Translational Spring

Ideal spring in mechanical translational systems

Library

Mechanical Translational Elements

Description

The Translational Spring block represents an ideal mechanical linear spring, described with the following equations:

$F=Kx$

$x={x}_{init}+{x}_{R}-{x}_{C}$

$v=\frac{dx}{dt}$

where

 F Force transmitted through the spring K Spring rate x Relative displacement (spring deformation) xinit Spring initial displacement (initial deformation); the spring can be initially compressed (xinit > 0) or stretched (xinit < 0) xR,xC Absolute displacements of terminals R and C, respectively v Relative velocity t Time

The block positive direction is from port R to port C. This means that the force is positive if it acts in the direction from R to C.

Dialog Box and Parameters

Parameters Tab

Spring rate

Spring rate. The default value is 1000 N/m.

Variables Tab

Use the Variables tab in the block dialog box (or the Variables section in the block Property Inspector) to set the priority and initial target values for the block variables prior to simulation. For more information, see Set Priority and Initial Target for Block Variables.

Ports

The block has the following ports:

R

Mechanical translational conserving port.

C

Mechanical translational conserving port.