Keskitasauspyörästö

Keskitasauspyörästö, often referred to as a center differential, is a component found in four-wheel drive vehicles. Its primary function is to allow the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds. This is crucial during turns, as the outer wheels must travel a greater distance than the inner wheels. Without a center differential, the drivetrain would be under immense stress, leading to tire scrubbing, poor handling, and potential damage to the vehicle.

In a permanent four-wheel drive system, the center differential ensures that power is distributed between the front and rear wheels while accommodating speed differences. This provides improved traction and stability, especially on slippery surfaces like snow or ice. However, in some situations, such as when one axle loses traction entirely, a standard open center differential can lead to a loss of power to the wheels that do have grip.

To overcome this limitation, many four-wheel drive vehicles utilize locking center differentials or more advanced differential designs like limited-slip or electronically controlled units. A locking center differential mechanically links the front and rear driveshafts, forcing them to rotate at the same speed. This eliminates the speed difference and ensures power is sent to both axles, but it should only be used when traction is consistently low, as it can cause handling problems on dry, paved surfaces. Limited-slip differentials, on the other hand, can automatically transfer torque to the wheel with more traction when slippage occurs, offering a balance between allowing speed differences and providing enhanced traction.