EP3293136A1 - Computer-aided construction of a gear wheel rail of a stair lift - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for constructing the structure of a staircase inclined elevator with a first and a second track rail (1, 2) and a transport unit (3) guided thereon, wherein the spatial progression of one at the first (1) or at the second ( 2) track rail formed gear rail (14) is determined, which is necessary for engagement of a pinion (8) of the space axis (G) aligned transport unit (3) on the gear rail (14).

Description

The invention relates to a computer-aided method for the construction and manufacture of the structure of a staircase inclined elevator with a gear rail. The invention also relates to a corresponding computer design program, a corresponding computer program storage medium and a corresponding computer with this storage medium. The invention also relates to a constructed and manufactured by means of the method Treppenschrägaufzug- supporting structure.

From the prior art, for example the EP 1 700 812 B1 Stairs inclined elevators are known, the passenger seat comprehensive transport unit is guided along two superimposed and designed as tubes rails along. The spatial course of these guide tubes relative to one another over the journey path is thus initially predetermined by the transport unit or its predefined geometric design. In addition, the spatial course of the structure must also be adapted to the geometric specifications of the later site. Furthermore, the drive of such inclined stair lifts by a arranged in the transport unit motor, which also drives a transport unit associated pinion drives, which engages in a corresponding and running along the support gear rail. It is therefore easy to imagine that the engagement of the drive pinion in the gear rail is not ideal over the entire course of the gear rail away. So it can come to individual sections of the gear rail course to geometrically related "misalignments" of the drive pinion relative to the gear rail, which not only uneven loading and thus wear of all tooth flanks for Consequence, but also an unintentionally high stress on load-bearing parts of the stairlift. So far, one made use of an unusually high clearance in the mesh pinion gear rail, which at best mitigates the stress problem, but can not avoid the uneven tooth engagement. Also, in order to ensure a satisfactory function of the stairlift, in particular a satisfactory engagement of the mating pinion gear rail, the stairlift structure is manually made to an assembly stand. Thus, the course of the gear rail on one of the two tubes of the structure is manually set according to the later geometric specifications in numerous, partly iterative steps. This not only requires a lot of technical know-how and experience, but inevitably brings with it a very high manual production effort.

It is the object of the present invention to improve the necessary for the stairlift drive engagement of the drive pinion in the corresponding gear rail in such a way that the component load, the associated wear and the manufacturing costs are reduced. This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the present invention.

• Festlegen eines räumlichen Verlaufs der ersten Laufschiene entsprechend den von der Tragwerksinstallation vorgegebenen Rahmenbedingungen;
• Festlegen einer Raumachse entsprechend den von der Tragwerksinstallation vorgegebenen Rahmenbedingungen;
• Festlegen einer geometrischen Ausgestaltung der Transporteinheit;
• Bestimmen eines räumlichen Verlaufs einer an der ersten oder an der zweiten Laufschiene ausgebildeten Längsverzahnung, der zum Eingriff eines Ritzels der zur Raumachse ausgerichteten Transporteinheit an der Längsverzahnung notwendig ist, wobei zur Bestimmung des räumlichen Verlaufs der Zahnradschiene der räumliche Positionsverlauf der entlang der ersten Laufschiene geführten und entlang der Raumachse ausgerichteten Transporteinheit, insbesondere mittels einer dreidimensionalen Modellsimulation simuliert wird.

The present invention provides a computer-implemented method for constructing the structure of a staircase inclined elevator with a first and a second track rail and a transport unit guided thereon, the method comprising the following steps:

• Defining a spatial course of the first track according to the framework conditions prescribed by the structural installation;
• Defining a spatial axis according to the framework conditions prescribed by the structural installation;
• Determining a geometric configuration of the transport unit;
• Determining a spatial course of a trained on the first or on the second track spline, which is for engagement of a pinion of the aligned to the space axis transport unit on the spline is necessary, wherein for determining the spatial course of the gear rail of the spatial position profile of the guided along the first track rail and aligned along the spatial axis transport unit, in particular by means of a three-dimensional model simulation is simulated.

According to the invention, the engagement pinion gear rail is improved also tragwerksseitig. As already mentioned in the introduction, the design and manufacture of the necessary for the drive gear rail brings a high manufacturing cost, since the example welded to one of the support rails rail gear rail is often curved together with the corresponding rail in three dimensions, but always an intervention of the Drive pinion must be ensured in the track.

According to the computer-implemented method according to the invention, first of all the spatial course of the first structural runner rail is determined, specifically in accordance with the geometrical specifications of the later installation or deployment location of the stairlift. In this context, it is conceivable that the spatial progression of the first rail is adapted by means of a design program to a virtual model of the later work site. However, it is also conceivable that the spatial course of the first track was already determined by their production, whereupon this only has to be digitized for the further construction process. Thus, the already manufactured track rail can be measured and the data obtained for the further computer-implemented design process to the corresponding computer for further processing.

In the method according to the invention, furthermore, a spatial axis, that is to say an axis in three-dimensional space, is determined relative to the course of the first rail. At this axis, the transport unit of the stairlift is finally aligned. In other words, the spatial axis defines the orientation of the transport unit relative to the first track.

Finally, the geometrical configuration of the transport unit must be known, which ultimately determines not only the relative position of both rails required for guiding the transport unit on and along both rails, but also the relative position of at least one of the two required for engagement of the pinion on the gear rail Runners and the gear rail pretends.

The above data thus define the framework for the spatial course of the gear rail of the structure within which there is satisfactory engagement of the pinion on and along the gear rail.

To determine the spatial course of the gear rail, the spatial position profile of the transport unit guided on and along the first running rail and aligned on the spatial axis is simulated, namely by means of a three-dimensional model simulation. In other words, a virtual model of the transport unit can be guided along a virtual model of the first track with an already defined spatial course, with the transport unit also being aligned with the already-defined spatial axis. For alignment of the transport unit to the spatial axis is to say that the transport unit is preferably aligned with the space axis, that the vertical axis of the transport unit, which may be perpendicular to the seat surface of the transport unit, parallel to the predefined spatial axis. With the simulation of the aligned on the space axis and guided along the first rail transport unit is determined by the transport unit or rather its associated drive pinion even the spatial course of the gear rail or recorded like a curved disc in three-dimensional virtual space.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the simulation of the spatial position profile of the transport unit comprises the simulation of the spatial position of at least one, in particular of all, at least the first or a second track attacking roles of the transport unit. By means of simulation, the points at which the individual rollers of the transport unit lie against the rails can thus also be taken into account. Since the rollers are more or less strongly bound together by their coupling to the transport unit in their spatial position, the contact points of the individual rollers form further framework conditions for the course of the gear rail.

In the context of the present invention, it is possible to calculate all space coordinates in one work step for determining the spatial course of the gear rail for the individual points of the rail course. However, it is also conceivable that the spatial coordinates of the individual points of the rail track are calculated separately from each other, wherein it is conceivable in particular that the horizontal course is calculated separately from the vertical course of the gear rail.

Further, it is possible to determine the course of an axis of the rail toothing, which coincides with an axis of the pinion toothing at the engagement location for determining the spatial course of the gear rail. In particular, their horizontal course and their vertical course can be determined separately.

The direction of the spatial axis, on which the transport unit is to be aligned, can fundamentally change over the course of the running gear and thus also of the gear rail. For example, one can imagine that the transport unit along the entire route has a certain inclination, inclined approximately transversely to the direction of travel forward or backward. But it can also be provided that the spatial axis and thus the inclination of the transport unit differs in certain sections, such as curves of their other orientation in the rest of the route. Preferably, however, the direction of the spatial axis is constant over the entire route, ie the entire course of the rails, so that the transport unit during subsequent use over the entire route on a single direction is aligned. Thus, the space axis can be aligned parallel to the direction of gravity in the final installation position of the stair lift. In this way, the transport unit will always be oriented in the same manner relative to the gravity vector in later use.

Preferably, it is the upper, for example, tubular running rail of the structure, the spatial course is first determined, on the basis of which the spatial course of the lower supporting rail is then determined. The terms "top" and "bottom" refer to the installation position at the place of use. Also, it is preferably the first, upper track, at the bottom of the gear rail runs and there may be welded to the track rail about.

• Fertigung, insbesondere Installation der ersten Laufschiene mit einem festgelegten räumlichen Verlauf;
• Durchführung eines wie oben beschriebenen computerimplementierten Konstruktionsverfahrens;
• Fertigung, insbesondere Anbringung der Zahnradschiene mit dem mittels des Konstruktionsverfahrens bestimmten räumlichen Verlauf.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing the structure of a staircase inclined elevator with a first track rail, a gear rail and a transport unit guided thereon, with the following steps:

• Production, in particular installation of the first track with a fixed spatial course;
• Performing a computer-implemented design method as described above;
• Production, in particular attachment of the gear rail with the determined by the construction method spatial course.

As already indicated above, first, a first, preferably upper track with a spatial course can be made, which is required for the later site of use of the stairlift. By means of the construction or simulation method as described above, the spatial profile of the gear rail of the supporting structure can be calculated after measuring this track rail. However, it is also conceivable that the spatial course of the structure is determined purely virtual. For example, the spatial course of the first track can be determined with the aid of a model of the later site be, and immediately determined by means of the above-described construction or simulation of the spatial course of the gear rail.

With the aid of the present invention, the necessary spatial progression of at least the gear rail is already known precisely prior to its manufacture and thus does not have to be changed and adapted in a time-consuming manner during production.

Further aspects of the present invention therefore relate to a staircase lift structure constructed in accordance with the manufacturing method of the invention comprising a track rail and a gear rail and a computer program storage medium having a program stored thereon for causing a computer to perform a construction method as described above , An additional aspect of the present invention relates to a computer having a corresponding storage medium or a corresponding data carrier and / or on which a computer program as described above is loaded.

A drive device for a staircase inclined elevator may comprise a motor, a rotatably coupled to the drive of the motor shaft, and a non-rotatably coupled via a coupling to the shaft pinion, wherein the coupling allows movement of the pinion longitudinal axis relative to the shaft rotation axis.

In other words, the motor located in the transport unit drives a shaft which is likewise assigned to the transport unit and which can have a rotation axis fixed relative to the transport unit. About this shaft ultimately a drive pinion is driven, which can be arranged for example on the output side end of this shaft. If the course of the gear rail at the point of engagement of the pinion is always perpendicular to the shaft axis of rotation at a constant distance, the tooth flanks of the gear rail so always parallel to the tooth flanks of the drive pinion and the height difference between the shaft rotation axis and the gear rail remains constant, brings a firm on the shaft arranged pinion no problems with it. Once, however, as with Stair lifts is often the case, the gear rail is curved in three dimensions, it inevitably leads to undesirable deviations in the meshing. The counteracts the present invention so that the pinion is rotatably connected to the shaft, however, its longitudinal axis is pivotable relative to the shaft rotation axis. Thus, misalignments, ie a possible non-parallelism between the corresponding tooth flanks can be compensated by a movement of the pinion relative to the shaft. Both the tooth flanks of the pinion and the tooth flanks of the gear rail are thus loaded evenly and it is also possible to significantly reduce the previously necessary clearance in meshing. In the same way can also be compensated for misalignments that come about by tilting the gear rod about its longitudinal axis and relative to the shaft rotation axis.

The shaft may be mounted on the drive side and extends on the output side beyond the bearing in the direction of the pinion. Thus, the pinion can be arranged in an end region of a shaft mounted on one side, which for example extends from a supporting component, for example from a gearbox housing and, so to speak, cantilevers.

It is also conceivable that the coupling connecting the shaft and the pinion allows two, in particular only two rotational degrees of freedom. As already indicated above, with two rotational degrees of freedom of the pinion relative to the shaft, both a tilting of the gear rail about its longitudinal axis and a tilting of the gear rail perpendicular to the shaft rotation axis can be compensated. If the coupling allows only two rotational degrees of freedom, the pinion is fixed both in its three translational degrees of freedom and in rotation about the shaft rotation axis relative to the shaft. However, it would be quite conceivable to give the pinion a translational degree of freedom along the shaft rotation axis in order to compensate for possible displacements of the gear rail position along the shaft rotation axis as soon as the transport unit is moved along the structure.

To facilitate movement of the pinion relative to the shaft, the coupling could include an elastic element which deforms upon movement of the pinion longitudinal axis relative to the shaft rotation axis. For example, an intermediate element made of an elastic plastic could be introduced between the shaft and the pinion and act there in the manner of a silent bushing.

As an alternative to an elastic element, the coupling can also have a joint providing at least two rotatory degrees of freedom, for example having a joint bearing with two corresponding joint surfaces which slide on one another. In order to be able to provide two rotatory degrees of freedom by means of a joint bearing, one articular surface must be convex two-dimensionally and the other articular surface two-dimensionally concave. Preferably, the shaft-side articular surface is convex and the pinion-side articular surface is concavely curved.

Also, at least one joint surface may be formed as a spherical zone which rotates rotationally symmetrically about the shaft rotational axis or the pinion longitudinal axis.

It would be basically possible to form the shaft-side articular surface of the joint directly on the surface of the shaft, so to turn it about. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to provide the shaft-side joint surface by means of a bush, which rotates the shaft radially and can be pushed or even pressed onto it, for example.

In order to secure such a deferred socket on the shaft, a bolt may be provided which at least partially penetrates the shaft perpendicular to its axis of rotation and also the bushing. This bolt can also be used to simultaneously hold the pinion rotatably on the shaft so that this rotates while maintaining its two degrees of freedom with the shaft.

Figur 1

einen Treppenschrägaufzug mit einem zwei Laufschienen umfassenden Tragwerk,

Figur 2

eine zur Führung an und entlang zwei Laufschienen ausgestalteten Transporteinheit mit einem rückwärtig auskragenden Antriebsritzel;

Figur 3

Schnittansicht durch die Antriebseinrichtung;

Figur 4

vergrößerte Schnittansicht durch die Antriebseinrichtung;

Figur 5

Explosionsansicht der Koppelung zwischen Ritzel und Welle.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings of exemplary embodiments. The features described herein may be included individually as well as in any meaningful combination of the present invention. Show it:

FIG. 1

an inclined staircase lift with a structure comprising two rails,

FIG. 2

a transport unit designed for guiding along and along two rails with a rearwardly projecting drive pinion;

FIG. 3

Section view through the drive device;

FIG. 4

enlarged sectional view through the drive device;

FIG. 5

Exploded view of the coupling between pinion and shaft.

In the FIG. 1 a staircase inclined elevator / stairlift is shown, the transport unit 3 is guided on two superimposed tubular rails 1 and 2 such that it is always aligned in the process along the rails 1 and 2 to the gravity vector G. The seat of the transport unit 3 thus assumes a "vertical" position at all times and consequently is rotated only around the vector G. The upper rail 1 carries on its underside, as through the Figures 3 and 4 becomes clear, a gear rail 14th

The FIG. 2 shows a corresponding transport unit 3, on the back of a plurality of at least partially relative to the transport unit 3 positionally variable rollers 4 and 5 are mounted, by means of which the transport unit 3 is coupled both to the course of the upper track rail 1 and to the course of the lower track rail 2. Furthermore, in the FIG. 2 to see the central fiber or central axis 6 of the second, lower track 2, the spatial course can be calculated to the upper track 1 also by means of the construction method of the invention as the course of the gear rail 14 relative to the upper track rail 1, so that the transport unit 3 along the Track always maintains their vertical orientation, and also from always the engagement of the pinion 8 is ensured in the gear rail 14.

The FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a specific embodiment of the drive device. In this extends from one of the transport unit 3 associated gear housing (not labeled), a shaft 7. This is mounted inside the gear housing and rotates about the relative to the transport unit 3 fixed axis of rotation 7a. At the projecting end of the shaft 7, the drive pinion 8 is arranged and rotatably coupled to the shaft 7 about the rotation axis 7 a. The pinion 8 also has circumferentially a spur gear, for example, an involute toothing, which engages in a corresponding toothing of the gear rail 14, which in turn is welded to the underside of the upper track rail 1 at this.

From the FIG. 4 one opposite the FIG. 3 enlarged sectional view, the operation of the drive device is clear: At the in the FIG. 4 shown attack site gives way to the gear rail 14 of their in the FIG. 3 shown and centrally keep the running track 1 located position, so that the tooth flanks are no longer parallel to the axis of rotation 7a of the shaft 7. A coaxial with the shaft 7 rigidly connected pinion 8 could thus no longer engage in an ideal manner in the toothing of the gear rail 14, so that not only the teeth are subjected to increased stress and thus increased wear, but also for the drive and the Guide the transport unit 3 along the structure provided components.

In the drive device, however, the pinion 8 is coupled via a spherical bearing 9 to the shaft 7, that it can pivot relative to this in two dimensions. The joint bearing 9 is formed by the pinion 8 and a pushed onto the shaft 7 and secured socket 12, so that the longitudinal axis 8a of the pinion 8 can pivot about 6 ° relative to the axis of rotation 7a of the shaft 7.

The FIG. 5 shows in an exploded view the structure of the coupling between pinion and shaft: On the mounted in a housing of the transport unit 3 and of there projecting shaft 7, the pinion 8 is pushed and held there about the inserted into a bore pin 13 rotatably about the axis of rotation 7a. In order to enable a two-dimensional pivoting of the pinion 8 relative to the shaft 7, the two-part pinion 8 on its inner surface on a concave joint surface 11, which slides on a corresponding, formed on the outer circumference of the bushing 12 convex articular surface 10. The bushing 12 has a transverse bore into which the bolt 13 is inserted, thus holding the bushing 12 stationary on the shaft 7. The two-part pinion 8 is held together by means of a screwed and not designated disc in the axial direction and thus secured to the bush 12.

Claims (3)

Computer-implemented method for constructing the structure of a staircase inclined elevator with a first and a second track rail (1, 2) and a transport unit (3) guided thereon, the method comprising the following steps: - Determining a spatial course of the first track (1) according to the framework conditions imposed by the structural installation; - Determining a spatial axis (G) according to the framework conditions imposed by the structural installation; - Determining a geometric configuration of the transport unit (3); Determining a spatial course of a gear rail (14) formed on the first (1) or on the second (2) running rail and engaging a pinion (8) of the transport unit (3) aligned with the space axis (G) on the gear rail (14 ) is necessary, wherein for determining the spatial course of the gear rail (14) of the spatial position of the guided along the first track (1) and along the spatial axis (G) aligned transport unit (3), in particular by means of a three-dimensional model simulation is simulated. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the determination of the spatial course of the gear rail (14) a possible movement of the pinion (8) of a transport unit (3) is taken into account, which rotationally fixed to a shaft (9) via a joint (9) providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom 7) is coupled, which is non-rotatably coupled to the output of the motor of the transport unit (3). A computer program storage medium having a program stored thereon which, when executed on a computer processor or loaded into the memory of a computer, causes the computer to perform a method according to one of claims 1 or 2.

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