UNIT 7 MECHANISMS

1. Simple Machines

Simple mahines are devices which humans use to complete tasks using less
effort.

1.1 The Lever

Consists of a rod or rigid element which pivots on a support point.

1.2. The Inclined Plane

It is a ramp where you can lift heavy objetcs with less effort.

1.3. The Pulley

It is a wheel composed with an axle that can turn freely.

2. Mechanisms
A mechanism helps to transmit and/or transform motion from one place to
another place. For instance a bike´s mechanism helps to transmit the force of
our feet to the rear wheel.
 Pulleys and belts
 Axles are parallel
 Direction of rotation is not reversed if the belt is not crossed.
 Speed of the pulleys are related to their diameter
 Axles can be relatively far away from one another.

Chains
 Axles of the drive wheel and the driven gear are parallel
 Direction of motion is not reversed.
 Speed is related to the number of teeth on the chainring and the
cassette.
Transmission of motion

Straight spur gear

 Axles of the cogwheels are parallel
 Direction of rotation is reversed
 Speed is related to the number of teeth on the cogwheels.
 Axles must be close to one another.

Bevel gear
 Cogwheels are beveled.
 Axles of the cogwheels are perpendicular.
 Speed is related to the number of teeth on the cogwheels
 Axles must be close to one another.

Worm gear
 It is comprised of a screw and a cogwheel.
 Motion can only be transmitted from the screw to the cogwheel.
 It can be used to greatly reduce speed.
 Axles or rotation meet at a 90 degree angle.

Rack and pinion

 Transforms circular motion to straight motion and vice versa.
 It consists of a toothed bar which engages a cogwheel.
 Mechanism is reversible since the drive element can be either the rack
or the pinion.
Transformation of motion

Cam
 Cams are a disk which turns eccentrically and a cam follower which is
in constant contact with the disk.
 It transform circular motion to alternating linear motion.
 Motion can only be transmitted from the cam to the follower.
Rod and crank
 Crank moves in a circular motion
 One side of the rod moves back and forth while the other moves in a
circle.
 It transforms circular motion to alternating linear motion and vice
versa.