Canted Coil Spring Mounting for Durable Flexible Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to securely attach canted coil springs to connectors without compromising their flexibility and deflective characteristics, while ensuring the attachment is durable and cost-efficient.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a wall with a mounting hole and a canted coil spring attached using a mounting assembly with an attachment element that hooks around the spring, forming a form-fit connection, which can include various attachment elements such as clips or solder, to securely fasten the spring to the wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the canted coil spring is firmly attached to the wall, then the attachment durability is improved, but the flexibility and deflective characteristics of the spring deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment element is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion that interfaces with the spring, a mounting portion that interfaces with the wall, and an integrally connected transition zone. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the body portion maintains spring flexibility through its engagement geometry, while the mounting portion provides durable wall attachment, resolving the contradiction between firm attachment and spring flexibility.
2Reliability
If a complex mounting assembly is used to securely attach the spring, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated attachment element: the hook that engages the spring, the mounting structure that interfaces with the wall, and the connecting structure between them are all formed as one piece. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and assembly steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment through the combined functionality of the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment element is designed to be self-installing through its geometry - the body portion naturally hooks onto the spring, and the mounting portion is configured to be received by the wall opening without requiring additional fastening operations. This self-service design achieves reliable attachment while minimizing assembly complexity, as the structure attaches itself through its inherent geometric features rather than requiring complex mounting procedures.
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 solution provides a durable and cost-effective method to attach canted coil springs to connectors, maintaining their flexibility and deflective characteristics while ensuring a firm attachment, and can be optimized with features like rotational symmetric arrangements and conductive materials for enhanced stability and electromagnetic shielding.
Implementation Method 1
such coil springs may provide electromagnetic shielding
Implementation Method 2
may also conduct electrical current, in particular, when the canted coil spring is made of an electrically conductive material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
This application relates to a connector comprising a wall with a mounting hole; a canted coil spring extending along a perimeter; and a mounting assembly adapted to attach the canted coil spring to the wall, the mounting assembly comprising an attachment element adapted to hook around a turn of the canted coil spring and reaching into the mounting hole of the wall.