A fully automated parking system accepts a user’s vehicle from a parking area and then—after the occupant exits the vehicle—moves the vehicle into an interior parking spot by themselves. In contrast to stackers and semi-automatic parking systems (two other forms of mechanical parking), you do need to drive your car onto a platform yourself, versus an automated parking system taking your vehicle from an entry cabin to then having your vehicle moved into the parking structure automatically utilizing a transfer device. Since the human element is eliminated, automated parking systems can hold automobiles much closer together than any alternative parking arrangement. There are three primary types of automated parking systems that Harding Steel can construct for you based on your needs, which we will cover here.
Wöhr Levelparker
Typically the smallest automated parking systems, the Wöhr Levelparker may possess either one or two levels of storage (potentially up to 3). These levels exist underground, with only a vehicle drop-off area visible to the user on the surface. A person can park their car on the platform in the transfer area. From there, it is lowered into the storage section where vehicles are either rotated on moving platforms laterally (one level) or laterally and vertically (two levels).
You can picture the two variations as forming rectangles within which platforms cycle in one direction to allow for people to store and retrieve different cars. The one-level version has a rectangular cycle you would see by looking down at it, while the two-level version has a rectangular cycle you would see by looking at the system from the side.
Wöhr Parksafe
The Wöhr Parksafe is what most often comes to people’s minds when they think of automated parking. It is an above-ground structure that holds multiple large shelves inside itself onto which it places cars using a platform that can move backward and forward, up and down, and side to side. A person parks their car at the entrance of the structure and from there, the platform will move to store the car in an available spot within.
That entrance is usually centered on one side of the system so that the platform has the ability to move intro either of the two shelves inside. These two shelves may be multiple spaces deep and multiple spaces long, as well as having multiple row levels. Other variants of the Parksafe only have one space per row, essentially holding two stacked towers of several cars.
Wöhr Multiparker
You can think of the Wöhr Multiparker as the opposite counterpart to the Parksafe. It exists underground and above ground, but has a holding capacity and platform movement more comparable to the Parksafe than the Levelparker. The user only sees the drop-off station at the ground level. The platform then moves below in all six directions to place automobiles in two shelves separated by an aisle in the middle through which the platform can travel.
Whereas the Parksafe often stores vehicles a couple spaces deep within its shelves, the Multiparker’s rows are always up to two cars deep or tandem. It makes up for this with a longer lateral layout that allows it to rival the capacity of the Parksafe. The Multiparker also comes in several different configurations that change where the drop-off platform enters and exits and how large its total volume is.
You can view the visual graphics on each of these automated car parking system types online at the Harding Steel website. If you want more information on any of them, don’t hesitate to call us today.