Gears are an integral component of most mechanical devices in use today. Gears have a wide range of functions, but they are used to transmit motion between two shafts. In addition, they provide torque to a device that a small, fast-spinning motor cannot provide. Another important feature of gears is that they give direction to the rotation process. This article provides information on these types of gears, specifically reverse gears.
A pair of gears, one present on the countershaft and the other on the output shaft, are used to implement the ‘reverse’ process. Unlike the forward gears which are meshed, there is a certain amount of space between the reverse gears. Another point of differentiation of the forward gears is that the reverse gears are attached to their axles. There is no free rotation around the axis. A scenario could develop where a small gear known as a reverse idler slips between the two gears. The function of this gear, also called an idler gear, is to engage the two gears. This allows you to change the direction of rotation, but does not hinder the gear ratio in any way.
The method of operation of the reverse gears is not as complex as it seems. When reverse gear is selected, the teeth of these gears mesh. There is absolutely no help from the mechanism that seeks to synchronize these gears. This is one of the main reasons the output shaft must now move, once a reverse gear is selected. That means a car has to stop when you want to select reverse gear. Many cars have a mechanism where the input shaft also stops rotating when reverse gear is selected. This decreases the grinding that accompanies reverse gear selection when there is inertial rotation of the input shaft.
Because companies do not necessarily use the same reverse technologies in all brands. Advanced technologies make it possible to use sophisticated reverse gears in modern cars. Of course, these cars come with a hefty price tag. But, most of the time a mechanism is used that stops the transmission of the input shaft. If this is not done, the vehicle makes a screeching sound. This is why all car manufacturers use the idler wheel which, as mentioned above, can be inserted between the two gears. This procedure greatly reduces the noise that accompanies it and in the service manual of many companies; you may find a mention of this system as a “noise reduction system”.
A new type of reverse technology has entered the market in recent times, called “reverse spur technology”. This technology has made some improvements to the one listed above. But it has been compromised on some aspects like robustness, compromises and noise. But it has found acceptability because there is limited driving that takes place in reverse.