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CN-121993523-A - Spring for a kinematic assembly and methods of making and using the same

CN121993523ACN 121993523 ACN121993523 ACN 121993523ACN-121993523-A

Abstract

The present application relates to springs for use in a motion assembly and methods of making and using the same. The spring for a motion assembly includes a body including a bar including a base forming a first major surface and a low friction material coupled to the base and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms an annulus oriented about a central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one of the pair of ends extends radially outward from the annulus, wherein the annulus is adapted to extend about a first component and provide a friction interface with the first component along the second major surface when the first component is in motion, and wherein at least one of the ends is adapted to anchor the spring against a second component.

Inventors

  • SHI FENG
  • DONG YUE
  • XU FENG
  • ZHANG JING
  • LI GEGE

Assignees

  • 美国圣戈班性能塑料公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20241106

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A spring for a motion assembly, the spring comprising: A body comprising a strip, the strip comprising: A substrate forming a first major surface, and A low friction material coupled to the base and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms an annulus oriented about a central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one of the pair of ends extends radially outward from the annulus, wherein the annulus is adapted to extend around a first component and provide a friction interface with the first component when the first component is in motion, and wherein, The at least one end is adapted to anchor the spring against the second component.
  2. 2. A motion assembly, the motion assembly comprising: a first component oriented downwardly along a central axis; A second member radially surrounding the first member at least partially about the central axis, and A spring radially disposed about the central axis Between the first and second parts, the spring includes a body including: A substrate forming a first major surface, and A low friction material coupled to the substrate and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms an annulus oriented about the central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one of the pair of ends extends radially outward from the annulus, wherein the annulus is adapted to extend around the first component and provide a friction interface with the first component along the second major surface when the first component is in motion, And wherein the at least one end is adapted to anchor the spring against the second component.
  3. 3. A method, the method comprising: providing a first component oriented downwardly along a central axis; Providing a second component radially surrounding the first component at least partially about the central axis; a spring is disposed radially between the first and second members, the spring comprising a body oriented about the central axis, the body comprising: A substrate forming a first major surface, and A low friction material coupled to the substrate and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms an annulus oriented about the central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one of the pair of ends extends radially outward from the annulus; Anchoring said at least one end of said spring against said second member, and The first component is moved such that the ring provides a friction interface with the first component when the first component is in motion.
  4. 4. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the The substrate comprises a spring material.
  5. 5. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the The substrate comprises steel or spring steel.
  6. 6. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The low friction material comprises a polymer.
  7. 7. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The low friction material comprises a polymer comprising at least one of polyketone, polyaramid, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone, polyamideimide, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, fluoropolymer, polybenzimidazole, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), polysulfone, polyamide (PA), polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene Sulfide (PPs), polyurethane, polyester, liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), or any combination thereof.
  8. 8. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the A pair of ends includes a second end extending radially outward from the annular portion and adapted to anchor the spring against the second member.
  9. 9. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The annular portion includes a polygonal cross-section.
  10. 10. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The ring comprises an at least in particular arcuate cross section.
  11. 11. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The cross-sectional thickness of the strip is T B , where T B is between 0.1mm and 1 mm.
  12. 12. The spring, motion assembly, or method of claim 11, wherein the The cross-sectional width of the strip is W B , wherein W B /T B is at least 2.
  13. 13. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The annular portion forms at least one coil forming a spiral around the first component axially downward along the central axis.
  14. 14. The spring, motion assembly or method of claim 13, wherein the at least one coil Comprising a plurality of coils.
  15. 15. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The mean helix angle of the body is at least 5 °, at least 10 °, at least 15 °, at least 20 °, at least 25 °, at least 30 °, at least 35 °, at least 40 °, at least 45 °, at least 50 °, at least 55 °, at least 60 °, at least 65 °, at least 70 °, or at least 75 °.
  16. 16. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the At least one end is anchored to the second component by a fastener comprising at least one of nuts, bolts, bearings, laths, snaps, clips, flanges, frog, grommet, hook-and-eye, latches, cleats, nails, rivets, tongue-and-groove, notches, ramps, screw anchors, snap-in fasteners, sutures, threaded fasteners, ties, toggle bolts, wedge anchors, screws, bolts, clamps, clasps, clips, latches, pins, ties, nails, holes, welds, or combinations thereof.
  17. 17. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the At least one end is anchored to the second component by a fastener that includes a tongue on the spring in a groove on the second component.
  18. 18. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The movement of the first component comprises a rotational movement.
  19. 19. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The first component includes a shaft.
  20. 20. A spring, movement assembly or method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the The second component includes a housing.

Description

Spring for a kinematic assembly and methods of making and using the same Technical Field The present disclosure relates to springs and spring assemblies, and in particular to motion assemblies including, but not limited to, vehicle doors. Description of the Related Art Many vehicles use an internal motion assembly to translate motion generated by a user-operated handle to open a vehicle door, conventionally referred to as a flush handle door assembly. Traditionally, bearings are placed between a first component (e.g., a shaft connected to a handle operated by a user) and a second component (e.g., a housing surrounding the shaft within a vehicle door). Problems with these kinematic assemblies may include ineffective torque or friction performance of the bearings, increased noise, roughness or vibration, complex installation due to the large total number of parts, or the need to use lubricants, which often results in heavy, unstable doors, and increased maintenance costs due to the need to replenish grease or lubricants. Accordingly, the industry continues to improve upon sport components, including but not limited to flush handle door assemblies for vehicles. Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect, the invention provides a spring for a kinematic assembly, the spring comprising a body comprising a strip comprising a base forming a first major surface and a low friction material coupled to the base and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms a ring oriented about a central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one of the pair of ends extends radially outward from the ring, wherein the ring is adapted to extend about a first component and provide a friction interface with the first component along the second major surface when the first component is in motion, and wherein the at least one end is adapted to anchor the spring against a second component. According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides a motion assembly comprising a first member oriented downwardly along a central axis, a second member radially surrounding the first member at least partially about the central axis, and a spring disposed radially between the first member and the second member about the central axis, the spring comprising a body including a base forming a first major surface, and a low friction material coupled to the base and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms an annulus oriented about the central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one end of the pair of ends extends radially outwardly from the annulus, wherein the annulus is adapted to extend about the first member and provide a friction interface with the first member along the second major surface when the first member is in motion, and wherein the at least one end is adapted to anchor the spring against the second member. According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising providing a first component oriented downwardly along a central axis, providing a second component radially surrounding the first component at least partially about the central axis, radially disposing a spring between the first component and the second component, the spring comprising a body oriented about the central axis, the body comprising a base forming a first major surface, and a low friction material coupled to the base and forming a second major surface, wherein the body forms an annulus oriented about the central axis, wherein the body has a pair of ends, wherein at least one of the pair of ends extends radially outwardly from the annulus, anchoring the at least one end of the spring against the second component, and moving the first component such that the annulus provides a friction interface with the first component when the first component is in motion. Drawings The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 includes a step-wise manufacturing process for forming a spring according to various embodiments. Fig. 2A includes an illustration of a material that may be formed into a spring according to various embodiments. Fig. 2B includes an illustration of a composite material that can be formed into a spring according to various embodiments. Fig. 2C includes an illustration of a composite material that can be formed into a spring according to various embodiments. Fig. 2D includes an illustration of a composite material that can be formed into a spring, according to various embodiments. Fig. 2E includes an illustration of a composite material that can be formed into a spring according to various embodiments. Fig. 3A includes an illustration of a top perspective view of a spring according to various embodiments. Fig. 3B includes an illustration of a top view of a spring in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 3C includes an illu