Methods and apparatus for a 3D-printed spring
Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a 3D-printed spring. The 3D-printed spring may be formed from a plurality of toroidal elements spaced apart from each other and connected with a plurality of connectors. Each connector connects one toroidal element to a directly adjacent toroidal element.
1. A 3D-printed spring, comprising:
a plurality of toroidal elements aligned along a center axis that is common to each toroidal element, wherein each toroidal element is separated from a directly-adjacent toroidal element by a distance; and
a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector comprises:
a first end connected to an inner surface of a first toroidal element at a first position relative to the center axis; and
a second end connected to an inner surface of a second directly-adjacent toroidal element at a second position relative to the center axis, wherein a midportion of each connector between the first and second ends extends across the distance separating the first and second toroidal elements.
2. The 3D-printed spring according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of aligned toroidal elements form a cylinder shape.
3. The 3D printed spring according to claim 1 , wherein:
the inner surface of each toroidal element faces the center axis; and
each toroidal element comprises an outer surface facing a direction opposite that of the inner surface.
4. The 3D-printed spring according to claim 1 , wherein the number of connectors is one less than the number of toroidal elements.
5. The 3D-printed spring according to claim 1 , wherein each connector, from the plurality of connectors, is cuboid-shaped.
6. The 3D-printed spring according to claim 1 , wherein each connector, from the plurality of connectors, has a triangular prism shape.
7. The 3D-printed spring according to claim 1 , wherein each connector, from the plurality of connectors, is cylinder-shaped.
8. A method for making a 3D-printed spring having a plurality of toroidal elements and a plurality of connectors with a 3D printer, comprising:
executing a file with the 3D printer, wherein the file comprises instructions defining:
an overall size of the 3D-printed spring;
a size, a shape, and a length of each connector;
a spacing between adjacent toroidal elements;
printing the 3D-printed spring according to the instructions, wherein the 3D-printed spring is printed as a single, continuous element and each connector comprises:
a first end connected to an inner surface of a first toroidal element at a first position relative to a center axis of the plurality of toroidal elements;
a second end connected to an inner surface of a second directly-adjacent toroidal element at a second position relative to the center axis, wherein a midportion of each connector between the first and second ends extends across the distance separating the first and second toroidal elements.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the file containing instructions further relates to a print orientation of the 3D-printed spring.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the 3D-printed spring is printed without the use of support structures.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the 3D-printed spring is printed with a powder-based material.
12. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising subjecting the 3D-printed spring to a post-processing treatment comprising at least one of: abrasion blasting, dyeing, graphite blasting, tumbler/mass finishing, polishing, automotive painting, electroplating, vapor smoothing, sanding, or chrome painting.
13. A clip, comprising:
an inner spring comprising:
a plurality of toroidal elements aligned along a center axis that is common to each toroidal element, wherein each toroidal element is spaced apart from a directly-adjacent toroidal element; and
a plurality of connectors, comprising:
a first connector connected to:
an inner surface at a first position relative to the center axis of a first toroidal element, from the plurality of toroidal elements; and
a first location on an inner surface at a second position relative to the center axis of a second toroidal element, from the plurality of toroidal elements; and
a second connector connected to:
a second location on the inner surface of the second toroidal element at a third position relative to the center axis; and
a first location on an inner surface at a fourth position relative to the center axis of a third toroidal element, from the plurality of toroidal elements;
a first member connected to an outer surface of at least one toroidal element, the first member comprising a first grip portion and a first comb-shaped portion; and
a second member connected to an outer surface of at least one other toroidal element, the second member comprising a second grip portion and a second comb-shaped portion capable of interleaving with the first comb-shaped portion.
14. The clip according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of aligned toroidal elements form a cylinder shape.
15. The clip according to claim 13 , wherein the inner surface faces inward toward the center axis and the outer surface faces outward away from the center axis.
16. The clip according to claim 13 , wherein the number of connectors is one less than the number of toroidal elements.
17. The clip according to claim 13 , wherein the first connector is arranged perpendicular to the second connector.
18. The clip according to claim 13 , wherein the inner surface and the outer surface encircle the center axis.
19. The clip according to claim 13 , wherein the first and second connectors are linear and rigid.