International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 05 Issue: 05 | May-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Recent Advances in Differential Drive Systems for Automobile

Propulsion
Utkarsh A. Patil1, Vishal J. Savant2, Rohit S. Bharamgonda3, Prof. P. N. Gore4
1, 2, 3 PG Student, DKTE Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, India-416116
4 Asso. Professor, Mechanical Department, DKTE Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - First car was invented by Karl Benz in 1887 and opposite wheel which is on normal surface. In case of
car is modifying day by day from last 130 years. Although vehicle when it is moving in off-road conditions, if one
today’s automobile looks different from that first invented, wheel stuck to obstacle then the vehicle will not move
the power transmission system has not changed enough. from its place. If wheel is passing through mud then, the
The engine, clutch, gear box, propeller shaft and simple vehicle will not move further. To avoid such conditions,
differential are being used from last 130 years have some the locking differential was invented and used in practice.
limitations as today’s lifestyle is 130 year ahead of that In locking differential, the vehicle can move by
system. Generally, some limitations regarding differential transferring power to one wheel by means of clutch or by
can be observed such as one or both wheels of drive system a centrifugally activated locking mass although another
lifted up, on slippery track, stucked into mud or stucked to wheel is on slippery track. But again in off-road conditions,
obstacle then, vehicle struggles to move further. In said it will not work properly. Hence, a concept of all wheel
situations rate of failure to overcome the problem is very drive is introduced. All-wheel drive provides power to all
high in conventional as well as some of the modern four wheels. The system can survive in slippery conditions
differentials. Hence a comparative study among all of these as well as mud-road conditions. It is also useful in hilly
differentials becomes essential. It is hoped, this paper will areas, but the cost of locking the differential and all-wheel
help us to know various differentials available. drive will be high. Similar problem is facing by agricultural
sector. The tractors, tillers, trucks, power weeder and
Key Words: Differential, Automobile, Wheels, Drive most of agricultural machines are subjected to same
system, Torque transmission, Energy Distribution, vehicle problem. Some manufacturers used locking differential,
propulsion, two wheel Drive, Front axle, Rear axle, slippery some used turning purpose clutches on single shaft drive,
track, off road conditions. But using all of the above system increases cost and
complexity; hence it is needed to define a technique which
1. INTRODUCTION will overcome the above mentioned problem. Before going
to know what is solution, we have to understand the
The topic ‘Recent advances in differential drive problem deeply and possible alternative for it.
system for automobile propulsion’ starts with first car on
the road. In ancient time for human being there was no 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
way to transport of things, goods, stuffs from one place to
another place except handling it manually by lifting on In the view of current research area various
shoulders and keep walking until final destination journals are referred for up-to-date technical content
reached. Later after evolution of human thinking capacity some of the researches are arranged in following section.
he invented wheel and a cart was made for transporting (Shree Harsha Bandaru, 2015) [1] Discussed alternative
goods. The cart was firstly manually driven and later transmission system for four wheeler and generated
animals were used to pull the cart. In 1887 first car was physical alternative solution for transmission component
invented by Karl Benz. Rather using animals to pull cart he and smart parking system. In case of turning, friction
was thinking for successful self-propelled car by use of rollers are used to transfer power from wheel to free
steam-engine. The first car was having rear wheel drive rotating disc. When vehicle is moving straight, friction
with chain system. When a vehicle is travelling along a rollers transfer power to the wheels. This system works
path and single shaft is used to drive both wheels at same similar to the simple differential. (Dr. Thomas Smetana et
speed, then system fails to turn. The vehicle will move in al., 2010) [2] Identified that the active eDifferential system
straight line as both driving wheels are moving with same is a drive concept which could form the optimum platform
velocity. To overcome such condition differential was for future control strategies. The final drive unit combines
invented. In differential of the vehicle both wheels can the spur gear differential with an intelligent lateral
receive different torque, also it can turn in any direction distribution of torque. When used on both axles, the active
without stopping power transmission. differential also enables the distribution of torque in the
longitudinal direction of vehicle. (Mahesh Karande et al.,
Differential used today has some limitations. 2015) [3] Identified that simple differential does not
When one of the wheels is on slippery track, the power transmit same power to both wheels when vehicle get
will be transmitted more to the slipping wheel rather than stuck into the mud. But due to relative motion between all

© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3244
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 05 | May-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

gears in the gearbox the stucked wheel rotates at double periphery at equal distance to one another on the axis of
speed and due to this the vehicle gets again deeply stucked rotation and a wheel at body. The housing is made up of
into mud. To move the vehicle out from the mud there is two parts that are fixed to one another.
requirement of differential locking, by which both the rear
axles are act as a solid shaft. In turning condition, In these spaces at the longitudinal axis into the
differential should not be locked. It should be used only peripheral space between two of the planet gears that are
when the vehicle does not transferring equal torque to in contact with one another on the boundary. The planet
both wheels and vehicle is moving in a straight path. gears beside one another at the peripheral distance relates
to two planet gears that mesh with one another. The
(Qiang Li et al., 2015) [4] Presented paper for a respective body provides for four planet pairs, and thus
novel controller of differential assist steering system. In for four mounting sections that mesh partially into the
this system, the integrated control module in electric peripheral space in a radial direction.
vehicle is investigated, in which the front axle is refitted
for two in-wheel motors. The genetic algorithm is used to
optimize the control decision-making rules of fuzzy
controller. This system can be used for practices such as
low speed and double lane change operation. (Akshay
Aggarwal, 2013) [5] Implied electronic controlled
differential provides light weight structure with
elimination of the gear box. Also during turn, power
transfers to both wheel at different torque. (NISSAN motor
company, 2010) [7] produced the four wheel active steer
system. This system assists driver by automatically
controlling the steering angle of a vehicle’s four wheels
according to speed. By controlling the steering angle of all
four wheels, this active steering system helps to improve Figure 1: Helical gear driven differential [9]
stability and response at high speed and helps to reduce
steering workload at low speed. AUDI automobile 3.2 Limited slip differential
manufacturer [6] Audi Quattro have center differential with
cylkro face gear technology. In the crown gear differential, LSD looks very similar to simple differential but in
the gears are mounted without backlash. The result is a case of slippery track condition LSD provides advantage
homogeneous conversion of the torque distribution over simple differential by smart power transmission for
without any delay. In conjunction with intelligent software the wheels. In a case where right wheel is on slippery
in the braking system, the Quattro system assigns optimal track, the right wheel tries to turn faster than the other
torque to every driven wheel. Interventions of ESP system wheel; however, since the right gear is stopped by the
will be reduced to a minimum. This increases the clutch, little torque is transferred from the right wheel
drivability of the Audi RS 5 in every situation. through clutch to the casing. While the left wheel is
stopped and the one gear is turning at minimum speed, the
3. Study of various differentials differential case is turning at a high speed, and in
compared with the right side, torque is transferred from
Today’s available various differential are the differential case through the clutch to the wheels. As a
generated from problems present in simple differential. result, the left wheel receives a torque which is
Steering feel and vehicle steering motion is affected by transferred from the right wheel through the clutch,
wheel torques in front wheel drive. The losses over the differential case, left side clutch and left side gear, also the
differential by torque steer can be observed by torque torque distributed from the pinion through the differential
difference in left and right shaft. With a simple differential gear.
inside wheel is free to rotate under power at high torque
and limits to the acceleration. In case of combined
acceleration and turning. When vehicle travels on slippery
track, there is possibility of getting one wheel stucked.
These types of problem are inspiration to modify simple
differential. Following are types of differential under this
paper study.

3.1 Helical gear driven differential

The helical gear differential is made of two-

components, a sun wheel which will rotate regarding a
horizontal axis, and three planet gears that are placed on
Figure 2: LSD on slippery track [10]

© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3245
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 05 | May-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

3.3 Clutch pack Differential torque to each wheel. This differential requires three
differential units that are front, center and rear. And an
intelligent system utilised when turn is to be taken, this
system distributes higher power to inner wheel.

Figure 3: Locking differential by clutch pack [8]

A clutch pack contains alternating plates that sits

inside a drum. Same number of the disks is of steel with
splines which fits into groves at inner surface of the drum.
Same number of disks has a friction surface and has
splines on the inner edge that matches groves on the
outside plane of the adjacent body. There are two clutch
packs on each side and mounted on single shaft. When
vehicle moves straight both of the clutches are engaged to
shaft. When vehicle takes any turn then the cam is used to
disengage wheel from the shaft. The cam is connected to
steering system such that when vehicle takes left turn
right wheel will disengaged and when right turn is taken
the left wheel will disengaged. It is essential to apply
clutch manually during any turn otherwise this system
will travel straight ahead. Agricultural operations required Figure 4: Cylkro faced gear Differential - Audi Quattro [6]
equal torque for both wheels and clutch pack differential
3.5 Electronic controlled differential
fits for it with low speed range.

3.4 Cylkro faced gear Differential

The Cylkro face gear with the highest number of

teeth (first figure) is connected with the shaft to the rear
wheel drive. Another face gear takes care of the power to
the front wheel drive. In between the face gears, four
planetary pinions are placed equally in a planet carrier
that is driven by special gearbox with two clutches [6]. In
situation, where is same spinning speeds of the face gears
and the planet carrier. If any axles starts to rotating, such
as, while it is snow, the engagement of self-locking face
gear center differential will occur. The differential can
distributes the torque for the front and rear axles by a
package of plates. Up to 85% of the load can be fed to the
rear, and as much as 70% toward the front-end. (Fig. 4)
system could recognise this verity by locating and
tolerating the connection design for the pinions and face
gears. These connection designs have been defined by
system with defined limits. This leads to axial loads on the
face gears and on the plates pack, resulting in a change of Figure 5: Electronic controlled differential [5]
the torque distribution in such a way that system could
Recent work is being held on to reduce weight of
satisfy all Audi specifications. In the crown gear
the body. The main attraction has always been reduction
differential, the gears are mounted without backlash. The
of weight using light weight materials for chassis and
result is a homogeneous conversion of the torque
design modifications. Recently it is founded that motor
distribution instantly. Also with intelligent software in the
control and its design have been modified. Modern
braking system, the Quattro system provides required
configurations include motorized wheels, where motors
© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3246
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 05 | May-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

are fitted in the wheels and thus no pollution produced,

Electronic differentials eliminates use of gear box and
manual transmission methods. As gear box eliminated the
total mass reduced due to replacement of simple
differential. As shown in figure 5, the motor and controller
works for speed variation configured with steering angle,
also speed of vehicle is adopted and controller performs
operations and relative speed difference is achieved. This
system works very well during turning as well as
conditions where one wheel spins freely. Electronic
controlled differential suits for medium speed and both
wheels receives individual power from each motor hence
it is more reliable. The life of this differential may limits by
conductivity and sensitivity of electronic parts. Figure 7: Continuous variable transmission differential [1]

3.6 Belt driven differential First use of CVT as for non-gear vehicles but now
advanced use of CVT is for a car is possible. The
In recent years, many small wheel-driven units differential easily can be replaced with the CVT
have become popular. Golf carts, riding lawn mowers, transmission. Two variable diameter pulleys carrying a
small garden tractors, go-carts and many other devices single belt gives variation between two wheels. It is
having small gasoline engines or occasionally electrically obvious that, CVT constructed between two rear wheels.
powered are now sold in great numbers. Most of these First pulley will be connected to right wheel; another
devices are propelled through wheels contacting the pulley will be connected left wheel. We need a controller
ground and most have four wheels. The drive of such which can sense the angle of steer and relative speed of
devices is usually either through a single, off-center wheel, vehicle. This CVT transmission provides reduction in
or through two wheels connected to a solid axle. In the transferred energy. Again the CVT transmission will work
first case, the single wheel provides an off center drive so similar to the simple differential but if it is controlled well
that the steering is effected and the wear on the tire of that possibility of better performance in case of individual
wheel is increased. energy transmission to each wheel will increase.

Figure 6: Belt driven differential [11]

3.8 Toroidal Transmission
In the second case, there must be slippage of one
of two wheels on turning corners or the like so that tire Figure 8: Toroidal Transmission [1]
wear is increased. The use of a differential mechanism is
strongly indicated. However, the usual type of differential Both wheels on the drive system require unequal
such as used in an automobile and having a ring gear and speed during turning and there should be a member who
set of pinions and the like is far too expensive for the will sense the velocity change requirement and transfers
ordinary small unit. Therefore it is desirable to provide a unequal torques to both wheels. The variation of area on
mechanism which will accomplish the same end result conical surface will be a speed changing component, the
with a less expensive and somewhat smaller unit. wheel which requires high speed; there will be more
contact area between friction cones of driving and driven
3.7 Continuous variable transmission differential sides. The driving cones should be contacted with steering

© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3247
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 05 | May-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

system and this will give additional effect of speed while differential with compact construction and improved
vehicle turns. torque transmission capacity. Limited slip differential and
centrifugal forced lock differential works better on
3.9 Locking differential by centrifugal force slippery track. Clutch pack differential has good impact in
agricultural industries as it is economical and provides
equal torque transmission to wheels. Cylkro faced gear
differential is most advanced practical usable differential
but use of electronic systems and controller with triple
differential set increases manufacturing costs. Electronic
controlled differential satisfies in most of the said
problems with medium speed and limited life. Belt driven,
Toroidal and CVT differentials are economical for special
purpose vehicle for which it acts same as the simple
differential. This paper focuses on types of differential
with several operational methods, so it is possible to
create an idea to solve the limitations by combining two or
more methods of differential drive system. Also for studies
related to available differentials, this paper will help to
conduct surveys related to differentials.

REFERENCES
Figure 9: Locking differential by centrifugal force [12] [1] Sree Harsha Bandaru, 2015, Alternative
Transmission System for 4 Wheeler, International
The centrifugal mass operated differential consist journal of mechanical engineering and robotics
of bevel gear such as conventional differential there are research, Vol.4,No.1, pp.445-454
two pinion located on the cross shaft and two side gears
splined on the axle shaft. One of the side gears has cam [2] Dr. Tomas Smetana et al., 2010, Active e-
shape machined on the back face, also a locking gear has differential for future drive trains, Schaeffler
replica of the same shape which is mounted on axle SYMPOSIUM 2010, pp 179-189.
engaged with side gear. When predetermined torque is
applied to the locking gear it will disengaged and power [3] Karande Mahesh, Uttekar Sandesh, Patil Pramod,
transmission will stop to respective wheel. Behind that Gawade Atish et al., 2015, Manufacturing of
geared cam plate, an active disc clutch pack is holding by simple differential locking system, International
spring pressure. On the other hand of differential, second Journal of Engineering Technology, vol. 3,Issue
side gear and another clutch pack are mounted. The device 3,pp 171-178.
which activates cam plate is engagement mechanism with
pinion. This mechanism consists of two fly-weights spring [4] Qiang Li, Xiao-li Yu, Hua Zhang and Rui Huang et
loaded towards the pinion shaft and shaft rotates when al., 2015, Study on differential assist steering
speed difference of both wheels exists. When speed of the system with double in-wheel motors with
engagement mechanism is more than designed speed, the intelligent controller, Hindawi Publishing
fly-weights move in outward direction and engage with Corporation, Mathematical Problems in
locking mechanism. As the fly-weight engages to the pawl Engineering, Vol.2015, pp 1-8.
of locking mechanism, the torque required disengaging the
side gear and locking gear takes place and side gear and [5] Akshay Aggarwal, 2013, Electronic Differential in
locking gear separates. Hence power transmitted to Electric Vehicles, International Journal of
slipping wheel is disconnected and transferred to the Scientific and Engineering Research, Vol. 4, Issue-
other side wheel. 11.pp-1322-1325.

4. CONCLUSION [6] Product News, 2010, Center differential of the

new Audi Quattro with cylkro face gear, Gear
The differentials used today have several Technology, November/December 2010.
limitations. This limitations need to be eliminated, but www.geartechnology.com . (Accessed 4 Nov
present various differentials are designed for special 2017)
purpose operations and these are not capable to eliminate
all limitations by any single differential. Due to this, there [7] Nissan Motor Company, 2006, Four wheel active
is a requirement for a unique differential which can steer (4was), (www.nissan-global.com) Tokyo,
eliminate all limitations regarding any said situations in Japan, www.nissan-global.com/EN/ . (Accessed
this paper. Spur gear differentials work similar to simple 28 Nov 2017)

© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3248
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 05 | May-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

[8] CarParts.com,Online,http://www.carparts.com/tr
ansmission.htm. (Accessed 14 Oct 2017)

[9] Summit Racing, 2009, Exploded view-Inside the

Eaton True Trac Differential -
https://youtu.be/lZmsY2YvVsc . (Accessed 1 Oct
2017)

[10] Learn Engineering, 2014, Understanding Limited

Slip Differential, https://youtu.be/WeLm7wHvdxQ
- (Accessed 7 Oct 2017)

[11] Thang010146, 2011, Car Differential with Belt 2-

https://youtu.be/91QMBe-0i3g, (Accessed 21 Oct
2017)

[12] KUNZMAN and ASSOC, 2010, Eaton mechanical

Locking Differential- https://youtu.be/ftyJvIO0DZ8
,(Accessed 28 Oct 2017)

© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3249