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Variations of Belleville Washers
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Posted On :
Jan-07-2013
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Article Word Count :
549
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You are probably familiar with the many types and uses of the simple washers and springs found in a wide variety of fastening applications.
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You are probably familiar with the many types and uses of the simple washers and springs found in a wide variety of fastening applications.
When we think of a washer it is common to envision a simple, flat metal disc that comes in a variety of materials, diameters and thicknesses. The same is true with the assortment of coiled springs that provide flexible tension and torsion characteristics. Both of these fasteners have a specific use and are prevalent in every household.
But there is another, less widely known and interesting fastener, that you might find to be useful. It exhibits the capability of both a precision spring and a washer. An amazingly simple, but versatile conical shaped disc that delivers the combined properties of a simple washer and precision spring in the same fastener. This type of fastener is used as a precision spring that applies downward tension and flexibility to a bearing or bolted joint.
This unique fastener has a variety of names including Belleville washer, Belleville spring or Belleville disc spring. We see them commonly used in household electrical appliances and power tools. They also work to keep industrial, military, automotive and many other critically important devices working at peak performance. You will see them used on bicycles and motorcycles, too.
The History of the Belleville
Julian F. Belleville invented the conical spring disc in the middle of the nineteenth century. He designed his stamp press Bellevilles springs as disc-shaped rings that are formed at an angle. The conical shape of the disc provides a high tensile strength. The slight upward angle at the center of the disc creates a resisting force that can be powerful with even a relatively short, downward stroke.
Using Belleville Washers
Some spring applications require the individual stamp press Bellevilles to be stacked. Stacking the disc springs is accomplished by nesting one or more of them together in various nesting configurations. Stacking the disc springs can achieve graduated levels of force, deflection and spring resistance. The configuration of stacking can be in series, parallel or both series and parallel. The difference between the configurations is determined by how the conical spring discs are nested together. Parallel stacking is accomplished by nesting the spring discs in the same direction. Think of the cone-shaped discs aligned inside each other. Doing so adds to the spring constant (i.e. more vertical force) and results in a stiffer joint. Series stacking requires the spring discs to be nested in an alternating direction. Think of the conical discs in opposing directions. Series stacking results in a lower spring constant and greater deflection (i.e. outward force).
Meeting Your Belleville Needs
Engineers can mix and match the configuration of the disc springs to achieve the optimum mechanical advantages they need to make assembly run efficiently and the operation to perform smoothly. The variation in stacking methods, material types (i.e. types of metals or rubber), thicknesses and diameters offer the engineer an endless range of tuning options.
Spring discs are manufactured to perform under a wide variety of environmental conditions. The base metal is commonly carbon steel. Treatments such as browning, phosphating, zinc or nickel plating or delta tone are applied to the steel to achieve the optimum environmental protection.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Variations of Belleville Washers_243551.aspx
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Author Resource :
The author has an immense knowledge on precision spring. Know more about stamp press Bellevilles related info in his website.
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Keywords :
precision spring, stamp press Bellevilles,
Category :
Business
:
Business
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