Hand levers are switches used to manually turn systems on or off in motor vehicles and machinery. They convert hand force into changing settings within the mechanism and can be found in various equipment. Well-designed hand levers take into account the user’s body position and grip comfort. Adjustable hand levers allow users to lock the system in various positions.
A hand lever is a large switch designed to manually turn a system on or off. Hand levers are found in a variety of motor vehicles and other large machinery. The levers convert the work done by hand into changing settings within the mechanism. Many metal hand levers feature a plastic-coated section on the end for easier gripping. Some hand levers require a squeeze of a release button or a good deal of force to move from one position to another.
Variations of the hand lever can be found on hand-operated and power-operated equipment. A brake lever is generally located in the center console between the driver and passenger of many manual transmission cars and some automatics. The brake lever is pulled up to engage the emergency brake and pushed back to release the brake. Food presses and well water pumps are often equipped with hand levers that must be continuously operated to operate the system. Integrated tension springs can sometimes make it easier to return a hand lever to its home or off position.
Levers are simple machines unto themselves. The hand force applied to the lever is converted to the fulcrum, or base, of the lever. The force converted by the fulcrum is used to make changes to an internal load, which is often a switch or gear. Internal lubrication may be necessary when a hand lever becomes difficult to reposition. Forcing a hand lever beyond its reach can cause it to bend or break.
Well-designed hand levers take into account the user’s body position and average force. A hand lever is only useful when it can be accessed and pulled. The position, length, and grip comfort of a hand lever make a big difference in its ease of use. Pulling hand levers from an awkward position can place great strain on a person and the lever. Moving machinery to get a better angle or adding a soft grip to hand levers prevents accidents and injuries.
Adjustable hand levers can allow the user to lock the system in various positions. Hand levers may be the only user input on large machinery. Each new position you move the lever to changes how the machine works. Some hand levers lock into one operation at a time to avoid accidentally shifting mid-program. Once the operation is completed, the lever is locked automatically or can be unlocked manually.
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