NL2017842B1 - An apparatus for transporting a load from a first to a second level, in particular a stairlift - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting a load from a first to a second level comprising an emergency rotation blocking arrangement for preventing rotation between the load carrier and the frame of said apparatus, said rotation blocking arrangement comprising: a first braking member having a primary braking surface which is strip shaped and extends along at least a section of a circle around said axis, a second braking member having at least one secondary braking surface which extends at a distance from said primary braking surface at an angle in such a manner that the distance between the two surfaces varies, thereby forming a substantially wedge shaped gap between the primary and secondary surfaces having a wider part and a narrower part, the wedge shaped gap widening in a tangential direction around said axis, wherein in a normal operation mode a third braking member is held in a fixed position relative to said second braking member by a retaining member such that it extends in the wider part of said wedge shaped gap where it cannot engage both the primary and secondary braking surfaces at the same time, and wherein in a braking operation mode said retaining member is moved relative to said second braking member such that said third braking member is allowed to move to the narrower part of said wedge shaped gap, thereby engaging both the primary and secondary braking surfaces and blocking rotation of the second braking member in said tangential direction relative to the first braking member.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

Θ 2017842 (21) Application number: 2017842 © Application submitted: 11/23/2016

BI PATENT (51) Int. Cl .:

B66B 9/08 (2016.01)

Application registered: (73) Patent holder (s): 28/05/2018 Otto Ooms B.V. in Bergambacht. (43) Application published: - (72) Inventor (s): Jacco Frederik de Haan in Delft. (47) Patent granted: Martinus Cornells from Scheppingen in Delft. 28/05/2018 Jan Otto Ooms in Bergambacht. (45) Patent issued: 13/06/2018 (74) Agent: ir. P.J. Hylarides et al. In The Hague.

© An apparatus for transporting a load from a first to a second level, in particular a stairlift (57) An apparatus for transporting a load from a first to a second level including an emergency rotation blocking arrangement for preventing rotation between the load carrier and the frame of said apparatus, said rotation blocking arrangement including:

a first braking member having a primary braking surface which is strip shaped and extended along at least a section of a circle around said axis, a second braking member having at least one secondary braking surface which extends at a distance from said primary braking surface at an angle in such a manner that the distance between the two surfaces varies, inj forming a substantial wedge shaped gap between the primary and secondary surfaces having a wider part and a narrower part, the wedge shaped gap widening in a tangential direction around said axis, in a normal operation mode a third braking member is a hero in a fixed position relative to said second braking member by a retaining member such that it extends into the wider part of said wedge shaped gap where it cannot engage both the primary and secondary braking surfaces at said same time, and in a braking operation mode said retaining member is moved relative to said second braking member such that said third braki ng member is allowed to move to the narrower part of said wedge shaped gap, bless engaging both the primary and secondary braking surfaces and blocking rotation of the second braking member in said tangential direction relative to the first braking member.

NL BI 2017842

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

An apparatus for transporting a load from a first to a second level, in particular a stairlift

The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a load from a first to a second level, in particular a stairlift, including: a frame which is displaceable along a rail and which is provided with support, guide and drive means arranged to engage the rail, a load carrier, in particular including a seat for a person, which is rotationally mounted on said frame to be rotated around a horizontal axis, and means for maintaining the load carrier in a predetermined rotational position relative to the direction of gravity, which position- maintaining means include at least one adjusting motor arranged to rotate the load carrier relative to the frame around said horizontal axis.

Such apparatuses are described in WO 2006/001694, WO 2012/120286 and WO 2012/052725, and each include an emergency blocking mechanism for preventing the carrier from uncontrolled rotational movement should the means for maintaining the carrier in the predetermined rotational position fail, in particular to prevent injuries to person sitting on the carrier.

The invention aims at an alternative, more reliable, more simple emergency blocking solution.

To that end said apparatus further comprises an emergency rotation blocking arrangement for preventing said rotation between the load carrier and said frame, said rotation blocking arrangement including: a first braking member rigidly connected to one of said frame and said load carrier, a second braking member rigidly connected to the other one of said frame and said load carrier, at least one third braking member arranged between said first braking member and said second braking member, said said first braking member has a primary braking surface which is strip shaped and extended along at least a section of a circle around said axis, said said second braking member has at least one secondary braking surface which extends at a distance from said primary braking surface at an angle in such a manner that the distance between the two surfaces varies, presc forming a substantial wedge shaped gap between the primary and secondary surfaces having a wider part and a narrower part, the wedge shaped gap widening in a tangential direction around said axis, in a normal operation mode said third braking member is a hero in a fixed position relative to said second braking member by a retaining member such that it extends into the wider part of said wedge shaped gap where it cannot engage both the primary and secondary braking surfaces at the same time, and in a braking operation mode said retaining member is moved relative to said second braking member such that said third braking member is allowed to move to the narrower part or said wedge shaped gap, wait engaging both the primary and secondary braking surfaces and blocking rotation of the second braking member in said tangential direction relative to the first braking member. In the preferred embodiment said first braking member is rigidly connected to said frame and said second braking member is rigidly connected to said load carrier. In normal operation the carrier and the frame can be rotated relative to each other. If an unexpected situation occurs (such as if a sensor on the carrier senses that the rotational angle exceeds an acceptable maximum) or for instance any time that the apparatus is at a standstill or switched off, the retaining member will be moved, the third braking member moves into the narrow part of the wedge where it contacts both surfaces. If in such a case there would be a rotation between the carrier and the frame, the frictional forces of both surfaces will cause the third braking member to move deeper into narrower part of the wedge, possibly even being deformed, and in any case completely blocking the relative rotation between the carrier and the frame, and at any incremental angle.

Preferably said second braking member comprises at least two secondary braking surfaces, being at least one first secondary braking surface and at least one second secondary braking surface, said at least one first secondary braking surface forming a first substantial wedge shaped gap widening in a first tangential direction around said axis, said at least one second secondary braking surface forming a second substantial wedge shaped gap widening in a second tangential direction around said axis, said second tangential direction being the opposite or said first tangential direction, and said at least one third braking member being allowed by said retaining member in said braking operation mode to move to a narrower part of one or said first and second substantially wedge shaped gaps, allowing allowing said at least one third braking member to block rotation of the second braking member in either tangential direction relative to the first braking member. Thereby the emergency blocking arrangement works in both rotational directions.

Said at least first secondary surface and said at least second secondary braking surface preferably form two separate substantially wedge shaped gaps, and said at least one third braking member are at least two separate third braking members, each extending into a respective substantial wedge shaped gap. Said blocking arrangement preferably comprises a multitude of first and secondary braking surfaces forming substantially wedge shaped gaps and a multitude of third braking members, each extending into a respective substantial wedge shaped gap.

Preferably said primary braking surface is at least a section of a cylindrical surface. Said primary braking surface may also be a circular section or a conical or flat surface. Preferably said at least one third braking member has the form of a cylinder, and the axis of said cylinder extends parallel to both the primary and secondary braking surfaces. Said third braking member may also be special.

The wider part (s) or said wedge shaped gap (s) preferably extend (s) substantially vertically above the narrower part (s) or said wedge shaped gap (s) and said third braking member (s) rest (s) on ( a) carrying edge (s) or said retaining member in the normal operation mode. Preferably said retaining member is movable between an upper position in said normal operation mode and a lower position in said braking operation mode. Preferably said retaining member is hero in said upper position in normal operation by the force of an electrically powered electromagnet, such that it moves to said lower position in braking operation if electrical power to said electromagnet is absent. Said retaining member is furthermore preferably connected to a resilient biasing member which is arranged to move said retaining member from said fixed position in normal operation mode to said braking operation mode.

The invention will now be elucidated by means of a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures,

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a stairlift;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a displaceable frame and a carrier for a stairlift as shown in Figure 1, with an emergency rotation blocking arrangement mounted there between;

Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the emergency rotation blocking arrangement or Figure 2; and

Figures 4A and 4B show a front view of the emergency rotation blocking arrangement or figure 3 in normal operation mode and in braking operation mode respectively.

Figure 1 shows an system 1 for transporting a load from a first to a second level, in the shown version a stairlift system, which comprises a rail 3 which is placed along a staircase 2 and which encloses an angle with the horizontal H, and an apparatus 4 movable along rail 3 for transporting the load between the different levels. Rail 3, which is shown in the shown version has a round cross-section, is supported by a number of posts 5 which are arranged distributed along staircase 2 and which are fixed to a protruding part extending along rail 3. Rail 3 is further provided with propelling part in the form of a gear rack 8. Stairlift 4 comprises a frame 9 which is displaceable along rail 3 and on which a load carrier 10 is mounted, here in the form of a chair with a seat 11, back rest 12, armrests 13 and a footrest 14. Chair 10 is connected to frame 9 by a rotatable shaft 15 and fixation means 16, 17 (shown in figure 2) for rotating around a horizontal axis, and arranged in frame 9 and carrier 10 is a level maintaining mechanism consisting of, among other parts, or an adjusting motor connected to said shaft 15 so that the position of chair 10 can be kept constant at all times irrespective of the inclination of rail 3. For further details of an embodiment of a system as shown here , reference is made to European paten application application EP 2 216 284 A1, which is incorporated by reference. This description will subsequently focus on the new emergency rotation blocking arrangement between the frame 9 and the load carrier 10.

According to figures 2 and 3, an emergency rotation blocking arrangement is mounted between a frame 9 and a load carrier 10. The rotation blocking arrangement comprises a first braking member 21, a second braking member 22, a multiple of third braking members 23, and a retaining member 24 for holding the third party members 23 in position.

The first braking member 21 comprises a cylindrical part 212 extending around the hollow shaft 15, and a mounting flange 213. The first braking member 21 is rigidly connected to the frame 9 by bolts 211 extending through holes 214 in said flange 213.

The second braking member 22 comprises a substantially cylindrical body extending around the cylindrical part 212 or the first braking member 21, such that it can rotate relative thereto. The second braking member 22 is rigidly connected to the load carrier 10 by bolts 221 extending through holes 222 in said body and washers 223.

The retaining member 24 comprises 2 substantially U-shaped flat plates 241, 242, each extending on one side or the second braking member 22, such that they form a sandwich. The plates 241, 242 are fixed to each other by bolts 243 and nuts 244, while bushings 245 extend between the plates 241, 242 and around the bolts 243 as spacers. The bushings 245 extend through vertical slots 224 in the second braking member 22, the retaining member 24 is movable up-and-down between two extreme positions. A biased spring 246 is provided, or which the upper end pushes against a fixed stop surface on the load carrier 10, and the lower end pushes against a fixed stop surface of a protrusion 247 or the retaining member 24, pushing the retaining member towards the lower position. Furthermore an electromagnet 248 is provided, which is mounted on the load carrier above the metal protrusion 247 or the retaining member 24. When, in the normal operation mode, the electromagnet 248 is powered, it pulls the metal protrusion 247 in the upper direction against the force of spring 246, moving the retaining member 24 to the upper position. If, in the braking operation mode, the electromagnet is not powered, the spring 246 pushes the retaining member 24 back to the lower position.

The second braking member 22 comprises recesses 225 in its inner circumferential wall around the cylindrical part 212 or the first braking member 21, such that the surface of said recesses 225 face the outer surface of the cylindrical part 212. As shown in figures 4A and 4B , said the surface of the recesses is shaped such that the surface of each recess 225 and said surface of the cylindrical part 212 form substantially wedge shaped gaps 231, having a wider part in its upper region and a narrower part in its lower region.

The third braking members 23 have a cylindrical main body 232 and a shaft 233 extending from both ends. The plates 241, 242 of the retaining member 24 have substantially vertical slots 249 in which the shafts 233 of the third braking members 23 extend, with washers 234 being placed between the main body 232 and the slots 249. The braking members 23 can be freely rotate around the shafts 233 and move freely up and down the slots 249.

In the normal operation mode, when the retaining member 24 is forced to be in the upper position by the electromagnet 248, the bottom edge of the slots 249 or retaining member 24 carry the shafts 233 or the third braking members 23 such that their main bodies 232 are forced to extend into the wider parts of the wedge shaped gaps 231, as shown in figure 4A. In that position the first braking member 21 and the second braking member 22, and the frame 9 and the load carrier 10, can freely rotate relative to each other.

In the braking operation mode, when the retaining member 24 is forced to be in the lower position by the spring 246, the slots 249 overlap the lengths of the gaps 231, the shafts 233 or the third braking members 23 can move downward such that their main bodies 232 will move to the narrower part of the wedge shaped gaps 231, as shown in figure 4B. In that position the friction of the main bodies 232 of the third braking members 23 prevent rotation between the first braking member 21 and the second braking member 22, and the frame 9 and the load carrier 10.

The invention has thus been described by means of a preferred embodiment. It is understood, however, that this disclosure is merely illustrative. Various details of the structure and function were presented, but changes made therein, to the full extent extended by the general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed, are understood to be within the principle of the present invention. The description and drawings will be used to interpret the claims. The claims should not be interpreted as meaning that the extent of the protection sought is understood as defined by the strict, literal meaning of the wording used in the claims, the description and drawings being employed only for the purpose of resolving any ambiguity found in the claims. For the purpose of determining the extent of protection sought by the claims, due account shall be tasks or any element which is equivalent to an element specified therein.

Claims (11)

Conclusions Device for transporting a load from a first to a second level, in particular a stairlift, comprising: a frame which is movable along a rail and which is provided with support, guide and drive means which are adapted to engage the rail, a load carrier which is rotatably mounted on the frame to be rotated about a horizontal axis, and means for maintaining the load carrier in a predetermined rotational position relative to the direction of gravity, said position-holding means comprising at least one adjusting motor adapted to rotate the load carrier relative to the frame about the horizontal axis, the device furthermore blocking a rotation emergency device comprises for preventing rotation between the load carrier and the frame, the rotation-blocking emergency device comprising: a first brake member fixedly connected to one of the frame and the load carrier, a second brake member fixedly connected to the other of the frame and the load carrier, at least a third brake member arranged between the first brake member and the second brake member, wherein the first braking member has a primary braking surface that is strip-shaped and extends along at least a section of a circle around the axis, the second braking member having at least one secondary braking surface extending at an angle away from the primary braking surface such that that the distance between the two surfaces varies, thereby forming a substantially wedge-shaped gap between the primary and secondary forming surfaces with a wider portion and a narrower portion, the wedge-shaped gap widening in a tangential direction about the axis, with a normal operating mode the third brake member is held in a fixed position relative to the second brake pass through a holding member such that it extends into the wider portion of the wedge-shaped gap where it cannot engage the primary and secondary braking surfaces simultaneously, and wherein in a braking mode the holding member is moved relative to the second braking member such that the third braking member is moved allowed to move toward the narrower portion of the wedge-shaped gap, thereby engaging the primary and secondary braking surfaces and impeding rotation of the second braking member in said tangential direction relative to the first braking member. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second brake member comprises at least a two secondary brake surface, consisting of at least a first secondary brake surface and at least a second secondary brake surface, the at least one first secondary brake surface forming a first substantially wedge-shaped gap which becomes wider in a first tangential direction about the axis, and the at least one second secondary braking surface forms a second substantially wedge-shaped gap that becomes wider in a second tangential direction about the axis, the second tangential direction being opposite to the first tangential direction, and wherein the at least one third brake member is allowed by the holding member in the braking mode to move to a narrower portion of one of the substantially first and second wedge-shaped gaps, thereby allowing the at least one third brake member to rotate the second braking member in both tangential direction with respect to the block the first braking member. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least first secondary braking surface and the at least second secondary braking surface form two separate substantially wedge-shaped gaps, and the at least one third braking member are at least two separate third braking members, each located in a respective extend substantially wedge-shaped gap. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the blocking device comprises a plurality of first and secondary braking surfaces that form substantially wedge-shaped gaps and a plurality of third brake members which each extend in a respective substantially wedge-shaped gap. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary braking surface is at least a section of a cylindrical surface. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one third braking member is in the form of a cylinder, and the axis of the cylinder is parallel to the primary and secondary braking surfaces. 7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the wider part (s) of the wedge-shaped slit (s) extends / extends substantially vertically above the narrower part (s) of the wedge-shaped slit (s) and the / the third braking member / braking members in the normal operating mode rests on a bearing edge / edges of the holding element. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the holding element is movable between an upper position in the normal operating mode and a lower position in the braking mode. 9. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the holding element in normal operation is held in the upper position by the force of an electrically fed electromagnet, such that in the braking mode it moves to the lower position as the electrical supply to the electromagnet is absent. 10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein said retaining member is connected to a resilient biasing element adapted to move the retaining member from said fixed position in normal operating mode to the braking mode. 11. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first brake member is rigidly connected to the frame and the second brake member is fixedly connected to the load carrier. -d- kf 4 FIG. 4B