Differentials
11-26-2007, 12:16 AM
#2
Moderator
RE: Differentials
They allow the wheels on either end to spin at different speeds, while getting torque. This is important because when turning, the inside and outside wheels take different paths, and need to differentiate. If they dont (locked axle) one wheel has to loose traction in order to make the turn. For on road and most off road use, differentials are helpful.
Thing is, if one wheel goes high, all the torque goes to that spinning wheel and the remaining wheel does not have enough torque to move - so the vehicle can get stuck. Like for example rock crawling, where frequently one or more wheel is off the ground. With locked differentials, the wheels all recieve torque even if some of them are off the ground.
There are differentials that perform both functions, called Torsen differentials, but I've yet to see them in RC vehicles.
EDIT:
Forgot to mention one more thing, while a free spinning wheel defeats the entire axle with differentials, the converse is also true. If one wheel gets completely stuck, all the torque of the engine goes to the free wheel, thus helping the vehicle get out.
Thing is, if one wheel goes high, all the torque goes to that spinning wheel and the remaining wheel does not have enough torque to move - so the vehicle can get stuck. Like for example rock crawling, where frequently one or more wheel is off the ground. With locked differentials, the wheels all recieve torque even if some of them are off the ground.
There are differentials that perform both functions, called Torsen differentials, but I've yet to see them in RC vehicles.
EDIT:
Forgot to mention one more thing, while a free spinning wheel defeats the entire axle with differentials, the converse is also true. If one wheel gets completely stuck, all the torque of the engine goes to the free wheel, thus helping the vehicle get out.
