Ortho-planar Spring

General Information

The Ortho-Planar Spring is a compact spring with a platform that undergoes a large displacement in either direction, but does not rotate like conventional planar springs. This invention has numerous advantages.

• Compact: this planar spring is much more compact than traditional helical springs.
• No rotation: unlike conventional-planar springs, the center of this spring does not rotate relative to the base perimeter of the spring.
• Large deflections: this spring has the potential for larger deflections than conventional planar springs.
• Low cost: the planar nature of this spring allows for low-cost sheet manufacturing processes.
• Reduced wear and noise: because the platform does not rotate or slide to rub adjoining parts, there is no wear from abrasion, thereby reducing wear and noise.
• No particulates: due to the elimination of rubbing and sliding, no wear particles are formed. This is important in applications with sensitive environments.
• Variable sizing: this spring can be made in any size from the macro level to the micro or nano levels.

The Market

Possible applications include pneumatic valves, electrical contacts, keyboards, compact aerospace applications, positioning, camping gear, speakers, circuit boards, and micro-devices.

Patent Information

U.S. Patent No. 6,983,924

Licensing Information

For licensing information, contact the BYU Office of Technology Transfer.

Additional Resources

Parise, J.J., Howell, L.L., and Magleby, S.P., "Ortho-Planar Linear-Motion Springs," Mechanism and Machine Theory, Vol. 36, Nos. 11-12, pp. 1281-1300, 2001.

Parise, J.J., Howell, L.L., and Magleby, S.P., "Ortho-Planar Mechanisms," Proceedings of the 26th Biennial Mechanisms and Robotics Conference, at the 2000 ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, DETC2000/MECH-14193.

Parise, John J., "Ortho-Planar Mechanisms," M.S. Thesis, Brigham Young University, August 1999.