What system could replace a spring? 3

[Martijn Roks]

Hello,

I am doing a internship and I am working on a device that has a spring to generate force, by pressing it downstairs and hold it in that position. When a release button is pushed then the spring goes back to it's normal form and releases the power.

Now I am looking for a few system that could replace the spring, because my boss wants get rid of the spring.

Has some one a idea that could replace a spring and still generate enough force?

hopefully someone can help me!

 

[robyengIT]

compressed air

 

[JStephen]

Various rubber/elastic materials, electric solenoid, different form of spring, see-saw with counterweight.

 

[LittleInch]

You need to use the right terminology.

The spring does not generate force. That comes from the thing or weight that is compressing it.

Force is force. Power is force times distance divided by time.

Releasing the spring doesn't release the power, it releases the force.

Why does your boss want to get rid of the spring? Is there ant movement which needs to be taken up or not. Having a spring implies that there is a movement.

First define your issue/ requirement before looking for other options.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[MintJulep]

Find a senior engineer who is familiar with that product.

Even better, one who is familiar with the problem with the spring.

From first principles, nothing is more simple then a spring for trading work for force. So it is essential to understand the problem that requires solving.

 

[kjoiner]

A few questions:

1. What is the distance the spring is compressed?
2. What force is required?
3. Is it important that the force varies when the spring is released? i.e. spring force follows a linear path because of the spring constant
4. How frequently does this operation take place?

Some options:
1. Gas spring
2. Counterweight on a cable etc.


Like MintJulep says, a spring is a very simple and predictable way to accomplish the task.

Kyle

 

[IRstuff]

Work is force times distance; Power is the rate of work.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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[Martijn Roks]

Hello everyone,

To anwser a few question, so that everything is clear.

1. The distance that the spring is compressed si 5 cm.
2. the required force is 10 Newton
3. No the system needs to generate 10 Newton.
4. The device will be used 5 times and will then be thrown away.

My boss his opinion is that the spring isn't the best solution, so if we can figure out something else that does the job it's better.

But I also agree with you guys that the spring is very simple and predictable. But there must be a similar device that does the same job.

And just to be clear this is just to see what similar systems there are.

 

[LittleInch]

So is movement to generate the force required or not?

If yes then you need some sort of compressible material ( rubber, plastic, whatever)

If you just need a force of 10N then a piston with air or liquid could do this or maybe a solenoid or a weight of some sort.

what is pressing down on the spring to create the force at the moment?

A sketch/picture would help a lot here.

Using anything 5 times then throwing it away sounds very wasteful....

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[IRstuff]

There are, but springs are dirt cheap. You are likely sitting on the standard office chair for the last several decades, which is built around a gas spring.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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[handleman]

If a spring is already doing the job, you must define why a spring is not desirable, and which characteristics of the spring you want to get rid of. You can't just say, "I [or my boss] don't want to use a spring." If you want something that will do the job "better", you have to define what "better" is.

 

[BUGGAR]

It's basically disposable. Five compressed air "capsules" inside a bladder that expands when each capsule is electronically/somehow breached. There will have to be a relief valve to deflate the bladder and release the force.

 

[IRstuff]

Replace a spring with FIVE things and a bunch of valving; what could possibly be simpler?

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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[BrianPetersen]

Instead of "simplify and add lightness", let's "complexify and add obfuscation".

Explain to the rest of us, the big picture. What does this gizmocontraption that you are trying to re-invent do? What is the problem with having a spring?

Springs don't just magically release and reapply their load. Something else pushes, compresses, stretches, twists, or whatever to them to reapply their load. What is it that does that, in this case?

More information ... better answers.

 

[EdStainless]

And there are many styles of springs; compression or extension, coil or leaf or other geometry, and a bunch of others.
If there is something undesirable about the current one then likely the easiest action (without adding undue cost and complexity) is to look at other spring configurations.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[dvd]

A counterweight would accomplish what you describe.

 

[drawoh]

Martijn Roks,

How about a different kind of spring?

Actually, your spring stores energy.

Energy = Work = Force [×] Distance

If you wish to store and then release mechanical energy, you need a spring. If you don't want to do this mechanically, would a solenoid do?

--
JHG

 

[chicopee]

Not knowing the type of object that incorporates the spring, a possible replacement to the spring could be a device having the motion of a screw. Obviously the design would be more complicated since the required power could be from pneumatic or hydraulic medium.

 

[Artisi]

For 5 operations nothing could be simpler than a spring - maybe your boss is just giving you sonething to do - - the next request will be design a left handed screw-driver.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[Martijn Roks]

T explain it more I added a picture in my anwser.
1. Is the button that attached on the spring
2. the box/device the spring is located in
3. Is the spring
4. Stick with rounded tip in it.

So what it does is: that you need to push the button (1) down so the spring will be pushed together. Once it is down the button will attach to the stick (4) and the stick will hold the button in place, because it is held back by a "release button". So now the energy of the spring is stored until the release button is pressed. When the release button is pressed the button will shoot upwards with the attached stick.

Now we wanted to see if there is another simpel system that could do the same thing as a spring. Because we need to destroy the device it would be easier if every material is the same, so it could be destroyed and reused.

So if this clears thing up and some one has a idea that would be helpfull. Because I don't need anwser what concluded that my boss just give me things to do etc. This isn't my boss, but my school who said I should look into it and to do research.

I was thinking maybe we could use magnets that push eachother away. Is has the same principale in my opinion.

So if someone has some new insides or something like that let them hear!