Power Transmission systems
The internal combustion engine generates power which is transmitted to the road wheels. The output
from engine is available in the form of rotation of crankshaft. This rotary motion is transmitted to the
road wheels. The friction between road and the surface of the wheel makes possible the movement of
automobile. Transmission system performs this function. The transmission system consists of a
number of components. These components work together to transmit the rotary motion at the
crankshaft smoothly and efficiently to the road wheels.
Sudden change of state, from rest to motion or vice versa is not desirable. It may be uncomfortable, or
even injurious, to the occupants of the automobile. Therefore, the rotary motion of crankshaft should
be transmitted gradually and not suddenly. Another aspect of transmission is that the motion from the
crankshaft should not be transmitted as soon as the engine starts. It is not desirable that as soon as the
engine starts the vehicle begins moving. The motion is required to be transmitted only ‘when desired’.
Gear System in Vehicles
A gear system is an essential part of a vehicle’s transmission system. It is used to transmit power from
the engine to the wheels efficiently while allowing control over speed and torque. Gears help the
vehicle move at different speeds and handle various driving conditions such as starting, climbing, or
cruising.
Basic Principle of Gearing
The gear system works on the principle of mechanical advantage through gear ratios.
When a small gear (driver) meshes with a larger gear (driven), the speed decreases but the
torque increases.
When a large gear drives a smaller gear, speed increases but torque decreases.
This relationship allows the vehicle to accelerate quickly at low speeds and cruise efficiently at high
speeds.
Classification of gears
Types of Gears Used in Vehicles
1. Spur Gears
o Teeth are straight and parallel to the axis of the shaft.
o Commonly used in gearboxes for low-speed applications.
o Simple design and easy to manufacture.
2. Helical Gears
o Teeth are cut at an angle to the gear axis.
o Provide smooth and quiet operation compared to spur gears.
o Used in modern vehicle transmissions.
3. Bevel Gears
o Teeth are cut on a conical surface.
o Used to transmit motion between intersecting shafts, usually at 90°.
o Commonly found in differential systems.
4. Worm and Worm Wheel
o Used for large speed reduction and torque multiplication.
o Provides high reduction ratio in a compact space.
o Used in some steering systems.
5. Planetary (Epicyclic) Gear System
o Consists of sun gear, planet gears, and ring gear.
o Compact and efficient design used in automatic transmissions.
o Offers multiple gear ratios and smooth gear shifting.
Types of Gear Trains
1. Simple gear trains
When there is only one gear on each shaft, as shown in Figure, it is known as simple gear train. When
the distance between the two shafts is small, the two gears 1 and 2 are made to mesh with each other
to transmit motion from one shaft to the other, as shown in Figure(a). Since the gear 1 drives the gear
2, therefore gear 1 is called the driver and the gear 2 is called the driven or follower. It may be noted
that the motion of the driven gear is opposite to the motion of driving gear.
Fig. Simple Gear train
2. Compound gear train
When there is more than one gear on a shaft, as shown in the Figure, it is called a compound train
of gears.
We have seen that the idle gears, in a simple train of gears, do not affect the speed ratio of the
system. But these gears are useful in bridging the space between the driver and the driven.
But whenever the distance between the driver and the driven or follower has to be bridged over by
intermediate gears and at the same time a great (or much less) speed ratio is required, then the
advantage of intermediate gears is intensified by providing compound gears on intermediate shafts. In
this case, each intermediate shaft has two gears rigidly fixed to it so that they may have the same
speed. One of these two gears meshes with the driver and the other with the driven or follower
attached to the next shaft, as shown in the Figure.
In a compound train of gears, as shown in the Figure, the gear 1 is the driving gear mounted on shaft
A, gears 2 and 3 are compound gears which are mounted on shaft B. The gears 4 and 5 are also
compound gears, which are mounted on shaft C, and the gear 6 is the driven gear mounted on shaft D.
Fig. Compound Gear train
Concepts of automatic and CVT transmission
Automatic Transmission (Conventional Automatic)
An automatic transmission (AT) or automatic gearbox is a multi-speed transmission used in motor
vehicles that does not require any input from the driver other than throttle position to change forward
gears under normal driving conditions.
The transmission automatically selects the appropriate gear ratio based on vehicle speed, throttle
position, and load. It shifts gears by controlling hydraulic pressure and clutch engagement in the
planetary1gear2system.
An automatic transmission is a type of vehicle transmission system that can automatically change the
gear ratio as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. It operates on
the principle of hydraulic control and planetary gear systems.
An automatic transmission uses a torque converter, planetary gear sets, and hydraulic systems to
automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, without driver input for gear shifting.
Main Components:
Torque Converter: Replaces the clutch and transmits engine power to the transmission using fluid
coupling.
Planetary Gear Sets: Provide different gear ratios (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
Hydraulic Control Unit (Valve Body): Directs pressurized transmission fluid to engage different
gears.
Electronic Control Unit (ECU): In modern automatics, sensors and computer control optimize
shift timing and smoothness.
The most common design of automatic transmissions is the hydraulic automatic, which typically uses
planetary gear sets that are operated using hydraulics. The transmission is connected to the engine via
a torque converter (or a fluid coupling prior to the 1960s), instead of the friction clutch used by most
manual transmissions.
Advantages of automatic transmission include easy operation, smooth driving experience, and
comfort in heavy traffic conditions. However, it is more expensive, has lower fuel efficiency, and
involves complex maintenance compared to manual systems.
Fig. Automatic Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an advanced type of automatic transmission that
provides an infinite number of gear ratios within a given range, rather than fixed gear steps as in
conventional automatics. The CVT ensures that the engine operates at its most efficient speed for a
range of vehicle speeds, resulting in smooth acceleration and better fuel economy.
The CVT mainly consists of two variable-diameter pulleys connected by a steel belt or chain. One
pulley is connected to the engine (drive pulley), and the other to the wheels (driven pulley). The
diameters of these pulleys are continuously adjusted by hydraulic or electronic control to vary the gear
ratio seamlessly.
When the vehicle accelerates, the drive pulley’s effective diameter increases while the driven pulley’s
diameter decreases, allowing the transmission ratio to change smoothly without discrete gear shifts.
This gives the CVT its characteristic “shiftless” and smooth driving feel.
Advantages of CVT include superior fuel efficiency, seamless power delivery, and reduced
mechanical complexity (fewer moving parts). However, CVTs are often less responsive, have
limited torque capacity, and can be costly to repair.
Both automatic and CVT transmissions aim to provide comfort and ease of driving by eliminating
manual gear shifting. While automatic transmissions rely on fixed gear ratios and hydraulic control,
CVTs offer infinitely variable ratios using belt and pulley mechanisms. Automatic transmissions
are preferred for performance and durability, whereas CVTs are favored for fuel efficiency and
smoothness in modern vehicles.
Fig. Continuously Variable Transmission