Types of Springs
A spring is a flexible elastic object used to store and transfer mechanical energy. There are various types of springs, including:
- Coil springs
- Flat or leaf springs
- Spiral springs
- Cantilever springs
The most famous spring of all is the Slinky, which is really just a coil spring made out of metal, or plastic.
Flat Spring Applications
The most recognized example of a flat spring is the tape-measure. This type of spring is also used in electric, electronic, medical, aerospace, computer, automotive, and industrial equipment and products.
The flast spring dates back to medieval times, and is one of the oldest forms of spring production. It is unique because it maintains a nearly constant force, regardless of the way the spring itself may be displaced by a load (provided that the force takes place within the springs' normal operating range). The leaf spring is the same as a flat spring, except that it is made of layers, or leaves, of metal.
Leaf springs are available in three basic constructions:
- Mono-leaf
- Multi-leaf
- Parabolic
Mono-leaf springs are made of one steel plate that is uniformly tapered from the load center to each end of the spring. A multi-leaf spring consists of stacks of flat springs that are bolted together through their centers. Parabolic springs are comprised of layers of tapered flat springs.
Flat springs can also be called a semi-elliptical or cart spring. This spring is normally used in small, tight spaces. The flat spring is a very simple form of spring, and is commonly used for car and truck suspensions. They are an important component because they can provide stability and help limit wear on other parts.
Springs and Automobiles
In their produced form, flat springs have a narrow arc-shaped length of steel which is comprised of a rectangular cross-section. The center of the arc provides the center position to support the load from a vehicles weight where it is attached to the axle. This deflects the external load of the vehicle and both stores and releases energy. The leaf spring connects to the vehicle's body via tie holes located at either end of the spring. To support heavier vehicles and trucks, leaves can be stacked on top one another to provide further reinforcement and spring.
Leaf springs lost popularity in the 1970s, when manufacturers switched to producing front wheel drive vehicles with more sophisticated suspension designs that used coil springs rather that flat springs.
