Chairlift Safety Bracket Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In chairlift systems, safety brackets are often closed too late after boarding or opened too early before the disembarkation region, posing a risk of falling, especially for children, and require manual operation which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pivotal installation and locking system that automatically locks and unlocks safety brackets using a control element and blocking element, preventing manual opening during motion and ensuring safe and comfortable operation by externally activating the pivoting of safety brackets and seat parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If safety brackets are manually closed and opened by passengers, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to late closing or early opening
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the chairlift's existing drive mechanism to automatically operate the safety brackets without requiring passenger action. The drive mechanism self-activates the closing and opening sequences based on the chair's position in the cycle, eliminating human error while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the chair's position and the safety bracket's state to automatically trigger closing and opening actions at the correct moments. This feedback loop ensures reliable timing by continuously monitoring system state and adjusting operation accordingly.
2Reliability
If safety brackets are locked to prevent manual opening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to open
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static - it automatically locks during transport to prevent premature opening, but automatically unlocks at the station using the drive mechanism. This dynamic behavior provides both security during transit and ease of opening at destination without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary locking action before the chair reaches the station to ensure safety brackets remain securely closed during transport. The unlocking action is then automatically executed at the appropriate time, eliminating the need for passengers to manually operate the brackets while maintaining both security and accessibility.
3Reliability
If automatic closing and locking is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing chairlift drive mechanism to perform multiple functions - driving the chair along the cable and simultaneously operating the safety brackets. By making the drive mechanism universal, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated actuators for bracket control, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions for safety bracket operation are merged with the existing chairlift control system. The same drive mechanism that powers the chairlift also operates the safety brackets through integrated linkages, combining multiple functions into a single system rather than adding separate control installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A chair for chairlifts includes a pivotal installation that can pivot into a closed position and an open position, a locking element of the installation, and a blocking element for the locking element. The blocking element is movable into a blocking position and into a releasing position. A control element allows the blocking element to be moved from the blocking position and the installation to be opened. A chairlift and a method for activating a pivotable installation are also provided.