Mechanisms and Mechanical Vibrations Lab

Lab Report No.02 (Chain Drive)

Submitted to: Lab Instructor Muhammad Zeeshan Ahsan
Submitted by: Muhammad Rizwan
CMS ID: 341482
Section: ME-12A
School: School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME)
Due Date: 01/10/2023 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Objective:
 Speed Ratio Assessment: This experiment aims to determine the speed ratio
characteristics of a chain drive system.
 Efficiency Measurement: The objective is to measure the transmission efficiency of the
chain drive.
Apparatus:
 Chain Drive Unit

Figure: Chain Drive Unit

Theoretical Background:
In mechanical power transmission systems, such as belt drives and chain drives, it is imperative
to consider the impact of high loads on the efficiency of power transfer. In scenarios where
substantial loads are encountered, belt drives may experience slippage, resulting in slight
relative motion between the belt and the pulley surfaces. To mitigate this issue, chain drives are
employed as they offer a reliable solution for maintaining consistent power transmission. This is
achieved because two sprocket pulleys in a chain drive system are interconnected by the same
chain, ensuring uniform velocity between them.
Moreover, in chain drives, the velocity ratio is straightforward to calculate due to the constant
pitch and the proportional relationship between the number of teeth and the radius of the
sprockets:
ω 2 r 1 Number of teeth on the sprocket witha larger radius T 1
Velocity Ratio= = = =
ω 1 r 2 Number of teeth on the sprocket with a smaller radius T 2
where ω1 and ω2 represent the angular velocities of the two pulleys, r1 and r2 denote their
respective radii, and T1 and T2 indicate the number of teeth on the sprockets.
One of the most prevalent types of chain drives used for power transmission is the roller chain
drive, also known as bush roller chain. This type of chain finds widespread application across
various sectors, including industrial, agricultural, and transportation machinery. It consists of a
series of short cylindrical rollers that are connected by side links and driven by sprockets. Roller
chain drives are known for their reliability and efficiency, making them a preferred choice for a
diverse range of applications, such as conveyors, automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles.

Procedure:
 Begin by determining the precise number of teeth on both sprockets in the chain drive
system.
 Computed the velocity ratio utilizing the following mathematical formula:
Velocity Ratio = T1 / T2
Where T1 represents the number of teeth on the larger sprocket and T2 represents the number
of teeth on the smaller sprocket.

 Arranged the cord to pass over the pulleys that are connected to the sprockets of the
chain drive. Ensured that the cord ends are suspended at an identical horizontal level,
parallel to and below the line connecting the centers of both sprockets.
 Suspended the load hangers using the cords on both ends of the pulleys.
 Added the weight, denoted as 'W,' to the hanger connected to the sprocket with the
larger radius.
 Applied an effort load, represented as 'P,' to the hanger connected to the sprocket with
the smaller radius.
 Calculated the efficiency of the chain drive using the following formula:
W
Efficiency= P
×100
Velocity Ratio
 Repeat the procedure for three more weights and calculate efficiency in each case.

Results:
The velocity ratio is given as;
 T1
Velocity ratio=
T2
Where
T1 = Number of teeth of sprocket of larger radius = 36
T2 = Number of teeth of sprocket of smaller radius = 12
T 1 36
Velocity ratio= = =3
T 2 12

Readings Load(W) in grams Effort(P) in grams Efficiency(%)

01 0.8 1 41.7
02 1 1.2 40
03 1.2 1.7 47.2
04 1.3 2 51.3
05 1.4 2.2 52.3
06 1.7 2.7 52.9
07 1.8 3 55

Graphical Representation:

Relationship between Load(W) and Efficiency

2
1.8
1.6
1.4
Load(W) in grams

1.2
1 Series2
Linear (Series2)
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
Efficiency(%)
 Relationship between Effort(P) and Efficiency
3.5

2.5
Effort(P) in grams

2
Series2
1.5 Linear (Series2)

0.5

0
38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
Efficiency(%)

Discussion of Results:
 Velocity Ratio Calculation:
The calculated velocity ratio is 3, indicating that for every revolution of the smaller sprocket, the
larger sprocket completes three revolutions.

 Efficiency vs. Load:

The data in the table shows that as the load (W) increases, the efficiency of the chain drive
system generally increases.
For instance, at the lowest load of 0.8 grams, the efficiency is 41.7%, while at the highest load of
1.8 grams, the efficiency is 55%.

 Efficiency vs. Effort:

Similarly, the data shows that as the effort load (P) increases, efficiency generally improves.

 Possible Reasons for Trends:

Friction: The increase in efficiency with increasing load and the increase in efficiency with
increasing effort load could be influenced by friction in the chain drive system. Higher loads may
lead to greater frictional losses.
Mechanical Losses: The non-linearities in the trends may also result from other mechanical
losses, such as bending and deformation of the chain, which could become more pronounced at
higher loads and effort loads.
Tolerance and Manufacturing Variations: Slight variations in sprocket size, chain quality, or
alignment could also contribute to non-linearities in the efficiency trends.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, our experiment revealed that the chain drive system's efficiency is notably
influenced by both load and effort. As the load increases, the system's efficiency increases, likely
due to elevated resistance and mechanical losses. Similarly, efficiency improves with greater
effort, indicating that the system operates more effectively under higher applied forces. The
observed trends, while generally linear, also suggest the presence of non-linear friction effects
and mechanical variations. These findings underscore the significance of addressing friction and
optimizing system components to enhance the overall performance of chain drive systems in
real-world applications.