A new technical guide published by Bal Seal Engineering, Inc. provides motorsports designers with a detailed look at how canted coil springs can solve tough connecting, conducting, and electromagnetic interference/radio-frequency interference (EMI/RFI) shielding challenges in Formula 1 and Formula E racing vehicles and systems.
The tri-fold guide, titled “Connecting, Conducting and EMI/RFI Solutions for Motorsports,” describes how the company’s compact, precision-engineered Bal Spring™ canted coil spring allows for the more efficient design of regenerative braking and energy recovery systems (ERS) that can intermittently increase power up to tenfold in high performance electric and hybrid vehicles. A full-page diagram in the guide illustrates other spring uses, including EMI/RFI shielding applications such as radio, telephony, antennae, and power management systems; electrical conducting applications such as kinetic MGU, heat MGU, energy storage, control electronics, and regenerative braking systems; and mechanical applications such as body assembly panels.
The Bal Spring canted coil spring, a proven solution already at work in many of today’s top-performing vehicles and platforms, offers OEMs the ability to shield against EMI/RFI and prevent cross-talk, ensuring the integrity of signal/data transfer between battery packs, power converters, and sensors. The guide presents data on the spring’s EMI/RFI shielding properties, including transfer impedance and shielding effectiveness, as well as graphics illustrating attenuations vs. frequency at 1–10 GHz and 100 MHz–1 GHz. Summary testing data show that the spring exhibits much lower transfer impedance than finger stock, helical flat springs, or wire mesh over elastomer. Data are also presented on the spring’s mechanical properties and current-carrying capacity.
Available in a broad range of coil heights, wire materials, and plating types, the Bal Spring canted coil spring maintains a nearly constant force over a broad compression range, compensating for angular misalignment, surface irregularities, and even temperature changes without significant deviation from its initial force. Each coil works independently, maintaining contact with the mating surface and ensuring maximum conductivity. The versatile component’s locking, latching, and holding properties also allow designers to meet very specific insertion and breakaway force requirements.
The new motorsports industry guide can be downloaded free of charge from the company’s online technical library at http://www.balseal.com/sites/default/files/TMB-14_Motorsports_brochure_v02_ONLINE.pdf. Requests for free printed copies can be e-mailed to sales@balseal.com.
