Stair Lift Touch Control Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stair lifts are difficult for physically challenged individuals to operate due to the need for physical force and button engagement, which complicates their use.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive control system integrated into the stair lift, allowing users to activate and deactivate the driving mechanism by resting their hand on a predetermined surface, with optional code entry for security, displayed on a screen or remote unit, enabling hands-free operation and user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional physical buttons and switches are used for control, then the control mechanism is simple and reliable, but it requires physical force and dexterity that physically challenged persons lack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical button-pressing system with a capacitive touch-sensitive surface that detects the electrical properties of the human body. This substitution eliminates the need for physical force application while maintaining control functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system introduces an intermediary capacitive sensing layer between the user and the driving mechanism. This intermediary detects the presence and position of the user's hand through electrical field interaction rather than direct mechanical contact, enabling control without physical effort while managing system complexity through integrated circuitry.
2Reliability
If a dead man's button mechanism is used, then continuous operation is ensured, but it requires continuous physical pressure which is difficult for physically challenged persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dead man's button that requires continuous physical pressure with a capacitive touch-sensitive surface that detects the electrical presence of the user. This substitution maintains safety and reliability by ensuring continuous monitoring while eliminating the need for sustained physical effort, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If touch-sensitive control with code verification is implemented, then security is improved, but the control interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional control system where the same capacitive touch-sensitive surface serves both as the primary activation interface and as a code entry keyboard. This universal interface approach improves security through code verification while minimizing the increase in control interface complexity by reusing the existing touch-sensitive technology rather than adding separate mechanical or electronic components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the operation of stair lifts by allowing users to control the device without physical effort, enhancing usability and safety through a intuitive touch-sensitive interface, ensuring secure access with code verification.
Implementation Method 1
The control means are designed to activate the driving means, and to keep said driving means activated, if and as long as the hand, or a part thereof, rests on a predetermined part of the surface, and to deactivate the driving means when the hand, or a part thereof, is no longer in contact with said predetermined part of the surface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device, in particular a stair lift, for conveying a person from a first level to a second level, comprising a rail (2) which extends between the first and the second level, a frame (3) which is provided with engaging means designed to engage the rail (2) in such a manner that the frame (3) can be moved along the rail (2), driving means designed to cause the frame (3) to move along the rail (2), and a support (5), in particular a chair, on which the person can be seated, which stair lift is furthermore provided with control means designed to activate the driving means, wherein the control means comprise at least a touch-sensitive surface (9), which surface extends or may extend in such a manner that a person can rest his or her hand, or a part thereof, on the surface so as to activate the driving means.