What is the principle of a car's transmission?
3 Answers
The principle of a vehicle's transmission is to use gear combinations with different numbers of teeth to achieve changes in speed and torque. It adjusts the transmission ratio and traction requirements under various driving conditions, allowing the engine to operate under favorable conditions; it facilitates vehicle development and driving; enables quick engine start-up and operation, vehicle gear shifting or parking, and transmits power to the drive wheels; when the clutch is engaged after shifting to neutral, the transmission stops power input. Functions of a manual transmission: 1. Change the transmission ratio to expand the range of torque and speed variations of the drive wheels; 2. Under the premise of maintaining the same rotation direction when starting the car, use the reverse gear to complete vehicle development and driving. The transmission is a very important component in a vehicle. It can change the transmission ratio and expand the torque and speed effects of the drive wheels. With the development of modern technology, transmissions have been upgraded from the original manual transmissions to continuously variable transmissions, and from non-synchronized to synchronized, making operation increasingly convenient. Currently, diesel engines are widely used in construction machinery, but their torque and speed variation ranges are small and cannot meet the requirements for traction and driving speed under various working conditions. Therefore, transmissions are used to resolve this contradiction. The quality of transmission performance is a key factor in measuring the power, economy, and drivability of construction machinery.
I've been driving a manual transmission car for a while, and the principle of the gearbox is like a magic box that controls speed. Simply put, the engine outputs a fixed RPM, but the wheels need different amounts of force at different speeds. A manual transmission achieves this by me manually pressing the clutch and shifting the gear lever: pressing the clutch disconnects the engine, selecting a gear changes the gear combination—for example, in low gear, the gears make the small wheel spin fast while the wheels move slowly but with more power, whereas in high gear, the large wheel spins slowly while the wheels move faster but save fuel. Automatic transmissions are smarter, relying on hydraulic systems or computers to select gears automatically, eliminating the hassle of manual shifting. Related to this, transmission fluid needs to be changed regularly; otherwise, gear wear can cause rough or sticky shifting. While driving, the transmission ensures smooth starts and steady acceleration, preventing engine knocking. I recommend beginners practice more to get a feel for the shifting rhythm and not overlook this critical component during maintenance.
As someone familiar with car maintenance, the essence of a transmission is to regulate engine output to adapt to speed changes. The engine operates most efficiently at specific RPMs but becomes less efficient at low or high speeds. The transmission uses a gear system to alter the power transfer ratio: manual types require shifting to select gear combinations for deceleration or acceleration; automatic types rely on planetary gear sets and a torque converter—the torque converter acts like a fluid clutch for smooth starts, while oil pressure drives the gear sets to shift automatically. Electronic sensors monitor throttle and speed to determine shift points. If shifting is delayed or there are unusual noises, it may indicate gear wear or insufficient lubrication. Regularly changing transmission fluid during normal driving can extend its lifespan and maintain smooth, safe operation.
