pinion and crown wheel
- noun
- UK
:
piñón y corona
- The pinion and crown wheel are essential components in a car's differential system.
Examples
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Proper lubrication of the pinion and crown wheel extends the life of the gears.
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He inspected the pinion and crown wheel for wear after hearing a grinding noise.
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The pinion and crown wheel system is essential for vehicle differentials.
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Mechanics often replace the pinion and crown wheels during maintenance.
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The pinion and crown wheel work together to transfer power from the engine to the wheels at right angles.
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Regular inspection of the pinion and crown wheel can prevent costly repairs in a vehicle's differential.
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If the pinion and crown wheel are not aligned correctly, it can cause uneven tire wear in cars.
Synonyms
Gears that fit together at a right angle to send power between car axles
How Complex
- Specialized
5
7.9
- Specialized
- UK
- Specialized
180
2.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
Knowing 'pinion' as a small gear and 'wheel' as a rotating object lets a learner infer this refers to two mating gear elements (a small gear and a larger wheel) and thus a gear pairing. However, the modifier 'crown' does not transparently indicate the specific bevel/ring shape or the angled meshing and differential function, so full technical meaning requires domain knowledge beyond basic vocabulary.
Etymology
Pinion and crown wheel are two gears that work together: the small gear, the pinion, fits its teeth into the edge of the larger ring gear, the crown wheel, whose teeth look a little like a crown. When the pinion turns and pushes the crown wheel, it makes the motion 'change direction', so the name refers to the gear pair that turns movement at right angles in things like a car's differential.