Platform lift

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As a platform lift lifting devices are referred to as load-bearing means a platform have.

Devices of this type are used for goods and for people , the latter especially for physically handicapped people who are mostly in wheelchairs . These devices are used in buildings with levels arranged one above the other and wheeled vehicles .

Use on and in buildings

Vertical stroke

Building entrances often have an access level that is significantly above the surrounding floor area, but is not yet floor height . About 0.5 to 1.2 meters are common. Platform lifts can be used to move a larger load or a person in a wheelchair up to this level. They essentially consist of a platform, a drive system, a support system and one or more control stations. Structurally, they are often very similar to lifting platforms .

A platform lift should not only perform a vertical change in position, but also enable a horizontal change in position of the movable load or the person being transported. This is achieved by moving the platform in the respective end positions with the smallest possible difference to the height of the building levels concerned. The horizontal movement on or off the platform usually has to be carried out with muscle power by the operator or the person being transported.

On the structural side, the prerequisite for use is that, in addition to the free space on the lower level for the supporting structure, there is free access to the upper level, to which the platform can be lifted close enough.

In addition to the main parts mentioned above, a platform lift can have additional equipment such as movable drive-over flaps, locks and railings and weather protection devices.

In addition to the weight of the wheelchair user, platform lifts must also be able to transport their wheelchair . Accordingly, the load capacity is at least 200 kg.

Inclined stroke

A special form are stair lifts or inclined stair lifts equipped with platforms , which are often used for people in wheelchairs.

AC motors with a simple mains connection are used for loads up to approx. 225 kg , three-phase AC motors are used for higher loads . The platform on almost all models measures 100 × 80 cm and can often be folded up to save space when not in use. There may also be smaller platform sizes for use without a wheelchair in a standing position.

If necessary, the platform lift can also be controlled by an assistant. On the one hand, this can be achieved through external controls that are attached to the upper and lower ends of the roadway. On the other hand, an accompanying person can also walk along with the platform and control the lift via a cable remote control.

Safety devices

To prevent unintentional rolling away, there are fold-up ramp flaps on the platform sides and safety bars that close automatically before the start of the journey. This not only offers the possibility of holding on, but also prevents the wheelchair from slipping. In addition, most platform lifts have a non-slip base plate, which is supposed to guarantee additional safety against slipping. A safety sensor system on the safety bars, the ramp flaps and the platform floor protects the journey from obstacles on the stairs. Emergency stop switches on the load handling device and on the external controls protect against hazards .

The control with push-button switches or, in some cases, a manual switch on a flexible cable has a dead man's control , which immediately comes to a standstill when released.

Use on wheeled vehicles

There are also platform lifts on wheeled vehicles for moving goods and people. The shape of which is for goods here often liftgate used that to trucks can be folded to the rear end. Platform lifts are often used on vehicles with which people (also) seated in wheelchairs are transported.

Systems and types

DIN EN 1756-2 differentiates between the following lifting systems in Appendix A:

  • Tail lifts with parallelogram guides , whereby with regard to the attachment of the parallelogram mechanics “inside” and “outside” (e.g. tail lifts and elevating work platforms ). The platform moves partially in an arc
  • Underfloor systems with parallelogram guidance (also called "cassette lift ")
  • Systems with column guides with vertical movement.
  • Telescope systems (with hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic cylinder )
  • Swiveling types in which the platform is swiveled sideways out of the car body before lowering or in again after lifting.
  • deployed or step-forming systems that move within a cutout in the floor at the entrance area of ​​cars for passenger transport.

Safety devices

The following safety devices are named:

  • Pivoting foot protection on the vehicle floor and / or platform
  • Safety switch-off against trapping the foot
  • Limitation of the closing force
  • Protective flaps and brackets as roll-off protection for wheelchairs

Relevant standards

  • ISO 9386-1, standard, 2000-11
Power-operated lifting platforms for people with reduced mobility - Rules for safety, dimensions and operation - Part 1: Lifting platforms with vertical lift
  • ISO 9386-2, standard, 2000-11
Power-operated lifting platforms for people with reduced mobility - Rules for safety, dimensions and operation - Part 2: Power-operated stairlifts that move on an inclined plane, for seated, standing and wheelchair users
  • DIN EN 81-40
Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Special lifts for the transport of people and goods - Part 40: Inclined stair lifts and platform lifts with inclined lane for people with disabilities; As of 2008
  • DIN EN 81-41,
Draft standard, safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Special lifts for the transport of people and goods - Part 41: Vertical platform lifts for the disabled; German version prEN 81-41: 2004
  • DIN EN 1756-1 Platform lifts for attachment to wheeled vehicles - Safety requirements - Part 1: Tail lifts for goods
  • DIN EN 1756-2 Platform lifts for attachment to wheeled vehicles - Safety requirements - Part 1: Tail lifts for passengers
  • EU Directive 98/37 / EC (The EU Directive 98/37 / EC was replaced on December 29, 2009 by the new Machinery Directive 2006/42 / EC !)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ DIN EN 1756-2, 3. Terms.