Modular Non-Linear Spring System

A modular non-linear spring system suitable for use in a vehicle braking system comprising:

• a first spacer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a first spring having a top and bottom end, said bottom end of said first spring in abutting engagement with said top surface of said first spacer;
• a second spacer, said second spacer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a second spring having a top and bottom end, said top end of said second spring in abutting engagement with the bottom surface of said first spacer, said bottom end of said second spring in abutting engagement with said top surface of said second spacer, said first and second springs spaced from another by said first spacer;
• and;
• a third spring having a top and bottom end, said top end of said third spring in abutting engagement with said bottom surface of said second spacer, said second and third springs spaced from another by said second spacer;
• wherein said first, second, and third springs are sequentially compressible whereby compression of said first, second, and third springs in said modular non-linear spring system provides a non-linear, progressively increasing mechanical spring force, and,
• wherein at least two of said first, second, and third springs have different spring sizes, different spring rates, and/or are a different spring type, and,
• wherein a) said top surface of said second spring is positioned below said bottom surface of said first spring, and/or b) said top surface of said third spring is positioned below said bottom surface of said second spring.

A modular non-linear spring system suitable for use in a vehicle braking system comprising:

• a first spacer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a first spring having a top and bottom end, said bottom end of said first spring in abutting engagement with said top surface of said first spacer;
• a second spacer, said second spacer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a second spring having a top and bottom end, said top end of said second spring in abutting engagement with the bottom surface of said first spacer, said bottom end of said second spring in abutting engagement with said top surface of said second spacer, said first and second springs spaced from another by said first spacer;
• and;
• a third spring having a top and bottom end, said top end of said third spring in abutting engagement with said bottom surface of said second spacer, said second and third springs spaced from another by said second spacer;
• wherein said first, second, and third springs are sequentially compressible whereby compression of said first, second, and third springs in said modular non-linear spring system provides a non-linear, progressively increasing spring force, and,
• wherein at least two of said first, second and third springs have different spring sizes, different spring rates, and/or are a different spring type, and,
• wherein a) said top surface of said second spring is positioned below said bottom surface of said first spring, and/or b) said top surface of said third spring is positioned below said bottom surface of said second spring,
• wherein said first spring compresses 75-95% of its full compression length prior to said second spring compressing more than 1-10% of its full compression length, said first and second springs compress 75-95% of each of their full compression lengths prior to said third spring compressing more than 1-10% of its full compression length, and,
• wherein the first spring is a clover dome washer or a Belleville washer or a coil spring, and the third spring is a clover dome washer or a Belleville washer or a coil spring, and,
• wherein each of the first, second, and third springs has an uncompressed axial length and a compressed axial length, and wherein the uncompressed length of said second spring is greater than the uncompressed length of said first and/or second springs.