Spiral retaining rings are a type of retaining ring or snap ring used to hold components or assemblies onto a shaft or inside a bore. Unlike traditional circlips or snap rings, spiral retaining rings are made from flat wire that is coiled into a spiral (typically in one or two turns), providing 360° of retention and contact.
Advantages:
- No Protrusions: 360° retaining surface without ears or tabs that can interfere with mating parts.
- Compact Design: Takes up less radial space than traditional snap rings.
- Ease of Installation: Can be installed without tools; no need to expand or contract the ring excessively.
- Strength: Multi-turn versions offer excellent axial load capacity and fatigue resistance.
- Reusability: Can be removed and reused without significant deformation.
Applications:
Spiral retaining rings are widely used in:
- Aerospace and defense systems
- Automotive transmissions and axles
- Electric motors
- Bearing assemblies
- Gearboxes
- Medical devices
- Consumer electronics
Installation & Groove Requirements:
- Groove Design: Groove dimensions must be precisely machined to match the retaining ring’s cross-section and fit tolerances.
- Tools: Often no special tools are required; however, installation/removal tools may speed up the process for high-volume assembly.
- Orientation: Care should be taken to place the ring with the correct side facing the load direction, especially for multi-turn rings.
