Article storage facility

Abstract

In the present invention, a mechanical parking device (1) comprises: a charging device (14) that can charge electric vehicles (X); and a control device (6) that uses the charging equipment (14) to charge the electric vehicles (X). The control device (6) is configured to set a charging schedule including a charging time and a charging order for the electric vehicles (X) when the electric vehicles (X) enter a facility, and to reset and reorganize the charging schedule at a prescribed time.

Description

Goods storage facility

[0001] The present invention relates to an item storage facility, and more particularly to an item storage facility equipped with a charging facility.

[0002] An example of an item storage facility equipped with a charging facility is a mechanical parking system. In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) powered by electric motors that use electricity as an energy source have become increasingly popular. Hybrid vehicles (HVs) that use both electric motors and internal combustion engines as power sources have also become increasingly popular. Hereinafter, the term "electric vehicle" refers to both electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HVs).

[0003] Current electric vehicles generally have a secondary battery (storage battery) that can be charged from an external power source, and are driven by an electric motor supplied with electricity from the secondary battery. As electric vehicles become more popular, multiple electric vehicles will be parked in a mechanical parking system.

[0004] Patent Literature 1 discloses a mechanical parking device that includes at least one charging parking section capable of charging electric vehicles, and at least one more charging pallet than the number of charging parking sections. In this mechanical parking device, the charging pallets stored in each charging parking section are swapped at appropriate times to charge the electric vehicles.

[0005] Hereinafter, the act of charging multiple electric vehicles housed in a mechanical parking device while rotating them will be referred to as "rotational charging."

[0006] Patent No. 5156583

[0007] In conventional mechanical parking systems, in order to selectively charge multiple electric vehicles, each user must set whether or not to charge the electric vehicle when the electric vehicle enters the parking space. In mechanical parking systems, charging is performed in rotation based on the charging settings made by each user.

[0008] In this case, if a user wants to charge a second time after the first charge has been completed for a predetermined period of time using rotational charging, the user must set up charging again. However, because rotational charging involves alternating between multiple electric vehicles during charging, it is unclear when the first charge will be completed. For this reason, the user is unable to determine when they should set up charging again.

[0009] This type of problem can occur not only in mechanical parking devices that charge electric vehicles, but also in storage facilities equipped with charging equipment that can rotate to charge items that require charging, such as storage batteries, small mobility devices, electric kick scooters, drones, and flying cars.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and aims to provide an item storage facility that can reduce the effort required to set up recharging.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, an item storage facility is provided, comprising a charging facility capable of charging stored items, and a control device that charges the stored items using the charging facility, wherein the control device is configured to set a charging schedule including the charging time and charging order for the stored items when the stored items are stored, and to reset and reorganize the charging schedule at a predetermined time.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an item storage facility that can reduce the effort required for setting up recharging.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an item storage shed (mechanical parking device) according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a control device according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control device according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a charging shelf table according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage shelf table according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a pallet table according to this embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a management table according to this embodiment. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a management table according to this embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an entry order list according to this embodiment. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of an entry order list according to this embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a charging list according to this embodiment. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a charging list according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of an entry procedure according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of an exit procedure according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a charging schedule in the absence of a reset operation according to this embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a charging schedule in the absence of a reset operation according to this embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a charging schedule in the presence of a reset operation according to this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a first example of a charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing an example of a charging list before the reset operation in the first example of the charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of a charging list after the reset operation in the first example of the charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a second example of a charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a third example of a charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a fifth example of a charging schedule when a reset operation according to the present embodiment is performed.

[0014] The following describes an item storage facility according to this embodiment with reference to the drawings. The same or similar reference numerals are used to designate the same functions and configurations, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In this embodiment, a mechanical parking system will be described as an example of an item storage facility. In this case, the stored items stored in the item storage facility and charged in rotation are electric vehicles.

[0015] (Configuration of Mechanical Parking Device) First, the configuration of a mechanical parking device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the mechanical parking device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the mechanical parking device 1 is capable of accommodating multiple electric vehicles X. The mechanical parking device 1 includes charging shelves 2a-2c, storage shelves 3a-3n, pallets 4a-4q, temporary storage shelves 5a-5c, a control device 6, an elevating device 7, a lift 8, a swivel device 9, a building 11, a boarding / deboarding room 12, a pit 13, charging devices 14a-14c, a distribution board 15, and a power source 16.

[0016] The charging shelves 2a to 2c, the storage shelves 3a to 3n, the pallets 4a to 4q, the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c, and the control device 6 are arranged inside a building 11. The control device 6 may also be arranged outside the building 11.

[0017] Each of the charging shelves 2a to 2c is a shelf where the electric vehicle X is charged. The charging shelves 2a to 2c are assigned shelf IDs 201 to 203, respectively (see FIG. 4). The number of charging shelves is not limited to three, and may be two or less, or four or more. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the charging shelves 2a to 2c, they will be simply referred to as "charging shelves 2."

[0018] Each of the storage shelves 3a to 3n is a shelf where the electric vehicle X is not charged. The storage shelves 3a to 3n are assigned shelf IDs 301 to 314, respectively (see FIG. 5). The number of storage shelves is not limited to 14, and may be 13 or less, or 15 or more. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the storage shelves 3a to 3n in the description, they will be simply referred to as "storage shelves 3."

[0019] An electric vehicle X can be placed on each of the pallets 4a to 4q. Pallet IDs 401 to 417 are assigned to the pallets 4a to 4q, respectively (see FIG. 6). The number of pallets is not limited to 17, and may be 16 or less, or 18 or more. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the pallets 4a to 4q, they will be simply referred to as "pallets 4."

[0020] Each of the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c is a shelf for temporarily storing (temporarily storing) unused pallets 4. The temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c are assigned a shelf ID (not shown) that is different from each other and different from the shelf IDs 201 to 203 of the charging shelves 2a to 2c and the shelf IDs 301 to 314 of the storage shelves 3a to 3n. The number of temporary storage shelves is not limited to three, and may be two or less, or four or more, depending on the number of charging shelves. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c, they will be simply referred to as "temporary storage shelves 5."

[0021] The control device 6 charges the electric vehicles X in order while switching the electric vehicles X between the charging shelf 2 and the storage shelf 3.

[0022] The mechanical parking device 1 is, for example, an elevator-type parking device. The lifting device 7, lift 8, swivel device 9, boarding / deboarding compartment 12, and pit 13 are arranged inside a building 11. The lifting device 7 is arranged on the ceiling of the building 11 and connected to the lift 8 by a wire rope (not shown) or the like. The lift 8 is suspended from the ceiling of the building 11 by a wire rope or the like and is configured to be able to rise and fall by the lifting device 7.

[0023] The lifting device 7, the lift 8, and the turning device 9 are included in a pallet transport mechanism, which will be described later.

[0024] The boarding / deboarding room 12 is arranged in the lower part of the building 11, and forms a space for the electric vehicle X to enter and exit the building 11. An entrance door (not shown) is arranged at the front of the building 11. The electric vehicle X enters the boarding / deboarding room 12 through the entrance door. The pit 13 is formed underground below the boarding / deboarding room 12. A turning device 9 is installed in the pit 13. The turning device 9 changes the orientation of the pallet 4 within the boarding / deboarding room 12. The turning device 9 may be configured integrally with the lift 8.

[0025] The mechanical parking device 1 is not limited to a device that controls charging by switching pallets (rotating charging), but may also control charging by switching charging points (rotating charging), or may not use pallets. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the elevator-type mechanical parking device 1, but may be applied to various types of mechanical parking devices, such as tower-type mechanical parking devices, comb elevator-type mechanical parking devices, vertical circulation-type mechanical parking devices, multi-level circulation-type mechanical parking devices, level shuttle-type mechanical parking devices, multi-level mechanical parking devices, and underground mechanical parking devices.

[0026] In this embodiment, the term "electric vehicle X" includes both an electric vehicle (EV) powered by an electric motor that uses electricity as its energy source, and a hybrid vehicle (HV) that has an internal combustion engine (engine) as a power source in addition to an electric motor. Also, in this embodiment, the term "vehicle" includes both the electric vehicle X and a general vehicle that is powered by petroleum fuel such as gasoline.

[0027] 1 shows a state in which all vehicles accommodated in the mechanical parking device 1 are electric vehicles X for the sake of convenience of explanation, but the mechanical parking device 1 can also accommodate general vehicles other than electric vehicles X. The mechanical parking device 1 may also be a type of mechanical parking device that categorizes vehicles into three groups based on vehicle height: passenger cars, mid-roof vehicles, and high-roof vehicles. In this case, the storage shelves 3, rotating charging, etc. are controlled according to vehicle height.

[0028] 1 , in the present embodiment, the charging shelves 2a to 2c, the storage shelves 3a to 3n, and the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c are arranged in two left-right rows within the building 11. In the first row, the charging shelves 2a to 2c and the storage shelves 3a to 3f are arranged along the height direction of the building 11. In the second row, the storage shelves 3g to 3n and the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c are arranged along the height direction of the building 11. Note that the charging shelves 2a to 2c, the storage shelves 3a to 3n, and the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c are not limited to being arranged in two left-right rows within the building 11, and can be arranged in any manner.

[0029] The charging shelves 2a to 2c are arranged in order along the height direction of the building 11, starting from the lowest shelf in the first row that is closest to the boarding / deboarding compartment 12. Charging devices 14a to 14c that charge the electric vehicle X are arranged on the charging shelves 2a to 2c, respectively. The charging devices 14a to 14c are connected to a power source 16 via a distribution board 15. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the charging devices 14a to 14c, they will be simply referred to as "charging device 14." The charging devices 14a to 14c, the distribution board 15, and the power source 16 are also collectively referred to as charging equipment.

[0030] Storage shelves 3a to 3f are arranged in order above charging shelf 2c in the first row along the height direction of building 11. Storage shelves 3g to 3n are arranged in order along the height direction of building 11 in the second row, starting from the lowest shelf closest to boarding / deboarding compartment 12.

[0031] The pallets 4a to 4q are plate members on which vehicles are placed. Each of the pallets 4a to 4q is configured to be movable between the charging shelf 2, the storage shelf 3, the temporary storage shelf 5, and the boarding / deboarding compartment 12 by a pallet transport mechanism.

[0032] The vehicle is placed on the pallet 4 and stored together with the pallet 4 on the charging shelf 2 or the storage shelf 3. A power supply terminal (not shown) capable of charging the electric vehicle X is arranged on the pallet 4. When the electric vehicle X is placed on the pallet 4, it is connected to the power supply terminal manually or automatically.

[0033] For example, the power supply terminal is disposed on either the left or right side of the pallet 4. When the pallet 4 is stored on the charging shelf 2, the orientation of the pallet 4 is adjusted by the turning device 9 so that the power supply terminal can be connected to the charging device 14 disposed on the charging shelf 2. Note that the power supply terminal does not need to be disposed on all of the pallets 4a to 4q, and may be disposed on only some of the pallets 4a to 4q, taking into consideration the amount of use of the electric vehicle X.

[0034] No vehicles are stored on the temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c. The temporary storage shelves 5a to 5c are arranged in order in the second row along the height direction of the building 11 above the storage shelf 3n.

[0035] The temporary storage shelves 5 are used during rotational charging, and therefore the number of temporary storage shelves 5 is set to be the same as the number of charging shelves 2. In this embodiment, since the number of charging shelves 2 is three, the number of temporary storage shelves 5 is also set to three.

[0036] The control device 6 controls the entry and exit of vehicles. The control device 6 controls the replacement operation of pallets 4 during rotational charging. The control device 6 controls the amount of power supplied to the electric vehicles X and the charging time via the distribution board 15.

[0037] For example, when charging of an electric vehicle X stored on the charging shelf 2 is completed, the control device 6 transports the fully charged electric vehicle X together with the pallet 4 to a predetermined storage shelf 3. At this time, if another pallet 4 is present on the predetermined storage shelf 3, the other pallet 4 will interfere with the transportation of the pallet 4 on which the fully charged electric vehicle X is placed. For this reason, before transporting the pallet 4 on which the fully charged electric vehicle X is placed, the other pallet 4 is transported to the temporary storage shelf 5 in advance, leaving the predetermined storage shelf 3 empty. In this way, the control device 6 controls rotational charging using the charging shelf 2, storage shelf 3, and temporary storage shelf 5.

[0038] (Functional Configuration of Control Device) Next, a functional configuration of the control device 6 will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 6 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 6 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 25, a reception unit 27, a determination unit 29, an operation control unit 31, a management unit 33, a power control unit 35, a scheduling unit 37, and a reset unit 39.

[0039] The functions of the control device 6 can be classified into an operation reception module, a control module, and a scheduling module. The operation reception module is composed of a reception unit 27. The control module is composed of a determination unit 29, an operation control unit 31, a management unit 33, and a power control unit 35. The scheduling module is composed of a scheduling unit 37 and a reset unit 39.

[0040] The control unit 21 controls the overall processing in the control device 6. Specifically, the control unit 21 controls the operation of each of the communication unit 23, the storage unit 25, the reception unit 27, the determination unit 29, the operation control unit 31, the management unit 33, the power control unit 35, the scheduling unit 37, and the reset unit 39.

[0041] The communication unit 23 transmits and receives signals to and from an operation panel (not shown) provided in the mechanical parking device 1. The communication unit 23 transmits and receives signals to and from a door opening / closing mechanism (not shown) that opens and closes the entrance / exit door. The communication unit 23 transmits and receives signals to and from a pallet transport mechanism (not shown). The communication unit 23 transmits and receives signals to and from the distribution board 15. Note that the communication unit 23 may transmit and receive signals to and from a user's terminal instead of the operation panel.

[0042] The memory unit 25 stores various types of information necessary for the operation of the control device 6. The memory unit 25 stores in advance a charging shelf table, a storage shelf table, a pallet table, and a management table. The management table is updated when a vehicle enters the parking lot, when a vehicle leaves the parking lot, when a vehicle moves from the charging shelf 2 to the storage shelf 3, and when a vehicle moves from the storage shelf 3 to the charging shelf 2. The management table is also referred to as management information of the mechanical parking device 1.

[0043] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the charging shelf table. As shown in Fig. 4, in the charging shelf table, the charging shelves 2a to 2c are linked to shelf IDs 201 to 203, which are identification information of the charging shelves 2a to 2c, respectively.

[0044] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a storage shelf table. As shown in Fig. 5, in the storage shelf table, the storage shelves 3a to 3n are linked to shelf IDs 301 to 314, which are identification information for the storage shelves 3a to 3n, respectively.

[0045] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a pallet table. As shown in Fig. 6, in the pallet table, pallets 4a to 4q are linked to pallet IDs 401 to 417, which are identification information for the pallets 4a to 4q, respectively.

[0046] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing examples of the management table. As shown in Fig. 7A and 7B, the management table associates, for each user, user information, charging necessity information, recharging necessity information, vacant vehicle information, pallet information, and storage information.

[0047] The user information includes a usage ID, which is the user's identification information. The usage ID is assigned to the user when signing a contract to use the mechanical parking device 1, and is registered in the management table.

[0048] In this embodiment, a vehicle of a user to whom a specific usage ID (e.g., usage ID 001) is assigned is referred to as a vehicle of a specific usage ID (e.g., a vehicle of usage ID 001).

[0049] The charging necessity information is set with information (e.g., 1-bit information) indicating whether or not the vehicle will be charged for a predetermined period of time while the vehicle is parked in the mechanical parking device 1. In this embodiment, if the vehicle is to be charged, the charging necessity information is set to "1," and if the vehicle is not to be charged, the charging necessity information is set to "0."

[0050] The recharging necessity information is set with information (e.g., 1-bit information) indicating whether or not the vehicle will be recharged after being charged for a predetermined time while the vehicle is parked in the mechanical parking device 1. In this embodiment, if the vehicle is to be recharged, the recharging necessity information is set to "1," and if the vehicle is not to be recharged, the recharging necessity information is set to "0."

[0051] The information on whether charging is necessary and whether recharging is necessary is registered in the management table when a contract for use of the mechanical parking device 1 is concluded. The information on whether charging is necessary and whether recharging is necessary can be changed when the vehicle is parked. The information on whether charging is necessary and whether recharging is necessary can also be changed at any time from a location away from the mechanical parking device 1 using a user's terminal or the like.

[0052] The vacant vehicle information is set with information (for example, 1-bit information) indicating whether or not a vehicle is parked in the mechanical parking device 1. Specifically, when a vehicle enters the parking lot, information indicating that the vehicle is present is set in the vacant vehicle information, and when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, information indicating that the vehicle is vacant is set in the vacant vehicle information. In this embodiment, when a vehicle enters the parking lot, the vacant vehicle information is set to "1," and when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, the vacant vehicle information is set to "0." When a usage contract for the mechanical parking device 1 is signed, the vacant vehicle information is set to "0."

[0053] The pallet information is set with identification information (pallet ID) of the pallet 4 on which the vehicle is placed while the vehicle is parked in the mechanical parking device 1. Specifically, when a vehicle enters the parking lot, the identification information (pallet ID) of the pallet 4 on which the vehicle is placed is set in the pallet information, and when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, information indicating that the vehicle is not placed on a pallet 4 is set in the pallet information. In this embodiment, "0" is set as information indicating that the vehicle is not placed on a pallet. When a usage contract for the mechanical parking device 1 is signed, the pallet information is set with "0".

[0054] The storage information is set with identification information (shelf ID) of the charging shelf 2 or storage shelf 3 on which the vehicle is stored while the vehicle is parked in the mechanical parking device 1. For example, when a vehicle enters the parking lot, the identification information (shelf ID) of the storage shelf 3 on which the vehicle is stored is set in the storage information, and when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, information indicating that the vehicle is not stored on the charging shelf 2 or storage shelf 3 is set in the storage information. In this embodiment, "0" is set as information indicating that the vehicle is not stored on the charging shelf 2 or storage shelf 3. When a usage contract for the mechanical parking device 1 is signed, the storage information is set with "0".

[0055] The storage information is updated when the vehicle is switched between the charging shelf 2 and the storage shelf 3 after the vehicle is parked.

[0056] In the example shown in Figures 7A and 7B, nine users are registered in the mechanical parking device 1, and at the time of contract, the nine users are assigned usage IDs 001 to 009. The management tables shown in Figures 7A and 7B correspond to the management tables for the 8 PM and 9 PM time slots in Figure 13, which will be described later.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 7A, the charging necessity information and recharging necessity information for each of usage IDs 001 to 009 are set to "1" and "1", respectively. The available vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 001 are set to "1", "pallet ID 402", and "shelf ID 201". The available vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 002 are set to "1", "pallet ID 407", and "shelf ID 203". The available vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 003 are set to "0", "0", and "0".

[0058] The vacant vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 004 are set to "1," "pallet ID 408," and "shelf ID 202." The vacant vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 005 are set to "1," "pallet ID 410," and "shelf ID 303." The vacant vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 006 are set to "1," "pallet ID 411," and "shelf ID 307."

[0059] The vacant vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 007 are set to "1," "pallet ID 409," and "shelf ID 314." The vacant vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage IDs 008 and 009 are set to "0," "0," and "0," respectively.

[0060] In the example shown in Figure 7B, the charging necessity information and recharging necessity information for each of usage IDs 001 to 009 are set to "1" and "1", respectively. The available vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 002 are set to "0", "0", and "0". The available vehicle information, pallet information, and storage location for usage ID 005 are set to "1", "pallet ID 410", and "203". The settings for usage IDs 001, 003, 004, and 006 to 009 have not changed from the settings in Figure 7A.

[0061] 7A and 7B, as shown in the 9 PM time slot in Fig. 13 described later, the vehicle with usage ID 002 leaves the mechanical parking device 1. As a result, the vehicle with usage ID 005 stored in storage shelf 3c is replaced with the vehicle with usage ID 002, and the vehicle with usage ID 005 is now stored in charging shelf 2c.

[0062] The storage unit 25 stores the receiving order list and the charging list set by the scheduling unit 37. Details of the receiving order list and the charging list will be described later. As will be described later, the charging list can be reset and reorganized by the reset unit 39.

[0063] When a vehicle is brought into storage, the reception unit 27 receives a storage instruction from the operation panel via the communication unit 23. The storage instruction includes a usage ID of the object to be stored that is assigned to the user who performed the input operation on the operation panel. When the reception unit 27 receives the storage instruction, it extracts the usage ID of the object to be stored from the storage instruction and transmits a storage destination determination instruction including the usage ID of the object to the determination unit 29.

[0064] When a vehicle is to be released from the depot, the reception unit 27 receives a release instruction from the operation panel via the communication unit 23. The release instruction includes the usage ID of the release target that is assigned to the user who performed the input operation on the operation panel. When the reception unit 27 receives the release instruction, it extracts the usage ID of the release target from the release instruction and transmits a release operation instruction including the usage ID of the release target to the operation control unit 31.

[0065] When a vehicle enters or leaves the shed, the reception unit 27 receives a door close instruction from the operation panel via the communication unit 23. The door close instruction includes a usage ID of the entry or exit target assigned to the user who performed the input operation on the operation panel. When the reception unit 27 receives a door close instruction, it extracts the usage ID of the entry or exit target from the door close instruction and transmits a door close operation instruction including the usage ID of the entry or exit target to the operation control unit 31.

[0066] The reception unit 27 may receive various instructions from a user's terminal instead of the operation panel. The reception unit 27 may also authenticate the user when receiving a storage instruction from the operation panel.

[0067] When receiving a storage instruction from the operation panel, the reception unit 27 can receive change information for at least one of the information on whether charging is required and the information on whether recharging is required. In this case, the reception unit 27 transmits the change information to the management unit 33.

[0068] The determination unit 29 determines the pallet 4 on which the vehicle to be stored is placed and the storage shelf 3 on which the vehicle to be stored is stored. After the vehicle is stored, when the vehicle is swapped between the charging shelf 2 and the storage shelf 3, the determination unit 29 determines the charging shelf 2 or the storage shelf 3 on which the vehicle to be swapped is stored.

[0069] Specifically, when the determination unit 29 receives a storage destination determination instruction from the reception unit 27, the determination unit 29 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 and selects one pallet ID from one or more pallet IDs that are not set in the pallet information in the management table. The determination unit 29 determines the pallet 4 linked to the selected pallet ID as the pallet 4 on which to place the vehicle to be stored.

[0070] The determination unit 29 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 and selects one shelf ID linked to a storage shelf 3 from one or more shelf IDs that are not set in the storage information in the management table. The determination unit 29 determines the storage shelf 3 linked to the selected shelf ID as the storage shelf 3 that will store the vehicle to be stored.

[0071] In addition, if the mechanical parking device 1 is a type of mechanical parking device that classifies and stores vehicles into three groups based on their height: passenger cars, mid-roof vehicles, and high-roof vehicles, the determination unit 29 determines the storage shelf 3 that is suitable for the height of the vehicle to be stored as the storage shelf 3 to store the vehicle to be stored.

[0072] Furthermore, if the mechanical parking device 1 is a mechanical parking device of the type in which a storage shelf 3 for storing a vehicle is assigned to each user, a storage shelf 3 for storing a vehicle is assigned to each user when a usage contract for the mechanical parking device 1 is concluded. In this case, the shelf ID of the storage shelf 3 assigned to each user is registered in the storage information of the management table. Therefore, the determination unit 29 extracts the usage ID of the storage target from the storage destination determination instruction and selects the shelf ID linked to the usage ID of the storage target in the management table. The determination unit 29 determines the storage shelf 3 linked to the selected shelf ID as the storage shelf 3 for storing the vehicle to be stored.

[0073] After determining the pallet 4 on which the vehicle to be stored is to be placed and the storage shelf 3 on which the vehicle to be stored is to be stored, the determination unit 29 extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored from the storage destination determination instruction, and transmits a storage operation instruction to the operation control unit 31. The storage operation instruction includes the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored, the pallet ID linked to the determined pallet 4, and the shelf ID linked to the determined storage shelf 3.

[0074] When the determination unit 29 receives a first pallet movement instruction (described later) from the scheduling unit 37, the determination unit 29 refers to the management table stored in the memory unit 25 and selects one shelf ID linked to the charging shelf 2 from one or more shelf IDs that are not set in the stored information in the management table, in order to move the vehicle that is to start charging from the storage shelf 3 to the charging shelf 2. The determination unit 29 determines the charging shelf 2 linked to the selected shelf ID as the charging shelf 2 that will store the vehicle that is to start charging.

[0075] When the determination unit 29 determines the charging shelf 2 that stores the vehicle to start charging, the determination unit 29 extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to start charging from the first pallet movement instruction, and transmits a first movement operation instruction to the operation control unit 31. The first movement operation instruction includes the usage ID of the vehicle to start charging and the shelf ID linked to the determined charging shelf 2.

[0076] When the determination unit 29 receives a second pallet movement instruction, which will be described later, from the scheduling unit 37, the determination unit 29 refers to the management table stored in the memory unit 25 and selects one shelf ID linked to a storage shelf 3 from one or more shelf IDs that are not set in the storage information of the management table, in order to move the vehicle to be charged to completion from the charging shelf 2 to the storage shelf 3. The determination unit 29 determines the storage shelf 3 linked to the selected shelf ID as the storage shelf 3 that will store the vehicle to be charged to completion.

[0077] When the determination unit 29 determines the storage shelf 3 that stores the vehicle to be charged, it extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged from the second pallet movement instruction, and transmits a second movement operation instruction to the operation control unit 31. The second movement operation instruction includes the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged and the shelf ID linked to the determined storage shelf 3.

[0078] The operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4. The operation control unit 31 controls the door opening / closing mechanism to open or close the entrance door.

[0079] Specifically, when the operation control unit 31 receives a warehousing operation instruction from the determination unit 29, it extracts a pallet ID from the warehousing operation instruction and identifies the pallet 4 linked to the extracted pallet ID by referring to the pallet table stored in the storage unit 25. The operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the identified pallet 4 into the boarding / deboarding room 12.

[0080] The operation control unit 31 moves the identified pallet 4 into the boarding / exiting room 12, and then controls the door opening / closing mechanism to open the entrance door. After opening the entrance door, when the operation control unit 31 receives a door close instruction from the reception unit 27, it extracts the usage ID from the door close instruction and also extracts the usage ID of the item to be stored from the storage operation instruction.

[0081] When the usage ID extracted from the door close instruction matches the usage ID of the entry target extracted from the storage operation instruction, the operation control unit 31 controls the door opening / closing mechanism to close the entrance door. After closing the entrance door, the operation control unit 31 extracts the shelf ID from the storage operation instruction and identifies the storage shelf 3 linked to the extracted shelf ID by referring to the storage shelf table stored in the memory unit 25. The operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 moved into the boarding / deboarding compartment 12 to the identified storage shelf 3.

[0082] When the operation control unit 31 moves the pallet 4 that has been moved into the boarding / deboarding room 12 to the identified storage shelf 3, it transmits storage information to the management unit 33. The storage information includes the usage ID, pallet ID, and shelf ID of the storage target extracted from the storage operation instruction.

[0083] When the operation control unit 31 receives a retrieval operation instruction from the reception unit 27, it extracts the usage ID of the retrieval target from the retrieval operation instruction and refers to the management table stored in the memory unit 25 to identify the pallet ID and shelf ID linked to the usage ID of the retrieval target. The operation control unit 31 refers to the pallet table to identify the pallet 4 linked to the identified pallet ID, and refers to the charging shelf table or the storage shelf table to identify the charging shelf 2 or storage shelf 3 linked to the identified shelf ID. The operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the identified pallet 4 from the identified charging shelf 2 or storage shelf 3 into the boarding / deboarding compartment 12.

[0084] The operation control unit 31 moves the identified pallet 4 into the boarding / exit room 12, and then controls the door opening / closing mechanism to open the entrance door. After opening the entrance door, when the operation control unit 31 receives a door close instruction from the reception unit 27, it extracts the usage ID from the door close instruction and also extracts the usage ID of the item to be removed from the removal operation instruction.

[0085] When the usage ID extracted from the door close instruction matches the usage ID of the retrieval target extracted from the retrieval operation instruction, the operation control unit 31 controls the door opening / closing mechanism to close the entrance / exit door. After closing the entrance / exit door, the operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 moved into the boarding / deboarding room 12 to an empty storage shelf 3 or temporary storage shelf 5.

[0086] When the operation control unit 31 moves the pallet 4 that has been moved into the boarding / de-boarding room 12 to an empty storage shelf 3 or temporary storage shelf 5, it transmits delivery information to the management unit 33. The delivery information includes the usage ID of the delivery target extracted from the delivery operation instruction.

[0087] When the operation control unit 31 receives the first movement operation instruction from the determination unit 29, it extracts the usage ID of the charging start target from the first movement operation instruction, and identifies the pallet ID and shelf ID linked to the usage ID of the charging start target by referring to the management table stored in the storage unit 25. The operation control unit 31 identifies the pallet 4 linked to the identified pallet ID by referring to the pallet table, and identifies the storage shelf 3 linked to the identified shelf ID by referring to the storage shelf table.

[0088] The operation control unit 31 extracts the shelf ID from the first movement operation instruction, and identifies the charging shelf 2 linked to the extracted shelf ID by referring to the charging shelf table stored in the memory unit 25. The operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the identified pallet 4 from the identified storage shelf 3 to the identified charging shelf 2. When the operation control unit 31 completes the movement of the pallet 4, it transmits first shelf change information to the management unit 33. The first shelf change information includes the usage ID of the charging start target and the shelf ID linked to the identified charging shelf 2.

[0089] When the operation control unit 31 receives the second movement operation instruction from the determination unit 29, it extracts the usage ID of the charging completion target from the second movement operation instruction, and identifies the pallet ID and shelf ID linked to the usage ID of the charging completion target by referring to the management table stored in the storage unit 25. The operation control unit 31 identifies the pallet 4 linked to the identified pallet ID by referring to the pallet table, and identifies the charging shelf 2 linked to the identified shelf ID by referring to the charging shelf table.

[0090] The operation control unit 31 extracts the shelf ID from the second movement operation instruction and identifies the storage shelf 3 linked to the extracted shelf ID by referring to the storage shelf table stored in the memory unit 25. The operation control unit 31 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the identified pallet 4 from the identified charging shelf 2 to the identified storage shelf 3. When the operation control unit 31 completes the movement of the pallet 4, it transmits second shelf change information to the management unit 33. The second shelf change information includes the usage ID of the charging completion target and the shelf ID linked to the identified storage shelf 3.

[0091] When the operation control unit 31 detects that another pallet 4 is present on the storage shelf 3 linked to the identified shelf ID, it controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the other pallet 4 to the temporary storage shelf 5 before moving the pallet 4 linked to the identified pallet ID, thereby leaving the storage shelf 3 empty.

[0092] When the pallet transport mechanism moves a pallet 4 from the storage shelf 3 to the charging shelf 2, the power supply terminal connected to the vehicle placed on that pallet 4 is connected to the charging device 14 arranged on that charging shelf 2. On the other hand, when the pallet transport mechanism moves a pallet 4 from the charging shelf 2 to the storage shelf 3, the power supply terminal connected to the vehicle placed on that pallet 4 is disconnected from the charging device 14 arranged on that charging shelf 2.

[0093] The management unit 33 manages the management table. Specifically, when the management unit 33 receives warehousing information from the operation control unit 31, the management unit 33 extracts the usage ID, pallet ID, and shelf ID of the warehousing target from the warehousing information. In the management table stored in the memory unit 25, the management unit 33 sets "1" to the vacant vehicle information linked to the usage ID of the warehousing target, and also sets the extracted pallet ID and shelf ID to the pallet information and storage information linked to the usage ID of the warehousing target, respectively.

[0094] When the management unit 33 completes setting the management table based on the entry information, it identifies charging necessity information linked to the usage ID of the entry target in the management table. If the charging necessity information is set to "1", the management unit 33 sends a first scheduling request including the usage ID of the entry target to the scheduling unit 37. On the other hand, if the charging necessity information is set to "0", the management unit 33 ends its operation.

[0095] When the management unit 33 receives the delivery information from the operation control unit 31, it extracts the usage ID of the delivery target from the delivery information. In the management table stored in the memory unit 25, the management unit 33 sets "0" to the vacant vehicle information linked to the usage ID of the delivery target, and also sets "0" to the pallet information and storage information linked to the usage ID of the delivery target.

[0096] When the management unit 33 completes setting the management table based on the delivery information, it identifies charging necessity information linked to the usage ID of the delivery target in the management table. If the charging necessity information is set to "1", the management unit 33 sends a second scheduling request including the usage ID of the delivery target to the scheduling unit 37. On the other hand, if the charging necessity information is set to "0", the management unit 33 ends its operation.

[0097] When the management unit 33 receives the first shelf change information from the operation control unit 31, it extracts the usage ID and shelf ID of the charging start target from the first shelf change information. The management unit 33 sets the extracted shelf ID to the stored information linked to the usage ID of the charging start target in the management table stored in the memory unit 25. After updating the management table, the management unit 33 transmits a first movement completion notification including the usage ID of the charging start target to the scheduling unit 37.

[0098] When the management unit 33 receives the second shelf change information from the operation control unit 31, it extracts the usage ID and shelf ID of the charging completion target from the second shelf change information. The management unit 33 sets the extracted shelf ID to the stored information linked to the usage ID of the charging completion target in the management table stored in the memory unit 25. After updating the management table, the management unit 33 transmits a second movement completion notification including the usage ID of the charging completion target to the scheduling unit 37.

[0099] When the management unit 33 receives the change information from the reception unit 27, the management unit 33 changes the information set in at least one of the charging necessity information and the recharging necessity information based on the change information.

[0100] When the power control unit 35 receives a charging start instruction (described later) from the scheduling unit 37, it extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to start charging from the charging start instruction. The power control unit 35 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 and identifies the shelf ID linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to start charging. The power control unit 35 controls the distribution board 15 to start supplying power to the vehicle to start charging from the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2 linked to the identified shelf ID.

[0101] When the power control unit 35 starts supplying power to the vehicle that is the target of charging, the power control unit 35 transmits a charging start completion notification including the usage ID of the vehicle that is the target of charging to the scheduling unit 37 .

[0102] When the power control unit 35 receives a charging stop instruction (described later) from the scheduling unit 37, it extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged for completion from the charging stop instruction. The power control unit 35 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 and identifies the shelf ID linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged for completion. The power control unit 35 controls the distribution board 15 to stop the supply of power to the vehicle to be charged for completion from the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2 linked to the identified shelf ID.

[0103] When the power control unit 35 stops the power supply to the vehicle whose charging is to be completed, the power control unit 35 transmits a charging stop completion notification including the usage ID of the vehicle whose charging is to be completed to the scheduling unit 37 .

[0104] The scheduling unit 37 updates the entry order list when a vehicle enters the premises and when a vehicle leaves the premises. The scheduling unit 37 updates the charging list when a vehicle enters the premises, when a vehicle leaves the premises, when charging of a vehicle starts, and when charging of a vehicle is completed, and sets a charging schedule including the charging time and charging order of the vehicles.

[0105] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of the receiving order list. The receiving order lists shown in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B correspond to the receiving order lists for the 8 PM and 9 PM periods in Fig. 13, which will be described later.

[0106] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the entry order list lists, for each time period, vehicles with usage IDs in the management table whose vacant vehicle information and charging necessity information are set to "1", in the order in which they entered the mechanical parking device 1 using their usage IDs.

[0107] In this embodiment, the period from 0 minutes to 59 minutes past the hour is referred to as a "time slot." In this embodiment, vehicle charging is performed over four time slots in the order in which the vehicles are stored. The vehicle charging time is not limited to four time slots, but may be one to three time slots, or five or more time slots. The vehicle charging time specified by the scheduling unit 37 is not limited to one hour, but may be in minutes, such as 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

[0108] In the example shown in Figure 8A, vehicles with usage ID 001, vehicles with usage ID 002, vehicles with usage ID 004, vehicles with usage ID 005, vehicles with usage ID 006, and vehicles with usage ID 007 are present in the mechanical parking device 1. Vehicles with usage ID 001, vehicles with usage ID 002, vehicles with usage ID 004, vehicles with usage ID 005, vehicles with usage ID 006, and vehicles with usage ID 007 have entered the mechanical parking device 1 in this order.

[0109] In the example shown in Figure 8B, vehicles with usage ID 001, vehicles with usage ID 004, vehicles with usage ID 005, vehicles with usage ID 006, and vehicles with usage ID 007 are present in the mechanical parking device 1. Vehicles with usage ID 001, vehicles with usage ID 004, vehicles with usage ID 005, vehicles with usage ID 006, and vehicles with usage ID 007 have entered the mechanical parking device 1 in this order.

[0110] In the example shown in Figures 8A and 8B, as shown in Figure 13 (described later) around 9 PM, the vehicle with usage ID 002 leaves the mechanical parking device 1. For this reason, in Figure 8B, usage ID 002 is deleted from the entry order list.

[0111] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing examples of the charging list. The charging lists shown in Fig. 9A and 9B correspond to the charging lists for the 8 PM and 9 PM hours in Fig. 13, which will be described later.

[0112] 9A and 9B , in the charging list, for each time period, each usage ID listed in the entry order list is classified into one of three charging states: “charging,” “waiting for charging,” and “charging completed.” In each charging state, each usage ID is listed in the order in which it entered the mechanical parking device 1.

[0113] "Charging" indicates the state in which the vehicle is being charged or recharged. "Waiting for charging" indicates the state before the vehicle starts being charged or recharged. "Charging completed" indicates the state after the vehicle has finished being charged or recharged.

[0114] When each usage ID is classified as "charging", the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list is set to "charging". When each usage ID is classified as "waiting to charge", the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list is set to "waiting to charge". When each usage ID is classified as "charging completed", the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list is set to "charging completed".

[0115] Vehicles with a usage ID whose charging status is set to "charging" in the charging list are stored in charging shelf 2. On the other hand, vehicles with a usage ID whose charging status is set to "waiting for charging" or "charging completed" in the charging list are stored in storage shelf 3.

[0116] In this embodiment, since the number of charging shelves 2 is three, the number of usage IDs for which the charging status is set to "charging" is three or less.

[0117] When charging or recharging of a vehicle with a usage ID listed in the entry order list starts, the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list is changed from "waiting for charging" to "charging." When charging or recharging of a vehicle with a usage ID listed in the entry order list is completed, the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0118] In the charging list, each usage ID is associated with the number of charging times and the charging start time in addition to the above-mentioned charging state.

[0119] The number of times the vehicle has been charged is set as the number of charges. The time period when charging of the vehicle started is set as the charging start time. If the charging status of the usage ID is set to "waiting for charging" or "charging completed", the charging start time is set to "0", which indicates that charging has not started.

[0120] In the example shown in FIG. 9A , the charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage ID 001 are set to "charging," "1," and "18:00 (between 18:00)," respectively. The charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage ID 002 are set to "charging," "1," and "18:00 (between 18:00)," respectively. The charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage ID 004 are set to "charging," "1," and "20:00 (between 20:00)," respectively. The charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for each of usage IDs 005 to 007 are set to "waiting for charging," "0," and "0," respectively.

[0121] As shown in Figure 8A, the vehicle with usage ID 001, the vehicle with usage ID 002, and the vehicle with usage ID 004 have entered the mechanical parking device 1 in this order. Therefore, the vehicles with usage IDs 001, 002, and 004, whose charging statuses are set to "charging," are listed in this order in the charging list. Similarly, as shown in Figure 8A, the vehicle with usage ID 005, the vehicle with usage ID 006, and the vehicle with usage ID 007 have entered the mechanical parking device 1 in this order. Therefore, the vehicles with usage IDs 005, 006, and 007, whose charging statuses are set to "waiting for charging," are listed in this order in the charging list.

[0122] In the example shown in FIG. 9B , the charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage ID 001 are set to "charging," "1," and "18:00 (between 18:00)," respectively. The charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage ID 004 are set to "charging," "1," and "20:00 (between 20:00)," respectively. The charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage ID 005 are set to "charging," "1," and "21:00 (between 21:00)," respectively. The charging status, number of charges, and charging start time for usage IDs 006 and 007 are set to "waiting for charging," "0," and "0," respectively.

[0123] As shown in Figure 8B, the vehicle with usage ID 001, the vehicle with usage ID 004, and the vehicle with usage ID 005 have entered the mechanical parking device 1 in this order. Therefore, the vehicle with usage ID 001, 004, and 005, whose charging status is set to "charging," are listed in this order in the charging list. Similarly, as shown in Figure 8A, the vehicle with usage ID 006 and the vehicle with usage ID 007 have entered the mechanical parking device 1 in this order. Therefore, the vehicle with usage ID 006 and the vehicle with usage ID 007, whose charging status is set to "waiting for charging," are listed in this order in the charging list.

[0124] 9A and 9B, as shown in the 21:00 time slot in Fig. 13 described later, the vehicle with usage ID 002 leaves the mechanical parking device 1 in the 21:00 time slot. As a result, of the vehicles with usage ID 005, usage ID 006, and usage ID 007 that were waiting to be charged, the vehicle with usage ID 005, which was listed first as "waiting to be charged" in the charging list, replaces the vehicle with usage ID 002, and charging of the vehicle with usage ID 005 begins.

[0125] As described above, the scheduling unit 37 updates the entry order list and the charging list when a vehicle is entered. Specifically, when the scheduling unit 37 receives a first scheduling request from the management unit 33, the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the entry target from the first scheduling request. After extracting the usage ID of the entry target from the first scheduling request, the scheduling unit 37 adds the usage ID of the entry target to the end of the entry order list stored in the storage unit 25.

[0126] When the scheduling unit 37 adds the usage ID of the entry target to the entry order list, it refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 and determines whether there is a vacant charging shelf 2. If it determines that there is a vacant charging shelf 2, the scheduling unit 37 adds the usage ID of the entry target to the charging list stored in the storage unit 25, and sets the charging state, number of charging attempts, and charging start time of the usage ID to "charging," "1," and "current time zone," respectively.

[0127] On the other hand, if the scheduling unit 37 determines that there is no available charging shelf 2, it adds the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored to the charging list stored in the memory unit 25, and sets the charging status, number of charges, and charging start time of the usage ID to "waiting for charging," "0," and "0," respectively.

[0128] As described above, the scheduling unit 37 updates the entry order list and the charging list when a vehicle leaves the garage. Specifically, when the scheduling unit 37 receives a second scheduling request from the management unit 33, it extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be released from the second scheduling request. When the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be released from the second scheduling request, it deletes the usage ID of the vehicle to be released from the entry order list and the charging list stored in the storage unit 25.

[0129] As described above, the scheduling unit 37 updates the charging list when charging of a vehicle starts. Specifically, the scheduling unit 37 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 at one or more predetermined times within each time period to determine whether there is an available charging shelf 2.

[0130] When the scheduling unit 37 determines that there is a vacant charging shelf 2, it sets the charging state, the number of charging attempts, and the charging start time of the usage ID of the charging start target to "charging," "current setting value + 1," and "current time zone," respectively, in the charging list stored in the storage unit 25. On the other hand, when the scheduling unit 37 determines that there is no vacant charging shelf 2, it does not update the charging list.

[0131] As described above, the scheduling unit 37 updates the charging list when charging of the vehicle is completed. Specifically, the scheduling unit 37 refers to the charging list stored in the storage unit 25 at one or more predetermined timings within each time period, and determines, for each usage ID, whether four time periods have passed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID.

[0132] When the scheduling unit 37 determines that four time periods have passed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID to be determined, the scheduling unit 37 sets the charging state and charging start time for the usage ID to "charging completed" and "0," respectively, in the charging list. On the other hand, when the scheduling unit 37 determines that four time periods have not passed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID to be determined, the scheduling unit 37 does not update the charging list.

[0133] When the scheduling unit 37 changes the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list to “charging,” the scheduling unit 37 transmits a first pallet movement instruction to the determination unit 29 to move the vehicle to be charged from the storage shelf 3 to the charging shelf 2. The first pallet movement instruction includes the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged.

[0134] When the scheduling unit 37 receives the first movement completion notification from the management unit 33, it extracts the usage ID of the charging start target from the first movement completion notification. When the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the charging start target from the first movement completion notification, it transmits a charging start instruction to the power control unit 35 to start charging of the charging start target vehicle. The charging start instruction includes the usage ID of the charging start target.

[0135] When the scheduling unit 37 receives a charging start completion notification from the power control unit 35, the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the charging start target from the charging start completion notification. When the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the charging start target from the charging start completion notification, the scheduling unit 37 updates the charging list described above based on the usage ID of the charging start target.

[0136] When the scheduling unit 37 changes the charging status of the usage ID in the charging list to “charging completed,” the scheduling unit 37 transmits a charging stop instruction to the power control unit 35 to stop charging of the vehicle whose charging is to be completed. The charging stop instruction includes the usage ID of the vehicle whose charging is to be completed.

[0137] When the scheduling unit 37 receives a charging stop completion notification from the power control unit 35, it extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged for completion from the charging stop completion notification. When the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged for completion from the charging stop completion notification, it transmits a second pallet movement instruction to the determination unit 29 to move the vehicle to be charged for completion from the charging shelf 2 to the storage shelf 3. The second pallet movement instruction includes the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged for completion.

[0138] When the scheduling unit 37 receives the second movement completion notification from the management unit 33, the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the charging completion target from the second movement completion notification. When the scheduling unit 37 extracts the usage ID of the charging completion target from the second movement completion notification, the scheduling unit 37 updates the charging list described above based on the usage ID of the charging completion target.

[0139] When the reset time arrives, the reset unit 39 resets and reassembles the charging list. Specifically, when the reset time arrives, the reset unit 39 refers to the charging list stored in the storage unit 25 and identifies the usage ID for which the charging status is set to "charging completed."

[0140] The reset unit 39 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 25 and identifies, from the identified usage IDs, usage IDs to be reset that have recharge necessity information set to "1." The reset unit 39 resets the charging list based on the usage ID to be reset, as described below.

[0141] The reset unit 39 can execute an auxiliary reset, which will be described later.

[0142] (Hardware Configuration of Control Device) Next, a hardware configuration of the control device 6 will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 6. As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 6 is configured by a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105, a storage 107, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 109, a communication device 111, and an external interface 113.

[0143] The CPU 101 executes a program stored in the ROM 103. The CPU 101 performs arithmetic processing on data loaded into the RAM 105 in accordance with the program, and comprehensively controls each part of the control device 6. The CPU 101 is also called a processor.

[0144] The ROM 103 stores programs and the like to be executed by the CPU 101. The RAM 105 temporarily stores calculation data when the CPU 101 executes the programs stored in the ROM 103. The ROM 103 and RAM 105 are also referred to as non-volatile memory and volatile memory, respectively.

[0145] The storage 107 stores control parameters necessary for the operation of the control device 6. The storage 107 stores a charging shelf table, a storage shelf table, a pallet table, a management table, a receiving order list, a charging list, and the like.

[0146] The CPU 101 controls reading and writing of data from and to the storage 107 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 103 .

[0147] The RTC 109 generates time information. The communication device 111 communicates with the user's terminal.

[0148] The external interface 113 is communicably connected to the operation panel, the distribution board 15, the pallet transport mechanism, the door opening and closing mechanism, etc. The CPU 101 transmits and receives signals to and from the operation panel, the distribution board 15, the pallet transport mechanism, the door opening and closing mechanism, etc. via the external interface 113.

[0149] (Operation of Mechanical Parking Device) Next, the operation of the mechanical parking device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 20. Specifically, the entry procedure, exit procedure, and charging schedule will be described in that order. For convenience, in the following description, the vehicle is assumed to be an electric vehicle X.

[0150] (Entry Procedure) First, the entry procedure by the mechanical parking device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the entry procedure. Note that the charging schedule for electric vehicles X other than the electric vehicle X to be entered when the electric vehicle X is entered will be described later.

[0151] 10 , when a user performs an input operation using the operation panel to store an electric vehicle X, the operation panel transmits a store-in instruction to the control device 6 (step S11). When the control device 6 receives the store-in instruction, it determines a pallet 4 on which to place the electric vehicle X to be stored and a storage shelf 3 on which to store the electric vehicle X to be stored. The control device 6 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the determined pallet 4 into the boarding / de-boarding compartment 12 (step S13).

[0152] When the control device 6 moves the determined pallet 4 into the boarding / deboarding compartment 12, it controls the door opening / closing mechanism to perform a door opening operation and open the entrance door (step S15). The user brings the electric vehicle X to be stored through the opened entrance door and stops it on the pallet 4 inside the boarding / deboarding compartment 12. When the electric vehicle X to be stored is placed on the pallet 4, it is manually or automatically connected to a power supply terminal arranged on the pallet 4.

[0153] After connecting the power supply terminal to the electric vehicle X to be stored, the user performs a door close operation using the operation panel, and the operation panel transmits a door close instruction to the control device 6 (step S17). Upon receiving the door close instruction, the control device 6 controls the door opening / closing mechanism to perform the door close operation and close the entrance door (step S19). After closing the entrance door, the control device 6 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be stored is placed to the storage shelf 3 determined in step S13.

[0154] When the control device 6 moves the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be stored is placed to the storage shelf 3, it updates the management table (step S21). Specifically, the control device 6 sets "1" to the vacant vehicle information linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored in the management table, and sets the pallet ID of the pallet 4 and the shelf ID of the storage shelf 3 determined in step S13 to the pallet information and storage information linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored, respectively.

[0155] After updating the management table, the control device 6 determines whether the charging necessity information associated with the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored is set to "1" in the management table (step S23). If the control device 6 determines that the charging necessity information associated with the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored is not set to "1" (i.e., if the control device 6 determines that the charging necessity information is set to "0"), it ends the storage procedure.

[0156] On the other hand, when the control device 6 determines that the charging necessity information linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored is set to “1,” the control device 6 updates the storage order list (step S25). Specifically, the control device 6 adds the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored to the end of the list.

[0157] After updating the entry order list, the control device 6 performs charging scheduling (updates the charging list) for the electric vehicle X to be entered (step S27). Specifically, the control device 6 refers to the management table to determine whether there is a vacant charging shelf 2.

[0158] If the control device 6 determines that there is no vacant charging shelf 2, it adds the usage ID of the storage target to the charging list and sets the charging state, the number of charging attempts, and the charging start time of the usage ID to "waiting for charging," "0," and "0," respectively. After updating the charging list, the control device 6 ends the storage procedure.

[0159] On the other hand, when the control device 6 determines that there is an empty space on the charging shelf 2, it controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be stored is placed from the storage shelf 3 to the charging shelf 2. When the power supply terminal connected to the electric vehicle X to be stored is connected to the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2, the control device 6 controls the distribution board 15 to start supplying power from the charging device 14 to the electric vehicle X to be stored.

[0160] When the control device 6 starts supplying power to the electric vehicle X to be stored, it adds the usage ID of the vehicle to be stored to the charging list, and sets the charging state, the number of charges, and the charging start time of the usage ID to "charging," "1," and "current time zone," respectively. When the control device 6 updates the charging list, it ends the storage procedure.

[0161] (Exit Procedure) Next, the exit procedure by the mechanical parking device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the exit procedure. Note that the charging schedule for electric vehicles X other than the electric vehicle X to be exited, which is carried out when the electric vehicle X is exited, will be described later.

[0162] 11 , when an electric vehicle X is to be released from the depot, a user performs an input operation using the operation panel, and the operation panel transmits a release instruction to the control device 6 (step S31). Upon receiving the release instruction, the control device 6 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be released is placed from the charging shelf 2 or the storage shelf 3 into the boarding / de-boarding room 12 (step S33).

[0163] When the control device 6 moves the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be removed is placed into the boarding / exit room 12, it controls the door opening / closing mechanism to perform a door opening operation and open the entrance door (step S35). The user removes the electric vehicle X to be removed from the parking lot through the opened entrance door. Before the electric vehicle X to be removed is removed from the parking lot through the entrance door, it is disconnected from the power supply terminal arranged on the pallet 4.

[0164] After the electric vehicle X to be removed has been removed, the user performs a door close operation using the operation panel, and the operation panel transmits a door close instruction to the control device 6 (step S37). Upon receiving the door close instruction, the control device 6 controls the door opening / closing mechanism to perform the door close operation and close the entrance door (step S39). After the entrance door is closed, the control device 6 controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4, which has been moved into the boarding / deboarding compartment 12, to an empty storage shelf 3 or temporary storage shelf 5.

[0165] When the control device 6 moves the pallet 4 that has been moved into the boarding / de-boarding room 12 to an empty storage shelf 3 or temporary storage shelf 5, it updates the management table (step S41). Specifically, the control device 6 sets "0" to the vacant vehicle information linked to the usage ID of the item to be removed in the management table, and also sets "0" to the pallet information and storage information linked to the usage ID of the item to be removed.

[0166] After updating the management table, the control device 6 determines whether the charging necessity information associated with the usage ID of the vehicle to be removed is set to "1" in the management table (step S43). If the control device 6 determines that the charging necessity information associated with the usage ID of the vehicle to be removed is not set to "1" (i.e., if the control device 6 determines that the charging necessity information is set to "0"), it ends the removal procedure.

[0167] On the other hand, when the control device 6 determines that the charging necessity information linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to be removed is set to “1,” the control device 6 updates the entry order list (step S45). Specifically, the control device 6 deletes the usage ID of the vehicle to be removed from the entry order list.

[0168] After updating the entry order list, the control device 6 performs charging scheduling (updating the charging list) for the electric vehicle X to be released (step S47). Specifically, the control device 6 deletes the usage ID of the vehicle to be released. After updating the charging list, the control device 6 ends the release procedure.

[0169] (Charging Schedule) Next, the charging schedule by the control device 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 12 to Fig. 20. Specifically, an example of a charging schedule for a 24-hour period (17:00 to 17:00 the next day) for a plurality of electric vehicles X will be described in order. The charging schedule includes a charging schedule for when the electric vehicles X enter and leave the parking lot.

[0170] 13, 15, and 17 to 20, the "bold frame" indicates the entry time (entry time zone), the "dotted frame" indicates the departure time (departure time zone), "·" indicates a charging completion state, "n" (a natural number) indicates the charging time (number of time zones) during charging, and "0" indicates a waiting-for-charging state (inventory status). Also, in each of FIGS. 13, 15, and 17 to 20, the second and third digits of the usage ID numbers are omitted from the entry order list and the charging list. Furthermore, in each of FIGS. 13, 15, and 17 to 20, the number of charges and the charging start time associated with each usage ID are omitted from the charging list.

[0171] (Charging Schedule When No Reset Operation Is Performed) First, a charging schedule when no reset operation is performed will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a charging schedule when no reset operation is performed. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a charging schedule when no reset operation is performed.

[0172] 12 , the control device 6 refers to the charging list at one or more predetermined timings within each time period and determines whether or not a charging completion target exists for each usage ID (step S51). Specifically, the control device 6 determines whether or not four time periods have elapsed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID. The predetermined timings include the above-mentioned times when the electric vehicle X enters and leaves the parking lot.

[0173] When the control device 6 determines that four time periods have elapsed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID to be determined, it identifies the electric vehicle X of that usage ID as the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion. In order to stop the charging of the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion, the control device 6 controls the distribution board 15 to stop the supply of power to the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion from the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2 that stores the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion (step S53).

[0174] When the control device 6 stops the supply of power to the electric vehicle X to be charged to completion, it controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be charged to completion is placed from the charging shelf 2 to the storage shelf 3.

[0175] The control device 6 updates the management table when it moves the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be charged to be completed is placed to the storage shelf 3. Specifically, the control device 6 sets the shelf ID of the storage shelf 3 to which the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be charged to be completed is to be moved to the storage information linked to the usage ID of the electric vehicle X to be charged to be completed in the management table.

[0176] After updating the management table, the control device 6 updates the charging list (step S55). Specifically, the control device 6 sets the charging state and charging start time of the usage ID for which charging is to be completed to "charging completed" and "0", respectively, in the charging list.

[0177] On the other hand, if the control device 6 determines in step S51 that four time periods have not elapsed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID to be determined, the control device 6 proceeds to the process of step S57.

[0178] After updating the charging list, the control device 6 refers to the management table to determine whether there is an available charging shelf 2. If it determines that there is an available charging shelf 2, the control device 6 refers to the charging list to determine, in order of entry, whether there is a usage ID whose charging status is set to "waiting for charging" (step S57).

[0179] If there is a usage ID whose charging state is set to "waiting for charging", the control device 6 identifies the electric vehicle X with that usage ID as the electric vehicle X whose charging is to begin. When the control device 6 identifies the electric vehicle X whose charging is to begin, it controls the pallet transport mechanism to move the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X whose charging is to begin is placed from the storage shelf 3 to the charging shelf 2 (step S59).

[0180] The control device 6 updates the management table when it moves the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be charged is placed to the charging shelf 2. Specifically, the control device 6 sets the shelf ID of the charging shelf 2 to which the pallet 4 on which the electric vehicle X to be charged is placed, to the stored information linked to the usage ID of the vehicle to be charged in the management table.

[0181] After updating the management table, the control device 6 controls the distribution board 15 to start charging the vehicle to be charged, and starts supplying power to the electric vehicle X to be charged from the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2 that stores the electric vehicle X to be charged (step S61).

[0182] When the control device 6 starts supplying power to the electric vehicle X that is the target for starting charging, it updates the charging list (step S63). Specifically, the control device 6 sets the charging state, the number of charges, and the charging start time of the usage ID that is the target for starting charging to "charging," "current setting value + 1," and "current time zone," respectively, in the charging list. After updating the charging list, the control device 6 ends the charging schedule.

[0183] On the other hand, in step S57, if the control device 6 determines that there is no available charging shelf 2, it ends the charging schedule. Also, in step S57, if there is no usage ID whose charging state is set to "waiting for charging", the control device 6 ends the charging schedule.

[0184] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, a charging schedule by the control device 6 in the case where no reset operation is performed for each of the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 001 to 009 will be described.

[0185] (Usage ID 001) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 enters the parking lot at 18:00 and leaves the parking lot at 10:00 the next day. Electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 is charged between 18:00 and 22:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 22:00, the charging status of usage ID 001 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0186] (Usage ID 002) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 enters the parking lot at 18:00, leaves the parking lot at 21:00, and enters the parking lot at 1:00, remaining in storage until 17:00 or later. Electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 is initially charged between 18:00 and 21:00 (three time periods), and then re-enters the parking lot between 1:00 and 5:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 5:00, the charging status of usage ID 002 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0187] (Usage ID 003) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 enters the parking lot at 19:00, leaves before 20:00, enters the parking lot at 12:00 the next day, and is kept in stock until after 17:00. Electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 is initially charged between 19:00 and 20:00 (one time slot), and then charged again between 12:00 and 16:00 (four time slots). When charging is completed at 16:00, the charging status of usage ID 003 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0188] (Usage ID 004) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 004 enters the parking lot at 19:00 and leaves the parking lot at 10:00 the next day. Because all charging shelves 2 are in use at the time of entry, the charging status of usage ID 004 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list. When electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 leaves the parking lot before 20:00, a charging shelf 2 becomes available, so the charging status of usage ID 004 is changed from "waiting for charging" to "charging" in the charging list at 20:00. As a result, electric vehicle X with usage ID 004 is charged between 20:00 and 0:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 0:00, the charging status of usage ID 004 is changed from "charging" to "charging completed" in the charging list.

[0189] (Usage ID 005) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 005 enters the parking lot at 20:00 and leaves the parking lot at 10:00 the next day. Since all charging shelves 2 are in use at the time of entry, the charging status of usage ID 005 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list. When electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 leaves the parking lot at 21:00, a charging shelf 2 becomes available, so the charging status of usage ID 005 is changed from "waiting for charging" to "charging" in the charging list at 21:00. As a result, electric vehicle X with usage ID 005 is charged between 21:00 and 1:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 1:00, the charging status of usage ID 005 is changed from "charging" to "charging completed" in the charging list.

[0190] (Usage ID 006) Like the electric vehicle X with usage ID 005, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 enters the parking lot at 20:00 and leaves the parking lot at 10:00 the next day. Note that the order of entry and exit of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 is set to after the electric vehicle X with usage ID 005. Because all charging shelves 2 are in use at the time of entry, the charging status of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list. When charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 is completed at 22:00, a charging shelf 2 becomes available, and therefore the charging status of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 is changed from "waiting for charging" to "charging" in the charging list at 22:00. As a result, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 is charged between 22:00 and 2:00 (a four-hour period). When charging is completed at 2:00, the charging status of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 is changed from "charging" to "charging completed" in the charging list.

[0191] (Usage ID 007) The electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 enters the parking lot at 20:00 and leaves at 22:00, and enters the parking lot at 4:00 the following day and leaves at 10:00 the following day. Note that the order of entry for the electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 at the time of the first parking lot entry is after the electric vehicle X with usage ID 005 and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006. Furthermore, the order of departure for the electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 at the time of re-parking is after the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 and the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 004 to 006. Because all charging shelves 2 are in use at the time of the first parking lot entry, the charging status for usage ID 007 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list. When the vehicle is re-entered at 4:00, there is a vacant charging shelf 2, so the charging status of usage ID 007 is added to "charging" in the charging list, and charging is performed between 4:00 and 8:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 8:00, the charging status of usage ID 007 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0192] (Usage ID 008) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 enters the parking lot at 23:00 and leaves the parking lot at 13:00 the next day. Because all charging shelves 2 are in use at the time of entry, the charging status of usage ID 008 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list. When charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 004 is completed at 0:00, a charging shelf 2 becomes available, so the charging status of usage ID 008 is changed from "waiting for charging" to "charging" in the charging list at 0:00. As a result, electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 is charged between 0:00 and 4:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 4:00, the charging status of usage ID 008 is changed from "charging" to "charging completed" in the charging list.

[0193] (Usage ID 009) The electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 enters the parking lot at 1:00 and leaves at 10:00. The order of leaving for the electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 is after the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 and the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 004 to 007. Because all charging shelves 2 are in use at the time of entry, the charging status for usage ID 009 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list. When charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 is completed at 2:00, a charging shelf 2 becomes available, and therefore the charging status for usage ID 009 is changed from "waiting for charging" to "charging" in the charging list at 2:00. As a result, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 is charged from 2:00 to 6:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 6:00, the charging status for usage ID 009 is changed from "charging" to "charging completed" in the charging list.

[0194] As described above, in rotating charging based on a charging schedule without a reset operation, electric vehicles X waiting to be charged are transported to the charging shelf 2 in the order in which they arrive, where they are charged for a predetermined period of time and then reach a fully charged state. Therefore, when many electric vehicles X reach a fully charged state, free charging shelves 2 will become available. For example, in FIG. 13 , free charging shelves 2 will become available after 8:00 at the first charging shelf 2, free charging shelves 2 will become available after 6:00 at the second charging shelf 2, and free charging shelves 2 will become available after 5:00 at the third charging shelf 2. If a user wishes to recharge during a time slot when these charging shelves 2 are free, the user needs to set recharging for a time when a free charging shelf 2 becomes available.

[0195] In contrast, in rotation charging based on a charging schedule with a reset operation, which will be described later, the charging schedule is reset and reorganized at a predetermined time. That is, the control device 6 sets a charging schedule including the charging time and charging order for each electric vehicle X when the vehicle X enters the storage facility, and resets and reorganizes the charging schedule at a predetermined time. By automatically reorganizing the charging schedule in this way, the user does not need to set up recharging when there is an empty charging shelf 2, thereby reducing the effort required for setting up recharging.

[0196] (First Example of Charging Schedule When Reset Operation is Included) Next, a first example of a charging schedule when a reset operation is included will be described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 16B. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a charging schedule when a reset operation is included. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a first example of a charging schedule when a reset operation is included.

[0197] 14, the control device 6 performs the same charging schedule as that in the case where the reset operation is not performed until the reset time (steps S71 to S83). Note that the processing in steps S71 to S83 is the same as the processing in steps S51 to S63 shown in FIG. 12, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0198] 14, the control device 6 determines whether the current time is the reset time (step S85). If the control device 6 determines that the current time is not the reset time, the control device 6 ends the charging schedule.

[0199] When the control device 6 determines that the current time is the reset time, it resets the charging list (step S87). Specifically, in the control device 6, when the reset time arrives, the reset unit 39 refers to the charging list and identifies the usage IDs for which the charging state is set to "charging completed." After identifying the usage IDs for which the charging state is set to "charging completed," the reset unit 39 refers to the management table and identifies, from the identified usage IDs, the usage IDs for which the recharging necessity information is set to "1."

[0200] When the reset unit 39 identifies a usage ID for which the recharging necessity information is set to "1," it changes the charging status of the identified usage ID in the charging list in the order of entry from "charging completed" to "waiting for charging."

[0201] 15 to 16B, a first example of a charging schedule when a reset operation is performed by the control device 6 for each of the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 001 to 009 will be described below. Note that in the management table, the recharging necessity information associated with each of the usage IDs 001 to 009 is set to "1."

[0202] In the charging schedule shown in Fig. 15, the reset time is set to 3:00. The reset time can be set or changed as desired by the manager depending on the usage status of the mechanical parking device 1. Note that the entry and exit times of the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 001 to 009 shown in Fig. 15 are the same as the entry and exit times of the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 001 to 009 shown in Fig. 13.

[0203] In the charging schedule shown in Fig. 15, the charging schedule up to the reset time (3:00) is the same as the charging schedule shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, the charging schedule after the reset time will be described below. Note that the number after the "+" sign in the charging schedule indicates the number of hours (number of time slots) for recharging (additional charging).

[0204] The control device 6 automatically resets the charging schedule at the reset time (3:00). At this time, the electric vehicle X that is being charged when the charging schedule is reset is set to continue charging. Therefore, at the reset time (3:00), the charging states of the usage IDs 008, 002, and 009 in the charging list remain set to "charging."

[0205] When resetting the charging schedule, the control device 6 is configured to recharge the electric vehicles X in order of earliest entry time. Fig. 16A is a diagram showing an example of a charging list before the reset operation in the first example of the charging schedule when the reset operation is performed. Fig. 16B is a diagram showing an example of a charging list after the reset operation in the first example of the charging schedule when the reset operation is performed.

[0206] 16A , at a time (2:00) before the reset time (3:00), charging is completed for electric vehicle X with usage ID 001, electric vehicle X with usage ID 004, electric vehicle X with usage ID 005, and electric vehicle X with usage ID 006. Therefore, in the charging list, the charging states of usage ID 001, usage ID 004, usage ID 005, and usage ID 006 are set to “charging completed.”

[0207] 16B , at the reset time (3:00), the charging statuses of usage ID 001, usage ID 004, usage ID 005, and usage ID 006 in the charging list are changed from “charging completed” to “waiting for charging” while maintaining their order. The charging schedule for each usage ID will be described below.

[0208] (Usage ID 001) The first charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 was completed before the reset time (3:00) and was the first vehicle to be parked, so the charging status of usage ID 001 is set to "charging completed" as the first item in the charging list. After the charging schedule is reset, the charging status of usage ID 001 is set to "waiting for charging" as the first item in the charging list. At 4:00, charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 is completed, so the charging status of usage ID 001 is set to "charging" in the charging list, and the vehicle is to be recharged between 4:00 and 8:00 (four time periods).

[0209] (Usage ID 002) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 was in charging before the reset time (3:00), so charging continues and is charged between 1:00 and 5:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 5:00, the charging status of usage ID 002 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0210] (Usage ID 003) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 is not in stock at the reset time (3:00), and is therefore not included in the charging schedule after the reset.

[0211] (Usage ID 004) Because the first charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 004 was completed before the reset time (3:00), the charging status of usage ID 004 is set to "charging completed" as the second item in the charging list. After the charging schedule is reset, the charging status of usage ID 004 is set to "waiting for charging" as the second item in the charging list. At 5:00, charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 is completed, so the charging status of usage ID 004 is set to "charging" in the charging list, and the vehicle is to be recharged between 5:00 and 9:00 (four time periods).

[0212] (Usage ID 005) Because the first charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 005 was completed before the reset time (3:00), the charging status of usage ID 005 is set to "charging completed" as the third item in the charging list. After the charging schedule is reset, the charging status of usage ID 005 is set to "waiting for charging" as the third item in the charging list. At 6:00, charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 is completed, so the charging status of usage ID 005 is set to "charging" in the charging list, and the vehicle is to be recharged between 6:00 and 10:00 (four time periods).

[0213] (Usage ID 006) Because the first charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 was completed before the reset time (3:00), the charging status of usage ID 006 is set to "charging completed," which is the fourth status in the charging list. After the charging schedule is reset, the charging status of usage ID 006 is set to "waiting for charging," which is the fourth status in the charging list. At 8:00, recharging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 is completed, so the charging status of usage ID 006 is set to "charging" in the charging list, and the vehicle is recharged between 8:00 and 10:00 (two time periods).

[0214] (Usage ID 007) The electric vehicle with usage ID 007 enters the parking lot after the reset time (3:00), so when it enters the parking lot at 4:00, the charging status of usage ID 007 is set to the end of "waiting for charging" in the charging list. At 9:00, recharging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 004 is completed, so the charging status of usage ID 007 is set to "charging" in the charging list, and the vehicle is charged between 9:00 and 10:00 (one time slot).

[0215] (Usage ID 008) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 is currently charging before the reset time (3:00), so charging continues and is charged between 0:00 and 4:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 4:00, the charging status of usage ID 008 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0216] (Usage ID 009) Electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 was in charging before the reset time (3:00), so charging continues and is charged between 2:00 and 6:00 (four time periods). When charging is completed at 6:00, the charging status of usage ID 009 in the charging list is changed from "charging" to "charging completed."

[0217] (Second Example of Charging Schedule When Reset Operation is Included) Next, a second example of the charging schedule when a reset operation is included will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a second example of the charging schedule when a reset operation is included.

[0218] In a first example of a charging schedule when a reset operation is performed, charging of an electric vehicle X that has newly entered the mechanical parking device 1 after the reset time is performed after recharging of an electric vehicle X with a usage ID whose charging status is set to "charging completed" in the charging list. In contrast, in a second example of a charging schedule when a reset operation is performed, charging of an electric vehicle X that has newly entered the mechanical parking device 1 after the reset time is performed preferentially before recharging of an electric vehicle X with a usage ID whose charging status is set to "charging completed" in the "charging list."

[0219] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 17, a second example of a charging schedule in which a reset operation is performed by the control device 6 for the electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 that has re-entered the parking lot after the reset time will be described.

[0220] In the charging schedule shown in Fig. 17, the reset time is set to 3:00. Note that the entry and exit times of the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 001 to 009 shown in Fig. 17 are the same as the entry and exit times of the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 001 to 009 shown in Figs. 13 and 15.

[0221] When electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 enters the parking lot, the charging status of electric vehicles X with usage ID 004, usage ID 005, and usage ID 006 is set to "waiting for charging" in the charging list, but these electric vehicles X with these usage IDs have already completed their first charging. Therefore, charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 is given priority over these electric vehicles X that have already completed charging, and the charging status of electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 is added to the top of the "waiting for charging" list in the charging list. At 5:00, recharging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 is completed, so the charging status of electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 is set to "charging" in the charging list, and electric vehicle X is charged between 5:00 and 9:00 (4 hours).

[0222] (Third Example of Charging Schedule with Reset Operation) Next, a third example of a charging schedule with a reset operation will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a third example of a charging schedule with a reset operation. In the charging schedule shown in Fig. 18, an auxiliary reset is added to the charging schedule shown in Fig. 17.

[0223] The auxiliary reset is a process that automatically shifts the fully charged electric vehicle X to the charging or charging standby state when a predetermined condition is met, separate from the reset time. If there is a vacant charging shelf 2 at the time of the auxiliary reset, the vehicle X shifts to the charging state, and if there is no vacant charging shelf 2, the vehicle X shifts to the charging standby state. When the predetermined condition is met, the control device 6 executes the charging schedule by executing the same process as the second example of the charging schedule when a reset operation is performed, as described above.

[0224] In the third example of the charging schedule, the predetermined condition is that “there are no electric vehicles X being charged or waiting to be charged.” When there are no electric vehicles X being charged or waiting to be charged, the control device 6 is configured to incorporate additional charging into the charging schedule for electric vehicles X that have already been charged.

[0225] For example, in the charging schedule shown in FIG. 18 , at 10:00, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001, the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 004 to 007, and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 leave the garage, leaving only the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 in stock. At 10:00, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 have completed charging, but since there are no more electric vehicles X currently charging or waiting to be charged, the predetermined condition is met and the vehicle transitions to charging. In this case, the charging status of the usage IDs 002 and 008 in the charging list is set to "charging."

[0226] Also, just before 16:00, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 is charging, and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 has completed charging, but at 16:00, the charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 is completed, and there are no more electric vehicles X that are charging or waiting to be charged. Therefore, the predetermined condition is met, and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 transition to the charging state. As a result, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 is immediately recharged. In this case, the charging status setting for usage ID 003 in the charging list remains "charging."

[0227] (Fourth Example of Charging Schedule with Reset Operation) Next, a fourth example of a charging schedule with a reset operation will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a charging schedule with a reset operation. In the charging schedule shown in Fig. 19, an auxiliary reset is added to the charging schedule shown in Fig. 17.

[0228] In the fourth example of the charging schedule, the predetermined condition is that “there is no electric vehicle X waiting to be charged.” When there is no electric vehicle X waiting to be charged, the control device 6 is configured to incorporate additional charging of the electric vehicle X that has already been charged into the charging schedule.

[0229] For example, in the charging schedule shown in Fig. 19, at 22:00, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 leaves the parking lot, charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 is completed, and the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 004 to 006 are charging. Therefore, there are no more electric vehicles X waiting to be charged, so the predetermined condition is met and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001 is added to the list waiting to be charged. In this case, the charging state of the usage ID 001 is set to the first position of "waiting to charge" in the charging list.

[0230] Furthermore, at 9:00, charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 is completed, and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 006 transitions to charging. As a result, there are no more electric vehicles X waiting to be charged, so the predetermined condition is met and the electric vehicles X with usage ID 008, 002, 009, and 001 transition to waiting to be charged. At this time, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 007 is also added to the end of the waiting to be charged list. In this case, the charging states of usage ID 008, 002, 009, 001, and 007 are set to "waiting to be charged" positions 1 to 5, respectively, in the charging list.

[0231] At 14:00, charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 is completed, but since there is no electric vehicle X waiting to be charged at this time, the predetermined condition is met, and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 transitions to charging and is recharged. In this case, the charging status setting for usage ID 002 in the charging list remains "charging."

[0232] At 16:00, charging of the electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 is completed, but at this time, there is no electric vehicle X waiting to be charged, so the predetermined condition is met and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 003 transitions to charging and is recharged. In this case, the charging status setting for usage ID 003 in the charging list remains "charging."

[0233] (Fifth Example of Charging Schedule in Case of Reset Operation) Next, a fifth example of a charging schedule in case of a reset operation will be described with reference to FIG. 20 . FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a fifth example of a charging schedule in case of a reset operation. In the charging schedule shown in FIG. 20 , an auxiliary reset is added to the charging schedule shown in FIG. 17 . In addition, usage ID 010 and usage ID 011 are added as usage IDs for electric vehicles X that will newly enter the mechanical parking device 1. The electric vehicle X with usage ID 010 enters at 10:00 and is kept in stock until 17:00 or later. The electric vehicle X with usage ID 011 enters at 12:00 and is kept in stock until 17:00 or later.

[0234] In the fifth example of the charging schedule, the predetermined condition is that "there is no electric vehicle X being charged." When there is no electric vehicle X being charged, the control device 6 is configured to incorporate into the charging schedule a request for additional charging of an electric vehicle X that has already been charged.

[0235] For example, in the charging schedule shown in FIG. 20 , at 10:00, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 001, the electric vehicles X with usage IDs 004 to 007, and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 009 leave the parking lot, and only the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 remain in stock. At 10:00, the electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 and the electric vehicle X with usage ID 008 have completed charging, but since there are no more electric vehicles X currently charging, the predetermined condition is met and the vehicle transitions to being charged. In this case, the charging states of the electric vehicles with usage ID 002 and 008 are set to "charging" in the charging list. Furthermore, the newly entering electric vehicle with usage ID 010 is added to being charged because there is a vacant charging shelf 2 at the time of entry. In this case, the charging state of the electric vehicle with usage ID 010 is set to "charging" in the charging list.

[0236] When electric vehicle X with usage ID 011 enters the parking lot, there is no available charging shelf 2, so it is added to the waiting list for charging. In this case, the charging status of usage ID 011 is set to "waiting for charging" second in the charging list. At 14:00, charging of electric vehicle X with usage ID 002 and electric vehicle X with usage ID 010 is completed, and there is available charging shelf 2, so electric vehicle X with usage ID 011 transitions to charging. In this case, the charging status of usage ID 011 is set to "charging" in the charging list.

[0237] (Actions and Effects) According to this embodiment, the item storage facility (mechanical parking device 1) includes a charging facility (charging facility 14) capable of charging a stored item (electric vehicle X), and a control device 6 that charges the stored item (electric vehicle X) using the charging facility (charging facility 14). The control device 6 is configured to set a charging schedule including the charging time and charging order of the stored item (electric vehicle X) when the stored item (electric vehicle X) is brought into storage, and to reset and reorganize the charging schedule at a predetermined time.

[0238] With the above-described configuration, the charging schedule is automatically rearranged, eliminating the need for the user to set up recharging when the charging equipment is not in use, thereby reducing the effort required for setting up recharging.

[0239] According to this embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to continue charging the stored item (electric vehicle X) that is being charged when the charging schedule is rearranged.

[0240] With the above-described configuration, when rearranging the charging schedule, the control device 6 can prioritize the first charging of the stored items while setting the second and subsequent charging of the stored items, thereby enabling the stored items to be charged and recharged efficiently.

[0241] According to this embodiment, when rearranging the charging schedule, the control device 6 is configured to allocate additional charging to the stored items that have already been charged in order, starting with the stored item (electric vehicle X) that entered the warehouse earlier.

[0242] With the above-described configuration, the control device 6 can set the recharging of the stored items in the order in which the stored items are stored when rearranging the charging schedule. This allows the stored items to be recharged efficiently.

[0243] According to this embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to assign a higher priority in the charging order to a stored item (electric vehicle X) that has been brought into the warehouse after the charging schedule has been rearranged than to a stored item (electric vehicle X) that is waiting to be charged for the second or subsequent time.

[0244] With the above-described configuration, even after rearranging the charging schedule, the control device 6 can prioritize the first charging of the stored items while setting the second and subsequent charging of the stored items, thereby enabling the stored items to be charged and recharged efficiently.

[0245] According to this embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to rearrange the charging schedule so that additional charging is performed on a stored item (electric vehicle X) that has already been charged when there are no stored items (electric vehicles X) that are being charged or that are waiting to be charged.

[0246] With the above-described configuration, the control device 6 can rearrange the charging schedule even at times other than the predetermined time when there are no stored items being charged or waiting to be charged, thereby enabling more efficient charging and recharging of stored items.

[0247] According to this embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to rearrange the charging schedule so that additional charging is performed on a stored item (electric vehicle X) that has already been charged if there are no stored items (electric vehicles X) waiting to be charged.

[0248] With the above-described configuration, the control device 6 can rearrange the charging schedule even if there are no stored items waiting to be charged, even outside of the specified time, thereby enabling more efficient charging and recharging of stored items.

[0249] According to this embodiment, the control device 6 is configured to rearrange the charging schedule so that additional charging is performed on a stored item (electric vehicle X) that has already been charged when there is no stored item (electric vehicle X) currently being charged.

[0250] With the above-described configuration, the control device 6 can rearrange the charging schedule when there are no stored items being charged, even outside of the predetermined time, thereby enabling more efficient charging and recharging of stored items.

[0251] (Other Configurations of Mechanical Parking Device) In the above-described embodiment, the mechanical parking device 1 has been described as one in which all charging facilities are used for rotating charging, but the present invention is not limited to this. The mechanical parking device 1 may also be equipped with charging facilities that allow scheduled charging without rotating charging, and charging facilities that allow rotating charging. For example, if the mechanical parking device 1 is equipped with four charging facilities, two charging facilities may be set for rotating charging and two charging facilities may be set for scheduled charging, and the above-described resetting of the charging schedule may be applied only to the two charging facilities that are used for rotating charging.

[0252] In the above-described embodiment, the mechanical parking device 1 is described as rotating the charging while swapping the pallets 4, but this is not limited to this. The mechanical parking device 1 may also rotate the charging while switching the charging points. In this case, for example, all or some of the storage shelves 3 are replaced with charging shelves 2, and a charging device 14 is provided on each of all the charging shelves 2.

[0253] In this case, the control device 6 refers to the charge list at one or more predetermined timings within each time period and determines whether or not a charging completion target exists for each usage ID. Specifically, the control device 6 determines whether or not four time periods have passed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID. The predetermined timings include the above-mentioned times when the electric vehicle X enters and leaves the parking lot.

[0254] When the control device 6 determines that four time periods have passed since the time period set as the charging start time for the usage ID to be determined, it identifies the electric vehicle X of that usage ID as the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion. In order to stop charging of the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion, the control device 6 controls the distribution board 15 to stop the supply of power to the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion from the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2 that stores the electric vehicle X to be charged for completion.

[0255] When the control device 6 stops the supply of power to the electric vehicle X whose charging is to be completed, the control device 6 updates the charging list. Specifically, the control device 6 sets the charging state and charging start time of the usage ID whose charging is to be completed to "charging completed" and "0", respectively, in the charging list.

[0256] When the control device 6 updates the charging list, it refers to the charging list and determines, in order of entry, whether or not there is a usage ID for which the charging state is set to "waiting for charging."

[0257] If there is a usage ID whose charging state is set to "waiting for charging", the control device 6 identifies the electric vehicle X with that usage ID as the electric vehicle X whose charging is to start. When the control device 6 identifies the electric vehicle X whose charging is to start, the control device 6 controls the distribution board 15 to start charging the vehicle whose charging is to start, and starts supplying power to the electric vehicle X whose charging is to start from the charging device 14 arranged on the charging shelf 2 that stores the electric vehicle X whose charging is to start.

[0258] When the control device 6 starts supplying power to the electric vehicle X that is the target for starting charging, the control device 6 updates the charging list. Specifically, in the charging list, the control device 6 sets the charging state, the number of charges, and the charging start time of the usage ID that is the target for starting charging to "charging," "current setting value + 1," and "current time zone," respectively.

[0259] When the reset time arrives, the control device 6 refers to the charging list and identifies the usage IDs whose charging status has been set to “charging completed.” After identifying the usage IDs whose charging status has been set to “charging completed,” the control device 6 refers to the management table and identifies, from among the identified usage IDs, the usage IDs whose recharging necessity information has been set to “1.”

[0260] When the control device 6 identifies a usage ID for which the recharging necessity information is set to "1," it changes the charging status of the identified usage ID in the charging list in the order of entry from "charging completed" to "waiting for charging."

[0261] The control unit 6 can also perform the auxiliary reset described above.

[0262] (Charging of items other than mechanical parking devices) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the item stored in the item hangar is the electric vehicle X has been described, but this is not limited to this. The present embodiment can also be applied to items other than the electric vehicle X as long as the item has a storage battery. For example, the present embodiment can also be applied to an item hangar equipped with a charging facility that can charge items that require charging, such as a storage battery, a small mobility, an electric kick scooter, a drone, or a flying car.

[0263] That is, according to the above-described embodiment, there is provided a method for charging storage batteries in which the storage batteries are charged in sequence by swapping the storage batteries between a charging section that can charge the storage batteries and a storage section that does not charge the storage batteries, and in which a charging schedule including the charging time and charging order of the storage batteries is set when the storage batteries are brought in, and the charging schedule is reset and reorganized at a specified time.

[0264] Furthermore, when rearranging the charging schedule, the storage batteries currently being charged may continue to be charged. Furthermore, when rearranging the charging schedule, additional charging may be assigned to the storage batteries that have already been charged in order of the storage batteries that were brought in earlier. Furthermore, the storage batteries brought in after the charging schedule has been rearranged may be given priority in the charging order over the storage batteries that are waiting to be charged for the second or subsequent times. Furthermore, the charging schedule may be rearranged so that additional charging is performed on the storage batteries that have already been charged when there are no storage batteries currently being charged or waiting to be charged. Furthermore, the charging schedule may be rearranged so that additional charging is performed on the storage batteries that have already been charged when there are no storage batteries currently being charged. Furthermore, the charging schedule may be rearranged so that additional charging is performed on the storage batteries that have already been charged when there are no storage batteries currently being charged.

[0265] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An item storage facility comprising: charging equipment capable of charging stored items; and a control device that charges the stored items using the charging equipment, wherein the control device is configured to set a charging schedule including the charging time and charging order for the stored items when the stored items are entered, and to reset and reorganize the charging schedule at a specified time.

2. The item storage facility of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to allow stored items that are being charged to continue charging when the charging schedule is reorganized.

3. The item storage facility of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to, when rearranging the charging schedule, allocate additional charging to stored items that have already been charged in order, starting with stored items that were entered earlier.

4. The item storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to give charging priority to stored items that are stored after the charging schedule has been rearranged, over stored items waiting to be charged for the second or subsequent times.

5. The item storage facility of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to rearrange the charging schedule so that additional charging is performed on stored items that have already been charged when there are no stored items being charged or stored items waiting to be charged.

6. The item storage facility of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to rearrange the charging schedule so that additional charging is performed on stored items that have already been charged when there are no stored items waiting to be charged.

7. The item storage facility of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to reorganize the charging schedule so that additional charging is performed on stored items that have already been charged when there are no stored items being charged.

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