Stepping Mechanism with Detents

This example shows a mass moving along a slider and held at set points with translational detents. The mass is suspended between two springs and is subject to viscous friction. Three detents hold the load at 50, 75, and 125 mm. The peak force of these detents is 20, 30, and 20 N respectively. To move the load past each detent, the spring pushing the load must deform enough to produce a force that overcomes the holding force of the detents.

Model

Simulation Results from Simscape Logging

The plot below shows the shear force applied by each detent to the mass. As the force applied exceeds shear force, the detent member is pushed into its hole and the mass can continue moving until it reaches the hard stop.