Compression Spring Assembly With Rectangular Ties Against Buckling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tension springs for stabilizing solar panels suffer from deformation, premature breakage, and inadequate corrosion protection, while compression springs with circular ties experience buckling and friction-induced erosion, limiting their effectiveness and durability.

Innovation Solution

A tension spring assembly using compression springs with rectangular cross-section ties, which enhances stress resistance, minimizes deformation, and allows for uniform coating, thereby improving durability and reducing buckling and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tension springs with hooks are used to stabilise solar panels, then the panels can be secured, but the hooks and spring deform and breakage occurs due to insufficient stress resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress resistanceVSAvoidbreakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of spring action from tension to compression. The compression spring (3) replaces the tension spring (1), fundamentally altering the mechanical action to better suit the stabilization requirements of solar panels, thereby increasing stress resistance and preventing hook deformation and breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using compression instead of tension. Instead of pulling the solar panels together with tension springs, the invention pushes them together using compression springs, which eliminates the problematic hooks and provides superior stress resistance without deformation or premature breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If tension springs are used, then panels can be stabilised, but corrosion protection is inadequate due to poor access to contact points between coils and inside of spring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidcoating accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the spring type from tension to compression, which fundamentally changes the geometry and accessibility of the spring structure. The compression spring design allows for much better access to all surfaces including coil contact points and interior areas, enabling complete and uniform corrosion protection coating application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If compression springs with circular ties are used, then stress resistance improves, but buckling occurs causing uncontrolled plastic deformations and loss of strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress resistanceVSAvoidbuckling resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the symmetric circular cross-section of the ties with an asymmetric rectangular cross-section. This asymmetry in shape provides geometric stability that prevents buckling under compression loads, while maintaining the improved stress resistance of compression springs. The rectangular section has higher moment of inertia about both principal axes, preventing uncontrolled plastic deformations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Strength

If compression springs with circular ties are used, then stress resistance improves, but friction between spring and ties causes coating erosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress resistanceVSAvoidcoating erosion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rectangular cross-section of the ties creates a different contact geometry with the spring coils compared to circular ties. This asymmetric contact reduces relative motion and sliding friction between the spring and ties, thereby minimizing coating erosion while preserving the stress resistance benefits of compression springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 assembly increases stress resistance by 24-55% and extends the lifespan of solar panel stabilization systems, providing enhanced protection against environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

compression springs (3) with ties having a circular cross-section (4) are used to overcome the aforementioned problems of tension springs (1) for this application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

compression springs (3) with ties having a circular cross-section (4) suffer from buckling (figures 4-5). Buckling is a phenomenon of elastic instability that may occur in slender compressed elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuckling resistance:

Implementation Method 3

Protection against corrosion is not optimal, as the contact points between coils (5), as well as the inside of the spring (1), cannot be painted since there is no optimum access to do so

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrosion protection:

Data Source

PatentEP4656899A1Conjunto de muelle tensor

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BULTZAKI SL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tension spring assembly, comprising a compression spring (10); and one or two wire ties (11) having a rectangular cross-section, housed in the compression spring (10), and provided with a first end (13), which is closed, and protrudes from one end of the compression spring (10); and a second end (14), open at two hooks (15), for hooking onto the other end of the compression spring (10).