| 1 | Rated Load Capacity | Common passenger-car applications: approximately 2,500–5,000 kg; larger systems may be engineered for heavier vehicles. | The lifting mechanism, guide rails, platform structure, and braking system are designed to raise and lower the specified vehicle load with an appropriate safety margin. | The rated load must exceed the combined weight of the heaviest vehicle, occupants, and any permitted accessories. |
| 2 | Platform Size | Typical clear platform widths are about 2,500–3,000 mm, with lengths commonly around 5,000–6,500 mm. | The vehicle is driven or positioned onto a steel platform. The platform transfers the load to the lifting frame and guide system. | The platform should accommodate the longest and widest vehicle expected at the site while maintaining safe door and wall clearances. |
| 3 | Drive Technology | The principal drive options are hydraulic, traction, screw-driven, and chain or cable-supported lifting systems. | Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid; traction systems use a motor, sheave, and counterweight or counterbalance; screw systems use a rotating threaded mechanism; chain or cable systems transmit motor force through flexible lifting members. | Drive selection affects installation depth, maintenance requirements, noise, energy use, travel height, and lifecycle cost. |
| 4 | Rated Lifting Speed | Many vehicle elevators operate at approximately 0.10–0.30 m/s, depending on travel height, capacity, and applicable regulations. | A motor and control system regulate the upward and downward movement so that acceleration, travel, leveling, and stopping remain controlled. | Higher speed can improve traffic flow, but it generally requires more advanced controls, stronger structural components, and stricter commissioning procedures. |
| 5 | Lifting Height and Stops | Low-rise applications may serve two or three levels; lifting height is commonly engineered from several metres to more than 10 metres. | Position sensors and limit switches identify each landing. The controller stops the platform at a predetermined level for vehicle entry and exit. | The manufacturer should verify shaft dimensions, overhead clearance, pit depth, landing alignment, and the required number of stops before design approval. |
| 6 | Leveling Accuracy | A properly configured system is generally designed to stop close to the landing level, with the permitted tolerance determined by the applicable code and project specification. | Encoders, proximity sensors, limit switches, and closed-loop or controlled stopping logic reduce platform height differences at each floor. | Accurate leveling reduces tire impact, improves driving comfort, and lowers the risk of trips or vehicle underbody contact. |
| 7 | Door and Interlocking System | Common arrangements include manual or automatic landing doors, vertically lifting doors, hinged doors, and rolling doors with electrical or mechanical interlocks. | Interlocks prevent landing doors from opening unless the platform is correctly positioned and prevent movement when a door is not securely closed. | Door compatibility is essential for preventing vehicle falls, unauthorized access, and movement during loading or unloading. |
| 8 | Safety Protection | Typical protection includes overspeed or unintended-movement protection, emergency stop controls, overload detection, slack-rope or chain monitoring, limit switches, and obstruction sensing. | Sensors and mechanical safety devices detect abnormal conditions and either stop the drive or hold the platform in a safe position. | A complete safety architecture is more important than lifting speed or cosmetic finish and must be assessed against local elevator and parking-equipment requirements. |
| 9 | Control and Emergency Operation | Typical controls include landing call stations, key switches or access cards, programmable controllers, emergency lowering, manual rescue operation, and fault indication. | The controller coordinates calls, door status, motor operation, floor positioning, alarms, and fault responses through a defined sequence. | Clear controls and a documented rescue procedure help operators recover vehicles safely during power failure, sensor faults, or other service interruptions. |
| 10 | Installation, Compliance, and Service | The project normally requires structural verification, electrical protection, drainage or waterproofing where applicable, commissioning tests, periodic inspection, and scheduled maintenance. | The complete system functions as an integrated installation: civil structure, guide rails, drive unit, platform, doors, controls, and safety devices must operate together. | A capable manufacturer should provide drawings, load calculations, manuals, training, spare parts, testing records, and after-sales support appropriate to the installation location. |
