A differential gear ratio calculator helps determine the ratio of the gears in the differential of a vehicle. The gear ratio is the relationship between the number of teeth on the ring gear and the pinion gear, which affects the vehicle's performance, including acceleration and top speed.
Here's a simple way to calculate the differential gear ratio:
A differential gear, often found in the drivetrain of vehicles, allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds while receiving power from the engine. Here are the main components of a differential gear:
1. Differential Case: Houses all the differential components and is connected to the ring gear.
2. Ring Gear: Transfers power from the drive shaft to the differential case.
3. Pinion Gear: Attached to the drive shaft and meshes with the ring gear to transfer power to the differential.
4. Side Gears (or Sun Gears): Connected to the axle shafts, these transfer power to the wheels.
5. Pinion (Spider) Gears: Mounted on a carrier within the differential case, they mesh with the side gears and allow them to rotate at different speeds.
6. Pinion Shaft: Holds the pinion gears in place within the differential case.
7. Differential Carrier (or Housing): Encloses the differential gears and allows them to function.
8. Axle Shafts: Connect the differential to the wheels, allowing power transfer.
9. Bearings: Support the differential components, reducing friction and wear.
10. Crown Wheel: Another name for the ring gear, particularly in some types of differentials.
11. Thrust Washers: Located between gears to reduce friction.
12. Seals and Gaskets: Prevent oil leakage from the differential housing.
Different types of differentials (open, limited-slip, locking, and torque-vectoring) might have additional or specialized components, but these are the primary parts common to most differential gears.