FLAT SPRING

Abstract

A flat shaped spring may include a spring element. The spring element may have, in a longitudinal section along a central longitudinal axis extending along an axial direction, two profile halves disposed on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis. The two profile halves may each have a first profile portion and a second profile portion. The first profile portion may have a curvature opposed to the second profile portion. Two outer ends of the spring element facing away from the central longitudinal axis, and which lie opposite one another in a longitudinal direction extending perpendicularly to the axial direction, may be connected to one another via at least one connection element such that the spring element and the at least one connection element collectively form a closed profile in the longitudinal section.

Claims

1. A flat shaped spring, comprising: a spring element having: a central longitudinal axis extending along an axial direction; and in a longitudinal section along the central longitudinal axis, two profile halves disposed on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis, the two profile halves each having a first profile portion and a second profile portion; wherein the first profile portion has a curvature opposed to the second profile portions; and wherein two outer ends of the spring element facing away from the central longitudinal axis, and which lie opposite one another in a longitudinal direction extending perpendicularly to the axial direction, are connected to one another via at least one connection element such that the spring element and the at least one connection element collectively form a closed profile in the longitudinal section.

2. The flat shaped spring according to claim 1, wherein: the second profile portion is arranged a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis than the first profile portion; one of (i) the first profile portion has a positive curvature and the second profile portion has a negative curvature and (ii) the first profile portion has a negative curvature and the second profile portion has a positive curvature.

3. The flat shaped spring according to claim 1, wherein: the two profile halves each have a third profile portion, which is arranged a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis than at least one of the first profile portion and the second profile portion; and the third profile portion has a positive curvature.

4. The flat shaped spring according to claim 3, wherein: the two profile halves each have a fourth profile portion, which is arranged a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis than at least one of the first profile portion, the second profile portion, and the third profile portion; and the fourth profile portion is formed in a curvature-free manner.

5. The flat shaped spring according to claim 4, wherein: the two profile halves each have a fifth profile portion, which is arranged a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis than at least one of the first profile portion, the second profile portion, the third profile portion, and the fourth profile portion and includes one of the two outer ends; and the fifth profile portion has a positive curvature.

6. The flat shaped spring according to claim 4, wherein the at least one connection element (5a, 5b) extends in a rectilinear manner in the longitudinal section.

7. The flat shaped spring according to claim 5, wherein: the at least one connection element includes a first connection element and a second connection element; and in a top view onto the spring element along the axial direction, the two profile halves are arranged between the first connection element and the second connection element.

8. The flat shaped spring according to claim 7, wherein, in the top view, the first connection element, the second connection element, and the two profile halves of the spring element extend parallel to one another.

9. The flat shaped spring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element is configured in a web-like manner.

10. The flat shaped spring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element is integrally connected to the spring element.

11. The flat shaped spring according to claim 1, wherein the flat shaped spring has a standardized force-path characteristic having, at least partially, at least one of a degressive course and a horizontal course.

12. The flat shaped spring according to claim 11, wherein the standardized force-path characteristic includes a first characteristic portion with a degressive course, which continues into a second characteristic portion with a horizontal course.

13. A flat shaped spring arrangement, comprising: a plurality of flat shaped springs according to claim 1, the plurality of flat shaped springs including a first flat shaped spring and a second flat shaped spring; wherein the spring element of the first flat shaped spring and the spring element of the second flat shaped spring are connected to one another via a first outer end of the spring element of the first flat shaped spring and a first outer end of the spring element of the second flat shaped spring that face one another in the longitudinal direction; and wherein a second outer end of the spring element of the first flat shaped spring and a second outer end of the spring element of the second flat shaped spring, which face away from one another in the longitudinal direction, are connected to one another via at least one connection element.

14. The flat shaped spring arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the first outer end of the spring element of the first flat shaped spring and the first outer end of the spring element of the second flat shaped spring are connected to one another via the at least one connection element.

15. The flat shaped spring arrangement according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of spring elements form a predetermined geometry.

16. The flat shaped spring arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined geometry includes at least one of a multi-sided shape, a polygon, a quadrilateral, and a rectangle.

17. The flat shaped spring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element and the spring element are structured as separate, individual components.

18. The flat shaped spring according to claim 4, wherein, in the longitudinal section, the at least one connection element extends along the longitudinal direction away from the central longitudinal axis.

19. A flat shaped spring, comprising: a spring element having a central longitudinal axis extending in an axial direction; two connection elements extending between and connecting opposing longitudinal ends of the spring element such that, in a side view, the spring element and the two connection elements define a closed profile; the spring element including, in the side view, two profile halves connected to one another at the central longitudinal axis; and wherein the two profile halves each include a first profile portion and a second profile portion curved in opposite directions.

20. The flat shaped spring according to claim 19, wherein: the two profile halves each further include a third profile portion, a linear fourth profile portion, and a fifth profile portion; the first profile portion is disposed adjacent to the central longitudinal axis; the second profile portion extends between and connects the first profile portion and the third profile portion; the fourth profile portion extends between and connects the third profile portion and the fifth profile portion; the first profile portion and the third profile portion each have, in the side view, an arc-shape that opens toward the two connection elements; the second profile portion has, in the side view, an arc-shape that opens away from the two connection elements; and the fifth profile portion has, in the side view, an arc-shape that opens toward the central longitudinal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] There are shown, respectively schematically:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an example of a flat shaped spring according to the invention, in a longitudinal section,

[0042] FIG. 2 shows an example of a flat shaped spring arrangement according to the invention, with two flat shaped springs, in an axial top view,

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of FIG. 2 in perspective illustration,

[0044] FIG. 4 shows an example of a force-path characteristic of a flat shaped spring according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an example of a flat shaped spring 1 according to the invention in a longitudinal section along an axial direction A of the flat shaped spring 1. The flat shaped spring 1 comprises a spring element 2, the central longitudinal axis M of which extends along the axial direction A. A longitudinal direction L of the flat shaped spring 1 extends perpendicularly to the axial direction A away from the central longitudinal axis M.

[0046] According to FIG. 1, the spring element 2 in the longitudinal section which is shown has several profile portions 3a.1, 3b.1, 3c.1, 3d.1, 3e.1 and 3a.2, 3b.2, 3c.2, 3d.2, 3e.2 of different curvature k1, k2, k3, k4, k5, extending along the longitudinal direction L on both sides away from the central longitudinal axis M and following one another along the longitudinal direction L, which are explained more precisely in the following.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 1, the profile P is configured axially symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal axis M, so that the profile P is composed of two profile halves P1, P2 which are arranged symmetrically to the central longitudinal axis M and are identical. The profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 are part of the first profile half P1. The profile portions 3a.2-3e.2 are part of the second profile half P2.

[0048] In the longitudinal section of FIG. 1, the spring element 2 has two first profile portions 3a.1, 3a.2, and two second profile portions 3b.1, 3b.2, wherein the two second profile portions 3b.1, 3b.2 are arranged along the longitudinal direction L respectively at a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis M than the two second profile portions 3b.1, 3b.2. In addition, the spring element 2 has two third profile portions 3c.1, 3c.2, which are arranged along the longitudinal direction L respectively at a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis M than the first and second profile portions 3a.1, 3a.2, 3b.1, 3b.2. Furthermore the spring element 2 has two fourth profile portions 3d.1, 3d.2, which is arranged along the longitudinal direction L at a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis M than the first, second and third profile portion 3a, 3b, 3c.

[0049] In the example scenario of FIG. 1, the two first profile portions 3a.1, 3a.2 have respectively a positive curvature k1, and the two second profile portions 3b.1, 3b.2 have respectively a negative curvature k2. The two third profile portions 3c.1, 3c.2 have, in turn, a positive curvature k3, whereas the two fourth profile portions 3d.1, 3d.2 are formed free of curvature, therefore extend in a rectilinear manner in the longitudinal section which is shown and thus extend with an infinitely great curvature k4.

[0050] In the shown longitudinal section illustrated in FIG. 1, along the axial direction A, the profile portions 3a.1-3d.1 or respectively 3a.2-3d.2 extend owing to the axially symmetrical configuration of the profile P with the two profile halves P1, P2 arranged symmetrically to the central longitudinal axis M on both sides along the longitudinal direction L from the central longitudinal axis M to two outer end portions 4a, 4b of the spring element 2 lying opposite one another. The two outer end portions 4a, 4b can respectively be part of a fifth profile portion 3e.1 or respectively 3e.2, which is consequently arranged along the longitudinal direction L at a greater distance from the central longitudinal axis M than the first, second, third, fourth profile portion 3a.1-3d.1 or respectively 3a.2-3d.2. The two fifth profile portions 3e.1 or respectively 3e.2 consequently have a positive curvature k5.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 1, the respective first profile portion 3a.1 or respectively 3a.2 continues along the longitudinal direction L away from the central longitudinal axis M into the second profile portion 3b.1 or respectively 3b.2. The second profile portion 3b.1 or respectively 3b.2, in turn, continues along the longitudinal direction L away from the central longitudinal axis M outwards into the third profile portion 3c.1 or respectively 3c.2. The third profile portion 3c.1 or respectively 3c.2 continues along the longitudinal direction L away from the central longitudinal axis M into the fourth profile portion 3d. The fourth profile portion 3d, in turn, continues along the longitudinal direction L away from the central longitudinal axis M outwards into the fifth profile portion 3e.1 or respectively 3e.2. In other words, in the example of FIG. 1, the five profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 or respectively 3a.2-3e.2 directly follow one another along the longitudinal direction L. In addition, in the shown longitudinal section of FIG. 1, the two outer end portions 4.1, 4.2 of the spring element 2 with respect to the longitudinal direction L are connected to one another by means of a connection element 5a.

[0052] As FIG. 1 shows, the spring element 2 and the connection element 5a form a closed profile P in the longitudinal section along the axial direction A. In the example, the connection element 5a extends in a rectilinear manner along the longitudinal direction L. The connection element 5a can be configured in a web-like manner and can be formed by a connection web 6a. In this case, as illustrated, the connection web 6a can be formed in a strip-shaped or respectively longitudinally-shaped manner along the longitudinal direction L.

[0053] In the example of FIG. 1, the connection element 5a or respectively the connection web 6a is formed integrally on the profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 or respectively 3a.2-3e.2. The spring element 2 with the profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 or respectively 3a.2-3e.2 running on both sides away from the central longitudinal axis M, and with the connection element 5a formed by the connection web 6a, is then formed in one piece and of uniform material. Alternatively thereto, the connection element 5a can, however, also be formed separately to the spring element 2, therefore as a separate component with respect to the spring element 2, which separate component is connected non-detachably—for example by means of a welded or soldered connection—to the end portions 4a, 4b or respectively ends of the spring element 2. Alternatively thereto, a detachable connection—in particular a screw connection—is also conceivable.

[0054] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example of a flat shaped spring arrangement 10 according to the invention.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows here a top view onto an underside of the flat shaped spring 1 along the axial direction A, FIG. 3 a perspective view. The arrangement 10 comprises not only a single flat shaped spring 1 according to the invention, but a first flat shaped spring 1a with a first spring element 2a and a second flat shaped spring 1b with a second spring element 2b, therefore two flat shaped springs 1 following one another along the longitudinal direction L and thus arranged adjacent to one another in longitudinal direction L.

[0056] In the flat-shaped spring arrangement 10, the two end portions 4a, 4b of the spring elements 2a, 2b of the first and second flat shaped springs 1a, 1b, facing away from one another along the longitudinal direction L, of two connection elements 5a, 5b presented above with the aid of FIG. 1, are securely connected to one another.

[0057] Therefore, two connection elements 5a, 5b, and namely a first connection element 5a and a second connection element 5b, are provided, which both extend at a distance from one another respectively in a rectilinear manner along the longitudinal direction L. The two connection elements 5a, 5b can be configured in an analogous manner to the example of FIG. 1 respectively as connection web 6a, 6b with a strip-shaped or respectively longitudinally-shaped geometry along the longitudinal direction L. The two connection elements 5a, 5b or respectively connection webs 6a, 6b are arranged at a distance from one another here along a transverse direction Q, which runs orthogonally to the axial direction A and to the longitudinal direction L.

[0058] In the top view shown in FIG. 2, the profile portions 3a-3e extend following one another and continuing into one another likewise along the longitudinal direction L.

[0059] Along the transverse direction Q therefore the profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 or respectively 3a.2-3e.2 are arranged in a sandwich-like manner between the two connection elements 5a, 5b. The profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 to 3a.2 to 3e.2 and the two connection elements 5a, 5b or respectively connection webs 6a, 6b therefore extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction L. The two connection elements 5a, 5b or respectively connection webs 6a, 6b can be arranged, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a shared lateral plane E, which extends perpendicularly to the axial direction A. The plane E is spanned through the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q. By comparison, the profile portions 3a.1-3e.1 or respectively 3a.2-3e.2, as can be seen from the perspective illustration of FIG. 3, extend in axial direction A out from this plane E.

[0060] In addition, the first spring element 2a of the first flat shaped spring 1, 1a and the second spring element 2b of the second flat shaped spring 1, 1b are securely connected to one another by their two end portions 4a, 4b facing on another in longitudinal direction L. These two end portions 4a, 4b, facing one another, can also be securely connected to the two connection elements 5a, 5b or respectively connection webs 6a, 6b. This secure connection can be a materially bonded connection, in particular a welded or soldered connection. The two flat shaped springs 1a, 1b can, however, also be formed integrally to one another, therefore configured in one piece and of uniform material. Likewise, the two connection elements 5a, 5b or respectively connection webs 6a, 6b can be formed integrally on the two flat shaped springs 1a, 1b.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows by way of example a possible standardized force-path characteristic KL of the flat shaped spring 1. The standardized spring path s [ ] is entered on the abscissa, and the standardized force F [ ] is entered on the ordinate as a function of the standardized spring path s. Accordingly, the standardized force-path characteristic KL=F(s) can have a first characteristic portion KL.1 with degressive course KL, which continues with an increasing path s into a second characteristic portion KL.2 with a horizontal course.