Tasauspyörästön

Tasauspyörästö, often referred to as a differential, is a gear train that allows an automotive axle to rotate its wheels at different speeds while under load. This is crucial for smooth turning. When a vehicle turns, the outer wheel travels a greater distance than the inner wheel. Without a differential, the wheels would be forced to rotate at the same speed, causing tire scrubbing, increased wear, and potential drivetrain damage.

The basic function of a differential relies on a set of gears, typically including a ring gear, pinion gear, and spider gears. The drive shaft from the engine connects to the pinion gear, which meshes with the ring gear. The ring gear is attached to a carrier, which houses the spider gears. These spider gears are mounted on a cross pin and can rotate freely. As the vehicle moves in a straight line, the spider gears remain stationary relative to the carrier, and both axle shafts rotate at the same speed. However, when turning, one axle shaft needs to spin faster than the other. The spider gears then begin to rotate on their own axis, allowing the difference in wheel speeds.

There are various types of differentials, including open differentials, limited-slip differentials (LSDs), and locking differentials. An open differential is the most common and allows for the greatest speed difference between wheels, but it can lead to loss of traction if one wheel loses grip. Limited-slip differentials are designed to mitigate this by providing some torque to the wheel with better traction. Locking differentials, on the other hand, mechanically lock the axle shafts together, forcing both wheels to rotate at the same speed, which is beneficial for off-road conditions but hinders turning on paved surfaces.