There are many types of springs. According to the nature of the load they bear, springs are mainly divided into four types: tension springs, compression springs, torsion springs and bending springs. According to the shape of the spring, it can be divided into helical springs, disc springs, annular springs, leaf springs, coil springs, etc. The table lists the basic types of various springs.

Helical torsion springs are the most commonly used type of torsion springs. Coil springs have the characteristics of more turns, larger deformation, and larger storage energy. They are mostly used for compression and power devices of instruments and clocks. Leaf springs can withstand greater bending effects and are often used in situations where the size of the load direction is limited and the deformation is large. Because leaf springs have better vibration absorption capabilities, they are widely used in the suspension devices of automobiles, tractors and railway vehicles. The following are physical pictures of various types of springs.

Spring function

Springs are an elastic element that works by producing large elastic deformations by themselves. They are widely used in various types of machines. Its main functions are:

1) Control the movement of machinery, such as the spring that controls the opening and closing of the cylinder valve in the internal combustion engine, and the control spring in the clutch (see Figure a);

2) Absorb vibration and impact energy, such as the shock-absorbing springs in various vehicles (see Figure b) and the springs of various buffers, etc.;

3) Store and release energy, such as watch springs (see Figure c), bolt springs, etc.;

4) Measure the magnitude of force, such as the spring in the spring balance (see Figure d) and the dynamometer, etc.