Springs
Walker Constant Force Springs
+ more technical information
PRE-STRESSED POWER SPRINGS
Power springs for every type of retract-return device, or rotational motive power for toys, instruments, appliances and machines have been a Walker specialty for years.
No application of the pre-stressed power spring demonstrates its advantages better than the seat belt retractors found in all modern cars: A simple, self-contained and rugged package, long extension capability, and a sustained torque on rewind that doesn't go limp before the belt
is fully retracted and firmly nested.
For microwave turntables, longrunning, pre-stressed power springs will function dependably without outside power or the worry of dry cell battery failure.
Walker understands the mechanical energy sources and particular properties involved in these design situations. Therefore, we have the ability to produce power springs, perfectly fit for your product's specifications; springs that can be economically assembled into your products.
We may be able to suggest an unexpected design solution to permit the use of a more powerful or longer-running pre-stressed power spring, often at a reduced cost.
CUSTOM MADE FOR A VARIETY OF USES.
CONSTANT FORCE EXTENSION SPRINGS
Whether you are using a spring as a pressure device, a pusher, a lifter, a return or a suspension, the constant force extension spring introduces entirely new possibilities without the need for adjusters, compensating devices or special geometry. All that is needed is a straight, guided pre-stressed band, whose tension is predetermined to supply the force that can complete the desired task.
Walker Spring & Stamping Corporation can implement a spring, or combination of springs, so unvarying in force that the weight of an object can be counterbalanced and suspended at any position.
Constant force extension springs are also ideal for urging goods forward in a rack, as in the case of a food and beverage dispensers or other point-of-sale displays. Firm predetermined pressure is constant, whether the rack is full or down to the last item (illustrated). This spring design is also effectively used in counterbalance applications on doors or other mechanical devices.
This high energy band of material takes very little space and can often be properly guided in an existing track.
In operation, the spring band of a constant-torque motor curls naturally onto the smaller, storage, drum. In assembly, the outer end of the spring is drawn from the coil, fastened to and wound backward (counter to its natural curvature) onto the larger, output, drum. This is the wind-up or "charging" action. When released, the band returns to its natural curvature by running back onto the storage drum.
APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTANT TORQUE MOTORS ARE VARIED.
A miniaturized tape recorder maintains constant tape tension that permits the two reels to operate at different speeds, preventing slack or looping of the tape during reel-to-reel transfer. Using the constant-torque spring motor has permitted the design of completely self-contained, float-type tank level gages. The use of deadweights and installation of protective weight tubes is obsolete.
CONSTANT TORQUE MOTORS
Many conventional power sources have serious limitations in such design areas as weight, shelf life, temperature effect on performance, mobility, hostile atmospheres, moisture, orientation to gravity, availability of space or recharging of energy. At Walker these limitations have been eliminated by the use of a constant torque motor.
Torque output of this simple two-drum construction is so inherently well-regulated that its use exceeds practicality. Not only are the above limitations avoided, the two-drum design is suited for situations that involve rotational energy, long linear travel, unusual storage or shelf-life requirements or need for weight reduction.
A shaft, gear or pulley attached to the output drum becomes a powerful source of sustained rotational energy (illustrated).
A doll gets its voice from a tiny turntable driven by a lightweight pre-stressed spring motor. The proper spring design will allow unusually long sentences and phrases to be completed. DESIGN FEASIBILITY CHART Constant-Torque Spring Chart
*Sustained rotational energy.
SPRING POWERED REELS Modular Components Concept
Spring powered reels are ideal `or applications requiring long deflection counterbalancing, lift assistance, tensioning and similar retraction and return devices. This design is also used in applications requiring rotational power.
Reels and reel assemblies provide efficient service it many applications, such as door closing, cable and cord retraction, too balancing, motor devices and similar applications. Spring powered reels cc ntaining a Walker pre-stressed power spring will provide consistent output and high fatigue life and serve as an integral part cf linear velocity displacement tranducers s design.
Spring reels, demonstrating the expertise of Walker engineering, are available in a wide range of capabilities with stainless steel housings. The single reel series s is also available in impact-resistant plastic housings.
