What is the working principle of a transmission?
2 Answers
The working principle of a transmission is to achieve changes in speed and torque through the meshing and transmission combination of gears with different numbers of teeth. Transmissions can be divided into two forms: manual and automatic. Manual Transmission: Primarily composed of gears and shafts, it generates speed and torque changes through different gear combinations. Working principle of a manual transmission: By shifting the gear lever, the driving gear on the intermediate shaft is switched, combining with gears of different sizes on the power output shaft to alter the torque and speed of the driving wheels. Automatic Transmission: Utilizes planetary gear mechanisms for speed changes. It automatically shifts gears based on the degree of throttle pedal pressure and changes in vehicle speed, requiring the driver only to operate the accelerator pedal to control the speed. Working principle of an AT (Automatic Transmission): The torque converter is the most distinctive component of an AT, directly receiving engine power and transmitting torque while also serving as a clutch. The impeller drives the turbine to rotate via fluid, and with the addition of a stator between the impeller and turbine, a speed difference between them is achieved through reaction forces, enabling speed and torque changes. Since the automatic speed and torque change range of the torque converter is limited, several rows of planetary gears are connected in series behind the turbine to improve efficiency. The hydraulic control system automatically operates the planetary gears in response to changes in engine operation, thereby achieving automatic speed and torque changes.
The transmission is quite fascinating! I understand it's like the gear system on a bicycle - low gear is like a big chainring, easy to pedal but slower; high gear is a small chainring, requiring more effort but achieving higher speed. In a car's transmission, gear sets engage differently for each gear. After the engine's power is processed through it, the vehicle speed increases. Manual transmissions require you to press the clutch and shift gears yourself, while automatic transmissions are much smarter: they automatically switch gear sets through hydraulic systems or computer programs based on throttle input and vehicle speed. It's especially convenient in traffic jams, no more worrying about stalling. Some cars now even use dual-clutch transmissions, shifting as fast as lightning, making driving incredibly exciting!
