Hey guys,

I was thinking today the different uses of the differential gear. I dont know why, i just thought of it. I can only think of it being used for a drive train, whether it is in a gearbox or used as a differential.

Im wondering if anyone else has used in it a different application.

The older differential seems to be more useful for non-standard options.

For example in my newest WIP model silverfox I am using a differential to set the phase difference between front and rear leg movement. The differential case itself is fixed and adjustable via a worm gear and the gears inside are always rotating.

You can also use it in an automatic gearbox, here's my old example:

You can also use it as a 24 tooth clutch gear for a gearbox.

To be honest. What is the actual use of differentials. And do they have advantages. It seems normal gears can also transfer power to a axle. And how do they work?

I think I'm kind of a noob in technic...

Edited February 10, 20169 yr by THERIZE

Driving two different functions through turntable.

To be honest. What is the actual use of differentials. And do they have advantages. It seems normal gears can also transfer power to a axle. And how do they work?

I think I'm kind of a noob in technic...

the differential used in its most common application is used because the wheels are allowed to turn at different speeds.

Just take a look at Nico71's creations.

To be honest. What is the actual use of differentials. And do they have advantages. It seems normal gears can also transfer power to a axle. And how do they work?

I think I'm kind of a noob in technic...

There you go

A differential can be used as a 2 function slitter by simply having one of the outputs have more friction.

You can use it in a clock as demonstrated by people such as Nico71

i'm making a moc at the moment and have a wip topic.

i used a differential for a 2 stages outtrigger, like 42009. i only have to use one motor to do 2 things.

or you can use it like this to for example steer a shovel.

Edited February 13, 20169 yr by roppie11

In 8479-2 it is used to steer, until the steering blocks, and then move the car.

You can use differentials for adder-subtractor.

I see you have used differentials in your dolly. That's different.

ancient video (1930's!!)

but VERY informative and entertaining!

Those old videos are the best for explaining these kind of things.

Basically, all a differential does is divide torque based on resistance, which is why it helps when a vehicle turns. Conversely, it can be used to average speed, if the two outputs are used as inputs instead, as in an adder mechanism. I've also seen a differential used to get unusual gear ratios that would not be achievable otherwise.

As for disadvantages, an open differential can be somewhat of a bother, because if one wheel loses traction, that wheel will spin. The bevel gears in the diff are also a little bit fragile, so care must be used in order to avoid damage.

Saberwing, in the real world, if I'm stuck in my jeep, usually pushing my ebrake down a couple clicks will get the other tire to move to give me a boost. ;)

A simple 2x4 high4x4 low "transfer case" is another example.

I've got a special design of a differential gear used to wind up the clock I designed. By using a differential, the clock will continue to work even when the wind-up motor is running as the torque to the clockwork will be uninterrupted.

Offtopic, but this old video above looks just like it came from Fallout 4. Love it.

Agreed, those old ones are best for explaining stuff.

I have used a Differential in a robotics competition before, we were limited to 3 motors so 2 for drive and steering then one left for a robotic arm. I used a differential for the one motor to turn it into two outputs, the first part was a hand that grabbed the item( we were picking up trash for the challenge) and then when the hand was fully closed, the power through the differential locked and the other output started to lift the arm up. (This is similar to when a truck gets one wheel stuck in a ditch and the other wheel freely spins) So the differential allowed for a grab and lift movement with one motor, then to put the item back down, the motor went in reverse and the hand opened dropping the item, and once the hand was fully open the arm lowered itself.

On this Moc : http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=109724&st=0

I use a differential to have a permanent alimentation of my fake engine. One entry for the rear axle, the second for the PF motor and the exit connected to the fake engine....

Differentials when used with planetary gears as Power Split Devices (PSD) are used in Hybrid Care scenarios where you have a motor-generator, an electric motor and the ICE (internal Combustion Engine) all acting on the power train which would be another differential to the wheels

in lego you could have a L motor and and XL motor both acting on the drive train at the same time at different speeds and torques by using differentials

(you could then run something off the crown wheel on the Power splitting part and connect it to an old 9v motor to generate power for the lights for example