Plastic Spring Element With Air-Permeable Ring Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic spring elements have limited flexibility and air permeability, with limited variability in design and functionality, primarily due to their lens-shaped cross sections and lack of air circulation pathways.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates wavy material webs with recesses extending through the central longitudinal axis, allowing for elastic and flexible ring-shaped functional surfaces, enabling adjustable spring modules, improved air circulation, and material savings by allowing thinner functional surfaces and variable buffer insertion for customized spring rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If lens-shaped cross sections with side folds are used, then spring components are formed, but air permeability in the direction of the central longitudinal axis is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is divided into multiple lens-shaped partial spring elements arranged side by side, with recesses created between them. This segmentation allows air to pass through the central longitudinal axis while maintaining the spring function of each individual lens-shaped section.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure incorporates recesses that create porous pathways through the spring element. These recesses form channels allowing air permeability in the central longitudinal axis direction while the lens-shaped cross sections maintain their spring properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed proportions and material selection are used, then production is simplified, but flexibility in use and variability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element design incorporates recesses that can accommodate different types and configurations of buffers, allowing the same basic structure to serve multiple functions and applications. The recesses enable the spring element to be adapted for various support requirements by simply changing the buffer characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling web includes a movement fold that allows the structure to adapt dynamically to different load conditions. This dynamic feature enables the spring element to adjust its configuration based on the inserted buffer and applied loads, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed designs.
3Length of moving object
If functional surfaces are designed to be elastic and flexible, then they can be made thinner, but bearing surfaces require considerable thickness for rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element has different thicknesses in different regions: the functional surfaces are made thinner to allow elasticity and flexibility, while the bearing surfaces maintain considerable thickness for rigidity. This local differentiation of thickness optimizes both the elastic function and the load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavy configuration of the material webs creates a three-dimensional structure where the bearing surfaces extend in multiple directions. This dimensional approach allows the bearing surfaces to achieve rigidity through their extended geometry rather than relying solely on thickness.
4Loss of substance
If material is reduced for savings, then cost decreases, but structural integrity and spring properties may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lens-shaped cross sections and wavy material web configurations utilize curved geometries that provide high structural strength with minimal material. The curved surfaces and wave-like structures distribute stresses efficiently, maintaining spring properties while reducing overall material consumption compared to straight or flat configurations.
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 enhances the versatility and air exchange of plastic spring elements, enabling their use in various furniture applications, such as seating or reclining furniture, with adjustable stiffness and support properties, and facilitates the creation of customizable spring mats with optimal air and moisture exchange.
Implementation Method 1
The functional surfaces are elastic and flexible in the shape of a ring
Implementation Method 2
have a recess extending through the entire component to its central longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A plastic spring element with an upper and a lower functional surface (2) and with a spring element integrally formed therebetween and made of two webs of material (3) extending from the functional surfaces (2) and extending in opposite directions in a wave-like manner towards one another, whose inner sides facing inwards over are connected to each other by a coupling web (4) and the outward-facing outer sides of which are at least partially provided with mouth-shaped inward-facing folds (5), which allows an expanded purpose and variable use and enables improved air circulation, which is thereby achieved that a functional surface (2) is elastic and flexible in the form of a ring and the plastic spring element (1) has a recess (7) that extends to its central longitudinal axis (6) through the entire component.