AIM OF EXPERIMENT

i) To study the model gear box

Model gear box:
a) Arrangement of gears.
b) Reverse gear.
c) Gear engagement and power flow for various speeds.
ii) To study the four bar mechanism in the steering of the automobile.
Four bar mechanism:
a) Measurement of four bar linkage and angle of rotations in both directions.
b) Differential gear arrangement and gear profile.

EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE

Gearbox
Firstly, the model of the gearbox is shifted into neutral position. Then the drive shaft
is spin to observe the input and output of the gearbox. Secondly the knob was push
forward while pressing the clutch pedal to engage first gear. The movement of the
synchronizer was observed and the number of teeth of the gear selected was
calculated. Next, the experiment was repeated by engaging second gear, third gear,
fourth gear, five gear and reverse gear.
Knob
Clutc
h
Main
shaft

Synchroniz

Idler

Counter shaft
Figure 2.0 Model gearbox

Four bar mechanism

Firstly, the length of the four bar linkage in steering system was measured when it is
in straight position. Secondly, the steering was fully turned and was measured
again. The angle of turn was calculated. Next the differential gear arrangement was
observed. Lastly, the number of teeth in the differential gear was taken.

Figure 2.1 Automobile Model

figure 2.2 differential

RESULTS
Gearbox
From the observations, the arrangement of gears and power flows are shown as
below.
Diagram

observation
The synchronizer is lock unto the first
speed gear.
37:13 ratio

The synchronizer is lock unto the second

speed gear.
29:18 ratio

The synchronizer is lock unto the third

speed gear.
31:29 ratio

The synchronizer is lock unto fourth

speed gear.
26:33 ratio

The synchronizer is lock unto the fifth

speed gear.
24:35 ratio
The idler move to engage in reverse
gear.
46:17 ratio

Four bar mechanism

The measurement of four bar linkage in steering system of model car and its angle
of rotation calculated are shown below.

Figure 3.1 measurement of four bar linkage

Figure 3.2 measurement of the maximum angle of the wheel.

The angle of wheel,

= tan-1

(28.721)
22.8

= 18.70o
Thus, the automobile model can make an 18.70 o maximum angle about the center.

Propeller
shaft

A
Rear axle

Rear
axle 2

C
spindleB)

E
Figure 3.3 rear differential

(under

The rear axle 1 is 55.5 cm and rear axle 2 is 58.5 cm measured from the gear B. The
propeller shaft is measured 14 cm. Gear A has 10 teeth, whereas gear B has 43
teeth.

Discussion
Gear box
The gears are not moved into and out of engagement when shifting from one speed
to another except for reverse. Rather, the desired ratio gears are selectively locked
to the output shaft by synchronizer. Clutch is an important component in gearbox,
these clutches act to lock one gear to the output shaft at a time to provide a power
path from input to output of a particular ratio.
Four bar mechanism
There is a maximum value of degree the steering can turn depending on the
automobile, higher degree of turning enable the automobile to make turns in small
spaces. The differential gear functions in an automobile by transmitting motion from
the engine to the rear driving wheels, it also able the rear wheels to rotate in
different speeds when the automobile is taking a turn. When the automobile runs on
straight path, the gears C and D (refer to figure 3.3) rotate together. It is rotated by
the spindle on gear B (refer to figure 3.3). E and F (refer to figure 3.3) does not
rotate on the spindle. But when taking a turn, the inner rear wheel should have
lesser speed than the outer rear wheel and due to relative speed of the inner and
outer gear D and C, the gears E and F start rotating about the spindle axis and at
the same time revolve about the axle axis. Thus decreasing the speed of inner rear
wheel and the speed of the outer rear wheel increases.
3.0

Conclusions

It is known that transmission of power from the engine to drive shaft is through the
gearbox. From the experiment, the arrangement of gears and the position of the
reverse gear were observed and taken note of how the synchronizer moved to lock
unto gear when the knob is moved. Apart from that, it is also calculated, by the
number of teeth each set of gear has, that each gear engagement has different
ratio for various speed. For example, when engage in first gear, the gear box deliver
higher power at lower speed.
From the experiment, it is known that the automobile model has a turning angle of .
Consequently, this tells us that different automobile have different maximum
turning angle. The differential gear arrangement and gear profile were also
observed. It is an important component because it transmits power from the engine
to the rear axle, it enables the automobile to move forward and also varies wheel
speed when taking a turn.
4.0

References

Norton R.L. Design of Machinery, 2nd edition Mc Graw Hill, 1999.

SEKOLAH KEJURUTERAAN DAN TEKNOLOGI MAKLUMAT

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM (HK08)

Lab sheet
EXPERIMENT 7: STUDY OF GEARS AND FOUR BAR
MECHANISM

NAME

BARRY JOHN

MATRIC NO :

BK09110009

LECTURER :

PROF. MEDISETTI MADHUSUDANA RAO