Design And Analysis Of Three-Output Open Differential with 3-DOF

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel passive three-output differential with three degrees of freedom that passively distributes motion and torque equally among three outputs, expanding differential design beyond traditional two-output systems.

Contribution

The paper presents the first three-output differential mechanism with passive operation and equal torque and velocity distribution, derived using bond graph analysis.

Findings

Achieves equal angular velocity and torque distribution among three outputs.

Uses a symmetric arrangement of two-output and two-input differentials.

Provides a comprehensive kinematic and dynamic analysis of the mechanism.

Abstract

This paper presents a novel passive three-output differential with three degrees of freedom (3DOF), that translates motion and torque from a single input to three outputs. The proposed Three-Output Open Differential is designed such that its functioning is analogous to the functioning of a traditional two-output open differential. That is, the differential translates equal motion and torque to all its three outputs when the outputs are unconstrained or are subjected to equivalent load conditions. The introduced design is the first differential with three outputs to realise this outcome. The differential action between the three outputs is realised passively by a symmetric arrangement of three two-output open differentials and three two-input open differentials. The resulting differential mechanism achieves the novel result of equivalent input to output angular velocity and torque relations for all its three outputs. Furthermore, Three-Output Open Differential achieves the novel result for differentials with more than two outputs where each of its outputs shares equivalent angular velocity and torque relations with all the other outputs. The kinematics and dynamics of the Three-Output Open Differential are derived using the bond graph method. In addition, the merits of the differential mechanism along with its current and potential applications are presented.