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Bearing technology for unsupported wheelchair lift

Maintenance-free plain bearings and linear guides in unsupported wheelchair lift

The wheelchair lift from Lifted Services is an innovative system designed specifically for people in wheelchairs. Whether at home or in a public space, indoors or outdoors, this lift makes it possible to ascend short staircases that are up to 1m high. When not in use, it disappears discreetly in a pit at the foot of the stairs, so it does not take up space or create an obstacle in the stairwell.
The wheelchair lift was designed to allow wheelchair users access via short steps. When the lift is not in use, it disappears flush with the floor in a designated pit at the foot of the stairs. Thanks to this installation position, the lift is unobtrusively integrated into the surrounding room's design and does not represent an obstacle. The obvious advantage of this discrete system is that it blends into the surroundings and can be hidden. It is operated either via a remote control or a wall-mounted control system. To prevent the wheelchair from falling off while the platform is moving, a safety curb rises up first. The lift then moves up the stairs. The safety curb contains a sensor that stops the lift if the wheelchair comes into contact with it. Once the platform reaches the top step, the front safety curb lowers to allow for an easy exit. After the user has left the platform, it can be safely lowered back into the pit using the same controls, where it is stored until the next use.

Profile

What was needed: linear guides and plain bearings
Requirements: so as not to significantly increase the weight of the carrier, components had to be light, resilient and maintenance-free. It was also important that no grease or oils contaminate the system. In addition, smooth operation in all kinds of environments should ensure a long service life.
Products in use: drylin N low-profile guide systems, iglidur plain bearings
Success for the customer: the igus products used are characterised by their high load capacity, maintenance-free specifications and long service life. In addition, they can be perfectly customised to the dimensions and conditions of the staircase thanks to individual sizes and materials. The space-saving components are weather-resistant, lightweight and can be used both indoors and outdoors, which makes them perfect for this application.

Problem

Sufficient space is required for the wheelchair lift to be installed properly. Installation can be problematic in buildings with limited space. Therefore, it is important that the wheelchair lift is designed specifically for each of these environments and uses space-saving components. The lift should not be an obstacle and should be able to fit seamlessly into the room design, regardless of whether it is a matter of short steps or whether it is used indoors or outdoors. Another important aspect is that the lift is maintenance-free to ensure smooth operation and a long service life. It is crucial that the parts are strong enough to safely transport people in wheelchairs up six steps, while still being light enough. Since the stair steps are usually individually designed and can have different sizes and shapes, the wheelchair lift must be easy and uncomplicated to install in any environment.

Solution

The wheelchair lift uses iglidur plain bearings, which run smoothly, have low clearance and are maintenance-free. In addition, lubrication-free drylin linear guides and rails are installed to ensure precise movement of the lift. The drylin N system is characterised by a particularly flat design, ideal for small installation spaces. The self-lubricating sliding elements completely eliminate the need for lubrication and maintenance. The system is also very quiet and low vibration, which offers the user of the wheelchair lift additional comfort. Thanks to different sizes and customised configuration options in the configurator, the drylin N system can be optimally adapted to the respective requirements. All materials are extremely robust durable and guarantee function in both dirt-sensitive environments and outdoor use. drylin N-System is particularly suitable for lighter linear movements in wheelchair lifts, such as scissor mounts or movable stop-dogs for levelling a lid in the upper position. Overall, the drylin solution for wheelchair lifts is characterised by its high quality, reliability and user-friendliness. It offers an efficient solution for wheelchair lifts to increase the comfort and safety of users.