Bearing (mechanical) A bearing is a machine element that constrains relative motion between moving parts to only the desired

motion. The design of the bearing may, for example, provide for free linear movement of the moving part or for free rotation around a fixed axis; or, it may prevent a motion by controlling the vectors of normal forces that bear on the moving parts. Bearings are classified broadly according to the type of operation, the motions allowed, or to the directions of the loads (forces) applied to the parts. The term "bearing" is derived from the verb "to bear", a bearing being a machine element that allows one part to bear (i.e., to support) another. The simplest bearings are bearing surfaces, cut or formed into a part, with varying degrees of control over the form, size, roughness and location of the surface. Other bearings are separate devices installed into a machine or machine part. The most sophisticated bearings for the most demanding applications are very precise devices; their manufacture requires some of the highest standards of current technology.

Figure 1 : Ball bearing

Bevel gear Bevel gears are gears where the axes of the two shafts intersect and the tooth-bearing faces of the gears themselves are conically shaped. Bevel gears are most often mounted on shafts that are 90 degrees apart, but can be designed to work at other angles as well. The pitch surface of bevel gears is a cone. Advantages

This gear makes it possible to change the operating angle. Differing of the number of teeth (effectively diameter) on each wheel allows mechanical advantage to be changed. By increasing or decreasing the ratio of teeth between the drive and driven wheels one may change the ratio of rotations between the two, meaning that the rotational drive and torque of the second wheel can be changed in relation to the first, with speed increasing and torque decreasing, or speed decreasing and torque increasing.

Disadvantages

One wheel of such gear is designed to work with its complementary wheel and no other. Must be precisely mounted. The shafts' bearings must be capable of supporting significant forces

Figure 2 : Bevel gear

DRIVE SHAFT A drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, propeller shaft (prop shaft), or Cardan shaft is a mechanical component for transmitting torque and rotation, usually used to connect other components of a drive train that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need to allow for relative movement between them. Drive shafts are carriers of torque: they are subject to torsion and shear stress, equivalent to the difference between the input torque and the load. They must therefore be strong enough to bear the stress, whilst avoiding too much additional weight as that would in turn increase their inertia. To allow for variations in the alignment and distance between the driving and driven components, drive shafts frequently incorporate one or more universal joints, jaw couplings, or rag joints, and sometimes a splinted joint or prismatic joint.

Drive shafts in bicycles The drive shaft has served as an alternative to a chain-drive in bicycles for the past century, never becoming very popular. A shaft-driven bicycle (or "Acatane", from an early maker) has several advantages and disadvantages: Advantages

Drive system is less likely to become jammed, a common problem with chain-driven bicycles The rider cannot become dirtied from chain grease or injured by "Chain bite" when clothing or a body part catches between an unguarded chain and a sprocket Lower maintenance than a chain system when the drive shaft is enclosed in a tube

More consistent performance. Dynamic Bicycles claims that a drive shaft bicycle can deliver 94% efficiency, whereas a chain-driven bike can deliver anywhere from 75-97% efficiency based on condition Greater ground clearance: lacking a derailleur or other low-hanging machinery, the bicycle has nearly twice the ground clearance

Disadvantages

A drive shaft system weighs more than a chain system, usually 1-2 pounds heavier Many of the advantages claimed by drive shaft's proponents can be achieved on a chain-driven bicycle, such as covering the chain and gears Use of lightweight derailleur gears with a high number of ratios is impossible, although hub gears can be used Wheel removal can be complicated in some designs (as it is for some chain-driven bicycles with hub gears).

DRIVING SHAFT

Figure 3 : Driving shaft