EFFICIENT ENERGY ACCUMULATION ELEMENT FOR ACTUATORS AND OTHER DEVICES

Abstract

An efficient energy accumulation element comprising compression spring which uses end caps and flexible rope to pre-compress spring for using in actuators and other devices. The efficient energy accumulation element is independent of external surfaces or end construction of spring. The accumulation and release of energy happens noiselessly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to efficient energy accumulation element for actuators and other devices.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to invent a mechanical energy accumulation element using springs which can be prepared for assembly with ease.

Another objective is to invent a mechanical energy accumulation element using spring which can be deployed for accumulating higher energy and in which the energy accumulation is independent of the assembly construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Accumulation and release of mechanical energy is a phenomenon deployed in several devices. Springs are one of the commonest elements used for this purpose. Both compression as well as extension springs are made use of

For using compression springs, pre-compression is the first pre-requisite. Pre-compression is either achieved by surfaces external to spring or by constraining the spring modularly. The first method viz. pre-compression by external surfaces requires skillful and time consuming assembly.

The second method viz. modular constraining is described, particularly for actuators in German patent DE 9314412, a U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,947 and also in patent Application WO2010/063514. In all these, the minimum length of cartridge is fixed. So even if the spring can be compressed to the solid length, the limitation of cartridge design does not allow. Further, these methods cannot be used efficiently for varying diameter compression spring which can be otherwise compressed up to coil thickness.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

Our invention is the efficient energy accumulation compression spring assembled with a flexible yet sturdy rope entangled between two end caps, each cap being fixed at the respective end of the compression spring, allowing the springs to compress to any length up to solid. It is not driven by the stroke needed.

The length of the rope is shorter than compression spring. The difference in length is according to the pre-compression or energy accumulation required. The end caps entrap the hammer or suitably shaped end of the rope. The spring is ready to be deployed without depending on external surface construction or even spring end construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the efficient energy accumulation element of progressively varying diameter compression spring in pre-compressed state, ready to be assembled in devices like actuators etc.

FIG. 2 shows the efficient energy accumulation element of constant diameter compression spring in pre-compressed state, ready to be assembled in devices like actuators etc.

FIG. 3 shows the efficient energy accumulation element in compressed state, as it becomes during use in the device like actuators etc.

FIG. 4 shows preferred embodiment of construction of end cap.

FIG. 5 shows preferred embodiment of construction of flexible rope.

FIG. 6 shows sectional view of actuator using efficient energy accumulation element of compression spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Preferred embodiment of efficient energy accumulation compression spring assembled with a flexible yet sturdy rope will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms and expressions which have been used here are merely for description and not for limitation.

Efficient Energy Accumulation Element (10) comprising of compression spring (5), whether having constant diameter or varying diameter are pre-compressed by using end caps (7, 8) and flexible yet sturdy rope (6). The end caps (7, 8) have diameter (D1) slightly less than corresponding outer diameter of compression spring (5) so that the end caps (7, 8) are simply inserted in the spring (5) at the ends.

The end caps (7 or 8) have a through slot (11) through which the hammer shaped head (13) of the rope (6) is inserted inside the spring (5) and taken out from the end cap (7 or 8) at the other end.

The end caps (7 or 8) have another blind slot (12) substantially at 90 degrees to through slot (11) in which the hammer shaped head (13) sits with interference and therefore needs to be pushed in with certain definite force such that it cannot come out without using a screw driver or a tool.

The length (16) of the rope (6) is less than length (17) of compression spring (5).

To assemble Efficient Energy accumulation element (10) with compression spring (5), the compression spring is required to be held in compressed state by any simple device like vice, etc. so that its length becomes less than length of rope (16). The first hammer shaped end (13) of the rope is inserted from end cap (7) and taken out from the other end cap (8). Hammer shaped ends (13) within both end caps (7) and (8) are turned so that the hammer shaped end (13) sits over the blind slot (12). The compressed spring (5) is then released from the device used for holding it in compressed state. Due to compression spring (5) trying to regain its uncompressed state, both the hammer shaped ends (13), which were so far just partially engaged with blind slot (12) now get fully trapped in blind slot (12) due to its interfering construction. The compression spring remains compressed corresponding to the length difference between its free length and the effective length of the rope, as calculated & suited for the application. This is also known as pre-compressed state of the element (10)

One application described here is actuator (40). When piston (30) moves in direction 31-A, the efficient energy accumulation element (10) of compression spring compresses as shown in FIG. 3, and accumulates energy. Since rope (6) is flexible as shown in FIG. 3, the extent of cumulating energy is possible up to solid length of the spring or as much as spring permits. The action of accumulating and releasing energy is free from mechanical noise and does not need lubrication as there are no rubbing components.

The construction of through slot (11) and blind slot (12) of end caps (7,8) and ends (13) of flexible rope are possible in several ways such that they are assemble-able as described above or in any sequence and therefore above embodiment is merely a preferred one and not limiting the invention. “Hammer” shape, in other words, is not a limitation of this design but is merely an embodiment and what is important is that the contour of the ends of rope and slots in the end caps are such that the rope can be passed thru' the end cap (7 or 8) as well as trapped in the end cap (7 or 8) as required.

Also, the construction of end caps (7, 8) could be such as to entangle with spring ends for facilitating assembly.

The flexible yet sturdy rope (6) can be of any material so long as it is flexible to allow spring compression without any limitation due to itself

Claims

01) An efficient energy accumulation element for actuators and other device comprising compression spring and characterized by assembly with end caps and flexible yet sturdy rope.

02) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the end caps are such that the end caps are simply inserted in the compression spring at the ends or are with entangling construction with the spring ends.

03) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the end caps have through slot and blind slot.

04) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said flexible rope has hammer shaped ends.

05) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said hammer shaped ends pass through slot and fit tight in blind slot.

06) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein relatively, the end shape of the rope and corresponding opening construction in the end cap is such as to either pass the end of the rope through the slot or entrap, as required.

07) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said flexible rope is shorter in length than compression spring.

08) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said flexible rope when assembled through end caps keeps the compression spring pre-compressed.

09) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said efficient energy accumulation element is assembled in actuators and other devices.

10) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said efficient energy accumulation element can be used to accumulate energy up to the limit of the spring.

11) An efficient energy accumulation element as claimed in claim 01 wherein the said efficient energy accumulation element operates without noise and need of lubrication.

12) An efficient energy accumulation element substantially as hereinabove described in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.