Variable-Spaced Coil Spring for Low-Friction Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coil springs for internal combustion engines and high-pressure pumps produce lateral forces during compression, leading to increased friction and wear, which can cause operational problems.
Innovation Solution
A coil spring design with a helical shape where the space between coils is varied along the axial direction, featuring regions with increased and reduced spaces to prevent the space between coils from becoming zero during compression, thereby suppressing lateral force production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the space between coils is reduced to increase elastic force, then the elastic force is improved, but lateral force is produced during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different space intervals between coils in different axial regions. The first axial region has a first space interval while the second axial region has a second space interval that is different from the first. This localized variation in coil spacing allows the spring to maintain appropriate clearance in regions where lateral force would otherwise cause coil contact, thereby preventing lateral force generation while preserving elastic force in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of coil spacing by defining at least two different space intervals between adjacent coils along the axial direction. By varying this parameter (space interval) across different axial regions, the spring achieves non-uniform coil distribution that prevents lateral force production during compression while maintaining required elastic performance.
2Force
If the number of active coils is increased to enhance elastic force, then the elastic force is improved, but the space between coils decreases leading to lateral force production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coil spring into different axial regions with locally optimized coil spacing. By having at least two different space intervals in different axial regions, the design allows tighter coil spacing in regions where it enhances elastic force while maintaining larger spacing in regions where it prevents lateral force and coil contact during compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the coil spring structure into distinct axial regions with different coil spacing characteristics. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region - some regions can have smaller space intervals for enhanced elastic force while other regions have larger space intervals to prevent lateral force generation during compression operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform space between coils is maintained, then manufacturing is simplified, but lateral force is produced during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by specifying different space intervals between coils in different axial regions. The first axial region has a first space interval while the second axial region has a second space interval, creating a non-uniform coil structure that prevents lateral force during compression while remaining manufacturable through controlled coiling processes.
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 design effectively prevents the production of lateral forces during compressional operations, reducing friction and wear, and maintaining the required elastic force, thus enhancing the operational reliability of the coil spring.
Implementation Method 1
This coil spring is a component intended to axially exert elastic force when axially compressed
Data Source
AI summary
In the coil spring of the present invention, a helical space defined by a space between coils has a first end region whose space is increased as it extends towards the other side in the axial direction from a first reference point where the space is zero, a reference region whose space is set at a reference value L (L>0), and a second end region whose space becomes narrow as it extends toward the other side in the axial direction and zero at a second reference point. The first end region has a first end outer part and a first end inner end. In a case where a pitch angle of the space between coils that causes the displacement of the space between coils per turn of the helical space to be L is a reference pitch angle Pa, the pitch angle in the first end outer part is set at Pa while the pitch angle in the first end inner part is set at Pb (Pb>Pa).