Physics has made our lives easier on many fronts. Almost every aspect of our lives is controlled by various principles and theories of Physics, and one such thing is the various types of forces including the Spring Force. Have you ever wondered what is the science behind motions? Well, it’s different types of forces that cause all motions, and every time the motion of an object changes, it’s because a force has been applied to it. Force is responsible for a stationary object to start moving, or a moving object to change its speed or direction, or both. In physics, force is explained as a push or pull acting on an object. From computers to cars, everyday machines are made of a number of different parts, each with its own purpose, and these parts are responsible for a machine to move and function properly. To make a machine perform its function, again and again, many machines have parts that need to move back and forth, and one such part that is used in a typical machine is a simple device, a spring. In simple words, a spring is an elastic device that returns to its original shape when it is pressed, bent, pushed, or pulled. The force generated by these springs is based on Hook’s law according to which the force is proportional to the extension.
1. Valve Spring
A valve spring is an essential part of your car’s engine. Valve springs are compression springs, which help to keep engine valves running smoothly and avoid sudden engine failure and damage. These springs force the valves to completely close, securing the proper amount of compression, and it helps to protect the axle, cylinder walls, pistons, and bearings.
2. Lawn Mower
You must have noticed lawn mowers in your backyards, parks, and stadiums, but have you ever noticed how do they work? Well, apart from many different parts used in lawn mowers, a set of springs plays a crucial role in their efficient functioning. Springs used in lawn mowers such as ratchet return springs, governor springs, and idler springs, help allow the drive wheel to move backward when the forward drive is not engaged, and the mechanical energy stored in these springs generates the required force to accomplish the process.
3. Sprinklers
Well, after making your garden tidy with the help of lawn mowers, you definitely require the grass to remain green and lively, and to achieve this, sprinklers come into play, which are used to water our yards efficiently. Sprinklers spray water into the air and allow tiny water droplets to fall on the ground surface somewhat resembling rainfall. Springs attached to the swing arm create spring tension that further generates a force to move the swing arms in the required direction.
4. Medical Devices
Did you know that a variety of springs are used for medical equipment? These springs play a crucial role in designing medical devices, and in turn, they indirectly help promote healthy living. From the creation of diagnostic and monitoring devices to design syringes as well as pill dispensers, these elastic devices are used in noninvasive applications. These springs also aid in the design of surgical and nonsurgical devices such as catheters and pacemakers. Compression, extension, and torsion springs are mainly used in medical equipment. Compression springs are used in the squeezing action of a surgical stapler. Extension springs or tension springs are used in stretchers, surgical lights, and a range of handheld devices, and medical applications of torsion springs are evident in MRI devices and X-ray machines.
Springs used in medical devices
5. Electrical Appliances
Springs are widely used in the electronics sector. Every time you open the door of an electronic household appliance, be it your microwave oven, fridge, or washing machine, a spring is working, which ensures the door is open and closed when needed by creating resistance. The door latch assembly of these appliances usually has a spring attached to provide downward tension that generates a spring force to keep the hooks engaged.
6. Office Equipment
You might not have noticed that springs help you do your job more efficiently every day. Springs play a crucial role in many office equipment and technology, including computers, printers, and even the battery in your wireless mouse. Buckling springs have been extensively used in computer keyboards. The buckling spring mechanism, which is placed atop the switch, causes the tactile and aural response of the keyboard. Based on the resistance generated by the spring, the key requires different amounts of pressure to actuate and to bottom out. Springs used in a wireless mouse help to scroll smoothly.
Keyboard Spring
7. Trampoline
When it comes to recreational activities, especially for children, trampolines are definitely one of the most popular choices, but do you know that in trampolines springs are the most essential part for their smooth and safe functioning? Most people believe that it is the trampoline’s fabric that launches you into the air; however, in fact, it is the system of springs attached to the fabric. When you jump on a trampoline, your body weight forces the trampoline downward, which further creates pressure in the springs, generating a counterforce stored in the springs that throws you upward.
8. Shock Absorbers
Springs are essentially used in pneumatic and hydraulic shock absorbers where they help absorb and damp shock impulses by converting kinetic energy, generated in the shock, into heat. The most common example of shock absorbers is vehicle suspension which mostly uses coil springs or leaf springs.
9. Springs in the Bogie
Generally, passengers don’t notice the bogie, but it’s a significant element of safe railway operations as it supports the railcar body, which allows the train to run smoothly both on straight and curved tracks, ensuring a comfortable journey. Steel leaf or coil springs are commonly used in bogies. These springs reduce forces and vibrations and help to prevent derailment.
Springs in the Bogie
10. Firearm Springs
Springs are, in fact, very critical to the function of nearly every firearm in existence. They are so critical that if springs in your weapon don’t work properly, your weapon won’t work properly. Hammer/striker, trigger reset, recoil, extractor, and magazine are the most commonly used springs in firearms. These springs play different crucial roles like Hammer/Striker Springs provide the energy to fire the primer, and the purpose of a Trigger Reset Spring is to return the trigger back to the pre-firing position as you release the trigger, and the Recoil Spring slows the recoiling assembly of the firearm and returns that assembly back into battery after firing, Extractor Springs serves the purpose of actuating the extractor so that spent shell casings are dislodged from the chamber of the weapon, and Magazine Springs do the job of moving the next cartridge into position just as the firearm reaches the fully open position. These springs work on Hook’s law to generate the required spring force.
Just awesome!