Spiral Guide Spring for Noise-Free Axial Seating Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprung seating devices face challenges in providing noise-free, frictionless, and cost-effective axial and lateral movement due to their complexity and propensity for wear, especially during frequent vertical adjustments in response to user posture changes.
Innovation Solution
A seating device mechanism utilizing two guide springs with spiral coiled portions and stabilizing bars, where the guide springs deform from a flat to a conical shape to facilitate axial movement, and a load spring counteracts axial movement, while elastomer-filled gaps enhance resilience and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanisms are used to provide axial and lateral movement of the seat, then the seating device can achieve the required movement functionality, but the device complexity increases and friction is generated causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The guide spring combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides axial movement guidance, lateral movement guidance, and spring support functionality simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate guide rails, bearings, and spring mechanisms that would traditionally be required, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving noise-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide spring serves multiple purposes: it acts as a guide for axial movement, a guide for lateral movement, and a spring element for supporting the seat. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts required while maintaining the necessary movement capabilities and noise-free operation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanisms are used to provide axial and lateral movement of the seat, then the seating device can achieve the required movement functionality, but the manufacturing cost increases due to multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
By combining guide and spring functions into a single guide spring component, the number of parts to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried is reduced. This simplification directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the required sprung movement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional guide spring reduces part count and assembly complexity, leading to lower manufacturing costs. A single component performing multiple functions eliminates the need for separate guide rails, bearings, and spring elements, simplifying both manufacturing processes and assembly operations.
3Productivity
If traditional mechanisms are used to provide axial and lateral movement of the seat, then the seating device can achieve the required movement functionality, but friction is generated causing wear over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical guidance systems with friction-prone contact (such as guide rails and bearings) with a spring-based guidance system. The guide spring uses elastic deformation to provide guidance forces, eliminating sliding or rolling friction between separate guide components and thereby reducing wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide spring acts as an intermediary element that transmits forces and provides guidance through elastic deformation rather than direct mechanical contact between rigid guide components. This intermediate spring mechanism reduces friction and wear by replacing rigid-body friction with elastic energy storage and release.
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 solution provides a quiet, durable, and cost-effective seating device with reduced friction and wear, enabling smooth axial and lateral movement without noise, suitable for frequent vertical adjustments and user posture changes.
Implementation Method 1
the guide springs deform from a flat spiral shape to a conical spiral shape with axial movement of the rod relative to the body
Implementation Method 2
Those gaps may be filled with an elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
A guide spring for a seating device has an inner portion, an outer portion, and a spiral coiled portion extending more than one convolution between the inner portion and the outer portion. The inner portion is firmly attached to a rod and the outer portion is firmly attached to a body. The guide spring thereby secures a radial position of the rod within the body, allowing the rod to move axially relative to the body when a load is placed onto the seating device. When in use, the guide spring deforms from a flat spiral shape to a conical spiral shape with axial movement of the rod relative to the body.