Springs

Springs

A spring can be defined as an elastic body designed to store energy when deflected. Springs
are classified according to their geometric form: helical or flat

Helical springs are usually made from circular cross section wire or rod, which is classified as:
(1) Compression, (2) Extension, and (3) Torsion, according to the intended action.

Helical springs have following advantages:

1. Easy to manufacture,
2. Available in wide range,
3. Reliable,
4. Have a constant spring rate,
5. The characteristics can be varied by changing dimension.

- Compression springs are wound with the coils separated so that the spring can be
compressed, and the ends may be open or closed and may be left plain or ground.

- Extension springs are wound with the loops in contact so that the spring can be extended, and
the ends are usually made as a loop. Special ends are sometimes required.

- Torsion springs are wound with closed or open coils, and the load is applied torsionally (at
right angles to the spring axis). The ends may be shaped as hooks or as straight torsion arms.

Helical springs are subjected to a torsion shear stress and to a transverse shear stress. There
is also an additional stress effect due to the curvature of the helix. In order to take into account
the effects of transverse shear and curvature, it is customary multiply the torsion shear stress by
a correction factor K.

Shear stress in the helical springs:

Shear stress = torsion shear stress + direct (transverse) shear stress

8𝐹𝐷 4𝐹
𝜏 = 𝜏1 + 𝜏2 𝜏1 = 𝜏2 =
𝜋 𝑑3 𝜋 𝑑2

8𝐹𝐷 4𝐹 8𝐹𝐷 1 𝐷
𝜏 = 𝜋 𝑑3
+ 𝜋 𝑑2 𝜏 = 𝐾𝑠 𝜋 𝑑3
𝐾𝑠 = 1+ 2𝐶 C=𝑑

English Technical Terms 1

Springs

Where:

F: Applied force (N), D: Mean diameter of coil (mm),

d: Diameter of wire (mm), 𝐾𝑠 : Shear stress factor, C: Spring index.

Flat springs: Flat spring can be defined as any spring made of flat or strip material.

Flat springs are classified as:

- Simple flat springs, formed so that the desired force will be applied when the spring is
deflected in a direction opposite to the force

- Belleville springs, stamped of thin material and shaped so as to store energy when deflected.

- Power springs, made as a straight piece and then coiled inside an enclosing case.

English Technical Terms 2