Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-02-24
While Each Year Sees Minor
Variations In Design, Usually
in Form Of Refinements

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II there is one part OF the motor car
that, more than any other. has reached
what for the time being may be con.
sidered the final stage OF develop
nent. this Unit probably is the trans
mission gearset. ID is doubtful that
there will be any radical changes In
gearset design as long as the sliding
gear fern OF speed-changing mechan.
ism remains dominant Each year
there are some noticeable minor yaria-
tons IN design. usually in the form
or refinements which make for greater
accessibility and easier maintenance
such refinements as are inevitable
with the progress OF an art which Is
on an established foundation and one
which is not prone 10 be affected by
variations in the public fancy.
During the season just past and
those preceding Il. alterations in con-
strnction or changes in basic princi-
pies have been remarkable for their
absence. The leading tendency dur.
ing the year has been q general, trend
towards simplification In the manu-
Der of types produced by each fac
tory. This simplification also has ex-
tended 70 the reduction in the mum.
Der OF parts and slight alterations in
the design Of others with which COM
Tllication is done away with and at
the same time weight reduced.
Increasing popularity OF such addi-
tional features in connection with the
gearset as transmission speedometer
drive and tire-pump drive have caused
some OF the manufacturers to incor-
porate in their newer designs Of gear.
boxes arrangement for the attaching
OF these subsidiary drives. In some
instances these have taken the form
of additional gears, driven from the
transmission gears, designed particu-
larry for the take-off OF power for the
pump or speedometer.
Gearsets have been improved in
their adaptability for mounting as a
unit with engine and clutch. This
is natural consequence OF the con-
tinued trend toward unit power-plant
construction as has been emphasized
by the increase in production OF mul.
tiple-cylinder engines, most OF which
are Of unit power-plant design.
Predictions in some quarters a few
years ago that the general adoption
OF the unit power plant possibly
would lead to the use of plain bear
ings throughout the gearset with pres.
sure fabrication from the same oil
pump as supplies the engine, have
not nisteriaiized, although such de-
velopnient could logically be expected.
he advantage of quiet operation Is on
the side Of the plain bearing. but the
difficulty OF proper fabrication has
rendered Il impossible.
Ball and Roller
Bearings Much Used
consequently. the ball and roller
bearings continue to be almost uni
versal for both portions of the main
shaft and most manufacturers recog.
nize that their better efficiency prob
ably makes up for the claimed advant.
age Of noiselessness which is made Tor
the plain type.
On the whole. there Is little tend.
ency to make any change In the tyne
Or arrangement Of bearings. Brown
Iipe uso taper roller bearings
throughout wherever possible in its
standard construction. Warner consid.
ars the use or either plain bushings
" straight roller bearings within the
gears and In connection
with stationary countershaft to be
growing in favor Northway finds
trend toward the adoption OF spiral !
roller bearings for the forward end
d the main shaft and donble-row
lall bearing in the rear. The Ameri |
IAN Die a Tool Company has been
using ball bearings throughout, its ex.
Deriments with plain bearings on
and spigot proving unsuc- !
sessful because Of fabrication diff
sulties, For eliminating noise and re-
lucing cost Of manufacture this com
ANY recommends a combination or !
lall and roller bearings. or roller
throughout with a small /
'oller bearing for the spigot.
The practical uniyersality Of center !
control In American cars has Deen OF /
,reat weight In the simplification anu
tightening of the gearset and its con-
.rol apparatus. II has done away
With the necessity OF the rods, shaft
ng, etc, which formerly we're re-
Iuired to adapt the standard gearset
% different GLASSES with different To-
,ations of control levers. Connections
the control lever and the !
fears have been lightened and short
med and shifting has become 4ery /
iImple SO that the least possible mo-
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