Helical springs are used in various applications due to their shock absorption and load bearing properties. So, it is important to calculate its load bearing capacity, if you are selecting a helical spring for an application. This post discusses two types of helical springs that are differentiated on the basis of their load bearing capacity.
Types of Helical Springs on the Basis of Load Bearing Capacity
The load bearing capacity depends on various factors such as total number of coils, coil gaps, wire shapes, etc. The below mentioned are the two types of helical springs distinguished on the basis of their coils.
- Open Coiled Helical Springs: These helical springs are designed to resist compression, which is they are known as compression springs. These springs are not wound tightly, and have a high pitch. This results in large spaces between the coils, which also makes the springs very recognizable. Hence, no two turns of a spring will lie on the same axis of the helix. The turns of these springs are located at inclined angles towards the helical axis. Some typical applications include ball point pens, valve assemblies in engines, car suspension systems, pogo sticks, etc.
- Closed Coiled Helical Springs: Designed to resist stretching and twisting, these springs are also known as tension/extension springs. These springs feature an eye or a hook at the end for attachment. These springs can endure stress caused by high torsion or bending. The coils are closely wound to each other, and lie on the same axis of the helix. The turns of this spring lie at 90 degrees to the axis of the helix. These springs are used for heavy duty applications such as carburetors, garage door assemblies, vise-grip pilers, etc.
The above-mentioned information will help you gain a brief understanding of the two types of springs and their applications, thereby helping you to make a precise decision.