Pawlsysteem

Pawlsysteem refers to a mechanical device used to allow motion in one direction while preventing motion in the opposite direction. It typically consists of a toothed wheel or ratchet and a pivoting arm or pawl that engages with the teeth. The pawl is spring-loaded, so it naturally falls into the notches of the ratchet. When the ratchet rotates in the intended direction, the pawl is lifted or slides over the teeth, allowing movement. However, if the ratchet attempts to rotate backward, the pawl catches on a tooth, preventing further motion.

Pawlsysteems are commonly found in mechanisms such as winches, ratchets, clocks, and bicycle freewheels. In a winch, it prevents the drum from unwinding under load. In a ratchet wrench, it allows for tightening or loosening a fastener with a back-and-forth motion of the handle. Bicycle freewheels use a pawlsysteem to allow the rear wheel to spin forward freely while pedaling but to engage the drivetrain when pedaling is stopped or reversed. The design of a pawlsysteem can vary, with different tooth profiles and pawl shapes influencing its strength, durability, and noise level. The number of teeth on the ratchet, often referred to as the number of points, also affects the precision of engagement.