For example, I understand gears work with ratio (different sizes) that changes the speed of a car, but how exactly – & why does it do that?
Also, how does it connect with gears + revolutions per min (RPM)?
Thanks!
In: Engineering
An internal combustion engine must be turning to operate. It is not very efficient at very low and very high speeds.
So to get around this, firstly you need a clutch, to disengage the engine from the gearbox.
Next, the gearbox has a bunch of selectable ratios that fit the best power from the engine to various speeds of the vehicle.
You start at zero speed vehicle with (say) 800 RPM engine and the clutch held in. Rev the engine to (say) 2000 RPM, let the clutch out and the car starts to move forward, until the clutch is fully engaged and the car is rolling at a speed matching the current RPM of the engine vie the currently selected gear ratio. Continue to accelerate, and eventually the engine gets close to its maximum RPM, and the vehicle’s is traveling (say) 25 Kph.
Press the clutch, drop the RPM, engage the next gear. That get works to (say) 45 Kph. And so on up the range.
As you go up gears you reduce the torque to the wheels but you increase the speed.
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