Understanding Gear Ratios: Inputs vs Reality

In summary, the gear ratio is the ratio of angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration, torque, etc. of the input with respect to the output. In reality, all of these variables will be affected to some degree by backlash, strain, and friction. However, in most cases, strain and backlash are ignored, so velocities and accelerations remain proportional. The variable that usually matches the gear ratio in reality is the rpm, as gears do not slip. The only variable that does not scale exactly to the gear ratio is torque, as input torque will be greater than output torque due to friction.
  • #1
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The gear ratio is the ratio of angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration, torque etc of the input with respect to output. However, I would like to know that which of these variables will be scaled exactly to the gear ratio in reality, as there might be some friction in the gear, or any other uncertainties in reality. So, which of these will be affected?
 
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  • #2
All will be affected by some degree via backlash, strain and friction. In most cases strain and backlash are ignored so velocities and accelerations are proportional. Friction is much less often ignored.
 
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  • #3
The ratio the usually matches "in reality" is the rpm. That's because gears don't slip.
 
  • #4
All but the torque. Input torque will be greater than output torque due to friction. Angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration all scale exactly to gear ratios.
 

1. What is a gear ratio?

A gear ratio is a comparison of the number of teeth on two different gears in a gear system. It represents the relationship between the number of rotations of the input gear and the output gear.

2. How is gear ratio calculated?

Gear ratio is calculated by dividing the number of teeth on the output gear by the number of teeth on the input gear. For example, if the output gear has 20 teeth and the input gear has 10 teeth, the gear ratio would be 20/10 or 2:1.

3. What is the purpose of using gear ratios?

Gear ratios are used to change the speed and torque of a rotational system. By using different gear ratios, it is possible to increase or decrease the rotational speed of the output gear while also increasing or decreasing the torque.

4. What is the difference between input and output gear ratios?

The input gear ratio is the ratio of the input gear to the intermediate gear, while the output gear ratio is the ratio of the intermediate gear to the output gear. The input gear ratio is used to determine the speed and torque of the output gear, while the output gear ratio is used to determine the speed and torque of the final output.

5. How does gear ratio affect the performance of a machine?

Gear ratio plays a crucial role in determining the performance of a machine. A higher gear ratio will result in increased torque and decreased speed, making it ideal for heavy load applications. On the other hand, a lower gear ratio will result in increased speed and decreased torque, making it suitable for high-speed applications.

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