Radial Spring Arm Structure for Higher Bending Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spring elements with radially guided spring arms lack sufficient stability and rigidity, particularly in the region of their bending, which affects their overall performance.

Innovation Solution

Adjacent spring arms are designed in one piece, with a large distance between them at the bending area, and engage with the support plate at multiple, evenly spaced points to enhance stability and rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If spring arms are designed as separate individual components, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but stability and rigidity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Adjacent spring arms are merged into a single piece in sections, particularly in the region adjoining the base plate. This merging increases stability and rigidity by creating a more robust structural unit, while the one-piece design eliminates the need for additional joints or connections between adjacent arms, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If spring arms are positioned close together, then the structure is more compact, but lever arm length and stiffness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestiffnessVSAvoidstructural footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring arms are positioned close together in the region adjoining the base plate, optimizing space utilization. However, in the bending region, the arms are spaced farther apart to provide a larger lever arm and increased stiffness. This local variation in spacing allows the structure to be both compact and stiff where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If spring arms engage the support plate at fewer points, then the structure is simpler, but rigidity and force distribution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between spring arms and support plate is segmented into multiple engagement points, with each spring arm connecting at least at two points. This segmentation distributes forces more evenly across the structure, increasing rigidity and load-bearing capacity, while the repetitive pattern of multiple connection points simplifies the overall design and manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 increases the stability and stiffness of the spring element by providing a larger lever arm and improved distribution of force, resulting in a more robust structure.

Implementation Method 1

The invention relates to a spring element with a base plate and spring arms... which are angled towards one another in pairs at their ends pointing away from the base plate and jointly carry a support plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1881225B1Spring element
Publication Date: 2010.12.22 DIEMER & DR JASPERT GBR
  • EP1881225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The spring unit has a base plate (1), and spring arms (2) guided radially outwardly from the base plate. The spring arms are bent on top of each other at its ends pointing away from the base plate. The spring arms carry a support plate (4) in such a manner that the arms, the base plate and the support plate are not overlapped in a spring direction. The adjacent pairs of spring arms are connected with each other in a section, which is connected directly to the base plate, as a single piece.