Lego Technic Gearbox Theory Applied - how to apply theory to help design 2 speed automatic gearboxes
This video applies lego technic gearbox, torque, and gearing ratio theory to design a prototype lego 2 speed automatic gearbox. First I describe the main components of an automatic gearbox, namely a gearing ratio selector and a torque detector. The ideal gear switch over torque point is described in terms of the PF motor torque and speed operating point, as well as the ideal gear switching ratio for the 2nd gear of the automatic gearbox.
A technique for creating the 2nd gear is described by either adding to a differential by engaging a gear, or by subtracting by disengaging the gear. Issues around torque friction making it difficult to disengage a gear are mitigated by speeding up the gear switching axle to reduce torque.
A lego technic torque detection method is shown using a differential for torque detection and driving a rotary catch back to the gear selector to change gears. A strategy is shown to reduce the torque and power loss due to the lego torque detector by placing it on a secondary path from the main power path.
Finally an actual implementation of a lego technic 2 speed automatic gearbox is demonstrated and tested using a configurable torque generation mechanism using a series of clutch gears to create friction.
More to explore
Lego Technic torque in practice - how to work with torque in automatic gearbox design
n this video I present a ten level Lego Technic torque creation gadget for testing lego power function motors and automatic gear switching mechanisms. The effect of torque on a large lego PF motor is tested against the theoretical power curve to compare the optimal gear switching point in practic...read more
Lego Technic smoothly switching 2 speed automatic gearbox evolution with instructions
This video presents my latest compact and smoothly switching 2 speed automatic gearbox made out of Lego Technic. It is both smoothly switching and compact.
The MOC gearbox automatically switches down in gearing ratio when the load on the output is sufficiently high by using a new te...read more
Lego Technic 3 Speed Automatic Gearbox
Here a Lego Technic 3 speed automatic gearbox is presented. The gearbox automatically switches between one of 3 gear ratios, namely a ratio of 1, 1/3rd and 1/9th depending on the load on the output. It uses two 2 speed automatic transmissions in series to create the three speed automatic ge...read more
Lego Technic New 12/20 Gear High Speed Friction Test
The Lego Technic set 42140 App-Controlled Transformation Vehicle introduces two new gears - a flat version of the 12 tooth bevel gear and a flat version of the 20 tooth bevel gear. These gears are designed to have less friction.
In this follow up video I measure the high speed difference ...read more
Lego Technic 2 Speed Auto Gearbox - a new hope - with build instructions
This Lego technic 2 speed automatic gearbox design uses a worm gear for torque detection and gear switching combined. Previous Lego 2 speed automatic gearboxes have used a Lego differential for torque detection to drive an orange rotary catch to switch gears using a switch component.
The ...read more
Lego Technic Applied Gearbox Theory Improved
This Lego Technic video demonstrates an improved design of a Lego technic 2 speed automatic gearbox based on a theoretical approach. Typically a Lego automatic gearbox consists of two stages namely a gear selector and a torque detector. In this video, both of these components are improved upon.read more
Lego Technic Optimal Gear Switching Ratios
This video presents the relationship between lego technic motor torque and speed and shows there is an peak power for each electric motor.
The peak power is calculated and a formula presented relating the power operating point as a percentage of peak power. From this an operational power ...read more
Lego 2 speed automatic car. Part 1
This video explores the use of the lego technic "smoothly switching 2 speed automatic gearbox" inside of a test car to see how well it works to climb up a ramp.
The gearing ratio of the 2nd gear of the 2 speed automatic gearbox can be set using a manual 4 speed gearbox to choose...read more
Lego 2 Speed Automatic gearbox - worm gear prototype. Includes build instructions.
This video present a lego technic 2 speed automatic gearbox based on using a worm gear for torque detection. The 2 speed transmission gearbox works by using the linear counteraction force on the worm gear to connect a gear to create a second speed.
This 2nd speed is added to the mai...read more
Lego Technic 3 Speed Automatic Gearbox - FAIL!
This video presents a lego technic 3 speed automatic gearbox design that failed to work as expected. This design is based on an earlier design of a 2 speed automatic gearbox with smooth transmission that worked very well. That technic gearbox was extended by adding another speed to the oran...read more