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bearing technology for cantilever wheelchair lifts

Maintenance-free plain bearing and linear guide in self-supporting wheelchair lift

The wheelchair lift from Lifted Services is an innovative system that has been specially developed for people in wheelchairs. Whether at home or in public spaces, indoors or outdoors, this lift makes it possible to negotiate short steps of up to 1 metre in height. At times when it is not needed, it is discreetly concealed in a pit at the foot of the stairs so that it neither takes up space nor is an obstacle in the stairwell.
The wheelchair lift has been designed to provide wheelchair users with access over short steps. When the lift is not in use, it disappears flush with the floor into a recess at the foot of the stairs. This installation position means that the lift is unobtrusively integrated into the surrounding interior design and does not present an obstacle. The obvious advantage of this system is that it blends harmoniously into the surroundings and can be discreetly concealed. It is operated either via a remote control or a wall-mounted control system. To prevent the wheelchair from falling off the platform during the journey, a safety kerb is first raised. The lift then moves upwards and climbs the stairs. There is a sensor on the safety kerb that stops the lift if the wheelchair comes into contact with it. As soon as the platform has reached the top step, the front safety kerb lowers to allow the user to get off. Once the platform has been left, 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 guide and plain bearing
Requirements: In order not to significantly increase the weight of the carrier, the components should be light, resilient and maintenance-free. It is also important that no greases or oils contaminate the carrier. In addition, operation should be smooth in any environment and ensure a long service life.
Products used: drylin® N-low-profile guide system, iglidur® plain bearing
Success for the customer: The igus® products used are characterised by their high load capacity, maintenance-free specification and long service life. In addition, they can be perfectly adapted to the dimensions and conditions of the staircase by individually selecting sizes and materials. The components are weather-resistant and can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are space-saving, lightweight and perfectly suited to the application.

Problem

Sufficient space is required for the wheelchair lift to be installed properly. In buildings with limited space, installation can be problematic. It is therefore important that the wheelchair lift is designed specifically for each of these environments and that space-saving components are used. The lift should not be an obstacle and should be able to fit seamlessly into the interior design, whether it is 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 carry people in wheelchairs safely up six steps and yet light enough. As steps are usually customised and can come in 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.