Dead-Center Spring Opening Mechanism With Control Curve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dead-center spring elements in opening and closing mechanisms have high spring force at dead center and low force in closed or usage positions, making them prone to damage from misuse and requiring high forces for opening and closing, which can lead to system destruction.
Innovation Solution
An opening and closing mechanism with a stop that elastically gives way under increased forces and a control curve that adjusts the spring force, reducing force increase from closed or usage positions towards dead center, ensuring the mechanism remains robust against overload and allows for easy repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional dead-center spring element is used, then the spring force is high at dead center, but the mechanism is prone to damage from misuse and requires high forces for opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the force parameters of the spring element by introducing a control curve that modifies the spring's force characteristics. The control curve is designed so that the spring force is reduced in the dead center region and increased in the closed and usage positions, transforming the force distribution to prevent damage from misuse while maintaining operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The control curve acts as an intermediary element between the spring element and the movable part. It mediates the force transmission by selectively allowing or restricting the spring's force in different positions, thereby protecting the mechanism from misuse forces while maintaining proper operation
2Strength
If the spring force is high in closed and usage positions, then the holding force is strong, but the mechanism is more susceptible to damage from increased forces
Solution Approach 1:
The control curve modifies the spring force parameters to create a non-uniform force distribution. Specifically, it reduces the spring force in the dead center region and enhances it in the closed and usage positions, achieving strong holding force where needed while preventing damage from misuse forces
3Force
If the dead-center spring element acts with high force at dead center, then the spring is tensioned most, but the force necessary for opening and closing is high and can destroy the system
Solution Approach 1:
The control curve changes the force parameters to reduce spring tension at dead center while maintaining adequate holding force in closed and usage positions. This parameter modification lowers the force requirement for opening and closing operations while preventing system destruction from misuse forces
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 mechanism maintains high holding force in closed or usage positions while reducing the risk of damage from misuse, allowing the system to withstand increased forces and return to a functional state after overload, thus enhancing robustness and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a dead-center spring element (4), which acts on the movable part (2) in the direction of a closed position when the movable part (2) is located between dead center and a closed position, and acts on the movable part (2) in the direction of a usage position when the movable part (2) is located between dead center and the usage position
Implementation Method 2
a stop (22), which limits the opening motion of the movable part (2) and elastically gives way upon application of increased forces in the opening direction
Data Source
AI summary
An opening and closing mechanism includes a dead-center spring element for a swivelable part, and a control curve is provided on a side wall of the swivelable part, and the dead-center spring element engages the control curve via a swivelable control lever to control an opening and closing force progression with the aid of the control curve.