GCSE Design & Technology: Mechanisms and gears

Mechanical devices — types of motion, levers, gears and gear ratio, cams and pulleys.

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What is a mechanism?
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A device that takes one kind of input motion or force and changes it into a different output.
A lever has three key components: an effort, a load, and a ?.
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pivot (fulcrum)
How does a lever provide mechanical advantage?
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By placing the load close to the pivot and applying the effort far from it, a small effort can move a large load.
What happens to the direction of rotation when two gears mesh?
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They rotate in opposite directions.
What is the purpose of an idler gear?
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To make the driver and driven gears turn the same way without changing the gear ratio.
How is the gear ratio calculated?
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Number of teeth on the driven gear divided by number of teeth on the driver gear.
In a gear train, what happens when the driven gear is larger than the driver gear?
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The output turns more slowly than the input but with greater torque (reduction).
In a gear train, what happens when the driver gear is larger than the driven gear?
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The output turns faster but with less force.
What type of motion does a cam and follower mechanism convert?
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Rotary motion into reciprocating motion.
What types of motion does a crank and slider mechanism link?
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Rotary and reciprocating motion (as in an engine).

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