Analysis of Low Friction Design:Two Positioning Methods of the Disc Spring Assembly and Its Friction Mechanism

In the engineering application of opposed disc spring assemblies, effective friction management between positioning components and correct installation orientation are critical for improving system efficiency and reducing return stroke lag. Jiangsu Sunzo Spring will conduct an in-depth analysis of the friction mechanisms in two mainstream positioning technologies: guide post/guide sleeve and groove embedding (wire/steel ball) solutions, explaining why the latter achieves lower friction impact.

1、The working principle of two positioning schemes

The pair of disc spring sets need external constraints to maintain alignment and prevent radial displacement. The main solutions include:

1. Guide post or guide sleeve positioning: Use a rigid guide member that penetrates the inner hole of the disc spring or is sleeved over its outer diameter. The friction primarily arises from the sliding friction between the inner/outer diameter of the disc spring and the surface of the guide member.

2. The groove is cut and the steel wire or steel ball is embedded in the groove to achieve the radial positioning.

2、Comparison and Analysis of Friction Mechanism

The key lies in understanding the differences in the location of friction force and the lever arm between the two schemes:

Guide post/guide sleeve solution:

Friction part: The friction force acts directly on the whole inner hole or outer diameter cylinder surface of the disc spring, and the contact area is large.

The lever arm effect: The resistance torque generated by this friction force has a lever arm equal to the radius of the disc spring (either the inner hole radius or outer diameter radius). A longer lever arm results in a greater friction torque. This leads to a noticeable separation between the force curves during loading (progress) and unloading (return), where the return force is significantly smaller than the progress force, resulting in substantial energy loss.

Groove embedding (wire/steel ball) scheme:

In this design, the disc spring assembly can rotate slightly around the central axis, while the embedded steel wire or steel ball remains stationary relative to the external fixed part, serving only as a constraint point.

Friction part: friction force occurs between the steel wire/steel ball and the disc spring groove local contact point.

Core advantage: extremely short lever arm. The lever arm for generating friction torque is merely the tiny radius of the steel wire or steel ball itself, far smaller than the radius of the disc spring. Therefore, even if local friction exists, the resulting friction torque is very small.

3、Engineering Advantages: Significantly Reduced Round-trip Lag

The significant reduction in friction torque enables the grooved-embedded positioning paired disc spring assembly to exhibit more closely matched loading and unloading curves, with markedly reduced hysteresis between return and forward forces. This proves particularly valuable for applications requiring high energy efficiency, precise dynamic response accuracy, or exact force control—such as in precision valves and servo mechanisms.

4、The Technical Integration Ability of Sunzo Spring

Jiangsu Sunzo Spring not only provides standard disc springs, but also possesses the technical capability to deliver optimal positioning solutions tailored to customers' specific operational conditions.

Solution Consultation: Our engineers can recommend suitable positioning solutions (such as guide columns or grooves) based on your application's requirements for friction, space, and cost.

Customized Design and Manufacturing: For disc springs requiring groove-embedded positioning, we provide a complete solution covering groove design, dimensional tolerance control, and assembly.

Performance testing: We can help test the actual hysteresis curve of the disc spring assembly under different positioning schemes, providing critical data support for your system design.

We are committed to comprehending and resolving every technical challenge in disc spring applications. From minimizing friction losses to optimizing dynamic performance, we leverage our technical expertise and proven manufacturing processes to help you achieve more efficient and reliable elastic system designs.