Stanchion Wire Coil Spring Axial Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of a wire coil spring in a stanchion for commercial vehicle bodies is challenging due to difficulties in centering and securing it properly, leading to improper installation and potential damage during compression.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating openings or recesses in the axial extension of the helix, allowing for easy screwing of the wire coil along its spring longitudinal axis, ensuring centering over its entire length and preventing snagging, with optional variations in pitch and design for enhanced stability and secure mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pin is used to center the wire coil from below, then the spring can be mounted, but the pin is of limited length and cannot center the spring over its entire effective length, resulting in improper centering and potential snagging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring assemblyVSAvoidspring centering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical centering (pin from below) to horizontal/axial centering by providing openings in the horizontal web at the location of the helical course. This allows the wire coil to be centered over its entire effective length in the axial direction, eliminating the limitation of short pins and preventing snagging during compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the wire coil is compressed, then the spring provides damping, but individual turns may get caught on the centering element if not perfectly centered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock impulse dampingVSAvoidspring compression reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces openings in the horizontal web as an intermediary structure that guides the wire coil axially. These openings act as mediators between the spring and the centering element, allowing the spring to be centered properly while preventing individual turns from getting caught during compression, thus ensuring reliable damping function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple screwing process is used to install the spring, then assembly is simplified and automated production is enabled, but the spring may become loose by itself if not secured properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring installationVSAvoidspring mounting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides openings in the horizontal web at the location of the helical course before assembly. This preliminary structural preparation allows the wire coil to be easily screwed into place axially while the openings themselves serve as built-in retention features that prevent the spring from becoming loose, combining simple assembly with secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates simple and reliable assembly of the wire coil spring, suitable for automated production, ensuring proper centering and preventing accidental unscrewing, while maintaining structural stability and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

the spring serves as a damping element, through the use of which the shock impulse associated with the uncontrolled falling of the stanchion is weakened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the stanchion hanging on the roller apparatus being vertically supported by at least one spring designed as a wire coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2604493B1Stake for a commercial vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.11.26 F HESTERBERG & SOHNE
  • EP2604493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2604493B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2604493B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The stanchion (3) has a roller device (20) arranged at an upper end of a longitudinally guided telescopic element (11) for horizontal guide of the stanchion along a rail (2a) arranged vertically in roof level of a vehicle body. The telescopic element with the stanchion is supported vertically via a wire coil (30), where ends of the coil rest on a bar (40) of the roller device and a transverse plate (13) of the telescopic element. The bar and the plate comprise an aperture (41) or recess for passing the coil, where axial extension of aperture/recess is larger than cross-section of the coil. USE : Stanchion for use in a vehicle body of a commercial vehicle. ADVANTAGE : The bar and the transverse plate comprise aperture or recess for passing wire coil, where axial extension of aperture/recess is larger than cross-section of coil, so that the arrangement and the deflection of the wire coil can be achieved in a reliable manner. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a perspective view of a stanchion comprising a roller device in an upper area. 2a : Rail 3 : Stanchion 11 : Longitudinally guided telescopic element 13 : Bar of telescopic element 20 : Roller device 30 : Wire coil 40 : Transverse plate 41 : Aperture.