NL2033908B1 - Stairlift comprising a safety system - Google Patents
Stairlift comprising a safety system Download PDFInfo
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- NL2033908B1 NL2033908B1 NL2033908A NL2033908A NL2033908B1 NL 2033908 B1 NL2033908 B1 NL 2033908B1 NL 2033908 A NL2033908 A NL 2033908A NL 2033908 A NL2033908 A NL 2033908A NL 2033908 B1 NL2033908 B1 NL 2033908B1
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- pin
- pins
- opening
- pin receiving
- stairlift
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- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B9/00—Kinds or types of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures
- B66B9/06—Kinds or types of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures inclined, e.g. serving blast furnaces
- B66B9/08—Kinds or types of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures inclined, e.g. serving blast furnaces associated with stairways, e.g. for transporting disabled persons
- B66B9/0838—Levelling gears
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
Abstract
A stairlift comprising a carriage moveable along a rail by a drive member, a load carrying surface pivotably coupled to the carriage, a levelling system for pivoting the load carrying surface relative to the carriage about the pivot axis to a desired orientation, and a safety system for preventing the load carrying surface to pivot to an undesired orientation in case the levelling system fails.
Description
P35843NLO0/MLI
Title: Stairlift comprising a safety system
The invention relates to stairlifts, in particular to a safety system for preventing a load carrying surface to pivot to an undesired orientation in case a levelling system fails.
In the field of stairlifts safety is an important aspect. Safety includes multiple aspects, such as the prevention of injuries to a person using the stairlift.
Stairlifts generally have a load carrying surface, such as a seat of a chair on which the person sits. The seat is to be kept at a desired orientation during travel thereof along a staircase.
When for example the staircase has varying inclinations an orientation of the seat relative to a carriage of the stairlift may have to be varied accordingly in order to keep the seat at the desired orientation. The stairlift therefore comprises a levelling system for keeping the seat at the desired orientation.
In case the levelling system fails a safety system can be provided in order to prevent the load carrying surface from moving to an undesired orientation relative to the carriage.
Existing safety systems have drawbacks. For example, they may take a relatively long time to stop the load carrying surface from moving when the levelling system fails, which leads to arelatively long build-up of momentum. The build-up of momentum increases the forces on the safety system, resulting in the need for a stronger and/or heavier construction. Also the build-up of momentum and a resulting higher impact stop is an unpleasant and likely unsafe experience for the person using the stairlift.
Another drawback is the generally complex construction of safety systems, having a relative large number of moving parts. This makes the safety system expensive to produce and it increases the risks of failure during use.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved, or at least alternative, stairlift.
It is another object of the invention to provide a safer, more reliable stairlift.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a more cost effective stairlift.
In order to achieve at least one object, the invention provides a stairlift, the stairlift comprising: - a carriage moveable along a rail by a drive member, - a load carrying surface, such as a seat of a chair, pivotably coupled to the carriage, wherein the load carrying surface is pivotable relative to the carriage about a pivot axis, - alevelling system for pivoting the load carrying surface relative to the carriage about the pivot axis to a desired orientation, - a safety system for preventing the load carrying surface to pivot to an undesired orientation in case the levelling system fails, the safety system comprising o a pin receiving member, wherein the pin receiving member comprises a plurality of pin receiving openings, wherein the plurality of pin receiving openings are located on at least one opening trajectory, wherein adjacent pin receiving openings along each of the at least one opening trajectory are separated from each other by a stopping member, o at least two pins positioned along the at least one opening trajectory, the pins being configured to be moved by at least one actuator from a retracted position in which no pins are located in the pin receiving openings, to an extended position in which at least one of the pins is located in one of the pin receiving openings and configured to engage one of the stopping members when located in said one of the pin receiving openings for stopping the load carrying surface to pivot, wherein the pin receiving member is mounted to the load carrying surface, and wherein the at least one actuator and the at least two pins are mounted to the carriage, or vice versa.
An advantage of the stairlift according to the invention is that due to the presence of a plurality of receiving openings and at least two pins, a more reliable and redundant safety system is provided compared to for example a safety system having only one pin. If one of the at least two pins does not function, the other pin is still able to extend into one of the receiving openings and prevent the load carrying surface from pivoting to an undesired orientation in case the levelling system fails.
Another advantage of the stairlift is that with a plurality of receiving openings and at least two pins there can be a faster extension of at least one of the pins in one of the receiving openings. With at least two pins the probability is increased that at least one of the pins is in a position relative to a receiving opening in which it can extend. A faster extension of a pin in a receiving opening reduces the momentum build-up, which reduces the forces on the safety system, in particular on the pin and the corresponding stopping member. Reducing the forces on the safety system allows for a lighter, more efficient design of the safety system.
A faster extension can also reduce the impact upon stopping for a user on the load carrying surface, thereby providing a safer stairlift.
The safety system further provides a cheap and robust construction, as it allows for the use of a relatively few number of parts as well as relatively cheap parts.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, during normal operation, in any relative position between the pin receiving member and the at least two pins at least one pin is positioned along the at least one opening trajectory to be directly extendable in one of the pin receiving openings when the levelling system fails.
When at least one pin is directly extendable in one of the receiving openings, at least one pin will immediately extend into the receiving opening upon failure of the levelling system.
This has as an advantage that the forces on the safety system, and in particular on the respective pin and stopping member can be further reduced. Further, the movement of the load carrying surface after failure of the levelling system, here a pivotal movement about the pivot axis, can be better predicted, because the pivot angle after failure of the levelling system is mainly dependent on a receiving length of the respective receiving opening. Said predictability is for example beneficial when a maximum pivot angle upon failure of the levelling system is required by law.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the at least one actuator is at least one solenoid.
Using a solenoid as actuator improves the manufacturing costs, as solenoids are relatively cheap.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the at least two pins are independently movable. This way, one of the pins can move in one of the receiving openings while another pin may for example hit a stopping member without extending into a receiving opening.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the pin receiving opening has a receiving length along the at least one opening trajectory from a first opening side to a second opening side, wherein the stopping member has a stopping member length along the opening trajectory from a first stopping side to a second stopping side, the first stopping side facing a first adjacent pin receiving opening and the second stopping side facing an opposite, second adjacent pin receiving opening, and wherein each pin has a pin length along the opening trajectory from a first pin side to a second pin side.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the at least two pins comprise a first pin and a second pin, wherein the second pin is located at a first pin distance plus N times the sum of the receiving length and the stopping member length from the first pin along the opening trajectory, the first pin distance being from the second pin side of the first pin to the first pin side of the second pin, wherein the receiving length of the pin receiving opening is at least the pin length of the first pin plus the pin length of the second pin plus the first pin distance, wherein the stopping member length of the stopping member is equal to or smaller than the first pin distance, wherein N is an integer. This way it is possible to provide a safety system having only two pins, wherein in any relative position between the pin receiving member and the two pins at least one pin is directly extendable into one of the receiving openings.
Providing two pins results in a relatively cost effective stairlift compared to providing more than two pins.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the safety system comprises three or more pins, wherein the receiving length and the stopping member length together define a first total length, wherein a second pin distance between first pin sides of adjacent pins is substantially equal to the first total length divided by the number of pins plus N times the first total length, N being an integer.
An advantage of more than two pins, or at least three pins, is that the pivot angle of the load carrying surface after failure of the levelling system can be made smaller compared to one or two pins, while the redundancy is further increased.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the plurality of pin receiving openings are located on one opening trajectory, and wherein the at least two pins are positioned along the one opening trajectory. Having one opening trajectory can reduce the manufacturing time and cost of the stairlift, because fewer receiving openings have to be made, for example via cutting. Cutting is a relatively expensive manufacturing step.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the plurality of pin receiving openings are located on two or more opening trajectories, the two or more opening trajectories extending substantially parallel relative to each other, and wherein at least one pin is positioned along each opening trajectory.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the pin receiving openings of the two or more opening trajectories at least partially overlap when seen perpendicular to the opening trajectory.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the pin receiving lengths of the pin receiving openings are substantially the same, and/or wherein the stopping member lengths of the stopping members are substantially the same.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, in at least one position of the pin receiving member relative to the at least two pins, a first pin and a second pin are configured to be in the extended position in which the first pin and the second pin are located in one or more receiving openings.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the second opening side of a pin receiving opening is the first stopping side of an adjacent stopping member, and wherein the second opening side of the adjacent stopping member is the first opening side of an adjacent pin receiving opening.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, during a normal operation mode of the levelling system, the pins are in the retracted position. This way the pins do not interfere with the levelling system during the normal operation mode, thereby for example preventing jamming of the levelling system during normal operation.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the levelling system comprises - adriving member, - a driven member configured to be driven by the driving member, wherein the driven member is fixedly mounted to the load carrying surface and configured to pivot about the pivot axis, wherein the driven member comprises the pin receiving member.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the driven member comprises an at least partially disc-shaped unit configured to be engaged by the driving member, wherein the at least partially disc-shaped unit is provided with the pin receiving openings and the stopping members of the pin receiving member. By integrating the pin receiving member with the driven member, here in the form of the disc-shaped unit, fewer separate parts are required and manufacturing is simplified. Hence, a more cost effective stairlift is provided.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the driving member is a driving pinion or a worm gear, and wherein the driven member comprises a geared surface configured to mesh with the driving pinion or worm gear.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the at least two pins are located within an outer contour of the geared surface of the driven member, when seen in front view. This way a compact stairlift can be provided.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the opening trajectory extends equidistantly around the pivot axis.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the pin receiving openings are slots provided in the driven member, and wherein the stopping members are formed by the material between the slots.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the pin receiving member and the driven member are located in a same, vertical plane. This way a compact stairlift, in particular a compact safety system can be provided.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the pin receiving member comprises three or more pin receiving openings, preferably ten or more pin receiving openings, more preferably fifteen or more pin receiving openings.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the number of actuators is equal to the number of pins, each pin corresponding to a respective actuator. Providing a plurality of actuators allows for a more flexible placement of the pins along the at least one opening trajectory.
In an embodiment the stairlift comprises a failure detection system for detecting when the levelling system fails, wherein the failure detection system is configured to activate the at least one actuator upon a detection of a levelling system failure.
In an embodiment of the stairlift, the failure detection system comprises a first encoder configured to determine the rotation of the load carrying surface, and a second encoder to determine the rotation of the driving member, wherein the failure detection system is configured to compare the output of the first encoder to the output of the second encoder,
wherein upon a detection of a predetermined output difference between the first encoder and the second encoder the failure detection system activates the at least one actuator.
In a second aspect the invention provides a method for preventing a load carrying surface of a stairlift to pivot to an undesired orientation in case a levelling system fails, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a stairlift according to the invention, b) preventing the load carrying surface to pivot to an undesired orientation in case the levelling system fails by moving at least two pins from the first, retracted position to the second, extended position when the levelling system fails.
The method has the same one or more advantages as the stairlift according to the invention.
In an embodiment the method comprises detecting a failure with a failure detection system and based on the detected failure activating at least one actuator for moving the at least two pins to the extended position.
These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.
Figure 1 schematically shows a rear view of a stairlift with a curved rail positioned along a stair case at a first position.
Figure 2 schematically shows a front view of the stairlift with curved rail positioned along a stair case at a second position.
Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of carriage, a levelling system and a safety system of a stairlift according to the present invention.
Figure 4 schematically shows a front view of the embodiment of figure 3.
Figure 5 schematically shows an exploded view of the embodiment of figure 3.
Figure 6A schematically shows a close up front view of the safety system as shown in figure 3.
Figure 6B schematically shows the placement of three pins along an opening trajectory according to the embodiment as shown in figure 6A.
Figure 7 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the safety system when the levelling system is in normal operation.
Figure 8 schematically shows the cross-sectional side view of figure 7, wherein the safety system is engaged.
Figure 9 schematically shows another embodiment of a pin receiving member of a safety system of a stairlift according to the invention.
Figure 10 schematically shows a partial close up of the pin receiving member of figure 9, wherein locations of a plurality of pins are shown.
Figure 11 schematically shows another embodiment of a pin receiving member and three pins of a safety system of a stairlift according to the invention.
Figure 12 schematically shows the embodiment of figure 11, wherein the pin receiving member is in a different position relative to the pins.
Figures 13 to 15 schematically show an embodiment of safety system comprising two pins.
Figures 1 and 2 show a stairlift 1 according to the invention. The stairlift 1 has a rail 3, in particular a curved rail 3 comprising at least one bend 46. The rail 3 extends along a staircase 47 and can therefore have various angles of inclination.
The stairlift 1 comprises a carriage 2 moveable along the rail 3 by a drive member, for example one or more electric motors. A load carrying surface 5, such as a seat 6 of a chair 7, is pivotably coupled to the carriage 2. A person generally sits on the load carrying surface 5.
The load carrying surface 5 is pivotable relative to the carriage 2 about a pivot axis 8.
The stairlift 1 comprises a levelling system 9 for pivoting the load carrying surface 5 relative to the carriage 2 about the pivot axis 8 to a desired orientation 10. When the carriage 2 moves along the bend, the levelling system 9 pivots the load carrying surface 5 relative to the carriage 2 in order to keep the load carrying surface 5 substantially horizontal.
An embodiment of a levelling system 9 is for example shown in figures 3 to 6, wherein a carriage 2 is shown having a rail opening 48 through which the rail 3 is configured to extend. The drive member extends in the rail opening 48. The levelling system © comprises a driving member 35, here a driving pinion 38, and a driven member 36, here a geared surface 39 provided on an at least partially disc-shaped unit 37. Other driven members or driving members are also possible, such as for example a worm gear. The driving pinion 38 is connected to an electric motor. The driving pinion 38 meshes with and engages the geared surface 39 for rotating the disc-shaped unit 37. As the load carrying surface 5 is fixedly mounted to the driven member 38, the load carrying surface 5 pivots in correspondence with the driven member 36 about the pivot axis 8. In figures 3 to 8 a connection member 44 is shown via which the load carrying surface 5 is configured to be fixedly mounted to the driven member 36.
The stairlift 1 further comprises a safety system 11 for preventing the load carrying surface 5 to pivot to an undesired orientation 10 in case the levelling system 9 fails. An undesired orientation 10 may be defined by a predetermined pivot angle about the pivot axis 8 after failure of the levelling system 9, such as for example 5 or 10 degrees. Different embodiments of the safety system 11, or parts thereof, are shown in figures 3 to 15.
Turning to figures 3 to 8 a first embodiment of the safety system 11 is shown. The safety system 11 comprises a pin receiving member 12. The pin receiving member 12 comprises a plurality of pin receiving openings 13 that are located on at least one opening trajectory 14, here one opening trajectory 14. The opening trajectory 14 is schematically indicated by the dashed line in figure 6A. The pin receiving openings 13 in figure 3, 9, 13 are through holes. The pin receiving opening 13 may also be in the form of a recess, i.e. not a through hole.
In the embodiments as shown in figures 1 to 12 the at least one opening trajectory 14 extends equidistantly around the pivot axis 8.
The pin receiving opening 13 has a receiving length 19 along the at least one opening trajectory 14 from a first opening side 20 to a second opening side 21. The pin receiving lengths 19 of the pin receiving openings 13 may be substantially the same.
The receiving openings are equidistantly arranged along the opening trajectory 14 relative to each other.
Adjacent pin receiving openings 13 along each of the at least one opening trajectory 14 are separated from each other by a stopping member 15.
The stopping member 15 has a stopping member length 22 along the opening trajectory 14 from a first stopping side 23 to a second stopping side 24. The stopping member lengths 22 of the stopping members may be substantially the same. The first stopping side 23 faces a first adjacent pin receiving opening 13 and the second stopping side 24 facing an opposite, second adjacent pin receiving opening. The first stopping side 23 is configured to engage a second pin side 28 of a pin 16. The second stopping side 24 is configured to engage a first pin side 27 of a pin 16.
The stopping members 15 are equidistantly arranged relative to each other, seen along the opening trajectory 14. It may also be desirably to not arrange the stopping members and/or the pin receiving openings equidistantly. For example, pin receiving openings 13 located near the ends of the opening trajectory may have a greater receiving length than the more centrally located pin receiving openings 13. This may be beneficial in order to have more time to extend a pin 16 in a receiving opening
The second opening side 21 of a pin receiving opening 13 is the first stopping side 23 of an adjacent stopping member 15. The second opening side 21 of the adjacent stopping member 15 is the first opening side 20 of an adjacent pin receiving opening.
The at least partially disc-shaped unit 37 is provided with the pin receiving openings 13 and the stopping members 15 of the pin receiving member 12.
The pin receiving openings 13 can be slots provided in the driven member 36. The stopping members 15 can then simply be formed by the material between the slots. Such embodiments are shown in figures 3 and 9.
The pin receiving opening 13 can also be a space between two teeth of the geared surface 39, wherein the stopping members 15 are formed by the teeth 49. Such an embodiment is for example schematically shown in figure 11. The three pins 16 are configured to move from a retracted position 17 as shown in figures 11 and 12 to an extended position in which at least one of the pins 16 is located in a pin receiving opening. In any relative position between the pin receiving member 12 and the pins 16 at least one of the pins is directly extendable in one of the receiving openings. In figure 11 the middle pin is directly extendable in one of the receiving openings. In figure 12 the two outside pins are directly extendable in a respective receiving opening.
The safety system 11 comprises at least two pins 16 that are positioned along the at least one opening trajectory 14. In the embodiments shown in figures 3, 9 and 13 the at least two pins are positioned along and on the at least one opening trajectory 14. Each pin has a pin length 42 along the opening trajectory 14 from a first pin side 27 to a second pin side 28.
The pins 18 are configured to be moved by at least one actuator 43, see for example figure 5 for the at least one actuator 43. In the shown embodiments each actuator 43 is a solenoid,
which is a relatively cheap part. The actuator 43 moves the pins 16 from a retracted position 17 (figure 7) in which no pins 16 are located in the pin receiving openings 13, to an extended position 18 (figure 8). The at least one actuator 43 in particular moves all pins 18 substantially simultaneously, and in a straight moving path. In the extended position 18 at least one of the pins 16 is located in one of the pin receiving openings 13 and configured to engage one of the stopping members 15 when located in said one of the pin receiving openings 13 for preventing the load carrying surface 5 to pivot further.
The pins 18 are stationary in any direction perpendicular to their direction of movement from the retracted position to the extended position.
In the shown embodiments the number of actuators 43 is equal to the number of pins 16, wherein each pin corresponds to a respective actuator 43. This allows for a more flexible positioning of the pins 16 along the opening trajectory 14. It is however also possible to have one actuator 43 activate two or more pins 16.
In the embodiment as shown in figures 3 and 9 the at least two pins 16 are located within an outer contour of the geared surface 39 of the driven member 36, when seen in front view. This improves the compactness of the safety system 11.
The pin receiving member 12 and the driven member 36 may be located in a same, vertical plane 41, such as for example shown in figure 7. This provides a compact safety system 11.
In the shown embodiments the pin receiving member 12 is mounted to the load carrying surface 5 via a connecting member 44, and the at least one actuator 43 and the at least two pins 16 are mounted to the carriage 2. It is also possible to mount the pin receiving member 12 to the carriage 2, and the at least one actuator 43 and the pins 16 to the load carrying surface 5.
During a normal operation mode 34, i.e. when the levelling system 9 is in a non-failure mode, in any relative position between the pin receiving member 12 and the at least two pins 16 at least one pin of the at least two pins 18 is positioned along the at least one opening trajectory 14 to be directly extendable in one of the pin receiving openings 13 when the levelling system 9 fails. In the position shown in figure 4 pin 16B is for example directly extendable in the corresponding pin receiving opening, while pins 16A and 16C are not. In the relative position shown in figure 6A pins 16A and 16B are not directly extendable in a pin receiving opening, while pin 16C is. This improves the reliability of the safety system 11, and allows the pivoting angle of the load carrying surface 5 after failure of the levelling system 9 to be more predictable.
During said normal operation mode 34 of the levelling system 9, the pins 16 are in the retracted position 17. This way the pins 16 do not interfere with the normal operation of the levelling system 9.
The stairlift 1 comprises a failure detection system for detecting when the levelling system 9 fails. The failure detection system is configured to activate the at least one actuator 43 upon a detection of a levelling system 9 failure.
The failure detection system is not shown in the figures, but may comprise a first encoder configured to determine the rotation of the driven member 36 or the load carrying surface 5, and a second encoder to determine the rotation of the driving member 35. The failure detection system is configured to compare the output of the first encoder to the output of the second encoder. Upon a detection of a predetermined output difference between the first encoder and the second encoder the failure detection system activates the at least one actuator 43.
The embodiment of the safety system 11 as shown in figures 3 to 8, and 11, comprises three pins 16. Different configurations or combinations of receiving lengths 19, stopping member lengths 22, pin lengths 42, and second pin distances 31 are possible. In the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 6A the receiving length 19 extends over an angular distance of approximately 7.5 degrees and the stopping member length 22 over an angular distance of approximately 0.8 degrees. The first total length 30 is therefore approximately 8.3 degrees.
A second pin distance 31 between first pin sides 27 of adjacent pins 16 is substantially equal to the first total length 30 divided by the number of pins 16 plus N times the sum of the receiving length 19 and the stopping member length 22, i.e. N times the first total length 30, wherein N is an integer. In a formula this can be written as: second pin distance 31 = first total length 30 total length 30 +N * first total length 30 number of pins 16
For the embodiment of figure 6A the second pin distance 31 between first pin 16A and second pin 16B N is 3, because there are three first total lengths 30 between the first pin side
27 of first pin 16A and first pin side 27 of second pin 16B. Using the above formula then provides the second pin distance 31 in angular distance along the opening trajectory 14 as approximately 27.7 degrees: second pin distance 31 = rE + 3% 83 = 27.7 degrees
The second pin distance 31 between second pin 16B and third pin 16C is also approximately 27.7 degrees.
The pin length 42 of the three pins 16 is substantially equal and is, expressed in angular distance along the opening trajectory 14, approximately 4.8 degrees.
With the configuration as shown in figure 6A, a maximum pivot angle after failure of the levelling system 9 is equal to the receiving length 19 minus the pin length 42, i.e. 7.5 -4.8 = 2.7 degrees. This is a relatively small pivot angle.
Figure 6B schematically shows the locations of the three pins 16A, 16B, 16C as shown in figure 6A along the opening trajectory 14. Each of the three pins is located on a different location 50A, 50B, 50C along the opening trajectory 14. First pin 16A is located on one of the first locations 50A, second pin 16B is located on one of the second locations 50B, third pin 16C is located on one of the third locations 50C. The first locations 50A are indicated by the dashed lines, the second locations 50B are indicated by the dotted lines, the third locations 50C are indicated by the uninterrupted lines. The number of locations 50A, 50B, 50C are equal to the number of pins, here three. The distance 51 between each location 50A, 50B, 50C is the first total length divided by the number of pins. So here distance 51 is 8.3 degrees divided by 3 is approximately 2.8. The stopping member length 22 which is shown in figure 6A is smaller than a distance from first location 50A to the nearest third location 50C in a clockwise direction, i.e. smaller than two times the distance 51.
The invention allows for the design of the safety system 11 based on a maximum desired pivot angle after failure of the levelling system 9. When for example a maximum desired pivot angle after failure of the levelling system 9 is determined, the receiving length 19, pin length 42, second pin distance 31 and stopping member length 22 can be determined accordingly. This can be done for three pins, but also for two pins, or four or more pins.
In the embodiments as shown in figures 3, 11 and 13 the plurality of pin receiving openings 13 are located on one opening trajectory 14, and the at least two pins 16 are positioned along the one opening trajectory 14. A single opening trajectory 14 has as an advantage that, compared to two or more opening trajectories, manufacturing can be more cost effective, because fewer pin receiving openings 13 have to be made. The pin receiving openings 13 are generally made by cutting, which is a relatively expensive manufacturing step.
Turning to figures 9 and 10, an embodiment is shown of a pin receiving member 12, wherein the plurality of pin receiving openings 13 are located on two opening trajectories 14.
Providing more than two opening trajectories is also possible. The two opening trajectories extend substantially concentrically, or parallel, relative to each other. Concentrically about the pivot axis 8. Along each opening trajectory 14 at least one pin 16 of the at least two pins 16 is positioned.
The pin receiving openings 13 of the two or more opening trajectories at least partially overlap when seen perpendicular to the opening trajectory, and here in a radial direction 45 from the pivot axis 8.
The pin receiving member 12 as shown in figure 9 can be provided in the safety system 11 as shown in figures 3 to 8 instead of the pin receiving member 12 shown therein.
The location of the pins 16 and actuators 43 can be simply rearranged accordingly.
Turning to figures 13 to 15, a schematic embodiment of the safety system 11 is shown comprising two pins 18, i.e. a first pin 16A and a second pin 16B. The pin receiving member 12 is shown having a straight opening trajectory 14 along which the pins 16 are positioned. It is also possible to provide the pin receiving member 12 according to figures 3 to 8, or figure 9, i.e. as a disc-shaped unit 37, wherein the opening trajectory 14 is curved about the pivot axis 8 and wherein the two pins 16 are positioned along said curved opening trajectory 14.
The second pin 16B is located at a first pin distance 29 plus N times the sum of the receiving length 19 and the stopping member length 22 from the first pin along the opening trajectory 14. N is an integer. Numeral 29 in figure 14 depicts the first distance plus N, here 2, times the sum of the receiving length 19 and the stopping member length 22. The sum of the receiving length 19 and the stopping member length 22 is equal to the first total length 30.
The first pin distance is measured from the second pin side 28 of the first pin to the first pin side 27 of the second pin after subtracting the N number of first total lengths 30 between the first pin 16A and second pin 16B. The receiving length 19 of the pin receiving opening 13 is at least the pin length 42A of the first pin plus the pin length 42B of the second pin plus the first pin distance. The stopping member length 22 of the stopping member 15 is equal to or smaller than the first pin distance. In figure 15 the stopping member length 22 is as small as possible.
During normal operation, i.e. when the levelling system 9 is in a non-failure mode, in any relative position between the pin receiving member 12 and the two pins 16 at least one pin of the two pins 16 is positioned along the at least one opening trajectory 14 to be directly extendable in one of the pin receiving openings 13 when the levelling system 9 fails. In the position shown in figure 14 pins 16A and 16B are both directly extendable in the corresponding pin receiving opening. In the relative position shown in figure 15 pin 16B is directly extendable in a pin receiving opening, while pin 186A is not. Having at least one of the pins directly extendable in a receiving opening improves the reliability and safety of the safety system 11, and allows the pivoting angle of the load carrying surface 5 upon failure of the levelling system 9 to be more predictable.
Figure 14 shows that in at least one position 33 of the pin receiving member 12 relative to the at least two pins 16, the first pin 16A and the second pin 16B are both configured to be in the extended position 18 in which the first pin and the second pin are located in one or more receiving openings. This may also be the case for an embodiment having more than two pins 16.
In the shown embodiments the pin receiving member 12 comprises three or more pin receiving openings 13, preferably ten or more pin receiving openings 13, more preferably fifteen or more pin receiving openings 13.
In operation a method is provided for preventing a load carrying surface 5 of a stairlift 1 to pivot to an undesired orientation 10 in case a levelling system 9 fails, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a stairlift 1 according to the invention, b) preventing the load carrying surface 5 to pivot to an undesired orientation 10 in case the levelling system 9 fails by moving at least two pins 16 from the first, retracted position 17 to the second, extended position 18 when the levelling system 9 fails.
The method comprises detecting a failure with a failure detection system and based on the detected failure activating at least one actuator 43 for moving the at least two pins 16 to the extended position 18.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.
The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Claims (27)
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2033908A NL2033908B1 (en) | 2023-01-04 | 2023-01-04 | Stairlift comprising a safety system |
| PCT/EP2024/050077 WO2024146897A1 (en) | 2023-01-04 | 2024-01-03 | Stairlift comprising a safety system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2033908A NL2033908B1 (en) | 2023-01-04 | 2023-01-04 | Stairlift comprising a safety system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2033908B1 true NL2033908B1 (en) | 2024-07-16 |
Family
ID=85685810
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2033908A NL2033908B1 (en) | 2023-01-04 | 2023-01-04 | Stairlift comprising a safety system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2033908B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024146897A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5720364A (en) * | 1994-01-05 | 1998-02-24 | Stannah Stairlifts Limited | Stairlift levelling arrangement |
| US20110000744A1 (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2011-01-06 | Leonard Smith | Stairlifts |
| EP3683180A1 (en) * | 2015-04-21 | 2020-07-22 | thyssenkrupp Stairlifts B.V. | Stair lift |
| US20210130133A1 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2021-05-06 | Stannah Stairlifts Limited | Improvements in or relating to stairlifts |
-
2023
- 2023-01-04 NL NL2033908A patent/NL2033908B1/en active
-
2024
- 2024-01-03 WO PCT/EP2024/050077 patent/WO2024146897A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5720364A (en) * | 1994-01-05 | 1998-02-24 | Stannah Stairlifts Limited | Stairlift levelling arrangement |
| US20110000744A1 (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2011-01-06 | Leonard Smith | Stairlifts |
| EP3683180A1 (en) * | 2015-04-21 | 2020-07-22 | thyssenkrupp Stairlifts B.V. | Stair lift |
| US20210130133A1 (en) * | 2017-07-31 | 2021-05-06 | Stannah Stairlifts Limited | Improvements in or relating to stairlifts |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2024146897A1 (en) | 2024-07-11 |
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