torquesplitting

Torquesplitting is the distribution of a single input torque among multiple driven elements within a mechanical system. It describes how much torque each path receives, while conserving the total input and accounting for losses in gears and bearings. The concept is central to multi-drive architectures, such as vehicles with several drive shafts, distributed robotics, and shared-load transmissions.

Common methods include passive gear systems and clutches that split torque between paths, and active control that allocates torque using sensors and actuators. Passive schemes include differentials and planetary gear sets that divide load according to stiffness and load distribution. Active schemes bias torque to meet traction, efficiency, or fault-tolerance goals.

Mathematically, if T_in is the input torque and T_i are the torques delivered to n outputs, then sum T_i ≈ η T_in, where η is overall efficiency. The split ratios r_i = T_i / T_in depend on mechanical constraints and control laws, and they may vary with speed and load.

Applications include automotive torque vectoring and multi-motor drivetrains, robotics with distributed actuators, and industrial machines that share torque across parallel shafts for redundancy or efficiency.

Challenges include maintaining synchronization, managing inertia and elasticity, sensor requirements, and stability of control loops to avoid slip or torque ripple.

See also: torque vectoring, differential, power split, multi-motor drive.