Closed-Profile Flat Spring for Long Travel in Tight Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat shaped springs have complex, non-linear characteristics that require multiple layers and guide elements, leading to high production costs and large installation space requirements, making them unsuitable for applications with limited space.
Innovation Solution
A flat shaped spring with a closed profile configuration featuring profile portions of varying curvature, connected by a connection element, allowing for a degressive and almost horizontal spring characteristic, which can be adapted for specific applications through curvature adjustments and simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional flat shaped springs use multiple layers and guide elements to achieve great spring travels, then the spring travel is improved, but the production cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring body is divided into multiple profile portions (first, second, third profile portions) with different curvature characteristics. Each profile portion contributes differently to the spring characteristic, allowing great spring travel to be achieved through the combined effect of segmented profiles rather than multiple physical layers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional linear spring design to a two-dimensional curved profile design. The spring body is formed with complex curvatures in the longitudinal and transverse directions, creating a closed profile that achieves great spring travel through geometric configuration rather than through stacking multiple layers
2Length of moving object
If conventional flat shaped springs use multiple layers and guide elements, then the spring travel is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring utilizes a closed two-dimensional profile with complex curvatures instead of stacking multiple linear layers. This dimensional transformation allows the spring to achieve great travel distances while maintaining a compact footprint, as the travel is achieved through the unwinding/uncoiling of the curved profile rather than through axial compression of stacked layers
Solution Approach 2:
The closed profile configuration allows the spring body to nest efficiently in space. The first, second, and third profile portions are arranged in a nested-like fashion where each portion contributes to the overall compact geometry while enabling significant spring travel through their coordinated deformation
3Force
If conventional flat shaped springs use several individual springs layered to form a column, then the spring force is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spring functions are merged into a single integrated spring body. The first, second, and third profile portions work together as one unified component to generate the required spring force, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate springs into a columnar arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring body with closed profile performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components. The different profile portions collectively provide both the spring force generation and the great spring travel characteristics, making the component universal and reducing production costs through simplified manufacturing
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 enables the production of flat shaped springs with consistent force over a greater path length, reducing production costs and installation space requirements, while allowing for flexible adaptation to different applications.
Implementation Method 1
The two outer end portions or/and outer end portions, which lie opposite one another in a longitudinal direction perpendicularly to the axial direction, are connected to one another by means of at least one connection element, so that the spring element and the connection element form together the closed profile
Data Source
AI summary
A flat shaped spring may include a spring element. The spring element may have, in a longitudinal section along a central longitudinal axis extending along an axial direction, two profile halves disposed on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis. The two profile halves may each have a first profile portion and a second profile portion. The first profile portion may have a curvature opposed to the second profile portion. Two outer ends of the spring element facing away from the central longitudinal axis, and which lie opposite one another in a longitudinal direction extending perpendicularly to the axial direction, may be connected to one another via at least one connection element such that the spring element and the at least one connection element collectively form a closed profile in the longitudinal section.