Stair-Climbing Transport System with Nested Lifting Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stair-climbing transport systems are either too large for compact spaces, costly, or unreliable, making them unsuitable for rental properties, old buildings, and private homes, especially when it comes to retrofits due to technical or financial constraints.
Innovation Solution
A compact transport system featuring a support element with drivable rotary elements and lifting units, where each lifting unit is connected to a drivable rotary element via a linear chain, allowing for efficient movement up stairs or inclined planes with a low overall height and weight, and a fail-safe design with a common drive element for both the linear chain and the element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If foldable lifting mechanisms are used to raise the support element, then the transport system can be compact when folded, but the overall height becomes excessive and requires large storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting units are nested within the support element structure when retracted, with the push chains stored inside the support element's hollow chamber. This nesting arrangement allows the lifting mechanisms to occupy minimal space when not in use, significantly reducing the overall height and storage space requirements of the transport system.
2Ease of operation
If stairlifts are installed to enable access to upper floors, then independence and quality of life improve, but costs increase and installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into modular components including the support element, multiple independent lifting units, and driven rotating elements. Each lifting unit can be independently assembled and adjusted, allowing for simplified installation and adaptation to different staircase configurations without requiring complex professional installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system is designed with universal applicability to various staircase types and building configurations. The modular lifting units can be adapted to different stair geometries, and the system can serve multiple functions including transporting persons, loads, or both simultaneously, reducing the need for specialized installation for each application.
3Ease of operation
If rising platforms are used for stair access, then mobility is improved, but reliability and security decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates safety mechanisms that prepare for potential failures before they occur. The push chains are designed with pre-tensioning and guidance features that prevent derailment, and the lifting units include mechanical stops and overload protection that activate before critical failures can compromise safety or reliability.
4Reliability
If multiple drive elements are used for lifting and rotating, then reliability improves through redundancy, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive element is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated mechanism. The motor-driven shaft simultaneously provides rotational motion to the driven rotating elements and, through the push chains, linear motion to raise and lower the lifting units. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate drive elements while maintaining operational reliability through the coordinated action of the integrated system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport system (1), which is configured in particular to drive over stairs, said transport system comprising a supporting element (2), a plurality of driveable rotation elements (3), which can each be rotated about an axis of rotation to roll on a rolling plane, and a plurality of lifting units (4). Each lifting unit (4) is connected at one end to a driveable rotation element (3) of the plurality of driveable rotation elements (3). Furthermore, at least one lifting unit (4) of the plurality of lifting units (4) has a push chain (41) which is arranged so as to be displaceable on the supporting element (2) and is designed to raise and/or to lower the corresponding driveable rotation element (3).