Chapter 15
Tension Springs According to DIN EN 13906-2-2002

    15.1   Start the Calculation Module
    15.2   General Information
    15.3   Input Possibilities
    15.4   Material Selection
    15.5   Spring end types
    15.6   How to Change the Unit of Measurement
    15.7   Message Window
    15.8   Quick Info: Tooltip
    15.9   The Button ‘Redo’ and ‘Undo’
    15.10   Calculation Results
    15.11   Diagrams
    15.12   Documentation: Calculation Report
    15.13   How to Save the Calculation
    15.14   The Button ‘Options’

15.1 Start the Calculation Module

Please login with your username and your password. Select the module ‘Tension spring’ through the tree structure of the project manager by double-clicking on the module or clicking on the button ‘New calculation’.

PIC

Figure 15.1: General overview

15.2 General Information

Spring is a mechanical device designed to store elastic energy when deflected and to return the energy when relaxed. The tension spring offers resistance to an axial force tending to extend its length, with or without initial tension.

PIC

Figure 15.2: Tension spring

15.3 Input Possibilities

15.3.1 Input of Spring Forces and Deflections

The calculation of the tension spring is based on DIN EN-13906-2. Forces and deflection or a combination of both parameters can be defined for the calculation. The depending values will be automatically calculated.

PIC

Figure 15.3: Input fields for the spring forces and deflections

For the entry of forces and deflections there are the following possibilities:

PIC

     

The entry of forces

PIC

     

The entry of deflection

PIC

     

The entry of forces and deflection

The input fields that are dependent upon one another are color-coded to simplify the connection of force, deflection and length. Click the input field and the corresponding input field will turn yellow. It makes it easier for you to see how these values relate to each other and how they change.

15.3.2 Wire Diameter and Spring Rate

Enter either a value for the wire diameter d or the spring rate R . Both values will be determined automatically.

PIC

Figure 15.4: Wire diameter and spring rate

Please Note: If you click the ‘Options’ button, then you can consider the tolerances. Select DIN 2076 B/C or DIN 2077 from the listbox.

PIC

Figure 15.5: Tolerances

15.3.3 Input of Diameters and Lengths

Enter the values for the tension spring geometry (e.g., length, diameter and coils). According to the specified input values, the values are determined automatically.

PIC

Figure 15.6: Input of diameter and length

15.3.4 Coil Clearance and Initial Tension

Coils can be wound so tightly that a load is needed to separate the coils. This is an internal load that holds the coils tightly together and this is what is known as initial tension. The initial tension is introduced by winding the coils so that they exert a certain pressure against each other.

PIC

Figure 15.7: Coil clearance and initial tension

The initial tension depends upon the spring material, the diameter of the wire d1  , the spring index (coil ratio) ω and the manufacturing method. In addition, the initial tension depends also on the maximum permissible shear stress τn  . Hot coiled tension springs are manufactured without initial tension and are produced with a distance between the adjacent spring coils. Tension springs with initial tension force have their coils pressed tightly together. Loosely wound springs always have a small amount of initial tension since it is not possible to achieve uniformly tension-free coiling. A small amount of initial tension force shall be accepted. Enter the number of coils n into the input field.

Hot coiled tension springs cannot be made with initial tension force. The heat treatment applied causes gaps to occur between the coils. The size of the gap depends upon the spring index and the degree of torsional stress involved. The following reference values for hot coiled spring up to 25 mm bar diameter can be used:

Please note: Clicking the ‘Material’ button opens the material database. Here you can select different materials. Futhermore, you get information on the manufacturing process (see also section 15.4 ‘Material Selection’).

15.3.5 Load

Before starting the calculation, it should be specified whether they will be subjected to static loading, quasi-static loading or dynamic loading. The calculation is possible for both dynamic and static/quasi-static loading. A static loading is:

Quasi-static loading is:

PIC

Figure 15.8: Load

In the case of tension spring dynamic loading is loading variable with time with a number of load cycles over 104 and torsional stress range greater than 0,1 × fatigue strength at:

Depending on the required number of cycles N up to rupture it is necessary to differentiate between two cases as follows:

15.4 Material Selection

Clicking the button ‘Material’ opens the material database. In case there is no material that will fulfill the design requirements, then simply define your individual material.

PIC

Figure 15.9: Button ‘Material’

Please select the material from the list. You will get detailed information on the material. The two cursor keys ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ of your keyboard allows you to navigate through the material database, so you can compare the different material properties with each other.

PIC

Figure 15.10: Material selection

15.4.1 Define Your Own Material

In case you cannot find the material you are looking for in our extensive database, simply define your individual material. You will find the entry ‘User-defined’ in the listbox. If you select this option, the input fields will be enabled, so that you can enter your own input values or add a comment.

PIC

Figure 15.11: User-defined material

In order to confirm your inputs, click the button ‘OK’. Please be advised that changing the material will delete your defined inputs and you have to enter the inputs again.

PIC

Figure 15.12: Database for the spring geometry

Depending on the manufacturing process (e.g., hot rolled or cold coiled springs), the calculation of the tolerances is determined according to DIN 2095 or DIN 2096. In addition, the eigenfrequency of the spring is calculated.

Please note: The ‘Spring geometry database’ button is disabled because there is no DIN standard that provides geometry data for the tension spring. In case you need geometry data, it is advisable to seek manufacturers advise.

15.5 Spring end types

Various forms of loops and connection elements are used for the spring power transmission. Select the spring end types from the list:

PIC

Figure 15.13: Selection of spring end types

PIC

Half german loop


PIC

Full german loop

PIC

Double german loop


PIC

Full german loop sidewise


PIC

Double german loop sidewise


PIC

Raised hook


PIC

Raised hook sidewise


PIC

English loop


PIC

Coned end with swivel hook


PIC

Threaded bolt rolled up


PIC

Threaded bolt screwed in


PIC

Screw ear screwed in


PIC

Full german loop angular

Every spring end can get different loop forms or connection elements. In order to quickly select the same spring end, enable the option ‘Equal spring ends’. If this option remains enabled, the listbox will display always the same spring ends.

PIC

Figure 15.14: Option ‘Equal spring ends’

15.5.1 Input of Distance from Inner Radius of Loop to Spring Body

The distance L
H  from the inner radius of loop to the spring body is displayed as well as the unsprung coils. But you can also define your own distance in order to calculate non-standard tension springs. You can enable the input field by clicking the checkbox next to it. After clicking the checkbox, you have to enter the input value.

PIC

Figure 15.15: Activate your own input

15.6 How to Change the Unit of Measurement

Use this function if you want to change the unit of measurement quickly. Just a right-click on the input field where you want to change the unit. The context menu contains all available units. The two arrows mark the current setting. As soon as you select a unit, the current field value will be converted automatically into the chosen unit of measurement.

PIC

Figure 15.16: Change measurement unit

15.7 Message Window

The calculation module provides a message window. This message window displays detailed information, helpful hints or warnings about problems. One of the main benefits of the program is that the software provides suggestions for correcting errors during the data input. If you check the message window carefully for any errors or warnings and follow the hints, you are able to find a solution to quickly resolve calculation problems.

PIC

Figure 15.17: Message window

15.8 Quick Info: Tooltip

The quick info feature gives you additional information about all input fields and buttons. Move the mouse pointer to an input field or a button, then you will get some additional information. This information will be displayed in the quick info line.

PIC

Figure 15.18: The quick info

15.9 The Button ‘Redo’ and ‘Undo’

The button ‘Undo’ allows you to reset your input to an older state. The button ‘Redo’ reverses the undo.

PIC

Figure 15.19: Button ‘Redo’ and ‘Undo’

15.10 Calculation Results

All important calculation results, such as the static and dynamic utilization of the permissable stress, the spring deviation sh and the utilization of the permissable spring deflection sn  , will be calculated during every input and will be displayed in the result panel. A recalculation occurs after every data input. Any changes that are made to the user interface take effect immediately. Press the Enter key or move to the next input field to complete the input. Alternatively, use the Tab key to jump from field to field or click the ‘Calculate’ button after every input. Your entries will be also confirmed and the calculation results will displayed automatically. If the result exceeds certain values, the result will be marked red.

PIC

Figure 15.20: Calculation results

15.11 Diagrams

In addition to the calculation results, a graphical representation of the load-deflection and Godman diagram is available. The Goodman diagram is displayed only for the dynamic load.

PIC

Figure 15.21: Load-deflection and Goodman diagram

Click directly on the diagram to open the diagram in a new window and to increase the size of the diagram.

PIC

Figure 15.22: Increase the diagram size

15.12 Documentation: Calculation Report

After the completion of your calculation, you can create a calculation report. Click on the ‘Report’ button.

PIC

Figure 15.23: ‘Report’ button

You can navigate through the report via the table of contents that provides links to the input values, results and figures. This calculation report contains all input data, the calculation method as well as all detailed results. The report is available in HTML and PDF format. The calculation report saved in HTML format, can be opened in a web browser or in Word for Windows.

PIC

Figure 15.24: Calculation report

You may also print or save the calculation report:

15.13 How to Save the Calculation

When the calculation is finished, you can save it to your computer or to the eAssistant server. Click on the button ‘Save’.

PIC

Figure 15.25: ‘Save’ button

Before you can save the calculation to your computer, you need to activate the checkbox ‘Enable save data local’ in the project manager and the option ‘Local’ in the calculation module. A standard Windows dialog for saving files will appear. Now you will be able to save the calculation to your computer.

PIC

Figure 15.26: Windows dialog for saving the file

In case you do not activate the option in order to save your files locally, then a new window is opened and you can save the calculation to the eAssistant server. Please enter a name into the input field ‘Filename’ and click on the button ‘Save’. Then click on the button ‘Refresh’ in the project manager. Your saved calculation file is displayed in the window ‘Files’.

PIC

Figure 15.27: Save the calculation

15.14 The Button ‘Options’

Click the button ‘Options’ in order to change the default settings.

PIC

Figure 15.28: ‘Options’ button

Here are the default settings that you can modify:

PIC

Figure 15.29: Options