlled, power is supplied to the motor, and the specified pallet moves to the entrance / exit gate. This allows the user to use the specified pallet to enter or exit a vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-049175 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, one type of failure of an electromagnetic contactor is the welding of the contacts. When the contacts are welded, the contacts remain closed (connected), allowing power to be supplied to the motor. In this case, power is supplied to a pallet that does not need to move, and in some cases, the pallet moves, causing an accident in which the cars come into contact with each other. Therefore, in order to prevent such accidents from occurring, it is necessary to determine whether or not the electromagnetic contactor or electromagnetic switch has a failure when the pallet moves.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a parking device that determines whether an electromagnetic contactor is abnormal. Another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a parking device control method that determines whether an electromagnetic contactor is abnormal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A parking device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a motor for operating an object, a power supply line, an electromagnetic contactor including a first main contact and a first auxiliary contact interlocking with the first main contact, connecting the motor and the power supply line at the first main contact and controlling the supply of power from the power supply line to the motor, a first control unit connected to the electromagnetic contactor and transmitting a first control signal that controls the electromagnetic contactor to close the first main contact, and a first detection unit connected to the first auxiliary contact and detecting the open / closed state of the first auxiliary contact.

[0008] A first control signal may be transmitted when the first auxiliary contact is closed.

[0009] The electromagnetic contactor may be provided with a thermal relay.

[0010] Moreover, a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes first to nth motors (n is a natural number) each for operating an object, a power supply line, first to nth electromagnetic contactors each including a first main contact and a first auxiliary contact interlocking with the first main contact and controlling the supply of power from the power supply line to each of the first to nth motors, a first control unit connected to the first to nth electromagnetic contactors and transmitting a first control signal for controlling the first to nth electromagnetic contactors to close the first main contact, and a first detection unit connected to an auxiliary contact circuit unit in which the first auxiliary contacts of the first to nth electromagnetic contactors are connected in series and detecting the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact circuit unit.

[0011] A first control signal may be transmitted when the auxiliary contact circuit portion is closed.

[0012] Moreover, a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes first to nth motors (n is a natural number) each for moving an object, a power supply line, first to nth electromagnetic contactors each including a first main contact and a first auxiliary contact interlocking with the first main contact and controlling the supply of power from the power supply line to each of the first to nth motors, a first control unit connected to the first to nth electromagnetic contactors and transmitting a first control signal for controlling the first to nth electromagnetic contactors to close the first main contact, and a first detection unit connected to each of m auxiliary contact circuit units in which the first auxiliary contact is connected in series for each of m parking areas (m is a natural number) and detecting the open / closed state of the m auxiliary contact circuit units.

[0013] A first control signal may be transmitted when the m auxiliary contact circuit portions are closed.

[0014] At least one of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors may be provided with a thermal relay.

[0015] The parking device may further include a power source, an electromagnetic contactor for the power source including a second main contact and a second auxiliary contact interlocking with the second main contact, connected to the power source and the power supply line at the second main contact and controlling the supply of power from the power source to the power supply line, a second control unit connected to the electromagnetic contactor for the power source and transmitting a second control signal that controls the electromagnetic contactor for the power source to close the second main contact, and a second detection unit connected to the second auxiliary contact and detecting the open / closed state of the second auxiliary contact.

[0016] The electromagnetic contactor for the power supply may be provided with a thermal relay.

[0017] The parking device may further include a power source, an inverter including a second main contact and a second auxiliary contact interlocking with the second main contact, connected to the power source and the power supply line at the second main contact and controlling the supply of power from the power source to the power supply line, a second control unit connected to the inverter and transmitting a second control signal that controls the inverter to close the second main contact, and a second detection unit connected to the second auxiliary contact and detecting the open / closed state of the second auxiliary contact.

[0018] A second control signal may be sent when the second auxiliary contact is closed.

[0019] In addition, a control method for a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first main contact and a first auxiliary contact linked to the first main contact, and detects an open / closed state of a first auxiliary contact of an electromagnetic contactor connected to a motor that moves an object and a power supply line at the first main contact, and when the first auxiliary contact is closed, transmits a first control signal to close the first main contact so as to supply power from the power supply line to the motor.

[0020] The parking device control method may further include detecting an open / closed state of a second auxiliary contact of an electromagnetic contactor for a power source that includes a second main contact and a second auxiliary contact interlocking with the second main contact and connects to a power source and a power supply line at the second main contact, and transmitting a second control signal to close the second main contact so as to supply power from the power source to the power supply line when the second auxiliary contact is closed.

[0021] After the first control signal is transmitted, the second control signal may be transmitted.

[0022] The open / closed state of the second auxiliary contact may be detected before the first control signal is sent.

[0023] The object may be a pallet on which a vehicle is placed.

[0024] The target object may be a gate provided at an entrance / exit. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the pallet is moved, an abnormal state (e.g., welding of the contacts) of the electromagnetic contactor connected to the motor is judged, and if the electromagnetic contactor is in an abnormal state, the parking device is stopped. In this case, power is not supplied to the motor, so unexpected movement of the pallet is prevented, and vehicle contact accidents can be prevented in advance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an operation panel of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the configuration of a control panel of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]4 is a flowchart showing a control method for a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0028] In the drawings referred to in the embodiments, identical parts or parts having similar functions are given the same or similar reference symbols (for example, a reference symbol having a capital alphabet such as "A" or "B" after a number). In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings may differ from the actual ratios for convenience of explanation, and some components may be omitted from the drawings. Note that ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and "third" in this specification are used only to simplify the explanation and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner.

[0029] First Embodiment A parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

[0030] [1. Configuration of parking device 100] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the parking device 100 as seen from the side (when the side with the entrance / exit 109 is the front).

[0031] In the parking device 100, a structure is formed by support posts 102, and a pallet 104 on which a vehicle 101 is placed is disposed in the structure. The pallet 104 can be raised and lowered along the support posts 102 by a transport device 106. The pallets 104 are provided at predetermined positions with intervals so that when a plurality of vehicles 101 are stacked vertically in the structure, the vehicles do not interfere with each other. As a result, the structure formed by the support posts 102 forms parking areas P1, P2, P3, and P4 stacked in multiple tiers vertically. However, the number of parking areas is not limited to four, and may be m (m is a natural number). In other words, the structure may have m parking areas P1 to Pm formed therein.

[0032] Although not shown, the parking areas P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be formed not only in the vertical direction but also in a horizontal direction (the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 1) so that the pallet 104 can be moved not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction.

[0033] Parking device 100 is operated by an operation panel 105. Operation panel 105 is provided on the outside of parking device 100. For example, operation panel 105 is disposed on a support 102 near an entrance / exit 109 of parking device 100. A user operates operation panel 105 from outside parking device 100 to move a desired pallet 104 to entrance / exit 109 and to open / close gate 108.

[0034] A gate 108 provided at an entrance / exit 109 of the parking device 100 can be opened and closed by an operation panel 105. The gate 108 is closed except when it is opened to allow the vehicle 101 to enter or leave the parking device. Therefore, the gate 108 is also closed when the pallet 104 is moving. Since the gate 108 is closed, no person can enter the parking device 100 while the pallet 104 is moving. In FIG. 1, the control panel 110 is disposed on the side of the parking device 100, but the control panel 110 may be disposed in the entrance direction of the vehicle 101. A signal output from the operation panel 105 is transmitted to the control panel 110, and the control panel 110 outputs a control signal to the conveying device 106 that moves the pallet 104, or a driving device (including a motor) that opens and closes the gate 108.

[0035] In the parking device 100, which forms a parking area stacked in multiple levels in the vertical direction and stores and parks the vehicle 101 in a three-dimensional manner, the pallets 104 are raised and lowered to move the target pallet 104 to the entrance / exit 109 to load and unload the vehicle 101. There are several methods for moving the target pallet 104 to the entrance / exit 109. For example, a method of sinking the lower pallet 104 into an underground pit to unload the vehicle 101 parked on the upper pallet 104, a method of sliding the lower or upper pallet 104 toward the vehicle body (in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 1) to lower the upper pallet 104 into an area where the lower pallet 104 does not exist, or a combination of these methods are used. Any of these methods can be applied to the parking device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] 2, the parking device 100 includes a first electromagnetic switch 130-1, a second electromagnetic switch 130-2, a first electromagnetic contactor 132-1, a second electromagnetic contactor 132-2, ..., an n-th electromagnetic contactor 132-n (n is a natural number), a first motor 134-1, a second motor 134-2, ..., an n-th motor 134-n, a control circuit board 140, a power source 142, a power supply line 150, a control signal line 152, and a detection signal line 154. For convenience, the first electromagnetic contactor 132-1, the second electromagnetic contactor 132-2, ..., the n-th electromagnetic contactor 132-n may be described below as the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n, or as the electromagnetic contactor 132 when they are not particularly distinguished from each other. Similarly, the first motor 134-1, the second motor 134-2, ..., the n-th motor 134-n may be described as the first to n-th motors 134-1 to 134-n, or as the motor 134 when no particular distinction is made between them.

[0038] The power source 142 is connected to the power supply line 150 via the first electromagnetic switch 130-1 or the second electromagnetic switch 130-2. The first electromagnetic switch 130-1 and the second electromagnetic switch 130-2 control the supply of power from the power source 142 to the power supply line 150. The first electromagnetic switch 130-1 and the second electromagnetic switch 130-2 are connected to the power supply line 150 so that the rotation directions of the motor 134 are opposite to each other when power is supplied to the motor 134. For example, the first electromagnetic switch 130-1 controls the supply of power to the motor 134 that rotates forward, and the second electromagnetic switch 130-2 controls the supply of power to the motor 134 that rotates reversely. In the following, for convenience, when the first electromagnetic switch 130-1 and the second electromagnetic switch 130-2 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may be described as the electromagnetic switch 130.

[0039] The power supply line 150 is connected to the first to n-th motors 134-1 to n via the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n. The first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n control the supply of power from the power supply line 150 to the first to n-th motors 134-1 to n.

[0040] The electromagnetic switch is configured such that the electromagnetic contactor is provided with a thermal relay that cuts off the electromagnetic contactor when the temperature rises due to a load such as an overcurrent. Therefore, although the supply of power from the power source 142 to the power supply line 150 is described above as being controlled by the electromagnetic switch 130, an electromagnetic contactor can be used instead of the electromagnetic switch 130. Similarly, the supply of power from the power supply line 150 to the motor 134 can be provided by an electromagnetic switch instead of the electromagnetic contactor 132. When distinguishing between the electromagnetic contactor used instead of the electromagnetic switch 130 and the electromagnetic contactor 132, for convenience, the former electromagnetic contactor may be referred to as an electromagnetic contactor for the power source.

[0041] The electromagnetic contactor 132 and the motor 134 are provided in the conveying device 106 together with a slide mechanism, rollers, roller chains, bearings, and other components, or hydraulic drive components. Therefore, when power is supplied to the motor 134 and the motor 134 rotates, the pallet 104 can move up and down or sideways. Note that a single pallet 104 can also be moved by a plurality of motors 134. For example, a motor 134 that moves the pallet 104 up and down and a motor 134 that moves the pallet 104 sideways can be provided separately.

[0042] The motor 134 may be a geared motor in which a three-phase motor and a reducer are integrated. The three-phase motor has a built-in electromagnetic brake. The electromagnetic brake includes a brake disc, a brake pad, a braking electromagnet, and a pressure spring attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 134. The brake pad is constantly pressed against the brake disc by the pressure spring. The braking electromagnet is provided near the brake pad. Power is supplied to the braking electromagnet via a brake release relay. The brake release relay supplies power to the braking electromagnet while receiving a control signal, and stops supplying power to the braking electromagnet when the control signal is no longer received. When power is supplied to the braking electromagnet, the braking electromagnet attracts the brake pad and separates it from the brake disc. The rotating shaft is released, so that the brake is released and the pallet 104 is operated.

[0043] The control circuit board 140 is connected to each of the electromagnetic switch 130 and the electromagnetic contactor 132 via a control signal line 152. The control circuit board 140 can transmit a control signal to each of the electromagnetic switch 130 and the electromagnetic contactor 132 via the control signal line 152. The electromagnetic switch 130 that has received the control signal operates to supply power from the power source 142 to the power supply line 150. Furthermore, the electromagnetic contactor 132 that has received the control signal operates to supply power from the power supply line 150 to the motor 134.

[0044] The control circuit board 140 is further connected to each of the electromagnetic switch 130 and the electromagnetic contactor 132 via a detection signal line 154. Although details will be described later, the control circuit board 140 detects the open / closed states of the auxiliary contacts of the first electromagnetic switch 130-1 and the second electromagnetic switch 130-2 and the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to 132-n via the detection signal line 154. The control circuit board 140 determines whether or not to transmit a control signal based on the detected open / closed states of the auxiliary contacts.

[0045] [2. Configuration of operation panel 105] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel 105 of the parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 105 includes an operation power switch 120, an operation unit 122, an information display unit 124, an information input unit 126, and an emergency stop button 128.

[0047] The operation power switch 120 is a switch for starting the operation panel 105 of the parking device 100. For example, the operation power switch 120 enables at least one of turning on the power of the operation panel 105, accepting the operation of the operation unit 122, and inputting information using the information input unit 126 by inserting an operation key and turning it from "off" to "on". The operation unit 122 has a light lamp and an operation button for each operation procedure. The information display unit 124 displays various information. The information display unit 124 includes, for example, a display device using a liquid crystal or an OLED. The information input unit 126 accepts information input from a user. The information input unit 126 includes, for example, a plurality of buttons. The user can operate the plurality of buttons of the information input unit 126 to input predetermined information. The emergency stop button 128 is a button that is operated in an emergency. When the emergency stop button 128 is operated, certain operations of the parking device 100 (for example, operation of the pallet 104 or gate 108) are stopped to ensure the safety of users.

[0048] A signal output by operation of the operation panel 105 is transmitted to the control panel 110. Specifically, an output signal by operation of the operation power switch 120, an input operation by the information input unit 126, and an operation of the emergency stop button is transmitted to the control panel 110.

[0049] [3. Configuration of control panel 110] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control panel 110 of the parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] 4, the control board 110 includes a control circuit board 140 and a power source 142. The control circuit board 140 also includes a first control unit 140a, a first detection unit 140b, a second control unit 140c, and a second detection unit 140d. Note that the configuration of the control board 110 is not limited to this. The control board 110 may further include a storage unit, a communication unit, or the like.

[0051] The first control unit 140a, the first detection unit 140b, the second control unit 140c, and the second detection unit 140d include, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The first control unit 140a, the first detection unit 140b, the second control unit 140c, and the second detection unit 140d develop a program stored in the ROM by the RAM and execute the program by the CPU. For example, the first control unit 140a and the second control unit 140c receive a signal transmitted from the operation panel 105 and generate a control signal for controlling the movement of the pallet 104 and the opening and closing of the gate 108. Specifically, in the case of the movement of the pallet 104, the first control unit 140a and the second control unit 140c generate and transmit a control signal for controlling the electromagnetic contactor 132 and the electromagnetic switch 130, respectively.

[0052] The electromagnetic contactor 132 includes a main contact (a contact or NO contact) and an auxiliary contact 132a (b contact or NC contact) of a mirror contact. That is, the open / close state of the auxiliary contact 132a is linked to the main contact, so that when the main contact is open, the auxiliary contact 132a is closed, and when the main contact is closed, the auxiliary contact 132a is opened. Therefore, when welding occurs at the main contact, the auxiliary contact 132a maintains a closed state. The electromagnetic contactor 132 is connected to the motor 134 and the power supply line 150 at the main contact. On the other hand, the first detection unit 140b is connected to the auxiliary contact 132a via a detection signal line 154.

[0053] The first control unit 140a is connected to the electromagnetic contactor 132 via a control signal line 152, and transmits a control signal for controlling the electromagnetic contactor 132 to close the main contact. The electromagnetic contactor 132 that receives the control signal closes the main contact, enabling the supply of power from the power supply line 150 to the motor 134. In this case, the auxiliary contact 132a is opened.

[0054] When the electromagnetic contactor 132 fails and power is supplied to the motor 134 from the control signal line 152 without receiving a control signal, the cause is welding of the main contact. In this case, the auxiliary contactor 132a is also opened. Therefore, the first detection unit 140b detects the open / closed state of the auxiliary contactor 132a and transmits a signal indicating the open / closed state of the auxiliary contactor 132a to the first control unit 140a. Specifically, when the first detection unit 140b detects that the auxiliary contactor 132a is closed, it transmits a normal signal indicating that the electromagnetic contactor 132 is normal to the first control unit 140a. On the other hand, when the first detection unit 140b detects that the auxiliary contactor 132a is open, it transmits an abnormal signal indicating that the electromagnetic contactor 132 is broken to the first control unit 140a. The first control unit 140a transmits a control signal to the electromagnetic contactor 132 based on the signal indicating the open / closed state of the auxiliary contactor 132a. Specifically, when the first control unit 140a receives a normal signal, the first control unit 140a transmits a control signal to the electromagnetic contactor 132 to operate the electromagnetic contactor 132. On the other hand, when the first control unit 140a receives an abnormal signal, the first control unit 140a does not transmit a control signal to the electromagnetic contactor 132.

[0055] In the parking device 100, a failure of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to 132-n can be determined by detecting the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 132a of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to 132-n. If the electromagnetic contactor 132 is broken, power is not supplied to the motor 134, so that the parking device 100 can prevent a vehicle contact accident caused by the movement of the pallet 104, thereby ensuring safety.

[0056] The above-mentioned determination of a failure of the electromagnetic contactor 132 can be applied not only to the electromagnetic contactor 132 but also to the electromagnetic switch 130. The electromagnetic switch 130 is connected at the main contact to the power source 142 and the power supply line 150. On the other hand, the second detection unit 140d is connected to the auxiliary contact 130a via a detection signal line 154.

[0057] The second control unit 140c is connected to the electromagnetic switch 130 via a control signal line 152, and transmits a control signal for controlling the electromagnetic switch 130 to close the main contact. The electromagnetic switch 130 that has received the control signal closes the main contact and supplies power from the power source 142 to the power supply line 150. In this case, the auxiliary contact 130a is opened.

[0058] When the electromagnetic switch 130 fails and power is supplied from the power source 142 to the power supply line 150 without receiving a control signal, the cause is welding of the main contact. In this case, the auxiliary contact 130a is also opened. Therefore, the second detection unit 140d detects the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a and transmits a signal indicating the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a to the second control unit 140c. Specifically, when the second detection unit 140d detects that the auxiliary contact 130a is closed, it transmits a normal signal indicating that the electromagnetic switch 130 is normal to the second control unit 140c. On the other hand, when the second detection unit 140d detects that the auxiliary contact 130a is open, it transmits an abnormal signal indicating that the electromagnetic switch 130 is failed to the second control unit 140c. The second control unit 140c transmits a control signal to the electromagnetic switch 130 based on the signal indicating the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a. Specifically, when the second control unit 140c receives a normal signal, the second control unit 140c transmits a control signal to the electromagnetic switch 130 to operate the electromagnetic switch 130. On the other hand, when the second control unit 140c receives an abnormal signal, the second control unit 140c does not transmit a control signal to the electromagnetic switch 130.

[0059] In the parking device 100, a failure of the electromagnetic switch 130 can be determined by detecting the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a of the electromagnetic switch 130. If the electromagnetic switch 130 is broken, power is not supplied to the power supply line 150, so that the parking device 100 can prevent a vehicle contact accident caused by the movement of the pallet 104, thereby ensuring safety.

[0060] The control circuit board 140 may transmit a control signal to the electromagnetic contactor 132 by the first control unit 140a, and then transmit a control signal to the electromagnetic switch 130 by the second control unit 140c.

[0061] [4. Control method of the parking device 100] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing a control method of the parking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing a movement process of the pallet 104. The movement process of the pallet 104 is started by an input from the operation panel 105.

[0062] In step S100, the control circuit board 140 of the control panel 110 receives an output signal from the operation panel 105.

[0063] In step S110, the first detection unit 140b detects the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 132a of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to 132-n.

[0064] In step S120, the first detection unit 140b transmits a signal indicating the open / closed state of each of the auxiliary contacts 132a of the first to nth electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n (a normal signal indicating that the auxiliary contacts 132a are closed or an abnormal signal indicating that the auxiliary contacts 132a are open) to the first control unit 140a.

[0065] In step S130, the first control unit 140a judges the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 132a. Specifically, when the first control unit 140a receives only normal signals (step S130: YES), step S140 is executed. When the first control unit 140a receives even one abnormal signal (step S130: NO), it determines that an abnormal state has occurred in the parking device 100 and stops the parking device 100.

[0066] In step S140, the second detector 140d detects the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a of the electromagnetic switch 130.

[0067] In step S150, the second detection unit 140d transmits a signal indicating the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a (a normal signal indicating that the auxiliary contact 130a is closed or an abnormal signal indicating that the auxiliary contact 130a is open) to the second control unit 140c.

[0068] In step S160, the second control unit 140c judges the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 130a. Specifically, when the second control unit 140c receives a normal signal (step S160: YES), step S170 is executed. When the second control unit 140c receives an abnormal signal (step S160: NO), it determines that an abnormal state has occurred in the parking device 100 and stops the parking device 100.

[0069] In step S170, the control circuit board 140 transmits a first control signal to a predetermined electromagnetic contactor 132 (for example, the electromagnetic contactor 132 of the pallet 104 to be moved). This causes the predetermined electromagnetic contactor 132 to operate, enabling the supply of power to the motor 134.

[0070] In step S180, the control circuit board 140 transmits a second control signal to the electromagnetic switch 130. This causes the electromagnetic switch 130 to operate, and power is supplied from the power source to the motor 134 via the power supply line 150.

[0071] As described above, the parking device 100 according to this embodiment can determine an abnormal state (such as welding of a contact) of each of the first to nth electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n by detecting the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 132a of each of the first to nth electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n. When the electromagnetic contactor 132 is in an abnormal state, power is not supplied to the motor 134, so that unexpected movement of the pallet 104 can be prevented, and vehicle contact accidents can be prevented in advance.

[0072] In the above, the electromagnetic contactor 132 connected to the motor 134 that operates the pallet 104 has been described as an example, but a similar configuration can be applied to determining an abnormal state of an electromagnetic contactor connected to a motor that operates the gate 108.

[0073] <Second embodiment> 6, a description will be given of a parking apparatus 100A which is a modified example of the parking apparatus 100. When the configuration of the parking apparatus 100A is similar to that of the parking apparatus 100, the description may be omitted.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device 100A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 6, the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n belong to any of m (m is a natural number) parking areas P1 to Pm. The parking device 100A includes m auxiliary contact circuit units in which the auxiliary contacts 132a of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n belonging to each of the m parking areas P1 to Pm are connected in series. The first detection unit 140b of the control circuit board 140 is connected to the m auxiliary contact circuit units via the detection signal line 154 and detects the open / closed states of the m auxiliary contact circuit units. Therefore, the first control unit 140a of the control circuit board 140 can determine the open / closed states of the auxiliary contacts 132a of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n belonging to each of the m parking areas P1 to Pm.

[0076] As described above, the parking device 100A according to this embodiment can determine an abnormal state of any of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to 132-n by detecting the open / closed state of any of the auxiliary contacts 132a belonging to each of the m parking areas P1 to Pm. In the parking device 100A, the number of detection signal lines 154 connected to the control circuit board 140 can be reduced compared to the parking device 100. In addition, when the electromagnetic contactor 132 is in an abnormal state, power is not supplied to the motor 134, so that unexpected movement of the pallet 104 can be prevented, and vehicle contact accidents can be prevented in advance.

[0077] <Third embodiment> 7, a description will be given of a parking apparatus 100B which is yet another modified example of the parking apparatus 100. When the configuration of the parking apparatus 100B is similar to that of the parking apparatus 100, the description thereof may be omitted.

[0078] 7, the parking device 100B includes an auxiliary contact circuit section in which the auxiliary contacts 132a of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n are connected in series. The first detection section 140b of the control circuit board 140 is connected to the auxiliary contact circuit section via a detection signal line 154 and detects the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact circuit section. Therefore, the first control section 140a of the control circuit board 140 can determine the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 132a of any of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n.

[0079] As described above, the parking device 100B according to this embodiment can determine an abnormal state of any of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n by detecting the open / closed state of any of the first to n-th auxiliary contacts 132a. In the parking device 100B, the number of detection signal lines 154 connected to the control circuit board 140 can be reduced compared to the parking device 100. In addition, when the electromagnetic contactor 132 is in an abnormal state, power is not supplied to the motor 134, so that unexpected movement of the pallet 104 can be prevented, and vehicle contact accidents and the like can be prevented in advance.

[0080] <Fourth embodiment> 8, a description will be given of a parking apparatus 100C which is a modified example of the parking apparatus 100. When the configuration of the parking apparatus 100C is similar to that of the parking apparatus 100, the description thereof may be omitted.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking device 100C according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, the parking device 100C includes an inverter 130C instead of the electromagnetic switch 130. The inverter 130C can generate any frequency and can start outputting from a low frequency. The torque generated by the motor 134 is generally small. Therefore, the brake pads are pressed against the brake disc until the rated torque for moving the pallet 104 is generated, and the brake pads can be released when the frequency output from the inverter 130C reaches a rotational torque equal to or greater than the load torque. In this way, the inverter 130C is connected to the power supply line 150 and can control the rotational speed of the motor 134. That is, the inverter 130C can supply power from the power source 142 to the power supply line 150 and control the movement of the pallet 104 having the motor 134.

[0083] In the parking device 100C, similarly to the parking device 100, the auxiliary contacts 132a of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n are connected to the first detection unit 140b of the control circuit board 140. Therefore, in the parking device 100C as well, it is possible to determine a failure of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n.

[0084] Also, the inverter 130C may include a main contact and an auxiliary contact that operates in conjunction with the open / closed state of the main contact, similar to the electromagnetic switch 130. In this case, the inverter 130C is similar to the electromagnetic switch 130, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0085] As described above, the parking device 100C according to this embodiment can determine an abnormal state of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n by detecting the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact 132a of each of the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors 132-1 to n. When the electromagnetic contactor 132 is in an abnormal state, power is not supplied to the motor 134, so that unexpected movement of the pallet 104 can be prevented, and vehicle contact accidents can be prevented in advance.

[0086] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a parking device according to the present embodiment can be used as a basis for adding, deleting, or modifying components by a person skilled in the art, and the device is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as appropriate as long as there is no mutual contradiction, and technical matters common to each embodiment are included in each embodiment even if not explicitly stated.

[0087] Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the aspects of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, those that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C: parking device, 101: vehicle, 102: support, 104: pallet, 105: operation panel, 106: transport device, 108: gate, 109: entry / exit gate, 110: control panel, 120: operation power switch, 122: operation unit, 124: information display unit, 126: information input unit, 128: emergency stop button, 130: electromagnetic switch, 130a: auxiliary contact, 130C: inverter, 132: electromagnetic contactor, 132a: auxiliary contact, 134: motor, 140: control circuit board, 140a: first control unit, 140b: first detection unit, 140c: second control unit, 140d: second detection unit, 142: power supply, 150: power supply line, 152: control signal line, 154: detection signal line

Claims

1. First to n-th motors (n being a natural number) each for actuating an object; Power supply lines; first to n-th electromagnetic contactors, each of which includes a first main contact and a first auxiliary contact interlocked with the first main contact, for controlling the supply of power from the power supply line to each of the first to n-th motors; a first control unit that is connected to the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors and transmits a first control signal that controls the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors to close the first main contact; a first detection unit connected to an auxiliary contact circuit unit in which the first auxiliary contacts of the first to nth electromagnetic contactors are connected in series, and detecting the open / closed state of the auxiliary contact circuit unit.

2. The parking device according to claim 1 , wherein the first control signal is transmitted when the auxiliary contact circuit portion is closed.

3. First to n-th motors (n being a natural number) each for actuating an object; Power supply lines; first to n-th electromagnetic contactors, each of which includes a first main contact and a first auxiliary contact interlocked with the first main contact, for controlling the supply of power from the power supply line to each of the first to n-th motors; a first control unit that is connected to the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors and transmits a first control signal that controls the first to n-th electromagnetic contactors to close the first main contact; A parking device comprising: a first detection unit that connects the first auxiliary contact to m auxiliary contact circuit units connected in series for each of m parking areas (m is a natural number), and detects the open / closed state of the m auxiliary contact circuit units.

4. The parking device according to claim 3 , wherein the first control signal is transmitted when the m auxiliary contact circuit portions are closed.

5. A parking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the first to nth electromagnetic contactors is provided with a thermal relay.

6. moreover, A power source; a power source electromagnetic contactor including a second main contact and a second auxiliary contact interlocking with the second main contact, the second main contact being connected to the power source and the power supply line, and controlling the supply of power from the power source to the power supply line; a second control unit that is connected to the electromagnetic contactor for the power source and transmits a second control signal that controls the electromagnetic contactor for the power source to close the second main contact; A parking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a second detection unit connected to the second auxiliary contact and detecting the open / closed state of the second auxiliary contact.

7. 7. The parking device according to claim 6, wherein the power supply electromagnetic contactor is provided with a thermal relay.

8. moreover, A power source; an inverter including a second main contact and a second auxiliary contact interlocking with the second main contact, the inverter being connected to the power source and the power supply line at the second main contact and controlling the supply of power from the power source to the power supply line; a second control unit connected to the inverter and configured to transmit a second control signal for controlling the inverter to close the second main contact; A parking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a second detection unit connected to the second auxiliary contact and detecting the open / closed state of the second auxiliary contact.

9. 9. A parking device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second control signal is transmitted when the second auxiliary contact is closed.

10. The parking device according to claim 1 , wherein the object is a pallet on which a vehicle is placed.

11. The parking device according to claim 1 , wherein the object is a gate provided at an entrance / exit.

Images