Differential (mechanical device) facts for kids

Line art diagram of a differential gear. (1) Ring gear, (2) Pinions, (3) Drive shaft, (4) Drive pinion, (5) Right axle, (6) Side gears, (7) Left axle

A differential is a mechanical device made up of several gears. It is used in almost all mechanized four-wheel vehicles. It is used to transmit the power from the driveshaft to the drive wheels. Its main function is to allow the drive wheels to turn at different rpms allowing the wheels to go around corners while still receiving power from the engine.

Different types

• An open differential (OD) is the most common type. It is also the least expensive. An open differential allows the vehicle to go around corners without dragging the outside wheel. However, power is transferred to the wheel with the least amount of traction (grip on the road). If that wheel is on ice or other slippery surfaces, the vehicle will not move forward and the wheel with the power will simply spin. In vehicles with two-wheel drive, if they have an open differential in effect they have only a single drive wheel. In four-wheel drive vehicles using open differentials (usually standard from the factory), only one wheel on each axle powers the vehicle. Advantages include seldom breaking an axle, less tire wear, and they are free as most new vehicles come with open differentials.
• A limited slip differential (LSD) overcomes this problem. Using a series of clutches (called a clutch pack), the LSD allows limited wheel slippage while maintaining power to both drive wheels. LSDs are popular in race cars, as there are often times when they are coming out of turns and need to accelerate without losing power to one drive wheel.
• A locking differential (locker) is able to lock the two drive wheels on an axle together. The advantage is that both wheels have power at all times. The disadvantage is that turning is much more difficult since both wheels must turn at the same rpms. So most lockers must be disengaged when making sharp turns. Lockers can also present the driver with some dangerous situations. For example, when traversing a slope (going crossways) if one drive wheel loses traction both lose traction and the vehicle may slide sideways down the slope. Drivers are often warned not to traverse a slope if the surface is loose or slippery. Lockers may be switched on or off mechanically, electronically (e-locker) or using compressed air (air locker). Lockers are desirable on off-road vehicles but are usually not useful on streets and highways.
• A spool is an open differential in which the axles have been mechanically fastened together. This does not allow either wheel to go faster or slower around corners. It is cheap and adds little or no weight to the vehicle, but is usually limited to off-road competitions and trail driving. They are not desirable for driving on the street as they will "chirp" the tires when going around corners.

Torsen- same end effect as limited slip but doesn't use clutches or have the hesitation to do it.

Images for kids

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  A cutaway drawing of a car's rear axle, showing the crown wheel and pinion of the final drive, and the smaller differential gears

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  ZF Differential. The drive shaft enters from the front and the driven axles run left and right.

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  Epicyclic gearing is used here to apportion torque asymmetrically. The input shaft is the green hollow one, the yellow is the low torque output, and the pink is the high torque output. The force applied in the yellow and the pink gears is the same, but since the arm of the pink one is 2× to 3× as big, the torque will be 2× to 3× as high.

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  A spur gear differential constructed by engaging the planet gears of two co-axial epicyclic gear trains. The casing is the carrier for this planetary gear train.

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  Automotive differential: The drive gear 2 is mounted on the carrier 5 which supports the planetary bevel gears 4 which engage the driven bevel gears 3 attached to the axles 1.

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  Hypoid gear pair that connects an automotive drive shaft to a differential

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  Differential used to control the take-up reel of a paper tape reader made by Tally circa 1962. The bevel gears spin freely on their shafts, unless a brake shoe stops the left gear. This causes the planet gear to drive the output shaft at half the speed of the driven gear on the right.

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  Planetary differential used to drive a chart recorder circa 1961. The motors drive the sun and annular gears, while the output is taken from the planet gear carrier. This gives 3 different speeds depending on which motors are on.

See also

In Spanish: Mecanismo diferencial para niños