pic: Gearbox in 2' by 1' tube. WCD

[philso]

Would the front and rear set of wheels on each side be linked together or would they turn independently?

Would the overall volume be very different if the motor is relocated so that the motor pinion meshed directly with the large gear? This would eliminate two stages of gearing.

[zinthorne]

Originally Posted by philso

Would the front and rear set of wheels on each side be linked together or would they turn independently?

Would the overall volume be very different if the motor is relocated so that the motor pinion meshed directly with the large gear? This would eliminate two stages of gearing.

The answer is yes that a much larger gear could be put directly to the pinion gear, I wanted the chain in the tube though to save more space. And the other thing is that I think that the sprocket would then maybe hit the cim when it is chained to the other wheel. I would have to check and see, it depends on what speed is desired which would dictate the gear size. The two stage system allows for chain inside of the tube as well as making it easier to change the gear ratio, because you do not have to worry about the sprocket hitting the cim.

It is not seen well, but half of the shaft on the gear next to the cim pinion gear is covered by the cim. So the gear would have to be very large to make space for the sprocket and I don't think the sprocket would fit.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by zinthorne

The answer is yes that a much larger gear could be put directly to the pinion gear, I wanted the chain in the tube though to save more space. And the other thing is that I think that the sprocket would then maybe hit the cim when it is chained to the other wheel. I would have to check and see, it depends on what speed is desired which would dictate the gear size. The two stage system allows for chain inside of the tube as well as making it easier to change the gear ratio, because you do not have to worry about the sprocket hitting the cim.

It is not seen well, but half of the shaft on the gear next to the cim pinion gear is covered by the cim. So the gear would have to be very large to make space for the sprocket and I don't think the sprocket would fit.

Maybe run the first stage with belts?

[philso]

If you will have four of these gearboxes, you might not save any weight. In a "normal" WCD, you have one gearbox on each side. With the scheme show, there will be two extra large gears plus the other small gears.

If you do not link the two gearboxes on each side, you will get the power of only one of the two CIM motors on each side for much of the time since only two wheels on each side will contact the carpet at any one time.