A GEARLESS DIFFERENTIAL.
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A Simple Type of Differential in which Use is made of a Slipping Clutch,
rilRE ordinary type of differential em
ployed on motor vehicles is a somewhat complicated arrangement, which is extremely expensive to manufacture, and if its use can be obviated, or if it can be reduced to some more simple construction, the cost of building a chassis would be decreased by a proportionate amount.
We have received recently details of a very simple differential patented by Mr. B. SWan, of Marlboro' Motors (St. Albans), Ltd., 52, London Road, St. Albans.
The device consists of a simple cone clutch with a slight angle, the faces of which are held in contact by a powerful spring provided with a ball-thrust race. The friction surfaces are so proportioned and the strength of the spring adjusted that, in the ordinary course, the axle shafts which are connected to the respective halves of the clutch act as a solid axle, and thus assist in the prevention of skidding on greasy roads or snow, although on rounding a corner the resistance between the tyre and the road is sufficient to overcome the friction of the clutch, and thus permit a differential action to occur. The outer member of the clutch is made of bronze and the inner of steel, the surfaces being ground and running in oil. Actually, one wheel is connected solidly, through its axle shaft, to the gearwheel of the final drive, so that the arrangement is somewhat different in this respect from the ordinary type of differential, in which neither of the wheels is direct driven ; thus, the clutch cannot receive any shocks due to violent acceleration or fierce braking, as these are entirely governed by the fixed wheel.
To test the clutch for driving power, the dog of the solid-driven wheel has been removed inthe case of a trial vehicle and the vehicle driven gently. along through the clutch only, thus proving that this actually performs its work of driving, as, during the test, twice its normal work had to be performed, although this was done at a comparatively low speed.
lip o, the present the " cogless " differential, 'by which name it is known, has only been tried out on a private car, and r,t will be interesting to watch its development for commercial purposes, one of its advantages being that there is no need for 'manufacturers to alter their present axle casings, as the differential can easily be fitted into those existing.