Stairlifts are a great way to make homes more accessible for those with limited mobility. They allow users to traverse multiple floors of the home without having to climb up or down stairs. But how do stairlifts work? Let’s take a look at the engineering behind stairlifts and what makes them so useful.
Stairlift Components
Stairlifts typically have four main parts; a track, carriage, motor, and chair. The track is mounted along the side of the stairs and allows the chair to move up and down. The motor powers the lift by driving a gear that runs along the track, while the chair allows occupants to safely sit while being moved up or down.
The drive system used in most stairlifts is a rack-and-pinion type drive system, which uses a rack gear attached to the chair base that engages with a pinion gear connected to an electric motor housed in the carriage. This arrangement allows for smooth operation and precise control of speed and acceleration as well as braking power when reaching either end of the track. When it comes to safety features, most stairlifts are also equipped with sensors that can detect obstacles in their path and automatically stop before they reach it.
Stairlift Customization
In addition to its basic components, modern stairlifts also come with several customizations designed to increase comfort and convenience. For instance, many stairlifts come with padded seats or footrests for those who need extra support when sitting or standing on their lifts. Some models even feature swivelling seats at either end of the staircase so that users can exit their lifts without having to turn around or step off sideways from their chairs onto stairs. Other customisation options include adjustable seat heights as well as additional accessories such as armrests or handrails for added security while riding on your lift.
A modern stairlift engineer in Worcester would have come a long way since the start of the industry over 50 years ago. With all its customizable options available today, it’s no wonder why more people are turning toward these devices when looking for ways to make their home more accessible for those with limited mobility.
