The correct spelling of the word "miter gear" is often confusing due to its phonetic pronunciation. The word is derived from the combination of the words "miter" and "gear", but is commonly spelled as "mitre gear" due to the British English influence. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈmaɪtər ɡɪr/ (MY-tər geer), with the stress on the first syllable of "miter". However, both spellings are accepted in different regions, and the meaning remains the same- a type of gear commonly used in mechanical devices.
A miter gear is a type of gear that is primarily used in machinery and mechanical systems to transmit power and motion between two intersecting axes at a specific angle. Also known as bevel gears or angular gears, miter gears are designed with a conical or tapered shape to facilitate smooth and efficient rotation.
Miter gears consist of toothed wheels with angled teeth along the conical surface. These teeth mesh together when two miter gears are connected, allowing the transfer of rotational force and torque. The angled teeth ensure proper engagement even when the axes of rotation are not aligned, as they can adapt to different angles, typically 90 degrees but sometimes other angles as well.
Unlike standard gears that transfer power between parallel axes, miter gears are specifically engineered for perpendicular shafts. This enables them to redirect the rotational force by 90 degrees, making them ideal for applications where space constraints or specific mechanical arrangements require a change in the direction of rotation.
Miter gears are commonly utilized in various industrial systems including automobiles, machinery, robotics, and power tools. They are often chosen for their ability to transmit high torque, accuracy in motion transfer, and for providing precise control over the angular orientation of rotating components.
In summary, a miter gear is a specialized type of gear with conical teeth that enable the transmission of power and motion between two intersecting axes at a specific angle, typically 90 degrees.
The word miter gear has its roots in the Latin word mitra, which means headdress or turban. It later evolved into the Old French word mitre, referring to a bishop's headdress, which had a distinctive shape resembling the two intersecting toothed wheels of a miter gear. The term miter gear was then adopted in English to denote a type of gear with angled teeth that meshes with another gear of the same configuration at a right angle. The shape of the gear's teeth is reminiscent of the mitered edges found in the traditional headwear, hence the name miter gear.