Bell crank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bell crank is a type of crank that changes motion around a 90 degree angle. The name comes from its first use, changing the vertical pull on a rope to a horizontal pull on the striker of a bell, used for calling servants in upper class British households.
The bell crank consists of an "L" shaped crank pivoted where the two arms of the L meet. Moving rods (or ropes) are attached to the ends of the L arms. When one is pulled, the L rotates around the pivot point, pulling on the other arm.
Changing the length of the arms changes the mechanical advantage of the system. Many applications do not change the direction of motion, but instead to amplify a force "in line", which a bell crank can do in a limited space. There is a tradeoff between range of motion, linearity of motion, and size. The greater the angle traversed by the crank, the more non-linear the motion becomes (the more the motion ratio changes).
