Transmission (mechanical device)

For other uses of the word "transmission", see Transmission.
"Gearbox" redirects here. For other uses, see Gearbox (disambiguation).
Transmission internals for a 2009 Volkswagen Golf

A transmission (also called a gearbox) is a mechanical device which uses a gear set—two or more gears working together—to change the speed, direction of rotation, or torque multiplication/reduction in a machine.[1][2]

Transmissions can have a single fixed-gear ratio, multiple distinct gear ratios, or continuously variable ratios. Variable-ratio transmissions are used in all sorts of machinery, especially vehicles.

  1. ^ J. J. Uicker; G. R. Pennock; J. E. Shigley (2003). Theory of Machines and Mechanisms (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195155983.
  2. ^ B. Paul (1979). Kinematics and Dynamics of Planar Machinery. Prentice Hall.