Spring Clip With Contoured Edges For Vibration Dampening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow regulators experience operational integrity issues due to vibrations caused by high and low frequency resonance, which are not adequately addressed by existing vibration dampening solutions, particularly in the assembly process of spring clips.
Innovation Solution
A spring clip design with a body plate and opposing arm plates featuring contoured edges facilitates easier assembly and maintains contact with the load spring at multiple points to dampen vibrations, comprising a U-shaped or L-shaped configuration with inwardly curved or chamfered edges to reduce resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional U-shaped spring clip is used to dampen vibrations, then vibration dampening is achieved, but assembly becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is pre-formed with an openable configuration that allows the arm plates to be easily separated before assembly. This preliminary preparation enables quick installation onto the load spring without requiring tedious manual manipulation, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining vibration dampening capability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip transitions from a closed configuration to an openable configuration during assembly, and then to a closed configuration during operation. This dynamic state change allows the clip to be easily installed while maintaining its vibration dampening function when closed, resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and vibration control
2Ease of manufacture
If manual manipulation is required to spread arm plates apart for assembly, then the spring clip can be assembled, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The arm plates are pre-configured in an openable state that allows them to be easily separated and repositioned during assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for tedious manual manipulation to spread the arm plates apart, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining proper assembly capability
3Reliability
If the spring clip contacts the load spring at multiple points, then vibration dampening is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip features localized contact points on the arm plates that are strategically positioned to contact the load spring at multiple locations. This local quality approach allows effective vibration dampening through multiple contact points while keeping the overall design simple and the manufacturing process straightforward
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 improved spring clip design simplifies assembly, effectively reduces and eliminates resonance, enhancing the operational integrity of fluid flow control devices by maintaining contact with the load spring and dampening vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The spring clip contacts the load spring at a plurality of points to dampen vibrations during operation of the fluid flow control device
Data Source
AI summary
A control assembly for a fluid flow control device includes a control element, a load spring, and a spring clip. The control element can be movably disposed for controlling fluid flow, and the load spring biases the control element into a predetermined position. The spring clip contacts the load spring at a plurality of points to dampen vibrations experienced by the load spring, thereby reducing and./or eliminating resonance. The spring clip includes a body plate and first and second opposing arm plates extending away from the body plate. Each arm plate includes a proximal end adjacent the body plate, a distal end spaced away from the body plate, and a finger extending upwardly away from the distal end. A corner at an intersection between the finger and the distal end includes a contoured edge for facilitating attachment of the load spring to the spring clip.