Rotary Spring Operator Retaining Band for Safe Preload Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary spring-return operators pose safety risks due to inadvertent release of stored energy during disassembly and require adjustments that are cumbersome and often necessitate remaking linkages, especially when changing spring preload.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a retaining band to securely encapsulate the spring, allowing for safe disassembly and adjustment of spring preload through a multi-slot shaft that maintains the correct bolt pattern orientation, enabling incremental adjustments without remaking linkages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining band is incorporated to securely encapsulate the spring, then safety against hazardous release of stored energy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining band is nested within the spring assembly, encapsulating the spring in a contained manner. This nesting approach provides safety containment without requiring a completely separate external safety mechanism, thereby improving safety while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining band is implemented as a flexible band structure that can be integrated into the spring assembly. This flexible shell approach provides effective containment of the spring's stored energy while maintaining a relatively simple and compact device structure, resolving the contradiction between safety improvement and complexity increase.
2Ease of operation
If a multi-slot shaft is used to enable incremental adjustments of spring preload, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented into multiple slots that allow incremental adjustment of the spring preload. This segmentation enables operators to make precise, step-by-step adjustments by selecting different slot positions, significantly improving ease of operation. The segmented design is achieved through standard machining processes, keeping manufacturing complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-slot shaft provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the spring preload to be modified incrementally based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to different loading conditions without requiring complete disassembly or remanufacturing, improving ease of operation while using conventional manufacturing techniques.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring preload is adjusted in the field, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of inadvertent energy release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining band is pre-installed and engaged with the spring assembly before field adjustments are made. This preliminary protective measure prevents inadvertent energy release during adjustment operations by containing the spring within the band. The retaining band remains in place throughout the adjustment process, providing continuous protection while allowing controlled preload modification through the multi-slot shaft mechanism.
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 prevents hazardous release of stored energy, facilitates safe in-field adjustments of spring preload, and allows for easy reversal of the spring's rotational direction, enhancing safety and reducing the need for re-manufacturing linkages.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring interposed between and secured relative to said shaft and the interior of said housing
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary spring-return actuator operator is provided with a multi-slot shaft and a clock type spring retained by a retaining band which encircles the spring in such a manner as to insure that the potential energy within the spring is safely contained during all operations requiring disassembly of the actuator assembly, and wherein the retaining band facilitates the in-field reversal of the spring direction or the adjustment of the spring preload by securing the spring to one or more of the slots on the multi-slot shaft.