Stair System with Movable Steps for Accessibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stair systems pose difficulties for individuals with disabilities, elderly people, and children due to their design, which can lead to balance issues and excessive effort when climbing, as they are typically suited for able-bodied individuals.
Innovation Solution
A stair system featuring stable and movable stairs with an automatic mechanism that adjusts positions based on user height detection, allowing the movable stairs to extend between consecutive stable stairs, providing a customizable climbing experience without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the height of the steps of the stairs is designed small, then it becomes easier for differently abled persons to climb, but a structure that is difficult to use for normal people emerges
Solution Approach 1:
The stair system incorporates movable stairs that can dynamically adjust their position and configuration. The movable stairs transition between a retracted position (normal operation) and an extended position (assist mode), allowing the system to adapt its step height and configuration based on user needs detected by sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The stair system serves multiple functions: it operates as a conventional fixed stair for able-bodied users, transforms into an assisted climb system for differently abled users by extending movable stairs, and provides automatic detection and adaptation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the structure suitable for both user groups.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the height of the steps of the stairs is designed high, then it becomes easier for structure stability, but differently abled persons cannot use them
Solution Approach 1:
The stair system divides the climbing function into segments: fixed stable stairs provide structural support and stability, while movable auxiliary stairs provide additional stepping surfaces for differently abled users. This segmentation allows the stable structure to maintain its height for stability while the movable segments reduce the effective step height for vulnerable users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable stairs are added to assist differently abled persons, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable stairs are nested within the structure of the fixed stairs when not in use. The movable stairs can be stored in hollow spaces or recesses of the fixed stair structure, and deployed when needed. This nesting approach minimizes the increase in device complexity by integrating the movable components into the existing structure rather than adding separate external systems.
4Ease of operation
If automatic mechanism is implemented to move movable stairs, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stair system uses automatic detection mechanisms (sensors detecting user presence, weight, or characteristics) that trigger the automatic extension and retraction of movable stairs without requiring manual operation. The system serves itself by automatically adapting to user needs, eliminating the need for manual switching or control interfaces while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A stair system (1) comprising a set of stable stairs (2), each of the stable stairs (2) comprising a first horizontal surface (3), an empty space (4) within the stable stair (2), a first wall (5) substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface (3), and an opening (6) in the first wall (5) to facilitate into or out of the empty space (4), and a set of movable stairs (7), each of the movable stair (7) is adapted to be in a normal position (8) or an extended position (9), such that while being in the normal position (8), the movable stair (7) is adapted to be placed within the empty space (4) of one of the stable stairs (2), and while being in the extended position (9), the movable stair (7) is adapted to be extended out of the stable stair (2) through the opening (6).