Quote:
Originally Posted by Cody C
I'm confused... I don't quite see where this paragraph fits in with proving that there will never be more torque if you put the motors through separate gearboxes. Maybe it's just me only having a highschool physics background, but are some of the words taken a bit out of context? maybe a diagram would help me? I understand the terminology, this paragraph just confuses me.
But then again, maybe it is because it is 2:30 in the morning.
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not a problem, I am only half awake myself. That paragraph is talking more about the design system then proving that there won't be more torque. But since you asked I will explain why you don't get more torque.
Torque from dc motors is theoretically limitless, the more voltage you put to the motor the higher the torque you can create. Now in a real world (FIRST included) motors can only take so much voltage before they burn up. So especially in FIRST where your voltage is limited so is your maximum torque. The best way that I can think of describing the scenario in question is by comparing it to water. If the gearbox is designed correctly to maximize torque without drawing more then 40 amps then you have 1 full water container. This container got it's water (torque) from both motors combined (the max before tripping breakers). Separating the motors is like pouring the water into 2 glasses, you still have the same amount of water it is just in a different place. Because torque is limited by voltage and amperage it doesn't matter how you split it, it will remain the same.
Assuming the same gear ratio in each gearbox consider the following
max torque out of 1 transmission with 4 motors
=
combined max torque of 2 transmissions with 2 motors each
=
combined max torque of 4 transmissions with 1 motor each.
Now there are other things to consider like gearbox inefficiencies and other losses but for all intensive purposes you can pass the water around all day but in the end you are still left with the same amount of water.