Canted Coil Spring Assembly with Alternating Cant Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Canted coil springs face difficulties in assembly due to uneven forces and misalignment caused by the opposite canting of coils, leading to resistance and twisting issues during insertion and removal of objects.
Innovation Solution
A canted coil spring design with alternating sections of coils canted at different angles, connected by a straight wire, allowing coils to be canted in the same direction when wrapped around an object, reducing resistance and misalignment by distributing forces evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coils are canted in opposite directions on either side of the object, then contact force consistency is improved, but insertion resistance and twisting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having coils canted at different angles. This segmentation allows different portions of the spring to serve different functions: some sections provide contact force consistency while others reduce insertion resistance and prevent twisting.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the spring have locally optimized coil cant angles tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first section has coils canted at a first angle for contact consistency, while the second section has coils canted at a second angle for reduced insertion resistance, creating local quality variations throughout the spring structure.
2Force
If coils are canted at acute angles, then contact force is maintained, but misalignment and twisting occur during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having coils canted at different angles. This segmentation allows different portions of the spring to serve different functions: some sections provide contact force consistency while others reduce insertion resistance and prevent twisting.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring employs asymmetric coil configurations with different cant angles in different sections rather than a uniform symmetric design. This asymmetry allows optimization of each section for its specific function, balancing contact force maintenance with alignment precision during insertion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces insertion force and minimizes twisting, ensuring easier and more consistent contact between components, with reduced resistance during insertion and increased resistance during withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
the first section is welded to the second section
Data Source
AI summary
A canted coil spring includes a first section having a plurality of first canted coils generally canted at an acute first angle relative to a first direction of a centerline extending through the first canted coils, and at least a second section coupled to the first section and having a plurality of second canted coils generally canted at an acute second angle relative to a second direction of the centerline extending through the second canted coils. The second direction is opposite to the first direction when the centerline is in a linear configuration. A method of manufacturing the canted coil includes fabricating a first wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of first coils, and fabricating at least a second wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of second coils. The first wire section is coupled to the second wire section.