New chain model from Tsubaki cable tow enables use in a parking tower for e-cars

The special feature of the innovative parking garage is that the individual parking spaces are arranged as gondolas and can be moved counterclockwise and clockwise by up to 180°. This has the advantage that up to 16 cars can be arranged one above the other - in a parking area that would otherwise only accommodate three cars. The challenge for energy supply chains is that the individual parking spaces are constantly in motion. Nevertheless, a permanent power as well as data supply must be ensured.

"We developed a cable drag chain with two feed points," explains Samuel Heinrich, application engineer at Tsubaki Kabelschlepp. "Half of the cables are fed into the chain via each of these two feed points and then exit at a transfer plate in the middle of the chain." From there, each individual nacelle is supplied with power and data. To move the chain back from its respective end positions, it is necessary to move the chain with two drive wheels. These are in positive contact with both sides of the energy guiding chain.

To meet this requirement, Tsubaki Kabelschlepp developed a completely new chain model - the TKV105. With chain dimensions and link pitches precisely adapted to the application, a product was created that is tailored to the challenges of the application. The chain can easily be built in the proven Kabelschlepp 1mm width pitch, so there is no need for a special design with long delivery times to meet growing filling requirements.

In the E-Parktower project, two separate chain systems were joined together to form a single primary chain, corresponding to a total length of around 20m. "The solution really takes into account all our requirements," says Manuel Huch, CEO at E-Parktower. "In addition, we received everything from a single source - from development to delivery and installation." The Totaltrax complete system for E-Parktower not only included the cable carrier, but also, for example, ready-made Traxline cables.