No problem with corrosion with plastic bearings in innovative stair-climbing wheelchair

Profile

• What was needed: iglidur plain bearings
• Requirements: to support the wheels, the bearings had to be able to absorb high radial forces (several thousand newtons) and be corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free; the solution also had to be easy to install and cost-effective.
• Industries: medical technology, wheelchairs
• Success for the customer: iglidur plain bearings are robust, wear-resistant and free from maintenance and lubrication. In addition, the corrosion-related clamping problems that previously occurred are now a thing of the past.

The TopChair-S is the only electric wheelchair that can go up several steps without the presence of an attendant or a fixed scaffold. It offers people with reduced mobility a new way of getting around at home, at work or in the city without an attendant. To achieve this, the wheelchair has an innovative dual movement system consisting of four wheels (including two rear drive wheels) for travelling on flat ground and two caterpillar belts (with rubber toothed belts) for climbing up or down steps. The wheels needed components that could absorb high radial forces (several thousand newtons) and were completely corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free. The designers were also looking for a solution that was easy to install in the wheelchair while keeping costs as low as possible.

For moving the front and rear wheels, the decision was made in favour of our iglidur plain bearings. They fulfil the requirements of the wheels resulting from the area of application. The bearings are particularly robust and can absorb the load from the use of the wheelchair and the weight of the TopChair-S. To make the product as convenient as possible, it was also important that the bearings did not require maintenance. As the plain bearings are self-lubricating, the manufacturer or user does not need to invest time in this respect. Furthermore, wear problems and the corrosion-related clamping issues that occurred with other bearings are now a thing of the past. The iglidur materials and their various compositions can be customised for each application, which means that the perfect plain-bearing solution can always be found for every requirement profile.