I understand the basics of how a garage door works – the opener motor is assisted by the spring’s stored energy, otherwise the door would require a *much* larger motor to lift it.
But, some of these springs really look monstrous, and I’m wondering – how is their stored energy controlled? How do we ensure the spring releases just enough energy to assist the motor, and doesn’t just launch the door into orbit?
In: 5
That’s not exactly how garage doors work.
The springs are there to completely counterbalance the door. The length of the spring, the inner diameter of the spring, and the gauge of the wire are all very intentionally chosen based on the amount of lift of the door, the height, width, and weight of the door. Even the size and shape of the drums (the things the cable wraps around) is taken into account.
What you mentioned, a door just taking off, is described in the industry as “too hot”. A door that won’t lift, or wants to come back down is described as “too heavy”. And a door that, without an operator on it, is released at any point in the normal travel without moving (too much) is considered well balanced.
Just as the springs lift the door (by wrapping the cable around the drums), the weight of the door keeps the springs in check.
***Balance.***
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