Wheel and Axle-Connections of parts

-

 A wheel and axle is a simple machine, and a very useful one at that. However, not all forms of a wheel and axle are equal. Let's look at the four cases:


Wheel is fixed, Axle is fixed, Body is fixed

                      






In this case, the wheel, axle, and body are all fixed. This case will never work, because the wheel, being attached to the body, cannot rotate at all. This case is similar to, say, pushing a round pair of headphones across a table. The earphones, despite being circular and looking like they are a wheel, will not rotate and will merely slide.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Wheel is not fixed, Axle is not fixed, Body is not fixed

                 


In this case, everything is free moving and does not have solid connections. When you push this, it will spin, but it will be highly unstable. The reason for this is because without the wheels being fixed with the axle, it may still spin, but it will not have consistent contact and control over its speed and vectors, making it highly unstable.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Wheel is not fixed, Axle is fixed, Body is fixed

          






Similar to the last case, the wheel is not fixed to the axle, and as such it will still spin, but will not have control over itself and will be unstable.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Wheel is fixed, Axle is fixed, Body is not fixed 

             

This is the ideal case. The wheel is fixed to the axle, so it has control over itself, but it is NOT fixed to the body, so it can rotate. This creates a system where the wheel is balanced, and rotates without issue, and it is what is used in the vast majority of Wheel and Axle systems.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Table:  + - fixed, O - not fixed

Cases

Wheel

Axle

Body

Result

Case 1:

+

+

+

Never works

Case 2:

O

O

O

Uncontrollable

Case 3:

O

+

+

Uncontrollable

Case 4:

+

+

O

Controllable


Video:


This video, created by Teacher Krithik Prasad, is a demonstration of how these four cases work, and may help you understand the concept of Wheel and Axle connections better.



Link for Video

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gears and basic concepts

-
Image
Gears / Cogs: Gadgets that can change speed, torque,direction of power source. Principle is similar to that of levers. Gear ratio = No of teeth (Follower)/No of teeth(Driver) Gear: Here the driver gear moves the follower gear. Both have same number of teeth and gear ratio is 1.  If Driver rotates in clockwise then follower rotates in anti-clockwise or vice versa.   Perpendicular Gear: Change the direction of rotation from front to top. Front clockwise, top anti-clockwise viceversa Orthogonal gears: Change the direction of rotation from front to right/back to left . Front-Clockwise, Right -anticlockwise and vice versa Gearing up: Driver gear (teeth) > Follower gear (teeth) Driver gear(speed) < Follower gear (speed) Driver gear(torque) > Follower gear(torque) Gear ratio = No of teeth(Follower)/No of teeth(Driver) = 6/14 Gearing down: Driver gear (teeth) < Follower gear (teeth) Driver gear(speed) > Follower gear (speed) Driver gear(torque) < Follower gear(torque) Gear ra
Read more

Gears

-
Image
= Gears Gears are a fundamental part of modern technology. Since their inception, they have been used to great effect, being used in tools from the smallest bikes to the largest cars. But, how do they work? Gears, in their most basic form, are wheels with "teeth" that can interconnect with other gears. The gear that is powered is called the driver, and interconnected gears are called follower gears. The two primary functions of gears are to transfer motion, and amplify force. Transferal of Motion is simple: the gear moves, and the teeth, interconnected, move the other gears as well. The basic principle of moving power is simple, and the more complex principles follow easily. The direction of the gears is important as well. When there is simply a driver and a follower gear together, they will always move in opposite  directions. However, when there is an idler gear between them, they will move in the same direction. Essentially, the gear next to a gear will move in the opposit
Read more

Courses Offered

-
From Levers to Transmissions - A starter course on engineering, moving from basic simple machines to advanced automobiles. Covers all 6 basic Simple Machines, Hydraulics, Automata, Gears, and Automobiles over 10 classes. Stars and Space -A course on the celestial bodies and items all around space. Covers Astronomy, Astrology, Stars and Constellations over 6 classes. Energy and Electricity -A course covering forms of energy, giving a wide-rounded education on how energy and electricity work. Covers Non-Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy, Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism over 6 classes. Chemistry, Biology, and Physics -A basic(not calculation-based!) course on basic physics, chemistry, and biology for younger students looking to understand these topics without the high levels of mathematics and other studies required. Covers Hydraulics, Thermodynamics, States/Transitions/Reactions, Matter, Force, Biology, Ecosystems, Space, and Oceans over 10 classes. Fun Science! -A course bas
Read more