3 shifting transmission...

[Veselin Kolev]

ok... I know this thread had been dead for a few weeks but...

My question for you:
If you had a design for a 3 speed transmission, and the weight was 4 pounds per gearbox (without motors), and it wasn't SO complex, why not make it?
Ok, maybe my question should also include, what are the good sides of a 3 speed tranny? I've discussed it with my team's engineers and advisors.. and all I've gotten back is that it'll probably work but... "why do we need such a transmission".
Here's my reasons:
Pro:
- 3 speeds brings complexity and probability of innovation in design awards.
- if you gear it right, you can outrun and outpush almost anyone.
- nobody (almost) has made a 3 speed transmission.
- with my design, the complexity from 2 to 3 speeds doesn't increase that much. In fact, complexity from 3 to 4 or 5 speeds doesn't increase much either. It just gets bigger.
- if you make this transmission, and get your electrical people to make it automatic, you have a go at the leadership in control award.
- you can reach REALLY high top speeds
Con:
- 3 speeds brings complexity. Expensive, will take forever to machine, needs to be CNC'd, etc...
- why not 2 speeds? It seems that you will never need 3 speeds in a FIRST game.
- if something is mis-aligned... death of a gearbox. The complexity mixed with errors in manufacturing will kill you. But... holes can be line bored, so the misalignment problem is small.
- you will never have enough time or room the accelerate to 3rd gear

Thats all I can think of right now...