Functions of the Transmission mechanical

Simply put, a transmission allows power to be sent from a power source, most often an
engine or motor, to a drive mechanism. Transmissions use gears and a clutch to convert
the speed of the power source into torque. A simpler transmission is often referred to as
a gearbox since it is basically a box containing a configuration of gears.
The most common example of a transmission is that found in an automobile. There are
two types of automobile transmissions, manual and automatic. Both accomplish the
same function in turning engine speed or revolutions per minute (rpm) into torque
(measured in pounds/feet). They also allow the drive mechanism to shift from forward
into reverse without the need to shut off one engine and reverse the direction of the
crankcase with a second engine running in the opposite direction.
In the case of a manual transmission, the flywheel, which is connected to the crankcase
of the engine, runs at a constant speed. Through the use of a manually operated clutch
and a shifter, engine power is reduced and increased significantly through the
engagement or disengagement of a series of larger and smaller gears. This shifting of
gears will avoid a correspondingly significant, inefficient and potentially damaging
increase of engine speed. These gears are running at different speeds because they are of
differing sizes. Larger gears convert higher engine rpm into higher torque or energy at
lower drive wheel speed by spinning more slowly than the crankcase; smaller gears,
conversely, convert lower engine rpm into higher speed and efficiency by spinning
faster than the crankcase.
Automatic transmissions, called transaxles in front wheel drive vehicles, accomplish
exactly the same function through speed-torque conversion. A torque converter
automatically engages and disengages the correct gears in the proper ratio using a
system of bands engaging and disengaging the hydraulically operated clutch pack. This
replaces the manually operated clutch. While manual transmission gearing is in line, the
gears in an automatic transmission are in a "planetary" arrangement, meaning they
revolve around a stationary "sun" gear.
All of this is enabled through the use of gear reduction where larger gears that rotate
more slowly are exchanged via the clutch or the torque converter for smaller, more
rapidly rotating gears to increase the speed of the drive wheels. The reverse of the
gearing exchange occurs with a need to decrease speed. Thus the speed of the power
source, the engine or motor, is dampened or enhanced by the manual clutch or the
torque converter and clutch pack to increase the efficiency of, as well as decrease the
wear and tear on, the engine while providing the needed torque to the drive shaft.
Even such simple power sources as windmill vanes or the pedals on a three speed
bicycle utilize a primitive transmission to transfer and partition the energy of the power
source rpm into driving torque.