Spiral Spring Impact Damper for Tangential Force Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current damping devices for high energy impacts suffer from inefficiency in handling tangential impact forces and risk structural deformation or breakage, particularly when anchoring to structures.

Innovation Solution

A damping device comprising metallic plates with reinforcement bars and springs, designed to absorb both normal and tangential components of impact forces, ensuring structural integrity through a combination of reinforcement bars, auxiliary bars, and sealing shafts to prevent relative movement and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional damping devices are used for high energy impacts, then they can provide basic cushioning, but they suffer from structural deformation and breakage under tangential impact forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to impact forcesVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the impact resistance function into separate components: springs for normal force absorption and reinforcement bars for tangential force resistance. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in handling specific force components, preventing structural failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines different material properties by using elastic springs for energy absorption and rigid reinforcement bars for structural stability. This composite approach creates a system that can withstand both compressive and shear stresses without deformation or breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If damping devices absorb high energy impacts, then they protect structures, but they risk deformation of their own components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energyVSAvoidcomponent deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement bars are pre-positioned to provide structural support before impact occurs. This preliminary structural preparation prevents deformation during the actual impact event by maintaining geometric stability while the springs absorb energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the mechanical parameters of the system by introducing elements with different stiffness characteristics. The springs provide compliance for normal forces while the rigid bars maintain dimensional stability, allowing the structure to absorb energy without permanent deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If reinforcement structures are added to prevent deformation, then structural integrity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the cushioning function and structural support function into a single integrated assembly. The springs and reinforcement bars work together as a unified system, eliminating the need for separate cushioning and support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of springs and reinforcement bars creates a multi-functional component system that simultaneously handles normal impact forces, tangential forces, and structural stability requirements, reducing the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively absorbs and distributes impact forces, maintaining structural integrity and preventing deformation or breakage of both the device and the anchored structures, making it suitable for handling heavy loads in various sectors.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of springs (103) having a spiral profile placed between the first metallic plate (101) and the second metallic plate (102)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

configured to oppose against shear stresses acting on the second upper plane surface (102b) of the second metallic plate (102)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear stress resistance: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP3953607B1Damping device for high energy impacts
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 MASCALI ALFIO
  • EP3953607B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3953607B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3953607B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Damping device (100) for high energy impacts, comprising: - a first metallic plate (101) having a first lower plane surface (101a) able to be fixed to a structure to protect from high-energy impacts, and a first upper plane surface (101b); - a second metallic plate (102) overlapped to said first metallic plate (101), having a second lower plane surface (102a) and a second upper plane surface (102b); - a plurality of springs (103) having a spiral profile placed between the first metallic plate (101) and the second metallic plate (102); - a plurality of reinforcement bars (104) placed between the first metallic plate (101) and the second metallic plate (102). The damping device (100) comprises also a plurality of auxiliary bars (105) parallel to each other, said auxiliary bars (105) being fixed to the second lower plane surface (102a) and comprising a plurality of first seats (106).