Passenger lift

Abstract

Passenger lift (10) with guide elements (2A, 2B) arranged in a stairwell on or along a staircase, with a transport device (1) supported by the guide elements (2A, 2B) and movable along the guide elements (2A, 2B), wherein the transport device (1) comprises a chair-like attachment with a seat (1.1, 1.1A, 1.1B) and a backrest (1.2) for receiving a person to be transported, characterized by the following features: - the seat surface (1.1, 1.1A, 1.1B) of the chair-like attachment is divided into two parts; - the part (1.1A) of the seat facing the backrest (1.2) is fixed in place; - the part (1.1B) of the split seat facing the entry side is designed to be height-adjustable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a passenger lift according to the preamble of claim 1. Passenger lifts of this type are often also referred to as stairlifts, since they are usually installed in a stairwell on or along an existing staircase. They enable people with limited mobility to move independently up and down stairs, particularly in multi-story buildings. Commercially available passenger lifts include guide elements that extend across floors. A suitable drive mechanism can move a transport device along these guide elements. The transport device includes a seat designed like a chair, on which a disabled person can sit and be safely transported from floor to floor. In daily practice, it has been found that the seat height is a critical factor.A seat height that is not optimally adjusted to the height of the disabled person prevents them from using the lift independently. It also makes it difficult for any caregiver to assist the disabled person. For the purposes of this invention, seat height is defined as the distance between the seat surface and the floor. Commercially available lifts usually have a standard value for this distance. When a lift was first installed, the seat height may have been optimally adjusted for the person being assisted. However, after a shorter or longer period of use, it often becomes apparent that the person being assisted, due to increasing frailty, can no longer operate the lift independently because the seat height prevents them from positioning themselves.

[0002] The present invention eliminates this disadvantage and enables further use of the passenger lift. It also offers the advantage that the passenger lift can be used effectively when several people of different heights need to be cared for in the household.

[0003] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 : Components of a passenger lift; Fig. 2: the transport mechanism of the passenger lift in a side view; Fig. 3: the transport mechanism of the passenger lift in another side view; Fig. 4: the transport mechanism of the passenger lift in another side view; Fig. 5: the transport device of the passenger lift with a drive device for part of the seat in another side view; Fig. 6: a switching module.

[0004] Fig. Figure 1 schematically and partially shows essential components of a passenger lift 10, often also referred to as a stairlift. The passenger lift 10 essentially comprises guide elements 2A, 2B arranged parallel to each other, which are mounted in a space-saving manner in a stairwell on or along a staircase. In a multi-story building, such guide elements can also be installed across floors to enable the transport of people between floors. Reference numeral 1 denotes a transport device that enables the transport of a disabled person via the staircase(s). The transport device 1 is guided by the guide elements 2A, 2B and is movably arranged along these guide elements by means of motor power. The transport device 1 includes a base frame 1.3 in which the drive elements, which are not shown or described in detail here, and their power supply unit are housed.A chair-like passenger seat is mounted on the base frame 1.3. The passenger seat comprises a seat surface 1.1 and a backrest 1.2. The transport device 1 typically also includes folding armrests and a safety belt for securing the person being transported. These latter components are not explicitly shown in the drawing. Reference numeral 3 designates the floor in the area of ​​a stopping point of the transport device 1, for example, on a floor of the building. Reference numeral A denotes the distance between the seat surface 1.1 and the floor 3. This distance A is a critical value, as it affects the usability of the passenger lift 10. It must be optimally adapted to the physical abilities of the disabled person in order to enable them to use the passenger lift 10 as independently as possible. This may have been taken into account during the initial installation of the passenger lift 10.Over time, and with the increasing frailty of the person being transported, it unfortunately often becomes apparent that the passenger lift can no longer be used easily by the disabled person. Despite the unchanged distance A, they can no longer independently reach seat 1.1 and therefore can no longer operate the passenger lift 10 independently. If an assistant is present, they may be able to help with getting onto seat 1.1. However, depending on the weight of the disabled person, this involves considerable physical strain for the assistant and carries the risk of overload. Replacing the lift with a new, adapted transport device could provide a solution. However, this would involve very high costs.

[0005] The present invention, however, proposes a cost-effective solution that readily enables the continued use of a passenger lift even when a disabled person's physical abilities decline due to increasing frailty. The invention is explained below with reference to the additional figures. These figures show... Fig. Figures 2 to 5 each show only the transport device 1 of a passenger lift 10 in a side view limited to the essentials. The essential core of the present invention consists in the fact that the seat 1.1 of the transport device 1 consists of two parts 1.1A and 1.1B. The part 1.1A of the seat 1.1 facing the backrest 1.2 is fixedly mounted on the base 1.3. The part 1.1B of the seat 1.1 facing the entry side, on the other hand, is movably mounted and height-adjustable. The resulting adaptation to the physical abilities of a person being transported will now be explained in more detail. Fig. Figure 1 shows a first operating position POS1 of the transport device 1, in which the movable part 1.1B of the seat 1.1 is located at a distance A1 from the lower edge of the base 1.3 and now forms practically a flat surface with the non-movable part 1.1A of the seat 1.1. This is also the starting position for the transport device 1. The transport process can be initiated as soon as the person to be transported has taken their place on the seat parts 1.1A and 1.1B. Fig. Section 3 explains the operating position POS2. In this position POS2, the movable part 1.1B of the seat 1.1 is lowered and is located at a smaller distance A2 above the lower edge of the base frame 1.3. The smaller distance A2 makes it easier for a disabled person to sit on the lowered part 1.1B of the seat 1.1. The movable part 1.1B of the seat 1.1, with the load resting on it, can then be returned to the operating position POS1 as described in the section on seat 1.1. Fig. 2. The seat is raised. On the now closed surface of seat 1.1, the person being transported can move back against the backrest without significant effort. The transport device is ready for use. In Fig. Figure 4 shows a third operating position, POS3, in which the movable part 1.1B of the seat 1.1 is lowered even further and is located at a distance A3 from the lower edge of the base frame 1.3. This operating position POS3 allows for even easier access to the transport device. It is suitable as a further fallback position in case of a possible decline in physical performance. The height of the movable seat part 1.1B is adjusted as described in Fig. Figure 5 shows a drive unit 1.4. A spindle drive with an electric motor is advantageously provided, as it can be designed to save space. A switching module 1.5 is provided for the control, as shown in Figure 5. Fig. Figure 6 shows three pushbuttons for the distances A1, A2, and A3. This switching module can also be operated relatively easily by people with cognitive impairments. Another version is also conceivable in which the distances of the height-adjustable seat section 1.1B are continuously adjustable. Reference symbol list 1 Transport device 1.1 Seat 1.1A Fixed seat section 1.1B Seat section movable 1.2 Backrest 1.3 Base frame 1.4 Drive unit 1.5 Switching module 3 floors 10-person elevator A1 distance A2 distance A3 spacing POS1 Operating position POS2 Operating position POS3 Operating position

Claims

[1] Passenger lift (10) with guide elements (2A, 2B) arranged in a stairwell on or along a staircase, with a transport device (1) supported by the guide elements (2A, 2B) and movable along the guide elements (2A, 2B), wherein the transport device (1) comprises a chair-like attachment with a seat (1.1, 1.1A, 1.1B) and a backrest (1.2) for receiving a person to be transported, characterized by the following characteristics: - the seat surface (1.1, 1.1A, 1.1B) of the chair-like attachment is divided into two parts; - the part (1.1A) of the seat facing the backrest (1.2) is fixed in place; - the part (1.1B) of the split seat facing the entry side is designed to be height-adjustable. [2] Passenger lift (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the part (1.1B) of the split seat facing the entry side is designed to be height-adjustable by motor. [3] Passenger lift (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transport device (10) includes a drive device (1.4) for the motorized height adjustment of the seat surface (1.1B). [4] Passenger lift (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive device (1.4) is a spindle drive. [5] Passenger lift (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the seat surface (1.1B) is height-adjustable to at least three different positions (POS1, POS2, POS3). [6] Passenger lift (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transport device (1) includes a switching module (1.5) with switches by which the different positions (POS1, POS2, POS3) of the seat surface can be selected.

Images