The DIFFERENTIAL: WHAT IS IT and HOW DOES IT WORK?
1,170The differential is an ancient invention but still irreplaceable today in motor vehicles. This system of gears allows the wheels to turn at different speeds, avoiding problems such as hopping and dragging on curves. Without this marvel of mechanics, the wheels of a vehicle would always turn at the same speed, causing instability and excessive wear. The differential compensates for this difference in rotation, allowing the wheel inside the curve to turn more slowly and the wheel outside faster, thus improving driving and safety.
In front-wheel drive vehicles, the differential is integrated into the gearbox, while in rear-wheel drive vehicles it is located at the rear. In 4x4s, however, there may be an additional central differential, in addition to those positioned at the axles.
Inside the differential, the main component is the crown, which transforms longitudinal motion into transverse motion, allowing the transmission of power to the wheels. The differential itself is made up of two planetary gears and two satellites: the planetary gears are connected directly to the axle shafts and therefore to the wheels, while the satellites interact with the planetary gears to balance the distribution of power. When the vehicle is driving straight, the differential remains stationary and power is transmitted equally to both wheels. When cornering, however, the satellites compensate for the number of turns between the wheels, ensuring a balanced distribution of traction.
In the case of an open differential, traction is distributed between the wheels in a simple way: if one wheel is locked or has less grip, the other will receive all the power. This can be a problem in situations of poor traction, which is why lockable differentials were invented.
Filming and editing: Niccolò Franzosi
Filming: Alessandro Di Rosa
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