Main gear and differential. Purpose, device and types

5.4.8 Varieties of differentials

Differentials can be symmetrical and asymmetrical, as well as free or lockable.

Note
Depending on the installation location, differentials may be:
- inter-wheel;
- interaxle;
- inter-board.

Note
A differential, which distributes the thrust from the engine equally between the wheels or between the axles, is called symmetrical. In case if, however, the interaxle differential (divides the thrust from the engine in an all-wheel drive vehicle between the front and rear axles), it can be asymmetrical, that is, transfer less traction to one of the axles than to the other.

If the symmetrical distribution does not always provide benefit for the controllability or cross-country ability of the car, then this problem must be solved.

This is how locking differentials were invented. The blocking process can be left at the mercy of the driver with the removal of the control lever in the car, or transferred to the electronics and can be fully automatic or controlled by controllers in the car.

Also, as an option, a limited slip differential is often used. This kind of differential in case of more complicated road situations simply will not allow all traction to "go" to a wheel that has lost traction.