Signs How Does a Stair Chair Lift Work?

As stair chair lifts rise in popularity and accessibility, more people are getting the comfort and safety they need. With its functions and benefits, it is not far off that we’ll have stair chair lifts as a normal part of the home. One can’t help but wonder how it works. 

Purchasing an item that will have such a significant influence on your daily life and be such a conspicuous presence in your house should not be taken lightly, so understanding as much as possible about your potential purchase is critical.

THE COMPONENTS

A custom stairlift, like any other mechanical system, includes a number of components that all work together to make the system as efficient and safe as possible. These components are as follows:

1. Rail or Track – The stairlift track is similar to a railway track in that it supports the chair, provides a mechanism for propelling the chair (usually a geared strip), and guides it up and down the stairway.
2. Power Supply – The majority of stairlifts feature a battery backup. Regardless of whether the system includes a battery backup, it must be linked to a power outlet to function. If the system isn’t battery-powered, it will require a dedicated circuit to function properly.
3. Seat – This is just a seat that the user sits on when using the stairlift. Equipped with a seat belt, it is firmly fixed to the seat while driving. Seat belts are one of the many safety features of stairlifts.
4. Footrest – This is a safety feature to prevent your feet from hitting the stairs as the stairlift climbs the stairs. A switch is attached to the footrest, and for safety reasons, the stairlift will stop if the footrest hits something.
5. Motor – The motor that drives the stairlift chair along the rails is at the base of the seat.
6. Transmission – Due to the high engine speed, a transmission system is needed to slow down the chair and allow it to be used safely.
7. Controls – Some stairlifts are equipped with call and send controls mounted on the wall near the edge of the stairs. This is useful when the stairs are used by multiple people. In some cases, these controls can be wireless.

HOW IT OPERATES

A stairlift is basically a chair that moves along the stairs and a rail or truck attached to the stairs. 

There is a motor at the foot of the chair, which is usually powered by the battery at the foot of the chair. The stairlift motor rotates the gear that engages the rail or the toothed strip of the rail. As the gear rotates, the chair moves along the gear bar. When the motor rotates the gearbox, the chair moves in one direction, and when the motor reverses, the chair moves in the opposite direction. The call/send switch is used to move without anyone sitting on the chair of the stairlift. This is especially useful when two people are using the lift and one user wants to use the lift and the lift is on the other side of the truck. Users can access the elevator by simply calling the elevator using the call / send button. Another use for call/send switches is to deliver lifts after use. Some people don’t like the look of the elevator parked in the main living area of the house and send it to the other side when it’s not in use. Just call back if necessary.

If you need a stairlift service, may it be installation or maintenance, Coastal Lifts is here to help you out. They have 24/7 service, competitive pricing, and free quotes. Units are also licensed and insured. Enquire now!