ABSTRACT

STAIR LIFT FOR MATERIAL HANDLING

This topic deals with the fabrication and analysis of a stair case lift, which can be
use as Material Handling System. A stair case lift is a mechanical device for lifting
people and wheelchairs up and down on the stairs, who may find difficulty in doing so
themselves. For sufficiently wide stairs, a rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs. A
chair or lifting platform is attached to the rail.

A person on the chair or platform is lifted as the chair or platform moves along the rail,
old age and goods are to be carried across the stair case. Stair case lift is a type of lift that
can be mounted on the stair case without altering civil structure. This lift runs on electric
power and consists of a motor, reduction gear box, rope drive, two rails a sliding chair. In
this system we use DC motor for changing the polarity of the power supply which will
make the motor run in reverse direction connected with the earlier, while the later will
form the entire assembly run to in downward direction, with the help of Toggle switches
and push buttons. Advantages over the conventional hydraulic lift are no civil structure
and alteration is required, low cost, less bulkiness, less power, less maintenance requires.
Easy design, easy installations. Can be of industrial use too. Moreover, considering some
drawbacks due to weight carrying capacity completely depend upon the capacity of
motor.

There is lot of scope for further modification in the project as using monorail instead of
two. Use of belt drive or chain drive instead of rope drive. Incorporation and automation/
timer unit which will ease the use of device. Rack and carrier arrangement for using the
device for curved stair case.
 Objectives:
The main objective of our Project is The optimal design chosen has met all design criteria set
forth by the client. In addition, this design meets all realistic constraints with a low cost and less
fabrication than other designs. The squeeze-to-go walker is a wheel based walker. The use of
wheels at the base greatly reduces the friction encountered during operation when compared to
standard walker designs. The wheels make the walker easier to use while increasing its
maneuverability. Since safety is one of the most important design criteria, a squeeze-to-go brake
design was chosen. This ensures the walker will stop unless the user is pressing the handle,
reducing the chance for a loss of control or tipping. The brakes themselves can be operated via
three handles, one of which allows Thalia to lean into the walker while pushing (similar to how
she uses the walker now). The walker height was also adjusted to meet the Thalia’s needs. In
addition, a modified adjustable design was implemented so the walker remains usable as Thalia
grows. The placement of a seat within this design increases the usability of the walker as Thalia
will be able to remain at a position she moves to if she deems it necessary.
 Introduction:
An elevator or lift is a vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods
between floors (levels) of a building, or of other structure. Elevators are generally powered by
electric motors that either drive traction cables orcounterweight systems like a hoist or pump
hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston like a jack. Because of wheelchair access laws,
elevators are often a legal requirement in new multi-storey buildings, especially where
wheelchair ramps would be impractical. A stairlift is a mechanical device for lifting people and
wheelchairs up and down stairs. For sufficiently wide stairs, a rail is mounted to the treads of the
stairs. A chair or lifting platform is attached to the rail. A person on the chair or platform is lifted
as the chair or platform moves along the rail.

Stairlifts are known variously as stair lifts, stair-lifts, chair lifts, stair gliders and by other
names.This type of chair lift should not be confuse with the chairlift used by skiers As the name
suggests stair case lift is a type of lift that can be mounted on the stock stair case without altering
civil structure. This lift of course runs on electric power and consists of a motor two rails a
sliding chair. This stair case lift can be mounted stock stair case where the civil structure is not
be altered; and still handicapped old age and goods are to be carried across the stair case. These
actual size stair case lift will be on could with at which can be assembly, and mounted and wheel
as disassembled and mounted. In the middle 1800s, there were many types of crude elevators
that carried freight. Most of them ran hydraulically.

The first hydraulic elevators used a plunger below the car to raise or lower the elevator. A pump
applied water pressure to a plunger, or steel column, inside a vertical cylinder. Increasing the
pressure caused the elevator to ascend. The elevator also used a system of counter-balancing so
that the plunger did not have to lift the entire weight of the elevator and its load. The plunger,
however, was not practical for tall buildings, because it required a pit as deep below the building
as the building was tall. Later a rope-geared elevator with multiple pulleys was developed. The
development of elevators was led by the need for movement of raw materials including coal and
lumber fromhillsides. The technology developed by these industries and the introduction of steel
beam construction worked together to provide the passenger and freight elevators in use today.
Lifts are invented long back ago. But installation of lift involves ample amount of cost intenous
of rails, motor honk, civil structures .If lifts to be installed in the stalk structure then it be
alteration cost is too much. To overcome all these factors and to civil construction cost the
concept of stair case lift come with being which reduced extra costing associated with the lift
mechanism, the benchmark of the system is that this concept is associated with simplifying as
well. Some people argue that lifts began as simple rope or chain hoist. A lift is a essentially
platform that is either pulled or pushed up by a mechanical means.

A modern day lift when consists of a cab (also called a "cage" or "car") mounted on a platform
within an enclosed space called a shaft or sometimes a "hoistway". In the past, lift drive
mechanisms were powered by steam and water hydraulic pistons or by hand.In a "traction" lift,
cars are pulled up by means of rolling steel ropes over a deeply grooved pulleycommonly called
a sheave in the industry. The weight of the car is balanced by counterweight. Sometimes two lifts
always move synchronously in opposite directions, and they are each other's counterweight.

The friction between the ropes and the pulley furnishes the traction which gives this type of lift
its name.Fig. 1 Stair Case Lift Hydraulic lifts use the principles of hydraulics (in the sense of
hydraulic power ) to pressurize an above ground or in-ground piston to raise and lower the car.
Roped hydraulics use a combination of both ropes and hydraulic power to raise and lower cars.
Recent innovations include permanent magnet motors, machine room-less rail mounted gearless
machines, and microprocessor controls. The technology used in new installations depends on a
variety of factors. Hydraulic lifts are cheaper, but installing cylinders greater than a certain
length becomes impractical for very high lift hoist ways. For buildings of much over seven
storey‟s, traction lifts mustbe employed instead. Hydraulic lifts are usually slower than traction
lifts.Lifts are a candidate for mass customization. There are economies to be made from mass
production of the components, but each building comes with its ownrequirements like different
number of floors, dimensions of the well and usage patterns.
 Working Principle:
In this project, the final design was an outcome of a sequential analysis and modification of
stages. Stair lifts are easily installed into any situation where the condition of the stair tread is
good as the railing that the chair lift uses is attached to the stair tread. A chair lift for stairs can be
both battery operated and AC power operated. Stairs present a mobility challenge and often
danger for the elderly who are struggling with mobility issues. Falling down stairs are a leading
cause of serious injury among the elderly and purchasing a chair lift for stairs can significantly
reduce concerns about falls. A chair lift will not only be a safer method for movement up and
down stairs by those with mobility issues but they will also be securing an important degree of
independence.

The concept of stair case lift is mead for transportation of human, goods across stair case hence
it needs something like chair, platform using which human, goods can be ISSN: 2319-8753
International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 2,
Issue7, July 2013Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 2647transported. Something on which
this platform, chair case run on like rails. Something with which the platform, chair can be made
to run across rails such as pulling pushing mechanism, system which involves a motor, a
gearbox, a pulley and a rope drive.
The rails are two in numbers. These can be mounted on the stalk stair case with clamping with
ease. Inside these „C‟ cross sectioned rails slides are mounted which studless through the length
of rails. These staircases and fixed to each other with the help of structural mechanisms supports
the motor and other components like gearbox, pulley, platform, chair, control panel. Now, on
these staircase a motor is mounted which is a out scale down model in 2V DC 2400 rpm
Mabuchi, Indonesian made motor, which is associated with the gearbox which uses 10 different
event gears for reducing speed and inversing torque. On the output of the gearbox is mounted a
guide pulley. This output shaft of the gearbox is also used to wheel and moved the rope with the
help of which these stair case lift can move upward and downward. Other end of this rope is
attached with the upper end of rail.

Wherever supply is given to these motor its runs the gearbox which in-return starts winding the
rope on its outer start wheels makes the apparent through of the gearbox shouter resulting in
pulling of the gearbox and the motor in the direction in which the rope has been fixed. As motor
and gearbox along with the platform, chair are mounted on the suitable platform which can be
slide on the rails the entire unit starts moving upwards then human / goods can be motivated very
easily. Reversing the supply to the DC motor on changing the polarity of the power supply will
make the motor run in reverse direction connected with the earlier, while the later will form the
entire assembly run to in downward direction then by making the entire / single must be use for
the future purposes.

The direction of the motor of stair case lift can be changed with the help of button mounted on
the chair at self making the use of stair case lift very carry the power cables are protected with a
cable carrier Then project model makes of 6V DC power supply which is managed using a 220V
AC adapter giving output of 6V DC, 1 amp and a battery backup in advance supplied that gives
6V DC, 4 Ah output. The project model is constructed out of MDF material that is first plated
with various required designs and then cut to the drawing then flushing & before drilling
operation is carried out. There parts are then assembled for the project model.
 Popular types of stairlifts:-

 Straight-rail stairlifts
These are the most common type of stairlifts used in private dwellings with straight stairs and
have a straight rail (track) which is attached to the steps of the staircase. Straight-rail stairlifts
can usually be installed within days of being ordered and, having a rail which is simply cut to
length from a stock part, they are the least expensive stairlifts.
 Curved-rail stairlifts
These are made to follow the shape of an individual staircase (curved stairs). On staircases with
intermediate flat landings they eliminate the need for multiple straight stairlifts by providing a
continuous ride up the entire length of the staircase. Because the rail is custom-made to follow
the staircase, and because the chair is more complex that on a straight-rail stairlift (it has to be
able to remain level while traveling along a track which changes direction and angle), curved-rail
stairlifts are usually more costly than stairlifts for straight stairs. Specifying a curved-rail
stairlifts usually involves careful measurement, design and manufacturing, and the installation
process usually takes longer than for a straight domestic stairlift.

Some manufacturers provide curved-rail stairlifts made from modular parts. These have the
advantage of quick delivery time (the installer brings many parts and picks from them), though
the rail may not follow the shape of the stairs as closely as a factory-made stairlift. Modular
stairlifts take longer to install that custom-made stairlifts, so they are usually similar in price to a
custom-made curved-rail stairlift .
 Wheelchair platform stairlifts
These come under the general definition of stairlift and are usually of much heavier construction
than a domestic stairlift.

Most platform stairlifts are used in public access buildings or outside private homes.The platform
is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and its user, and may have folding edge flaps
which drop down and act as ramps to allow for variations in floor levels. These flaps also prevent
the wheelchair from going over the edge of the platform.
The rails are, necessarily, of heavy construction to support the load and the drive system is
usually accommodated within a tubular section rail or aluminium extrusion. Some models have
steel cables inside the tube, others have chains; yet others may use a rack and
pinion system.Many wheelchair platform stairlifts are designed and built to order. Others may
comprise a standard platform and carriage, with the only special requirement being the length of
rails or tracks.Some stairlift chairs can also be moved and used as indoor wheelchairs.
 Outdoor stairlifts
Outdoor Stairlifts come with seats, perches, footplates or platforms and are sold worldwide. They
are similar to indoor stairlifts but with improved weatherproofing .
 Pre-owned stairlifts
There is a second-user market for some types of stairlift. This is most common with straight rail
domestic types. The rails can be cut to length if too long, or extended with a "joining kit". Most
models allow the carriage to be "re-handed" so it can be used on the left or right side of the
staircase.

During the early days of curved rail stairlifts there was no second user market because of the
difficulty of matching rails to a different layout. Even staircases built to the same design
specification in neighbouring houses have variations, but in most attempted "transplants" there
are too many differences to make it practicable. Many owners have had to pay to have unwanted
curved stairlifts removed.

More recently, some curved rails have been produced to a modular design so components can be
unbolted and used elsewhere, subject to design and safety considerations. In some cases, tubular
section rails which are welded during manufacture, are produced by specialist rail companies so
they can be used with a pre-owned carriage, controls, and other components. This is, perhaps,
like putting an old locomotive on new railway lines. It provides a lower cost solution than buying
a totally new system.Some insurance companies have offered breakdown policies for stairlifts.
Manufacturers and installers have offered an extended warranty, rather like those available for
domestic white goods and brown goods.
  Goods stairlifts
Some manufacturers produce stairlifts with trays instead of seats for moving goods between
different levels, usually in commercial or industrial buildings. Some businesses have purchased
normal domestic stairlifts purely as goods transporters and put items such as boxes of stationery
on the seat.
 COSTING:-
Stair lifts are highly individualized units that vary in price significantly. However, many base
units begin between $3,000 and $5,000. Many options affect this base pricing including: length
of railing needed, any curves involved, seat upgrades, motor upgrades, seat swivel, seat and

SR.NO NAME QUANTITY PRICE

1 Pedal Stuck Bearing 04 Rs.760

2 Square Pipe 06 Rs.250

3 Motor 01 Rs.6000

4 Pulley 02 Rs.600

5 Belt 01 Rs.250

6 Shaft 02 Rs.150

foot pedal folding, and power type.

 Impact of Engineering Solutions:-

Creating, testing and designing both a walker and a stair lift for the needs of an individual with
Spina Bifida will allow for a standard model for not just individuals with this specific disorder,
but also an entire community of people who lack mobility in lower extremities. Injuries to the
spinal cord, stroke victims and paraplegics can all benefit from one or both of these devices.

There are a variety of related products on the market for both the stairlift and the walker. Many
of the stairlift products available are both very high in price (over 10,000 dollars) and not suited
for a split-level home. The increased cost of taking care of a person with a disability often puts
many families in a position where they cannot afford the devices they need. Our stairlift has a
much more reasonable cost, increasing accessibility to many families who may need it.

The idea implements different methods than traditional stair lifts, as it uses a compact design
along with a winch based system. This method drives down cost and uses a proven device to
ensure longevity and reliability of the product.The walkers currently available provide a viable
starting point, however they will need to be modified to accommodate Thalia’s size. The brake
type will be reversed to ensure Thalia is able to move safely, and at her own pace.

A walker like this has yet to be designed, and with its relaxed breaking system, can be used for
patients suffering from various ailments that result in decreased leg mobility. Modification of a
current walker would decrease environmental impact, 38as a new factory would not need to be
developed for parts production. A much smaller operation could satisfy the changes that need to
be made during modification and assembly. The impact of the optimal designs has the potential
to improve the quality of lives of many at a reasonable cost and with little harm to the
environment.
 AC and DC power:-

Early stairlifts mostly had alternating current (AC) drive motors which ran at full mains voltage
(around 115 volts in North America, 230 volts in Europe). An "energy chain" ran alongside or
through the rail to carry the power cable from the supply point to the carriage.

More recently, domestic stairlifts have been powered from rechargeable batteries and use direct
current (DC). One of the selling points is that a DC stairlift will continue to function during a
power outage, provided the batteries are sufficiently charged. Most stairlifts have a 'chargepoint'
where the unit will 'park' to charge its batteries. Some straight stairlifts have the ability to charge
continuously no matter where they are left along the track.

With most DC models the batteries are accommodated within the carriage and travel with it.

Some models, however, were designed with three phase motors and the batteries (three in total)
were housed in a cabinet mounted near the top or bottom of the rail. An invertersystem was used
to convert the DC energy to three phase AC.

The power rating of drive motors for domestic straight rail stairlifts may be around 250 watts.
The power requirement will be greater for heavy loads, very steep inclines, and wheelchair
platform stairlifts.
 Controls:-

Stairlifts are largely operated using a control on the arm of the lift. This is either a switch or a
toggle type lever. This larger toggle switch enables users even with limited mobility or painful
condition to use stairlifts easily and safely.

Electronic controls are used extensively. Many stairlifts have radio frequency or infrared remote
controllers. It is known that radiation from devices such as fluorescent lights can interfere with
infrared stairlift controls. Also, heat and incandescent lights can, in some circumstances, have an
adverse effect.

Control circuit design varies greatly among the different manufacturers and models. Curved rail
stairlifts have more complex controls than those with straight rails.

The seat of a curved rail stairlift may have to be tilted so it remains horizontal whilst going
around curves and negotiates different angles of incline. This requires an additional motor and
link system.

Also, the carriage is slowed down on bends but travels faster on straight runs. This means a more
complex control system. Modern controls have small microprocessors which “learn” the
characteristics of the journeys and keep the data in memory. They also record the number of
journey and direction. This assists service engineers on maintenance calls.

Some development of self-diagnostic controls began at the onset of the 21st Century. The idea
was that stairlifts would predict when components were starting to deteriorate and automatically
pass the information to the service provider so a visit could be arranged.
 Safety issue:-

A huge component of this project is Thalia’s safety. Many fail-safes have been implemented to
ensure that the stairlift device ceases to operate in a predictable manner if any sort of failure were
to occur. There are remote controls located on the chair, as well as on the top and bottom of each
staircase which will ensure that the lift can be stopped at any time the user deems it necessary.

There are multiple obstruction sensors in place to ensure there is nothing impeding the path of
the stairway lift or the footrest. An important part of the design is that a worm-gear has been
used to ensure that in the event the motor stops working the chair remains locked in place. The
stairway lift has been thoroughly cleaned and refurbished to ensure that there are no sites at
which injury could occur. Refurbishing has also reduced the likelihood of corrosion and has
resulted in an increase in the length of the time the stairway lift can be used.In addition, the other
family member’s safety will be taken into account. The chair for the stairway lift is foldable and
compact so it does not interfere with their ability to traverse up and down the stairs.

The walker contains multiple features that ensure Thalia’s safety. The use of a wide based
walker that is squeeze-to-go will decrease the likelihood of tipping during use. The reduction in
height will further lower the center of gravity to ensure the walker remains upright. The main
safety feature implemented for this device is the squeeze to go braking system. This is ideal for
Thalia, as with her limited leg mobility, she needs precise control of when the walker 37moves to
ensure that she can remain stable. The walker therefore is designed with a squeeze to go brake
setup, in which the walker can only move if the handles are depressed. Clearly, multiple safety
measures have been taken into account in the designs of both the stairway lift system and walker.
a)Stress in saddle for 5kg = 3.263 N/mm2 b) Stress in saddle for 5kg = 3.263 N/mm2

c)Deformation of rail for 5kg = 0.1796 mm d) Stress in rail for 5kg = 37.67 N/mm2
 Features
Modern stair lifts can be found with a wide variety of features such as adjustable seat height, battery
isolation switches, call stations, 'flip-up' rail, key switch, folding step, speed governor, seatbelt, soft start
and soft stop.

Rails
Straight rails for use on domestic staircases are usually made from extruded aluminium or steel and come
in various cross-sectional shapes. These rails may, typically, weigh over 30 kg, depending on the length.
In most applications they are attached to the steps with metal brackets (sometimes called “cleats”).

If a rail crosses a doorway at the bottom of the stairs or causes an obstruction a hinge can be fitted so the
end of the rail can be folded back out of the way when not in use.

Curved rails are made from materials such as steel or aluminium and come in various cross-sectional
shapes according to the designer. Individual designs vary a lot and probably the key criterion is to make
the curves with the smallest radius possible so they will wrap tightly around objects such as newel posts.

The sections of curved rails usually packaged well to prevent damage in transit and are unwrapped and
assembled on site.

Rails for wheelchair platform stairlifts may be secured to walls in addition to the step fixings.
Process sheet:-
 RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE RESEARCHERS:-

With the distinguished advantages and the benefits associated there of the reasons to be being for
staircase lift. In context to Indian the economical aspect of this system proves to be very
promising and the typicalIndian context would always insist upon economy without
compromising quality & multiutility. In this case no one has alter the civil structure for
installation thereafter shortest cost for installation procedure as compared to that of lift. So future
seems to be very bright. There is lot of scope for further modific-ation in the project as follows.
Using monorail instead of two. Encoporation and automation / timer unit which will ease the use
of device. Push button ON/OFF using timer circuit.A swivel seating arrangement. Seatbelt for
future safety. Rack and carrier arrangement for using the device for curved stair case. Use of
work & roller reduction gear assembly. Folding seat arrangement.
 Advantage:-
Stair lifts are a special type of home mobility equipment that is used to carry an individual up
and down the stairs. They usually feature a chair that is attached to an aluminum track, but there
are a few models which allow the user to stand as they go up and down the lift. These standing
stair lifts are often called perch lifts because of the way they are used and are usually reserved for
individuals who can not sit withou

Most modern stair lifts can easily and quickly be installed to a straight staircase. Quality straight
stair lifts, like those made by AmeriGlide, are engineered to make the installation process as
simple as possible. The installation can usually be done with normal tools in a few hours, but
most dealers also have installation teams which can come to your home and install the lift if you
do not feel comfortable doing it yourself. A straight stair lift willgenerally be installed directly to
the stairs, but in some instances where space is at a premium, they can be attached to the wall. It
is far more common for the rail system to be attached to the stairs, however, and the installation
can usually be done in an afternoon
 Disadvantage:-

The main disadvantage to stair lifts is that they are extremely expensive. Stair lifts also require a
lot of electricity to run, so you will see a rise in your electric bill. Another disadvantage is that, if
the stair lift breaks down, it can take a really long time for the parts to come in. Installing a stair
lift may also create damage to the staircase. In certain cases, railings must be removed in order to
install the lift.
 Conclusion:-

With the fortunate events that have occurred, we have discovered that modification of previously
designed products is the most beneficial for our project at hand. After coming to a full
understanding of the design process, and the alternative design opportunities, we have discovered
that businesses can profit from using previously designed projects and modifying them for the
needs of the specified user.A fully functional and slightly modified stairway lift and squeeze to
go walker have been designed for the Almeida family, and with a strong concern with safety and
cost, a highly beneficial design has been achieved for the needs of the client. 41With the split
level stairway lift system, Thalia can now move up and down the split level home with safety
and ease. With fully functional controls at the top and the bottom of the staircase, Thalia and her
family can control the movement of the stairway lift whether they are sitting in it or controlling it
from afar.

Moving up and down the stairs with the control of her upper body strength, with an easily
accessible pivoting chair to assist in transfer from lift to lift, Thalia can easily move from the
basement to the second floor of her home.With the Squeeze to go walker system, Thalia will be
able to use a similar motion used in her previous favorite device for mobility around the house.
However, it has been specially designed to allow for a greater range of motion. With 360 degree
motion in the front wheels of this design, Thalia is able to maintain balance with her upper body,
and can move with much more ease and functionality than her previous device.

Moving from carpet to tile, the wheel system will be an easier transition than the friction based
system currently in use. With the walker system being adjustable, Thalia can grow with this
system, learning how to use this device to her best abilities and adjust to this new product as she
grows older. With the two different systems Thalia will be given more independence to move
around the house independently. And as she grows older, independence is a valuable
characteristic in a child’s life. By keeping safety as an ultimate concern, Thalia will be able to be
independent as well as safe moving around her house.
 Reference:-

 http://www.bme.uconn.edu

 https://www.disabilityfunding.co.nz

 https://en.wikipedia.org