It's enough to drive you up the wall!
A relatively simple chain drive system adds a touch of magic to a
special exhibit for children at Manchester's Museum of Science and
Industry
An interactive exhibit located in the 'Xperiment' gallery of Manchester's
Museum of Science and Industry invites visitors to drag a Mini up a
vertical wall simply by turning a hand-wheel. The 15in wheel turns almost
effortlessly and, with relatively few revolutions, the Mini is pulled up
the wall, demonstrating yet another bit of engineering magic to
youngsters who throng to this imaginative corner of the museum.
The car is actually secured to a steel frame running on tracks that are
hidden within the wall of the display. A counterbalance weight
(equivalent to the weight of the Mini) is suspended by Renold Synergy
chain at the rear of the structure, and it is this that minimises the
mechanical effort required as well as ensuring the absolute safety of the
rig. The hand-wheel is attached to a Renold e.PM series, PW35 worm
gearbox with 70:1 ratio. This unit's self-sustaining characteristics
ensure that, if an operator was to let go of the wheel, there would be no
risk of overrun.
The primary drive is attached to the gearbox and comprises two 19-tooth
sprockets engaged with a 1in pitch Renold Synergy chain. This is
connected to a secondary drive, with 19 and 38-tooth sprockets, which, in
turn, is connected to a cam-and-lever arrangement that effects the
raising and lowering action.
The mechanical system was designed by Renold and constructed by
Engineering Design Models of Manchester.