Whether you want to find more information about clock springs like features, application, mounting method, design requirement.
or you are looking for high-quality clock springs.
everything you’re looking for is right here.
Let dive right in.
- What are the clock springs?
- What are the uses of clock springs?
- Clock spring price?
- How does a clock spring work?
- What are the features of clock springs?
- How are clock springs mounted?
- What material is used to make clock springs?
- How to design Clock Spring?
- Where to purchase the clock springs?
- Conclusion.
1. What Are The Clock Springs?
Clock springs are also known as spiral torsion springs, flat spiral springs, motor brush springs. They are made of stainless steel stripe and formed through the special springs formed machine.
Fig 1. Clock Springs
Clock springs are wildly used in clock, timer, toys, and so on.
Clock springs operate in a circular motion, due to this, they generate rotational torque.
2. What Are The Uses of Clock Springs?
Clock springs have become popular in many industries. They are versatile and low cost.
Let’s look at some of the areas they are used:
- Electric Motors
- Healthcare and medical devices
- Transport and automotive
- Industrial applications
- Architectural hardware
Some applications using clock springs are:
- MRI scanners
- Meters
- Timing devices
- Toys like music boxes and wind-up toys
- Clocks
- Airbags
3. Clock Springs Price?
The specification and technology decide the price of the clock springs.
Raw material also is the main factor of price.
it’s better to inquiry the sales representative for a reasonable quotation, they will offer you based on your application.
In Yongsheng, if your requirement meets the specification of the below table,
you will get save the tooling cost and will get a favorable price.
| Part Number | T(mm) | W(mm) | L(mm) | Min. Torque(N.mm) | Max. Torque(N.mm) | Turns | Arbor size(mm) | O.D(mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YSH022475T | 0.22 | 4.75 | 430 | 30.57 | 61.15 | 7.5 | 6.21 | 32.88 |
| YSH0323T | 0.3 | 2.3 | 290 | 27.53 | 55.06 | 6.5 | 5.66 | 25.28 |
| YSH0303T | 0.3 | 3 | 290 | 35.91 | 71.82 | 6.5 | 5 | 24.24 |
| YSH0310T | 0.3 | 10 | 610 | 119.7 | 239.4 | 9.5 | 10.3 | 29.89 |
| YSH04475T | 0.4 | 4.75 | 500 | 101.08 | 202.16 | 5.5 | 10.15 | 50.32 |
| YSH05308T | 0.53 | 8 | 430 | 298.88 | 597.76 | 5.5 | 13.39 | 36.12 |
Please send us a sample or a design you have; we will provide you with a quote.
4. How a Clock Spring Works
Primarily, clock springs generate torque when rotated.
Let’s see how they work.
Clock springs typically have their inner end fixed, the outer end is attached to the rotating component of your application.
They are characterized by space between the coils, the gap between the coils is almost equal when not loaded.
This ensures there’s no friction when in use.
Clock springs operate in a circular movement when rotating below 360 degrees, it generates a nearly linear torsion.
The figure below shows the working mechanism of a clock spring.
Fig 2. Clock spring design
d Represents the arbor diameter. This can be customized for your application.
D Represents the clock spring diameter. This will also be customized based on your application.
M represents the Torque direction. When the spring rotates, torque M increases. This can also be custom designed.
The end of the spring rotates through an angle when a load is applied. The angle is represented in the above diagram as ∅.
If the rotation is above 360 degrees (full circle rotation), coils on the spring get closer to the arbor. This leads to a rapid increase in torque per revolution. The coils also come into contact with each other. This causes friction.
The figure below shows the correlation between deflection and torque.
Fig 3. Angular Deflection vs. Torque
If deflection increases, torque increases. If the deflection is decreased, the torque reduces.
Clock springs are therefore recommended for applications requiring less than 360 degrees rotation.
5. What are the features of clock springs?
The features of clock springs lead to some advantages.
Due to their small and compact sizes, they can fit in any space.
Dependent on the materials used, clock springs can withstand corrosion and high temperatures in your application environment. We recommend the 301 high yield stainless steel, at some time, however, high carbon steel is also a good selection.
Several features make clock springs popular. These include:
- They are relatively low in cost, for the technology’s sake, it is less costly than some other springs.
- They generate high torque for every deflection – Clock springs are utilized for applications that require short circular movement, the short movement, coupled with the torque generated, provides your application with rotational energy.
As a precision spring manufacturer, we offer you standard and custom-made clock springs. Please contact us with the features you want. Our engineers will be in touch to help you out.
6. How are clock springs mounted?
Mounting a clock spring is a critical step in getting your application to work well, We offer different ends to facilitate mounting.
Mounting clock springs require an arbor, the arbor is inserted into the inner diameter of the spring, The inner end of the spring is then bent and attached tightly to the arbor.
Figure 2 shows the arbor diameter, where it will be attached. If you require a unique arbor diameter, please contact us.
The outer end of the spring is attached to the application, the rotational energy generated from the spring.
Fig 4. Mounting a clock spring
That’s all about the clock springs mounting, YongSheng also supply the mounting and assembly service,
do not hesitate to contact us.
7. What material is used to make clock springs?
In YongSheng, we usually recommend our clients the SUS301 stainless steel, for its high mechanical performance, antirust, anti-corrosion, etc.
See an illustration below.
However, we can also use other materials such as High carbon steel and specialty alloys.
These materials have some advantages, including anti-rust properties, easy to form, and high yield performance.
It’s better to tell us your application before place an order, we will decide the raw material based on your product features.
Appropriate material will decrease your much trouble and cost in the future.
8. How to design Clock Spring or what are the design factors?
Getting the right design for your spring is essential. If the design is wrong, your application will fail.
The design of your spring largely depends on your application.
However, there are several ways to design a spring.
These include:
a)Determine the energy requirements for your application.
b)Determine the deflection/spring rate for your application
c)Determine the space in which your spring will work. The space in your application is critical because it will influence your spring design.
d)Choose your spring material. Type 301 steel is recommended.
e)Determine the number of coils, diameter, material size, length, and the number of coils.
f)Workout the working stress of the spring.
You can design in various sizes, coil diameters, wire diameters, and end extensions.
It is also possible to get different end details, including curved, hooked, or straight.
These factors will help you design the clock springs.
9. Where to purchase the clock springs?
If you just want to buy one, two, or several clock springs, it’s better to find them via an online retail platform like Amazon, eBay, Aliexpress, etc.
If you want to purchase mass quantity or intend to custom your special specification clock springs, you should find a professional flat coil springs supplier,
you can find a spring supplier via several ways as below:
1, Directly input keywords “clock springs supplier” in the google search bar, you will find many results, find out one or two, then send your inquiry.
2, Find your supplier via the world’s largest B2B platform: Alibaba, you will find many professional springs suppliers.
3, Exhibition is also a good way to find the quality clock springs supplier, but in the pandemic period, it’s a little difficult to attend the exhibition.
Conclusion
With the above information, you can conclusively understand what clock springs are, what’s the main factor to design a clock spring, what’s the feature, and how to find a clock spring manufacture on the internet, etc.