Spring energy drive device and driving device with spring energy drive device

Abstract

A spring energy drive device (1) comprises a drive spring assembly (2) and a drive element (3). The drive spring assembly (2) has a spring element receiving device (4) and at least one meandering spring element (5) received therein, the spring element having at least two curved deflection sections (7) arranged successively along a spring force transmission direction (6) of the meandering spring element (5) with opposite directions of curvature. The spring element receiving device (4) has a positive guidance device (8) for the meandering spring element (5). The meandering spring element (5) rests loosely at two opposite spring element ends (11), each with a force application area (12), against a force application element (13, 14) associated with this force application area (12).The relevant force introduction area (12) and the associated force introduction element (13, 14) are designed and adapted to each other in such a way that, in the event of deformation of the meandering spring element (5), the end of the spring element (11) with a force transmission surface (15) facing the associated force introduction element (13, 14) bears tangentially against the associated force introduction element (13, 14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spring energy drive device with a drive spring assembly and with a drive element, wherein spring energy can be transferred from the previously tensioned drive spring assembly to the drive element and the drive element can be driven by the relaxing drive spring assembly.

[0002] Drive devices that can power a drive element using a quantity of energy previously introduced into the drive device, and which temporarily store this energy as spring energy in a drive spring assembly, are known in numerous practical applications. The respective drive device and the drive spring assembly used for it are usually adapted to the specific requirements. In many applications, it is considered particularly advantageous if such a spring energy drive device can store a large amount of energy as spring energy and transfer this stored spring energy to a drive element in the shortest possible time in order to power it. At the same time, such a spring energy drive device should have a low weight and be operable as reliably as possible.A spring energy drive device having the aforementioned advantageous properties is suitable, among other things, for use in a hand-operated driving device with which nails or staples or other fastening elements can be driven into a component.

[0003] In commonly used drive mechanisms, the drive spring assembly often consists of either a gas spring or a mechanical spring, such as a steel coil spring. Mechanical springs have the advantage over gas springs that, unlike gas springs, they do not experience a temperature increase when tensioned before actuation. Mechanical springs are also generally less expensive to manufacture and are largely maintenance-free and resistant to wear during operation. However, a mechanical spring has the disadvantage compared to a gas spring that, due to its larger mass, a greater proportion of the stored spring energy must be used to accelerate the spring itself and is therefore unavailable for driving the drive element.Furthermore, driving devices are also known in which no drive spring device is used for driving and displacing the drive element, but the drive element is accelerated and displaced, for example, with a controlled explosive charge.

[0004] It is considered an object of the present invention to design a spring energy drive device in such a way that the spring energy drive device is as easy to manufacture as possible and can be operated reliably and is suitable for use in a portable driving device for a fastening element.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention in that the drive spring device has a spring element receiving device and at least one meandering spring element received therein, wherein the meandering spring element has at least two curved deflection areas arranged successively along a spring force transmission direction of the meandering spring element with opposite directions of curvature, that the spring element receiving device has a positive guidance device for the meandering spring element, and that the meandering spring element rests loosely at two opposite ends of the spring element with a force application area against a force application element assigned to this force application area, wherein the respective force application area and the assigned force application element are designed and adapted to each other in such a way thatthat, during deformation of the spring element, the end of the spring element with a force transmission surface facing the associated force application element is in tangential contact with the associated force application element.

[0006] A meandering spring element can be manufactured cost-effectively and allows for the absorption and storage of a comparatively large amount of spring energy while requiring little space. A spring element mounting device for a meandering spring element must essentially enable reliable force transmission to the two spring element ends located at opposite ends of the spring element and allow deformation of the meandering spring element during tensioning and during relaxation, whereby during relaxation the spring element can be transferred to the drive element, transferring the spring force stored in the spring element during tensioning.A meandering spring element can be designed in such a way that, during intended use, the meandering spring element is unlikely to break out laterally or deform uncontrollably, so that no high demands need to be placed on the design of the spring element receiving device and both the meandering spring element and the spring element receiving device can have a comparatively low weight in relation to the spring energy that can be stored in the spring energy drive device.

[0007] The positive guidance device essentially serves to positively guide the meandering spring element, preferably in the area of ​​the deflection regions, in such a way that deformation of the meandering spring element in the direction of spring force transmission, and thus deformation of the spring element particularly in the deflection regions, is permitted as unhindered as possible, but starting from an unstressed rest position, an undesired buckling and breaking out of the meandering spring element in a lateral deflection direction can be reliably prevented, wherein the lateral deflection direction is perpendicular to an imaginary center line of the spring element running in a straight line in the direction of spring force transmission and is directed towards a deflection region of the meandering spring element.In this way, the positive guidance device also prevents lateral slippage of the meandering spring element in a transverse deflection direction, without the meandering spring element being rigidly clamped and moment-resistant at its opposite ends, as is usual with conventional spring element mounting devices for a meandering spring element. With a suitably designed positive guidance device, it is therefore possible for the meandering spring element to rest loosely with its ends against the respective force application element of the spring mounting device. This loose restraint of the spring ends eliminates the need for structurally complex fixing devices for the spring ends and also simplifies the installation of the meandering spring element in the spring element mounting device.

[0008] Due to the inventive design of the adapted force introduction areas and the respective associated force introduction elements, the meandering spring element can be used over the entire length of the spring element for spring energy absorption during tensioning of the spring element and for the release of the stored spring energy during relaxation of the previously tensioned and thereby deformed spring element.In comparison to a moment-fixed mounting of the spring element ends in corresponding fixing devices of the spring element receiving device, in the loose mounting of the meandering spring element according to the invention, in particular a section between the force transmission surface of the spring element end and the adjacently arranged deflection area can also be used for the absorption and release of spring energy, so that with an otherwise identical spring element and a comparable space requirement, a greater spring energy can be stored and released with the meandering spring element designed and loosely mounted according to the invention, whereby the design requirements for the spring element receiving device are low.

[0009] Since the end of the spring element is tangentially in contact with the associated force application element, the mechanical loads on the force application element and on the end of the spring element remain largely constant during the use of the spring energy drive device and thus during intended deformation of the spring element during tensioning or relaxation of the spring element. This prevents sudden load changes that could cause excessive mechanical loads on the spring element or on the spring element receiving device, which could lead to premature fatigue of the components of the spring energy drive device or require additional reinforcement measures.The force transmission surface rests tangentially on the force application element as long as no edges or sharply protruding features of the spring element end are present in the force application area and contact a surface of the force application element, which could generate increased friction and potentially a notch effect, which should be avoided. To ensure that the force transmission surface remains tangentially in contact with the force application element even during deformation of the meandering spring element, either the force transmission surface of the spring element end or a force application surface of the force application element must have a continuously curved surface profile, since the orientation of the spring element end relative to the force application element can change during tensioning or relaxation of the meandering spring element.A force transmission element can either be designed and used as a drive element, or be in operative connection with a separate drive element.

[0010] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is optionally provided that the force transmission surface at the end of the spring element and / or a force application surface at the force application element has a continuously curved, projecting bulge. This makes it particularly easy to ensure that, during intended deformation in different directions relative to the force application element, the end of the spring element rests tangentially against it. During deformation caused by tensioning or relaxation of the spring element, the end of the spring element can roll along the force application element. A suitably defined bulge at the end of the spring element or at the associated force application element can be manufactured or formed simply and cost-effectively.In comparison with a conventional moment-fixed mounting of a spring element end in a possibly pivotably mounted fixing device, such a loose mounting of the spring element ends on the force introduction elements is structurally easy to implement and enables a particularly low dead weight of the spring element mounting device.

[0011] Furthermore, the spring element may be provided with a force transmission element at its end, either formed in one piece or manufactured separately, with the force transmission surface facing away from the end of the spring element. A separately manufactured force transmission element may, for example, be made of a different material than the meandering spring element, which has less advantageous elastic properties and can absorb and store little or no spring energy, but is significantly more torsionally rigid and particularly wear-resistant, or exhibits low friction.In this way, even with a large number of usage cycles of the spring energy drive device and the associated large number of deformation processes, excessive wear of the spring element ends does not occur, as could be caused by the mechanical stresses during the initial tensioning of the meandering spring element and the subsequent relaxation and release of the previously stored spring energy. However, it can also be expedient and advantageous with regard to the most cost-effective manufacturing of the spring energy drive device for the force transmission element to be formed integrally with the spring element end.

[0012] The force transmission element advantageously has a force transmission surface facing the force introduction element of the spring element receiving device, the shape of which is specified in such a way that, in the event of deformation of the spring element, the force transmission element rolls as uniformly as possible on the force introduction element or can tangentially contact and be supported by the force introduction element.

[0013] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is optionally provided that each end of the spring element has an end distance to the respective adjacent deflection section that is between 0.4 and 0.6 times the deflection distance between two successive deflection sections. In this way, this section of the meandering spring element, which terminates in the spring element end, can also be used for deformation in the opposite direction to the spring force when the spring element is under tension, and thus for absorbing and storing spring energy. This is not possible, or only possible to a very limited extent, with a spring element end of a meandering spring element that is fixed in a conventional manner.Furthermore, such an arrangement of the spring element ends and the force transmission elements arranged thereon makes it possible to mount the meandering spring element between the two spring element ends and to receive and clamp it in the spring element receiving device in such a way that the successive deflection areas of the meandering spring element have an approximately equal distance to a center line which runs through the two force application areas at the two spring element ends.In this way, a uniform deformation of the meandering spring element and, in particular, a uniform lateral displacement of the deflection areas transverse to the center line can be caused or promoted, so that the forces and moments acting on the spring element receiving device with the positive guidance device and, in particular, on the deflection areas of the spring element during deformation are particularly low.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention deemed advantageous, the positive guidance device comprises two positive guidance elements spaced apart transversely to the direction of spring force transmission. The meandering spring element is arranged between these elements and can be positively guided and displaced with its deflection areas in contact with the positive guidance elements. Positive guidance elements designed in this way allow expansion and compression of the meandering spring element along the direction of spring force transmission and prevent undesired lateral deflection or excessive deformation of the meandering spring element in a transverse deflection direction perpendicular to the direction of spring force transmission and in the direction of a deflection area.

[0015] Each positive guidance element can, for example, comprise several guide rods or guide surfaces aligned parallel to the direction of spring force transmission. These are arranged such that the outer surfaces of the meandering spring element, particularly in the deflection areas of the spring element, can bear against the guide rods or guide surfaces, thereby providing positive guidance for the meandering spring element. The positive guidance elements can also allow a certain degree of play for the meandering spring element within the positive guidance provided by the elements. However, excessive displacement or deformation of the meandering spring element can be effectively prevented by the positive guidance elements.

[0016] With a view to achieving the most cost-effective and reliable design of the positive guidance elements, it can optionally be provided that each positive guidance element has a positive guidance groove into which the deflection areas of the meandering spring element associated with this positive guidance groove engage and can be positively guided and displaced along a groove direction within the positive guidance groove. The positive guidance groove can be designed and arranged such that the groove base for the meandering spring element with its deflection areas forms a stop surface limiting the lateral deflection in the lateral deflection direction and simultaneously, with the lateral groove walls, laterally encompasses the deflection areas.In this way, the meandering spring element can be subjected to a force and deformed in the direction of spring force transmission, while undesirable excessive deformation in the transverse deflection direction towards the deflection areas as well as lateral buckling perpendicular to it can be reliably prevented by the forced guide grooves.

[0017] In order to promote the lowest possible frictional contact displacement of the deflection areas along the forced guidance device and, for example, within the forced guidance grooves, it may be provided that those surface areas of the forced guidance device and, for example, the inner surfaces of the forced guidance grooves are coated with a friction-reducing coating or made of a particularly low-friction material.

[0018] When a meandering spring element compresses, the deflection sections arranged successively on opposite sides of the spring element are typically displaced transversely to the direction of spring force transmission, thus increasing the distance between the successive deflection sections. If such a widening of the meandering spring element were not permitted during compression against the spring force, excessive mechanical stresses on the meandering spring element would inevitably occur at the deflection sections during normal use of the spring energy drive device while the spring element is being tensioned.To avoid such undesirable load peaks, the positive guidance device should have a suitable clearance so that the unloaded meandering spring element is not clamped in the positive guidance device by opposing deflection areas, but is guided loosely and with sufficient clearance in the positive guidance device, and only when the meandering spring element is tensioned as intended and expands as a result, can the deflection areas contact and slide along adapted guide surfaces of the positive guidance device.

[0019] To allow for the desired expansion of the meandering spring element on the one hand, and to prevent the meandering spring element from being too loosely mounted in the guided guide and thus vibrating or striking laterally in an unloaded state, it can optionally be provided that at least one groove bottom contact element in the guided groove is pressed against at least one deflection area of ​​the meandering spring element engaging in the guided groove. The groove bottom contact element can be made of an elastically deformable material.It is also conceivable that the groove base support element has a strip-shaped support beam that is resiliently mounted in the groove base of the forced guide groove in such a way that it partially protrudes from the groove base and rests against the deflection areas engaging in the forced guide groove. This allows the strip-shaped support beam to be displaced against the spring force of the groove base support element when the meandering spring element deforms transversely to the groove base. The strip-shaped support beam can be made of a low-friction material or provided with a friction-reducing coating in the areas that come into contact with the meandering spring element in order to minimize undesirable friction effects between the meandering spring element and the support beam.

[0020] For many applications, it is considered particularly advantageous to arrange and mount two meandering spring elements parallel to each other along the spring force transmission direction within the spring element mounting device. Each of the two meandering spring elements can be used to absorb and release spring energy. Advantageously, both meandering spring elements are identically dimensioned and designed, and are appropriately arranged and mounted within the spring element mounting device and relative to the drive element, so that both meandering spring elements are symmetrically integrated into the force flow of an active connection within the spring energy drive device.In this way, the undesirable influence of lateral forces can be reduced, so that, for example, the spring element mounting device and, in particular, the positive guidance device, in addition to the desired force transmission for storing and converting the spring energy stored in the two meandering spring elements, only have to absorb and dissipate comparatively small lateral forces and moments. This is because the symmetrical arrangement of the two identically dimensioned meandering spring elements largely compensates for lateral forces and moments acting perpendicular to the direction of spring force transmission. Furthermore, the use of two meandering spring elements enables a particularly efficient, space-saving arrangement of the drive spring device required for storing a given spring energy.It may also be optionally provided that a meandering spring element is combined with a second or further spring element that is designed differently and, for example, as a bending beam or helically shaped.

[0021] The spring energy drive device can optionally include a tensioning device with which the drive spring assembly can be tensioned and charged with spring energy. The tensioning device can be operated manually or electrically, for example, and serves to tension the meandering spring element and, through the resulting deformation, transfer spring energy to the meandering spring element, which can then be stored within it.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, when using two meandering spring elements, it is optionally provided that the clamping device has a clamping element arranged and movable between the two meandering spring elements. The clamping element advantageously acts equally on both meandering spring elements and is designed such that, during intended use of the spring energy drive device, both meandering spring elements are clamped simultaneously and in the same way, and when the previously clamped meandering spring elements are released, they relax in the same way, thereby releasing the previously stored spring energy.Depending on the respective areas of application and, for example, also depending on specifications for the manufacture and shaping of the two meandering spring elements, it may be advantageous for the two meandering spring elements to be designed differently and arranged in such a way that the clamping element arranged between the two meandering spring elements has a different effective connection to the two meandering spring elements.

[0023] Similarly, the driven element can also be mounted so as to be displaceable along a drive element displacement axis, wherein the drive element displacement axis runs in a plane between the two meandering spring elements and parallel to the spring force transmission direction of the two meandering spring elements. In particular, with such an arrangement and design of the drive element, a uniform force effect from the two meandering spring elements to the drive element can be easily achieved. This avoids undesirable lateral forces and moments that can almost inevitably occur with an asymmetrical arrangement of the drive element relative to the two meandering spring elements.

[0024] Depending on its intended use, the meandering spring element can be made from any suitable material. For many applications, it is considered particularly advantageous that the meandering spring element can be made from a fiber-reinforced composite material. A meandering spring element made of a fiber-reinforced composite can store a large amount of spring energy while requiring comparatively little space. A meandering spring element made of a fiber-reinforced composite is largely insensitive to environmental conditions. With appropriate dimensioning, the meandering spring element can withstand a large number of intended deformation cycles without the risk of premature failure or excessive wear.A meandering spring element made of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material has a very low weight in relation to the amount of spring energy that can be stored and thus used in the meandering spring element.

[0025] The invention also relates to a driving device with a spring energy drive device, with which a fastening element stored in the driving device can be driven and driven into a component or into a substrate, wherein the spring energy drive device comprises a drive spring assembly, a tensioning device with which the drive spring assembly can be tensioned and charged with spring energy, and a drive element, wherein the spring energy stored in the drive spring assembly can be transferred to the drive element and the drive element can be driven by the relaxing drive spring assembly.

[0026] According to the invention, the driving device has a spring energy drive device with the features and properties described above.

[0027] The following section provides a more detailed explanation of various embodiments of the inventive concept, which are schematically represented in the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a spring energy drive device, Fig. 2 a top view of the in Fig. 1 spring energy drive device shown, Fig. 3 another sectional view of the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 spring energy drive device shown along a line III-III in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the in the Fig. Spring energy drive device shown in 1 to 3, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a spring element end of a meandering spring element, which with a force application area loosely rests against a force application element of a spring element receiving device, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 5 spring element end of a meandering spring element, which rests loosely on a differently designed force introduction element of a spring element receiving device, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a differently designed spring element end of a meandering spring element, which rests loosely on a force introduction element of a spring element receiving device, Fig. 8 a schematic representation of a differently designed spring element end of a meandering spring element, which rests loosely on a differently designed force introduction element of a spring element receiving device, Fig. 9 a side view of one that differs from the one in the Fig. spring energy drive device as shown in 1 to 4, Fig. 10 a perspective view of the in Fig. 9 spring energy drive device shown, Fig. 11 a top view of the in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 spring energy drive device shown, and Fig. 12 a schematic representation of a driving device with one in the Fig. Spring energy drive device shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0028] One in the Fig. The spring energy drive device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 has a drive spring assembly 2 and a drive element 3, wherein spring energy can be transferred from the previously tensioned drive spring assembly 2 to the drive element 3 and the drive element 3 can be driven by the relaxing drive spring assembly 2.

[0029] The drive spring assembly 2 has a spring element receiving device 4 and at least one meander-shaped spring element 5 received therein, wherein in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, two meandering spring elements 5 are arranged and received in the spring element receiving device 4. Each meandering spring element 5 has at least two curved deflection sections 7 with opposite directions of curvature arranged successively along a spring force transmission direction of the meandering spring element 5, indicated by an arrow 6. A meandering spring element 5 with two successive deflection sections 7 has an S-shape. In the embodiment shown in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, each meandering spring element 5 has six deflection areas 7. Each meandering spring element 5 is made of a suitable fiber-reinforced plastic composite material.

[0030] The spring element receiving device 4 has a positive guidance device 8 for the two meandering spring elements 5. The positive guidance device 8 has two positive guidance elements 9 spaced apart transversely to the spring force transmission direction 6, between which the meandering spring elements 5 are arranged and bear against the positive guidance elements 9 with their deflection areas 7. Each positive guidance element 9 has two positive guidance grooves 10, wherein the deflection areas 7 of the meandering spring elements 5 associated with each positive guidance groove 10 engage in this groove 10 and are positively guided along one groove direction in the positive guidance groove 10, but are displaceable in the spring force transmission direction 6 when the meandering spring elements 5 are tensioned and relaxed.

[0031] The two meandering spring elements 5 each rest loosely against a force application element 13, 14 of the drive spring assembly 2 at two opposite spring element ends 11, each with a force application area 12. The respective force application area 12 and the associated force application element 13, 14 are designed and adapted to each other such that, when the meandering spring element 5 is deformed, the spring element end 11 rests tangentially against the associated force application element 13, 14 with a force transmission surface 15 facing the associated force application element 13, 14.

[0032] The meandering spring element 5 can be formed either in one piece at the spring element end 11 or, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in the Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show a separately manufactured force transmission element 16 with the force transmission surface 15 arranged facing away from the end of the spring element 11. The force transmission surface 15 has an outwardly projecting curvature or convex curve, so that the end of the spring element 11 with the force transmission surface 15 of the force transmission element 16 always bears tangentially against a flat force application surface 17 of the force application element 13, 14.In this way, a uniform and reliable transmission of a spring force between the spring element end 11 of the meandering spring element 5 on the one hand and the associated force introduction element 13, 14 of the drive spring device 2 on the other hand can be achieved, even if, during tensioning or relaxation of the meandering spring element 5, the spring element end 11 is pivoted and is oriented differently relative to the associated force introduction element 13, 14.

[0033] Advantageously, each spring element end 11 has an end distance to the respective adjacent deflection region 7 that is between 0.4 and 0.6 times the deflection distance 18 between two successive deflection regions 7. The spring element end 11 then lies in an imaginary projection plane transverse to the spring force transmission direction 6 in a central region and has a roughly equal distance to both successive deflection regions 7 in the imaginary projection plane. In this way, undesired lateral forces and moments that do not act in the spring force transmission direction 6 can be reduced.

[0034] The spring energy drive device 1 also has a clamping element 19 with which the meandering spring elements 5 can be clamped. The clamping element 19 is located in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the rigid rod 20 is designed as a rigid bar. The tensioning element 19 could also be a cable or a wire. The rigid bar 20 is rigidly connected at a first end 21 to a plate-shaped force application element 13. The rigid bar 20 extends between the two meandering spring elements 5 from the force application element 13 through the opposite force application element 14 and beyond. At a second end 22 of the rigid bar 20, a [missing element] can be connected to the Fig. A clamping device (not shown) is arranged at points 1 to 4, with which the rigid rod 20 can be displaced towards the second end 22, thereby tensioning and deforming the two meandering spring elements 5, which are loosely mounted between the force introduction element 13 connected to the rigid rod 20 and the force introduction element 14, which is fixed relative to the positive guidance device 8 by means of the two positive guidance elements 9. The two positive guidance elements 9 prevent undesired deformation or displacement transverse to the spring force transmission direction 6, so that the two meandering spring elements 5 can contract or expand substantially along the spring force transmission direction 6.As soon as the rigid rod 20, which is displaced by the clamping device, is released from a spring-force storage position in which the two meandering spring elements 5 are tensioned, the two meandering spring elements 5 expand again and deform back into an untensioned state, thereby releasing the spring energy previously stored in the two meandering spring elements 5 and using it to displace the rigid rod 20 and the associated force application element 13. The force application element 13 can either be used simultaneously as a drive element or be operatively connected to a separate drive element, for example, via adjacent contact surfaces, so that by displacing the rigid rod 20 and the associated force application element 13 back into position, the drive element is driven and displaced.

[0035] Since the positive guidance device 8 prevents lateral breakage or undesired lateral displacement of a spring element end 11 of the meandering spring elements 5, the spring element ends 11 can rest loosely against the respective associated force application elements 13, 14. Various configurations of the mutually adapted spring element ends 11 and the associated force application elements 13, 14 are possible, of which only a few variants are shown as examples. Fig. 5 to 8 are shown.

[0036] The one in Fig. Variant 5 shown corresponds to the one in the Fig. 1 to 4 shown embodiment of the spring element ends 11 and the associated plate-shaped force introduction element 13.

[0037] At the in Fig. In the variant shown in Figure 6, the force application element 13 has a force application surface 17 with a convex recess 23 into which the force transmission element 16, fixed to the end 11 of the spring element, engages. In this way, in addition to the positive guidance device 8, an undesired lateral displacement of the end 11 of the spring element transverse to the direction of spring force transmission 6 is prevented.

[0038] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the spring element end 11 does not have a separate force transmission element 16, but rather a force transmission element 16 formed integrally with the spring element end 11, with a curved force transmission surface 15 that is convex in the direction of the force application element 13. The spring element end 11 thus forms the force transmission element 16. The spring element end 11 can be made of the same material as the other areas of the meandering spring element 5 or as the deflection areas 7 of the meandering spring element 5. The force transmission surface 15 of the spring element end 11 can also be coated with a coating that reduces undesirable wear and friction that can occur during deformation of the meandering spring element 5 and the resulting changes in contact between the spring element end 11 and the force application element 13.

[0039] At the in Fig. In the variant shown in Figure 8, the spring element end 11, designed as a force transmission element 16, does not have a curved force transmission surface 15 or a shape curved away from the force introduction element 13 with a concave force transmission surface 15. The force introduction element 13 adapted to this has a curved force introduction surface 17 projecting towards the spring element end 11.

[0040] In the Fig. Figures 9 to 11 merely illustrate a differently designed spring energy drive device 1. The spring element ends 11 of the meandering spring elements 5 and the associated force introduction elements 13, 14 are as in the one shown in Fig. The design is based on the variant shown in Figure 7. The positive guidance elements 9 have a positive guidance groove 10 for each meandering spring element 5. In a groove bottom 24 of a positive guidance groove 10, two groove bottom contact elements 25 are arranged spaced apart from each other and parallel to the spring force transmission direction 6, each of which is pressed against the deflection areas 7 of the meandering spring element 5 engaging in the positive guidance groove 10.

[0041] 11. Spring energy drive device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the meandering spring element is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 12 merely illustrates, schematically, a driving device 26 with a spring energy drive device 1, wherein the spring energy drive device 1 is the one described in the Fig.The variant shown in Figures 1 to 4 corresponds to the following. The driving device 26 has a clamping device 27, which is only schematically indicated. This device displaces the rigid rod 20, used as a clamping element 19, against the spring force of the two meandering spring elements 5 in the direction of the clamping device 27, thereby clamping the two meandering spring elements 5 of the drive spring assembly 2. A drive element 28 is operatively connected to the force introduction element 13 of the spring element receiving device 4 via adjacent contact surfaces. When the meandering spring elements 5 release, the spring energy previously stored in them is transferred to the drive element 28, and the drive element 28 is driven and displaced in the direction 6 of the spring force transmission.A fastening element 29 mounted on the drive element 28 can thereby be driven and driven into a component or into a substrate, whereby the spring energy stored in the drive spring device 2 is transferred to the drive element 28 and the drive element 28 is driven by the relaxing drive spring device 2.

Claims

[1] Spring energy drive device (1) with a drive spring assembly (2) and with a drive element (3), wherein a spring energy can be transferred from the previously tensioned drive spring assembly (2) to the drive element (3) and the drive element (3) can be driven by the relaxing drive spring assembly (2), characterized by, that the drive spring device (2) has a spring element receiving device (4) and at least one meandering spring element (5) received therein, wherein the meandering spring element (5) has at least two curved deflection areas (7) arranged successively along a spring force transmission direction (6) of the meandering spring element (5) with opposite directions of curvature, that the spring element receiving device (4) has a positive guidance device (8) for the meandering spring element (5), and that the meandering spring element (5) bears loosely at two opposite spring element ends (11) with a force application area (12) against a force application element (13, 14) associated with this force application area (12), wherein the respective force application area (12) and the associated force application element (13, 14) are designed and adapted to each other,that the end of the spring element (11) is in contact with the force transmission surface (15) of the associated force application element (13, 14) when the meandering spring element (5) is deformed, with the force transmission surface (15) facing the associated force application element (13, 14) being tangentially connected to the associated force application element (13, 14). [2] Spring energy drive device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the force transmission surface (15) at the spring element end (11) and / or a force application surface (17) at the force application element (13, 14) has a continuously curved projecting bulge. [3] Spring energy drive device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by , that the meandering spring element (5) has at the spring element end (11) a force transmission element (16) formed in one piece or manufactured separately with the force transmission surface (15) arranged facing away from the spring element end (11). [4] Spring energy drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that each spring element end (11) has an end distance to the respective adjacent deflection area (7) which is between 0.4 times and 0.6 times the deflection distance (18) between two successive deflection areas (7). [5] Spring energy drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the positive guidance device (8) has two positive guidance elements (9) arranged transversely to the direction of spring force transmission (6), between which the meandering spring element (5) is arranged and can be positively guided and displaced with the deflection areas (7) in contact with the positive guidance elements (9). [6] Spring energy drive device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that each positive guidance element (9) has a positive guidance groove (10) into which the deflection areas (7) of the meandering spring element (5) assigned to this positive guidance groove (10) engage and can be positively guided and displaced along a groove direction in the positive guidance groove (10). [7] Spring energy drive device (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least one groove bottom contact element (25) is pressed against at least one deflection area (7) of the meandering spring element (5) engaging in the forced guide groove (10). [8] Spring energy drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spring energy drive device (1) has a tensioning device with which the drive spring device (2) can be tensioned and charged with spring energy. [9] Spring energy drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that two meander-shaped spring elements (5) are arranged and mounted parallel to each other in the spring element receiving device (4) along the spring force transmission direction (6). [10] Spring energy drive device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by , that a clamping device has a clamping element (19) arranged and movable between the two meandering spring elements (5). [11] Spring energy drive device (1) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized by , that the driveable drive element (3) is displaceably mounted along a drive element displacement axis, wherein the drive element displacement axis runs in a plane between the two meandering spring elements (5) and parallel to the spring force transmission direction (6) of the two meandering spring elements (5). [12] Spring energy drive device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the meandering spring element (5) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material. [13] Driving device (26) with a spring energy drive device (1) with which a fastening element (29) stored in the driving device (26) can be driven and driven into a component or into a substrate, wherein the spring energy drive device (1) comprises a drive spring assembly (2), a tensioning device with which the drive spring assembly (2) can be tensioned and charged with spring energy, and a drive element (3), wherein the spring energy stored in the drive spring assembly (2) is transferable to the drive element (3) and the drive element (3) can be driven by the relaxing drive spring assembly (2), characterized by , that the driving device (26) has a spring energy drive device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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