GB2511127A

GB2511127A - Polymer compression spring

Info

Publication number: GB2511127A
Application number: GB201303368A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Antony Horne; Sean O'malley
Original assignee: CARING DESIGNS Ltd
Current assignee: CARING DESIGNS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-26
Filing date: 2013-02-26
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Also published as: GB201303368D0

Abstract

A polymer compression spring with the ability to deflect under a known load, consequently, creating a resistive force which induces movement between two relatively pivotable members is provided. The polymer compression spring comprises a connecting planar surface 1 on one half, statically linked to the first member via static fixing location holes 2. The opposing planar surface 1 of the polymer compression spring has controlling bosses 3 that force and control the movement of the second member relative to the first member. The polymer compression spring substrate is made from a plastic material exhibiting high polymeric chain resistance under compression. A variation in the polymer compression spring wall thickness 4 will produce a directly related variation in the force obtained.

Description

Springs have established characteristics for, in the main, providing resistive force against both torsional and linear motion. Polymer springs can be torsional or compression. Typical torsion springs have been made by concentrically positioning cylindrical sleeves of metal of different diameters and securing a resilient material, such as an elastomer, there between. The inner sleeve is secured to a first element which is to be resiliently carried for torsional movement and the outer cylindrical sleeve is secured to another or second element such as a housing and with respect to which the first element has relative torsional movement. This type of torsion spring is known as an elastomeric torsion spring.

Most torsion springs rotate around a central axis as seen in US0053882007A and US006241224B1, both torsion spring types use an elastic member made from an elastic compound such as rubber.

Polymer compression springs generally are manufactured using a rubber or elastomer substrate, as an example in USD04189037 shows a co-polyester block which simply compresses and acts as a cushion. When decompressed the co-polyester block returns to its original shape. Polymer springs made from an elastic compound, such as rubber, for resisting compressing forces, as shown in U8201 1021 0491A1; under compression they simply flatten, when the compression force is removed the elastic compound returns to its original shape. Generally these types of polymer spring are used as shock absorbeis.

Other polymer based springs can be seen as torsion rods made of fibre reinforced plastic, cted in DEl 0201 0049565A1 typically used to limit vehicle suspension movement during cornering. The torsion rods are not used to initiate movement, rather a control of a twisting movement.

Also using fibre reinforced plastics as a spring is W02D12121181A1 describing a laminate type structure with differing orientated fibre layers. Due to the differing layers, a laminate type of spring would suit the injection moulding process.

The polymer spring proposed in W09621 111 has a principle tongue which when compressed contacts sub-tongues to control the levels of resistance; this polymer spring does not repel, it simply has resistance control mechanisms Chair torsion springs for softening seat back movement are of the metal coiled type. As described in US003601444 the coiled torsion spring is limited to simply provide a resistance as a person leans back in the seat, it is not capable of pushing the person upright.

Figure 1 illustrates the polymer compression spring (1) in the reduced compression state.

The polymer compression spring (1) has pilot holes (2) for static fixing arrangement to a member or surface. On the distal end from the pilot holes (2) the control bosses (3) extend from the polymei compression spling (1) to allow an interactive relationship with a second member.

Figure 2 illustrates the polymer compression spring (1) in the fully compressed state.

When the polymer compression spring is deflected, the polymeric chains are stretched. The stretched chains will possess greater elastic energy as a result of the deflection and will seek to release the aforementioned energy by returning to their un-deflected state.

Detailed description of drawings Fig 1

Illustrates the polymer compression spring (1) in the non-compressed state. Fig 2

Illustrates the polymer compression spring (1) in the fully compressed state.

Claims

1. A polymer compression spring (1) with two planar surfaces connected together at an acute angle such that when one planar surface is deflected in a given direction an opposing resistive force is created.

2. According to claim 1, the force created by the deflection of one planar surface will cause movement between two relatively pilotable members controlled by bosses (3).

3. According to claim 1 and 2, the polymer material will be such that its polymetric chain memory allows energy to be created under compression and said energy is then removed after release.

4. According to claim 4, the polymer compression spring's wall thickness (4) is directly related to the amount of energy created, consequently the amount of energy released and force produced.

5. According to claim 1, provision for static fixing location holes.