Improvements in or relating to stairlifts

Abstract

A stairlift control means suitable for generating a first visual signal to indicate a control function may be initiated, generate a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating the control

Description

This invention relates to stairlifts and, in particular, to a control for a stairlift, a method of configuring a stairlift control to assist a stairlift user and / or a stairlift with a control configured to assist a user in the operation of a stairlift. Background to the Invention A stairlift is typically used by persons having one or more physical limitations. The inability to climb stairs safety and without difficulty is an obvious limitation but physical limitations are often accompanied by a greater susceptibility to confusion and this can be exacerbated by aspects of the controls for a stairlift. As an example, regulations governing the construction and operation of a stairlift require a pause between the displacement of the hand control which controls movement of the stairlift along it's rail; and the commencement of movement. This has been known to cause confusion with the user interpreting the pause as a fault and releasing the control. Similar confusion can arise if the stairlift encounters an obstruction on the staircase during travel. In this instance users have been known to be confused as to what remedial action they should take. It is an object of this invention to go at least some way in addressing the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the invention provides a stairlift control wherein the control is configured to: generate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function may be initiated; generate a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; and generate a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function is underway. Preferably said first, second and third signals are provided in sequence. Preferably said first, second and third signals are distinguished by colour. Preferably said second visually distinct signal is superimposed on said first visual signal and is animated with respect to said first visual signal. Preferably the stairlift control further comprises a light track on which said first, second and third signals appear. Preferably said light track is configured as a closed loop. In a second aspect the invention provides a method of assisting a stairlift user, said method comprising the steps of generating a first visual signal to indicate that a stairlift is ready for a control function to be initiated; generating a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; and generating a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function is underway. Preferably the method comprises generating said second visually distinct signal when a stairlift control is displaced to initiate movement of a stairlift carriage along a stairlift rail. Preferably the method comprises generating the third visually distinct signal when the stairlift carriage commences movement along the stairlift rail. Preferably the method comprises generating said second visually distinct signal when a stairlift control function is entered to initiate movement of a stairlift footrest from a folded state to an unfolded state. Preferably the method comprises generating the third visually distinct signal when the footrest is moving between the folded state and the unfolded state. Preferably the method further comprises generating a visually distinct signal when a stairlift safety pad is activated during movement of a stairlift carriage along a stairlift rail. Preferably the visually distinct signal generated when a safety pad is activated comprises a fourth visually distinct signal. Preferably the method further comprises animating said fourth visually distinct signal. In a third aspect the invention provides a stairlift having a rail; a carriage displaceable along the rail; and a chair mounted on the carriage, the chair having a seat base, a seat back, at least one armrest, a footrest, and a hand control wherein the stairlift includes a control unit configured to: generate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function may be initiated; generate a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; and generate a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function is underway. Preferably said first and second and third signals, are presented on the at least one armrest. Preferably said first and second and third signals are presented on a light track mounted on or adjacent to a distal end of said at least one armrest. Preferably said light track is configured as a closed loop. Preferably said closed loop has a first part lying substantially in a plane of an upper surface of said armrest and a second part arranged substantially perpendicular to said first part. Preferably wherein part of said light track is aligned with the direction of said stairlift rail. Preferably said control unit is configured to generate said first visual signal upon displacement of said hand control and to generate said second visual signal upon the carriage starting to move on the rail. Preferably said control unit is configured to generate said first visual signal upon a stairlift control function being instructed to move the footrest from a folded position to an unfolded position, and to generate said second visual signal upon the footrest starting to move toward the unfolded position. Preferably said control unit is configured to generate displacement of said second visual light signal on the light track. Preferably said control unit is configured such that said first visual signal illuminates the light track and said second signal visual signal is superimposed on the first visual signal and is animated with respect to the light track. Preferably said control unit is configured to generate movement of the second visual signal on the light track representative of movement of carriage on rail. Preferably the first and third visual signals occupy the entire light track but are of different colours. In a fourth aspect the invention provides a stairlift control configured to: generate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function may be initiated; and generate a second visually distinct signal indicating that the control function has been initiated, wherein: the second visually distinct signal is superimposed on the first visual signal and is animated. Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future. The scope of the invention should be limited by the appended claims alone. Brief Description of the Drawings One form of stairlift control embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1: shows a schematic isometric view of a stairlift incorporating a control according to the invention; and Figures 2A: show schematically a sequence of steps in the operation of a stairlift to 2D control according to the invention. Detailed Description of Working Embodiment Figure 1 shows a stairlift 5 comprising a carriage 6 mounted on a rail 7 for travel up and down the rail powered by main drive motor 8. A load carrier, preferably a chair 9, is mounted on the carriage, the chair comprising a seat base 10, seat back 11, armrests 12 and footrest 13. Typically the armrests fold in vertical directions when the stairlift is not in use, and a directional or hand control 14 is mounted on one of the armrests 12 whereby a user can cause the carriage to move up or down the rail as required. In the known manner the footrest 13 is displaceable about axis 15 from an unfolded position as shown, to a folded position in which the footrest is aligned substantially vertically. A motor 16 may be provided to effect folding and unfolding of the footrest. Safety edge switches 17 are provided on opposite sides of the footrest which, on engagement with an obstruction on the staircase in which the stairlift is mounted, activate and cut power to drive motor 8. Control signals from the drive motor 8, the hand control 14 and the footrest fold motor 16 are passed to and from electronic control unit (ecu) 18 which controls the functionality of the stairlift. According to the invention, the stairlift above described is provided with a control enhancement in the form of a number of distinct visual signals which allow a complex message (dealing with control logic) to be communicated to a user in an easily understood manner, resulting in less user confusion. A particular feature is that one of the visual signals is animated, that is to say, moves, translates or changes in configuration so as to create a greater visual impact on a user. In one aspect the invention addresses the problem associated with the delay between the directional control 14 being displaced, and the carriage 6 starting to move. This delay is required by regulation and often leads to confusion as the user has no feedback that the control input has been recognised and, thinking that a fault is present, may release the control 14 before the carriage 6 starts to move. To address this problem a facility is provided within the ecu 18 which is configured to generate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function can be initiated followed by a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the directional control 14 has been displaced; and then a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function entered by the user has resulted in the desired action. The first, second and third signals are preferably distinguished by colour and the second signal is animated to deter the user from thinking that nothing is happening during the delay period following the hand control first being displaced. The animated second visual signal may be presented alongside, but preferably superimposed on, the first visual signal. To this end, the first and second visual signals are preferably provided on a light track 20 which, in the embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2D, is configured as a closed loop. The first visual signal may be comprised by the whole of the loop whereas the second visual signal may be comprised by a smaller distinct visual element that is superimposed on the first visual signal and displaces along a part or the whole of the loop, while the first visual signal remains visible. The third visual signal preferably occupies the whole of the loop 20. The light track or loop 20 is preferably provided on an armrest 12 adjacent to or encircling the directional control 14. The light track may be lit with first colour, say white, being the first visual signal when the stairlift is ready to receive an input command from a user. As shown in Figure 2B, immediately upon the user entering a command, the second visually distinct and animated signal, say green in colour, appears as a smaller element on the light track and, as can be seen in the various views in Figure 2C this second signal expands and translates along the light track to provide a clear, visual, animated message to the user that the user's input is in process and that no fault is present. Finally, when the carriage starts to move, the second signal disappears and light track 20 preferably assumes a third, visually distinct colour, say amber. Whilst, in the form shown, the light track 20 comprises a closed loop or ring, this is by no means essential. An advantage of the loop arrangement shown is that the light track has an element parallel to the direction of travel of the stairlift rail so that the animation of the second visual signal may be used as an indicator of the direction of intended movement of the carriage, or as a guide to the user as to which direction of movement should be chosen. It will be noted that the light ring is mounted at the distal end 21 of the armrest and has a first part 22 parallel to the upper surface of the armrest, and a second part 23 wrapped around the end 21 and arranged substantially perpendicular to the part 22. This arrangement allows the light ring to be viewed both from a seated position and a standing position, and when the armrest 12 is both folded and unfolded. In a similar manner to that described above, when a control signal is applied to move the footrest from a folded state to an unfolded state. In the folded state the light ring may show white when in the ‘ready’ state and the present a green animated signal as soon as the unfold command signal is given. When the footrest starts, to unfold the green signal will disappear to be replaced by a third, say amber, signal. Another feature applies to the safety edges 17. The ecu 18 is preferably configured so that, in the event a safety edge is activated, an animated visual signal is generated. This may be in a fourth colour such as red to indicate to the user a need for care. The animated red signal may be moved or positioned on a particular part of the light ring to indicate to the user the direction in which to power to stairlift in order to back away from the obstruction.

Claims

1. A stairlift control wherein the control is configured to:generate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function may be initiated;generate a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; andgenerate a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function is underway.

2. A stairlift control as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first, second and third signals are provided in sequence.

3. A stairlift control as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first, second and third signals are distinguished by colour.

4. A stairlift control as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said second visually distinct signal is superimposed on said first visually distinct signal and is animated with respect to said first visual signal.

5. A stairlift control as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 including a light track on which said first, second and third visual signals appear.

6. A stairlift control as claimed in claim 5 wherein said light track is configured as a closed loop.

7. A method of assisting a stairlift user, said method comprising the steps of: generating a first visual signal to indicate that a stairlift is ready for a controlfunction to be initiated;generating a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; andgenerating a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function is underway.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 comprising generating said second visually distinct signal when a stairlift control is displaced to initiate movement of a stairlift carriage along a stairlift rail.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 comprising generating the third visually distinct signal when the stairlift carriage commences movement along the stairlift rail.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7 comprising generating said second visually distinct signal when a control function is entered to initiate movement of a stairlift footrest from a folded state to an unfolded state.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 comprising generating the third visually distinct signal when the footrest is moving between the folded state and the unfolded state.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12 further comprising generating a visually distinct signal when a stairlift safety pad is activated during movement of a stairlift carriage along a stairlift rail.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the visually distinct signal generated when a safety pad is activated comprises a fourth visually distinct signal.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising animating said fourth visually distinct signal.

15. A stairlift having a rail; a carriage displaceable along the rail; and a chair mounted on the carriage, the chair having a seat base, a seat back, at least one armrest, a footrest, and a hand control wherein the stairlift includes a control unit configured togenerate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function may be initiated;generate a second visually distinct and animated signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; andgenerate a third visually distinct signal indicating that the control function is underway.

16. A stairlift as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first, second and third signals are presented on the at least one armrest.

17. A stairlift as claimed in claim 16 wherein said first and second and third visual signals are presented on a light track mounted on or adjacent to a distal end of said at least one armrest.

18. A stairlift as claimed in claim 17 wherein said light track is configured as a closed loop.

19. A stairlift as claimed in claim 18 wherein said closed loop has a first part lying substantially in a plane of an upper surface of said armrest and a second part arranged substantially perpendicular to said first part.

20. A stairlift control as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein part of said light track is aligned with the direction of said stairlift rail.

21. A stairlift as claimed in any of claims 17 to 22 wherein said control unit is configured to generate said first visual signal upon displacement of said hand control and to generate said second visual signal upon the carriage starting to move on the rail.

22. A stairlift as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21 wherein said control unit is configured to generate said first visual signal upon a stairlift control function being instructed to move the footrest from a folded position to an unfolded position, and to generate said second visual signal upon the footrest starting to move toward the unfolded position.

23. A stairlift as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein said control unit is configured to generate displacement of said second visual light signal on the light track.

24. A stairlift as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein said stairlift control is configured such that said first visual signal illuminates the light track, and said second signal visual signal is overlaid on the first visual signal and displaces on the light track.

25. A stairlift as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein said control unit is configured to generate movement of the second visual signal on the light track representative of movement of carriage on rail.

26. A stairlift as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 25 wherein the first and third visual signals occupy the entire light track but are of different colours.

28. A stairlift control configured to:generate a first visual signal to indicate that a control function may beinitiated; andgenerate a second visually distinct signal indicating that the control function has been initiated; whereinthe second visually distinct signal is superimposed on the first visual signal and is animated.

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