Method and Apparatus for Simulating a Non-Linear Force
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic System Integration Inc.
InventorKenneth D. CLEVELAND
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Non-linear forces are simulated by a dual-rate spring apparatus, which may also be used to impose nonlinear forces. The apparatus includes a carriage and at least two springs arranged sequentially in series with one another. The spring constant is changed by initially allowing both of the springs to compress to a point and, thereafter, after one spring is generally completely compressed, allowing only the other spring to compress further.
Claims17
A method of generating a non-linear spring force with an apparatus comprising a base, a carriage and a plurality of springs arranged in series, the method comprising steps of:
- allowing at least two of the plurality of springs to compress during a first portion of a stroke of the carriage;
- and then
- allowing only one of the plurality of springs to compress during a second portion of the stroke, thereby changing the effective spring constant.
An apparatus for generating a non-linear spring force, said apparatus comprising
- a base,
- a carriage supported by the base so as to be linearly movable with respect to the base under application of an applied force,
- a spring arrangement for resisting the applied force, and the spring arrangement having a variable effective spring rate and comprising:
- a plurality of springs arranged in series, including a first spring disposed between first and second retainer elements, and a second spring being disposed between the second retainer element and a third retainer element,
- a least one of the first, the second and the third retainer elements having a recess therein defining a sufficiently deep recess for accommodating the spring and preventing coil binding from occurring when any one of the first, the second and the third retainer elements abut against a neighboring retainer element, and
- the springs and the retainer elements being selected so a first one of the springs is fully compressed before another of the plurality of springs is fully compressed.
An apparatus for generating a non-linear spring force, said apparatus comprising
- a base,
- a carriage supported by the base by at least one guide rod so that the carriage is linearly movable with respect to the base under application of an applied force,
- a spring arrangement for resisting the applied force, and the spring arrangement having a variable effective spring rate and comprising:
- at least first and second springs arranged in series and each concentrically surrounding the first guide rod, the first spring being disposed between first and second retainer elements, and the second spring being disposed between the second retainer element and a third retainer element,
- each of the first, the second and the third retainer elements having a recess formed therein for accommodating a portion of the spring, during compression, and preventing coil binding from occurring when either the first and the second retainer elements abut against one another or when the second and the third retainer elements abut against one another, and
- the first and the second springs and the retainer elements are selected so a first one of the first and the second springs is fully compressed before the other of the first and the second springs is fully compressed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.