Axially restraining torsional spring utilizing a tapered shaft

摘要

A rotational and axial control spring includes a tubular casing, a shaft, and a plurality of elongated elastomeric members. The casing comprises a tubular cross sectional equilateral convex polygon shape, the tubular shape extending uniformly between a first and second casing end. The shaft is fabricated having a cross sectional shape mimicking the equilateral convex polygon casing shape, a series of exterior surfaces extending longitudinally between a first smaller end and second larger end, wherein the exterior surfaces form a square frustum shape. The elastomeric members are formed as cylindrical frustums. The shaft is inserted within the casing interior. Each elastomeric member is positioned contacting a respective shaft exterior surface and a pair of adjacent casing interior surfaces. The elastomeric members provide rotational spring with adjustable resistant force and dampening functions. The tapered features provide an axial retention function.

主权项

1. A torsional spring and axial control device, comprising:
a shaft having a plurality of planar shaft external longitudinal surfaces extending between a peripheral edge of a first shaft end and a peripheral edge of a second shaft end, wherein a cross sectional area of the first shaft end is smaller compared to a cross sectional area of the second shaft end and a cross sectional shape that gradually transitions in size between the first shaft end and the second shaft end, wherein each of the plurality of planar shaft external longitudinal surfaces is trapezoidal and equal in size and shape; a series of elongated elastomeric members, each elongated elastomeric member having a first elastomeric member end and a second elastomeric member end, wherein the first elastomeric member end has a smaller cross sectional area compared to a cross sectional area of the second elastomeric member end and a cross sectional shape of the elastomeric member that gradually transitions in size between the first elastomeric member end and the second elastomeric member end; and a tubular casing comprising a plurality of planar interior surfaces defining a casing interior, wherein adjacent edges of adjacent pairs of planar interior surfaces are joined along an angular transition, wherein the shaft is inserted within the casing interior and each of the series of elongated elastomeric members is positioned contacting one respective exterior planar shaft surface and a pair of adjacent interior planar casing surfaces, wherein a resulting central axis of each of the tapered elongated members is arranged to converge upon a central axis of the shaft, and wherein the series of elongated elastomeric members provides a resistive rotational spring force between the shaft and the casing.