Automobile engineering Volume 2 ; a general reference work

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 Excerpt: ...It is needed with any form of final drive, but it takes different forms, according to the type of gear used. The bevel and spiral bevel used on 88 per cent of the 1917 cars are explained in detail as follows: Fig. 439 shows the rear end of a typical pleasure-car chassis. The engine is rotating clockwise, and so is the driving shaft A, as shown by the arrow. The shaft turns the pinion B in a clockwise direction, which rotates the large bevel C so that its top turns toward the front of the car. The bevel C turns the rear axle D and the rear wheels (not shown) in the same direction; so the car moves forward. In addition to the gear C and shaft D turning easily in the axle housing E, there is an equal and opposite reaction which tends to keep them stationary, while the bevel pinion B and driving shaft A tend to rotate around the rear axle as a center in a counter-clockwise direc Fig. 439. Diagram to Show What Torque la and Why Torque Rods are Necessary tion, as shown by the diagram. If the rear axle were held firmly so it could not rotate, and there was nothing to restrain the bevel pinion and shaft, this could easily happen. However, since we do not wish this to happen, a means is provided to oppose this action and prevent it from happening. Since the turning force which makes the shaft rotate is called the torque, this rod, bar, or tube, whatever its form, is called the torque member. In the sketch, the torque member is marked F and is attached to the frame cross-member G, between a pair of springs, so as to cushion the shocks of sudden car or shaft movements. The force on this is the force which tends to rotate the driving shaft and pinion counterclockwise, so that it works upward, as shown by the arrow. The frame prevents this and absorbs the force. Driving...