Transmission (mechanics)

A transmission is a machine in a power transmission system, which provides controlled

application of the power. Often the term transmission refers simply to the gearbox that
uses gears and gear trains to provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power
source to another device.[1][2]

In British English, the term transmission refers to the whole drivetrain, including clutch,
gearbox, prop shaft (for rear-wheel drive), differential, and final drive shafts. In American
English, however, the term refers more specifically to the gearbox alone, and detailed usage
differs.[note 1]

The most common use is in motor vehicles, where the transmission adapts the output of
the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels. Such engines need to operate at a
relatively high rotational speed, which is inappropriate for starting, stopping, and slower
travel. The transmission reduces the higher engine speed to the slower wheel speed,
increasing torque in the process. Transmissions are also used on pedal bicycles, fixed
machines, and where different rotational speeds and torques are adapted.

Often, a transmission has multiple gear ratios (or simply "gears") with the ability to switch
between them as speed varies. This switching may be done manually (by the operator) or
automatically. Directional (forward and reverse) control may also be provided. Single-ratio
transmissions also exist, which simply change the speed and torque (and sometimes direction)
of motor output.

In motor vehicles, the transmission generally is connected to the engine crankshaft via a
flywheel or clutch or fluid coupling, partly because internal combustion engines cannot run
below a particular speed. The output of the transmission is transmitted via the driveshaft to
one or more differentials, which drives the wheels. While a differential may also provide gear
reduction, its primary purpose is to permit the wheels at either end of an axle to rotate at
different speeds (essential to avoid wheel slippage on turns) as it changes the direction of
rotation.

Conventional gear/belt transmissions are not the only mechanism for speed/torque
adaptation. Alternative mechanisms include torque converters and power transformation
(e.g. diesel-electric transmission and hydraulic drive system). Hybrid configurations also exist.
Automatic transmissions use a valve body to shift gears using fluid pressures in conjunction
with an ecm.

Automotive basics[edit]

The need for a transmission in an automobile is a consequence of the characteristics of

the internal combustion engine. Engines typically operate over a range of 600 to about
7000 rpm (though this varies, and is typically less for diesel engines), while the car's wheels
rotate between 0 rpm and around 1800 rpm.

Furthermore, the engine provides its highest torque and power outputs unevenly across the
rev range resulting in a torque band and a power band. Often the greatest torque is required
when the vehicle is moving from rest or traveling slowly, while maximum power is needed at
high speed. Therefore, a system is required that transforms the engine's output so that it can
supply high torque at low speeds, but also operate at highway speeds with the motor still
operating within its limits. Transmissions perform this transformation.
A diagram comparing the power and torque bands of a "torquey" engine versus a "peaky" one

The dynamics of a car vary with speed: at low speeds, acceleration is limited by the inertia of
vehicular gross mass; while at cruising or maximum speeds wind resistance is the dominant
barrier.

Many transmissions and gears used in automotive and truck applications are contained in
a cast iron case, though more frequently aluminium is used for lower weight especially in cars.
There are usually three shafts: a mainshaft, a countershaft, and an idler shaft.

The mainshaft extends outside the case in both directions: the input shaft towards the engine,
and the output shaft towards the rear axle (on rear wheel drive cars. Front wheel drives
generally have the engine and transmission mounted transversely, the differential being part
of the transmission assembly.) The shaft is suspended by the main bearings, and is split
towards the input end. At the point of the split, a pilot bearing holds the shafts together. The
gears and clutches ride on the mainshaft, the gears being free to turn relative to the mainshaft
except when engaged by the clutches.

A gear train is a mechanical system formed by mounting gears on a frame so the teeth of the
gears engage.

Gear teeth are designed to ensure the pitch circles of engaging gears roll on each other
without slipping, providing a smooth transmission of rotation from one gear to the next.[1]

The transmission of rotation between contacting toothed wheels can be traced back to
the Antikythera mechanism of Greece and the south-pointing chariot of China. Illustrations by
the Renaissance scientist Georgius Agricola show gear trains with cylindrical teeth. The
implementation of the involute tooth yielded a standard gear design that provides a constant
speed ratio.

Torque, moment, or moment of force (see "Defining Terminology" below) is

rotational force.[1] Just as a linear force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist
to an object. Mathematically, torque is defined as the cross product of the vector by which the
force's application point is offset relative to the fixed suspension point (distance vector) and
the force vector, which tends to produce rotational motion.

Loosely speaking, torque is a measure of the turning force on an object such as a bolt or
a flywheel. For example, pushing or pulling the handle of a wrench connected to a nut or bolt
produces a torque (turning force) that loosens or tightens the nut or bolt.

The drivetrain of a motor vehicle is the group of components that deliver power to the driving
wheels.[1] This excludes the engine or motor that generates the power. In contrast,
the powertrain is considered to include both the engine or motor and the drivetrain.

The market for drivetrain components is economically important and is estimated[by whom?] to
reach US$314.4 billion by 2019.[citation needed]Market value by layout is approximately half for
front-wheel drive, with a quarter each for rear-wheel drive (mostly in light commercial vehicles
and trucks) and all-wheel drive.

A crankshaft—related to crank—is a mechanical part able to perform a conversion

between reciprocating motion and rotational motion. In a reciprocating engine, it
translates reciprocating motion of the piston into rotational motion; whereas in a reciprocating
compressor, it converts the rotational motion into reciprocating motion. In order to do the
conversion between two motions, the crankshaft has "crank throws" or "crankpins", additional
bearing surfaces whose axis is offset from that of the crank, to which the "big ends" of
the connecting rods from each cylinder attach.

It is typically connected to a flywheel to reduce the pulsation characteristic of the four-stroke

cycle, and sometimes a torsional or vibrational damper at the opposite end, to reduce
the torsional vibrations often caused along the length of the crankshaft by the cylinders
farthest from the output end acting on the torsional elasticity of the metal.

A drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, propeller shaft (prop shaft), or Cardan shaft is a
mechanical component for transmitting torque and rotation, usually used to connect other
components of a drive train that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need
to allow for relative movement between them.

As torque carriers, drive shafts are subject to torsion and shear stress, equivalent to the
difference between the input torque and the load. They must therefore be strong enough to
bear the stress, whilst avoiding too much additional weight as that would in turn increase
their inertia.

To allow for variations in the alignment and distance between the driving and driven
components, drive shafts frequently incorporate one or more universal joints, jaw couplings,
or rag joints, and sometimes a splined joint or prismatic joint.