Transmission

UNIT 4 TRANSMISSION

Structure
4.1 Introduction
Objectives

4.2 Clutch
4.3 Principles of Clutch
4.4 Main Parts of a Clutch
4.5 Types of Clutch
4.6 Single Plate Clutch
4.7 Multiple Clutch
4.8 Clutch Pedal Free-play Adjustment
4.9 Function of Gear Box
4.10 Types of Gear Box
4.11 Sliding Mesh Gear Box
4.12 Constant Mesh Gear Box
4.13 Gear Trains
4.14 Types of Gear Trains
4.15 Summary
4.16 Key Words
4.17 Answers to SAQs

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Transmission is the mechanism which is used to transfer the power developed by engine
to the wheels of an automobile.
The transmission system of an automobile includes clutch, gear box, propeller shaft axle
and wheels, etc.
Description of various types of clutches and gear boxes has been given in the following
sections of this unit. The term ‘Transmission’ is used for a device which is located
between clutch and propeller shaft. It may be a gear box, an over drive or a torque
converter, etc.

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to
• understand the transmission system of automobiles,
• list out the components of the transmission system,
• describe the various functions and types of clutches and gear boxes, and 
explain the advantages of clutches and gear box.

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4.2 CLUTCH

Clutch is used to engage or disengage the engine to the transmission or gear box. When
the clutch is in engaged position, the engine power or rotary motion of engine crankshaft
is transmitted to gear box and then to wheels. When clutch is disengaged, the engine
power does not reach to gear box (and to wheels) although engine is running.
Clutch is also used to allow shifting or changing of gears when vehicle is running. For
shifting gears, clutch is first disengaged then gear is shifted and then clutch is engaged.
Clutch has to be disengaged to stop the vehicle and also at the time of idling.

4.3 PRINCIPLE OF CLUTCH

It operates on the principle of friction. When two surfaces are brought in contact and are
held against each other due to friction between them, they can be used to transmit
power. If one is rotated, then other also rotates. One surface is connected to engine and
other to the transmission system of automobile. Thus, clutch is nothing but a
combination of two friction surfaces.

4.4 MAIN PARTS OF A CLUTCH

It consists of
(a) a driving
member, (b) a driven
member, and (c) an
operating member.
Driving member has a flywheel which is mounted on the engine crankshaft. A disc is
bolted to flywheel which is known as pressure plate or driving disc.
The driven member is a disc called clutch plate. This plate can slide freely to and fro on
the clutch shaft.
The operating member consists of a pedal or lever which can be pressed to disengaged
the driving and driven plate.

4.5 TYPES OF CLUTCH

Some types of clutches used in vehicles are given below :

(a) Friction Clutch : It may be (i) single plate clutch, (ii) multi-plate clutch, or
(iii) cone clutch. Multi-plate clutch can be either wet or dry. A wet clutch is
operated in an oil batch whereas a dry clutch does not use oil.
(b) Centrifugal clutch.
(c) Semi-centrifugal clutch.
(d) Hydraulic clutch.
(e) Positive clutch.
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(f) Vacuum clutch.

(g) Electromagnetic clutch.

4.6 SINGLE PLATE CLUTCH

A single plate is commonly used in cars and light vehicles. It has only one clutch plate
which is mounted on the splines of the clutch shaft. A flywheel is mounted on the
crankshaft of the engine. A pressure plate is connected to the flywheel through the bolts
and clutch springs. It is free to slide on the clutch shaft with the movement of clutch
pedal. When clutch is in engaged position, the clutch plate remains gripped between
flywheel and pressure plate. Friction linings are provided on both the sides of clutch
plate. On one side clutch plate is in touch with flywheel and on other side with pressure
plate. Due to friction on both sides, the clutch plate revolves with engine flywheel.
Therefore, clutch transmits engine power to clutch shaft. Clutch shaft is connected to
transmission (or gear box) of automobile. Thus, clutch transmits power from engine to
transmission system which inturn rotates wheels of engine.
When the clutch plate is to be disengaged, the clutch pedal is pressed. Because of this
pressure plate moves back and clutch plate is disengaged from flywheel. Thus, clutch
shaft stops rotating even if engine flywheel is rotating. In this position, power does
not reach the wheels and vehicle also stops running. Single plate clutch is shown in
Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1 : Single Plate Clutch

4.6 MULTIPLATE CLUTCH

Multi-plate clutch consists of more than one clutch plates contrary to single plate clutch
which consists of only one plate. Friction surfaces are made in case of multi-plate clutch.
Due to increased number of friction surfaces, a multi-plate clutch can transmit large
torque. Therefore, it is used in racing cars and heavy motor vehicles witch have high
engine power. The clutch plates are alternatively fitted with engine shaft and the shaft of
gear box. He plates are firmly held by the force of coil springs and they assembled in a
drum. One plate slides in the grooves on the flywheel and the next plate slides on spines
provided on pressure plate. Thus, each alternate plate slides in grooves on the flywheel
and the other on splines of pressure plate. If we take two consecutive plates, then one
has inner and other has outer splines.
When the clutch pedal is pressed, the pressure plate moves back against the force of coil
spring, hen the clutch plates are disengaged and engine flywheel and gear box are
decoupled. However, when clutch pedal is not pressed the clutch remain in engaged
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position and the power can be transmitted from engine flywheel to the gear box. This
type of clutch has been shown in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2 : Multi-plate Clutch

4.7 CLUTCH PEDAL FREE-PLAY ADJUSTMENT

Clutch remains in engaged position when clutch pedal is not pressed. Free play
adjustment is required to maintain a given free play of the pedal after the clutch is
engaged. Before making this adjustment, correct floorboard clearance or clutch pedal
travel must be adjusted.
Floorboard clearance adjustment is made to prevent touching of floor by pedal when
clutch is engaged.
Clutch pedal travel adjustment is done to ensure total clutch disengagement when the
clutch pedal is pressed.

SAQ 1
(a) Describe the function of a clutch in a transmission system of an automobile.
(b) List various types of clutches and explain the working of a single plate
clutch.
(c) How a multi-plate clutch is able to transmit more power in comparison to a
single plate clutch.

4.8 FUNCTION OF GEAR BOX

An automobile is able to provide varying speed and torque through its gear box. Various
functions of a gear box are listed below :
(a) To provide high torque at the time of starting, vehicle acceleration,
climbing up a hill.
(b) To provide more than forward speeds by providing more than one gear
ratios. In modern cars, five forward gears and reverse gear is provided. For
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given engine speed, higher speed can be obtained by running in higher (4 th

and 5th) gears.
(c) Gear box provides a reverse gear for driving the vehicle in reverse
direction.

4.9 TYPES OF GEAR BOXES

(a) Selective type gear boxes :

(i) Sliding mesh gear box
(ii) Constant mesh gear box
(iii) Synchromesh gear box (b) Progressive type gear box (c)
Epicyclic type gear box.

4.10 SLIDING MESH GEAR BOX

It is simplest type of gear box out of the available gear boxes. In this type of gear box,
gears are changed by sliding one gear on the other. This gear box consists of three
shafts; main shaft, clutch shaft and a counter shaft. In a four speed gear box (which
includes one reverse gear), the counter shaft has four gears which are rigidly connected
to it. Clutch shaft has one gear and main shaft has two gears. The two gears on the main
shaft can slide in the horizontal direction along the splines of the main shaft. However,
the gears on the counter shaft cannot slide. The clutch gear is rigidly fixed to the clutch
shaft. It is always connected to the countershaft drive gear.
The two gears on the main shaft can be slided by the shifter yoke by operating the shift
lever (not shown in Figures). These two gears are second gear and low/reverse gear
respectively. These gears can be meshed with corresponding gears on the countershaft
with the help of shifter yoke and shift lever. Shift lever is operated by hand in four
wheelers for changing the gears. A reverse idler gear is mounted on another (third) shaft
and is always in mesh with reverse gear on countershaft.
Neutral Position
Figure 4.3 shows sliding mesh gear box in neutral position. In this position, the
engine is in running condition, clutch remains engaged and clutch gear drives the
countershaft drive gear. The direction of rotation of countershaft is opposite to
that of clutch shaft. In this position Ist, IInd and IIIrd and reverse gears are free.
Thus, main (transmission) shaft does not rotate and automobile wheels do not
rotate. So vehicle remains stationary.

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Figure 4.3 : Sliding Mesh Gear Box showing Neutral Position

First Gear
When first gear position is selected by the shift lever, first gear (large gear)
on the main shaft slides and is connected to first gear on the countershaft.
The direction of rotation of main shaft is same as that of clutch shaft. In
first gear, small gear of countershaft meshes with larger gear on main shaft,
speed reduction in the ratio 3 : 1 (approximate) is obtained.
Second Gear
When second gear is selected by the shift lever, second gear on countershaft
meshes with second gear (small gear on main shaft) on the main shaft. The
direction of main shaft is same as that of clutch shaft. Speed reduction of
the order of 2 : 1 is obtained in second gear.
Third Gear
In third gear, the main shaft is slided axially towards the clutch shaft so that
main shaft is directly connected to the clutch shaft. In this position, the
main shaft rotates at the speed of clutch shaft. Thus, a speed ratio of 1 : 1 is
obtained.
It can be noted that the clutch gear is directly connected to engine
crankshaft and main shaft is connected to the wheels through propeller
shaft.
Reverse Gear
When the shift lever is operated to engage the reverse gear, the larger
(reverse) gear of the main shaft meshes with the reverse idler gear. Reverse
idler gear is always connected to reverse gear on countershaft. The
reverse idler gear between countershaft reverse gear and main shaft larger
gear changes the direction of rotation of main shaft. Thus, the direction of
main shaft becomes opposite to that of clutch shaft. Therefore, wheels of
the automobile start moving in backward direction. (Note : Countershaft
is also known as lay shaft.)
In modern cars, there are five forward gears and reverse gear. Hence, they
provide five speed ratios for forward racing and one for backward
movement.

4.11 CONSTANT MESH GEAR BOX

A simplified diagram of constant mesh box has been shown in Figure 14.4. In this gear
box, all gears on the main transmission shaft are constantly connected to corresponding
gears on countershaft or lay shaft. In addition, two dog clutches are provided on the
main shaft. One dog clutch is between the second gear and cutch gear and another is
between the first gear and reverse gear. Splines are out on main shaft so that all the gears
are feed on it.

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Figure 4.4 : Constant Mesh Gear Box

Dog clutches can also slide on main shaft and rotate with it. However, all the gears on
countershaft are giddily fixed to it. Different gear ratios (speed ratios) are obtained as
follows :
For Three Forward and One Reverse Gear
Top or 3rd speed gar is obtained when the left dog clutch is slided to left to mesh
with clutch gear by using the gear shift lever. In this case, main shaft rotates at the
same speed as that of clutch gear or engine crankshaft speed which is the
maximum speed. Speed ratio obtained is 1 : 1.
Second gear is obtained when dog cutch (left side) meshes with second gear. In
this condition clutch gear rotates the drive gear on countershaft and countershaft
drives the second gear on the main shaft. All other gears on main shaft are free, so
they do not move.
In the same manner, first gear is obtained when right hand side dog clutch meshes
with first gear. Reverse gear is obtained when right side dog clutch meshes with
reverse gear on main shaft.
Advantage of Constant Mesh Gear Box
Since all the gears are in constant mesh, wear and tear of gears and any possible
damage of gears do not occur in engaging and disengaging gears. Also, any sound
are not generated in engaged/disengaged.
SAQ 2
(a) What do you mean by transmission in an automobile? Describe its purpose.
(b) List different type of gear boxes used in automobiles. Explain the working
of constant mesh gear box with the help of a simple diagram.
(c) Write any three differences between a sliding mesh and constant mesh gear
box.
(d) Enumerate the advantages of a constant mesh gear box over sliding mesh
gear box.
(e) How do you obtain reverse gear in a sliding mesh gear box?

4.12 GEAR TRAINS

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A combination of two or more gears, which mesh in such a way that power is
transmitted from driving shaft to driven shaft, is known as gear train.

4.13 TYPES OF GEAR TRAINS

There are three types of gear trains :

(a) Simple gear train,
(b) Compound gear train, and (c) Epicyclic gear
train.
Simple Gear Train
If the axes of all the gears remain fixed relative to each other, the gear train is
known as simple gear train. A simple gear train is shown in Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.5 : Simple Gear Train

Compound Gear Train

There are more than gear on the shaft (generally intermediate shaft) in a
compound gear train. Two gears are moved on intermediate shaft, therefore, both
the gear s have same speed. A compound gear train is shown in Figure 4.6. Gears
2 and 3 will rotate at same speed as they are mounted on same shaft.
Driven gear is also known as follower.

Figure 4.6 : Compound Gear Train

Epicyclic Gear Train

If the axe of the shafts, on which gears are attached, move relative to a fixed axis,
then the gear train is known as epicyclic gear train.
Velocity Ratio of Gear Trains
Velocity ratio (or speed ratio) ratio of speed of driver to the speed of driven.
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Speed of driver
Velocity ratio =
Speed of driven
Train Value
It is the reciprocal of speed ratio.
1
Train value =
Velocity Ratio
Velocity Ratio of Simple Gear Train
Case-I
When number of gears are only two. Consider Figure 4.5 which shows a
simple gear train. Gear 1 is driver and Gear 2 is driven or follower.
Let N1 is speed of driver
N2 is speed of driven
T1 is number of teeth on gear 1
T2 is number of teeth on gear 2.
Speed of driver
Speed ratio =
Speed of driven

N1


N2
Speed ratio of any pair of gears in terms of number of teeth is given by
following relation.

N1 T2
Speed ratio =
N2 T 1
1
Train value =
Speed Ratio

N2  T 1
=
N1 T 2
Case-II
When there is an intermediate shaft in a simple gear train Figure 4.7 shows
a simple gear train with an intermediate gear (2).

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Figure 4.7 : Simple Gear Train with an Intermediate Gear

Gear 1 is driver which rotates in clockwise direction. Gear 2 placed on

intermediate shaft will rotate in anticlockwise direction and driven gear
(gear 3) will rotate in clockwise direction.
Let T1, T2 and T3 are number of teeth on Gears 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
N1, N2 and are speeds of Gears 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Considering driver (Gear 1) and intermediate gear (Gear 2) in mesh, we can
write

N2  T 1 . . . (i) Train value =

N1 T 2
when intermediate and follower are considered to be in mesh.

T2
N3 . . . (ii)


N2 T 3
Multiplying Eqs. (i) and (ii)

N2  N3  T T1 2

N1 N2 T T 2 3

N1 T2
Speed ratio =
N2 T 1
Thus, ratio of speed of follower and speed of driver is equal to the ratio of
number of teeth of driver and number of teeth of follower.

N1  Speed of driver
Speed ratio =
N2 Speed of follower

T3 . . . (iii)
=
T1
This equation shows that speed ratio is independent of the number of teeth
on the intermediate gear.
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Example 4.1
A simple gear train has two gears which are mounted on two different shafts. 1
which is driver runs at 2000 rpm. The number of teeth on gears 1 and 2 are 30
and 60 respectively. Determine :
(a) Speed ratio of gear train,
(b) Train value of gear train,
(c) Speed of second gear, and
(d) Direction of rotation of driven if driver (gear 1) rotates in
anticlockwise direction.
Solution
Given N1 = 2000 rpm, T1 = 30 and T2 = 60

Figure 4.8

N1 T2
(a) Speed ratio =
N2 T 1

= =2
1 1
(b) Train value =   0.5 speed ratio 2

N1 = speed ratio
(c)
N2
2000
= 2
N2

N2 
N2 = 1000 rpm
(d) In a simple gear train, the two gears always rotate in opposite
direction. Therefore, the direction of rotation of driver (gear 2) is
clockwise.
Example 4.2
A simple gear train consists of three gears, each mounted on separate shaft. All the
three shat are parallel. Gear 1 is driver which has 30 teeth and a speed of 600 rpm.
The number of teeth of gears 2 and 3 are 60 and 90 respectively. Determine :

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(a) The speed ratio of gear train, and

(b) Direction of rotation and speed of follower if driver rotates in
clockwise direction.
Solution
Refer Figure 4.7.
Given N1 = 600 rpm, T1 = 30, T2 = 60 and T3 = 90 speed
of driver
(a) Speed ratio =
speed of follower

90
N1  T3 
3 or Speed ratio =
N3 T 1 30
Thus, speed ratio = 3.
N1
(b) Speed ratio =
N3
600
 3
N3

N3 
N3 = 200 rpm
The direction of rotation of follower is same as that of driver if numbers of
intermediate gears are odd. In the present case this number is 1 (only one
intermediate gear), hence the direction of rotation of follower is clockwise.
Velocity Ration of a Compound Gear Train
Refer to Figure 4.6 which shows a compound gear train. There is one gear (gear 1)
on driving shaft. It is called driver. There are two gears (Gears 2 and 3) on
intermediate shaft. Gears 2 and 3 rotate at same speed as they are mounted on
same shaft. Gear 2 meshes with driver and gear 3 meshes with the follower or
driven gear.
Let T1, T2, T3 and T4 are number of teeth on gears 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
Let N1 is speed of driver (gear 1) N4 is speed of follower and N2 and N3 are speeds
of gears 2 and 3 respectively.
N2 = N3
Consider gears 1 and 2 where gear 1 drives gear 2

N2  T 1 . . . (iv)

T1 T2

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Gear 3 drives gear 4, hence, we can write

N4 T3 . . . (v)

N3 T 4
Multiplying Eqs. (iv) and (v), we get

N2  N4  T1 T3

N1 N3 T T 2 4

N4  T1 T3 . . . (vi)
 N1 T T 2 4

( N2 = N3)

N1  T T2 4
. . . (vii)
Speed ratio
N4 T T 1 3

speed of driver Produt of teeth on driven gears

i.e. Speed ratio = =
speed of driven Product of teeth on drivers
Example 4.3
A compound gear train is used to transmit power from motor shaft to output shaft.
The motor shaft is connected to gear 1 and the output shaft is connected to gear 4.
Gears 2 and 3 are mounted on the same shaft. Motor shaft rotates at 1250 rpm in
the clockwise direction. Determine the speed and direction of output shaft and the
number of teeth on gears 1, 2, 3 and 4 are 30, 75, 20 and 50 respectively. The gear
train is shown in Figure 4.9.

Figure 4.9 : Compound Gear Train

Solution
Given T1 = 30, T2 = 75, T3 = 29 and T4 = 50
N1 = 1250 rpm

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From Figure 4.9, it is evident that gears 1 and 3 are driving gears and gears 2 and
4 are driven gears or followers. Since, gears 2 and 3 are mounted on same shaft,
N2 = N3 and their direction of rotation will be same.
Let N4 is the speed of output shaft. It is same as the speed of gear 4.
Using formula :
Speed of first driver Produt of no. of teeth on
followers
= speed of last follower Product of no. of teeth on drivers
N TT
i.e. 1 2 4 N4 T T 1
3
1250 75  50

N4 30  20
1250
or  6.25
N4

 N4 
N4 = 200 rpm
Directional of Rotation of Output Shaft (or Gear 4)
The gear 1 rotates in clockwise direction. So, gear 2 will rotate in anticlockwise
direction because it is in mesh with gear 1. Gear 3 is on the same shaft as gear 2,
so it will also rotate in anticlockwise direction. Since, gear 4 is in mesh with gear
3, it will rotate in opposite direction, i.e. in clockwise direction.
Hence, direction of rotation of output shaft is clockwise.

SAQ 1
(a) What do you mean by gear train? List different types of gear trains.
(b) Differentiate between simple gear train and compound gear train.
(c) What do you mean by train value? How is it related to velocity ratio?
(d) Define the term, velocity ratio. What is the formula for calculating the
velocity ratio of simple gear train and compound gear train.
(e) What is epicyclic gear train?

SAQ 2
(a) A simple gear train consists of two gears which are mounted on two
different shafts. The two shafts are parallel. Gear 1 is driver and gear 2 is
follower. The speed of gear 1 is 600 rpm. The number of teeth on gears 1
and 2 are 20 and 60 respectively. Determine :
(i) Speed or velocity ratio of gear train,
(ii) Train value,

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(ii) Speed of second gear, and

(iv) Direction of rotation of second gear if first gear rotates in clockwise
direction.
(b) A simple gear train consists of three gears each of which mounted on a
separate shaft. All the three shafts are parallel. Gear 1 is driver and rotates
at 1000 rpm. Gear 1 drives gear 2 and gear 2 drives gear 3. The number of
teeth on gears 1, 2 and 3 are 20, 30 and 50 respectively. Find :
(i) Speed ration of gear train,
(ii) Speed of follower (i.e. gear 3), and
(iii) Direction of rotation of follower if gear 1 rotates in clockwise
direction.
(c) Refer to Figure 4.9 which shows a compound gear train. It is used to
transmit power from motor shaft to output shaft. The gear 1 is mounted on
motor shaft, gears 2 and 3 are mounted on intermediate shaft, and gear 4 is
mounted on output shaft. Gear 1 drives gear 2 and gear 3 drives gear 4.
Motor shaft rotates at 1200 rpm in clockwise direction. Number of teeth on
gears 1, 2, 3 and 4 are 25, 50, 30 and 60 respectively. Determine :
(i) Speed ratio,
(ii) Direction and speed of the follower, and (iii) Train value.

4.13 SUMMARY

Every student, who is studying the course automobile engineering, must have the
knowledge of transmission system of an automobile. Transmission system is nothing but
transmitting the power from engine to the wheels transfer clutch and gear mechanisms.
So, in this unit, we have studied about the transmission system of automobile. The
transmission system mainly comprises of clutch and gear mechanisms. We have learnt
about the functions and types of clutches and gear boxes. Clutch is mainly used to
yougase or disagause the engine to the transmission or gear box. Gear box is used to
varying the speeds of automobile according to the required conditions or according to
the need of the persons, who are driving the automobile.

4.14 KEY WORDS

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4.15 ANSWERS TO SAQs

Refer the preceding text for all the Answers to SAQs.

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