Meander Spring Stamping Integrates Sealing and Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing meander springs for solenoid valves are complex and require separate sealing elements, limiting the selection of spring steel qualities and involving additional work steps, such as machining and gluing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving punching or stamping to create a meander spring with a radially outer sealing area and inner spring arms, where the sealing area is formed during the stamping process, allowing for a dual function of resilience and sealing, and using stamping to produce a meander spring with punched edges, which simplifies and cost-effectively integrates the production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sealing elements are attached to machined meander springs, then sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and production time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and spring function into a single integrated meander spring component. The sealing area is formed directly as part of the meander spring structure through stamping, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and their attachment processes. This merging resolves the contradiction by achieving sealing reliability while simplifying manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The meander spring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides spring resilience through its meander structure and sealing function through its structured sealing area. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts, reducing manufacturing steps while maintaining both spring and sealing performance.
2Reliability
If separate sealing elements are attached to meander springs, then sealing is achieved, but additional work steps and gluing processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing area is integrated directly into the meander spring structure, formed in a single stamping operation. This eliminates the separate attachment steps (such as gluing) that would reduce production speed. The merging of sealing and spring functions into one component achieves both sealing reliability and improved productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing area is formed during the initial stamping process, before the meander spring is assembled into the solenoid valve. This preliminary formation of the sealing structure eliminates the need for subsequent attachment operations, thereby increasing production speed while ensuring sealing function is achieved.
3Manufacturing precision
If machining processes are used to manufacture meander springs, then precise dimensions are achieved, but selection of spring steel grades is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional machining processes with a stamping process for manufacturing the meander spring. Stamping allows for the use of a broader range of spring steel grades that may not be suitable for machining, while still achieving the necessary dimensional precision through the stamping tooling and process control. This substitution resolves the contradiction between manufacturing precision and material selection versatility.
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for meander spring and sealing elements, then functional requirements are met, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing area and spring arms are combined into a single meander spring component made from one piece of material through stamping. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and reduces material consumption compared to using multiple separate components. The merging achieves both functional requirements and reduced resource consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a meander spring, wherein the meander spring is stamped. The invention further relates to a meander spring manufactured in this way and to a solenoid valve with such a meander spring.