Mechanisms in products
A mechanism is a set of parts that work together to change or pass on movement. Engineers use mechanisms so that a product can move, lift or turn in a useful way. When you design a product, you choose the right mechanism to make a job easier.
- A lever turns on a pivot (fulcrum) to lift a heavy load with less effort, like a seesaw or scissors.
- A gear is a wheel with teeth. When gears link, they can change speed and turning force.
- A pulley uses a wheel and a rope or belt to lift a load or move a belt.
Key idea
Mechanisms change the size, speed or direction of movement so a product can do work more easily.
Gears and turning force
When a small gear turns a big gear, the big gear turns slower but with more turning force. When a big gear turns a small gear, the small gear turns faster. This idea is used in bicycles, clocks and toys.
Example
In a hand drill, gears change the slow turn of your hand into the fast spin of the drill bit.
Choosing a mechanism
Good designers test their idea to check the mechanism moves smoothly, is safe and fits the product's need.