Types of Differential

What is Differential?
A differential is defined as a gear train, it consists of three gears that have the feature that
the rotational speed of one shaft is the average speed of the others or a fixed multiple of that
average.

The car differential is a system, that transfers engine torque to the wheels. It takes power from
the engine and delivers it, allowing each wheel to rotate at a different speed. In other words,
the differential is used to provide relative motion to the rear wheels.

In 1827, the first conventional automobile differential was invented by a French watchmaker
Onésiphore Pecqueur. It was used in steam-powered vehicles.

Vehicles such as chariots, wagons, and carriages still suffer from wheel slipping and dragging,
resulting in damage to the wheels, axles, and roads. To prevent this from happening, a
differential was invented.

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Why Differential Is Needed?

In automobiles, the differential is a gearing system that allows the outer wheel to rotate faster
than the inner wheel when turning. This is essential when the vehicle turns, causing the wheel
to move outside the turning curve to roll further and faster than the other.

The average rotational speed of the two driving wheels is similar to the input rotational speed
of the drive shaft. An improvement in the speed of one wheel is balanced by a reduction in the
speed of the other.

Parts of Differential
Following are the parts of the differential system:

1. Differential side gear or sun gears

2. Differential case
3. Pinion shaft or cross pin
4. Axle shafts or half shafts
5. Ring gear or crown wheel
6. Drive pinion or bevel pinion
7. Differential pinions or planet gears

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1. Differential Side Gear or Sun Gears

The differential is consists of a small bevel gear called differential side gear or sun gear. It is
mounted on the inner ends of each axle. In this, two bevel gears are fixed together to combine
both the driving and driven shafts at 90° angles.

2. Differential Case

A differential case is attached with two-wheel axles and differential side gears. It is consists of
bearings that rotate two axle shafts.

3. Pinion Shaft or Cross Pin

These are two pinion gears and their supporting shaft is called the pinion shaft. It is fitted in the
differential case.

4. Axle Shafts or Half Shafts

The pinion shaft meshes with two differential side gears connected to the inner ends of the axle
shafts.

5. Ring Gear or Crown Wheel

The ring gear is also known as a crown wheel. It moves to a flange on the differential case. The
ring gear rotates the differential case.

6. Drive Pinion or Bevel Pinion

The drive pinion is also known as bevel pinion. It is assembled with a differential housing called
a differential case or carrier.

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The driver shaft is connected to the drive pinion by a universal joint and it engages with a ring
gear. Therefore, when the driver rotates the shaft the drive pinion rotates, and thus, the ring
gear rotates.

7. Differential Pinions or Planet gears

Planetary gears are used in the differential. Since the axles of the planetary gears rotate around
the common axis of the sun and ring gear that coincides and rolls in the middle of the
differential system.

How Differential Works?

The power from the engine is transferred to the ring gear through a pinion gear. The ring gear is
connected to a spider gear, which is at the heart of the differential system. The spider gear is
free to rotate in two different ways, one along with the ring gear and two on its own axis.

The spider gear meshes with two side gears, so power from the engine flows from the pinion to
the left and right wheels. Let's consider some cases.

The vehicle moves straight: In this case, spider gear rotates along with the ring gear but it does
not rotate on its own axis. Spider gear will push and make the side gears turn, and both will
turn at the same speed.

The vehicle is taking a turn: Spider gear plays an important role here. Along with the rotation of
the ring gear, it rotates on its own axis. So the spider gear is having a combined rotation.

When properly meshed side gear should have the same peripheral velocity as that of the spider
gear. When the spider gear is spinning as well as rotating, peripheral velocity as the left side of
spider gear is the sum of spinning and rotational velocities.

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 Types of Differential

But on the right side, it is a difference between the two. Or left side gear will have higher speed
compared to the right side gear. This is how the differential manages to turn the left and right
wheels at different speeds.

Types of Differential
Following are the types of differential:

1. Open differential
2. Limited-slip differential
3. Locking differential
4. Torque-vectoring differential
5. Torsen differential
6. Welded differential

1. Open Differential

These types of differentials are the most essential and only allow individual wheel speed or slip
to be changed. In good road conditions, this allows the outer wheel to spin at a faster speed
than the inner wheel.

The problem occurs when road conditions are not good such as on wet, snow, ice, or sand.
Using an open differential in your car, engine torque is transferred even though the wheel has
zero traction so that the sliding tire can spin freely.

Open differentials are found in many cars on the road today, so the cost of repairing the
differential is less than other types.

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Advantages of Open Differential Disadvantages of Open Differential

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 Types of Differential

Advantages of Open Differential Disadvantages of Open Differential

This allows for different wheel speeds on When traction is reduced in one wheel, it
the same axle, which means there will be substantially limits the amount of power produced by
no wheel slip when going around a the vehicle. If one wheel cannot dissipate as much
corner, as the outer tire will travel power, the other will receive an equally small
further. amount of torque.
From an efficiency point of view, there
will be less energy loss through
differential than other types.

2. Limited-slip Differential

A limited-slip differential works similarly to an open differential. They transfer torque to each
wheel independently under good road conditions.

An open differential can cause the tire to slip under hard cornering or heavy acceleration. But a
limited-slip differential prevents the amount of torque from passing into the sliding tire (the
one with the least resistance).

This is done by the use of clutches and plates within the differential. This allows the vehicle to
power through corners whereas a vehicle with an open differential cannot. Race cars, off-road
vehicles, and other performance vehicles use a limited-slip differential.

Advantages of Limited-slip Differential Disadvantages of Limited-slip Differential

This allows for different wheel speeds on one It cannot lock completely because the
axle, thus reducing tire wear compared to a system requires a speed difference between
locked differential. the two sides to transfer torque.
It also allows the wheel to send torque with more When it is being used too often, the effect of

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 Types of Differential

Advantages of Limited-slip Differential Disadvantages of Limited-slip Differential

traction. LSD will be reduced.
It offers a very smooth operation, doesn't have
the low-speed clunkiness typically associated with
other LSD types that navigate a tight area.

3. Locking Differential

These types of differential use a clutch and springs to actuate the lock which sends the same
amount of power to each wheel, no matter the traction condition. It essentially forms a solid
axle.

The advantage is the locking differential ability to achieve a greater amount of traction because
the full amount of torque is always available to one wheel and is not limited by the lower
traction of a single wheel.

At higher speeds this is a drawback but when off-roading or rock climbing, it is a huge
advantage. They are found on many off-road vehicles and some performance cars.

Advantages of Locking Differential Disadvantages of Locking Differential

This can provide torque to move up to the One drawback of the locking differential is that it
wheel with more traction. In various would not allow for a difference in wheel speed
designs, this will allow most of the torque between the right and left wheels. That means
to reach the ground at any given surface additional tire wear, as well as tying up within the
condition. drivetrain as a result.
It is robust, simple, and very effective.
It provides a solution for drifting

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Advantages of Locking Differential Disadvantages of Locking Differential

situations where it is desirable to keep
the wheel speed constant on the axle.

4. Torque-vectoring Differential

This type of differential uses a set of sensors and electronics to receive data from various
matters (road surface, throttle position, steering system, etc.) to activate an electronically
actuated clutch and a controller. It is known as an active differential.

They operate in the most efficient manner resulting in a truly dynamic, high-performance
driving experience. A torque-vectoring difference is found in high-performance rear-wheel drive
and all-wheel drive vehicles.

Disadvantages of Torque-vectoring
Advantages of Torque-vectoring Differential
Differential
Though it does not have any
This allows the outer wheel to send more torque as it gets
drawbacks, it hits two things which
closer to the turn.
are cost and complexity.
It enables complete control by the designer, the system
can choose under what conditions the vehicle will send
more torque to any one wheel rather than being reactive.
It can send up to 100% of the potential torque to a wheel.

5. Torsen Differential

The Torsen means torque-sensing. These are types of limited-slip differential that use some
accelerated gearing to produce an impact without using a clutch or fluid resistance.

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 Types of Differential

This can be achieved by adding a collection of worm gears to a conventional gear setup of the
open differential. These worm gears working on each axle provide the necessary resistance to
enable torque transfer.

This is achieved by having the worm gears in a continuous mesh with each other through
connected spur gears. The continuous mesh between the two sides of the differential has the
advantage of delivering quick torque, making it sensitive to changing road and driving
conditions.

Advantages of Torsen Differential Disadvantages of Torsen Differential

As soon as there is a speed difference When a wheel is in the air, a Torsen differential works
between them, it starts sending similar to an open differential, and very little torque is
more torque to the slower wheel. transferred to the drive axle. This is perfectly acceptable
Also, it reacts far more quickly than for road use, but it can be an issue for more purpose-
LSD. built vehicles on the track.
These systems do not require regular
maintenance because differential
action is dependent on friction
throughout the gear.

6. Welded or Spool differential

This is a type of locked differential and is known as a spool differential. It is welded

permanently to a fixed axis by an open gap. This is usually done in specific situations where the
features of locked differential make it easier for both wheels to spin simultaneously.

This is generally not recommended because the heat from welding can hazard the component's
strength and increase the risk of part failure.

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Wrapping It Up
As far we discussed, the differential is used to drive a pair of wheels while providing them to
rotate at different speeds. This mainly gives proportional RPM between the left and right
wheels.

So now, I hope I’ve covered everything about the Differential and Types of Differential. If you
have any questions or doubts about this article, you can ask in the comments. If you liked this
article, then please share it with your friends.

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