What is a Gear? What Does it Do?

A gear is a wheel-shaped mechanical part with continuous teeth on its edge. Its most basic and important function is to transmit power and motion from one drive shaft to another through the meshing of teeth.

Its core functions are mainly reflected in four aspects:

Transmitting power and motion: This is the most basic function of gears, such as an engine transmitting power to the wheels.

Changing speed: By meshing gears of different sizes, the speed of the driven shaft can be increased or decreased.

Changing torque: While reducing speed, gear transmission proportionally increases the output torque, thereby obtaining greater force. This is the principle behind the operation of car gearboxes and cranes.

Changing the direction of motion: Through special types such as bevel gears, the direction of the rotating shaft can be changed by 90 degrees or other angles.

With its efficient, reliable, and precise characteristics, gears have become an indispensable "transmission skeleton" in modern industry, silently driving the orderly operation of the entire world.