Dear folks, today let’s talk about a key innovative component in the drive system of electric three-wheeled vehicles —— the 16-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive. Despite its somewhat tongue-twisting name, it plays an irreplaceable and crucial role during the driving process of electric three-wheeled vehicles, and can be regarded as the “unsung hero” that ensures the stable operation of the vehicle.

When first coming into contact with this 16-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive, many people may feel unfamiliar and have no idea what it is. In fact, it is a core component of the rear axle of an electric three-wheeled vehicle. Usually, it is combined with the main reducer, and what people commonly refer to as the rear final drive or tail gear is exactly this. The unique design of “16 teeth in the reverse direction” makes it stand out among numerous differentials.

In terms of structure, it is mainly composed of a differential housing, left and right half-shaft gears, planetary gears, and a cross shaft. The passive gear of the main reducer is installed on the differential housing, working in coordination with the differential to form a close whole. The design of these 16 teeth is like a precisely arranged set of precision gears, playing a key role in the power transmission process. The tooth shape design in the reverse direction endows it with unique advantages in dealing with complex road conditions.

The working principle of the differential is not complicated. When the electric three-wheeled vehicle is driving in a straight line, the planetary gears inside the differential only revolve around the half-shaft gears without generating rotation. At this time, the rotation speeds of the two wheels on both sides are the same, and the rotation speed of the drive shaft is balanced with the rotation speeds of the two wheels on both sides. However, when the vehicle turns, the situation is different. Since the motion trajectory of the outer wheel is longer than that of the inner wheel, if the two wheels are rigidly connected, the outer wheel will experience skidding, and the inner wheel will slip. This will not only increase the driving resistance of the vehicle and accelerate tire wear but also make turning difficult. With the 16-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive, when turning, the two wheels will generate torques in opposite directions, which are transmitted to the half-shaft gears through the half shafts, forcing the planetary gears to rotate, slowing down the rotation speed of the inner half-shaft gear and accelerating that of the outer half-shaft gear, thus achieving the differentiation of the rotation speeds of the two wheels on both sides and successfully completing the differential operation. Moreover, this process of adjusting the rotation speed is automatically carried out, following the “principle of minimum energy consumption”, which is very intelligent.

In practical applications, the advantages of the 16-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive are very significant. For example, in the scenario of express delivery, electric three-wheeled vehicles often need to turn frequently in narrow streets. With this differential, the vehicle turns more flexibly, can easily cope with various complex road conditions, and greatly improves the delivery efficiency. Another example is in rural areas, where electric three-wheeled vehicles are driving on rugged rural roads. The differential can automatically adjust the rotation speeds of the two wheels on both sides according to the road conditions, making the vehicle drive more smoothly, reducing the bumpy feeling, and being able to handle it easily whether climbing a slope or passing through a pothole section.

However, just like even the most powerful character has weaknesses, the differential may also malfunction. If the gears inside the differential are damaged or the module is too small, it may cause the gears of the electric three-wheeled vehicle to slip and idle, making it unable to drive normally; when the differential malfunctions, the vehicle will also make abnormal noises, and in severe cases, it may even be unable to move; if the differential is damaged and cannot work, the two drive half shafts will become rigidly connected, the rotation speeds of the left and right wheels will be the same, and the vehicle can only drive in a straight line and cannot turn. Therefore, daily maintenance is of vital importance. Regularly check whether the gears of the differential are worn or deformed, and replace the damaged parts in a timely manner; pay attention to the lubrication of the differential, regularly add or replace high-quality gear oil, reduce the friction between the gears, and extend the service life of the differential.

The 16-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive, although usually silently hidden in the rear axle of the electric three-wheeled vehicle, with its unique design and powerful functions, provides a strong guarantee for the stable driving and efficient operation of the electric three-wheeled vehicle. The next time you drive an electric three-wheeled vehicle through the streets and alleys, don’t forget its contribution.