Center differential TORSEN (Type С, 3rd Generation) AUDI ZF 8HP55A 8HP65A

Center differential TORSEN (Type С, 3rd Generation) AUDI ZF 8HP55A 8HP65A

With the Audi 80 quattro's debut in the fall of 1986, Audi introduced a new center differential, which was still strictly mechanical but highly efficient. The name Torsen was an abbreviation of the words “torque” and “sensing.” (sensation). The Torsen differential has already established itself in the technology world as a high-tech rear axle differential; Audi has developed it for use as a center differential.

The principle of operation of the axle worm differential.

If the wheels of the car have a good grip on the road surface and move smoothly, then the torque between the axles is distributed in equal proportions. With a sharp increase in torque, the driving worm gears try to start moving in the opposite direction. The driven gears are overloaded, the output shafts are blocked, and the excess torque from the engine of the machine is transmitted to another axis. Cross-wheel self-locking worm differential is included in the operation when one of the wheels slip. When slipping, the torque on one wheel drops, Thorsen is blocked and transfers torque from the engine of the machine to another wheel. The blocking of the skid wheel is partial, and the degree of blocking depends on how much the torque value has decreased. The Torsen limited-slip differential can redistribute the maximum torque to a ratio of 7: 1 (86%: 14%).

• Let`s consider of what basic elements Thorsen consists of:
• Case (another name: "differential cup"). It transfers torque from the main gear to the semi-axial gears through the satellites. The driven gear of the main transmission is mounted on it. Inside the differential cup there are axes on which satellites are mounted.
• Right and left semi-axial gears (sun gears). They transmit torque to the axle / axle shaft via a spline connection.
• Satellites of the right and left semi-axial gears. Connect the differential cup and semi-axial gears. Thorsen has four satellites in its design. Output shafts.

(Type C) Third generation differential. Has a planetary design. The third generation Thorsen is used mainly as a center differential on cars with four-wheel drive. The mechanism has compact dimensions due to the fact that the pinion gear and the axis of the satellites are parallel in the structure.