idle pulley
/'aidl'puli/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it: An "idle pulley" is a mechanical component, typically a freely rotating wheel on a shaft, that is not the primary driver. Its function is to maintain contact with a moving belt or chain, applying pressure to guide its path, maintain proper tension, or change its direction of travel within a system.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The mechanic replaced the worn-out idle pulley in the engine's serpentine belt system.
- Proper tension is maintained by the spring-loaded idle pulley pressing against the conveyor belt.
- If the idle pulley bearing fails, it can cause the drive belt to squeal or come off.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: In automotive engineering, an "idle pulley" (often called an idler pulley) is crucial in systems using a single, multi-ribbed serpentine belt to drive multiple accessories (alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor). It ensures the belt wraps around all pulleys correctly.
- "to act as an idle pulley": Used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that facilitates a process without being the main driving force.
- In the negotiations, she acted as an idle pulley, guiding the conversation back to the key points without dictating the terms.
Variants and Related Words
- Idler Pulley (n): A common synonym for "idle pulley." The terms are often used interchangeably in mechanical contexts.
- Idler (n): In mechanics, a more general term for a gear or pulley that transmits motion from one part to another without changing the speed or torque. An "idle pulley" is a specific type of idler.
- Tensioner Pulley (n): A pulley specifically designed to apply and automatically adjust tension in a belt system. An "idle pulley" may serve this function, but not all tensioner pulleys are idle pulleys (some are driven).
Synonyms
- Idler pulley: The most direct synonym.
- Guide pulley: Emphasizes its function of directing the belt's path.
- Jockey pulley: A term sometimes used in specific industries, like textile machinery.
Related Phrases
- Idler arm: A related automotive steering component, not a pulley, but shares the "idler" terminology for a part that supports and guides movement.
- Belt tensioner assembly: A unit that often incorporates an "idle pulley" as a key component.
Notes on Meaning
- Key Distinction: An "idle pulley" is typically a driven pulley (it does not transfer power from the belt to a shaft). Its primary roles are guidance and tensioning. This contrasts with a "drive pulley," which is connected to a power source (like an engine) to move the belt.
- Material and Design: Idle pulleys often consist of a metal or plastic wheel rotating on a bearing, mounted on a fixed or adjustable bracket.
Noun
- a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it