Compression springs are helical springs designed to withstand axial compressive loads; their key structural characteristics are as follows:
Basic Form
They are formed by helically winding spring wire with a circular, rectangular, or other cross-section. Common shapes include cylindrical, conical, barrel-shaped (convex), and hourglass-shaped (concave). A gap is maintained between the coils, allowing the spring to compress and store elastic potential energy under load.
End Design
The ends typically feature closed and ground coils to ensure the bearing surface is perpendicular to the spring axis; this promotes uniform load distribution and prevents tilting or buckling under compression.
Core Structural Features
They possess a fixed free length and operate under axial compression. Their stiffness can be designed as linear (for constant-diameter springs) or non-linear (for variable-diameter or conical springs) to suit various operating requirements.