What is Gear?

Basic Gear Properties

Role of Gears

Gears Vs Wrapping Connector Drive

If there is any mention of mechanical objects then Gear forms its integral part. To simplify if a component has a motor, engine or a spring, it would probably have gears! Gears are used in numerous mechanical devices. Vehicle engines and transmissions has gears. Clocks that your grandfather owned like pendulum clocks has plenty of gears. Another very common example can be given of a power meter now if you glance through its see-through cover you can see around 10 to 15 gears. To give a simple example of Hand Mixer That is used in the kitchen you will find there is a Gear that is driving the product. Let's see. Gears play a very important role. Most important of it is perhaps gear reduction in the motorized equipment. This capability is vital because it has been seen that, say for example in a small device, a small motor that spins very fast can provide sufficient power. But not enough torque. With a gear reduction unit in place it is possible to reduce the output speed, while increasing the torque.

Another fact about the gears is that, it adjusts the direction of rotation. Gears are designed to increase or decrease force, torque or speed. There are many type of Gears like Spur, Helical, Worm, Bevel, Hypoid etc.

Basic Gear Properties
To understand the basics of any gear, it is vital to learn the following things. Gears work together in groups. Which may comprise of two or more gears. One gear turns the other, which may turn another, it can go on like this. Gears are measured by the number of teeth they consist. The gear that turns the other one is known as driver, and the gear that gets turned is referred to as follower. This is illustrated in the following diagram.



Gearing up
It is the term used for describing the turning of large gear to drive a small gear. While the opposite of this process that is a small gear is turned for driving bigger gear is called called gearing down. The following section tries to give an understanding of some very common Gearing concepts.

Role of Gears
Gears are alrounders when it comes to performing in the mechanical Devices. Gears actually work in pairs to do a job. Given here are some of the basic functions performed by gears.

Transmits motion and power between parallel shafts Example: Ideally Spur and Helical Gears are applied

Easy changing of rotational motion to rectilinear motion and vice-versa Example: A combination of spur and rack is preferred choice for executing the work.

Used for transmitting motion and power between intersecting shafts at 900 angles Example: Ideal gears for use are Straight bevel or spiral bevel

Used for quality transmission of power along with motion between non-intersecting and non parallel shafts that is at right angles Example: Preferred Gears are Worm and Screw

Gears Vs Wrapping Connector Drive
Gears face tough competition from the devices called wrapping connector drive that performs similar functions. Compared to them the Gears show the following distinct advantages:

• Minimal power loss.
• Construction relatively simple.
• Long service lives.
• Power transmission is reliable and with uniform motion.