Question

In a gear train, when the axes of the shafts, over which the gears are mounted, move relative to a fixed axis, is called

(a) simple gear train

(b) compound gear train

(c) reverted gear train

(d) epicyclic gear train

This question was addressed to me in an internship interview.

This intriguing question originated from Gear Trains topic in portion Toothed Gearing & Gear Trains of Machine Kinematics

Answer 1

Right option is (d) epicyclic gear train

Explanation: In an epicyclic gear train, the axes of the shafts, over which the gears are mounted, may move relative to a fixed axis.

When the axes of the first gear (i.e. first driver) and the last gear (i.e. last driven or follower) are co-axial, then the gear train is known as reverted gear train.

When there are more than one gear on a shaft, as shown in Fig. 13.2, it is called a compound train of gear.