Abstract: A suspension coil spring, when assembled to a suspension device, in which a spring reaction axis is positioned coincident with or sufficiently close to a load input axis, and the design and manufacture of coil springs are facilitated. Namely, A suspension coil spring (19) in a free state is formed so that a coil axis (AC) is bent in V-shape at bend point (PB) and the distance from the end turn center (CU) of the upper seating surface (38) to an imaginary coil axis (AI) is an upper inclination amount (VU), and the distance from the end turn center (CL) to the imaginary coil axis (AI) is a lower inclination amount (VL). When the suspension coil spring (10) is interposed between spring seats (22, 24) in the suspension device and compress along a strut axis, the spring reaction axis of the suspension coil spring (10) is inclined and offset with respect to the imaginary coil axis (AI) according to the inclination amounts (VU, VL).

Abstract: An oscillator device includes a supporting member, a movable member, an elastic supporting member configured to elastically support the supporting member and the movable member around an oscillation axis, and a driving member configured to drive the movable member, wherein the elastic supporting member includes a plurality of springs and at least one spring constant adjusting member configured to couple the plurality of springs with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a silicon-based Breguet overcoil balance spring (1, 31) that includes a hairspring (3, 33) made integral coaxially with a collet (5, 35), a terminal curve (7, 37) and an elevation device (9, 39) between the outer coil (15, 45) of the hairspring and the terminal curve. According to the invention, the balance spring has two single parts secured to each other to increase the development precision of the balance spring. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the balance spring. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: A spring for use in downhole tools delivers a high force over a long deflection in a relatively uniform fashion. The spring is a tubular shape that is preferably metallic and is preferably plastically deformed into an undulating walled tube either before assembly into a downhole tool or downhole after assembly to the downhole tool. Alternatively the shape can be machined. Spacer rings are used inside and outside the tube as it is compressed to obtain the desired corrugated wall pattern and to prevent localized buckling that can cause wall failure. The spring can conduct pressurized fluids and be rotationally locked to transmit torque and to facilitate milling out. Some machining internally and/or externally can assist in forming the desired corrugated wall shape.

Abstract: A spring-forming control system and its control method for a spring forming machine in which the spring-forming control system uses a host computer to provide graphical spring parameter setting, program modification, and dragline-method program modification graphical interfaces that are selectively switchable on a display monitor. After setting of spring processing parameters through the spring parameter setting interface, a trial production is done subject to a spring parameter auto-generation software built in the spring-forming control system, and then the production is started if the trial meets the requirements, or the spring processing parameters are modified through the spring parameter setting interface, program modification interface, or dragline-method program modification interface if the trial does not meet the requirements, and then a further trial production is performed till the shaped spring meets the requirements.

Abstract: A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air spring device having a free-standing air spring bellows and an outer guide which is fastened to the air spring bellows by means of an inner clamping ring, wherein the outer diameter of the inner clamping ring is greater than the outer diameter of the air spring bellows in the unpressurized state, and the inner clamping ring generates a radially outwardly pointing encircling bulge in the unpressurized air spring bellows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double balance spring (21) including, made in a layer of silicon-based material (11), a first balance spring (23) coaxially mounted on a collet (13, 27), the collet (13, 27) including an extending part (9) that projects from said balance spring and which is made in a second layer of silicon-based material (5). According to the invention, said extending part extends (17) into a third layer (7) of silicon-based material coaxially with a second balance spring (25) so as to form a one-piece double balance spring (21) made of silicon-based materials. The invention also relates to a timepiece including a balance spring of this type and the method of manufacturing the same. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: A frame for displaying an advertisement poster comprising: a body (1) formed as a single piece; at least one upper aluminum profile (2); and at least one spring (3); wherein the spring (3) is connected to the upper aluminum profile (2); and the spring (3) is mounted to the body (1). A method for manufacturing the frame comprising: (a) manufacturing at least one the spring (3); (b) manufacturing at least one the upper aluminum profile (2) by aluminum extrusion; (c) manufacturing the body (1) by plastic injection molding; and (d) mounting the upper aluminum profile (2) and the spring (3) to the body (1).

Abstract: A spring manufacturing apparatus comprises a tool support (30, 40, 50) which supports a tool in a way that the tool can be slid toward the spring forming space. A plurality of the tool supports can be arranged in a radial pattern from the spring forming space on the forming table. The apparatus also comprises a driving force transmission unit (70), attached to the tool support on the forming table, which transmits driving force to the tool support for sliding the tool. The tool support includes first and second tool supports for driving a tool by different driving methods. The first tool support (30) comprises a first driving mechanism (32) that transmits driving force of a common driving axis to the tool. The second tool support (40) comprises a second driving mechanism (41) that transmits driving force of the driving axis to the tool.

Abstract: A lens drive device may include a movable body movable in an optical axis direction, a support body supporting the movable body through a spring member which may include spring pieces electrically separated from each other, formed with a coil connecting part to which one of a winding start part and a winding end part of the coil is electrically connected. The movable body is provided with an accommodating part for accommodating the coil connecting part. The spring member may include a plate spring-shaped arm part connecting a support body side fixing part with a movable body side fixing part and the arm part is provided with a laser cut portion formed by a laser in a part of an edge part of the arm part. An edge part of the arm part except the laser cut portion may be a cut portion formed by press working or etching processing.

Abstract: The inventive compression spring comprises a cylinder (6) which is made of thermoplastic elastomer and is surrounded with an composite assembly comprising n alternating sleeves (4?, 5, 17, 18, 19) made of thermoplastic elastomer and (n?1) substantially nondeformable collars (3, 14, 15, 16), wherein each nondeformable collar is sandwiched between two sleeves and encompasses said cylinder and the sleeves are embodied in the form of rings whose lateral faces centred inside the spring.

Abstract: According to various exemplary embodiments, a spring device that includes a substrate, a self-releasing layer provided over the substrate and a stressed-metal layer provided over the self-releasing layer is disclosed, wherein an amount of stress inside the stressed-metal layer results in a peeling force that is higher than an adhesion force between the self-releasing layer and the stressed-metal layer. Moreover, a method of manufacturing a spring device, according to various exemplary embodiments, includes providing a substrate, providing a self-releasing layer over the substrate and providing a stressed-metal layer over the self-releasing layer wherein an amount of stress inside the stressed-metal layer results in a peeling force that is higher than an adhesion force between the self-releasing layer and the stressed-metal layer is also disclosed in this invention.

Abstract: A spring body includes a filament structure formed from at least one length of filament material. An elastomeric wall at least partially defines a spring chamber and includes a first portion of the filament structure. A comparatively-rigid wall includes a second portion of the filament structure. A gas spring assembly that includes such a spring body, as well as a method making a spring body and a method of making a gas spring assembly are also included.

Abstract: The invention is based on a method of producing bent spring elements from a spring steel strip (14), wherein a feed unit (16) delivers the spring steel strip (14) from a supply roll (12) to a bending unit (32) having at least three bending rollers (34) and a reverse bending roller (36), of which at least one bending roller (34) and the reverse bending roller (36) can be adjusted transversely to the spring steel strip (14) by bending motors (60, 62), and wherein a cutting-off unit (44) adjoins the bending unit (32), said cutting-off unit (44) cutting off the spring steel strip (14) into individual spring elements by means of cutting-off tools (46, 48; 76, 78). It is proposed that the cutting-off tools (46, 48; 76, 78) be movable in the longitudinal direction of the spring steel strip (14) in a numerically controlled manner and that they be synchronized with the feed movement of the spring steel strip (14) during the cutting-off operation.

Abstract: A structure fabricating method plastically deforms a target portion of a substrate, to thereby fabricate a structure having an inclined segment that is inclined relative to a principal surface of the substrate. The method includes forming a projection on the target portion to project from the principal surface of the substrate or from an opposing surface of the substrate on the side opposite to the principal surface, and applying a force to the projection to plastically deform the target portion such that the target portion is bent in a direction from one surface of the substrate on the side where the projection is formed, toward another surface on the side opposite to the one surface.

Abstract: A method of constructing an articulation joint includes forming a metallic tube with a number of rings formed therein. Springs may be secured to the inside surface or outside surface of the rings to allow the joint to bend in directions transverse to the axis of the springs. A fixture may be used to hold the springs at the correct position within the tube and the springs may be urged toward the rings or vice versa to obtain a good bond between the springs and the rings.

Abstract: A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.

Abstract: A spring apparatus comprises a substantially linear first segment and a substantially linear center segment, rotatably connected to the first segment by a first bend. A substantially linear second segment is rotatably connected to the center segment by a second bend and has a terminal end spaced apart from the second bend. The terminal end contacts the first segment in a slidable manner as at least one of the second segment and the center segment rotates relative to the first segment to release stored energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing wire springs comprising: a first working station (1) including a wire support (2) and cutting means (3) adapted to cut the wire against said support, a second working station (5) including a rod (6) about which the wire is wound, and clamping means (10, 11) for securing the wire against an end portion of said rod (6), these means (10, 11) being constituted by two controllable vices (10, 11) arranged in diametrically opposed positions with respect to the axis of said rod (6). In the portion thereof facing said rod (6), these vices (10, 11) are so shaped as to show a respective planar or slightly concave surface towards said rod (6). Wire cutting occurs according to a radial sectioning plane with respect to the support (2) and is arranged so that the spring is cut in a manner that the wire remaining on said support (2) is wound thereabout by a greater angle than 180°.

Abstract: Both the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of a coil spring are peened by passing sequential segments of the spring around offset pulleys mounted within a peening cabinet. As the spring is pulled around one of the pulleys, the coils fan out from the pulley to permit the peening media to impact portions of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the spring, and as the spring is pulled around the other pulley, the portions of the surfaces not peened as the segment traveled around the first pulley will be peened.

Abstract: For a spring sliding on the drawbar, the coil spring is used; the removal work for keeping the inner diameters of the coil springs aligned is performed such that the clearance between the outer diameter of the drawbar and the inner diameter of the coil spring becomes a minimum; and the coil springs are caused to be guided integrally with the drawbar. By doing so, the movement of the center of gravity of the spring that is caused by repeated rotational operation of the main spindle or repeated tool clamping operation will be reduced and the amplitude by vibration will be made smaller.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an initial tension by changing a wound direction of a coil spring. A large and precise initial tension is provided to the coil spring. An actuator having an excellent function is prepared by using a shape memory alloy. Each shape of the coil spring at high and low temperatures can be controlled by a flexible shape memory effect.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring pot has a pot wall and a bottom connected to the pot wall and also an annular flange connected, opposite the bottom, to the pot wall and intended for the fastening of, for example, a pneumatic spring concertina, the annular flange having a smaller diameter than the largest diameter of the pot wall. The bottom, pot wall and annular flange are formed in one piece with one another by sheet metal forming from a sheet part, in such a way that the annular flange is formed from the outer edge region of the sheet bar. Furthermore, a method for producing the pneumatic spring pot is described.

Abstract: A method for producing a tubular spring (12) in the form of a cylindrical hollow body, especially for pre-tensioning a piezoelectric actuator element (2) of an actuator unit (1) of a fuel injector comprises the step of providing a thin-walled, solid-drawn steel tube with a plurality of regularly arranged longish recesses (14) by means of laser cutting. Thus, an actuator unit (1) comprises a piezoelectric actuator element (2) which is arranged in a thin-walled cylindrical hollow body, wherein the hollow body being elastically embodied and pre-tensioning the actuator element (2). Furthermore, the hollow body is a solid-drawn steel tube which is provided with a plurality of longish recesses (14).

Abstract: A wiping device particularly for motor vehicles includes a wiper blade formed of a wiper rubber with two longitudinal grooves arranged opposite each other and a supporting element in the form of two elongated elastic rails arranged in the longitudinal grooves. An adapter element is provided on the supporting element to connect the wiper blades to a driveable wiper arm. A connecting element extending in a cross direction is used to connect the opposite-lying elastic rails and is arranged on at least one of the free ends of the wiper blade. The connecting element is welded to both of the front sides of the extremities of the elastic rails which are situated opposite each other.

Abstract: A plate spring of a substantially circular-ring-shaped form having a substantially externally conical upper side (12) and a substantially internally conical underside (13) between which there are positioned an outer annular edge (14) and an inner annular edge (15), wherein, in the unloaded condition, the surface layer (17) of the underside (13) comprises a higher inherent compressive stress than the surface layer (16) of the upper side (12).

Abstract: A variable valve timing control device includes a rotational shaft, a rotation transmitting member assembled around the rotational shaft, and a vane assembled to one of the rotational shaft and the rotation transmitting member. The variable valve timing control device also includes a fluid pressure chamber defined between the rotational shaft and the rotation transmitting member and divided into a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber by the vane, a fluid passage through which an operation fluid is selectively supplied to or discharged from the advanced angle chamber or the retarded angle chamber, and a torsion coil spring for constantly biasing the rotational shaft to an advanced angle direction relative to the rotation transmitting member. The torsion coil spring is disposed between the rotational shaft and the rotation transmitting member under a condition that the torsion spring is compressed to a predetermined length from a free length.

Abstract: A magnet assembly connectable to a metal assembly in an engaging fashion, a metal assembly connectable with the magnet assembly in an engaging fashion and a snapping mechanism comprising the magnet assembly and the metal assembly are disclosed, to be used with a strap and a watch case. A leaf spring element and a base element to be used with a watch case are also disclosed, together with manufacturing processes and a system and method to teach the concept of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing bent spring rails from an endless spring band. The method is characterized by the following steps: continuous bending of a section of spring band; cutting the bent section of spring band into a spring rail; discontinuous reverse bending to reduce the internal stresses of the bent, cut-to-length spring rail by subjecting the spring rail to at least one reverse bending force and/or heat-treating the cut-to-length spring rails, the heat treatment being a low-temperature treatment in this case, preferably at a temperature of less than 200 *C.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for flexibly joining two shafts includes a unitary solid cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and therebetween having one or more longitudinally spaced circular disks spaced by asymmetric slot pairs; a radially offset beam formed between a first slot and a second slot of each asymmetric slot pair, such that the radially offset beam is parallel to a diameter of the cylindrical body and is offset from the parallel diameter by a radial beam offset distance R1; each beam being rotationally offset from longitudinally adjacent beams; and hub means at the first end for coaxially connecting the first end to a first one of the two shafts, and hub means at the second end for coaxially connecting the second end to a second one of the two shafts.

Abstract: A firing mechanism of an explosively actuated tool for driving a fastener into a substrate includes a cocking rod and sear for entraining the firing pin with the firing pin being releasable on cocking by rotation of the sear. The cocking rod and sear form a structure subject to an axial and rotational bias by a coil spring anchored at one end to the structure and at the opposite end to a mounting which during assembly of the mechanism is rotated to apply torsional loading to the spring and is then locked into a housing of the mechanism in an angular orientation in which torsional loading is maintained in the spring.

Abstract: A microfabricated actuator of the vertical comb-drive (AVC) type or staggered vertical comb-drive type for torsional or linear applications includes torsion springs which permit self-aligned deformation of the device (micromirror) structure of the actuator through the heating of the torsional springs to plasticity. The torsional springs can include perpendicular-beam springs or double folded beams which allow axial movement of the spring when heated. Heating of the springs can be by bulk heating of the actuator structure or by Joule heating to the torsional springs by passing an electrical current therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a coil of spring wire by winding a wire into a coil spring formed of a plurality of rings of the wire wherein each of the rings has a substantially constant strain rate. The forming speed of the wire being wound is controlled so that each of the rings has a substantially constant strain rate and minimum work hardening occurs.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a composite coil spring includes the following steps: preparing a mold, winding a coil former around a mandrel of the mold, winding composite material pre-preg, compressing and heating, opening the mold and detaching the mandrel and the coiled coil former.

Abstract: A ring-shaped core metal is pressed and compressed by a main punch and a counter punch so as to have a wave shape. Moreover, each group of three micro-protrusions provided on each of top points of the wave shape are cut in the core metal. Then, three notches are cut on the core metal corresponding to the micro-protrusions. Furthermore, plastic flow is generated at a surface layer of the core metal due to partial compression by the notches at the time of pressing and compressing. Then, the waves are formed on the core metal with the notches as the top points. The notches are cut at seven sections respectively on a front surface and a rear surface of the core metal. Thus, seven waves are formed on the core metal in total. Since the notches are formed on the front and the rear surfaces of the waves, a “return” phenomenon is not generated as seen in a conventional cool working method. Thus, the waves are formed at high accuracy.

Abstract: A method of controlling the spring rate of a spring region of an unassembled or partially or fully assembled load beam for a disk drive head suspension by providing the spring region with a number of bridges which may then selectively opened to achieve a target spring rate. Adjusting the spring rate in this manner provides control of resulting performance characteristics of the head suspension. In one aspect, a data set of spring rate reductions corresponding to bridge sets removed is predetermined and used with the corresponding type of load beam to determine the bridges to remove to approximate the target spring rate.

Abstract: A method for producing a helical spring by coiling an element wire while feeding the wire, and performing an after-treatment includes at least a warm setting process.

Abstract: The apparatus has an indexable carriage adapted to move the coil springs and the border wire along a path. A wire cutter disposed adjacent the path has an inner member with an axial hole adapted to receive the wire and a tubular outer member receiving the inner member and movable relative to the inner member. The outer member has a cutting edge. An actuator is operatively connected to one of the inner and outer members to provide a relative rotation between the inner and outer members. That relative rotation results in the wire being sheared by the cutting edge to provide a length of wire. A wire wrapping mechanism disposed adjacent the path receives the length of wire and wraps the length of wire around an end turn of a coil spring and a border wire.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid-discharging recording head can prevent deviation in the dimensions and the pitch of grooves, serving as liquid channels, and holes, serving as discharging ports, and generation of burrs around discharging ports while maintaining the grooves and the holes to desired sizes and without increasing a time required for the processing when forming the grooves and the holes by projecting a laser beam. When performing ablation processing of the liquid-channel grooves or the discharging ports in a top-plate blank by projecting the laser beam, the processing is performed by changing the energy density per unit time of the laser beam continuously or stepwise by adjusting the oscillation voltage or the oscillation frequency of the laser beam, attenuating the laser beam, or moving a substance to be processed along the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bandlike-elongated, spring-elastic element (12) for supporting a rubber-elastic wiper strip (22) of a windshield wiper for vehicles, which element has two spring rails (26, 28), located with a spacing (24) from one another and essentially parallel to one another, which at least on both of their end portions are solidly joined together by transverse ribs (30) that are disposed on the one band face (14) of the spring rails and that span the spacing (24).

Abstract: A method of controlling the spring rate of a spring region of an unassembled or partially or fully assembled load beam for a disk drive head suspension by providing the spring region with a number of bridges which may then selectively opened to achieve a target spring rate. Adjusting the spring rate in this manner provides control of resulting performance characteristics of the head suspension. In one aspect, a data set of spring rate reductions corresponding to bridge sets removed is predetermined and used with the corresponding type of load beam to determine the bridges to remove to approximate the target spring rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a coil of spring wire by winding a wire into a coil spring formed of a plurality of rings of the wire wherein each of the rings has a substantially constant strain rate. The forming speed of the wire being wound is controlled so that each of the rings has a substantially constant strain rate and minimum work hardening occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.

Abstract: A method of controlling the spring rate of a spring region of an unassembled load beam for a disk drive head suspension by partially etching the spring region and providing the partially etched spring region with a number of bridges which may then selectively opened to achieve a target spring rate. Adjusting the spring rate before assembly of the load beam enables tighter control of resulting performance characteristics of the head suspension. In one aspect, a data set of spring rate reductions corresponding to bridge sets removed is predetermined and used with the corresponding type of load beam to determine the bridges to remove to approximate the target spring rate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inclined helical spring having a plurality of coils along an inclined coil axis. Each coil constituting a part or the whole length of the helical compression spring is increased and decreased in diameter along the longitudinal axis of the spring, and forming the longitudinal axis of the spring in a free state thereof to be inclined substantially at a predetermined angle to an axis to be mounted with the spring. For example, one section of each coil having approximately a half of the circumference of each coil, which is divided by a plane including the coil axis, is increased in diameter, whereas the other one section of approximately a half of the circumference of each coil is decreased in diameter. The inclined helical spring may be mounted on a vehicle suspension.

Abstract: An interposer includes a substrate having opposing surfaces. Conductive terminals are disposed on both surfaces, and conductive terminals on one surface are electrically connected to conductive terminals on the opposing surface. Elongate, springable, conducive interconnect elements are fixed to conductive terminals on both surfaces.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a laminate of three materials in a variety of configurations having from three to five layers. The materials are stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Each layer is essentially homogeneous, but may be formed with one or more holes or voids prior to the formation of the laminate. After the copper layer is etched to form a tab which overhangs the steel layer, the suspension is welded to a load beam. The load beam prevents the downward motion of the suspension. The tab acts as a flexure motion limiter for upward motion of the suspension. The voids allow a precise amount of polyimide undercut between the steel and copper layers which otherwise could not be achieved.

Abstract: A spring centraliser device for supporting a tubular member spaced from the wall of a bore is made from a single piece of boron steel material. The spring centraliser device has first and second collars spaced apart along a longitudinal axis. Spring bow portions extend between the collars. As the device is made from a single piece of material, the material extends seamlessly from each collar portion through the bow portions so that there are no joins or points of weakness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a shaped-spring assembly. The method and apparatus utilizes a spring forming apparatus which facilitates the forming of shaped springs without adversely effecting the characteristics of the spring, and a magazine arrangement which stores and loads shaped springs, while maintaining the shape of the springs. The magazine arrangement further permits the storage of a plurality of the shaped springs without fatiguing a leading edge of the spring. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to load empty shaped spring cavities at a select location, such as at a field site, and also have a steady supply of shaped springs available for quick replacement. The forming apparatus is designed so as to easily cooperate and/or be mounted onto the magazine arrangement so as to facilitate the transfer of shape springs which are shaped by the forming apparatus into the magazine arrangement.