The total torsion spring concept

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Torsion springs from Lee Spring are said to offer the design engineer a proven, compact energy return mechanism in a wide variety of catalogue specs, for rapid ex-stock delivery or as custom variants.

Lee Spring Torsion springs exemplify its ‘complete spring’ concept, stated the company, with many options as standard, covering angular orientation and many leg types to suit common applications. “They are extremely useful as a way of returning energy axially around a mandrel or within a cavity or similar locating framework.”

Commonly, torsion springs are used in clothes pins, clipboards, swing-down tailgates, garage doors, window shades, counterbalance mechanisms, ratchets and various types of machine components. Torsion springs are used for hinges, counterbalances and lever return applications. They are also used as couplings between concentric shafts, such as in a motor and pump assembly. Sizes range from miniature, used in electronic devices, to large torsion springs used in chair control units.

Torsion springs are designed and wound to be actuated rotationally, and to provide an angular return force. There are many options for leg configuration, so the spring can be attached in different ways. Leg end style choices include straight torsion, straight offset, hinged, short hook ends, and hook ends. Torsion spring ends can be bent, twisted, hooked or looped to suit your project needs. Lee torsion stock springs are offered in a choice of 90°, 120°, 180°, 210°, 270°, 300° and 360° free leg position.

Double torsion springs consist of one set of coils coiled right hand and one set of coils coiled left hand. These coils are connected, usually with an unwound section between the winds and work in parallel. The sections are designed separately with the total torque being the sum of the two. They are particularly valuable where a balanced twist-free force is required in delicate mechanisms.