Biegefeder

Biegefeder, or bending spring, is a type of mechanical spring designed to store energy primarily through bending of a flexible element rather than by axial compression or extension. In operation, a bending spring deflects under transverse loads, with its restoring force governed by the beam’s bending stiffness, geometry, and boundary conditions.

Construction and variants vary, but common forms include curved beams, straight beams with ends fixed or supported, and flexure-based assemblies. Materials are typically chosen for good elastic performance and fatigue resistance, such as spring steel, stainless steel, phosphor bronze, or beryllium copper. Some designs use leaf-like elements arranged to provide the desired stiffness, while others employ compact flexure hinges to achieve precise angular or linear motion with minimal friction.

Characteristics and design considerations include stiffness, range of deflection, and fatigue life. Because bending springs rely on elastic deformation, they can offer smooth, backlash-free motion and excellent resistance to wear when properly engineered. Preload, end constraints, and surface finish strongly influence performance and lifetime, especially in high-cycle applications. Manufacturing methods range from traditional forming and stamping of metal leaves to laser cutting and precision bending, and in micro-scale applications, microfabrication and MEMS techniques enable flexure-based bending elements.

Applications span positioning and actuation mechanisms, camera and optics mounts, hinge assemblies, and measurement devices where controlled deflection is needed without significant friction. Biegefeder thus provide a versatile solution in both macroscopic and miniature mechanisms where compact, reliable bending compliance is required. See also springs, flexures, and leaf springs.