5 ms·
Why are we still using springs?
by adrr 3y ago
Why are we still using springs?
- anamexis 3y agoWhy not?
- adrr 3y agoSeems like there should be something better that can last longer and not kill you if you try to fix it.
- riversflow 3y agoWhy does it seem like there should be something better?
- adrr 3y agoOur garage doors openers are better. No more loud chain and they last longer too.
- selcuka 3y agoThere are safer spring systems, such as TorqueMaster that goes into a hollow torque tube.
- unglaublich 3y agoDid you even read the article? Why are we still using passive, reliable mechanisms to reduce the force needed to move heavy objects?
- hoppyhoppy2 3y ago>Please don't comment on whether someone read an article. "Did you even read the article? It mentions that" can be shortened to "The article mentions that". https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- itishappy 3y agoGarage doors weigh from 80 to 200 lb (37 - 90 kg)[0], so you'd have to hang one of these from it[1]. Hmm, that doesn't sound too bad. Here's some smarter people than me discussing it[2]. Also, here's a company that sells them[3]. Looks like they use a pully system to double the weight and half the distance. Neat! I feel like I may have seen one of these before... [0] https://veterangaragedoor.com/faq/how-much-do-garage-doors-weigh/ https://veterangaragedoor.com/faq/how-much-do-garage-doors-w... [1] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Heavy_Dumbbells_200_pound.JPG https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Heavy_Du... [2] https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/8692/why-arent-counterweights-used-more-for-garage-doors https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/8692/why-are... [3] https://www.hermco.ca/products/2000-series/ https://www.hermco.ca/products/2000-series/
- elzbardico 3y agoThe people answering apparently don't know that you can use counter-weights, cables and pulleys instead of a torsion spring. It takes more space, but it rock solid and safer to fix. It is very common in some other countries.
- BizarroLand 3y ago300lbs of counterweights strapped to the doors would take up a good bit of space. Pulley systems would need to either be 1 to 1 or would need some space to fall below the garage floor or to be stored above garage door height. They seem far safer, longer lasting, and cheaper and easier to repair than springs, but are more expensive to install, take up more space, and probably cost more all in all compared to springs. I found this that also goes into it: https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/8692/why-arent-counterweights-used-more-for-garage-doors https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/8692/why-are...
- Lammy 3y agoThat looks super cool actually, like passing the Pillars of Hercules every time I drive https://hermco.ca/wp-content/uploads/img_14.jpg https://hermco.ca/wp-content/uploads/img_14.jpg
- BizarroLand 3y agoYou know, that design makes a lot of sense, since the door would be mostly horizontal by the time the pulley got close to bottoming out the motor would still be able to move it. I bet those tubes go below the foundation though and god help you if the cable breaks and you have to fish those weights out to reattach it. Maybe there is some easily reachable latch point on top or some sort of fluid pump port that will make it easier on you?
- Obi_Juan_Kenobi 3y agoCounterweights provide a constant force, whereas springs can be precisely balanced to the decreasing weight as the overhead door becomes more horizontal. It is inherently related to the design of segmented overhead doors.
- cvalka 3y agoIt's an American upper middle class thing.