Applying ONI BEARING technology
from road bicycles for racing wheelchairs
- Customer outlineToyota Motor Corporation
- ProductRacing wheelchairs
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Problems
- Athletes have high stress at atart of a race and during riding due to wheel resistance.
- It is very difficult to keep cruising speed.
- Athletes want to minimize the loss of energy as much as possible on the long distance race.
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Solutions
- JTEKT now offer newly developed bearings that are using ONI BEARING technology that was specifically designed for road bikes into the wheels of racing wheelchairs!
- JTEKT succeed to reduce more than 30% lower rotational torque by low-friction torque technology. As a result, athletes can save their energy!
* In the case of wheelchairs marathons, it is said that the outcome depends not only on the physical strength of the athletes themselves, but also on the racing wheelchair's ability to maximize their strength. Although the challenges faced by racing wheelchairs are both high rigidity and lightweight for the flame, and an optimized wheel shape. As a competitive sport, the biggest challenge is reducing the amount of force required to rotate the wheels, which can directly reduce the load accumrated on the athlete, or in other words, reduce rolling resistance.
Achievements
- Make pedaling lighter at the first rotating.
- Enables racers to maintain their wheelchair speed.
- Allows racers to conserve energy over long distances.
- Based on customer feedback, we decided to use our bearings on the front wheel and not only on the rear wheels as was originally planned, further enhancing the types of performance listed above.
Comments from Our Customers
ONI BEARING is amazing! The moment I touched it, I could feel a huge difference compared to other bearings.
Athlete from Toyota Motor Corporation
Tomoki Suzuki
Not only can the difference be felt at the start of the race, but especially on downhill sections. Unlike other racers, I didn’t have any decrease in speed.
I like that I can pedal the wheels less on downhill sections, enabling me to conserve my energy for the second half of the race.
Although ONI BEARING were only installed on the rear wheels initially, the improved performance of the rear wheels brought to light a noticeable difference with the front wheel. That’s what made me request that ONI BEARING also be installed on the front wheel.
A Message from JTEKT developer
We enjoyed this development using ONI BEARING technology together with Toyota Motor Corporation and other participants. We are also glad that Mr. Suzuki liked them as well. We sincerely wish Mr. Suzuki the best of luck!
Yoshitaka Waseda (Bearing Engineering Department, JTEKT CORPORATION)
Product
ONI BEARING
JTEKT made its full-scale entry into the bicycle bearing market by leveraging its technology for the world’s first practical ceramic ball bearing in 1984 and by utilizing its knowledge cultivated for automobiles and industrial machinery. Featuring significantly lower torque than existing bearings for road bikes, ONI Bearings make pedaling lighter while maintaining wheel speed. With such high-level performance, ONI Bearings provide road bike users with greater speed and comfort.
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