Lubrication-free plastic bearings for ergonomic office chair

Slouching is expressly permitted: this is the feature of this high-quality office chair from Nowy Styl GmbH, developed by the well-known French architect Françoise-Hélène Jourda. The constant alternation between a hollow and rounded back promotes a healthy and stable spine. Four patents ensure exceptional sitting comfort. Lubrication- and maintenance-free iglidur® polymer plain bearings from igus® also ensure the absolutely essential smooth running in the various settings.

"Research results have shown that leaning back in a slight kyphosis provides the greatest relief for the spine," reports Corinna Graf, Marketing Manager at Nowy Styl GmbH in Ebermannsdorf. "Independent studies have also shown that, as a rule, very few users utilise all of the available seating functions despite being instructed to do so by their office chairs." These findings have been incorporated into the development of the Galileo executive chair, whose settings are largely automatic. The internationally renowned French architect and designer Françoise-Hélène Jourda has given it its unmistakable look.

The office chair should not make any noise when being adjusted or in use. In addition, lubricants were to be dispensed with in order to avoid contamination and maintenance costs. The metal bearings and needle bearings previously used in this chair were also customised products that were very costly to manufacture.

With the standard materials iglidur® G and J, a large variety of plain bearings is available. Special requests can be realised easily and flexibly. At the same time, both materials offer a wear-resistant solution for the office chair that requires no additional lubricants. Maintenance of the bearing points is therefore no longer necessary.

The office and contract chair manufacturer has decided to use iglidur® plastic plain bearings from igus® GmbH instead of metal or needle bearings. They are lubricant-free and therefore maintenance-free as well as extremely versatile and are available either from the catalogue range or as a customised special solution with no minimum order quantity. They are optimised in terms of friction and wear values. In addition to the very good price-performance ratio, the very quiet running speaks in favour of their use in this high-quality office chair. For the various swivel movements, plain bearings made of the materials iglidur® J and iglidur® G and for linear movements iglidur® J plain bearings from the drylin® R-programme prove their versatility.

Four patents have been incorporated into the inner workings of Galileo, which, together with the further development of the proven and patented "Glide-Tec" mechanism, redefine ergonomic sitting. The central element is the "Glide-Tec+" mechanism - a movable seat surface which, in combination with a patented three-dimensionally movable backrest, enables optimum mobility when seated. In addition to this, the patented assisted lumbar-kyphosis movement and patents for simplified seat depth adjustment and automatic weight adjustment promote the ergonomically desirable alternation between a hollow and rounded back.

The patented "Glide-Tec+" movement kinematics demonstrate the strength of the high-performance plastic plain bearings. The lordosis-kyphosis adjustment, a kind of artificial spine, is the special highlight of the chair. Movable plastic elements rest on two curved metal rods that rotate as soon as the user leans back. As a result, the support elements are bent so that the shape of the backrest precisely matches the respective sitting position. It is one of the most flexible backrests in the world.

The rotary movement is realised by plain bearings with flange made of the versatile material iglidur® J. In this application, it is characterised by the highest wear resistance and freedom from noise with a hard chrome-plated shaft. The plain bearings are preloaded due to the necessary tolerance compensation and in order to reliably support smooth running, compensate for any clearance and achieve the required low noise level. "Squeaking, creaking or jerking are absolutely unacceptable in a chair in this price segment," emphasises Franz Eckert, Head of Design.

The plain bearings in the office chair are designed for a weight of up to 200 kilograms. When the user sits down, the weight is automatically measured. The material iglidur® G shows its strength when this high pressure load occurs. It is an economical universal bearing with flange, which is available in over 650 dimensions from stock. The main design advantage in this application is that it permanently withstands the high loads statically without being damaged.

The polymer bearings are now successfully used in other chairs from the manufacturer. In cinema seats, for example, which can also be fitted with a popcorn chute so that it falls onto the floor in the desired direction, making cleaning work easier, they ensure extreme robustness. All swivelling bearing points are fitted with polymer bearings.

With the high-quality Galileo office chair, a triad of design, ergonomics and seating comfort has been realised. The functions support people's natural urge to move, even when seated, and keep the back healthy. "Even slouching doesn't hurt," concludes the Marketing Manager. The design manager adds: "The polymer bearings help to realise the respective movement sequences without any problems."