Mobility thanks to plastic plain bearings

• What was needed: igubal® spherical plain bearings and flange bearings, drylin®profile guides
• Requirements: The wheelchairs and bearing components must be able to withstand all weather conditions. They must be lubrication-free in the triangular steering system to prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust. In addition, when driving over kerbs, high forces are exerted on the installed bearings, which must be correspondingly impact-resistant.
• Industry: Medical technology
• Success for the customer: The various bearing components combine lightness, robustness, simple assembly, low clearance, high mobility, high damping capacity and good friction and wear results. The rehabilitation technology company has been using the polymer bearing programme in its aids for many years now.

Richter Reha Technik Richter R.M.S. GmbH in Thurnau, Franconia, manufactures special wheelchairs and helps to provide mobility for disabled people in their daily lives. The company manufactures customised solutions that are individually adapted to the respective everyday requirements.
The manufacturer's power wheelchair "Tango GT" is characterised not only by its extremely all-terrain transaxial all-wheel steering, but also by its sophisticated environment control systems. 
The aid can be used primarily outdoors, but also indoors. Especially when used outdoors, the wheelchairs have to withstand all weather conditions. The transaxial all-wheel steering enables stable manoeuvring in the tightest of bends. The wheelchair impresses with its exceptional off-road mobility and can even climb steep inclines without any loss of power thanks to its extra powerful motors. Another special feature is the triangular steering: the steering is not just spring-loaded, as is usually the case with wheelchairs, but can move in all directions.
Lubrication points on the aids are taboo. This is because grease collects dirt and dust, which inevitably falls onto the floor indoors. For this reason, only polymer bearings are used in the manufacturer's product range. In addition, high forces act on the installed bearing when driving over kerbs. The impact/impact effect is extremely high at the moment of driving over the kerb.

Lubrication- and maintenance-free igubal® spherical plain bearings from the "KGLM" series are now used at the pivot point of the triangular steering system. Two bearings each are installed in the upper and lower swing arm, so that a total of eight spherical plain bearings prove their suitability for everyday use on the wheels of the front and rear axles.
In addition to its high damping capacity, the "KGLM" series in the high-tech "Tango GT" power wheelchair is characterised above all by its vibration dampening. It also compensates for misalignments and edge loads. The lightweight and robust spherical plain bearings have proven themselves from day one in the steering of the special wheelchairs. They are easy to fit and very easy to adjust. The low clearance, manoeuvrability and, of course, the essential freedom from lubrication and maintenance are also impressive.
In the "Tango GT", shocks are softened by a mountain bike suspension system and large-volume tyres to prevent excessive loads. The plastic bearings were the first choice for the triangular steering system specialist.
In addition to the spherical plain bearings, various flange bearings made of the material iglidur® G are also installed in all standing devices with a 45° shift in the centre of gravity. The versatile all-round bearing is used for simple turning and swivelling movements, among other things. It is installed in the calf plates and ensures appropriate support and therefore safety when standing. In addition, particularly flat drylin® profile guides prove their versatility in the foot and leg adjustments of all power wheelchairs. The tribologically optimised polymer sliding film ensures very good friction and wear results.
The rehabilitation technology company has been using the polymer bearing programme in its aids for many years now.