• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.110-116
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• 2024

This study presents the design of plate-based springs inspired by the sporangium structure found in ferns, aiming to implement springs with progressive rate stiffness. The proposed design incorporates layered, U-shaped plate elements, which mimic the configuration of fern sporangia. By nesting multiple U-shaped plate-based springs, we created a structure that gradually increases in stiffness as compression advances. The spring's deformation under applied loads was investigated through experimental measurements, numerical analysis, and theoretical models, revealing strong correlations between these methods. Application potential was assessed by integrating the designed spring into a vehicle suspension system, where simulations indicated an improvement in damping performance compared to traditional single-stiffness springs. This spring design approach offers a practical and cost-effective solution for enhancing suspension systems without requiring complex adjustments to existing mechanisms.