Spring
part · 1400 · Middle Ages
An elastic element that stores mechanical energy.
Principles and materials it uses
- Elasticity — uses. A spring works through the elasticity of its material.
- Hooke’s law — uses. The force of a spring.
- Iron — is made of. Early springs were made of hardened iron.
Where it is used
- Suspension — is part of. Springs are the elastic element of the suspension.
- Balance wheel — is part of. A spiral hairspring returns the balance.
- Elevator safety brake — is part of. Springs throw out the catches when the rope goes slack.
- Automaton — is part of. The mainspring stores the energy.
- Lock and key — is part of. Springs press the pins.
- Bogie — is part of. Spring suspension.
- Shutter — is part of. A spring mechanism.
- Rotary dial — is part of. A return spring.
- Safety valve — is part of. A spring-loaded valve.
- Safety pin — is part of. A coiled spring.
- Spring mattress — is part of. A spring unit.
- Flintlock — is part of. A mainspring.
- Machine gun — is part of. A return spring.
- Tape measure — is part of. A return spring.
- Wheellock — is part of. A mainspring turns the wheel.
- Mechanical pencil — is part of. A feed mechanism.
- Derailleur — is part of. A tension spring.
- Ratchet — is part of. The pawl spring.
- Clothes peg — is part of. A spring.
- Door closer — is part of. A spring.
- Spring balance — is part of. A spring.
- Trampoline — is part of. Springs.
- Carabiner — is part of. A gate.
- Pinball — is part of. A plunger.
- Snap fastener — is part of. A spring ring.
- Kitchen scale — is part of. The load stretches a spring.
- Clutch — is part of. A spring presses the plates together.
- Vending machine — is part of. A spring holds the dispenser.
- Shock absorber — is part of. The spring carries the car's weight while the damper stops it bouncing.
- Joystick — is part of. They return the stick to the centre.
What it is a kind of
- Mainspring — includes. A mainspring is a spiral spring.
- Leaf spring — includes. A spring.
- Coil spring — includes. A spring.