Power Functions

[Rook]

I have a question that I'm sure will be easy for you guys. I mainly build SWU themed MOCs but I like blending Power Funtions into my designs. Slowly I'm learning more and more about Technics and Power Functions but here's my question.

I just picked up Power Functions #8293.

I needed an extension cord and didn't feel like making an online order just because of a cord.

So figured I could probably get the Power Functions Switch cable to double as an extension cord instead.

Then I'm ripping everything open and I noticed all the bonus bits in the set.

To be specific I noticed the white gear with a small internal gear. Has anyone used one of these before? If so how and to what end? Basically what is its function/purpose? Can you show me a MOC(s) or set(s) that use these?

Edited October 3, 2011 by Rook

[dikkie klijn]

The white gear slips when under a lot op torque. Making it useful for not burning the motor down. For an example see my 3 stage light unit form my Pistenbully:

The white gear here is used so one side needs more torque than the other leaving you in command of 2 functions with 1 engine (in this case 2 lights)(of course you need to ad another gear to it that has been focused).

Edited October 3, 2011 by dikkie klijn

[efferman]

the white gear is a torque clutch. this is needfull if you have a function which could run into a endposition. at a defined torquepoint the internal mechanism slips and prevent the function/motor against overload.

[PerryMakes]

@dikkie klijn - great choice of tire for that Pistonbully. It's probably the highest quality material that LEGO has ever used for tires, albeit more expensive to produce than the :thumbdown: material they use currently :thumbdown:

Edited October 3, 2011 by PerryMakes

[Rook]

So basically I have that as my primary gear coming off the engine, that what I shouldn’t have any gears grinding into bits because of too much friction. Because that piece will spin out before the motor rips apart a gear.

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EDIT:

Is the torque threshold reasonably high? Or does it seem to cause almost everything to spin out?

Edited October 4, 2011 by Rook

[PerryMakes]

  On 10/3/2011 at 7:37 PM, Rook said:

Is the torque threshold reasonably high? Or does it seem to cause almost everything to spin out?

I find the threshold to be a nice value right in the middle of reasonably high and total spin out. Of course it would be even nicer if we had a choice between low, middle, and high - but the value chosen works well as a general solution. If it's not working out well for you, you might want to read a bit more on the subject at the 'Torque limiter' Wikipedia page. Who knows.. perhaps you could use the force and come up with a much better brick-built solution than this particular gear provides!!

[Ape Fight]

You can set the torque slippage at anything you like, depending which gears you mesh with it.

I use this piece so that when steering reaches full lock it doesn't burn the motor or blast bricks apart.

On my most recent MOC at the first attempt the clutch slipped too easily, so that the steering wheels wouldn't swivel unless the vehicle was moving - a simple switch of the position of the clutch in the sequence of gears and now I can turn the steering whilst the vehicle is stationary.

Have a play, trial and error will give you the the right place to put it and what to gear it with for your desired application.

Cheers

Ape

Edited October 4, 2011 by Ape Fight