Spiral Spring Assembly With Dynamic Outer-End Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing spiral spring assemblies in reclining seats or window regulators face issues with impaired responsiveness due to uncontrolled lateral forces acting on the central shaft, which hinder smooth rotation and precise control, especially when the outer end is free relative to the pin.
Innovation Solution
A spiral spring assembly design that includes a central shaft, a spiral spring with an outer and inner end, and fixing members that allow for controlled torque transmission and load management, enabling suppression of lateral forces by adjusting the loads generated in the outer and inner ends, thereby enhancing rotational smoothness and responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outer end of the spiral spring is simply hooked onto the pin allowing free rotation, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but lateral force is generated in the central shaft impeding smooth rotation and deteriorating responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The outer end fixing member is designed to dynamically change its constraint state on the spiral spring's outer end. In the first state (e.g., during forward tilting), it allows free rotation to maintain simplicity. In the second state (e.g., during rearward tilting), it constrains the outer end to suppress lateral force on the central shaft. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism changes the parameter of rotational freedom for the spiral spring's outer end based on operational state. By transitioning between constrained and unconstrained states, the system optimizes both ease of manufacture (when unconstrained) and responsiveness (when constrained), eliminating the need for complex permanent constraints.
2Ease of operation
If the outer end is fixed to constrain rotation and suppress lateral force, then responsiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than implementing a permanently complex fixing mechanism, the invention uses a dynamic system that switches between constrained and free states. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining responsiveness when needed, as the constraint is only active during specific operational phases rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer end fixing member operates periodically, switching between constrained and unconstrained states based on the operational cycle of the spiral spring assembly. This periodic action provides responsiveness during critical phases while avoiding continuous complexity, thereby improving responsiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If lateral force is suppressed by adjusting pin position, then responsiveness improves, but precise control of load becomes difficult when outer end is free
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions from a state where load control is difficult (outer end free) to a state where lateral force is suppressed (outer end constrained). This dynamic switching allows the system to achieve precise load control and responsiveness when needed without permanently complicating the structure, as the precision is activated only during specific operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer end fixing member is pre-configured to provide precise load control and lateral force suppression when activated. By preparing the constraint mechanism in advance and activating it at appropriate moments, the system achieves precise responsiveness without continuously maintaining complex control mechanisms, thereby improving load control precision when required.
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 spiral spring assembly effectively suppresses lateral forces on the central shaft, improving the responsiveness of the reclining mechanism by controlling the magnitude and direction of loads, ensuring smooth operation and precise control of the reclining motion.
Implementation Method 1
the non-contact spiral spring 901 tightens. This tightening causes elastic energy to accumulate in the non-contact spiral spring 901. The elastic energy is used as biasing energy when the seat back is tilted forward.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral spring assembly that is capable of suppressing lateral force generated in a central shaft.A spiral spring assembly 1 includes a central shaft 2; a spiral spring 3 that is disposed on the periphery of the central shaft 2 and includes an outer end 3a, an inner end 3b, and a spiral portion 3c that connects the outer end 3a and the inner end 3b in a spiral form; an inner end fixing member 4 to which the inner end 3b is fixed so as to be capable of transmitting torque; and an outer end fixing member 5 to which the outer end 3a is fixed, and which is capable of moving relative to the inner end fixing member 4 within a predetermined section extending from a first state to a second state. The outer end 3a is fixed to the outer end fixing member 5 so as to be capable of transmitting torque and suppressing a lateral force that is generated in the central shaft 2 in a predetermined state within the predetermined section.