Open coil spring assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional open coil spring assemblies suffer from excessive motion transfer due to rigid helical wire lacing, which reduces conformity and independence of coil springs, unlike pocketed coil spring assemblies, which are more expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastic lacing or alternative connecting methods, such as shock cord or discrete flexible bands, to join open coil springs, allowing for greater independence and reduced motion transfer, similar to pocketed coil spring assemblies, while maintaining the economic advantages of open coil springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid helical wire lacing is used to join open coil springs, then structural stability and ease of manufacture are improved, but motion transfer between springs increases and conformity to user's body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the lacing material from rigid to elastic. The elastic lacing material allows individual coil springs to move independently while maintaining connection, thereby reducing motion transfer between springs while preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining elastic lacing material with the traditional open coil spring assembly. This composite approach allows the elastic material to provide independent spring movement while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid helical wire lacing is used to join open coil springs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but conformity with user's body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the lacing from rigid to elastic, allowing the spring assembly to conform to the user's body contours while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple elastic material attachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If elastic lacing is used to join open coil springs, then conformity and independence of springs are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves improved conformity by changing the material parameter to elastic lacing, while the simplicity of the elastic material attachment process keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If elastic lacing is used to join open coil springs, then motion transfer between springs is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces motion transfer by changing to elastic lacing material. The cost increase is offset by maintaining the simpler open coil spring construction compared to more complex pocketed coil alternatives.
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 elastic lacing or connections enable each open coil spring to move more independently, reducing bounce and motion transfer, and improving conformity with a user's body, while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of open coil spring assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic lacing extending between pairs of adjacent rows of the plurality of rows of open coil springs
Data Source
AI summary
Present embodiments provide various open coil spring assemblies which perform like an encased spring assembly. The embodiments have elastic lacings or connections which connect springs to springs or springs to lacings. Various spring embodiments are provided as well as various arrangements for the elastic lacings. All of these features improve compliance and stability while reducing motion transfer.