Torque Balance of Motor and Transmission

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the torque balance in a gearbox, specifically in the context of a car transmission and an offset gear drive system used in an auger machine. Participants explore the relationships between input torque, output torque, and the reactions experienced by the system components, examining both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the relationship RT-T (output torque minus input torque) applies in a standard transmission setup but questions its validity in the context of an offset gear drive.
  • Another participant suggests that the torques must be considered along different axes, indicating that both RT-T and the total torque reaction must be balanced by the user.
  • Some participants propose that the direction of the torques affects the application of the RT-T relationship, leading to a potential misunderstanding of the torque balance.
  • There is a discussion about how the internal reaction torques in the gearbox relate to the external forces applied by the operator, with emphasis on the need for balance to prevent the machine from spinning uncontrollably.
  • Several participants agree that the reactive torque from the auger bit and the motor's reaction torque must be accounted for to understand the overall torque experienced by the operator.
  • One participant emphasizes that the internal forces within the mechanism do not affect the overall input-output relationship of forces and torques.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the RT-T relationship in specific setups, particularly regarding the offset gear drive. While some agree on the necessity of balancing torques and forces, the discussion remains unresolved on the exact nature of these relationships in different configurations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of sign conventions for direction of rotation and the need to consider internal versus external forces in torque calculations. There are references to specific numerical examples that illustrate the complexities of the torque balance but do not resolve the overarching questions raised.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical engineering, particularly those studying gear systems, torque dynamics, and the practical applications of these concepts in machinery design and operation.

alkaspeltzar
Messages
354
Reaction score
37
TL;DR
Trying to determine how the torques balance in a gearbox below
I read this in my college design book, that for a car transmission, if the engine provide T, and the output is RT(ratio x Torque), the difference of (RT-T) must be back on the engine mounting. This example makes sense, I am not questioning that.However, if i have an offset gear drive, like that below, where input gear is 2" diameter, has input torque of 10in-lbs, and outputs to gear of 10" diameter, output torque of 50in-lbs, when i do the math, i don't find the relation above to hold. What i find is the entire housing reacts with 60 in-lbs, but due to reaction of the motor, 10in lbs, the whole unit (gearcase and motor) have 50 in lbs, which is equal to the torque on the output.

Please see attached images. am I missing something? Or does this relationship not apply to this setup of gearbox
img_20201222_095333161-jpg.jpg
IMG_20201223_190249533.jpg
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
If I understand correctly, you're getting 60 in-lbs from the 10lb couple from A to B so 6in (1in radius drive gear + 5in radius driven gear)? If so, you're mixing up torques along different axes. RT-T still applies in the axis of the auger bit, 60in-lbs applies in the axis coming out of the page. Both torques are felt by the auger frame, and both torques are balanced by the end user. (If you didn't balance the 60in-lbs, you'd fall over sideways.)
 
Twigg said:
If I understand correctly, you're getting 60 in-lbs from the 10lb couple from A to B so 6in (1in radius drive gear + 5in radius driven gear)? If so, you're mixing up torques along different axes. RT-T still applies in the axis of the auger bit, 60in-lbs applies in the axis coming out of the page. Both torques are felt by the auger frame, and both torques are balanced by the end user. (If you didn't balance the 60in-lbs, you'd fall over sideways.)
Could you explain more or draw a picture?

IF i apply 10 lbs to the auger bit at 5 inches, that is 50inlbs, but the 10 lbs back on gear A, will act at the pivot, which is yes 6inches away, giving you 60inlbs.

How then is the RT-T still true. The auger bit gets RT, Tin is 10. So shouldn't there only be 40? perhaps you can draw it out.

Thank you
 
Actually, it might make sense. Looking at it RT-T works if you assume the direction of the torques. In this case, the torque to the auger bit is opposite of the input. SO 50 is RT, RT-T = 50-(-10), so it 60, so that makes sense
 
alkaspeltzar said:
Summary:: Trying to determine how the torques balance in a gearbox below

I read this in my college design book, that for a car transmission, if the engine provide T, and the output is RT(ratio x Torque), the difference of (RT-T) must be back on the engine mounting. This example makes sense, I am not questioning that.
I believe that the above statement is not correct.
The magnitude of the reaction on the engine anchorage points to the chassis is only proportional to the reactive torque of the transmission shaft.
Note that engine torque is internal due to the fact that the transmission case is bolted to the engine cranckcase.

Same applies for the auger machine.
Whatever amount of resistive torque comes from the tool, must be balanced by the forces exerted by the hands of the operator, regardless location or reduction rate of any gear train.

Ground-Drill-Ahoyador-4-Cycle-6-5HP-Loncin-Engined.jpg
 
Lnewqban said:
I believe that the above statement is not correct.
The magnitude of the reaction on the engine anchorage points to the chassis is only proportional to the reactive torque of the transmission shaft.
Note that engine torque is internal due to the fact that the transmission case is bolted to the engine cranckcase.

Same applies for the auger machine.
Whatever amount of resistive torque comes from the tool, must be balanced by the forces exerted by the hands of the operator, regardless location or reduction rate of any gear train.

View attachment 275030
If the auger bit requires 50 inlbs in my example. The operator has to apply equally that to keep it in place. That is true and i am not questioning that.

What i was trying to learn is how much is reacted back thru the gearcase itself, minus the engine. Such with the sum, equals the output torque.

With the offset gearbox in my example, the gear case has 60 inlbs back, beecuase the of the 10lb force at 6 inches. But as the motor rovides 10 inlbs, has a reaction torque of 10 inlbs in the opposite direction, so it subtracts. SO the overall the operator still feels is 50 inlbs

IF i break down all the reaction forces and torques on each shaft, this comes out right and makes sense. Plus agrees now with the RT, RT-T etc. You have to use sign convention for direction of rotation
 
Do you mean internal reaction motor-chassis of auger machine?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: alkaspeltzar
Lnewqban said:
Do you mean internal reaction motor-chassis of auger machine?
YEs, if you look at the math in my drawing and the clip from my textbook, i am looking at how the output torque, creates internal reactions torques/balances such that it takes an external torque from the operator to steady machine.

With auger, the motor puts in 10inlb to the drive gear, creating 50inlbs on the auger bit. This causes a reaction force of 10 lbs back on the drive gear, canceling out the input torque, but causing a force of 10lbs at 6 inches, so we get reaction of 60inlbs. However, we need to account for the reaction of the motor on the gearcase, this then subtracts. so the overall gearcase/motor has a -50 in lbs. IF the operators didnt hold the unit providing equal torque to the machine, it will just spin.

Funny you see people drunk riding augers ice fishin LOL
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Lnewqban
Think of the gears as of two levers connecting each other.
Each is anchored to a common base (chassis of machine) via pivots.
You have reactive linear forces at those pivots, both are 10 lbf, just like the forces between the teeths in contact.

The torque induced by the reactive 10 lbf acting 6 inches away from the center of the bit is counter-acted by the 10 in-lbf torque of the engine, resulting on the 50 in-lbf torque felt by the operator.

Then, you have a pair of forces acting at the anchorage points of the motor to the chassis.
The magnitude of each of those forces equals torque of 10 in-lbf times radial distance to engine shaft.
But again, those are internal forces of the mechanism.

tenor.gif
 
  • #10
Lnewqban said:
Think of the gears as of two levers connecting each other.
Each is anchored to a common base (chassis of machine) via pivots.
You have reactive linear forces at those pivots, both are 10 lbf, just like the forces between the teeths in contact.

The torque induced by the reactive 10 lbf acting 6 inches away from the center of the bit is counter-acted by the 10 in-lbf torque of the engine, resulting on the 50 in-lbf torque felt by the operator.

Then, you have a pair of forces acting at the anchorage points of the motor to the chassis.
The magnitude of each of those forces equals torque of 10 in-lbf times radial distance to engine shaft.
But again, those are internal forces of the mechanism.

View attachment 275038

So you agree with me given you 'liked" my comment above correct? There is a reactive torque created by the auger bit of 60 inlbs. The motor reaction torque is -10inlbs. Sum of these is 50inlbs. However, you are right, these are internal on the mechanism, so the overall auger head(gearcase and motor) rotate opposite of the auger bit(or as the person spinning lol)

THis is why to drill a hole you need to apply 50 in lbs.

Sorry if my numbers don't make sense, just picked some to make the math easy
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Lnewqban
  • #11
Yes. ✅
Note that the reaction from the ground does not touch the chassis until it reaches the anchorage bolts of the engine.
Then, from there to the hands of the operator.
Each link of the chain of transmission may be “feeling” loads that are different among them, but again, all those don’t make any difference on output-input of forces and torques.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: alkaspeltzar
  • #12
Lnewqban said:
Yes. ✅
Note that the reaction from the ground does not touch the chassis until it reaches the anchorage bolts of the engine.
Then, from there to the hands of the operator.
Each link of the chain of transmission may be “feeling” loads that are different among them, but again, all those don’t make any difference on output-input of forces and torques.
Thank you for the peace of mind. Man that had me stuck, start looking at all these reaction/action forces and torque and it gets busy.

In the end I agree, without the bit in the ground to create the load, then the operator would feel very little. As it takes the 50 inch lbs to drill ice then the operator must apply 50 in lbs back. You can break it down piece by piece or look at the aguer as one unit, still comes out the same

It is however interesting to learn how internally the reaction forces generates a large torque to balance out the motor and such, keeps everything even. We mainly take it for granted, that what you get out, you know you have to equally support

Thanks again
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Lnewqban
  • #13
You are welcome, alkaspeltzar. :smile:
Happy holidays!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: alkaspeltzar

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
58
Views
9K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K