Plastic Spring Ring Structure for Stable Compression Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic springs lack optimal force development and deformation characteristics, particularly in compression applications.
Innovation Solution
The design features pairs of consecutive intermediate rings with oppositely curved progression, wider intermediate rings relative to spring rings, and spring legs with widened transition regions, allowing for favorable force introduction and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional plastic springs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the force development and deformation characteristics are not optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple functional segments: spring rings (upper, lower, intermediate) and spring legs connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for force development while maintaining overall structural integrity and manufacturability through integral molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring legs are designed with curved geometries extending over more than 90 degrees in the circumferential direction, and intermediate rings feature wave-shaped curvatures with concave and convex regions. These curved designs optimize force distribution and deformation characteristics during compression while remaining compatible with injection molding processes.
2Force
If spring legs extend over more than 90 degrees circumferentially, then force introduction is improved, but the transition region becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transition portion between spring legs and spring rings is designed with locally increased width (30% or more wider than the central spring leg region). This local geometric modification concentrates strength where forces are introduced while keeping the rest of the spring leg geometry simpler for manufacturing.
3Force
If intermediate rings are made wider by 10 percent or more, then deformation characteristics are improved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The width of intermediate rings is increased by 10% or more compared to spring rings to optimize deformation characteristics and force distribution. This parameter change is carefully controlled to achieve the necessary mechanical performance while minimizing excess material usage in the overall spring design.
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
Enhances force development and plastic deformation performance, providing consistent force throughout compression and improved resilience.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic spring comprising a lower spring ring and an upper spring ring, which are arranged essentially coaxially to one another... the spring rings are connected to one another compressibly by means of spring legs
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic spring includes a lower spring ring and an upper spring ring, which are arranged essentially coaxially to one another, wherein a plane, which is in each case spanned by the spring rings, extends essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plastic spring, and wherein, in addition, the spring rings are connected to one another compressibly by spring legs, which extend over more than 90 degrees in the circumferential direction, wherein the spring legs run into the lower and/or upper spring ring in a transition portion, wherein a spring leg further has a central longitudinal axis, which follows the curved progression of the spring leg.