INFORMATION SHEET
TRAINING: BASIC. CODE: NCAM 2101/1
CLASS: NCAM YR. 2
TERM: ONE INSTITUTE: NYAMANGO
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE-KYENJOJO.
MODULE: AUTOMOTIVE DRIVE TRAIN PREPARED BY:BEINEKI ELIA
MAINTAENANCE
SUB MODULE: FINAL DRIVE DATE OF EXECUTION: 6th February
2025
THE FINAL DRIVE AND DIFFERENTIAL
THE FINAL DRIVE
This is the last stage in transferring power from the engine to the road wheels. It provides a
fixed reduction between the drive shaft and the driving axles
It brings down the speed of the propeller shaft to that of the wheels
It turns the drive of the propeller shaft through a right angle to drive the wheels
The final drive system
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The propeller shaft has a small bevel pinion which is in mesh with the crown wheel. This crown
wheel rotates the rear axles. The rear axles are in half portions.
Since the pinion is bevel one, therefore it rotates the crown wheel at right angles. The crown
wheel in turn rotates the rear axle. Thus the rotation of the propeller shaft is such that it is
converted at right angles to the rear axle
The crown wheel is larger than the bevel pinion, therefore the speed of the crown wheel is
lower than the speed of the bevel pinion
Classes of final drive
Chain type
Gear type
Worm and wheel type
Bevel and hypoid bevel type
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Bevel and hypoid bevel gear worm and wheel gear
THE DIFFERENTIAL
A differential is a gear train with three drive shafts that has the property that the rotational
speed of one shaft is the average of the speeds of the others, or a fixed multiple of that
average.
Purpose of a differential
If both driving wheels were connected to a common driving shaft, this would cause the two
wheels to rotate at exactly the same speed at all times, two effects would soon show up
Difficulty in turning corners
Rapid tyre wear
The above problems could be minimized by allowing one wheel to drive the vehicle and the
other wheel to run freely. However the unbalanced driving thrust and unequal cornering speeds
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make this arrangement unpopular. The prime solution to this is by employing a differential. This
mechanism allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds but still maintains a drive to both
wheels.
Principle of operation
Consider the axle shown in the figure above. A disc is fitted to the shaft, which is connected to
the wheel. Each disc is interconnected with a lever. Whenever a driving force is applied at the
centre of the lever each disc will receive an equal share of the driving force i.e. half the driving
force
The movement of the discs will depend on the resistances opposing the motion of the shafts
i.e. the resistance at each wheel
If the resistance at each wheel is the same, the driving force will be distributed evenly
between the two wheels and the vehicle is driven straight ahead.
Operation of the differential
When the car is on a straight road, the ring gear, differential case, differential pinion gears
and two differential side gears turn as a unit. The two differential gears do not rotate on the
pinion shaft. This is because they exert equal force on the two differential side gears. As a
result, the side gears turn at the same speed as the ring gear, which causes both drive wheels
to turn at the same speed
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However when the car begins to round a curve, the differential pinion gears rotate on the
pinion shaft. This permits the outer wheel to turn faster than the inner wheel.
Suppose one wheel turns slower than the other as the car rounds a curve, as the differential
case rotates, the pinion gears must rotate on their shaft. This occurs because the pinion gears
must walk around the slower turning differential side gears, therefore, the pinion gears carry
additional rotary motion to the faster turning outer wheel on the turn
On straight road on a corner
Types of differential
Open differential
Locking differential
Limited slip differential
Torque vectoring differential
Open differential
It is the simplest and most common differential used in vehicles.
An open differential helps the wheels get different torque while cornering. It works perfectly
under proper road conditions.
However, when the car wheels come on a slippery surface, it becomes difficult to tackle a
corner. In this situation, the wheel only spins due to lack in traction and does not move in any
direction
Limited slip differential
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The essential functionality of this differential is the same to share the torque evenly in both
wheels. However, it is different from an open differential system in sharing the power when the
traction is less or zero on the wheel. It channels more power on the wheel, which has more on
road traction. As a result, even on a slippery road surface, the vehicle keeps moving. You can use
its applications on high performance vehicles, race cars etc.
Locking differential
Locking differentials also create different revolution per minute on both wheels in a normal
corner. However, it enables a vehicle to transfer the entire torque to both wheels if one of
them lacks traction.
Springs and clutches used in its system lock the differential system (by tightening small gear)
and as a result, both wheels get similar power and keep on rotating on their shafts. The vehicle
easily moves out even after one wheel gets zero traction as its other wheel functions properly.
This differential is ideal for off road vehicles.
Torque vectoring differential
It is the most advanced and technology based differential in automobiles. The torque vectoring
differential manages the power distribution electronically. Sensors used in this differential
detect and assess throttle position, road surface, steering system etc.
It distributes the torque precisely on left and right wheels with the help of controllers and small
clutches
This way it delivers a seamless driving experience in all corners, irrespective of road conditions
Mainly the performance based vehicles are equipped with this torque vectoring types of
differential.
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