Pinion
A pinion is a round gear—usually the smaller of two meshed gears—used in several applications, including drivetrain and rack and pinion systems.
![](../I/Annular_(PSF).svg.png.webp)
Pinion and annular gear
Applications
Drivetrain
Drivetrains usually feature a gear known as the pinion, which may vary in different systems, including
- the typically smaller gear in a gear drive train (although in the first commercially successful steam locomotive—the Salamanca—the pinion was rather large).[1] In many cases, such as remote controlled toys, the pinion is also the drive gear for a reduction in speed, since electric motors operate at higher speed and lower torque than desirable at the wheels. However the reverse is true in watches, where gear trains commence with a high-torque, low-speed spring and terminate in the fast-and-weak escapement.
- the smaller gear that drives in a 90-degree angle towards a crown gear in a differential drive.
- the small front sprocket on a chain driven motorcycle.
- the clutch bell gear when paired with a centrifugal clutch, in radio-controlled cars with an engine (e.g., nitro).[2]
Rack and pinion
![](../I/Rack_and_pinion_animation.gif)
Rack and pinion animation
In rack and pinion system, the pinion is the round gear that engages and moves along the linear rack.
See also
References
- Gear Nomenclature, Definition of Terms with Symbols. American Gear Manufacturers Association. 2005. p. 72. ISBN 1-55589-846-7. OCLC 65562739. ANSI/AGMA 1012-G05.
- Eric Perez. "Clutch Tuning". NitroRC.com. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
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