Collection of Models
Transferring motion to an axle
Palazzina Uzielli, Anatomy of machines section
Project and realization:
IBM Italia, 1952
Model from:
Leonardo da Vinci, Codice Atlantico, f. 17v
carved wood / painted
cm 39 x 41 x 31
Description:
In folio 17v of the Codex Atlanticus, Leonardo studied a means of transmitting motion to the wheel axle of a cart, a function which in modern means of transport is performed by the differential. A crank turns the wheel with pins on its lower face, which engages the pinion on the cart axle; thus the motion is transmitted to one wheel only, allowing the other to adapt its speed to the different length of its trajectory when going round a corner.