Analysis of Open and Torsen

Differential
Group Members:
Scott Anderson
Michael Bullard
Jason Yount

Differential Overview
When turning, the
inner and outer wheels
have arcs of different
turning radii
Consequently, the
inner wheels travel
less distance than the
outer wheels

Differential Overview
Because the turning paths
of the inner and outer
wheels are different, the
wheels on both axles need
to be able to spin
independently of each
other
A differential is used to
allow the wheels to spin at
different speeds

Different Types of Differentials

Open Differential
Limited Slip
Differential (LSD)

Clutch LSD
Viscous Coupling LSD
Locking LSD
Torsen LSD

Schematic of an Open Differential

The Sun gear and
Ring gear are
identical and supply
power to the drive
axles.
The planetary gears, or
spider gears allow the
axles to rotate at
different speeds.

Open Differential
The open Differential is a planetary gear
set. Therefore the following equation
applies

N s r c

N r s c

N s number of teeth on sun gear

N r number of teeth on ring gear

c angular velocityof planet carrier

r angular velocityof ring gear
s angular velocityof sun gear

Open Differential
The number of teeth
on the ring gear and
sun gear are equal and
the planetary gear
formula is simplified
The angular velocity
of the differential is
equal to the average
angular velocity of the
axles

N s r c

N r s c
Ns
r s
1, therefore c
Nr
2

Open Differential Problems

As a result, if one
wheel has little
friction there is no
resistance to its
rotation and slipping
occurs
The slipping wheel
will spin twice as fast
Left rear tire
as the differential
slipping on sandy
surface

The Torsen Differential

The Torsen
Differential is capable
of perfect
differentiation
The Torsen
Differential transfers
power to the wheels
with traction
Torque transferred to
wheel with traction

How the Torsen Differential Works

Power is transferred from
the engine to the
differential housing
causing the housing to
turn
Power flows from the
housing to the worm
wheels attached to the
housing
The worm wheels are
meshed with the worm
gears attached to the axles
which turns the axle with
the differential housing

Differential Function
When turning, the outer wheel
turns at a high RPM with
respect to the differential
housing
Therefore, the outer wheel axle
turns its worm gear and its
mating worm wheel
The mating worm wheels are
meshed together by spur gears
Perfect Differentiation: as one
wheel increases speed the
other wheel decreases speed
proportionally
Torque is maintained at both
wheels while cornering

Traction Loss By One Wheel

Spinning wheel turns
its worm gear which
turns its mating worm
wheel
Mating worm wheel
wants to turn opposite
worm wheel
Opposite worm wheel
transfers power to
opposite worm gear

Traction Loss By One Wheel

Opposite worm gear is
attached to the axle of
the wheel with traction
The slipping wheel
does not spin
Torque is transferred to
the wheel with traction

Torque Transfer
The torque bias ratio
determines the amount
of torque transferred and
is dependant on the gear
design
5:1 ratio transfers 5 times
the torque to the wheel
with traction
If one wheel loses all
traction no torque is
transferred to the wheel
with traction

Torque transferred to
wheel with traction

Application of Torsen Differentials

Torsen differentials
are used in off-road
and high performance
all-wheel drive
vehicles.
Torsens can also be
handy on icy or dirt
roads

Automobile Companies Using the

Torsen Differential

AM General
Audi
BMW
Ford
GM
More specific details at
http://www.torsen.com
/oem.htm

Honda
Lexus
Land Rover
Mazda
Toyota
Volkswagen

Companies Using Torsen

Differential
General Motors
Camaro SS 1998

Audi
A4 Quattro

AM General
Hummer

BMW
Z3