Spring Stiffness

The spring is an elastic element that serves to absorb or store mechanical energy. It is made of a material having high strength and elasticity. To ensure that the spring stiffness is maximum, high-carbon alloyed steels are used in its production . In practice, there are situations when an elastic element is used in an environment that has high aggressiveness. In such cases, it must be made of stainless steel or bronze. Small springs can be wound from a wire. But powerful elastic elements for giving them greater endurance must be made from annealed metal. In addition, after molding, such springs are additionally hardened.

By the type of loads that affect the elastic elements, they are divided into separate groups. Allocate springs:
- Compression;
-extension;
-bending;
-bending.

The construction of elements working on compression is designed to reduce their length under the influence of a certain load. In a state of rest, their turns do not touch each other. The spring, the compression of which can cause the loss of its stability, is installed in special glasses or on mandrels. The ends of this element are subjected to special grinding, and the turns at the ends are pressed against the neighboring ones.

The tension spring is calculated on the load, which results in an increase in its length. In a state of rest, the coils of such elements are closed together. The design of the spring provides rings or hooks for its fastening. They are located at the ends of the outer turns.

Springs of torsion and bending transform the energy of deformation, reinforcing repeatedly the elasticity of the material from which they are made. This process is possible by increasing the length of the turns.

The spring stiffness is the physical quantity. It characterizes the workforce of the elastic element at one millimeter of tension or pressure. In this case, the spring stiffness is a value proportional to the force of the impact. The law fixing this concept was discovered by the physicist from England Robert Hooke. According to his theory, the tension of the spring is equal to the force acting on it.

Elastic elements find their application in various spheres. For example, in the manufacture of orthopedic mattresses, springs are used, the design of which is designed to work under the influence of compression forces. In this case, to create the greatest comfort, the spring stiffness, which is set in the places subject to the greatest deformation, is maximal. And, conversely, in places where the body pressure is minimal, a spring with the least stiffness is installed.

A wide application is found in elastic elements in the production of cars. They play a virtually decisive role in the behavior of the vehicle on the roadway. The springs of the hangers are designed to create a force that prevents body roll. In those cases where the rigidity of such a spring is too high, the car can swing excessively. In this case, passengers negatively perceive each fovea or tubercle on the roadway. In order to improve the controllability of the vehicle, it is necessary to reduce the rigidity of the suspension. Typically, the selection of the spring is carried out in such a way that the smallest distance between its turns exceeds six and a half millimeters. Determine the rigidity of the elastic element is possible with the help of floor scales, hand press and ruler.

Currently, springs are often used, having a variable pitch of turns along the entire length. With static load, the entire element provides the necessary rigidity of the suspension. With an increase in the force of action, the shortening of the turns having a smaller step occurs, and their working quantity decreases. This increases the rigidity of the spring. In the production of sports cars also use elastic elements with turns having different steps. This provides the greatest chassis adjustment capability.