In-Depth Analysis — Vertical Carousel-Type Automated Parking Garage

Release date:

2019-05-16 09:13

Source:

Gaoli Machinery

Vertical circulating automated parking garage (Commonly designated as PCX) is a type of intelligent, unmanned mechanical parking system. It occupies a small footprint, offers high vehicle capacity, features a single‑speed drive system, is easy to operate, and has low maintenance costs, making it ideal for locations with limited land but high parking demand—particularly hospitals, banks, supermarkets, and tourist attractions—where it delivers exceptionally high parking efficiency.

★ Working principle ★

A vertical‑cyclic automated parking system operates by cycling vehicles in the vertical direction. The parking system uses a reducer to drive the transmission mechanism, with parking brackets mounted at regular intervals along the traction chain. When the motor is activated, these brackets move vertically in a cyclical motion along with the chain, thereby enabling vehicles to be stored and retrieved.

★ Product Advantages ★

1 Easy to access, eliminating parking worries for beginner drivers.

Both the upper and lower parking spaces are 2.3 meters wide, eliminating the “narrow gates” typical of lift‑and‑slide mechanical parking systems. Parking in the lower level is no different from conventional parking, while the upper level uses a movable car‑carrying platform that rotates 90° before lowering to ground level. Vehicles are loaded and retrieved via straight‑in maneuvers without any turning or reversing, making this type of garage particularly well suited for novice drivers who may not yet be fully proficient.

2 Good safety and high reliability

Each parking space is equipped with its own system, resulting in a failure rate less than one-fifth that of lift‑and‑slide parking garages. Moreover, the design is simple, offering high safety and reliability; even in the event of a malfunction, vehicles on the upper levels can still be retrieved manually until the issue is resolved, ensuring that no vehicle remains trapped inside the garage.

3 Operating cost efficiency

Each vehicle retrieval or parking operation consumes approximately 0.07 kWh of electricity, and no on-site operator is required to perform the task at the parking space. Compared with conventional fixed‑location parking facilities, this system eliminates the need for additional staff.

4 Simple repairs, low maintenance costs.

A simple mechanical motion device controlled by a microcontroller can be maintained by a typical electrician; the maintenance cost per parking space is approximately RMB 20 per month.

5 Small footprint, low construction costs, and no traffic congestion.

When the lower-level parking spaces are occupied, the entire roadway experiences congestion similar to that of a conventional garage. In contrast, when vehicles are parked or retrieved on the upper level, no traffic congestion occurs on the road surface, as the rotated parking bays occupy only 2.3 meters of roadway once they descend to ground level, leaving sufficient space for other vehicles to pass. Compared with lift‑and‑slide automated parking systems, this design can reduce the required site footprint by approximately 20% and lower construction costs.

★ Scope of Application ★

In general, small-scale circulation systems are typically installed outdoors, while large-scale systems may be integrated with the main building or housed in a separate outdoor garage.

★ Security Requirements ★

1 Operational Restrictions and Alerts

1. The equipment shall not be operated unless personnel have left the equipment.

2. A warning shall be issued before the equipment is started; during operation, the door leading into the equipment may be opened or closed.

3. For garages with doors that remain open during operation, the equipment shall automatically stop when a person or vehicle enters.

2 Good safety and high reliability

The equipment’s control cabinet (panel) shall be installed in a location that provides direct visibility of pedestrian and vehicle access as well as the equipment’s operating status.

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