Experiment 6

Wheel and Differential Axles

Objective: To determine various machine parameters of given wheel and differential axles.

Theory: The wheel and differential axle acts on the differential principle. It is a simple device
to achieve very high velocity ratio by keeping small difference in diameters of two
axles.

The machine consists of an effort wheel ‘A’ and an axle made up of two cylinders B and C of
different diameters as shown in figure 6.1. The Wheel A and cylinders B and C are connected by
common shaft hence all of them rotate about a common axis.

One string is wound round the wheel A through which effort is P is applied. The second string is
wound around the axles B and C. This string goes around a pulley to which the load W is
attached. This string is wound on the axles B and C in such a way that when effort is applied, the
cylinders turn and unwinds on the smaller axle and winds at the same time on the larger axle,
lifting the load W attached to the pulley. The direction of string wound around the wheel and
smaller axle is same.

Let us assume that D, d1 and d2 are diameter of effort wheel, large axle and smaller axle
respectively.

For one revolution of the wheel and axle, the displacement of the effort P is equal to the length of
the string that unwinds from the wheel A = y = .

The length of the string that unwinds from the smaller axle C = πd2

The length of the string that winds from the bigger axle B = πd1

The load string shortens by = πd1- πd2.

π π
Therefore, the displacement of the load W, x= 


Velocity ratio = =

.π π


Velocity ratio =
 

For a larger velocity ratio, d1 and d2 are made nearly equal.

Apparatus: Wheel and differential axle, weights, calipers, meter rules etc.
 Fig. 6.1 Differential wheel and axle

Procedure:

1. Measure the diameter of wheel and axles.

2. Apply load to the pan attached to the pulley. Increase the effort gradually by increasing weight
in effort pan in such a way that at minimum effort the load just starts moving upward. Note
magnitude of the effort.

3. Change the magnitude of applied load and find corresponding effort.

4. Take six sets of readings.

5. Plot the graphs of load on X axis and (i) actual effort (p) (ii) ideal effort (p’=P*V.R) (iii)
frictional effort (P-W/V.R) (iv) efficiency (η) on Y axis. Use same scale for all effort curves
and different scale for efficiency on Y axis.

6. Work out the law of machine P= mW + C, where P is actual effort required to raise the load W
and m is the slope of the graph, C is the initial effort required to start the machine and is
machine constants. It is measured as intercept of graph on Y axis.

Observation:

1. Diameter of effort wheel (D) = 60 cm

2. Diameter of bigger axle (d1) = 25 cm

3. Diameter of small axle (d2) = 20 cm

4. Velocity ratio VR=2D/ (d1-d2) =

5. Self weight of load pulley = negligible (0 N)

Observation table:

Sr. Total Total Mech Ideal Frictional Ideal load Frictional Efficiency
No load effort Adv. effort effort load
W (N) P (N) W’= P*VR P*VR-W W*100/(P*VR)
MA=W/P P’=W/VR P-(W/VR)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Establish law of machine P= mW + C from graph between W and P.

P = ________W + __________.

Calculation:

1. Maximum mechanical advantage =1/m=

2. Maximum efficiency =1/(m*VR)=

Conclusion:

1. Nature of graphs? Which of the graph passes from origin and why?

2. State whether machine is reversible or irreversible, why?

3. Law of machine P=________W + ___________(write value of m and c).