Parking Space Management System and Evaluation Unit for a Parking Space Management System

Abstract

Provided is a parking space management system including a temperature sensor which can be attached to the floor of a parking lot and an evaluation unit connected to the temperature sensor. The evaluation unit uses the temperature sensor to evaluate at least one temperature profile in the region of the temperature sensor and outputs a signal depending on the temperature profile.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A parking space management system comprising, a temperature sensor attachable to the floor of a parking lot, an evaluation unit connected to the temperature sensor, wherein the evaluation unit by means of the temperature sensor evaluates at least one temperature profile in the region of the temperature sensor and depending on the temperature profile outputs a signal wherein the evaluation unit compares a detected temperature profile with stored temperature profiles and, depending on the comparison, determines a drive type of a vehicle parked in the parking lot.

13. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is an fiber line and/or the temperature sensor is an electrical sensor.

14. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is integrated into the floor of the parking lot.

15. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates a temporally first temperature profile and determines a drive type on the basis of an evaluation and then evaluates a temporally second temperature profile depending on the determined drive type in order to output the fire alarm signal.

16. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the evaluation unit signals an occupancy of the parking lot depending on an evaluation.

17. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the output of the signal is dependent on the particular drive type.

18. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates a plurality of temperature sensors.

19. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the evaluation unit controls an optical path marking depending on an evaluation, wherein the optical path marking leads to the parking lot for which the signal was output.

20. The parking space management system according to claim 12, wherein the evaluation unit, depending on an evaluation, blocks the parking lot for which the signal was output by means of an optical path marking.

21. An evaluation unit for a parking space management system comprising, at least one input, arranged for coupling with a temperature sensor arranged at the floor of a parking lot, wherein the evaluation unit uses the temperature sensor to evaluate at least one temperature profile at the parking lot and outputs a signal depending on the temperature profile wherein the evaluation unit compares a detected temperature profile with stored temperature profiles and, depending on the comparison, determines a drive type of a vehicle parked in the parking lot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the following, the subject matter is explained in more detail by means of a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. In the drawing show:

[0040] FIG. 1 is an object parking space management system;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a temperature sensor in the floor of a parking lot;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows path markings in a parking space;

[0043] FIG. 4a-c are temperature-time profiles;

[0044] FIG. 5a-c are temperature-location profiles;

[0045] FIG. 6a-c are temperature-time profiles during a fire;

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates the evaluation of temperature profiles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a parking space 2 of a parking space management system with a plurality of parking lots 2a, b, c, and d. A temperature sensor 4a-d extending in the longitudinal direction may be arranged at the bottom of the respective parking lots 2a-d. The temperature sensor 4a-d may be, for example, a fiber line, in particular a fire alarm fiber optic line. Using suitable control means (not shown), both a temporal temperature profile and a spatially resolved temperature profile can be recorded along temperature sensors 4a-d. The captured temperature profiles are assigned to one of the parking lots 2a-d and fed to an evaluation circuit 6. In the evaluation circuit 6, a hereafter described comparison of the captured temperature profiles with stored temperature profiles in order to send information about the occupancy of the parking lot 2 to a fire alarm control panel 10 in a signal 8.

[0048] The signal 8 can be, for example, a first signal 12 in which information 12a about a parking lot 2a-d is linked to information 12b about a drive type of a vehicle parked in the parking lot 2a-d. However, a signal 12 can also be an alarm signal in which information 12a about a parking lot and information 12c about a detected fire or an unusual temperature development at one of the parking lots 2a-d is included together, for example, also with a drive type. The signal 8 is transmitted from the evaluation unit 6 to a fire alarm control center 10.

[0049] A temperature sensor 4a formed as a fiber conductor may, for example, be embedded in a cover layer 14a, as shown in FIG. 2. This prevents the temperature sensor 4a from being damaged by vehicles driving over it.

[0050] The parking lots 2a-d of the parking area 2 may be arranged in different parking decks 2′, 2″, 2′″ and 2″″ side by side and/or on top of each other, as shown in FIG. 3. Way markers 16 may point to the different parking decks 2′-2″″. The way markers 16 may also include information signs 16a. The path markings 16 as well as the signs 16a can be controlled by the evaluation unit 6 and/or the fire alarm control center 10, for example, in order to direct a fire department to the affected parking lot 2a-d in the event of a fire or to prevent access to a parking deck 2′-2″″ via a sign 16a for further vehicles.

[0051] As already explained, a temporal temperature profile of a parked vehicle is characteristic of the drive type of the vehicle.

[0052] FIG. 4a shows, as an example, a temperature profile over time of a vehicle with a combustion engine. At time t0, the vehicle is parked and the temperature rises rapidly because the combustion engine is hot. The temperature decrease is degressive, since the engine fan at first still runs and subsequently, cooling takes place by pure convection.

[0053] FIG. 4b shows, as an example, a temperature profile for a battery-electric vehicle. At time t0, the vehicle is parked and the vehicle is slightly heated, for example in the area of the battery due to the high current flows. The cooling is generally linear and slower than with an combustion engine, as can be seen from the temperature profile.

[0054] FIG. 4c shows, as an example, a temperature profile for a fuel cell vehicle. Here, the initial temperature at time t0, when the vehicle is parked, is approximately the same as that of the battery-electric vehicle shown in FIG. 4b, but cooling is faster because the heat capacity of the battery is not there and thus less heat energy is stored.

[0055] Based on these three exemplary temperature profiles, it can be seen that the evaluation unit 6 can determine a drive type of a vehicle at the beginning of a parking operation.

[0056] FIG. 5a shows an exemplary temperature profile over the longitudinal extension direction of a temperature sensor 4a-d of a combustion engine. It can be seen that, for example, in a front area, where the combustion engine is, there is an elevated temperature, but the underbody is relatively cool, and in the rear area the temperature is almost the same as the ambient temperature.

[0057] This is different in the case of a battery-electric vehicle, of which the spatial temperature profile is shown as an example in FIG. 5b. There, the underbody, where the battery is located, will generally be hotter than the front and rear of the vehicle.

[0058] FIG. 5c shows an exemplary spatial temperature profile of a fuel cell vehicle. There, due to the absence of the battery, the front of the vehicle is expected to have an increased temperature, but the underbody and rear will not have an increased temperature.

[0059] A drive type can also be determined on the basis of the spatial temperature profile according to FIGS. 5a-c.

[0060] FIGS. 6a-c show exemplary temperature profiles of the different drive types in the event of a fire.

[0061] FIG. 6a shows that in the case of a fire in a combustion engine, the temperature increases linearly and rapidly.

[0062] In FIG. 6b, which shows a fire of a battery electric vehicle, it can be seen that before a sharp rise in temperature, the temperature first rises slightly, due to short circuits within the battery modules, for example. At time t1, the internal temperature of the battery can be so high that a “tripping point” is reached and the battery starts to burn, whereupon a steep rise in temperature can then be expected.

[0063] FIG. 6c shows an exemplary temperature profile for a fire of a fuel cell vehicle. Up to time t1, when the fire occurs, no temperature increase can be measured. As soon as the fire occurs, a very steep temperature rise is to be expected, possibly steeper than in the case of the combustion engine shown in FIG. 6a.

[0064] The temperature profiles shown are purely exemplary and are only intended to illustrate that both a temporal and a spatial temperature distribution can provide insight about a drive type on the one hand and about the danger or presence of a fire on the other.

[0065] Various clusters 16a-c are provided in the evaluation unit 6. In each cluster 16a-c, different temperature profiles 18 are stored for a specific drive type. For example, a first temperature profile 18 may represent a temporal temperature profile at the beginning of a parking process. A further temperature profile 18 may represent a spatial temperature profile at the beginning of a parking process. A further temperature profile 18 may represent a temporal temperature profile during a fire, and finally, a further temperature profile 18 may represent a spatial temperature profile during a fire. For each of these temperature profiles, a set of characteristic temperature profiles 18 may be stored, so that one or more temperature profiles 18 are stored for each drive type for each case.

[0066] If a temporal temperature profile 20a is now captured by the evaluation unit 6, this is compared with the temporal temperature profiles 18 of the various clusters 16a-c. Here, for example, a cross-correlation can be performed and the temperature profile 18 that has the smallest deviation compared to the measured temperature profile 20a can be determined. From this, for example, the drive type can be concluded.

[0067] If later, a second temperature profile 20b is measured, for example at a later time, this can be compared, for example, with temperature profiles 18 of clusters 16a-c, which indicate a fire. If the drive type is known in advance, a comparison can be made only with the temperature profiles 18 of the cluster 16a-c which is assigned to this drive type. If the deviation of the measured temperature profile 20b from the stored temperature profiles 18 is below a threshold value, for example, a warning signal, a fire signal or the like, for example a signal 12 with the information 12a-c can be output.