What Is a Spring?
Springs are mechanical elements that utilize elasticity. The property of a material that extends or contracts when a force is applied and returns to its original shape when the force is removed is called elasticity.
Springs are used in various places and parts of the body of an object, such as as cushions to soften impacts, to restore a position using the force to return to its original form, and as instruments such as spring gauges.
Types of Springs
In addition to coiled springs, some other types are rod-shaped springs or plate-shaped springs.
1. Coiled Spring
Coiled springs are the most well-known type of spring, and are made by winding the spring material around in a circle. Its most common use is within a cushion. There are different types of coil springs, such as compression coil springs that contract when pressed in, and tension springs that stretch when pulled.
2. Leaf Springs
A plate spring is a spring made of spring material in the shape of a plate. When force is applied, it bends, but returns to its original shape when the force is released. Treadplates used in vaulting boxes are also a type of spring.
3. Torsion Bars
Torsion bars are bar-shaped springs. When force is applied, the bar bends and returns to its original shape when the force is released. It is characterized by its higher strength than a leaf spring.
4. Dish Spring
A dish spring is made by forming a spring material into a cone like a shallow dish and making a hole in the center. They are often used by stacking a number of them rather than using them individually. Depending on its usage, it may be used for pushing force or as a pulling force. The strength of the force is proportional to the number of disc springs stacked on top of each other.
Selection of Springs
In order to select a spring, it is necessary to determine various factors, and the factors to be determined vary depending on the type of spring.
For example, when selecting a coil spring, the following elements need to be determined:
- Outer diameter and inner diameter of spring
- Free length
- Wire diameter
- Material
The diameter and free length of springs are related to size, while the wire diameter and material are related to strength and repulsive force. Similarly, when selecting a disc spring, it is necessary to determine the following factors:
- Outer diameter and inner diameter of springs
- Plate thickness
- Material
- Number of sheets used