Method for designing a guide rail system for a stairlift

Abstract

The invention concerns a computer implemented method (100) for designing a guide rail system (20) for a stair lift (21) based data of a 3D model of a staircase (10) where data of a 3D model of a staircase (10) is received and a starting point (A) and an end point (B) for the guide rail system (20) of the stair lift (21) is determined. The invention further refers to a computer program configured to execute the proposed method (100) and to a guide rail system (20) for a stair lift.

Description

[0001] Method for designing a guide rail system for a stairlift

[0002] The present invention concerns a computer implemented method for designing a guide rail system for a stair lift by determining a pathway for the guide rail system based on data of a 3D model of the staircase. Furthermore the invention concerns a computer program configured to execute such method and a guide rail system for a stair lift at least partially designed by means of such method.

[0003] In the context of the present invention a stairlift is understood as a product which is typically meant for people with impaired mobility, mostly elderly people, to provide support to get upstairs and downstairs without removing the staircase and thus maintaining the functionality of the stairs for persons which are (still) able to climb the stairs themselves. Such a lift is often installed in people's homes and typically comprises a drive unit with a chair or another platform, driven by a drive, which drives along a guide rail system, mounted on or along one or more staircases.

[0004] One of the tasks in incorporating a stair lift into an existing environment is fitting the guide rail system, on which a seating portion of the stair lift travels, to its surroundings. A stair lift is generally uniquely designed according to several prerequisites of its intended environment, e.g. a staircase, walls, intermediate landings, customer whishes etc. Typical factors which have to be considered during the design process are measurements of the staircase and / or stairs as well as safety and engineering requirements. The design process generally starts with measuring the staircase and important obstacles and producing a digital file from the resulting measurements. This file is then shared with an engineering or drawing office. The manual fitting and design process can be time consuming and the resulting design may vary depending on the engineers personal preferences.

[0005] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for designing a guide rail system for a stair lift, in particular to standardize and accelerate the design process. Furthermore it is an object of the invention to propose an improved guide rail system for a stair lift, in particular in order to increase customer satisfaction and / or reliability of a stair lift.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a computer implemented method for designing a guide rail system for a stair lift is proposed according to independent claim 1. In addition a computer program comprising the features of claim 9 and a guide rail system for a stairlift comprising the features of claim 10 are proposed. Further embodiments and / or features of the invention are subject of the dependent claims and the description below.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer implemented method for designing a guide rail system for a stair lift is proposed, comprising steps of a) receiving data of a 3D model of a staircase; b) determining a starting point and an end point for the guide rail system of the stairlift; c) determining a preliminary pathway for the guide rail system between the starting point and the end point; d) based on at least one set of parameters, adjusting at least one of the preliminary pathway, the starting point and the end point; e) repeating the afore mentioned adjusting step until a predetermined ratio of the at least one set of parameters are met; and f) issuing the adjusted pathway for the guide rail system.

[0008] The steps of the proposed method are in particular intended to be carried out by a computer program running on computer means which provide generic or specialized data processing functions, such as a personal computer, smartphone, laptop etc. By repeatedly adjusting the preliminary pathway, the starting point and / or the end point according to prescribed parameters, an optimized compromise between two or more prerequisites may be proposed, calculated and / or deducted. Respectively, a process for designing the pathway or 3D geometric course of the guide rail system may be optimized, such that the resulting pathway may be more standardized and / or better customized towards the actualities of the staircase and its surroundings.

[0009] According to other aspects of the present invention, a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method described herein, and a guide rail system for a stair lift, designed at least partially by implementing the method described herein, are proposed. This may be realized by means of an algorithm, for example a genetic algorithm, which is aimed to be used for designing the guide rail system and / or at least partially executing the steps of the proposed method. Such genetic algorithm typically comprises a method for solving both constrained and unconstrained optimization problems, wherein a population of candidate solutions, also called individual(s), to an optimization problem is evolved toward an optimized solution. Each candidate solution has a set of properties which can be mutated and altered; traditionally, solutions are represented in binary as strings of Os and 1s, but other encodings are also possible. For the solution proposed herein, the algorithm may be fed with the fixed set of customer related parameters i.e. data of a 3D model of a staircase and / or a starting point and an end point for the guide rail system of the stairlift determined based on the 3D model.

[0010] Based on said starting and end point, a population of randomly generated individuals i.e. at least one preliminary pathway, are generated (first generation). This step i.e. these steps may be repeated and be an iterative process, with the population in each iteration being typically called a generation. In each generation, a suitability of every individual in the population is evaluated; the fitness or suitability thereby typically comprising a value of an objective function in the optimization problem being solved. Herein, so-called fitness rates of the preliminary pathway(s) may be established based on the at least one set of parameters. The at least one set of parameters may serve as evaluation criterion as to determine if the reviewed preliminary pathway complies with the requirements set forth in the parameter(s).

[0011] The more fit individuals i.e. preliminary pathways may stochastically be selected from the current population, and each individual's parameters may be modified to form a new generation. This selection process may take place based on fitness values; a weight of each parameter or each set of parameters may be adjusted or adjustable and be followed by reproduction and / or mutation of the selected preliminary pathways to increase the amount of possible solutions.

[0012] The new generation of candidate solutions is then used in the next iteration of the algorithm. This step or process may be repeated. Commonly, the algorithm terminates when either a maximum number of generations has been produced, or a satisfactory fitness level has been reached for the population. A stair lift is typically used for transporting a passenger from a first level in altitude to a second level in altitude and comprises the guide rail system which extends between said first and said second level of for example a building. In some embodiments horizontal travel, at least in sections, may be provided by means of a stair lift as well.

[0013] The guide rail system forms the main structural support of the stair lift and serves as transportation track or rail for a seating assembly of the stair lift. The seating assembly or carriage comprises driving means which are designed to engage with the guide rail such that the carriage may move along the guide rail or guide rail system. Hence, the spatial layout of the guide rail system essentially defines the travel path of the seating assembly. Herein, the guide rail system may comprise several in particular interconnected rail sections or rail elements which may be straight, curved, bent or shaped otherwise, such that a suitable geometry along the staircase may be achieved. Furthermore, the guide rail system may comprise fastening means, which may be used to mount the rails or rail elements to the staircase, in particular to floor or walls of the staircase.

[0014] Data of a 3D model may comprise information about the staircase such as steps, railings landings and / or objects in the realm of the staircase, for example walls, windows, banisters or ceiling elements. During a measurement phase of the designing process, measurements such as a spatial position of the staircase and / or said one or more objects or measurement / anchor points, the spatial distance between two objects or measurement / anchor points, the spatial relative angle between the staircase and objects or measurement / anchor points may be obtained and / or an indication regarding the realized accuracy of the extracted information may be contained in such 3D model.

[0015] A starting point and / or end point of the pathway may in particular be an estimated, at least temporarily fixed point in the spatial environment of the 3D model of the staircase, in between which the guide rail(s) of the stair lift are to extend. Such starting and end points may for example be placed in front of and / or distanced to a first and / or last step of the staircase, such that a passenger of the stair lift may easily enter or exit the seating assembly placed in proximity of or at such starting or end point. These points may be subject to fixed criteria which are applied to roughly estimate a suitable position for a starting and / or end point.

[0016] A preliminary pathway may be a straight line between the starting and the end point or may already suffice to certain prerequisites such that the preliminary pathway is placed above the stairs, within a certain distance to objects, for example walls or may in other cases comprise turning points, curvatures or the like. The preliminary pathway serves as a point of origin for further calculations steps of the method described herein.

[0017] The pathway for the guide rail system may comprise or describe a vector line or curve for example created in a vector-based graphics and / or drawing program. In particular, the pathway connects at least two anchor points, which may initially be formed by the starting point and the end point determined in step b) and may comprise a sequence of straight lines and / or curves of differing spatial directions, angels and / or lengths bounded by anchor points. During the adjusting step, the preliminary pathway and / or one or more properties of the preliminary pathway may be compared with predetermined parameters, which may comprise given values, value ranges, characteristics and / or conditions, and upon determining that a parameter or criterium is not met, the preliminary pathway may be adjusted to fit with respect to the specific parameter checked. This may be repeated until all parameters or criteria are met or at least met in part or to a certain in particular predetermined percentage. In particular for such measures and not limited to certain steps of the method described herein, an Artificial intelligence (Al) system and / or a neural networks (NN), i.e. artificial neural network (ANN) or simulated neural network (SNN), may be employed for perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring data and / or information.

[0018] Essentially the pathway of the guide rail system is modeled by means of customizing and / or controlling parameters i.e. at least one set of parameters. For the adjusting of the pathway its geometry and / or its parameters may be addressed. A set of parameters may comprise a single or multiple parameters, such as geometry parameters (e.g. geometric dimensions, positions), physical parameters (e.g. materials, loads), topology parameters, process parameters (e.g. tolerances). Such parameters may for example be or at least be based on features and / or measurements of features of the guide rail system, the stair lift, the staircase and / or (standardized) passenger measurements. A non exhaustive list of examples for parameters is given in the following: a vertical and / or horizontal position of the rail start and / or finish / end point, a height of a seat of the stair lift, a type and / or position of an armrest, a height and / or position of a footrest, if and / or what kind of a swivel seat is to be used, if a floor heating is present, if and where non-drillable surfaces are present in the stair case, a number and / or location of park position(s), a number and / or location of stop position(s), an angle of a parking bend at the guide rail start and / or guide rail endpoint, a measurement of a passenger or clients back to forehead, back to knee, back to head. Furthermore, relationships and dependencies may be established between specific parameters or in particular diverse sets of parameters and / or restrictions and / or constraints may be imposed, such as e.g. dimensions, algebraic relations, logical operations or also features like the horizontality, parallelism or congruence of geometric elements. Thus, construction rules for the pathway and the guide rail system are applied via the method in a time-saving manner.

[0019] Issuing the adjusted pathway may comprise issuing data of such adjusted pathway e.g. in form of a visual representation and / or a 3D-model in particular comprising production, construction, manufacturing and / or mounting information, plans and or instructions. Such information may contain provisional information to facilitate planning and cost estimations for an installation of the guide rail system and / or the stair lift.

[0020] The invention is, among other things, based on the goal to provide more uniform and / or consistent guide rail system designs. It is therefore proposed to provide a coherent design process, wherein the guide rail design may be based on a plurality of objectively determined criteria. The guide rail design obtained by such process may be issued for example in form of a rendering design, a construction and / or manufacturing plan and / or file, in order to facilitate review by the customer and / or production and / or mounting of the guide rail system and stair lift, respectively.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises steps of d1) simulating a course of journey of a seating assembly of the stairlift along the determined preliminary pathway; d2) based on the simulation, adjusting at least one of the preliminary pathway, the starting point and end point. The simulation may comprise computing and / or visually presenting movements of the seating assembly in relation to the preliminary pathway and / or a guide rail system. Movements may comprise a rotational movement of the seating assembly around a vertical or any other axis, tilting of the seating assembly and / or potential jolts may be comprised within such simulation respectively at each calculation point or during travel. Furthermore, the periphery or peripheral measurements of a passenger seated on the seating assembly may be considered, in order to ensure that a passenger traveling on the preliminary pathway may not touch, get injured or endangered by peripheral objects such as ceilings, walls, banisters or the like.

[0022] The simulation may be performed in approximation at each point of the preliminary pathway, such that a complete survey of the expected travel path and / or movements of the seating assembly may be established. By simulating the journey of the seating assembly, especially with a person / passenger seated on such assembly, comprehensive information about possible dangers or points of collision may be gathered in order to further improve the design and / or placement of the preliminary pathway in relation to the staircase, thus deriving an adjusted pathway, which is suitable for safe use in the staircase.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step a1) based on the received data correcting and / or completing measurements of the 3D model of the staircase. In case the data received from an external source appears incomplete and / or inaccurate, i.e. missing certain distances, measurements, reference points and / or anchor points, the method may use provided data in order to (auto-)fill blank value spaces or measurements. For this, the provided data may serve as a calculation and / or estimation base and / or standard values may be incorporated in such correcting and / or completing measures. By this an in particular sufficient complete 3D model of the staircase may be provided and serve as a basis for further calculations, especially in regard to later determining compliance with certain parameters or set of parameters.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step g) based on the adjusted pathway, determining fastening means for the guide rail system. Fastening means such as clamps, stilts, mounts, brackets and / or supports may be standardized, premanufactured components of the guide rail system, which may be distributed along the pathway of the guide rail in order to securely and / or space-savingly mount the guide rail to the staircase. The support means may in particular have adjustable dimensions for universal use. A reduction of the number or quantity of fastening means needed in order to achieve fixing or fastening may be achievable by means of the proposed method.

[0025] According to one embodiment a compatibility rating for at least one set of parameters for the adjusted pathway is determined. Each set of parameters or each parameter may be ranked, rated or graded in accordance with its accuracy and / or fulfillment ratio of the respective criterion, such that an analysis of the compatibility ratio or fulfillment rate with respect to the parameters may be enabled. Thereby, the decision based on such a rating system, which scores the different prerequisites for example in relation to each other may facilitate choosing the right option, especially if multiple possible pathways for the stair lift guide rails are issued or proposed by means of the method described herein.

[0026] According to one embodiment at least one of the set of parameters comprise fixed values and / or customizable variables. Each parameter may be individually fixed or negotiable and / or may be altered or changed before and / or during execution of the method in order to adapt the method to different or differing prerequisites, preferences or predilections of customers. Relations between different parameters may be established, for example, some parameters can have a lower ranking in relation to importance, whereas some parameters may be mandatory. By means of parameters or sets of parameters fixed numerical boundaries and / or ratios as well as design features and / or other flexibility constraints may be introduced in the design process. Furthermore, legislation specific or safety specific values or restrictions may depend on local regulation and therefore may vary and be adjusted or altered accordingly, thus making the method more versatile in regards to global use.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises steps of f1) altering the at least one set of parameters according to different requirements and f2) issuing an alternative pathway for the guide rail system based on the altered set of parameters. In particular, if one adjusted pathway has already been issued, a user of the computer implemented method may, by use of corresponding input means, alter parameters and / or change or cancel its values and / or rating e.g. within a given allowed framework. Thereby prompting a recalculation, determination and / or adjustment to a different pathway i.e. route for the pathway or seating arrangement. Hereby a range of available options for the design of the guide rail system may be provided for example for discussion with customers.

[0028] According to one embodiment the 3D model is based on measurements captured by means of mixed reality smart glasses. Mixed reality smart glasses are eye or head-worn wearable computers that may offer providing the data of the 3D model by measuring the staircase on site. Such 3D model may be calculated and / or provided by a computing means of the mixed reality smart glass and may comprise necessary measurements and / or anchor points. Hereby, a 3D model which may be specifically customized towards the use in the computer implemented method described herein may be provided. By use of mixed reality smart glasses, the design process of the guide rail system for the stair lift may further be sped up as no manual measurement of the physical environment is necessary.

[0029] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention result from the following description in connection with the figures. In general, features of the various exemplary aspects and / or embodiments described herein may be combined with one another, unless this is clearly excluded in the context of the disclosure.

[0030] In the following part of the description, reference is made to the figures, which are presented to illustrate specific aspects and embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other aspects may be employed and structural or logical changes may be made in the illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of the figures is therefore not to be understood as limiting. Illustrating are

[0031] Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a flowchart of a computer implemented method for designing a guide rail system for a stair lift according to the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a guide rail system designed by implementing the computer implemented method according to the present invention.

[0033] In the following, identical reference symbols refer to identical or at least similar features.

[0034] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a computer implemented method 100 for designing a guide rail system for a stair lift as described herein.

[0035] In a first step a) data of a 3D model of a staircase to which the stair lift and its guide rail system is supposed to be fitted to is received. The 3D model and / or the data thereof may be based on measurements captured on site of the actual staircase by means of mixed reality smart glasses worn by a person. Upon receiving, this data containing measurements of the 3D model of the staircase may, in a step a1), be corrected and / or completed, in order to provide necessary measurements for the following design process.

[0036] In a step b) a starting point and an end point for the guide rail system of the stair lift are determined. The starting point and the end point may be established based on one or more predetermined criteria and serve as point of origin for further steps of the designing of the guide rail system. In a step c) a preliminary pathway for the guide rail system between the starting point and the end point is determined. This preliminary pathway may be a straight line or a sequence of two or more sections, which may be chosen or determined randomly or may be established based on one or more predetermined criteria. If a computer program comprising a genetic algorithm is used, one or more preliminary pathways may be established as a first generation of individuals.

[0037] Based on at least one set of parameters at least one of the preliminary pathway, the starting point and the end point of the guide rail system is adjusted in a step d). Such sets of parameters may comprise single parameters or two or more parameters which may also comprise logical interconnections between some or all of the parameters. Parameters may comprise measurements of the guide rail, the stair lift and / or components thereof, the stair case and / or prerequisite constraints resulting from the stair case and / or measurements of one or more potential passengers. By means of the parameters or sets of parameters for example safety rules, prerequisite distances, admissible angles, placement rules and / or collision prevention may be introduced to the design process and / or the guide rail system. Such parameters may comprise fixed values and / or customizable variables, so that, for example, certain parameters may be altered according to customer preferences. At least some of the steps a) to g) of the method described herein may at least partially be executed by means of an Al system and / or a neural network.

[0038] During or after the adjusting of the preliminary pathway, a compatibility or fitness rating for at least one of the parameters may be calculated, based for example upon how accurately the pathway fulfills one or more parameter. In particular based on such calculations, a compatibility rating for at least one of the parameters of the adjusted pathway may be determined.

[0039] In optional or alternative step d1) a course of journey of a seating assembly of the stair lift along the determined preliminary pathway may be simulated and in a further optional or alternative step d2) the preliminary pathway may be adjusted based on the results of such simulation.

[0040] These steps d), d1) and / or d2) are repeated in a further step e) until a predetermined ratio of the at least one set of parameters are met and thus, an adjusted pathway respectively final pathway is determined. This adjusted pathway for the guide rail system is then issued in particular by means of appropriate issuing or output means and may be issued comprising construction, manufacturing and / or mounting information derived or deducted from the adjusted pathway and / or data thereof. In a further optional step g) fastening means for the guide rail system can be determined based on the adjusted pathway. This may comprise selecting appropriate fastening means from a set of predetermined fastening means as well as positioning of such fastening means.

[0041] In a further optional step f1) the at least one set of parameters may be altered according to different requirements and an alternative pathway for the guide rail system may be issued in a step f2) based on the altered set of parameters. Fig. 2 illustrates a guide rail system 20 for a stair lift 21 designed at least partially by implementing the computer implemented method 100 for designing a guide rail system 20 for a stair lift 21 as described herein.

[0042] This illustration depicted in Fig. 2 may be a visual representation during the executing of the computer implemented method 100 or of an adjusted pathway 11 determined and / or issued as a result of said method 100 displayed on suitable output means. After receiving data of a 3D model of a staircase 10, a starting point A and an end point B for the guide rail system 20 of the stair lift 21 is determined and a preliminary pathway 13 for the guide rail system 20 is established between the starting point A and the end point B.

[0043] This preliminary pathway 13, the starting point A and / or the end point B is then adjusted based on at least one set of parameters, until a predetermined ratio of the at least one set of parameters are met. In particular the repeating / repeated steps may be executed by an Al system and / or a neural network. In some embodiments, the adjusting step may comprise simulating a course of journey of a seating assembly 22 of the stair lift 21 . Then, the adjusted pathway 11 for the guide rail system 20 is issued. This adjusted pathway 11 may be issued as a set of data and / or a visual representation and may comprise specifications relating to guide rail sections, their curvature, length, angel and geometrical and / or spatial positioning with regard to the staircase 10. Furthermore, information concerning fastening means 12 and / or their positioning may be issued. In some embodiments, the one or more parameter may be altered according to different requirements and an alternative pathway 13a for the guide rail system 20 may be issued.

[0044] List of reference signs

[0045] 10 staircase

[0046] 11 adjusted pathway

[0047] 12 fastening means

[0048] 13 preliminary pathway 13a alternative pathway

[0049] 20 guide rail system

[0050] 21 stair lift

[0051] 22 seating assembly

[0052] 100 method

[0053] A starting point

[0054] B end point a to g method steps

Claims

Claims1. Computer implemented method (100) for designing a guide rail system (20) for a stair lift (21) comprising the following steps: a) Receiving data of a 3D model of a staircase (10); b) Determining a starting point (A) and an end point (B) for the guide rail system (20) of the stair lift (21); c) Determining a preliminary pathway (13) for the guide rail system (20) between the starting point (A) and the end point (B); d) Based on at least one set of parameters, adjusting at least one of the preliminary pathway (13), the starting point (A) and the end point (B); e) Repeating step d) until a predetermined ratio of the at least one set of parameters are met; f) Issuing the adjusted pathway (11) for the guide rail system (20).

2. Computer implemented method (100) according to claim 1 , wherein step d) further comprises the steps: d1) Simulating a course of journey of a seating assembly (22) of the stair lift (21) along the determined preliminary pathway (11); d2) Based on the simulation, adjusting at least one of the preliminary pathway (11), the starting point (A) and the end point (B).

3. Computer implemented method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: a1) Based on the received data correcting and / or completing measurements of the 3D model of the staircase (10).

4. Computer implemented method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: g) Based on the adjusted pathway (13), determining fastening means (12) for the guide rail system (20).

5. Computer implemented method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a compatibility rating for the at least one set of parameters is determined for the adjusted pathway (13).

6. Computer implemented method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one set of parameters comprise fixed values and / or customizable variables.

7. Computer implemented method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps: f1) Altering the at least one set of parameters according to different requirements; and f2) Issuing an alternative pathway (13a) for the guide rail system (20) based on the altered set of parameters.

8. Computer implemented method (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the 3D model is based on measurements captured by means of mixed reality smart glasses.

9. Computer program configured to execute the method (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Guide rail system (20) for a stair lift designed at least partially by implementing the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 8.

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