The Uses of Coil Springs
A coil spring is a simple, helical spring that's made from a wire that's been curved. Coil springs are used in hundreds, if not thousands, of ways in our everyday lives. You can find small coil springs in toys, flashlights and, even, automatic firearms. While the coil spring has fallen by the wayside for certain applications, it's still a highly functional tool.
Mattresses
One of the most common places to find coil springs is in a mattress. Coil springs are placed in the core of most mattresses, supported by a wire frame. Once these shock-and-weight-absorbing coil springs are properly in place, they're properly lined and then padded, so that the sleeper can't feel the actual spring. Another common use for coil springs in this area is in a mattress's box spring. If a mattress is nothing but padding, then it should be laid on top of a box spring, which is a box filled with coil springs that help cushion and support the weight of the sleeper.
Scales
Another common use of coil springs is as an important component in a spring scale. These scales are like the kind found at a grocery store. They're essentially a spring that's connected to a hook and a measuring display. When a weight is hung from the hook, the spring stretches out, and the scale measures how far the spring is stretched. Once that measurement is taken, the display translates the downward force of the weight into an approximate number of pounds and/or kilograms. These aren't typically the most accurate scales, but they're functional and commonplace.
Vehicles
Coil springs are also prominently used in automobiles and other vehicles. While hydraulic shock absorbers may be used, large, steel springs are often installed on the undercarriage to help absorb the side effects of bumpy and uneven roads. Large coil springs were also used in Medieval carts for the same, shock-absorbing purposes. Two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles and dirt bikes, also use coil springs. They're an especially important component in competitive dirt bikes due to the impact that large jumps can have on the vehicle and rider.
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