Lattice Spring Device for Uniform Stress and Large Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spring devices face limitations in achieving significant displacements due to small authorized displacements under pure stresses, and non-uniform stress distribution in Belleville washers leads to insufficient effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A spring device with a lattice structure comprising segments in distinct planes, where external crowns are subjected to opposite stresses, allowing for optimal energy accumulation by matching tensile and compressive stress limits, and utilizing different materials for each stress mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If pure tensile and compressive stresses are used in spring devices, then stress distribution becomes uniform, but displacement capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress distribution uniformityVSAvoiddisplacement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is segmented into multiple struts arranged in a lattice structure, where each strut experiences pure tension or compression. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both uniform stress distribution and significant displacement through the coordinated deformation of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional stress application to a three-dimensional lattice structure. By arranging struts in multiple spatial dimensions, the system achieves uniform stress distribution across all elements while maintaining large displacement capability through the geometric configuration of the lattice.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If Belleville washers are used to achieve large displacements, then displacement capability increases, but stress distribution becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement capabilityVSAvoidstress distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a monolithic Belleville washer with non-uniform stress, the invention segments the structure into multiple struts that each experience uniform pure tension or compression. This segmentation eliminates the stress concentration problems inherent in traditional Belleville washers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each strut in the lattice structure is designed with local quality optimized for pure axial loading, ensuring uniform stress distribution throughout each element while the overall structure provides large displacement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If different materials are used for tension and compression segments, then energy accumulation is optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy accumulationVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different materials are assigned to different local regions (tension struts vs. compression struts) based on their specific functional requirements. This local quality optimization allows each material to be selected for its superior properties in its specific stress mode, maximizing energy accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material selection where different materials are combined in the lattice structure to optimize performance. By selecting materials specifically suited for tension or compression, the system achieves superior energy accumulation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 spring device achieves significant displacements with uniform stress distribution, maximizing energy accumulation and minimizing bending stress, thereby enhancing its effectiveness compared to traditional designs.

Implementation Method 1

A spring device according to the invention uses the elastic properties of the material or materials of which it is made

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

During said stress, one is stressed longitudinally in compression and the other longitudinally in tension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHooke's Law: Hooke's Law

Data Source

PatentEP2724047B1Spring device
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 BORRELLY SPRING WASHERS
  • EP2724047B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4c
  • EP2724047B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP2724047B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a spring device (3) consisting of a part using the resilient properties of the material(s) from which the part is made, and including at least two opposite points or areas (30) which are to be biased. The device includes, between the points or areas (30), an intermediate portion including a mesh structure resulting from the assembly of optionally rectilinear segments (30, 31, 33), at least two of which (30, 31) lie in separate planes, both outside of the direction of bias, such that during said biasing, one segment is longitudinally biased by compression and the other is longitudinally biased by pulling.