Variable-Spaced Coil Spring Geometry for Lower Lateral Force
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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 due to sliding resistance.
Innovation Solution
A coil spring design with a helical shape featuring distinct regions: a first end region with increased space between coils, a reference region with a set space value L, and a second end region with reduced space, along with transitional regions to maintain space and prevent zero spacing during compression, ensuring the number of active coils remains constant and reducing lateral force production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the coil spring is compressed axially, then elastic force is generated in the axial direction, but lateral force is also produced perpendicular to the axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spatial configurations in different parts of the coil spring. Specifically, the space between adjacent coils is designed to be non-uniform along the helical direction, with varying distances at different angular positions. This local variation in geometric quality allows the spring to generate elastic force in the axial direction while minimizing lateral force components through careful control of the helical geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the helical structure. The distance between adjacent coils is varied as a function of angular position around the helix, creating a non-uniform pitch distribution. This parameter variation allows optimization of the force characteristics, generating axial elastic force while suppressing lateral force components through mathematical control of the helical geometry.
2Force
If lateral force is produced during compression, then the coil spring exerts pressing force, but frictional force increases between the plunger and guide surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spatial configurations in different parts of the coil spring. Specifically, the space between adjacent coils is designed to be non-uniform along the helical direction, with varying distances at different angular positions. This local variation in geometric quality allows the spring to generate elastic force in the axial direction while minimizing lateral force components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the helical structure. The distance between adjacent coils is varied as a function of angular position around the helix, creating a non-uniform pitch distribution. This parameter variation allows optimization of the force characteristics, generating axial elastic force while suppressing lateral force components.
3Force
If frictional force increases due to lateral force, then pressing force is maintained, but wear and frictional heat increase leading to operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spatial configurations in different parts of the coil spring. Specifically, the space between adjacent coils is designed to be non-uniform along the helical direction, with varying distances at different angular positions. This local variation in geometric quality allows the spring to generate elastic force in the axial direction while minimizing lateral force components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the helical structure. The distance between adjacent coils is varied as a function of angular position around the helix, creating a non-uniform pitch distribution. This parameter variation allows optimization of the force characteristics, generating axial elastic force while suppressing lateral force components.
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 suppresses lateral force production during compressional operations, preventing wear and frictional issues by maintaining space between coils and ensuring the number of active coils does not change, 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 is configured such that the number of turns of the helical space is greater than 1 and the space between coils in a terminal position is greater than the reference value L. The helical space has a first transitional region between the terminal position of the first end region and the reference region, the first transitional region being configured so that the distance of space between coils is reduced from the terminal position of the first end region along the helical shape of the helical space toward the other side in the axial direction and becomes the reference value L.