Open Differential

A differential (gear) is used to allow the drive wheels to turn at different speed while both receiving power from the engine. In the scene we can see wheels, which are about to make a turn. It is clear that the outer wheel has to travel a greater distance compared to the inner wheel. The outer wheel has to rotate at a higher speed compared to the inner wheel. If these wheels were connected using a solid shaft, the wheels would have to slip to accomplish the turn. The mechanism in a differential allows the outer and inner wheels to turn at different speed, while transferring power to both wheels.

The other functions of the differential are to turn the power flow direction by 90 degree and a speed reduction at the pinion-ring gear assembly. This is achieved by using a ring gear which has almost five times number of teeth as that of the pinion gear. This high gear ratio will bring down the speed of the ring gear in the same ratio. A speed reduction will result in a high torque multiplication.