Term - Differential

From VEX Wiki

The concept behind differentials is difficult to understand at first. The most common type of differential has one input which is divided into two outputs. Less commonly, a differential can have two inputs which combine to form one output. One of the easiest ways to understand differentials is to look at the primary application they are used for; automobile drive trains. { | In an automobile, the differential transmits power from the engine to the drive wheels (one input, two outputs). It enables the wheels to rotate at different speeds while supplying equal torque to each of them. This is important because as a wheeled vehicle goes around a turn, the wheel on the outside of the turn must travel further than the wheel on the inside. If these wheels are linked together, some of them will slide on the ground to make up the difference.

Differentials consist of bevel gears mounted inside a differential housing. When torque is applied to a gear on the outside of the differential housing, the torque is passed to both outputs by spinning the entire housing as one unit. If the load on each output is equal, the center bevel gear does not turn and both outputs turn at the same rate. If there is loading on one side, then the center bevel gear will rotate, allowing the outputs to spin at different rates, as shown in the following image. See Also Bevel Gear Gear Gearbox Spur Gear Torque Wheel Speed