Stackable Belleville Spring Asymmetry Prevents Friction Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Disc spring stacks face premature failure due to friction wear when stacked in parallel, as adjacent surfaces rub against each other under axial load, leading to increased friction and hysteresis.
Innovation Solution
The design of conically shaped disc springs with specific radial portions and intermediate deflection features allows for parallel stacking with maintained space between adjacent surfaces, preventing friction and hysteresis by ensuring that intermediate portions do not touch each other even under axial load, and optionally using spacers at connection points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If disc springs are stacked in parallel to achieve variable spring characteristics, then the load capacity and deflection capability are improved, but friction wear between adjacent surfaces increases causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The disc spring is segmented into distinct radial portions (inner, intermediate, outer) with different geometric characteristics. Each portion serves a specific function: the inner portion provides structural support, the intermediate portion deflects under load, and the outer portion maintains spacing. This segmentation allows the spring to achieve parallel stacking capability while preventing friction wear between adjacent springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The disc spring employs asymmetric geometry with upwardly-extending portions at the outer radius and downwardly-depending portions at the inner radius. When stacked in parallel, these asymmetric features create natural spacing between adjacent springs, preventing surface contact and friction wear while maintaining load-bearing capability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If disc springs are stacked in parallel to increase deflection capability, then the variable spring characteristics are achieved, but friction wear between adjacent intermediate surfaces increases causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design with upwardly-extending outer portions and downwardly-depending inner portions creates a self-spacing mechanism. When multiple springs are stacked in parallel, the upwardly-extending portions of one spring engage with the downwardly-depending portions of adjacent springs, maintaining consistent spacing and preventing friction wear on the intermediate deflecting surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the friction wear problem by introducing a vertical dimension solution to a horizontal contact problem. Instead of trying to prevent horizontal contact between intermediate surfaces, the upwardly-extending and downwardly-depending portions create vertical engagement that maintains spacing, effectively eliminating friction wear on the deflecting surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If disc springs are stacked in parallel to achieve variable spring characteristics, then the spring performance is improved, but hysteresis increases due to friction between adjacent surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the disc spring into functional radial portions with distinct geometric features, the invention enables parallel stacking while eliminating surface contact. The upwardly-extending and downwardly-depending portions create a configuration where adjacent springs deflect independently without friction, reducing hysteresis while maintaining variable spring characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to reduce friction by making surfaces smoother or using lubricants, the invention inverts the approach by designing the geometry to prevent contact entirely. The upwardly-extending and downwardly-depending portions create a configuration where frictionless operation is achieved through spatial separation rather than surface treatment.
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
This configuration significantly reduces premature failure of disc spring stacks by preventing friction wear and allowing increased deflection and load distribution, enhancing the durability and performance of disc spring configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The first intermediate portion which deflects under axial load between the first radial outer portion and the first radial inner portion
Data Source
AI summary
Disc springs that are resistant to premature failure caused by friction wear, disc spring assemblies and disc spring stacks including the disc springs, and methods of making and using said assemblies and stacks are disclosed.