US 2012/0073884 A1 · SINE WAVE SPRING

Abstract

A spring is formed of a relatively thin sheet of spring material which is constricted and held in place at each end forming a bell curve being located between two substantially planar members. As additional compressive force is applied in the vertical direction, the curve then compresses and starts to form sine waves. The greater the force, progressively higher the wave frequency with lower amplitude would form. When the force is removed, the flexible material returns to its original shape. The force needed to shift the curve (increase the number of waveform) increases at an exponential rate, as opposed to the linear rate of most normal springs. The maintenance force of new stable state is considerable less than the threshold force. Such a relatively flat spring with an exponential spring rate and self dampening through phase change has a number of useful applications for automotive and industrial use.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A spring assembly comprising at least one sine wave spring, each of the at least one sine wave springs comprising:

a lower platen having first and second spring stops located at a predetermined distance apart on the face thereof;
a flat flexible spring material having a length greater than the predetermined distance between the first and second spring stops, the flat flexible material placed on the lower platen between the first and second spring stops in such a manner than the spring material forms at least one bowed portion extending away from the lower platen, when the flat flexible spring material is placed on the first and second spring stops;
and
an upper platen, placed atop the flat flexible spring material and in contact with the at least one bowed portion of the flat flexible spring material, such that, as the upper platen is brought toward the lower platen, the flat flexible spring material forms additional bowed portions in response to force applied between the lower platen and upper platen.

1 more element

A sine wave spring comprising:

a first platen having first and second spring stops located at a predetermined distance apart on the face thereof;
a flat flexible spring material having a length greater than the predetermined distance between the first and second spring stops, the flat flexible material placed on the first platen between the first and second spring stops in such a manner than the spring material forms at least one bowed portion extending away from the first platen, when the flat flexible spring material is placed on the first and second spring stops;
and
a second platen, placed atop the flat flexible spring material and in contact with the at least one bowed portion of the flat flexible spring material, such that, as the second platen is brought toward the lower platen, the flat flexible spring material forms an increasing number of sine-wave shaped portions as sine-waves shaped nodes in response to force applied between the first platen and the second platen.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sine wave spring

Life of this patent

Sine wave spring

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20