clock spring

Wound energy store

A clock spring is a flat, coiled ribbon of metal that stores energy when wound and releases it gradually to power a mechanism.

In traditional clockwork, the mainspring drives the gears.

In automotive steering columns, a clock spring is a spiral-wound electrical connector that maintains contact between the steering wheel's controls and the vehicle's wiring while allowing the wheel to rotate: The airbag warning light came on because the clock spring failed.

Related

watch · timepiece · ticker tape · mechanism · wound · wound up · torque · steering · steering wheel · airbag · column · ribbon · automotive · unwind · torsion · metal · flat · barrel

Opposites
power source mechanism

clock springbattery

Portable electricity storage

electric motor · quartz crystal · quartz movement · solar cell · AC power

energy storage vs. energy consumption

clock springescapement

Tick-controlling clock component

gear train · balance wheel

energy storage mechanism

clock springbattery

Portable electricity storage

capacitor · lithium cell · electric current

Family

clock, spring, clocks, clocked, clocking, clockwise, clockwork, springs, sprang

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G