Wave Washers, or Wave Spring Washers provide thrust loads and also absorb vibration in applications with little axial space.
These types of Wave Spring Washers are particularly useful for the pre-loading of bearings, for example, in electric motors. The Washers are installed within the bearing housing and operate by maintaining a force on the outer face of the bearing. This ensures a smooth and quiet running of the motor which helps extend the life of the bearing.
The overlap in the Wave Washer allows the end to move during compression.