Dear folks, today let’s talk about a crucial role in the drive system of electric three-wheeled vehicles —— the 18-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive. Despite its somewhat complicated name, it plays a vital role and can be regarded as the “unsung hero” behind the stable driving of electric three-wheeled vehicles.

When first encountering this 18-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive, many people may be confused 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 assembled with the main reducer to form an assembly, which is commonly known as the rear final drive or tail gear. The unique design of “18 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, forming a closely coordinated whole with the differential. The design of these 18 teeth is like a carefully choreographed dance of the gear set, playing a crucial role in power transmission. The tooth shape design in the reverse direction gives it unique advantages when dealing with complex road conditions.

The working principle of the differential is not difficult to understand. When the electric three-wheeled vehicle is driving in a straight line, the planetary gears in 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 skid, and the inner wheel will slip. This will not only increase the vehicle’s resistance and accelerate tire wear but also make turning difficult. With the 18-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive, when turning, the two wheels will generate two torques in opposite directions, which are reflected on 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 one, thus achieving the differentiation of the rotation speeds of the two wheels on both sides and successfully completing the differential operation. Moreover, this adjustment of the rotation speed is automatically completed and follows the “principle of minimum energy consumption”, which is very intelligent.

In practical applications, the advantages of the 18-teeth assembly differential with reverse direction in the final drive are very obvious. For example, in the scenario of delivering goods, electric three-wheeled vehicles often need to turn frequently in narrow streets. With this differential, the vehicle is more flexible when turning and can easily cope with various complex road conditions, greatly improving the delivery efficiency. Another example is in rural areas, where electric three-wheeled vehicles need to drive 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 and reducing the bumpy feeling. Whether climbing a slope or passing through a pothole section, it can handle it with ease.

However, just like even the most powerful hero has weaknesses, the differential may also malfunction. If the gears in 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 without moving; a malfunctioning differential can also cause the vehicle to make abnormal noises, and in severe cases, it may even be unable to move; if the differential is broken 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 to reduce the friction between the gears and extend the service life of the differential.

The 18-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.