Canted Coil Springs With Alternating Coils For Inner Perimeter Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Canted coil springs with constant coil cross sections face limitations in miniaturization and adjustment of force and conductive properties due to unmodifiable spacing and wire cross-section constraints, particularly in applications requiring specific geometric parameters.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates alternating coils with different dimensions and configurations, allowing for improved spacing and reduced inner perimeter without losing canted characteristics, enabling better flexibility and performance in applications like electromagnetic interference shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If spacing between coils is increased to meet force and conductive requirements, then force and conductive properties are improved, but the canted characteristics are lost due to fewer coils per unit length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the coil cross-sectional dimensions along the spring length. Different sections have different wire diameters or coil spacing, allowing local optimization of force properties in high-stress areas while maintaining canted characteristics in other sections. This resolves the contradiction by making the spring structure non-uniform, where specific regions can be designed for maximum force output without compromising the overall canted geometry.
2Force
If wire cross section is increased to improve force properties, then force capacity is improved, but the minimum ring inner perimeter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by using variable wire cross-sections along the spring length. Larger wire diameters are used only in specific high-stress regions where force capacity is critical, while other sections use smaller wire diameters. This allows the spring to achieve high force capacity locally without increasing the overall minimum ring inner perimeter, as the larger cross-sections are confined to specific zones rather than the entire structure.
3Volume of moving object
If miniaturization is pursued to reduce component size, then device size is reduced, but geometric parameters reach limits and further refinements are no longer possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the spring geometry variable rather than constant. Key parameters such as wire diameter, coil spacing, and coil dimensions are allowed to change along the length of the spring. This provides continuous adjustment capability even in miniaturized components, allowing geometric parameters to be optimized for specific performance requirements without being constrained by fixed minimum values. The variable parameter approach enables further refinement beyond what is possible with constant-cross-section springs.
4Ease of manufacture
If constant coil cross section is used to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but flexibility in adjusting force and conductive properties is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality through variable cross-sections. While this does increase manufacturing complexity compared to constant cross-section springs, the variation is achieved through controlled changes in specific regions rather than continuous complexity. Modern manufacturing processes can efficiently produce variable cross-section springs, and the resulting design flexibility in adjusting force and conductive properties provides significant performance benefits that justify the moderate increase in manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.