Configurations for transmitting torsional torque, particularly in the form of torsion springs or drive shafts made of composite fiber materials, to achieve high usage of specific materials.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a torsion carrier, particularly a torsion spring, helical spring, drive shaft, or balance shaft, which allows for significant savings in material and installation space compared to the prior art. The torsion carrier consists of multiple, but at least two, support layers positioned radially one above the other, each of which comprises at least one, but preferably multiple, spiral coils (1, 3) made of a predominantly unidirectional composite fiber material. The at least two support layers have counter-rotating spiral coil orientations relative to each other. An elastic intermediate spacer layer (2) is arranged between adjacent spiral coil layers, thereby achieving decoupling of the spiral coil expansions of adjacent spiral coil layers. This achieves a particularly favorable, predominantly uniaxial stress state that allows for a high level of material utilization. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Background Art

[0001] Problem Tubes (torsion-loaded tube) and similar torque-carrying components subjected to torsional loads are exposed to a multiaxial stress state. The shear stress in the imaginary longitudinal section by the torsion-loaded tube is converted by the Mohr's circle into two orthogonal principal stresses in the directions of + / -45° for each direction under tensile stress and compressive stress. This stress state is not a problem with respect to the material limit for amorphous materials (metals). However, composite fiber materials are particularly sensitive to multiaxial stress states. In order to carry the principal stress, the laminate layers are preferably laid in the principal direction of the stress. Therefore, a classical torsion tube made of composite fiber material is composed of fibers with different winding directions. For example, fibers having a winding direction of +45 degrees are subjected to tensile stress, and fibers having a winding direction of -45 degrees are subjected to compressive stress. In this case, the fibers in both directions are positioned orthogonal to each other. However, laminate layers that are not positioned parallel to each other may experience unfavorable interactions.

[0002] Tensile or compressive loads in the fiber direction result in positive or negative longitudinal elongation. When directly attached to a continuous laminate structure, this results in lateral elongation in other fiber directions in each case. However, composite fiber materials have only slight extensibility in the lateral direction with respect to the fiber direction. There are mainly two reasons for this. The fibers are positioned at a distance close to each other and have substantially higher rigidity than the surrounding matrix material. As a result, only a slight elongation distance is obtained. Therefore, even in the case of slight lateral elongation of the composite material, the matrix material may elongate excessively (mainly related to the case of a composite material with amorphous fibers, such as glass fibers), or the fibers themselves may have sensitive properties such that they are damaged even under slight lateral loads due to their anisotropic composition (this is related to, for example, the case of carbon fibers).

[0003] Therefore, even slight lateral elongation can lead to the formation of interlaminar cracks, resulting in a reduced longitudinal load-bearing capacity of the composite material and potentially rendering the component non-functional. Compression-loaded regions of the laminate are particularly affected due to their lower stability.

[0004] Repeated load changes, in this case, lead to accelerated crack propagation, and therefore, in order to reduce the level of elongation in general, a high fatigue margin is required, especially in dimensional design. This means that parts expected to undergo numerous load cycles must be achieved by using significantly more material to limit elongation and stress. Since the elastic energy that can be stored is proportional to the product of stress and elongation, this has a very negative effect, especially in the case of spring parts (here, torsion springs). Instead, due to the linear relationship between the two magnitudes, the energy that can be stored is proportional to the square of the stress, or the square of the elongation.

[0005] Therefore, the generally undesirable material utilization rate is the practical reason why composite fiber materials have not been widely adopted in such applications.

[0006] A further problem is the failure of composite fiber torsion components under shear load. Insufficient deformation capacity leads to interlaminar crack formation between parallel fiber strands in this case. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,984,698 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0258979 [Overview of the project]

[0008] solution Conventional torsion carriers with a laminated structure can only withstand relatively small stress levels (fiber parallel stress up to approximately 300 MPa in the case of GFRP) due to the aforementioned sensitivity to multiaxial stress states. However, the solution described below makes it possible to achieve significantly higher stress levels (up to approximately 600 MPa in the case of GFRP). By doubling the stress level, - Torsion-transferring components, whose material usage has been reduced by approximately half, - Due to elongation nearly parallel to stress, the amount of material used was reduced to about 1 / 4, as seen in torsion springs. The result shows that it is possible to achieve this. In addition to the advantages in terms of weight and cost, the proposed concept can also allow for considerable savings in terms of the required construction space.

[0009] A structure is proposed having separate layers of individual spiral coils having opposite fiber rotation (winding) directions. A spiral coil is understood to mean a helical strip of limited width wound spirally around the longitudinal axis of a component at a specific pitch angle on a cylindrical (columnar) circumferential surface. The coils with opposite directions are radially supported by each other under load, and torsional loads are converted into tensile loads in the outer spiral coil (1) and compressive loads in the inner spiral coil (3). The spiral coils in the layer plane (radial direction) are intended to allow their distance from each other to change depending on the form of load, thereby enabling lateral elongation of the spiral coils relative to the longitudinal direction. In addition, a compensatory gap is provided to support shear deformation between adjacent parallel spiral coils in the layer.

[0010] The proposed structure means that the spiral coil is intended to be subjected to uniaxial stress conditions as much as possible, primarily by tensile or compressive loads in the longitudinal direction, and as a result, the spiral coil may be mainly composed of a unidirectional laminate (fibers in the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil) or a slightly twisted composite fiber material (having an average fiber orientation in the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil). In an advantageous embodiment, the fibers are deviated by less than 10 degrees, more preferably less than 5 degrees, from the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil.

[0011] It is advantageous for the layers to be deinterfered from each other by a compensation area hereafter referred to as an “intermediate layer” so that the longitudinal elongation of the spiral coils of a layer does not directly press against the spiral coils of adjacent layers located laterally to that layer, and instead, compensation for the lateral elongation is mainly carried out in gaps provided for this purpose between the spiral coils. The effect of deinterfering with lateral elongation is shown in the example in Figure 9. An outer spiral coil 1 stretched by a tensile load is shown as an example. The intermediate layer 2a and the inner spiral coil 3 are adjacent to each other on the inside. The intermediate layer 2a shown here as an example in a different embodiment “a” is subjected to elongation by its connection to the outer spiral coil 1. The deformability of the intermediate layer means that the elongation is not pressed (or is pressed only slightly) against the inner spiral coil 3 under compressive load. Instead of causing interfering lateral elongation within the internal spiral coil 3, the elongation only results in an increase in the size of the gap 5 between two adjacent internal spiral coils 3, and as a result, the distance between the two exemplified adjacent internal spiral coils 3 increases (see Figure 1).

[0012] The corresponding effect is also achieved in a similar manner to the compressive load in the internal spiral coil 3. In this case, the intermediate layer 2 and the compensating gap 4 also cause the shortening of the internal spiral coil due to the compressive load to reduce the size of the gap (4) between the external spiral coils 1, thereby protecting the external spiral coils 1 from undesirable lateral compression.

[0013] The volumetric element of the intermediate layer 2a can be considered, for example, as a cubic support element between intersecting spiral coils, which deforms due to the simultaneous compression of adjacent internal spiral coils 3 as a result of compressive force (F_compression) and the elongation of the external spiral coil 1 as a result of tensile force (F_tension), forming a truncated pyramid. See Figure 10. This deformation capability ensures that the longitudinal elongation of the fibers in the layer is not transmitted to the composite fiber material of the spiral coils in the adjacent layer. This is sometimes referred to as non-interference of lateral elongation.

[0014] Limitations of conventional technology Geometrically similar configurations to those in the present invention can be found in the prior art, particularly in relation to flexible drive shafts. However, these inventions pursue different objectives and therefore differ in substantial device function. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,984,698 describes a metal spiral coil instead of a composite fiber spiral coil. Alternatively, a configuration known from U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0258979, which has similarly large geometric similarities, does not have an elastic interlayer. Since the elastic interlayer could be (simulated) established as a key element or requirement for the decoupling of the composite fiber spiral coil and the associated uniaxial stress state, the described improvement in the degree of material utilization was demonstrated (by experimental investigation). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the parts. [Figure 2a-2c] This shows the layers of the component in an unwound state. [Figure 3a-3c] It shows the layer of the non-wound state parts. [Figures 4a-4d] It shows the intermediate layer in the non-wound state. [Figures 5a-5c] It shows the intermediate layer in the non-wound state. [Figures 6a-6c] It shows a modified example of the intermediate layer in the non-wound state. [Figures 7a-7c] It shows a modified example of the intermediate layer in the non-wound state. [Figures 8a-8c] It shows the intermediate layer in the non-wound state. [Figure 9] It shows an example of the effect of non-interference of the lateral elongation. [Figure 10] It shows the deformation of the volume element of the intermediate layer. [Figure 11] It shows the intermediate layer having indentations or lamellae on the surface.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Implementation Features The coil in the layer plane can be designed in a single form or a multiple form. The multiple form means that a plurality of spiral coils are included per layer. In the case of a tubular part, the spiral coils are wound parallel to each other with the same pitch around the longitudinal axis of the tube, and each spiral coil in a certain layer is at the same radial distance from the central longitudinal axis of the tube. In a preferred embodiment, 4 or more spiral coils, more preferably 7 or more spiral coils, and even more preferably 11 or more spiral coils are used per layer.

[0017] The angle of the spiral coil, i.e., the pitch of the spiral coil's revolution, can be selected according to the requirements of the application, and thus can affect the rigidity of the component. An angle in the range of about 10 degrees to 85 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the component (tube), or an angle in the range of -85 degrees to -10 degrees in the opposite direction layer, is technically appropriate. Preferred embodiments have (rotation direction) angles of about 45 degrees and -45 degrees for both winding directions. In each case, a deviation of one digit of degrees from the said + / -45-degree configuration may be made in order to create a force balance, thus resulting in a configuration having, for example, +40 degrees and -50 degrees.

[0018] As different embodiments of the present invention, torsion elements including a greater number of layers, i.e., three or more layers, are also proposed. Those torsion elements can include a plurality of combinations of tension layers and compression layers that are each decoupled by an intermediate layer. By this means, the radial pressure between the individual layers is reduced, and thus a softer material can be used, and the entire component can even withstand a load in the reverse direction of the torque rotation. When the direction of the torque is reversed, the aforementioned external spiral coil receives a compression load (instead of the tension load as in the basic form of the aforementioned load), and the internal spiral coil receives a tension load (instead of the compression load as in the basic form of the aforementioned load). In this case, a tension load (instead of the compression load as in the basic form of the aforementioned load) occurs between the layers and must be transmitted through the intermediate layer. In addition to the described variant with two load-bearing layers (tension layer and compression layer), variants having three, four, five, six or a greater number of layers are also advantageous.

[0019] In the context of this invention, it should be noted that the term “internal spiral coil” refers to a spiral coil that is subjected to compressive force when the component is loaded in its preferred direction. In contrast, the term “external spiral coil” refers to a spiral coil that is subjected to tensile load when the component is loaded in its preferred direction. When the described torsion carrier is constructed radially from three or more layers of spiral coils, the terms “inside” and “outside” refer to the relative arrangement of two layers that support each other radially.

[0020] The results of the described construction, which decouples spiral coils in adjacent layers and within a given layer, are that stresses within the spiral coils primarily extend in the fiber direction, while interfering lateral elongation is suppressed (or at least reduced). Therefore, the utilization rate of composite fiber material can be increased, and consequently, higher deformation capacity and stress can be tolerated. As a result, components with less construction space and less material usage can be realized compared to conventional systems. In a given structure, particularly high specific elongation energy can be stored in the torsion spring.

[0021] The present invention provides several different embodiments for the intermediate layer (2).

[0022] The intermediate layer can be realized by an elastic material, and as a result, the intermediate layer ensures the separation of adjacent layers of load-bearing spiral coils in opposite directions, and the deformability of the intermediate layer allows for non-interference between layers, so that the longitudinal elongation of one layer of spiral coil results in only slight lateral elongation of the adjacent layer of spiral coil. In an advantageous embodiment, the intermediate layer is connected to the load-bearing spiral coil, in particular by being integrally joined. This can be fundamentally important, especially for spiral coils subjected to compressive loads, as this provides fixation and significantly reduces their free buckling length (related to lack of stability).

[0023] For integrally bonded attachments, special adhesion promoters can be used to enable particularly good bonding between the composite fiber material and the elastic interlayer. Alternatively, an interlayer material that bonds particularly easily to the composite fiber material, in particular an elastomer that cures together with the synthetic resin of the composite fiber material or crosslinks with such synthetic resin, can be used.

[0024] To obtain high deformation capacity for compensation between load-bearing layers (or between the outer spiral coil (1) and the inner spiral coil (3)), and at the same time to ensure high load-bearing capacity against radial pressure between layers, or to limit energy loss (dissipative damping effect), a relatively rigid material can be used that obtains the necessary deformation capacity simply by appropriate shaping. In the context of the present invention, this second modification of the intermediate layer (having a specially shaped, relatively rigid material) will also be referred to as an "elastic intermediate layer." For this purpose, Figures 4a to 4d show a configuration in which the intermediate layer is constructed in the form of individual rhombuses that exist only in the regions where the spiral coils intersect. In one of the load-bearing layers, in the region where there is a gap (4, 5) between the spiral coils, the intermediate layer is also interrupted. Thus, the elastic intermediate layer in this case is designed as a radial continuity of the compensatory gap between the spiral coils of a certain layer, and has a gap that partially or completely interrupts the intermediate layer.

[0025] Regarding manufacturing, in order to create surface interruptions, the shaping can be performed before the connection of the two load-bearing layers, or the material can be removed from the intermediate layer by abrasion (cutting, or abrasion by laser ablation or waterjet cutting) of the material through the gaps between the spiral coils. Alternatively, Figures 5a-5c show a configuration in which the intermediate layer is constructed from two layers (2b1) and (2b2). The layers are positioned along the outer spiral coil (1) and the inner spiral coil (3), respectively, and thus connected over a wide area. Along the gaps between the spiral coils, the intermediate layer has gaps formed up to approximately half the thickness of the layer at most. The layers can be manufactured together with the spiral coils, or gaps can be created from a flat intermediate layer by retrospective partial abrasion in the region of the gaps between the outer and inner spiral coils. The aforementioned partial grinding can be performed, for example, up to half the thickness of the layer, or round grooves (notches) can be machined from the intermediate layer.

[0026] Further embodiments are made possible by the use of relatively soft materials, such as polyurethane or rubber. In this case, the intermediate layer is designed as a filled volume (without grooves). The required deformation (primarily shear deformation to decouple the layer) is here brought about by the deformability of the soft material. An advantageous modification of further embodiments is a configuration in which the intermediate layer material is prevented from being squeezed out through the compensatory gap of the spiral coil. This means that the deformation of the intermediate layer material is limited and the pressure between the outer and inner spiral coils is partially converted to a relatively highly acceptable (hydrostatic) pressure in all aspects, even in the case of soft materials. Figures 6a-6c show a geometric modification (2c) of this intermediate layer. The continuous layer (2c2) here is adjacent to the compensatory gap filler of the outer spiral coil (2c1) and the compensatory gap filler of the inner spiral coil (2c3). The compensating gap fillers (2c1 and 2c3) can be realized here from the same material as the surface of the intermediate layer (2c2), or from a different material. In this case, a significantly softer material is advantageous. Figures 7a and 7c show, for illustrative purposes, variations of this intermediate layer (having elements 2c1, 2c2, and 2c3) combined with the associated spiral coils (1) and (3).

[0027] A further embodiment involves structuring the intermediate layer for improved stretch behavior.

[0028] As shown in Figure 11, the surface of the intermediate layer may have notches or lamellae positioned transversely to the fiber direction or longitudinal extension of the spiral coils when in contact with them. The elongation of each spiral coil is thus converted into changes in the angle or slope of the notches or lamellae, resulting in improved decoupling properties. On and beyond the configurations shown, this can occur on both sides of the intermediate layer in each case (the notches or lamellae on the two sides are angled to each other, and the spiral coils of the two layers to be decoupled are also at this angle to each other).

[0029] According to the present invention, various different embodiments are generally provided for the compensatory gaps between spiral coils. The gaps can be filled with any elastic material (e.g., polyurethane, silicone, rubber, foam, or epoxy resin), thereby promoting the hydrostatic pressure effect described above. Alternatively, the gaps can be left without filler (resulting in the gaps containing an ambient medium such as air), and thus their deformation capacity is unlimited. Intermediate modifications such as partial filling (2d) are also possible; see Figures 8a-8c. According to the present invention, modifications are also provided in which the deflection of the material is promoted by a targeted hole or air pocket (e.g., by a compressible foam), thereby favorably affecting the deformation characteristics in this region.

[0030] There are various options for the profile of the spiral coil, or the geometric shape of the cross-section of the spiral coil. In addition to rectangular spiral coils, round spiral coils (cylindrical), semi-cylindrical, elliptical (see Figures 8a-8c), or substantially rectangular shapes with individual rounded sides can be used. In particular, a rectangular profile with rounded sides in contact with the intermediate layer is considered advantageous in the context of the present invention because it reduces the shear deformation occurring in the intermediate layer.

[0031] As an advantageous alternative embodiment of the spiral coil itself, the surface of the spiral coil, particularly the surface of the spiral coil under compressive load, may contain at least partially fibers that relieve tension with respect to the elastic interlayer and have a transverse orientation with respect to the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil. These fibers can bear a substantial portion of the transverse stress induced through the interlayer. As a result, the transverse stress or transverse elongation in the load-bearing material of the spiral coil (in the fibers in the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil) will be reduced under load, and therefore the spiral coil can withstand greater loads in the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil, especially under repeated loading.

[0032] For the final mounting of the spiral coil in a manner suitable for loading and deformation, the ends of the spiral coil may have increased layer thickness, the ends of the component may have increased tube diameter, and / or the orientation of the spiral coil may be changed at the ends of the component. This means that, in the case of loading of the component within the region, the longitudinal stress generated in the spiral coil will be smaller, and therefore additional stress resulting from bending of the spiral coil may be absorbed.

[0033] Similarly, additional end pieces can be attached to the ends of the spiral coil (e.g., by adhesive connections), which allow for harmonized bending of the spiral coil and transmission of forces along the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil to adjacent parts, or articulated attachment of the spiral coil to the end pieces of parts.

[0034] In a more advantageous alternative embodiment, the bending region at the end of the spiral coil can be achieved by tapering the spiral coil, resulting in improved deformability when the pitch of the spiral coil changes under load, and the resulting additional bending stress is smaller than that of a full-width spiral coil. In this case, the second moment of area associated with bending the spiral coil in the circumferential plane is reduced.

[0035] In addition to the described structure having two layers of spiral coils in opposite directions in each case, constructs having three or more layers of spiral coils with different orientations are also provided. For example, to improve the bending stiffness of the overall component, in addition to the described torsion-supporting layers of spiral coils at approximately + / - 45 degrees, a third layer may be included that has fibers in the longitudinal direction of the tube and, optionally, also has spiral coils and gaps in the longitudinal direction of the tube. These may also be deinterfered from adjacent layers by elastic intermediate layers to reduce the effect of lateral elongation in the radial direction.

[0036] In advantageous alternative embodiments, the interior of a tube constructed from a spiral coil may include a core of tube or flat or solid material, having fibers particularly in the longitudinal direction of the tube, or fibers in the winding direction at approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal direction of the tube. The core here provides increased load-bearing capacity and / or stiffness against lateral forces, bending torques, or radial loads. At the same time, the core has sufficient deformability in the torsional direction due to its small outer diameter (relative to the overall part). To locally increase the load-bearing capacity of the part against bending torques to a specific degree, the described core can be further extended locally in a conical shape (particularly at the ends of the part). In advantageous embodiments, the core is deinterfered from the radial outer layer of the spiral coil by an elastic interlayer.

[0037] Regarding the external shape, the described torsion carrier (also referred to as “part”) may be designed in the form of a tube, or as a straight or curved rod. In an advantageous embodiment, the inner and / or outer diameter of the part may be funnel-shaped in the region of the end of the tube or rod. The enlarged portion may lead to a flat flange or a conical flange, or a connecting piece for connection to an adjacent part. When the diameter is enlarged, the spiral coil at the end of the part may appear radially within the flat flange or conical flange. In an advantageous embodiment, force may be introduced into the spiral coil, here by a jointed connection, a friction connection, or a form-fitting connection.

[0038] In a more advantageous and different embodiment, a torsion carrier in the form of a tube or rod may have a curved shape. The torsion carrier may have, for example, the shape of a screw or a helical spring. In this case, the tube or rod may be curved about one or more axes. Similarly, in addition to curvature, the tube may be twisted about the longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0039] A helical component may have a reduced thread diameter and / or a varied thread height at its ends.

[0040] In the form of a helical spring, which can be loaded by tension or compression, the curved tube or rod is primarily subjected to a torsion section load. In this case, the structure described by the present invention, having opposing spiral coils that are non-interfering with each other, has been shown to be particularly capable of supporting the load. The main uniaxial stress state in the composite fiber spiral coil allows for a higher utilization rate of the composite fiber material, with significantly high allowable stress and elongation values. The torsion carrier (in the form of a helical spring) can therefore withstand larger loads and amplitudes. Conversely, for a given level of load and motion amplitude, the torsion carrier can be realized with significantly less material. This is particularly true in the form of repeated loading.

[0041] Based on the described torsion carrier structure, different devices with structural configurations specific to different applications can be realized. These devices include, in particular, torsion tube springs, torsion bars, helical springs, drive shafts, flexurally elastic torsion shafts, or compensating shafts (or elastic joints) with angular tolerances and offset tolerances.

[0042] Each layer contains multiple spiral coils. Multiple Formations So,Multiple spiral coils are, in each case, distributed circumferentially and preferably extending parallel to each other in the axial direction of the torsion carrier. Preferably, at least three multiple configurations are provided, more preferably at least six multiple configurations are provided, and so each layer contains at least three spiral coils, more preferably at least six spiral coils. For most technical applications, it has been found that in any case, a configuration in which 11 or more spiral coils are distributed circumferentially is advantageous.

[0043] The ratio between the height of the spiral coil (when viewed radially) and the width of the spiral coil is preferably between 1:1 and 1:3.

[0044] Forming a filler Examples of vibration-damping materials include rubber or polyurethane, as well as other materials having similar elastic and vibration-damping properties.

[0045] They are decoupled from each other by the intermediate layer 2. layer as In particular, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight layers are provided.

[0046] Separated by intermediate layer 2 Preferably, at least one of the layers includes spiral coils and gaps in the longitudinal direction of the component, which results in increased bending stiffness or bending load bearing capacity.

[0047] It is positioned radially inward of the spiral coil layer. The core is formed in particular from solid columnar elements (solid rods) and / or hollow tubular tubes, both of which can be constructed in particular from composite fibrous materials. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the core preferably has fibers oriented in the longitudinal direction of the tube and / or fibers oriented at 45 degrees (with an optional tolerance of + / - 15 degrees).

[0048] The term "cylindrical (columnar)" specifically means that the torsion carrier is designed in the form of a tube or a straight, round bar.

[0049] In the direction of the end of the part ru With respect to the change in diameter, in advantageous embodiments, an inner diameter that expands outward in the form of a funnel can be formed. For example, the end of the component can thus lead to a flat flange or a conically formed flange, or a coupling contour for connection to an adjacent component. An adjacent component means, in particular, a component intended to be coupled to a torsion carrier for rotation with the torsion carrier. The inner diameter is here preferably predetermined by the internal contour of the internal spiral coil and / or by the inner layer adjacent to the inner side surface.

[0050] Definition and description Spiral coil: Also called a helix, screw, spiral curve, or cylindrical spiral, a spiral coil is a curve wound around a cylindrical (pillar) housing at a constant pitch. A spiral coil originates from a surface (=layer, plane) that is curved along a radius and has helical grooves (slots).

[0051] Layer: A tubular layer (on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical component) having a defined function. This may be an intermediate layer, or a layer having what is called a load-bearing spiral coil (an external or internal spiral coil for transmitting tensile and compressive stresses).

[0052] Form: Layer design as a spiral coil with gaps.

[0053] Intermediate layer: A layer designed to decouple elongation between two adjacent load-bearing layers (a decoupling layer between the tension-transmitting outer spiral coil and the compression-transmitting inner spiral coil).

[0054] Hollow cylinder: A hollow cylinder.

[0055] Compensation gap: The gap between spiral coils in a layer, particularly the gap that allows for elongation between spiral coils. In this context, the term "grooved" configuration may also be used, where the spiral coils and compensation gap arise from adjacent layers. The compensation gap may or may not be filled.

[0056] Lateral elongation: Elongation in the direction lateral to the fiber direction, which shortens the elongation distance of the base material and has a significant effect on the load-bearing capacity of the composite fiber material, especially under repeated loading (fatigue).

[0057] Direction: The primary direction of the spiral coil's spread should be understood to mean the longitudinal direction of the spiral coil, specifically the direction of the maximum longitudinal spread of the spiral coil extending along a helical curve around the circumferential surface of a (optionally, simply hypothetical) cylinder (column). The width of the spiral coil is understood to mean the direction located in the housing plane and perpendicular to the primary direction of spread. The three-dimensional spread of the spiral coil is referred to as the height or thickness of the spiral coil. In the case of a tube or rod, this corresponds to the radial spread.

[0058] Supplementary references to the diagram Figures 2 to 8 show the layers of the unwound components for clarity.

[0059] The features of the present invention disclosed in this description, drawings, and claims may be essential, individually or in any desired combination, to realize the invention in its various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The invention can be modified within the scope of the claims, taking into account the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1. External spiral coil 2. Middle Class 3. Internal spiral coil 4. Compensation gap between external spiral coils 5. Compensation gap between internal spiral coils 2a Intermediate layer in the region where spiral coils of adjacent layers intersect 2b1 The intermediate layer in contact with the external spiral coil. 2b2 The intermediate layer in contact with the internal spiral coil 2c1 Filling material for compensating gaps of external spiral coil 2c2 Flat mesolayer 2c3 Compensation gap filler for internal spiral coil An intermediate layer between 2d elliptical spiral coils, which either does not protrude into the gap between the spiral coils, partially protrudes, or completely protrudes. 11. Structured intermediate layer to improve deformation capability

Claims

1. A torsion carrier having at least two layers, A torsion carrier characterized in that each of the at least two layers is composed of at least one spiral coil (1, 3) made of a composite fiber material, the at least two layers have opposite spiral coil winding directions, and at least one separation elastic intermediate layer (2) is disposed between the layers, and gaps (4, 5) are provided between adjacent spiral coils of each layer (1, 3), and the gaps (4, 5) are left as voids that are at least partially unfilled.

2. The torsion carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the main fiber direction of the spiral coils (1, 3) is at least generally oriented in the main extending direction that extends helically of the spiral coils.

3. The torsion carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one layer comprises a plurality of spiral coils (1, 3).

4. A torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gaps (4, 5) between adjacent spiral coils of each of the layers (1, 3) are partially filled with a filler (2c1, 2c3) of an elastic filling material different from the elastic intermediate layer, or the elastic intermediate layer is partially extended.

5. The torsion carrier according to claim 4, wherein the filler (2c1, 2c3) is at least partially formed from a foamed material and / or a vibration-damping material.

6. The torsion carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a portion of the spiral coils (1, 3) on the surface facing the intermediate layer has tension-relieving fibers having a transverse orientation with respect to the main extending direction of the spiral coils.

7. The torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the end of the torsion carrier has an inner diameter and / or outer diameter that increases in a funnel shape, and / or the spiral coil (1, 3) has a pitch that changes in the region of the end of the torsion carrier.

8. The torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spiral coils (1, 3) each have an increased layer thickness in the region of the end of the spiral coil, and / or end pieces are attached to the ends of the spiral coils (1, 3).

9. The torsion carrier according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the spiral coils (1, 3) each have a reduced width in the region at the end of the spiral coil, and thus have an increased deformation capacity against bending of the spiral coil on the circumferential surface.

10. A torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is provided with three or more spiral coils (1, 3) that are deinterfered from each other by an elastic intermediate layer (2).

11. A torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is provided with layers having at least three different spiral coil orientations, and the layers are separated by an intermediate layer (2).

12. A torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a core is arranged radially inward of the layer of the spiral coil to increase bending rigidity or load-bearing capacity against lateral forces.

13. A torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a tube made of layers of spiral coils (1, 3) or a round bar made of layers of spiral coils (1, 3) has a threaded outer shape.

14. A torsion tube spring, torsion bar, bendable elastic torsion shaft, drive shaft, or helical spring comprising a torsion carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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