Posted to News on 21st Nov 2017, 00:00
New wire forms and constant force springs
Constant Force Springs from Lee Spring offer an excellent mechanism for applications where a constant load is required. Some of the many applications of constant force springs are in counterbalances, door closers, cable retractors, hose retrievers, tool head returns, cabinet and furniture components, gym equipment, hair dryers, toys, electric motors, appliances, space vehicles, and other long-motion functions.
Specifically, motor springs are used for cable retraction, power generation etc., while power springs are used for retracting applications such as seat belt webbing, tape measures and dog leads, seat recliner, window regulator mechanisms, etc.
Lee Spring offers constant force springs in four life cycle ranges where each spring is a roll of high yield Type 301 Stainless Steel strip exerting a nearly constant restraining force to resist uncoiling. When the strip is extended, the inherent stress resists the loading force at a nearly constant rate. Typically stainless steel Type 301 is selected, but high-carbon steel, Inconel and other materials are also suitable for constant force springs. Fatigue life of these springs ranges from 2,500 cycles to over a million cycles depending upon the load and size of the spring. Working deflections of 50 times the drum diameter can be achieved and these springs are often considered much easier to handle than a conventional wire spring.
Considerable flexibility is possible with constant force springs because the load capacity can be varied by using different mounting configurations such as cavity mounts, multiple spring mounts, etc. Constant force springs are available in a wide variety of sizes and end configurations to suit the design situation.
Many variations of constant force spring are possible over and above the simple increase in size, thickness, diameter etc. For example, doubling up by back-to-back mounting which not only doubles the available force but also increases stability; tandem mounting which doubles force and laminar mounting which doubles the force in a limited space.
Lee Spring also bends over backwards (and sideways and any way) for custom wire forms. Wire Forms are used extensively in industries such as electronics and automotive as retainers or for location of components from connectors to seat coverings. By their nature, each is of custom design although Lee Spring has many ‘standard’ styles, including S hooks, U hooks, J hooks and clips, but from there designs can go almost anywhere.
Custom wire forms from Lee Spring are available in rolled round, flattened round, rectangular and other shaped sections with many surface coatings and treatments. Finishes provided include electropolishing, tumbling, shot peening, electroplating and chemical, depending on the application and environment envisaged.
