This section of the RcTek site is devoted to differentials, what they are, what they do and the different types of that can be fitted to radio controlled model cars.
This particular article aims to inform the model car owner about how a ball type differential works.
There are a many different variations of the ball differential, but all use the same basic principle described in this article.
The differential featured in the images in this article is not based on any particular differential and only serves to represent the functionality of a ball differential.
To serve as a reference for the rest of this article, we have an exploded diagram of a representation of a ball differential on the right.
If you place the mouse pointer over the various parts, the name and a larger version will appear of that particular part.
Parts Descriptions
Retaining Screw
The retaining screw holds the whole assembly together and can be used as a means to adjust the action of the differential.
Output Cups
The output cups are the part that connect the internal parts of the differential to the driveshafts.
Adjusting Collar
The adjusting collar allows for the adjustment in the amount of slip in the drive gear.
Belleville Washers
The Belleville washers provide pressure on the ball bearings fitted inside the drive gear and on the those in the thrust race.
Thrust Washers
The thrust washers, or as they are more commonly referred to, diff rings, provide a hard and smooth surface for the ball bearings to contact with.
Ball Bearings
The ball bearings allow the other parts of the differential assembly to rotate relative to each other.
Drive Gear
The drive gear transfers the rotational movement of the engine/motor to the differential.
Thrust Race
The thrust race allows for rotational differences (differential action) between the output cups.
The Differential
The parts that provide the differential action are shown in the image to the right below and consist of a Thrust Race Bearing (yellow), Belleville Washers (green) and a retaining/adjusting screw.
The thrust race allows for the output cups to rotate at different speeds and the belleville washers provide a load to restrict the difference in rotational speed. If implemented, the adjusting nut allows the level of restriction to be altered.
A Ball Differential is More than a Differential
The ball differential offers more than a normal differential as it also has an inbuilt slipper clutch to control wheel spin.
The slipper clutch, the working parts of which are shown in the image to the right, will be more fully explained in a future article but basically works by applying pressure to the ball bearings (grey) with Belleville washers (green) via the thrust washers (yellow).
Summary
That's about all there is to say in a basic description of a ball differential. The other articles in this section should prove to be valuable reference material and the future articles should build upon this to fully explain the issues involved.
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