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10 Speed Manual Gearbox

January 5th, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

Manual 10-speed gearbox based on driving rings. Built from modules that theoretically allow to build a gearbox of any number of speeds.

Some time after seeing and redesigning Erik Leppen’s 4-speed compact gearbox, I started to wonder if the gears setup used there can be used for more than 4 speeds. It took some time, and eventually I was able to expand the design with the use of the extension transmission driving rings. It resulted in a gearbox that consists of partial repetations of the same 6-speed module, and this kind of construction theoretically allows to build a gearbox of any number of speeds. Having only two extension driving rings at the time, I have built a 10-speed model as a demonstration of the idea.

Due to the large number of gears, only part of them being used for each gear, the gearbox generates a considerable resistance. I was able to drive it with one PF XL motor, but some time later I have built a 14-speed version, and its resistance stalled even PF XL motor. Another concern is a huge ratio difference between particular gears, which somewhat negates the sense of using all 10 gears.

The parts list can be downloaded here, and there are ldr (MLCad format) models available in two versions: a complete one, and a bare-mechanics one.

Photos:

10gearbox1.jpg 10gearbox2.jpg 10gearbox3.jpg 10gearbox4.jpg 10gearbox5.jpg 10gearbox6.jpg gear01.jpg gear02.jpg gear03.jpg gear04.jpg gear05.jpg gear06.jpg gear07.jpg gear08.jpg gear09.jpg gear10.jpg workingmodel.jpg workingmodel2.jpg

Video:

Media reference:

TechnicBRICKs

Categories: Ideas Tags: ,
  1. Fubu
    January 8th, 2013 at 20:12 | #1

    I builded the transmission from the Pictures, for own using, but it dont works very good. From the Gear 7 to 10 the motor is to weak for real using. For using this transmission in a Moc it probably wont work:(

  2. Sariel
    November 20th, 2012 at 08:06 | #2

    @technyk32
    I don’t think it would be of much use.

  3. technyk32
    November 20th, 2012 at 00:38 | #3

    What if you happened to be making a very realistic big rig? That, if you made it as real as possible, would have to have an 18 speed gearbox. Just sayin

  4. qwertyuiop
    December 8th, 2011 at 10:36 | #4

    together, so it would be handy for a smaller car, seeing as driving rings cant handle too much torque

  5. qwertyuiop
    December 8th, 2011 at 10:26 | #5

    yeah, youre right, they arent the same. they did look the same at first. i have worked out the gear ratios for the 6 speed one:
    1st – 9:1 reduction
    2nd – 5.4:1 reduction
    3rd – 3:1 reduction
    4th – 1.8:1 reduction
    5th – 1:1
    6th – 1.66:1 acceleration

    the gear ratios are fairly close

  6. Sariel
    December 7th, 2011 at 07:58 | #6

    @qwertyuiop
    That’s because they DON’T have the same design I have here.

  7. qwertyuiop
    December 7th, 2011 at 06:55 | #7

    are you sure? because i just found this video on youtube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4UuufRaWo&feature=fvst
    they have the same design as you have here (but with 6 gears), and there are no extension driving rings

  8. Sariel
    December 5th, 2011 at 07:41 | #8
  9. qwertyuiop
    December 5th, 2011 at 05:56 | #9

    how many extension driving rings would you need for a 6-speed version of this gearbox?

  10. Sariel
    March 30th, 2011 at 08:34 | #10

    @Kshomiv
    I don’t remember exactly, but more than 10. I guess a pushback tug could be a good model for such a gearbox.

  11. Kshomiv
    March 30th, 2011 at 02:30 | #11

    How many gears are in this box? And what kind of a model would you use this gearbox in?

  12. bill
    January 5th, 2011 at 11:12 | #12

    you can made a new video

  13. Sariel
    December 22nd, 2010 at 08:03 | #13

    @will
    No.

  14. will
    December 22nd, 2010 at 04:36 | #14

    have you ever used this in any models

  15. gabbo
    March 24th, 2010 at 20:24 | #15

    yesssssssss thanks

  16. Sariel
    March 23rd, 2010 at 21:57 | #16

    @gabbo
    Transmission Driving Ring Extension: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=32187

  17. gabbo
    March 23rd, 2010 at 21:09 | #17

    no sorry this isn’t this… the parts is the half parts of this parts xD http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6539
    this parts in the foto is red but (my) parts in the foto is grey!! this is a grey synchronizer !!

  18. Sariel
  19. gabbo
    March 23rd, 2010 at 17:09 | #19

    the grey synchronizer is the lego set 8466.. what is the code’

  20. gabbo
    March 23rd, 2010 at 17:08 | #20

    there are 2 synchronizer red and grey .. the grey is at central in the foto .. sorry for bad english im italian

  21. Sariel
    March 22nd, 2010 at 20:09 | #21

    @gabbo
    What do you mean by grey synchronizer?

  22. gabbo
    March 22nd, 2010 at 19:54 | #22

    sorry but what is the code of the of the grey synchronizer”

  23. protect-it-and-more
    March 12th, 2010 at 23:50 | #23

    i meant rather than normal gears. 5*****s

  24. protect-it-and-more
    March 12th, 2010 at 23:45 | #24

    WOW. use bevel gears

  25. November 5th, 2009 at 23:21 | #25

    that’s friggin cool 🙂 course jason does have a point, 5 speeds with a splitter would be more compact :)Wish my lego set was as extensive as yours seems to be 😛

  26. Adi
    August 13th, 2009 at 09:00 | #26

    WOW

  27. Jason Bradley
    January 13th, 2009 at 02:54 | #27

    a semi uses a 4- 5or? speed main box with a added gear on the output shaft for high range( shifts from a low gear ratio to a 1:1 or so .. …….. you shift 1-4 then switch hi gear then start back at 1 now 5th and run through the gears again…. much more compact design with less frictional loss. and alot easier to incorperate into a lego model and realistic. all you need is to run a small air cyl or a lever in the cab to switch to high gear. usuing a slider like the rest of the trans or the old school way slidign the shaft with the gears on it.

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