The Main Components of the Automatic Gearboxes

Gearboxes provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device using gear ratios. An automatic gearbox plays a crucial role in many places. Its performance may involve a lot of components, such as the planetary gearsets, torque converter, sensors and shifting.

Planetary gearset

This is a set of gears to which the transmission shaft is linked. It usually includes several separate parts. The outside gears differ in size, creating unique gear ratios. These are the gear combinations used when the vehicle shifts. When the transmission shifts into first, the first planetary gear begins to move. If the vehicle begins to travel, the transmission moves into second. The faster the car travels, the higher gear ratios are used.

Torque converter

It is the vital piece of engineering that allows an automatic transmission to function. Inside it are an impeller, a turbine and a guide wheel. The turbine and impeller both sit inside a metal automotive differential housing. A torque converter is linked to the engine by the transmission shaft. However, this shaft is not directly connected to the engine.

Sensors and shifting

Sensors can determine when a gear shift takes place in an automatic transmission. The shift itself can be performed mechanically or electronically. The transmission connects to the axles. This is the shaft that physically drives the wheels, converting the rotation of the transmission into forward power and driving the vehicle forward.