Differentials ,,Torsen, Spider, differences..

[Jeep]

My hyper 7 has a spider center differential, and I've heard the torsen differential referred to, but I'm not sure that I know what a torsen diff is.

I've read that they are the same with different names, and I've read that they are totally different.
My spider has 6 planetary gears, and my front and rear diffs have 4 planetary.

Can someone explain the names and design of the different differentials?

thanks


Jeep

 

[robriguez]

hmmm, I will try here....

In a normal Diff most of the power will get tranferred to the wheel with the least amount of traction. Path of least resistance. With a torsen (TORque SENsing) diff it keeps the power to the wheels with the most grip. Typicaly you would ONLY use a torsen in the front or rear of your truck/buggy and never in the middle.

There are a couple different designs for torsens. Heres two:

http://www.rcnitro.com/images/tempfd/torsen.jpg
Heres another:

http://www.thercshack.com/ProductImages/mp7a.jpg

As for normal diffs...I have only ever seen 3 types.
1) 4 bevel gears (small) and 2 satellite gears (large) total 6.

http://www.myrcsupply.net/images/savage_4bevel_kit.jpg

2) 3 bevel gears (small and 2 Satellite gears (large) total 5.

http://www.goldstarstockists.com/tamiyaparts/tpx/pic/50602[1].jpg

3) 2 bevel gears (small) and 2 satellite gears (large) total 4.

http://www.mfgsupply.com/img/comet/218239A.jpg

 

[Jeep]

Thanks Rob, that cleared ALOT up for me.

My center diff., "the spider" has 6 planetary, small gears like your example #2 instead of teh 3 small shown, and my front and rear are like example #1.

I like the idea of the torque sensing differential, seems cool.
I had no idea that is why or how it was named.

Thanks again!

Jeep

 

[olds97_lss]

Torsen diffs are also pretty pricey compared to a spider diff.

Normal Spider Center Diff ($15)
Torsen Center Diff ($90)

 

[RatzoRC]

Typicaly you would ONLY use a torsen in the front or rear of your truck/buggy and never in the middle.

I was thinking of putting torsen diff's in my buggy's front, rear, and center.
Why not the center Rob?
If it's useless, why do they make them for the center?
I'm not being a smart ass, I truely don't know.
Thanks

 

[robriguez]

Well, its not that you can't put one in the middle. But back when I first heard of a torsen and I spend alot of research time trying to justify spending ALOT of money to upgrade my buggy ($270 by Olds example) every board I went to said that they really didnt notice any GAIN in performance by putting a torsen in the center. That they made the biggest differences when placed in the front and the rear. If I remember correctly some said placing in the center has a bit of a detrimental effect. But i just can't remember what it was.

 

[neobart]

If it works by putting the power where there's most resistance. It will work like in a MT, making it loose grip in either the rear or front. Not a desirable trait for a buggy. But I might be wrong, I'm more of an MT guy.

 

[sweetdiesel]

I read that putting a torsen only in the middle will slow you down since you will only have power to both front and rear when the car is going straight, when you turn under throttle it unloads the rear. And when you brake it unloads the front. I always thought it was better to use a center and front, or front only. I believe it was corradopsi that tried it out on his truggy hybrid. I will try to find the thread.


OK I think I misunderstood him. Here is his thread

https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32910&page=2&highlight=torsen