Transmission

Torque

Preface
This training module introduces the basic
concepts of torque as applied to gears. The
training module is part of a series of modules
designed for the Transmission Basic Training.
This module should be studied right after the
module General Information
While studying this module, you will have the
opportunity to learn the meaning of torque,
how it can be measured, how the torque
works on gears, as well as the relationship
between these gears.

Content
Torque

Units

Gear torque

Relationship between gears

Torque
We call torque the product of the force applied on a body and the length of the particular lever
arm acting to rotate the body (distance from the point of application to the center of rotation)
TORQUE = force x distance from the point of application.
If we would like to have a given torque on an object, we could achieve that by using different lever
length, we need more or less force on a shorter or longer lever arm to achieve the same torque.
1. If you have a long the lever (distance), the less force you need.
2. If you have a short lever (distance), the more force you need.

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TP95850

Units.
The force is measured in N (Newton) and length in m (meters). This means that the product of
force and length, the torque, will have the unit Nm (Newton meter).

Example A.
50 N x 4 m = 200 Nm
Example B.
50N x 2 m = 100 Nm

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TP95850

Gear torque
Gears are mechanical components responsible for the transferring power from a particular
engine to another gear. This transfer is called gear transmission and it is specified by a certain
torque and a certain revolution speed.
In a gear, each tooth works as a lever whose length depends on the diameter of the gear.
The larger the gear diameter, the greater its torque for a given rpm and the slower the revolution
speed for a given torque.
The smaller the gear diameter, the less its torque for a given rpm and the faster its revolution
speed for a given torque.

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TP95850

Relationship between gears

When two gears mesh, one of them drives the pair (1) and the other is normally driven (2).
The gear that drives the motion is called a driving gear.
The gear that is driven by the motion is called a driven gear.
The number of teeth (or the diameter of a gears, since the teeth will have equal spacing) of the
driving gear and the driven gear determine the gear ratio between them.
The gear ratio may represent an increase or a decrease in rpm between the driving and the
driven gears.
This is calculated by:
R = Gear ratio
A = N of teeth in the driven gear
B = N of teeth in the driven gear
R = A
B
If the driving gear has fewer teeth than the driven gear, the result will be a decrease in rpm.
If the driving gear has more teeth than the driven gear, the result will be an increase in rpm.
The gear ratio is the factor that determines the relationship between the input torque and rpm
and the output torque and rpm in a gearbox.

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TP95850

If the transmission gear set is made up by two pairs of gears (1), the total gear ratio may be calculated as
the follows:
A)

R = 36
12

B)

R = 30
15

R = 3:1

R = 2:1 = 6:1

In our example (see illustration), the rpm is six times lower and the torque is six times higher (they change
in the same proportion).
Generally, gearboxes are provided with a gear set that performs a high ratio. This set is called a planetary
gear (2).
The gear ratio in a planetary gear, when the sun gear works as the driving gear, is as follows:
A = N of teeth in the sun gear
B = N of teeth in the ring gear
R=A +B
A
Example:

30 + 60 = 3
30

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Relationship 3 : 1