16Jan14

GEARS What are gears?

Gearsarewheelsor
cylinderswithteeththat
meshwiththeteethof
othergearstotransmit
energy intheformof
motion.
Gearsareusedin
everythingfrom
automobilestosmall
toys.

Functions of Gears Types of Gears

TransferMotion
ChangeDirection
Increase/DecreaseSpeed
Increase/DecreaseTorque Spurgear Bevelgear Worngear
Torqueisturningortwistingforce.Ex:Alongerwrench
givesyoumoretorqueandmakesiteasiertoloosena
boltorscrew.
ChangePlanesofrotation

RackandPinion

Lego Gears Terminology

Adriver isthegearwhichisbeingturnedbya
powersource(motororyourhand).
Afollower isturnedbythedriver.

Driver Follower

1
 16Jan14

Terminology Terminology
Adriver isthegearwhichisbeingturnedbya Anidler isa gearbetweenthedriverandthe
powersource(motororyourhand). follower,usedtochangethefollowerdirection.
Afollower isturnedbythedriver. Ageartrain isaconnectedsourceofrotatinggears.

Driver
Follower

Follower Idlers
Driver

Building a prototype Gearing Up

Largedriver,smallfollowertospeedgeartrainup.

Gearing Down Speed vs. Torque, Power

Smalldriver,largefollowertoincreasetorque Power=speed torque
(turningforce).

2
 16Jan14

Gear Ratio Gear Ratio

Driver Driver One turn of the

24 tooth will
turn the 8 tooth
3 times.

8
Gear Ratio = /24
1
Follower Follower = /3

GT1 GT1

Gear Ratio Compound Gear Ratios

Gear Ratio = number of teeth in follower
number of teeth in driver
G.R. = Ft / Dt
e g or 1 : 3 (read as 1 to 3)
e.g.
Interpret above as one turn of driver will turn the
follower 3 times.

3 1

GT2
Driver Follower

Compound Gear Ratios Compound Gear Ratios

Pair up as many drivers and followers and label them
25 turns of the 8 D1, F1, D2, F2, etc. Multiply the gear ratios of all pairs
tooth will turn
of driver-follower.
the 40 tooth 1
time
time.
D2 F2 Gear Ratio:
Gear Ratio: = 24/40 X 24/40
= 40/8 40/8 = 3/5 X 3/5
= 25/1
= 9/25
F1
GT2
D1