Rotatable Spring Anchor Prevents Tension Adjustment Twist

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tension spring anchors cause the spring to twist when adjusting tension, potentially deviating from its normal longitudinal axis, which is not addressed by prior devices.

Innovation Solution

A swivel anchor design featuring a rotatable head mounted to a threaded cylindrical main body, allowing the head and spring to remain stationary while the main body is rotated to adjust tension, preventing twisting by using a set screw and adhesive to secure the head in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the anchor is rotated to adjust spring tension, then the spring tension can be increased or decreased, but the spring twists and deviates from its normal longitudinal axis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring tension adjustmentVSAvoidspring alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is divided into two independent rotatable components: the head assembly (containing the spring attachment) and the cylindrical body. This segmentation allows one part to rotate while the other remains stationary, enabling tension adjustment without spring twisting. The head can rotate independently on the cylindrical body, or vice versa, depending on which component is fixed to the mounting surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic rotational capability to the anchor structure, allowing the head and body to rotate relative to each other. This dynamic feature enables the spring attachment point to remain stationary in orientation while the adjustment mechanism rotates, or allows controlled rotation that maintains spring alignment throughout the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a threaded cylinder is used to adjust spring tension, then the tension can be controlled, but the spring twists during adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetension controlVSAvoidspring twisting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable head acts as an intermediary between the spring and the threaded cylinder. It transfers the rotational adjustment motion from the cylinder into linear tension adjustment of the spring, while the head's independent rotation capability ensures the spring itself does not twist during this transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the spring attachment (in the rotatable head) from the adjustment mechanism (threaded cylinder), the invention allows the cylinder to rotate for adjustment while the head maintains spring alignment, preventing the harmful twisting effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the head is fixed to the cylindrical body, then the structure is simple, but rotation causes spring twisting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor structureVSAvoidspring orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a fixed connection, the head is mounted to rotate on the cylindrical body. This dynamic mounting allows the head to remain stationary in orientation while the body rotates for adjustment, or allows coordinated rotation that maintains spring alignment, preventing twisting while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables tension adjustment in springs without twisting, maintaining the spring's alignment and providing two methods for adjustment using a wrench or hex key, suitable for various materials and thread sizes.

Implementation Method 1

A rotatable head is mounted to a threaded cylinder with the head, in turn, connection to one end of the tension spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

using a set screw and adhesive to secure the head in place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

A threaded cylinder is attached to one end of the spring with the threaded cylinder being rotatably mounted to an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Implementation Method 4

rotation of the threaded cylinder results in stretching or compressing the tension spring thereby controlling the spring tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 5

Tension springs are used in a variety of products including machinery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 6

one end of the helical spring is attached to a particular machine member that is movable whereas the opposite end of the spring is attached to a stationary object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS8136801B2Adjustable tension spring anchor with rotatable head

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 ACCURATE MFGD PRODS GROUP

AI summary

An adjustable tension spring anchor with rotatable head. A flanged head is rotatably mounted to a threaded cylinder mounted to a first element. The rotatable head is connectable to one end of a tension spring having its opposite end attached to a second element. A pair of mutually opposed flat surfaces on the cylinder and a socket at the end of the cylinder allows the cylinder to be rotated to adjust tension without twisting of the attached spring.