Pulleys

1. Transfer power (torque) from one location

to another. From driver: motor, peddles,
engine, windmill, turbine to driven:
conveyor belt, back wheels/bike,
generator rock crusher, dryer.
2. Used to span large distances or need
flexible x-mission elements. Gear drives
have a higher torque capability but not
flexible or cheap.
3. Often used as torque increaser (speed
reducer), max speed ratio: 3.5:1. Gear
drives?? Virtually unlimited!
 Pulleys
A pulley wheel is a mechanism which helps move or lift objects.

pulley

Exercise machine
 Pulleys
Parts of a Pulley System

Direction of Force
Notice that the pulleys change the
direction of the applied force.
 Pulleys & Type of Pulley
1. A fixed pulley

A ski lift operates on a fixed pulley system

 Pulleys & Type of Pulley
2. A moveable pulley - rises and
falls with the load being
moved.

Moveable pulley
 Pulleys & Type of Pulley

3. A block and tackle - Consists of

two or more pulleys (fixed and
moveable).

Block and tackle

 Pulleys
The Pulley Advantage

In this simple pulley system,

the force is equal to the load,
so the Mechanical Advantage
is 1:1 or 1.

10 Kg = 100 N

The Mechanical Advantage is calculated like so:

Mechanical Advantage = Load / Effort = 100 N / 100 N
Mechanical Advantage = 1:1 or 1
Pulleys
The Pulley Advantage

Each side of the rope carries half

the load.
Therefore, the force required by the
person to
keep the load in equilibrium is also
half the load.

This system has a 10 Kg = 100 N

Mechanical Advantage of 2:1 or 2.

The Mechanical Advantage is calculated like so:

Mechanical Advantage = Load / Effort = 100 N / 50 N
Mechanical Advantage = 2:1 or 2
Pulleys
The Pulley Advantage

This system has a

Mechanical Advantage of
4:1 or 4.

10 Kg = 100 N

The Mechanical Advantage is calculated like so:

Mechanical Advantage = Load / Effort = 100 N / 25 N
Mechanical Advantage = 4:1 or 4
Pulleys
The Pulley Advantage

This system has a

Mechanical Advantage
of 4:1 or 4.

200 Kg = 2000 N

The Mechanical Advantage is calculated like so:

Mechanical Advantage = Load / Effort = 2000 N / 500 N
Mechanical Advantage = 4:1 or 4
 Belt Drive Selection Criteria

1. Speed of driving and driven shaft

2. Power to be transmitted
3. Positive drive requirements
4. Space available
5. Speed reduction ratio
6. Center distance between shaft
7. Shaft lay out
8. Service conditions
 Belt Material

1. Leather
2. Cotton or Fabric Belts
3. Rubber
4. Balata
• Similar to rubber belt except that
balata gum is used in place of
rubber
Type of belt
Type of belt
Types of Belts

• a) V-belt most common for machine design, several types (Fig. 7.5 – 7.8)
• Timing belt (c & d) have mating pulleys to minimize slippage
• c) Pos retention due to mating pulleys
• d) Pos retention due to increased contact area
• Flat belt (rubber/leather) not shown, run on tapered pulleys
 Pulleys drives

Using pulleys to transmit motion and force:

Pulleys and Belts Toothed Belt and Pulleys

 Alignment
The straight-edge should make contact at four distinct
points along the outside perimeter of both sheaves.

There should
be no gaps
between the
sprocket and
straightedge
at 1-2-3-4

Proper Parallel Horizontal Vertical

(Off-Set) Angular Angular
(Pigeon-Toed)
Belt drive
Belt drive
Belt drive type
 Belt drive type
 A coumpound belt drive as shown in figure, is
used when power is transmitted from one
shaft to another through a number of pulley
Belt drive type
 Length of belt
 Length of open belt drive (l)
(𝑟1 − 𝑟2)
𝑙 = π 𝑟1 + 𝑟2 + 2𝑥 +
𝑥
 Contact angle
(𝑟1 − 𝑟2)
𝛼=
𝑥
 Pulleys drive calculations:
Driver 40 mm Dia.
Driven 70 mm Dia.
280 rev/min
? rev/min

Driven will rotate slower than the driver.

Calculation: -
Diameter of Driver pulley 40
Speed ratio = =
Diameter of Driven pulley 70

40
Speed of Driven pulley = 280 x = 160 rev/min
70

How could you change the direction of rotation of the driven pulley
?