Gear ratios

The two drive motors transfer their power through a 90-degree gear set that has a 1:3 gear ratio. In previous chapters, we used gear ratios to give the motors a mechanical advantage and multiply their torque at the expense of speed. Now, we are doing the opposite; the Falcon uses this gear set to multiply the drive motors' output RPM by a factor of three, while sacrificing torque. This gear setup was chosen because it allows the Falcon to reach a higher top speed. We can do this at the expense of torque because the two EV3 large motors supply enough torque to drive the car, even with the taller gear ratio.

The 90-degree gear set redirects the motors' torque through a short axle that runs lengthwise. This short driveshaft in turn ...

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