WO1999061825A1 - Inverting spring assembly - Google Patents
Inverting spring assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999061825A1 WO1999061825A1 PCT/US1999/011533 US9911533W WO9961825A1 WO 1999061825 A1 WO1999061825 A1 WO 1999061825A1 US 9911533 W US9911533 W US 9911533W WO 9961825 A1 WO9961825 A1 WO 9961825A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- support member
- channel
- pinch
- actuator
- support
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K7/00—Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage ; Pinch valves
- F16K7/02—Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage ; Pinch valves with tubular diaphragm
- F16K7/04—Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage ; Pinch valves with tubular diaphragm constrictable by external radial force
- F16K7/06—Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage ; Pinch valves with tubular diaphragm constrictable by external radial force by means of a screw-spindle, cam, or other mechanical means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F1/00—Springs
- F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
- F16F1/18—Leaf springs
- F16F1/22—Leaf springs with means for modifying the spring characteristic
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F2228/00—Functional characteristics, e.g. variability, frequency-dependence
- F16F2228/06—Stiffness
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a spring mechanism. More specifically, the invention also relates to the use of a spring mechamsm and actuator in a finished product including, but not limited to, a pinch valve assembly, manual operated fluid control valves, solenoid operated control valves, acceleration sensors, electrical switches, and snap action latching mechanisms.
- Compression-type springs are known in the art. However, compression-type springs by their design are limited to resisting an external force from one specific direction and are limited to a specific amount of compression distance. The application of an external force on a compression spring causes it to compress between the external force and the structure to which the spring is attached. There is a maximum distance that a compression spring can safely be compressed without damaging the spring. The single direction of resistance and the possibility of damage to the compression spring are significant limitations for many applications.
- an inverting spring assembly includes a housing, a metal strip, and an actuator.
- the housing has a first support, a second support opposite the first support, a third support, and a fourth support opposite the third support.
- the first and second supports are at a distance Y from one another.
- the metal strip is supported by the first support and second support and is longer than the distance Y.
- the actuator applies force to the metal strip in a first direction and a second direction causing the metal strip to be movable from a first position and a second position.
- an inverting spring in another aspect of the invention, includes a first support, a second support, a resilient member and an actuator means.
- the first support and second support are a distance Y apart from one another.
- the resiUent member has a length greater than Y.
- One end of the resilient member is supported by the first support and the second end of the resilient member is supported by the second support.
- the actuator is in contact with the resilient member for applying force to the resilient member thereby allowing the resilient member to be movable between a first position and a second position using the actuator.
- a pinch valve assembly in another aspect of the invention, includes a housing, a pinch member, and an actuator.
- the pinch member is slidably disposed of within the housing and moves between an extended and a retracted position.
- the pinch member is biased into the extended position and the retracted position.
- the actuator is interconnected with the pinch member such that the actuator biases the pinch member from an extended position engaging a soft wall tube to a retracted position disengaging the soft wall tube.
- Fig. 1 is a partial fragmentary front elevational view with the third support member removed;
- Fig. 2 is a partial fragmentary front elevational view with the third support member removed showing the resiUent member in the second/closed position;
- Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the inverting spring assembly
- Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the inverting spring assembly in a rocker-type switch mechanism in an open state
- Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rocker switch in the closed position
- Fig. 6 is an alternate embodiment of the inverting spring assembly showing solenoids supplying force to the resiUent member
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an acceleration switch in the open position employing the inverting spring assembly.
- the inverting spring assembly of the present invention generally includes a first support member and a second support member spaced apart a distance Y, where Y is any length; a resilient member of a length X, where X is greater than Y; and at least one actuator to supply force to the resilient member.
- the resilient member is supported between the first support member and the second support member creating an arch in the resilient member.
- the inverting spring can be incorporated into an inverting spring assembly in which the inverting spring is encased in a housing.
- the inverting spring assembly will, hereafter, predominantly be described as used in a pinch valve context, however, as described below and as will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the assembly is not limited to use as a pinch valve.
- Fig. 1 shows the inverting spring assembly 10 in a pinch valve mechanism.
- the inverting spring assembly includes a resilient member 12, a lever actuator 14, a first support member 16, a second support member 18, a third support member 20, and a fourth support member 22.
- the resilient member has a length X and is supported at opposite ends by first support member 16 and second support member 18.
- the first support member and second support member are spaced a distance Y apart from one another where X is greater in length than Y such that resilient member 12 forms an arch. The greater the difference between X and Y results in a greater arch in the resilient member. Varying the arch height varies the force required to invert resiUent member 12 from its first position (Fig. 1) to its second position (Fig. 2).
- the resilient member can be made from a flat strip of metal, preferably spring steel, or plastic and have varying lengths, widths and thickness. Typically, more force is required to invert a thick metal resiUent member than a thin plastic resilient member.
- the length, width, thickness, arch height, and type of material selected for the resilient member can be varied to create inverting spring assemblies that resist various amounts of force to accommodate many uses. Varying these same parameters also changes the amount of force required to invert the resiUent member.
- lever actuator 14 may include a saddle 26 attached externally to third support member 20 with a fastener, preferably a bolt 28.
- Bolt 28 is held in place with a spacer, preferably a washer 30, and a cotter pin 32.
- a lever 34 with a knob 36 is connected to the base of saddle 26.
- Actuator saddle 26 also includes a force lever arm 38 that extends through an opening in third support member 20.
- force lever arm 38 is an integral component of the actuator saddle; however, the force lever arm may be attached using a fastener or adhesive.
- the pinch valve mechanism may further include a pinch member 42 operatively coupled to resilient member 12 preferably at the center of resilient member 12 for delivery of the greatest possible pinching force.
- force lever arm 38 of lever actuator 14 and pinch member 42 both have elongated openings. The resiUent member is placed through these openings during construction. The location on the resilient member that the force lever arm applies force can be varied. If force is applied in the center of the resilient member, at the maximum height of the arch, the amount of force needed to invert the resilient member to its second position and the travel distance of the resilient member at that position are at their greatest amount.
- the amount of force needed to invert the resiUent member decreases and the travel distance of the resiUent member at the location where the force lever arm is applying the force also decreases. If the force is applied too close to an end of the resilient member, no inversion will occur. Consequently, the amount of force the spring can supply can be quite high while the amount of force needed to invert the spring can be much lower and may be increased or decreased, as desired or as needed.
- the pinch member is placed within a first channel 44 in third support member 20 and a second channel 46 in fourth support member 22.
- the pinch valve employing the inverting spring assembly When in use, the pinch valve employing the inverting spring assembly (Figs. 1-3) has a tube 48 with soft walls inserted through an aperture 50 in first support member 16 and a corresponding aperture in second support member 18. Fluid flows through tube 48 when resiUent member 12 is in the retracted first position because the pinch member is disengaged from the tube. However, when the resiUent member is in the second position the pinch member engages the tube. This engagement and the fact the resilient member wants to extend to its maximum arch height allows the pinch member to apply a self- compensating amount of force to keep the tube pinched closed for extended periods.
- the operator of the inverting spring mechanism grasps knob 36 of lever actuator 14 and moves the actuator in a counterclockwise direction (as oriented in Figs. 1 and 2). This movement applies force to resilient member 12 through force lever arm 38. This force causes the resilient member to make an S-type inversion into an extended and inverted second position thereby forcing the pinch member into the soft walls of tube 48 thereby shutting off the fluid flow.
- An operator can later move the lever actuator clockwise thereby moving the force lever arm to apply a force upwards on the resiUent member causing the resilient member to invert back to its retracted first position.
- Fig. 2 show the S-type conversion resilient member 12' undergoes when moving from the first position to the second position. At some point during the S-type conversion, the resilient member reaches a point where the inverting force of the actuator is no longer required and the resilient member completes the inversion without any additional force applied to the resilient member.
- Figs. 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment in which a rocker type mechanical switch is used as an actuator in a pinch valve. This embodiment operates similarly to the first embodiment which employs a lever actuator 14; however, a rocker type actuator 54 is employed instead of the lever actuator. Fig.
- the rocker type actuator is preferably made of plastic, but can be made from other substances as well.
- the sides and/or the top of the rocker actuator may be colored to indicate to the operator whether the pinch valve is open or closed, or if the inverting spring assembly is being used in, e.g., an electrical switch, whether the switch is on or off.
- Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which includes inverting spring assembly 10 and two solenoid actuators 56, 58.
- the solenoids may both be positioned on top of the housing, as shown in Fig. 6, or one solenoid placed above and the other below the housing (not shown).
- solenoid 56 suppUes downward force 60 to resiUent member 12 causing the resilient member to invert and pinch member 42 to engage soft wall tube 48.
- solenoid 58 When the current is switched to solenoid 58, it supplies an upward force 62 to the resilient member causing the resiUent member to invert and the pinch member to disengage the soft wall tubing.
- the inverting spring assembly only requires that solenoids 56, 58 supply a momentary force sufficient to invert the resiUent member.
- a mass 64 is interconnected with the resilient member. Varying the weight and position of the mass along the length of resilient member 12" varies the amount of acceleration or deceleration required to invert the resilient member and trip the acceleration switch. When a certain acceleration or deceleration rate is reached, the mass causes the resilient member to invert thereby completing the electrical connection between electrical contacts 66, 68. The completed connection is shown with the resilient member 12" in dashed lines in Fig. 7. When the connection is completed, a warning light illuminates or some other action occurs warning that the threshold acceleration has been reached.
- An electrical switch employing the inventive inverting spring assembly would have similar electrical contacts to that of the acceleration switch shown in Fig. 7, but may have a rocker switch or the like as an actuator. Also, it has been contemplated that a motor or an air cylinder may be used as an actuator in the inverting spring assembly. Last, it also has been contemplated that the entire mverting spring assembly may be injection molded or extruded. In this embodiment the resilient member pivotally connected to at least one of or both the first support member or second support member. This allows relatively low manufacturing cost to be incurred.
- the inverting spring assembly has been predominantly described herein as used in a pinch valve setting.
- the inverting spring assembly may be used in other finished products as well including, for example, manual operated fluid control valves, solenoid operated control valves, acceleration sensors, electrical switches, and snap action latching mechanisms.
- manual operated fluid control valves for example, manual operated fluid control valves, solenoid operated control valves, acceleration sensors, electrical switches, and snap action latching mechanisms.
- the inverting spring assembly provides a scaleable amount of force by adjusting the thickness, width, length, material, and the arch height of the resiUent member to suit desired needs. Also, the resilient member wants to extend back to its maximum arch height.
- the resiUent member of the inverting spring assembly also provides a resistive force which increases until the resilient member reaches a point, dependent on the thickness, width, length, material, and the arch height of the resiUent member at which the point the resilient member inverts. The resistive force occurs from both the first position and the second position.
- the inverting spring assembly also more than doubles the total possible travel distance of a conventional compression spring.
- the inverting spring assembly provides a snap action, a large force keeping the mechanism in the desired position, and a large force that prevents the device from remaining between two distinct switch positions. By providing all of these features in one assembly, the inverting spring assembly satisfies a long-felt need.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000551183A JP2002516969A (en) | 1998-05-27 | 1999-05-25 | Reversing spring device |
AU42041/99A AU4204199A (en) | 1998-05-27 | 1999-05-25 | Inverting spring assembly |
CA002332454A CA2332454A1 (en) | 1998-05-27 | 1999-05-25 | Inverting spring assembly |
EP99925829A EP1082562A4 (en) | 1998-05-27 | 1999-05-25 | Inverting spring assembly |
US09/700,858 US6340096B1 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 1999-05-25 | Inverting spring assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US8689698P | 1998-05-27 | 1998-05-27 | |
US60/086,896 | 1998-05-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999061825A1 true WO1999061825A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 |
Family
ID=22201605
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/011533 WO1999061825A1 (en) | 1998-05-27 | 1999-05-25 | Inverting spring assembly |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1082562A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002516969A (en) |
AU (1) | AU4204199A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2332454A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999061825A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9131824B2 (en) | 2007-05-03 | 2015-09-15 | Diversey, Inc. | Floor maintenance tool and method |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2006208178A (en) * | 2005-01-27 | 2006-08-10 | Toyota Motor Corp | Acceleration sensor |
JP6449628B2 (en) * | 2014-11-28 | 2019-01-09 | 株式会社フジキン | valve |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3635251A (en) * | 1970-04-07 | 1972-01-18 | Instrumentation Labor Inc | Valve |
DE2307035A1 (en) * | 1972-02-18 | 1973-08-23 | Alvasum Aseptic Ltd | PINCH VALVE |
US3926175A (en) * | 1974-06-03 | 1975-12-16 | James H Allen | Implantable valve for medical purposes |
-
1999
- 1999-05-25 AU AU42041/99A patent/AU4204199A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-05-25 CA CA002332454A patent/CA2332454A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-05-25 WO PCT/US1999/011533 patent/WO1999061825A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-05-25 EP EP99925829A patent/EP1082562A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-05-25 JP JP2000551183A patent/JP2002516969A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3635251A (en) * | 1970-04-07 | 1972-01-18 | Instrumentation Labor Inc | Valve |
DE2307035A1 (en) * | 1972-02-18 | 1973-08-23 | Alvasum Aseptic Ltd | PINCH VALVE |
US3926175A (en) * | 1974-06-03 | 1975-12-16 | James H Allen | Implantable valve for medical purposes |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9131824B2 (en) | 2007-05-03 | 2015-09-15 | Diversey, Inc. | Floor maintenance tool and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1082562A1 (en) | 2001-03-14 |
JP2002516969A (en) | 2002-06-11 |
CA2332454A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 |
AU4204199A (en) | 1999-12-13 |
EP1082562A4 (en) | 2004-03-31 |
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