To correct this problem, the differential connects each axle through side gears and spider gears that allow a loose connection of the axles instead of a fixed connection. Overtime, this constant imbalance would wear heavily on tires, axles, and the entire machine. Without a differential this difference would force either the inside wheel to slip as it rotates too fast or the outside wheel to skid as it rotates too slow. As the inside wheel carves a path along part of a smaller curve, the outside wheel must cover a longer path that can be amplified by the sharpness of the curve and the width of the axles. How Does a Differential Work to Allow Each Wheel to Turn Independently?Įvery time a wheeled machine rounds a corner, the distance each wheel needs to travel is no longer equal. A pulled apart view of the differential gives a better look at how each part works inside the differential. By connecting the axles (and in turn the wheels) in a way that allows for changes in the rotational speed of each, the difficulties of cornering are greatly reduced. If you’ve ever pushed a cart where wheels are directly fixed to each other in a solid axle, you already know that since the rotation of each wheel is locked, turning becomes more difficult. With the exception of a locked differential, one of the most important functions of the differential is undoubtedly its ability to allow each wheel to rotate at different speeds. The Differential Allows Wheels to Turn at Different Speeds Relative to Each Other The Differential Alters Torque Through Gear Reductionīecause of the configuration of the differential, a differential can also be used to transfer power with a high rotational force into output with a lower speed, higher torque force. At the same time as the direction of power is rotated, the differential also splits the power and sends power to each of the wheels. In the case of front and rear differentials, two powered wheels exist at opposite ends of the differential. The Differential Divides Power Between Wheels on the Same Axle As the drive pinion rotates, the teeth in the drive pinion turn the ring gear and rotate the force 90 degrees so it can be applied to the wheels. To do this, a differential uses a drive pinion connected perpendicularly to a ring gear. If you imagine the power being output from an engine traveling along driveshafts to the wheels, it will immediately be clear that for each powered wheel that energy will need to be converted 90 degrees. » Click video to play/pause animation.Īt its most basic, a differential is a system of interconnected gears powered through a driveshaft that (most commonly) accomplishes four tasks: The Differential Changes the Direction of Power Inside the differential gears work in coordination to allow the differential to change the direction of power, send power to each wheel, and allow each wheel to operate independently. Whether you’re simply an inquisitive reader in search of knowledge or you have a differential disassembled in your shop, we’ve put together this simple overview of differentials - with images and videos - to help demystify differentials. While you might already know that every time you round a corner in a wheeled machine a differential is being put to work, you might still wonder exactly how it works, what it does, and how all its parts come together to pull off its tasks.
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