Activity 2.
2 Mechanical Gears
Simple Gear Train A and B Picture
1. In gear train A, is the speed increased,
decreased, or constant?
2. In gear train A, is the torque increased,
decreased, or constant?
3. What is the gear ratio of gear train A?
A
4. In gear train B, is the speed increased,
decreased, or constant?
5. In gear train B, is the torque increased,
decreased, or constant?
A
6. What is the gear ratio of gear train B?
7. Is the flow of power reversible? (Can
you make the input shaft turn by
turning the output shaft?)
A
8. Do the gears move in the same or in
the opposite direction?
9. List an example where this mechanism
might be used. A helpful search term is
gear train. B
Simple Gear Train with Idler Picture
1. Is the speed increased, decreased,
or constant?
2. Is the torque increased, decreased,
or constant?
3. What is the gear ratio?
4. Is the flow of power reversible, i.e.,
can you make the input shaft turn
by turning the output shaft?
5. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is idler gear.
Bevel Gear Picture
1. What is the angle of the input shaft
compared to the output shaft?
2. Is the speed increased, decreased,
or constant?
3. Is the torque increased, decreased,
or constant?
4. If the input gear was smaller than
the output gear, how would that
affect the speed and torque?
5. What is the gear ratio?
6. Is the flow of power reversible?
(Can you make the input shaft turn
by turning the output shaft?)
7. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is bevel gear.
Worm and Wheel Picture
1. Is the speed increased, decreased,
or constant?
2. Is the torque increased, decreased,
or constant?
3. Label the worm and wheel gears.
4. What is the gear ratio?
5. Is the flow of power reversible?
(Can you make the input shaft turn
by turning the output shaft?)
6. Is the direction of travel reversible?
(Does the mechanism still work if
the input shaft is turned in the
opposite direction?)
7. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is worm gear.
Leadscrew Picture
1. What is the type of input
movement? (rotary, reciprocating,
or linear)
2. What is the type of output
movement? (rotary, reciprocating,
or linear)
3. How many revolutions of the crank
are needed to move the screw
block 1 inch?
4. Is the flow of power reversible?
(Can you make the lead screw turn
by pushing the screw block?)
5. Which is increased in the output?
Force or speed?
6. Is the direction of travel reversible?
(Does the mechanism still work if
the crank is turned in the opposite
direction?)
7. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is lead screw.
Rack and Pinion Picture
1. What is the type of input
movement? (rotary or linear)
2. What is the type of output
movement?
3. If the diameter of the pinion gear
were increased, would the rack
move a shorter or longer distance
with one revolution of the axle?
4. Is the flow of power reversible, i.e.,
can you make the input shaft turn
by sliding the output shaft?
5. Is the direction of travel reversible,
i.e., does the mechanism still work
if the input shaft is turned in the
opposite direction?
6. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is rack and
pinion.
Universal Joint Picture
1. Is the speed increased, decreased,
or constant?
2. Is the torque increased, decreased,
or constant?
3. What is the speed ratio of the input
shaft to the output shaft?
4. Is the flow of power reversible, i.e.,
can you make the input shaft turn
by turning the output shaft?
5. Do the input and output shafts turn
in the same direction?
6. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is universal
joint.
Chain Drive Picture
1. Is the speed increased, decreased,
or constant?
2. Is the torque increased, decreased,
or constant?
3. Does the input shaft turn in the
same or opposite direction of the
output shaft?
4. List an example of where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is chain drive.
5. What is the advantage of using a
chain sprocket over spur gears?
Crank and Slider Picture
1. The input to this system is what
type of motion? (rotary,
reciprocating, or linear)
2. The output of this system is what
type of motion? (rotary,
reciprocating, or linear)
3. How far does the slider move with
each revolution of the crank?
4. If the diameter of the crank gear
were increased, would the slider
move a shorter or longer distance?
5. Is the flow of power reversible, i.e.,
can you make the crank gear turn
by pushing the slider?
6. List an example of where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is crank and
slider.
Cam and Follower Picture
1. What is the type of input
movement? (rotary, reciprocating,
or linear)
2. What is the type of output
movement?
3. How many times does the follower
move up and down with one
revolution of the crank?
4. Is the flow of power reversible, i.e.,
can you make the crank turn by
pushing the follower?
5. Is the direction of travel reversible,
i.e., does the mechanism still work
if the crank is turned in the
opposite direction?
6. List an example where this
mechanism might be used. A
helpful search term is camshaft.
Conclusion
Which of the mechanisms that you have modeled in class can be used to:
1. Increase torque and decrease speed?
2. Increase speed and decrease torque?
3. Keep constant speed and torque?
4. Transmit rotary movement at a 90º angle?
5. Reverse the flow of power?
