Pawl

A pawl is a mechanical component that engages with another component to prevent movement in one direction, or prevent movement altogether. It is a type of latch. It consists of a spring-loaded solid part that is pivoted at one end and engages the other component at a steep angle at the other end. Pawls are often tapered, being wide at the pivoting end and narrow at the engaging end.

A ratchet and pawl mechanism

Applications
Anchor windlass
A pawl is used in an anchor windlass to prevent a free-spooling chain by grabbing and snubbing an individual link. Similar mechanisms include a Devil's claw and dog.
Ratchet
A pawl is used in combination with a ratchet gear in socket wrenches, bicycle freehubs, winches, and many other applications.[1][2]
Ladders
Dogs and pawls are used on extension ladders to prevent the ladder sections from sliding relative to each other.[3]
Table saw
Pawls are used on table saws to grip the workpiece and prevent kickback.[4]
Pawl brake assembly
Parking
A parking pawl is a device fitted to the automatic transmission of motor vehicles to lock it up when the vehicle is parked and to prevent it from moving.[5]

References
  1. Nitaigour Premcahnd Mahalik, Mechatronics: Principles, Concepts and Applications, p. 271, Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2003 ISBN 0070483744.
  2. Richard Krolak, Cruising World, "Servicing your winches", April 1990, pp. 107-108
  3. International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills, p. 363, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2012 ISBN 1449666507.
  4. Table Saw Techniques: Use Your Saw Like a Pro, p. 12, Quarto Publishing Group USA, 2003 ISBN 1610602951.
  5. Keith Santini, Kirk Vangelder, Automotive Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles, p. 174, Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2017 ISBN 1284122034.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.