Stairlift Armrest Position Control for Passenger Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stairlifts lack effective safety measures to ensure passengers are securely positioned, particularly when the armrests are not in the correct position for securing the person, which can lead to safety hazards during operation.
Innovation Solution
The stairlift incorporates an angular sensor to detect the armrest's position and a latch mechanism to lock the armrest in secure positions. The control unit adjusts the functionality of the drive assembly based on the armrest's position, ensuring safety by blocking or altering the drive or swivel mechanisms as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the armrest is made foldable to save space, then the storage space efficiency is improved, but the safety of securing the passenger deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to be dynamically adjustable between folded and unfolded positions. During operation, it can be unfolded to provide safety, while during storage it can be folded to save space. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between space efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the armrest position and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit uses this information to determine whether the armrest is in a safe position for passenger securing, enabling automated safety control based on the actual armrest state.
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is positioned radially outward to support passenger entry, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety of securing the passenger deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest can dynamically change its radial position. During passenger entry, it extends radially outward to support the passenger. During operation, it retracts to a position that provides securing functionality. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between ease of entry and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest is positioned in the radially outward configuration in advance during the entry phase to facilitate passenger boarding. After entry is complete, it is repositioned to the securing configuration before the drive assembly operates, ensuring safety is established beforehand.
3Reliability
If the control system monitors armrest position continuously, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple sensor provides feedback on the armrest position to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables continuous monitoring without requiring complex control systems, as the sensor directly reports the armrest state and the control unit makes straightforward decisions based on predefined safety criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically adjusts the functionality of the drive assembly based on the sensor feedback regarding armrest position. The system self-regulates by blocking or enabling drive functions according to the detected armrest state, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring or manual intervention.
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
This solution enhances safety and comfort by ensuring the armrest is in a secure position before allowing the stairlift to operate, thereby preventing accidents and improving user security.
Implementation Method 1
The stairlift comprises an angular sensor for detecting the angular position of the armrest
Implementation Method 2
the chair comprises a, in particular a spring loaded, latch mechanism to lock the armrest in a, in particular in a discrete, angular position
Implementation Method 3
When unfolding the armrest, the armrest is rotated downwards until it reaches a mechanical stop and the armrest stays in this position due to gravitational forces
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Method of controlling a stairlift (1), the stairlift (1) comprises a rail (2), a chair (4), a drive assembly (3) having a drive engine (22) for driving the chair (4) along the rail (2), the chair (4) is attached to the drive assembly (3), the chair (4) having an armrest (5), wherein the armrest (5) is pivotably supported at the chair (4) by a hinge (8), which allows a rotational movement of the armrest (5), in particular along a vertical axis (R), the method comprising the step of detecting an angular position (A-D) of the armrest (5); the step of controlling at least one functionality of the stairlift (1), in particular a functionality of the drive assembly (3), as a function on the detected angular position (A-D).