# Variable Translational Spring

Translational spring with variable spring stiffness

• Library:
• Simscape / Driveline / Couplings & Drives / Springs & Dampers

## Description

The Variable Translational Spring block represents a translational spring with variable stiffness. A physical signal input port provides the variable spring stiffness. The magnitude of the spring force is equal to the product of the physical signal input and the relative linear displacement between the two translational conserving ports. A minimum spring rate prevents nonphysical values.

The translational spring force satisfies the following expression:

`$F=\left\{\begin{array}{cc}K\cdot x,& K\ge {K}_{\mathrm{min}}\\ {K}_{\mathrm{min}}\cdot x,& K<{K}_{\mathrm{min}}\end{array}$`

where:

• F is the force transmitted through the spring between the two translational conserving ports.

• K is the spring rate coefficient.

• Kmin is the minimum allowed spring rate.

• x is the relative displacement between the two translational conserving ports according to $x={x}_{init}+{x}_{R}-{x}_{C}$.

• xinit is the initial spring deformation.

• xR is the absolute displacement of the translational conserving port R.

• xC is the absolute displacement of the translational conserving port C.

The block applies equal and opposite spring forces on the two translational conserving ports. The sign of the spring force acting on port R is equal to the sign of the relative linear displacement between the two ports. A positive linear velocity corresponds to a positive spring force acting on port R, and a negative spring force of equal magnitude acting on port C.

### Assumptions and Limitations

The block limits the value of the variable spring stiffness to remain above zero.

### Variables

Use the Variables tab to set the priority and initial target values for the block variables before simulating. For more information, see Set Priority and Initial Target for Block Variables.

## Ports

### Input

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Physical signal input port associated with variable spring stiffness.

### Conserving

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Mechanical translational conserving port associated with the negative spring end. The positive direction is from port R to port C.

Mechanical translational conserving port associated with the positive spring end. The positive direction is from port R to port C.

## Parameters

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Minimum value allowed for the spring rate. The physical signal input saturates below the specified value.

## Version History

Introduced in R2013a