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AVCN Differentials

The document discusses different types of differentials used in vehicles. It begins by explaining why differentials are needed, as the wheels on the left and right sides, as well as front and rear, must travel different distances when cornering. A standard differential allows for this difference in wheel speeds but can cause issues if one wheel loses traction. Locking differentials are then introduced to help vehicles move even if one wheel slips. The document describes fully locking differentials that completely lock the axles, as well as self-locking differentials that use friction to transmit torque between wheels. It provides details on how a multi-plate self-locking differential functions by partly locking the differential through compressed friction plates when slip is detected.

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24 views

AVCN Differentials

The document discusses different types of differentials used in vehicles. It begins by explaining why differentials are needed, as the wheels on the left and right sides, as well as front and rear, must travel different distances when cornering. A standard differential allows for this difference in wheel speeds but can cause issues if one wheel loses traction. Locking differentials are then introduced to help vehicles move even if one wheel slips. The document describes fully locking differentials that completely lock the axles, as well as self-locking differentials that use friction to transmit torque between wheels. It provides details on how a multi-plate self-locking differential functions by partly locking the differential through compressed friction plates when slip is detected.

Uploaded by

Trung Hiếu Trần Lê
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Differentials

Before having a closer look at the construction and operation of a differential, lets see why a
differential is needed. While all wheels travel the same distance during straight driving the
situation changes during cornering. Looking at the route of the individual wheels and axles
during cornering it can be seen that the wheels have to travel different distances. Not only
between left and right , but also between front and rear. For the non driven axle, this is no
problem, as the wheels can turn freely. But for the driven axle this would cause problems if the
output to the left and right side would be a single rigid axle. With a single rigid axle the only way
to equalize the difference in travel would be if one wheel slips. As the friction on dry paved road
is high, it would require a high fore to let one wheel slip, leading to a high stress on the axle and
the tire. This would cause uncomfortable driving, early wear of the tires, bad road holding, and
even damaged power train parts. Therefore the axle is split into two drive shafts, connected by
the differential. The differential allows a speed difference between the left and the right side
(that’s why it is named like this).

The function is as follows: (during straight driving on a good road with equal friction coefficient)
the torque from the engine arrives at the bevel gear via the propeller shaft and turns it. As the
bevel gear is in mesh with the crown wheel the crown wheel turns as well. As two of the pinion
gears are connected to the crown wheel via the pinion gear housing, they will turn together with
the crown wheel. These two pinion gears are fixed to the housing in such a way that they still
can turn around their axle. Due to the two other pinion gears which are in mesh with them, the
turning of the housing would cause a opposite turning direction of each pinion gear pair. As the
second pair can turn around their axle on one hand but is connected to the drive shafts, it is not
possible for them to do this (it would require to turn the car around the center of the drive axle),
due to the high friction force between the tires and the road to overcome, the pinion gears do
not turn the differential turns as a whole single unit: the car moves forward or backward. During
cornering the differential pinion gears turn opposite a little bit, as there is a relative motion
between the left and right side. but this is possible with a speed related to the difference in
distance traveled, both wheels are still driven. In the case that one of the wheels is located on a
low friction surface, it is possible that the turning force of the pinion wheels can overcome the
friction force. In this case the pinion and the wheel on the side with the better grip will not turn,
while the other pinion and wheel will turn in the opposite direction and with the double speed of
the crown wheel. (The two driving pinions will actual also turn in opposite direction in this case).
The car will not be able to move in this condition.
Locking differentials

As just seen, the demerit of a conventional differential is that the car can get stuck easily. To
overcome this so called locking differentials where developed. There are different types of
locking differentials available: fully locking types, usually to be engaged by the driver. As can be
seen in the drawing this type will lock the differential completely by connecting one pinion wheel
to the differential housing by mechanical means. In this condition the driveshaft can not move
against each other and turn together as a single solid axle. The car can move even if one wheel
is on a slippery surface. Another type of locking differentials are the self locking types. They are
also available in different constructions as indicated by the lower pictures. Frequently this type
uses friction discs to transmit torque from the slipping wheel to the non slipping one, so that the
car can move even in the previously described low friction surface under one wheel. This type of
locking differential does not lock the differential completely; still some movement of the axles
against each other is possible. Details about their operation follow on the next page.

Multi plate self locking differential

The friction plate limited slip differential is a torque sensitive type. This means that a certain
minimum torque must act on the slipping wheel in order to activate it. It does not operate if for
example one wheel is spinning due to a very low friction surface e.g. ice. Its function is as
follows: if a slip with the required torque occurs, the planetary gears are not only turning, but
additionally the cam plates will move against each other. Due to the special shape of the cam
plates (inclined section), this will cause that they are forced outward by the pin of the pinion
gears. This outward movement compresses a set of friction plates at each side. As this friction
plates are connected to the differential housing, the differential will be partly locked. Therefore
the wheel which is not slipping receives a higher torque, so that the vehicle can move.

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