Storage organization equipment and methods for managing storage equipment.

Abstract

A management device (20A, 20B) as an article storage equipment management device is connected to a measuring instrument (17) for measuring a current value of power used for a charging process for an electric vehicle parked in a mechanical parking facility (10), and is provided with an operation processing unit (221A, 221B) and a processing content change unit (224A, 224B). The operation processing unit (221A, 221B) determines operation content of a drive device (15) that moves a pallet on which the vehicle is loaded within the mechanical parking facility (10), and processing content of charging equipment (14). The processing content change unit (224A, 224B) changes the operation content of the drive device (15) or the processing content of the charging equipment (14) as determined by the operation processing unit (221A, 221B) when information of the current value acquired from the measuring instrument (17) is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold.

Description

Apparatus and method for managing an item storage facility

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for managing an item storage facility.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In recent years, electric vehicles powered by battery power have become popular. As electric vehicles become more popular, there is a demand for the development of facilities for charging batteries (charging facilities).

[0003] The charging equipment is installed in the parking lots of apartment buildings or large facilities, allowing the battery of an electric vehicle to be charged while parked in the parking lot.

[0004] Patent No. 5156583 Patent No. 5667812

[0005] In addition to charging equipment, mechanical parking lots are equipped with various devices to operate the parking lot. These devices run on electricity and can consume a relatively large amount of power depending on the situation. For example, the power consumption of the devices increases when raising and lowering pallets loaded with vehicles.

[0006] The manager of a mechanical parking lot equipped with charging equipment sets a contracted amount of power in the contract with the power company regarding the power usage of the parking lot. When a pallet is raised or lowered while a large number of electric vehicles are being charged in the mechanical parking lot, the power consumption of the parking lot increases sharply. To deal with this situation, the manager sets a larger contracted amount in advance. However, the larger the contracted amount, the higher the electricity bill.

[0007] Additionally, mechanical parking lots are equipped with power receiving and transforming equipment (power receiving equipment) that converts the transmitted high voltage into the voltage required for the load. When a mechanical parking lot is equipped with charging equipment, the power receiving and transforming equipment becomes larger as the power supply increases. To deal with this situation, managers often design the power receiving and transforming equipment to be larger in size in advance. However, the larger the power receiving and transforming equipment, the more expensive it is and the more space it requires for installation.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an item storage facility management device and an item storage facility management method that are capable of efficiently supplying power to stored items and operating equipment within the item storage facility while suppressing the maximum power demand in an item storage facility equipped with power supply equipment.

[0009] An item storage facility management device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a current value acquisition unit that acquires information on the current value of electricity used in the power supply process to items stored in the item storage facility by a power supply facility installed in the item storage facility, an operation processing unit that determines the operation content of a carrier operating mechanism that moves a carrier loaded with items within the item storage facility and the processing content of the power supply equipment, and a processing content change unit that changes the operation content of the carrier operating mechanism or the processing content of the power supply equipment determined by the operation processing unit when the current value information acquired by the current value acquisition unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value.

[0010] In addition, a method for managing an item storage facility according to one embodiment of the present invention acquires information on the current value of electricity used in the power supply process to items stored in the item storage facility by a power supply facility installed in the item storage facility, and when the acquired current value information becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, changes the operation content of a carrier operating mechanism that moves a carrier loaded with items within the item storage facility or the processing content of the power supply facility.

[0011] According to the item storage facility management device and item storage facility management method of the present invention, in an item storage facility equipped with a power supply facility, it is possible to efficiently supply power to the stored items that are the target of power supply and operate the equipment within the item storage facility while suppressing the maximum power demand.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking lot management system using parking lot management devices according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the parking lot management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a graph showing an example of the change over time in the amount of power used measured by a meter and the amount of power consumed throughout the parking lot when a relatively small number of electric vehicles are charging in a mechanical parking lot in the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is a graph showing an example of the change over time in the amount of power used by a meter and the amount of power consumed throughout the parking lot when a relatively large number of electric vehicles are charging in the mechanical parking lot in the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a graph showing the amount of power used and the reduction amount for moving each pallet in a mechanical parking lot managed by the parking lot management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a graph showing the amount of power used and the reduction amount for moving each pallet in a mechanical parking lot managed by the parking lot management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the parking lot management device according to the second embodiment.

[0013] A management system (parking lot management system) and a management method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The management system uses a parking lot management device, which is an example of an item storage facility management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] <First embodiment> <Configuration of management system> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management system 1A that uses a parking lot management device as an item storage facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The management system 1A comprises a mechanical parking lot 10 and a management device (mechanical parking lot management device) 20A. For ease of explanation, the "mechanical parking lot" will be referred to simply as the "parking lot" below.

[0015] The parking lot 10 includes shelves (storage shelves) P1 to P6, power supply equipment 11-1 to 11-6, pallets 12-1 to 12-6, and chargers 13-1 to 13-6. Note that the number of shelves, power supply equipment, pallets, and chargers is not limited to six. The shelves P1 to P6 are installed within a building (building) B and store vehicles, which are the target items. The power supply equipment 11-1 to 11-6 are installed near the corresponding shelves P1 to P6 and supply power from a commercial power source. The pallets 12-1 to 12-6 are installed corresponding to the shelves P1 to P6 and are carriers for loading and transporting vehicles. The chargers 13-1 to 13-6 are installed corresponding to the respective pallets 12-1 to 12-6. The chargers 13-1 to 13-6 have power plugs 13a-1 to 13a-6 that are attached to the power supply equipment 11-1 to 11-6, respectively. The power plugs 13a-1 to 13a-6 of the chargers 13-1 to 13-6 are attached to the power supply facilities 11-1 to 11-6, thereby forming charging facilities 14-1 to 14-6. The power supply facilities 11-1 to 11-6 are provided with contacts 11a-1 to 11a-6 for switching the power supply state to the corresponding charging facility between ON and OFF.

[0016] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, when it is not specified which of the power supply facilities 11-1 to 11-6 it is, it will be referred to as power supply facility 11. Similarly, when it is not specified which of the contacts 11a-1 to 11a-6 it is, it will be referred to as contact 11a. Similarly, when it is not specified which of the pallets 12-1 to 12-6 it is, it will be referred to as pallet 12. Similarly, when it is not specified which of the chargers 13-1 to 13-6 it is, it will be referred to as charger 13. Similarly, when it is not specified which of the power plugs 13a-1 to 13a-6 it is, it will be referred to as power plug 13a. Similarly, when it is not specified which of the shelves P1 to P6 it is, it will be referred to as shelf P. Similarly, when it is not specified which of the charging facilities 14-1 to 14-6 it is, it will be referred to as charging facility 14.

[0017] The parking lot 10 is a tower-type or elevator-type mechanical parking lot. The parking lot 10 includes a drive unit 15, a control unit (parking lot control unit) 16, a meter 17, a management unit (charging equipment management unit) 18, and an operation panel 19. The drive unit 15 is a pallet operation mechanism (carrier operation mechanism) that moves pallets 12-1 to 12-6 between the entrance / exit of building B (not shown) and each storage shelf (parking space) P1 to P6. The control unit 16 controls the drive unit 15. The meter 17 measures the current value of the power supplied by the power supply equipment 11-1 to 11-6 and transmits the measurement results to the management unit 18. The management unit 18 controls the ON / OFF state of each contact 11a-1 to 11a-6 according to instructions from the management unit 20A, and acquires charging status information from each charging equipment and transmits it to the management unit 20A. The management unit 18 also transmits current value information (data) acquired from the meter 17 to the management unit 20A. The operation panel 19 acquires operation information from the user and transmits it to the management device 20A.

[0018] The management device 20A includes a storage unit 21 and a CPU 22A. The storage unit 21 includes a first storage unit (threshold storage unit) 211 and a second storage unit (setting value storage unit) 212.

[0019] The operation details of the drive device 15 or the processing details of the power supply equipment 11 are changed so that the amount of power used in the mechanical parking lot 10 does not exceed the contracted power amount. Therefore, the first storage unit 211 stores a first threshold value for determining whether to change the operation details or processing details. The first threshold value is a threshold value for the amount of power (i.e., the amount of power consumption) related to the power supply equipment 11-1 to 11-6. Furthermore, the first storage unit 211 stores a second threshold value for determining whether to restore the changed operation details or processing details of the drive device 15 or the power supply equipment 11 after the change.

[0020] The second threshold value may be the same as the first threshold value or may be lower than the first threshold value, which can avoid unstable control caused by frequent repetition of the process of changing the processing content and the process of restoring the changed content.

[0021] The second storage unit 212 stores various information, such as the maximum amount of power demand for the parking lot 10, the set value of the maximum acceleration of the pallet 12 when the drive device 15 moves the pallet 12, and the set value of the maximum speed.

[0022] The CPU 22A includes an operation processing unit 221A, a current value obtaining unit 222, a determining unit 223, and a processing content changing unit 224A.

[0023] The operation processing unit 221A determines the operation content of the drive device 15 based on the operation content by the user acquired from the operation panel 19, and transmits an operation instruction based on the determined content to the control device 16. The operation processing unit 221A also determines the processing content of the charging facility, and transmits an operation instruction based on the determined content to the management device 18.

[0024] The current value acquisition unit 222 acquires information (data) about the current value measured by the measuring device 17 from the management device 18. The determination unit 223 determines whether the current value information acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211. When the determination unit 223 determines that the current value information acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the processing content change unit 224A changes the operation content of the drive device 15 determined by the operation processing unit 221A. For example, the processing content change unit 224A changes the operation content by lowering the set value of the maximum acceleration of the pallet 12 stored in the second storage unit 212.

[0025] <Operation of the Management System> The operation of the management system 1A will now be described. When a user wants to park an electric vehicle in the parking lot 10, the user stops the electric vehicle in front of an entrance / exit (not shown) of the parking lot 10 and operates the operation panel 19 to request a parking process. The operation panel 19 transmits the parking process request information input by the user to the management device 20A.

[0026] When management device 20A receives the warehousing processing request transmitted from operation panel 19, management device 20A generates an instruction to execute a warehousing call, causing operation processing unit 221A to move a specified pallet 12 to the entrance / exit. At this time, operation processing unit 221A generates an instruction to move the corresponding pallet 12 based on the set values ​​of maximum acceleration and maximum speed stored in second storage unit 212. Operation processing unit 221A transmits the generated instruction to parking lot 10.

[0027] In the parking lot 10, the control device 16 controls the drive device 15 in accordance with the execution instruction for the parking call acquired from the management device 20A. For example, the control device 16 moves a predetermined pallet 12 to the entrance / exit. When the pallet 12 lands, the control device 16 opens the entrance / exit door.

[0028] When the entrance door is in the open state, the user moves the electric vehicle onto the pallet 12 and connects the charger 13 on the pallet 12 to the electric vehicle using a charging cable. The user then operates the operation panel 19 to close the entrance door. Information such as a door closing command generated by this operation is sent to the control device 16 via the management device 20A.

[0029] The control device 16 confirms that the entrance is safe based on the acquired door closing instruction, and then closes the door of the entrance. After that, the operation processing unit 221A generates an instruction to move the pallet 12 to a predetermined shelf P and transmits it to the control device 16.

[0030] The control device 16 controls the drive device 15 in accordance with the instruction acquired from the operation processing unit 221A to move the pallet 12 to a predetermined shelf P. When the pallet 12 moves to the shelf P, the power plug 13a of the charger 13 of the pallet 12 is attached to the power supply equipment 11, and the charging equipment 14 is established.

[0031] Electric vehicles parked in the parking lot 10 are charged by the charging equipment 14 for a predetermined period at a predetermined timing. The charging process performed by the charging equipment 14 is controlled by the management device 18. The control of the management device 18 over the charging equipment 14 is based on instructions from the operation processing unit 221A of the management device 20A. The current value for charging may vary depending on the type of vehicle to be charged or the charging speed selected by the user.

[0032] When a user operates the operation panel 19 when entering the parking lot, closing the door, or at other times, the operation panel 19 may receive the charging current value, the type of vehicle to be charged, the charging speed selected by the user, the scheduled time of departure, or the battery capacity of the electric vehicle. When any of this information is input, the operation panel 19 transmits the information to the management device 20A. In this case, the charging current value may differ depending on a value previously set on the operation panel 19 or a value set on the electric vehicle that has been parked.

[0033] Furthermore, management device 20A may store the order in which electric vehicles are stored (storage order) based on the user's operation of operation panel 19. In this case, the timing to start the charging process may be set based on the order stored in management device 20A.

[0034] While charging processing is being performed by charging equipment 14, meter 17 measures the current value of the power supplied by power supply equipment 11-1 to 11-6 at predetermined time intervals and transmits the measurement results to management device 18. Management device 18 sequentially transmits information on the current value acquired from meter 17 to management device 20A.

[0035] 2 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by management device 20A during the execution of a charging process by charging equipment 14. In management device 20A, current value acquisition unit 222 acquires current value information sequentially transmitted from management device 18. Determination unit 223 monitors the current value information sequentially acquired by current value acquisition unit 222, and determines whether the acquired current value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value stored in first storage unit 211 (S1).

[0036] The current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is the current value of the power consumed by the charging equipment 14. In other words, the current value acquisition unit 222 measures the current value of the power used by the charging equipment 14. If this current value is less than the first threshold, the charging equipment 14 is considered to be in a low-load state (normal state), and if it is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the charging equipment 14 is considered to be in a high-load state. In other words, as long as the determination unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is less than the first threshold ("NO" in S1), it can be determined that the charging equipment 14 is in a low-load state. Therefore, in this case, the operation processing unit 221A determines the processing content to operate the drive device 15 and the charging equipment 14 using information pre-stored in the second storage unit 212.

[0037] Here, we will explain the amount of electricity consumed by the equipment and devices in the parking lot 10 when the operation processing unit 221A operates the drive unit 15 and the charging equipment 14 using information previously stored in the second memory unit 212.

[0038] 3A is a graph illustrating the change over time in the amount of energy usage E2-1 measured by the meter 17 and the change over time in the amount of energy consumption E3-1 throughout the parking lot 10. The amount of energy usage E2-1 in FIG. 3A illustrates the value when a relatively small number of electric vehicles are being charged in the parking lot 10 (for example, when one electric vehicle is being charged). FIG. 3A also illustrates the maximum energy demand E0 of the parking lot 10 and the first threshold value E1 stored in the threshold storage unit 211. The maximum energy demand E0 is, for example, the contracted energy amount for the parking lot 10. The amount of energy E3-1 is approximately equal to the sum of the amount of energy usage E2-1 and the amount of energy usage by the drive unit 15.

[0039] At time t0, the operation processing unit 221A issues an instruction to move the pallet 12, and the driving unit 15 starts moving the pallet 12 under the control of the control unit 16. As the pallet 12 starts moving and the acceleration of its movement increases, the amount of power consumed increases (time t0 to t1). When the acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 reaches the maximum acceleration stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t1), this maximum acceleration is maintained for a predetermined period, and the change in the amount of power consumed during that period remains constant (time t1 to t2).

[0040] Thereafter, when the moving speed of the pallet 12 approaches the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t2), the acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 decreases, and the amount of power consumed decreases (times t2 to t3). When the moving speed of the pallet 12 reaches the maximum speed and the acceleration becomes 0 (time t3), constant speed operation of the pallet 12 is performed for a predetermined time, and the change in the amount of power consumed during that time remains constant (times t3 to t4).

[0041] Thereafter, when the position of the pallet 12 approaches the destination position (time t4), the moving speed of the pallet 12 decreases, and the amount of power consumed decreases (times t4 to t5). When the pallet 12 reaches the destination position and the moving speed of the pallet 12 becomes 0, that is, when the pallet 12 stops (time t5), the amount of power used E3-1 becomes approximately equal to the amount of power used by charging E2-1.

[0042] As the number of electric vehicles being charged in the parking lot 10 increases, the current value of the power used (consumed) by the charging equipment 14 increases. This current value is acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222. When the determination unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (YES in S1), the processing content change unit 224A lowers the set value of the maximum acceleration of the pallet 12 when the drive device 15 moves the pallet 12, which is stored in the second storage unit 212 (S2). Note that, in the processing of step S2, the processing content change unit 224A may lower the set value of the maximum speed of the pallet 12, or may lower the set values ​​of the maximum acceleration and the maximum speed of the pallet 12. That is, in the processing of step S2, the processing content change unit 224A lowers at least one of the set values ​​of the maximum acceleration and the maximum speed of the pallet 12.

[0043] When executing the movement operation of the pallet 12 after the set value of the maximum acceleration stored in the second storage unit 212 has been reduced, the operation processing unit 221A generates an instruction to move the pallet 12 based on the newly set (i.e., updated) set value of the maximum acceleration and / or the set value of the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212. Then, the control device 16 controls the drive device 15 based on the instruction generated by the operation processing unit 221A to move the pallet 12.

[0044] By executing the above-described series of processes, even if the current value becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold, it is possible to move the pallet 12 with less power than if the operation of the pallet 12 is not changed. Here, the amount of power consumed by the facilities and devices of the parking lot 10 when the operation processing unit 221A determines the operation to move the pallet 12 using the changed information in the second storage unit 212 will be described.

[0045] 3B is a graph illustrating the change over time in the amount of energy used E2-2 measured by the meter 17 and the change over time in the amount of energy consumed by the entire parking lot 10, E3-2. The amount of energy used E2-2 in FIG. 3B illustrates the value when a relatively large number of electric vehicles are charging in the parking lot 10 (for example, when six electric vehicles are being charged). FIG. 3B also illustrates the maximum energy demand E0 of the parking lot 10 and the first threshold value E1 stored in the threshold storage unit 211. The amount of energy E3-2 is approximately equal to the sum of the amount of energy used by charging E2-2 and the amount of energy used by the drive unit 15.

[0046] At time t0, the operation processing unit 221A issues an instruction to move the pallet 12, and the driving unit 15 starts moving the pallet 12 under the control of the control unit 16. As the movement of the pallet 12 starts and the acceleration of the movement increases, the amount of power consumed increases (times t0 to t6). When the acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 reaches the changed maximum acceleration stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t6), this maximum acceleration is maintained for a predetermined period, and the change in the amount of power consumed during that period remains constant (times t6 to t7).

[0047] The maximum acceleration after the change is lower than the maximum acceleration before the change, and therefore the increase in the amount of power between times t0 and t6 is smaller than the increase in the amount of power between times t0 and t1 described above.

[0048] Thereafter, when the moving speed of the pallet 12 approaches the maximum speed stored in the second storage unit 212 (time t7), the acceleration of the movement slows down and the amount of power consumed decreases (times t7 to t8). When the moving speed of the pallet 12 reaches the maximum speed and the acceleration becomes 0 (time t8), constant speed operation is performed for a predetermined time, during which the change in the amount of power consumed remains constant (times t8 to t9).

[0049] Thereafter, when the position of the pallet 12 approaches the destination position (time t9), the moving speed of the pallet 12 decreases, and the amount of power consumed decreases (times t9 to t10). When the pallet 12 reaches the destination position and the moving speed of the pallet 12 becomes 0, that is, when the pallet 12 stops (time t10), the amount of power used E3-2 becomes approximately equal to the amount of power used E2-2 due to charging.

[0050] In this way, the maximum acceleration setting is lowered when there are many electric vehicles being charged in the parking lot 10. This allows various processes to be executed without the amount of power used E3-2 for the entire parking lot 10 exceeding the maximum amount of power demand E0, even if the pallets 12 move.

[0051] Thereafter, the determination unit 223 monitors the information on the current value sequentially acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222, and determines whether the acquired current value is equal to or less than the second threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211 (S3). At this time, the second storage unit 212 stores the maximum acceleration and / or maximum speed reduced from the normal set value by the process of step S2.

[0052] When the number of charging vehicles in the parking lot 10 decreases and the judgment unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 has become less than the second threshold value ('YES' in S3), the processing content change unit 224A changes the setting value of the maximum acceleration and / or maximum speed stored in the second memory unit 212 to return it to the original setting value (normal setting value) (S4), and the processing of this embodiment returns to step S1.

[0053] According to the first embodiment described above, when the power consumption of the charging equipment 14 is large, the management device 20A reduces the maximum acceleration and / or maximum speed during movement of the pallet 12, thereby reducing the amount of power consumption. This makes it possible to suppress the maximum power demand of the parking lot 10. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently charge the electric vehicles and operate the equipment in the parking lot 10 without increasing the contracted power amount.

[0054] The set value to be reduced when reducing the amount of power used to move the pallet 12 may be the set value of the maximum speed of the pallet 12 instead of the maximum acceleration of the movement of the pallet 12 .

[0055] Furthermore, if it is possible to charge each pallet at a different current value, a limit value for the maximum amount of power used to move one pallet 12 can be set in advance, and when reducing the amount of power used to move a pallet 12, this limit value can be lowered to reduce the amount of power used for each of multiple pallets 12 being moved simultaneously.

[0056] Furthermore, if it is predicted that the time elapsed until time t10 at which the pallet 12 stops will be excessively long (for example, if it is clear that it will take five minutes or more for the vehicle to leave the depot), a time limit may be set. The management device 20A monitors the elapsed time, and when the elapsed time exceeds the time limit, the management device 20A may stop further reduction in the amount of power involved in the movement of the pallet 12 and reduce the amount of power charged to the electric vehicle.

[0057] 4A and 4B show the amount of power used to move pallets 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 during movement. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, if the amount of power used to move pallets 12-2 and 12-3 exceeds limit E4 due to a reduction in limit E4, the operation of moving these two pallets is changed so that the excess amount of power indicated by the diagonal lines is reduced. Specifically, the acceleration or speed of the movement of pallets 12-2 and 12-3 is reduced.

[0058] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4B, the amount of power used by each of the moving pallets 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 may be reduced by a fixed percentage, for example, 20% as indicated by the diagonal lines. By performing this process, the amount of power used by the multiple pallets can be reduced fairly.

[0059] If the parking lot under management is a puzzle-type parking lot, when the charging equipment uses a large amount of power, the amount of power used to move the pallets may be reduced by reducing the number of pallets that can be moved simultaneously within the parking lot, which is a preset number.

[0060] As long as the amount of energy used E3-2 does not exceed the maximum energy demand E0, the number of pallets to be reduced may be adjusted to shorten the time from when a user calls a vehicle until the vehicle becomes available for use. For example, if the number of pallets that can be moved simultaneously under normal conditions is, for example, 30 pallets, the preset number of pallets that can be moved simultaneously is reduced to 10 pallets. In this case, if the time from when a user calls a vehicle until the vehicle arrives and becomes available for use is expected to exceed a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes), the number of pallets that can be moved simultaneously is reduced to, for example, 20 pallets (the number of pallets to be reduced in this case is 10) so that the time until the vehicle becomes available for use falls within the predetermined time (for example, within 5 minutes). Furthermore, the amount of current required to charge the electric vehicle may also be reduced at the same time.

[0061] Second Embodiment Configuration of Management System The configuration of a management system 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the parking lot management system 1A in Fig. 1 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, detailed descriptions of parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0062] In this embodiment, when the determination unit 223 determines that the current value information acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processing content change unit 224B in the CPU 22B of the management device (parking lot management device) 20B changes the processing mode of the operation processing unit 221B from the normal mode to the charge adjustment mode. The charge adjustment mode is a processing mode that performs processing to reduce the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14 before the pallet 12 starts moving.

[0063] <Operation of the Management System> In this embodiment, the process executed by the user when the user parks the electric vehicle in the parking lot 10 and the process executed in the parking lot 10 in response to instructions from the management device 20B are the same as the process described in the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed description of these processes will be omitted.

[0064] The charging process of this embodiment for an electric vehicle parked in the parking lot 10 is similar to the charging process of the first embodiment. That is, the charging process is executed by the charging equipment 14. The charging process executed by the charging equipment 14 is controlled by the management device 18. The control of the management device 18 over the charging equipment 14 is based on instructions from the operation processing unit 221B of the management device 20B.

[0065] 5 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by management device 20B during the execution of a charging process by charging equipment 14. Current value acquisition unit 222 of management device 20B acquires current value information sequentially transmitted from management device 18. Determination unit 223 monitors the current value information sequentially acquired by current value acquisition unit 222, and determines whether the current value has become equal to or greater than the first threshold value stored in first storage unit 211 (S11).

[0066] While the determination unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is less than the first threshold value ("NO" in S11), it can be determined that the charging equipment 14 is in a low-load state (normal state). During this period, the operation processing unit 221B executes processing to operate the drive device 15 and the charging equipment 14 in the normal mode. That is, the operation processing unit 221B operates the drive device 15 and the charging equipment 14 using information previously stored in the second storage unit 212.

[0067] As the number of electric vehicles being charged in the parking lot 10 increases, the current value of the power used (consumed) by the charging equipment 14 increases. This current value is acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222. When the determination unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (YES in S11), the processing content change unit 224B changes the processing mode of the operation processing unit 221B from the normal mode to the charge adjustment mode (S12).

[0068] After the processing mode is changed to the charge adjustment mode, when a movement process of the pallet 12 occurs ("YES" in S13), the operation processing unit 221B changes the operation of the charging equipment 14 to reduce the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14 before the start of movement of the pallet 12 (S14). To reduce the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14, the operation processing unit 221B reduces the number of electric vehicles to be charged, for example, by stopping the charging process for some of the electric vehicles. Alternatively, to reduce the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14, the operation processing unit 221B may reduce the charging speed (i.e., the amount of power supplied per unit time) for the vehicles being charged.

[0069] Furthermore, among multiple vehicles that have entered the parking lot and have scheduled departure times, vehicles with relatively early scheduled departure times may continue charging, while vehicles with relatively late scheduled departure times may be given priority in reducing or stopping the amount of power supply. This reduces the chance of a vehicle not being charged at the desired time to leave the parking lot.

[0070] The charging and the amount of power supply may be controlled based on the battery capacity of the electric vehicle. For example, charging may be continued for vehicles with large battery capacities, and the amount of power supply may be reduced or stopped preferentially for vehicles with small battery capacities.

[0071] The amount of power used in the process of moving the pallets 12 can be known in advance based on past performance. When reducing the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14, the operation processing unit 221B determines the number of vehicles for which the charging process should be stopped based on this past performance.

[0072] If the start of charging of an electric vehicle at the time of entry predicts that the current value will exceed the first threshold value stored in the first storage unit 211, charging of the newly entered vehicle may not be performed until the sum of the charging current amount for the newly entered electric vehicle and the charging current amount for vehicles already being charged falls below the first threshold value. Furthermore, if multiple newly entered vehicles are added to the calculation of the sum of the current values, the vehicles that entered first may be included. By controlling the target and start of charging in this manner, it is possible to prevent the first threshold value from being significantly exceeded by starting charging of the entered vehicles sequentially. Furthermore, charging of later-entered vehicles may be started after charging of the vehicles already being charged has been completed.

[0073] In this way, the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14 is reduced immediately before the process of moving the pallet 12. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of power used by the entire parking lot 10 from exceeding the maximum amount of power demand, even when the process of moving the pallet 12 is performed.

[0074] Thereafter, when the pallet movement process is completed (YES in S15), the operation processing unit 221B returns the operation of the charging equipment changed in step S14 to the original operation (S16). To return the operation of the charging equipment 14 to the original operation, the operation processing unit 221B, for example, restarts charging of the electric vehicle whose charging has been stopped, or returns the charging speed to the original speed.

[0075] When the number of charging vehicles in the parking lot 10 decreases and the judgment unit 223 determines that the current value acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 has fallen below the second threshold value ('YES' in S17), the processing content change unit 224B changes the processing mode in the operation processing unit 221B back from the charging adjustment mode to the normal mode (S18), and the processing of this embodiment returns to step S11.

[0076] In step S17, while the determination unit 223 determines that the current value of the power used by the charging equipment 14 is not equal to or less than the second threshold, ie, a low load state (normal state) (“NO” in S17), it can be determined that the charging equipment 14 is in a low load state. Therefore, in this case, the processes of steps S13 to S16 are repeated.

[0077] According to the second embodiment described above, if a pallet movement process occurs when the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14 in the parking lot 10 is large, the management device 20B reduces the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14. This makes it possible to suppress the maximum power demand of the parking lot 10. Furthermore, it is possible to efficiently charge electric vehicles and operate devices in the parking lot 10 without increasing the contracted amount of power.

[0078] In addition, a parking lot management device may be configured to switch between the processing described in the first embodiment and the processing described in the second embodiment when the current value information acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, depending on the day of the week, time of day, or season.

[0079] For example, when there is a large amount of operation of the drive unit 15 by the parking lot control unit 16, such as during the morning commute, the management device 20A (20B) may reduce the amount of electricity used by the charging equipment 14 as described in the second embodiment, and during other times it may reduce the amount of electricity used to move the pallet 12 as described in the first embodiment.

[0080] For example, when the number of vehicles entering the parking lot 10 is high, such as during nighttime hours, the management device 20A (20B) may reduce the amount of electricity used to move the pallet 12 so as to ensure as much electricity as possible is used by the charging equipment 14.

[0081] For example, the management device 20A (20B) may reduce the amount of electricity used to move the pallet 12 on days or seasons when the number of vehicles entering the warehouse is high, so as to ensure as much electricity as possible is used by the charging equipment 14.

[0082] For example, when the number of vehicles entering parking lot 10 exceeds a predetermined value, regardless of the day of the week, time of day, or season, management device 20A (20B) may reduce the amount of electricity used to move pallet 12 so as to ensure as much electricity as possible is used by charging equipment 14.

[0083] For example, the management device 20A (20B) may identify days, times, or seasons when there is a lot of entry and exit activity based on the past usage of the parking lot 10, and reduce the amount of electricity used to move the pallet 12 on these identified days, times, or seasons so as to ensure as much electricity as possible is used by the charging equipment 14.

[0084] In other words, when the current value information acquired by the current value acquisition unit 222 becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the management device 20A (20B) (processing content change unit 224A (224B)) may switch between changing the operation content of the drive device 15 and changing the processing content (processing mode) of the operation processing unit 221A (221B) depending on a predetermined situation. By performing these processes described above, the amount of power used in the parking lot 10 can be further reduced efficiently.

[0085] In addition, when the management device 20A (20B) receives a request from an electric power company or the like to reduce the maximum demand power regarding the amount of power used in the parking lot 10, it may reduce both the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14 and the amount of power used to move the pallet 12.

[0086] Similarly, on days or time periods when the amount of electricity consumed by the entire building B in which the parking lot 10 is installed increases above a predetermined value, the parking lot management device may reduce both the amount of electricity used by the charging equipment 14 and the amount of electricity used to move the pallet 12.

[0087] Furthermore, when changing the processing content of the charging equipment 14, the processing content change unit 224B of the management device 20B may be configured to change the processing content of the charging equipment 14 corresponding to a predetermined portion of the multiple pallets 12, or to pallets 12 other than the predetermined portion of the pallets 12. For example, if the managed parking lot 10 shares a parking lot for company cars and a parking lot for customers, in order to give priority to charging customer vehicles, when the amount of power used by the charging equipment 14 is reduced before the movement of the pallets 12 begins in step S14, the amount of power may be reduced only for the charging equipment 14 corresponding to the pallets 12 for company cars, or the amount of power may be reduced only for the charging equipment 14 other than the charging equipment 14 corresponding to the pallets 12 for customer vehicles.

[0088] By performing the processing in this manner, the amount of electricity used in the parking lot 10 can be significantly reduced as needed.

[0089] In the first and second embodiments described above, a management device for managing a parking lot (mechanical parking lot) equipped with charging facilities has been described as one form of an item storage facility management device. However, embodiments of the item storage facility management device are not limited to these. An item storage facility management device that manages a storage facility having power supply equipment that supplies power to stored items other than vehicles may also be configured with functions similar to those of the above-described mechanical parking facility management device. For example, the item storage facility may be a drone port, the stored items may be drone batteries, and the power supply equipment may be equipment that supplies power to the stored drone batteries, and the item storage facility management device may be a management device that manages these. Other examples of items that the item storage facility may store and supply power to include electronic devices such as portable power supplies, or equipment such as refrigerators that operate on electrical energy.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments can be modified or varied based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0091] For example, when a delay time (described later) is predicted to exceed the time limit, the processing content change unit may change the processing content of the power supply equipment to reduce the number of items to be powered by the power supply equipment. If the operation content of the carriage operating mechanism is changed to lower at least one of the set values ​​of the maximum acceleration and the maximum speed when the carriage operating mechanism moves a carriage, or to reduce the set value of the number of carriages that can be moved simultaneously, the elapsed time from when the carriage operating mechanism receives a command to move a carriage to when it completes the movement of the carriage will be longer than the time before the operation content is changed. This extended time is the delay time described above, and corresponds to, for example, the difference between time t10 and time t5 in comparison with Figures 3A and 3B. In other words, the delay time is the difference in the elapsed time until the movement of the carriage is completed before and after the change of the operation content (in other words, the difference in the execution time of the operation content before and after the change).

[0092] For example, the management device (e.g., the determination unit 223) predicts whether the delay time will exceed a predetermined time limit (e.g., five minutes). When the management device predicts that the delay time will exceed the predetermined time limit, the processing content change unit changes the processing content of the power supply equipment to reduce the number of items supplied with power by the power supply equipment. Furthermore, the processing content change unit may re-change the movement content so that the delay time does not exceed the predetermined time limit.

[0093] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B Management system (parking lot management system) 10 Parking lot (mechanical parking lot) 11a, 11a-1 to 11a-6 Contacts 12, 12-1 to 12-6 Pallets 13, 13-1 to 13-6 Chargers 13a, 13a-1 to 13a-6 Power plugs 14, 14-1 to 14-6 Charging equipment 15 Drive device 16 Control device (parking lot control device) 17 Measuring instrument 18 Management device (charging equipment management device) 19 Operation panel 20A, 20B Management device (mechanical parking lot management device) 21 Memory unit 211 First memory unit (threshold value memory unit) 212 Second memory unit (set value memory unit) 22A, 22B CPU 221A, 221B Operation processing unit 222 Current value acquisition unit 223 Determination unit 224A, 224B Processing content change section

Claims

DEPCT681. A management unit, which is a unit for managing storage equipment, consisting of an electrical current receiving unit, receives information on the electrical current of the power used to process the power supply to the items stored in the storage equipment by a power supply installed in the storage equipment. The processing unit makes decisions about the processing content of the power supply and the operation content of the carrier processing mechanism, causing the carrier carrying the items in the storage equipment to move. The processing unit changes the processing content when the electrical current information received by the electrical current receiving unit is not less than the first preset threshold value. It then changes the operation content of the carrier processing mechanism as determined by the processing unit or the processing content of the power supply.2.The management unit specified in Claim 1, where the unit changes the processing content, when the information of the electrical current value received by the unit receiving such current value is not less than the preset first threshold, changes the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism or the processing content of the power supply unit so that the sum of the amount of electrical energy consumed by the power supply unit and the amount of electrical energy consumed by the carrier processing mechanism does not exceed the specified value 3.The processing unit specified in claim 1 or 2, in which such processing unit modifies the processing content of such carrier processing mechanism by reducing at least one side of the maximum acceleration setting and the maximum speed setting while such carrier processing mechanism causes such carrier to move, or modifies the processing content of such carrier processing mechanism by reducing the setting of the number of carriers moved at the same time, or modifies the processing content of such power supply by reducing the number of items powered by such power supply. 4.The processing unit specified in Claim 1 or 2, where the unit changes the processing content, changes the supporting content when the information of the electrical current value received by the unit receiving the electrical current value is not less than the first preset threshold value, is a change in the processing content of the power supply unit with a change in the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism with the day of the week, time period or season, the number of items stored in the storage unit or the past condition of use of the storage unit.5.The management unit specified in claim 1 or 2, where the unit changes the processing content, changes the support content while the information of the current value received by the unit receiving the current value is not less than the first preset threshold, is a change in the processing content of the power supply unit with a change in the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism with the scheduled storage of the item, the battery capacity of the item entering the storage unit or the order of the item entering the storage unit. 6.The processing unit specified in claim 3, where the unit modifies the processing content, alters the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism, reducing at least one side of the maximum acceleration setting and the maximum speed setting while the carrier processing mechanism causes the carrier to move, or resulting from a change in the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism, reduces the setting of the number of carriers that can move at the same time, when it is assumed that the delay time which is the difference in the execution time of the operating content before and after the change exceeds the specified time limit, modifies the processing content of the power supply device, reducing the number of items powered by the power supply device 7.

8. The handling unit specified in claim 1 or 2, in which multiple such carriers are installed in such storage device, such processing unit modifies the processing content of the power supply supporting the carriers of a pre-configured part or carriers other than the pre-configured part in such multiple carriers while modifying the processing content of such power supply.

9. The handling unit specified in claim 1, in which the such processing unit modifies the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism and the processing content of such power supply, when a requirement is met to reduce the maximum electrical power demand on the amount of electrical power used by such storage device or during a period or day of the week when the total amount of electrical power consumed by the building in which such storage device is installed exceeds a specified value.

10. A handling unit specified in Claim 1 where the storage unit is a mechanical parking device, the items stored in the storage unit are electric vehicles, and the power supply is a charger that charges the electric vehicles; 11. A handling unit specified in Claim 1 where the storage unit is a drone airport, the items stored in the storage unit are drone batteries, and the power supply is a charger that charges the drone batteries; 12. A handling method where the handling method of the storage unit receives information on the current value of the electrical energy used by processing the power supply to the items stored in the storage unit by the power supply installed in the storage unit, when the information on the current value received is not less than the first preset threshold, changes the operating content of the carrier processing mechanism causing the carrier carrying the items in the storage unit to move or the processing content of the power supply;

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