Differentials & Limited Slip Differentials

1. A differential is a mechanical device which allows a flexible division of drive between wheels to allow cornering

2. A limited slip differential (LSD) is a device which automatically reduces the loss of drive which can result from spinning wheels on one side of an axle. Spinning wheels are most likely to result from cornering while on the gas, pulling away from a stand still or accelerating in a car with lots of power

A simple diagram of a differential

Differentials

Before understanding why a limited slip differential is important, first we'll briefly need to touch on why we need a differential in the first place. In simple terms, a differential is a device which allows for the difference in driven wheel rotation which naturally occurs when a car turns a corner.

Figure 1: Turning circles of the two front wheels of a car

As you can see in Figure 1, the inside and outside wheels of a car turn in different radius corners, and thus need to rotate at different speeds (with the outside wheels travelling faster). However at least two of the wheels will also need to be linked to allow the car to be two wheel drive. Consider a front wheel drive car with the two front wheels linked together with no flexibility, such as with a solid axle between them (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Two driven wheels linked together with a solid axle

In this case a certain amount of tension would build up when cornering as the outside wheel tries to rotate quicker that the inside wheel (due to the bigger arc it must go through). Eventually this tension would relive itself with a wheel skipping over the surface, or with a drive shaft snapping. This situation is obviously not a good one, so differentials where invented (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: A basic differential between an axle

Limited slip differentials

Differentials work by allowing a flexible distribution of drive between the wheels on an axle, which allows for the different rates of rotation while cornering. However this flexibility is also the differential's weakness, as it will always allow drive to 'escape' via the easiest route. So if you are turning a corner while hard on the gas in a powerful car, you can find that the inside wheel starts spinning (due to the weight transfer leading to less grip), and you lose the ability to put power down on the road via the outside wheel. This isn't good, especially if you're trying to put in a good time on the track, and this is why the limited slip differential was invented. The first LSDs connected the two half shafts together with a clutch pack allowing a limited amount of clutch slip between each side of the axle. This allowed for the relatively small differences in rotation while cornering, but prevented violent wheelspin from just one of the wheels which could lead to loss of drive.

A Quaife limited slip differential

Types of limited slip differential

Today there are a variety of differentials which can reduce unwanted wheelspin on one side of an axle, which is prevented using either viscous, mechanical, hydraulic and electronic systems. Many race bred cars have LSDs fitted as standard, especially powerful front wheel drive cars which are more prone to wheelspin while pulling out of a corner.

For more information, please see:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_(mechanical_device)