Compression springs are the most common type of springs. These open-coil helical springs store potential energy when pressed and release that energy upon expansion. These springs work independently as they often present on a side rode inside a hole in the desired equipment.
When pressure is exerted on a compression coil, it becomes shorter and tries to push back the load and regain its original shape or position. It is a relatively simple yet effective method to manage heavy loads and maintain the shape.
Target devices of compression springs
Having linear compressive forces, compression springs have many applications in different industries. The most common compression spring is around metallic wire coiled in a spiral form.
These compression springs are used in different forms and shapes to maintain the modern lifestyle in everyday life. They are present in almost every household item that involves some open-closing phenomenon or deals with stress and pressure.
Most common usage of compression springs
- Computer keyboards
- Pens
- Cell phones
- Mattresses
- Clocks
- Door handles
- Automobiles
- Bicycles
- Lawnmowers
- Electrical appliances
These are some common examples of those devices that contain compression springs.
Compression spring designs
Compression springs come in different shapes and designs according to their function. There are different equipment that demand a different kinds of compression springs. These variations are many because of the change in function due to a change in shape or the available space for the spring.
There are four critical shapes of helical springs, and their names are:
- Conical
- Hourglass
- Barrel
- Reduced ends
Compression spring parameters
Spring rate is measured in Newton per millimeter. It changes with the change in the spring’s material, length, or diameter. The thickness of the coil also affects the spring rate of the spring.
Following are the key spring parameters.
Wire diameter
The wire from which a compression spring is made up. Usually, a wire is molded in a spiral form to make a spring. The diameter of this wire determines the strength of the spring. The greater the diameter, the stronger the spring.
Stress
Stress and stress range determines the life of the spring. Under immense load, when the compression spring is pressed, the pressure is more significant at the wire’s surface than at the upper part of the wire. Managing the stress load will increase the life of the spring.
Material used
The elasticity and the ability to bear load vary from material to material. Hard materials tend to carry more load. The stress ratio of softer materials is low as they deform quickly even under little force. Perfect material is required to provide enough strength.
Free length
It is the length of the compression spring when it is not loaded.
Solid height
It is the length of the compression spring when it is loaded at its maximum loaded condition. In this condition, all the coils of the springs are pressed together.
Conclusion
Compression springs come in many shapes and sizes. These shapes and sizes have their industrial, commercial, and domestic applications. Most people do not even think about springs because they are so common, and many others take them as nothing more than a molded piece of a wire.
Most of us are not aware of the technicalities involved in the spring-making process. It takes a lot of research and hard work to finalize the spring’s design, shape, and making.
