Nested Canted Coil Springs for High Removal Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional canted coil springs have limitations in providing sufficient removal force and resistance to deflection, especially in applications requiring higher forces and compact designs, due to their single spring configuration and limited deflection range.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves nesting multiple canted coil springs together, with varying coil sizes, shapes, materials, and orientations, to increase the total spring force and resistance to deflection by leveraging the interference and frictional forces between the coils, thereby enhancing the removal force and deflection resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single canted coil spring is used, then the device complexity is low, but the removal force and resistance to deflection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one canted coil spring inside another canted coil spring, creating a compact nested spring assembly. The inner spring is positioned within the outer spring such that their coils interact through friction and interference, allowing both springs to contribute to the removal force while maintaining a space-efficient configuration.
2Strength
If a single canted coil spring is used, then the device structure is simple, but the resistance to deflection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple canted coil springs into a single integrated assembly where the inner and outer springs work together. The merging of these spring elements creates a composite structure that provides enhanced resistance to deflection through the combined elastic properties and frictional interactions between the nested springs.
3Force
If multiple canted coil springs are nested together, then the total spring force increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes nesting to arrange multiple canted coil springs in a compact configuration where the inner spring is positioned within the outer spring. This nesting approach allows the springs to be integrated in a space-efficient manner while their combined elastic and frictional forces provide enhanced total spring force for removal applications.
4Length of moving object
If the deflection range is limited, then the spring design is compact, but the working deflection range is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple canted coil springs in a nested arrangement where both the inner and outer springs can deflect independently and contribute to the overall working deflection range. This merging of spring elements effectively extends the total deflection capability beyond what a single spring could provide, while maintaining a compact overall structure.
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
This configuration effectively doubles the removal force and increases resistance to deflection, providing a more robust and compact spring assembly suitable for applications requiring higher performance, such as latching connectors and seals.
Implementation Method 1
leveraging the interference and frictional forces between the coils, thereby enhancing the removal force and deflection resistance
Implementation Method 2
The coils each comprises a major axis and a minor axis, wherein coil deflection only occurs along said minor axis and typically only along the preselected angle from a first canting position to a further or second canting position
Data Source
AI summary
A spring assembly having at least two canted coil spring lengths nested together are disclosed. Two sections of coils of a canted coil spring length can each be positioned between two adjacent coils of another canted coil spring. Each section of the coils of the canted coil spring length includes at least one coil and up to several coils or a plurality of coils. The canted coil spring lengths are nested together to increase the deflection force of the overall spring assembly. The spring assembly having two or more nested spring lengths can be used in connector applications.