Mechanical parking equipment can effectively utilize space and improve parking efficiency

Mechanical parking equipment is a device that uses mechanical transmission devices to achieve vehicle access and parking. It can effectively utilize space, improve parking efficiency, and is widely used in parking-intensive places such as city centers, commercial areas, residential areas, and airports. The following is a detailed introduction to mechanical parking equipment:

I. Classification and Characteristics

According to the structure and working principle, common mechanical parking equipment can be divided into the following categories:

1. Lifting and Shifting Type

Principle: The vehicle is lifted by a hoist, and then the vehicle platform is moved horizontally by a horizontal movement device to achieve vehicle access.

Characteristics:

Simple structure, low cost, suitable for small and medium-sized parking lots (commonly used in underground garage renovations).

High space utilization rate, multi-layer construction is possible (generally 2-4 layers), upper-level parking spaces require horizontal movement from lower-level parking spaces to create a passage.

Easy to operate, can be controlled by buttons or cards, but the access time for upper-level parking spaces is longer.

2. Vertical Lifting Type (Tower Type)

Principle: The vehicle is sent to the target floor by an elevator-type lifting device, and then moved into the parking space by a horizontal movement device.

Characteristics:

Small footprint (only needs one entrance and exit), high-rise construction is possible (up to 20 floors or more), extremely high space utilization rate.

Fast access speed (average access time is about 90 seconds), suitable for urban center areas with limited land.

High degree of automation, can be connected to an intelligent system, but the equipment investment is large, and the maintenance cost is high.

3. Plane Moving Type

Principle: The vehicle is precisely transported to the designated parking space by a transport vehicle moving on a plane track.

Characteristics:

Multiple vehicles can operate simultaneously, high access efficiency, suitable for large parking lots (the number of parking spaces can reach hundreds).

Flexible parking space layout, can be designed according to the shape of the site, but track laying is required, and the construction cost is high.

Supports reservation of vehicle access, better user experience.

4. Vertical Circulation Type

Principle: Parking spaces are arranged in a vertical circular shape, and the parking spaces are moved to the entrance and exit by chain drive.

Characteristics:

Compact structure, small footprint, suitable for scenarios where the site is narrow but the height is sufficient (such as the gap between buildings).

Lower cost, but slower access speed (waiting for the parking space to circulate to the entrance and exit), suitable for parking small vehicles.

5. Simple Lifting Type

Principle: The lifting and lowering of upper and lower parking spaces is achieved through hydraulic or chain drive, generally a 2-layer structure.

Characteristics:

Low cost, easy installation, suitable for private garages or small parking lots (such as residential communities).

Upper-level parking spaces can only be accessed when the lower level is empty, less flexible, but can double the use of space.

6. Multi-layer Circulation Type

Principle: Multi-layer horizontal circulation track, vehicles move between floors through a lifting device, and then are sent to the target parking space by the circulation system.

Characteristics:

Can accommodate more parking spaces (multi-layer simultaneous circulation), high space utilization rate, but high equipment complexity and high maintenance difficulty.

II. Main Components

Steel structure frame: The main supporting structure of the entire equipment, which needs to have high strength and stability, usually using steel welding or bolt connection.

Transmission system:

Lifting mechanism: Hydraulic cylinders, chains, steel wire ropes or rack and pinion, used to achieve vertical movement of parking spaces.

Horizontal movement mechanism: Motor, reducer, guide rail and pulley, used for horizontal movement of the vehicle platform.

Control system:

Programmable logic controller (PLC) or intelligent management system, responsible for coordinating the movement of various components, supporting button, card swiping, mobile APP and other operation methods.

Safety protection device: Limit switch, anti-fall device, overload protection, emergency stop button, etc., to ensure safe operation.

Vehicle platform: The platform that carries the vehicle, the surface is treated with anti-slip treatment, and some are equipped with wheel positioning devices.

III. Advantages and Applicable Scenarios

Advantages

High space utilization: Under the same area, the number of vehicles that can be parked by mechanical parking equipment is 3-10 times that of traditional parking lots, alleviating the problem of difficulty in parking in cities.

Automation and intelligence: Reduce labor management costs, support parking reservations, automatic payment, license plate recognition and other functions, and improve user experience.

Complete safety protection: Vehicles are transported by equipment throughout the process, avoiding manual driving scratches; some equipment is equipped with monitoring and fire protection facilities to ensure vehicle safety.

Strong environmental adaptability: It can be designed as indoor or outdoor type, adapting to different climatic conditions (such as adding rainproof and sunshade roofs).

Applicable Scenarios

Urban center commercial areas: Land is tight, parking demand is large, suitable for tower-type or plane moving-type equipment.

Residential communities: Renovation of underground garages to increase parking space supply, commonly used lifting and shifting type or simple lifting type.

Transportation hubs (airports, high-speed rail stations): A large number of parking spaces are required and access efficiency is pursued, suitable for plane moving type or vertical lifting type.

Hospitals, schools: Dense crowds, fast access to vehicles is required, and barrier-free design can be matched (such as low-position entrances and exits).

Public parking lots (open-air or underground): Choose the appropriate type according to the size of the site, such as multi-layer circulation type or vertical circulation type.

IV. Safety and Maintenance Points

Safety devices

Fall Protection: Upper parking spaces are equipped with safety hooks or fall protection plates to prevent the car carrier from accidentally falling.

Overlimit Detection: Photoelectric sensors detect vehicle dimensions (height, length) to prevent oversized vehicles from entering the parking garage.

Emergency Stop Function: Emergency stop buttons are provided on each operating interface for immediate interruption of operation in case of anomalies.

Separation of People and Vehicles: Isolation barriers are set up at the entrance and exit, prohibiting personnel from entering the equipment area during operation.

Maintenance Points

Regular Inspection:

Check the wear and tear of transmission components (chains, steel wires, gears) weekly and lubricate or replace them as needed.

Test the control system functions (such as limit switches, sensors) monthly to ensure normal signal transmission.

Perform anti-rust treatment on the steel structure every six months and check the tightness of the bolts.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Remove debris (such as dust and leaves) from the bottom of the equipment and the tracks to avoid affecting the operation of the transmission system.

Check the hydraulic oil and replace deteriorated hydraulic oil in a timely manner.

Professional Overhaul:

A comprehensive overhaul should be conducted annually by the manufacturer or certified technicians, including load testing and verification of safety device functions.

Establish maintenance records, documenting fault handling and component replacement to ensure that the equipment complies with national standards (such as GB 17907 "General Safety Requirements for Mechanical Parking Equipment").

V. Development Trends

Intelligent Upgrades: Integrate Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and AI technologies to achieve parking space reservation, automatic navigation, and intelligent charging (such as ETC contactless payment).

Green Energy Saving: Adopt energy-saving motors, solar power, and other technologies to reduce equipment energy consumption.

Modular Design: Standardized components facilitate quick installation and replacement, shortening construction time and adapting to the needs of old community renovations.

Integration with Buildings: Reserve interfaces for mechanical parking equipment in new buildings to achieve simultaneous design and construction of parking lots and main buildings.