Multi-blade monolithic Euler springs with optimised stress distribution.

Euler springs are used for vertical suspension and vibration isolation as they provide a large static supporting force with low spring-rate and use minimal spring material. To date multiple single-width, vertically-stacked, rectangular blades of uniform thickness have been used in the post buckled state, with half of the number buckling in each of opposing directions. This structure requires clamping the ends of the blades giving stick-slip problems. In this study we investigate the benefits of forming multiple, oppositely buckling blades, side- by-side from a single monolithic sheet of spring material. We investigate how to distribute the stress evenly along the length of the blade by contouring its width, as well as finding the optimal joining contour to distribute the stress evenly around the tearing joints between oppositely bending blades.