MECHANICAL ENERGY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM II

DRIVE MECHANISM

Introduction

You must have seen a bicycle or used one and noticed that it is driven by a large driver gear wheel with pedals attached. Smaller gears at the back are driven round by this large driver gear when pedalling. As the back wheel turns, the bicycle moves forwards.
Gears driven by chains are used in machinery, motorcycles, in car engines and have many more applications.
A chain is made up of a series of links with the links held together with steel pins. This arrangement makes a chain strong, long lasting way of transmitting rotary motion from one gear wheel to another.
Chain drive has one main advantage over a traditional gear train – with only two gear wheels and a chain, rotary motion is transmitted over a distance, whereas with traditional gear train, many gears must be arranged meshing with each other in order to transmit motion.
BELT DRIVE
Belt drive is a mechanical energy transmission system of transmitting power from one pulley to the other on dry surfaces.
Examples of machines using belts are :

1. Electric pepper grinder
2. Engine systems of motor-vehicle e.g. fan belt
3. Diesel or Industrial generator
4. Compressors inflating machine: This is used for inflating car or motorcycles tyres.
5. Sewing machine
6. Shaping machine
7. Power hacksaw: used for cutting various large or big metals
8. Car stereo

TYPES OF BELT

1. Toothed belt and pulley
2. Flat belt
3. Vee belt and pulley

ADVANTAGES OF BELT DRIVE

1. Belt drive does not make noise during power transmission.
2. It brings about speed reduction or enlargement based on the size(diameter) of the pulley
3. It can transmit power on dry surfaces therefore no cost of lubrication.

DISADVANTAGES OF BELT DRIVE

1. Belt cannot transmit power over a long distance, it slacks and slips.
2. It cannot transmit power on wet surfaces.
3. It cannot be used to transmit power for a long period of time.