Ratchet Leadscrew Mechanism

This example shows a stepping mechanism constructed from a self-locking leadscrew and a unidirectional clutch. The input shaft of the unidirectional clutch oscillates with velocity amplitude 2 rad/s and frequency 0.5 rad/s. The unidirectional clutch drives the load via the leadscrew. The lead angle of the screw is small enough to ensure self-locking operation due to geometry and thread friction. As a result, the load maintains its position while the clutch input shaft rotates in the opposite direction and the load moves in incremental steps of about 25 mm.