RE: torsens

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

I've been trying not to jump into this one ... but I can't help it! ...
;-)

When a differential is locked it means that the input shaft and both
output shafts are locked together.  This means that if one output shaft
is connected to wheels that are freely spinning while the other shaft is
hooked up to the ground you get a 0/100 "torque split" and with the
opposite situation the "torque split" is 100/0.  Any other combination
of connection to the ground will give a "torque split" somewhere in
between.  Notice that I have used quotes around the term torque split
... in effect there is no real division of the torque as you don't have
a differential any more.  The two output shafts are spinning at
precisely the same speed, and as a matter of fact you can get some
"extra" torque built up in the drive train itself as the different ends
travel different distances.  

I don't claim to be an expert on the open diff case ... I wish I had my
Bosch Automotive Handbook with me ... :)

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)  

> ----------
> Orin writes:
> >
> In summary, open diff means 50/50 torque split at the output,
> locked diff means the split varies between 100/0 and 0/100
> at the output.
> >
> 
> I believe this statement is backwards, an open diff means 100/0
> and 0/100. And a locked diff is set at 50/50, because both outputs 
> are now connected as a unit and they both rotate at the same speed.
> -
> Dave Lawson
>