Pinion Explained
A pinion is a round gear—usually the smaller of two meshed gears—used in several applications, including drivetrain and rack and pinion systems.
Applications
Drivetrain
Drivetrains usually feature a gear known as the pinion, which may vary in different systems, including
- the typically smaller gear in a gear drive train (although in the first commercially successful steam locomotive—the Salamanca—the pinion was rather large).[1] In many cases, such as remote controlled toys, the pinion is also the drive gear for a reduction in speed, since electric motors operate at higher speed and lower torque than desirable at the wheels. However the reverse is true in watches, where gear trains commence with a high-torque, low-speed spring and terminate in the fast-and-weak escapement.
- the smaller gear that drives in a 90-degree angle towards a crown gear in a differential drive.
- the small front sprocket on a chain driven motorcycle.
- the clutch bell gear when paired with a centrifugal clutch, in radio-controlled cars with an engine (e.g., nitro).[2]
Rack and pinion
See main article: Rack and pinion. In rack and pinion systems, the pinion is the round gear that engages and moves along the linear rack.
See also
Notes and References
- Book: 1-55589-846-7. 65562739. Gear Nomenclature, Definition of Terms with Symbols. 2005. 72. ANSI/AGMA 1012-G05. American Gear Manufacturers Association.
- Web site: Clutch Tuning. Eric Perez. NitroRC.com. 2010-01-29.
