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Springs

A spring is an elastic machine element that deflects under load and returns to its original shape when the load is removed, serving functions such as shock absorption, energy storage, force measurement, and motion control. The document discusses various types of springs, including terminology related to helical springs, spring index, and the importance of active and inactive coils. Additionally, it covers stress and deflection equations relevant to spring design.

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9 views11 pages

Springs

A spring is an elastic machine element that deflects under load and returns to its original shape when the load is removed, serving functions such as shock absorption, energy storage, force measurement, and motion control. The document discusses various types of springs, including terminology related to helical springs, spring index, and the importance of active and inactive coils. Additionally, it covers stress and deflection equations relevant to spring design.

Uploaded by

vamsikrishnadaggupati
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Springs

• A spring is defined as an elastic machine element, which deflects


under the action of the load and returns to its original shape when
the load is removed.

• The important functions and applications of springs are as follows


• Springs are used to absorb shocks and vibrations
• Springs are used to store energy
• Springs are used to measure force
• Springs are used to apply force and control motion.
TYPES OF SPRINGS
TERMINOLOGY OF HELICAL SPRINGS

• The spring index indicates the relative sharpness of the curvature of the coil.

• A low spring index means a high sharpness of curvature.

• When the spring index is low (C < 3), the actual stresses in the wire are excessive
due to the curvature effect.

• Such a spring is difficult to manufacture and special care in coiling is required to


avoid cracking in some wires.

• When the spring index is high (C > 15), it results in a large variation in the coil diameter.
• Such a spring is prone to buckling and also tangles easily during handling.

A spring index from 4 to 12 is considered best from manufacturing considerations.


A spring index in the range of 6 to 9 is preferred for cyclic loading applications.
Spring Length Terminology

Free length: length of spring


before assembly

• Compressed length - axial length of the spring, which is subjected to maximum


compressive force.
• Corresponding maximum deflection is δ.
• The gap is essential to prevent clashing of the coils.
Pitch of the coil • The clashing allowance or the total axial gap - 15% of the maximum deflection
• Sometimes arbitrarily the gap between adjacent coils under full load is taken as 1-2
mm
The stiffness of the spring (k) is defined as the force required to produce unit deflection

Active coils are the coils in the spring that contribute to spring
action, support the external force, and deflect under the
action of force.

A portion of the end coils, which are in contact with the seat,
do not contribute to spring action and are called inactive coils.

These coils do not support the load and do not deflect under
the action of an external force.
Styles of Ends
STRESS AND DEFLECTION EQUATIONS
The dimensions of the equivalent bar are as follows:

(i) The diameter of the bar is equal to the wire diameter of the spring
(d).

(ii) The length of one coil in the spring is (pD). There are N such active
coils. Therefore, the length of the equivalent bar is (pDN).

(iii) The bar is fitted with a bracket at each end. The length of this
bracket is equal to the mean coil radius of the spring (D/2).

When bent in the form of helix:

(i) There is direct or transverse shear stress in the spring wire.


(ii) When the bar is bent in the form of coil – stress
concentration at the inside fibre of the coil.
The resultant stress consists of superimposition of torsional
shear stress, direct shear stress, and additional stresses due to
the curvature of the coil.
Direct Shear Stress

Resultant Shear Stress


Example: Spring Design

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