Nested Coil Spring Structure for Higher Force in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional springs are limited by their ability to store a relatively small amount of mechanical force relative to their size, and often require multiple springs for desired strength, while space constraints may only allow for one spring, necessitating larger and/or longer springs than feasible.
Innovation Solution
A coil spring design featuring multiple external coils defining an inner lumen, with a first internal coil partially extending into this lumen, made from a single continuous spring wire, allowing for contact between adjacent external coils and the internal coil, and configured as either a tension or compression spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional springs are used, then the spring can provide basic elastic function, but the mechanical force storage capacity is limited relative to the spring size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing an internal coil inside the outer coil, creating a nested structure where one spring is contained within another. This allows the spring assembly to store more mechanical force within a compact volume, directly resolving the contradiction between force storage capacity and spring size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional spring structure to a multi-dimensional nested configuration. By adding the internal coil dimension within the outer coil's volume, the spring achieves enhanced force storage capacity without proportionally increasing overall size, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space.
2Strength
If multiple springs are used to achieve desired strength, then the mechanical force capacity increases, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spring functions into a single integrated assembly by combining an outer coil and an internal coil into one unit. This merged structure provides the mechanical force capacity of multiple springs while occupying the space of essentially one spring, directly addressing the contradiction between force capacity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By nesting the internal coil within the outer coil, the patent enables multiple spring elements to coexist within the footprint of a single spring, thereby achieving enhanced mechanical force capacity without proportionally increasing the occupied space.
3Strength
If a larger and/or longer spring is used to get desired strength, then the mechanical force capacity increases, but the spring cannot fit into the application space
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration allows the spring assembly to achieve enhanced mechanical force capacity while maintaining a compact overall length. The internal coil utilizes the internal volume of the outer coil, preventing the need to increase external dimensions to accommodate additional spring elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the length constraint by utilizing the internal dimensional space of the outer coil. Instead of extending the spring length externally, the internal coil is positioned within the existing external boundaries, effectively adding capacity in an internal dimension rather than increasing external length.
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 advanced spring design provides enhanced mechanical force storage capacity within a compact size, enabling effective use in applications like orthodontics and machinery without the need for multiple springs, and maintains elasticity over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
a spring comprises an elastic material that is configured to store mechanical energy when the spring is stretched, compressed, twisted, deflected, or otherwise caused to change its configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An advanced (or supercoil) spring is disclosed herein. While the advanced spring can include any suitable feature, in some cases, it includes a coil spring having multiple external coils that define a portion of an inner lumen of the coil spring. In some such case, the coil spring further includes a first internal coil that extends at least partially into the inner lumen of the coil spring. In some cases, the external coils and the first internal coil are each made of, and comprise part of, one single continuous spring wire. In some cases, the coil spring includes a tension spring such that surfaces of adjacent external coils contact each other, and such that the first internal coil is disposed within a portion of the inner lumen defined by the adjacent external coils, when the coil spring is at rest. Additional implementations are discussed herein.