How Does Differential Work?

The motion coming out of the transmission is transferred to the ring gear via the pinion (bevel) gear. The ring gear is mounted on the differential body and is in one piece with the gear cage, and transmits the rotation movement to the gear cage. The movement is transferred to the cross gear, which is mounted on the gear cage, and the cross gear transmits this rotational movement to the axle gears. The axle gears are in one piece with the axle shafts, and the movement is transmitted to the wheels by the rotation of the axle shaft.
The most important task here is the cross gear running between the two axle gears. While the cross gear transmits the movement to the axle gears, it also allows the two axle gears (that is, the two wheels) to rotate at different speeds. In this way, it is possible to turn corners without skidding and without the wheels slipping. In this respect, the cross gear is a balancing gear.

A classical differential (open differential) transmits the traction force (torque) it receives from the engine to the right and left axle shafts in half, always in equal amounts (torque is distributed equally in straight driving and when the right and left wheels are turning at different speeds when cornering). However, the differential transmits the rotation speed (revolution) it receives from the engine to the wheels in different amounts. The differential, whose raison d'etre is to enable both wheels to rotate at different speeds, performs this function thanks to the independently working (rotating) cross gear between both axle gears.

When the vehicle is turning a corner or driving on rough roads, the drive wheels have to cover different lengths of road, meaning they have to turn at different speeds. For example, when turning right, the right wheel will turn on the inside of the bend, following a shorter path; Meanwhile, the wheel outside the bend has to follow a longer path. Two wheels traveling different distances at the same time must rotate at different speeds. The differential allows this speed difference to occur.

The differential always transmits the traction force (torque) coming from the engine equally to both wheels.
There are two basic variables (parameters) in the operation of the differential; transferring and distributing the traction force, transferring and distributing the rotational speed.