How Differentials Work
Differential-ch
If you've read How Car Engine Works, you
understand how a car's power is generated; and if you've read How Manual Transmission Works,
you understand where the power goes next. This article will explain differentials --
where the power, in most cars, makes its last stop before spinning the wheels.
·
To aim the engine power at the
wheels
·
To act as the final gear reduction
in the vehicle, slowing the rotational speed of the transmission one final time
before it hits the wheels
·
To transmit the power to the wheels
while allowing them to rotate at different speeds (This is the one that earned
the differential its name.)
In this article, you'll learn why your car needs a
differential, how it works and what its shortcomings are. We'll also look at
several types of positraction, also known as limited slip differentials.
Why You Need a Differential
Car wheels spin at different speeds,
especially when turning. You can see from the animation that each wheel travels
a different distance through the turn, and that the inside wheels travel a
shorter distance than the outside wheels. Since speed is equal to the distance
traveled divided by the time it takes to go that distance, the wheels that
travel a shorter distance travel at a lower speed. Also note that the front
wheels travel a different distance than the rear wheels. For
the non-driven
wheels on your car -- the front wheels on a rear-wheel
drive car, the back wheels on a front-wheel drive car -- this is not an issue.
There is no connection between them, so they spin independently. But the driven
wheels are linked together so that a single engine and transmission can turn
both wheels. If your car did not have a differential, the wheels would have to
be locked together, forced to spin at the same speed. This would make turning
difficult and hard on your car: For the car to be able to turn, one tire would
have to slip. With modern tires and concrete roads, a great deal of force is
required to make a tire slip. That force would have to be transmitted through
the axle from one wheel to another, putting a heavy strain on the axle
components.
u should to apply Blogger Templates for your blog.
ReplyDelete