The garage door spring system plays a critical role in the movement of the door. It is not very difficult to understand how a spring system operates but homeowners should refrain from adjusting a garage door spring system or trying to fix or replace the cables, fasteners or drums that form a part of the complete door system. As the garage door is the heaviest moving object in any home, these systems are under constant tension and any type of repair should only be done by professionals. The spring system in any garage door is carefully designed so that the door moves up and down without a glitch. The most common springs used in any system are the torsion and extension springs.
Let's See How The Torsion And Extension Springs Function:
- Torsion springs are largely used owing to the fact they are safe and they perform really well if maintained. You will notice that a torsion spring is attached to a rod, which is in turn attached to a cable drum where the cables are firmly wound. The cables are usually galvanized and attached to the bottom bracket that can be found near the door. This bottom bracket is under extreme tension and should never be removed or adjusted. All bottom brackets are designed in such a way that they are tamper proof and this is an important safety feature.
- Extension springs are also commonly used in a garage door system and are usually installed beside the horizontal track. A pulley is attached to the spring that helps it to move effortlessly. Safety cables are inserted inside the extension springs so it can withstand pressure in case the spring snaps unexpectedly.
How Does A Torsion Spring Produce A Twisting Force/torque?
The torque is transmitted through the shaft to the cable drums on either sides of the door. Here it is converted from a rotational to a linear force and this is turn creates tension on the cables. This tension makes it possible to lift even a very heavy garage door with little or no effort. The spring, shaft and drums assembly work together to create a counterbalance which works against gravity that brings the garage door down. One end of the cables are attached to the brackets which are located at the bottom of the door while the other end can be found in a slot in the drum. The cable is fixed to the shaft using a set of screws. There are two drums which are connected to the same shaft and operate as one unit and this enables the door to be raised and lowered at the same time. The stationary end of the spring in fixed to a bracket attached to the wall. The shaft usually has a bearing that helps it rotate freely. On the other end you can find the winding cone that allows the springs to wind and the set screws help the spring to fasten into the shaft post winding. When the door goes up the spring unwinds and the lifting action causes the weight of the door to be supported by the horizontal tracks. When the door goes down, its weight is transferred to the cables and the spring is rewound. This is how the counterbalance works to open or close the door.