Wheel + Trans diff + Torsion bar?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of using a torsion bar in conjunction with a differential gear reduction in a four-motor electric vehicle (EV) setup. The participant seeks to avoid damaging one side of the differential while exploring power delivery implications. Key insights reveal that locking one side of the differential can lead to excessive wear at high speeds, as the opposing side will rotate at double the speed. A more effective solution is to lock both sides of the differential by preventing pinion rotation within the carrier.

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  • Understanding of differential mechanics in automotive applications
  • Familiarity with torsion bar suspension systems
  • Knowledge of electric vehicle (EV) motor configurations
  • Experience with gear reduction systems
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  • Research the mechanics of locking differentials in automotive engineering
  • Explore the design and function of torsion bar suspension systems
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  • Learn about the effects of differential wear at high speeds in vehicles
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Khataro
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TL;DR
What happens if I have a cv axle on one side of a diff and a torsion bar in the other?
I have a crazy idea to make a 4 motor EV, but ran into an issue: the motors I want to use have a gear reduction (transmission?) That has a differential built into it. I only need to use one side of each, but I don't want to weld or otherwise destroy the other side of it. (That way I can repurpose or sell the parts later on) So now here's my question: if I put a torsion bar into the opposing side of the CV axle, how will that effect power delivery to the wheel? Would it have potential to improve or hinder performance and how?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom. I'm aware that this idea has potential to be brilliant, or amazingly dumb.
 
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If you lock one side of a differential, the other side will rotate at twice the speed.

Because vehicles tend to travel in close to straight lines, the pinion gears and their bearings inside the differential are only designed to rotate slowly. I would not recommend locking one side of the differential for any period of time at high speed, since it will wear quickly.

It would be better to lock the two sides of the differential together by preventing pinion rotation inside the carrier.
 
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Baluncore said:
If you lock one side of a differential, the other side will rotate at twice the speed.

Because vehicles tend to travel in close to straight lines, the pinion gears and their bearings inside the differential are only designed to rotate slowly. I would not recommend locking one side of the differential for any period of time at high speed, since it will wear quickly.

It would be better to lock the two sides of the differential together by preventing pinion rotation inside the carrier.
I feel exceptionally shortsighted for not realizing this. Thanks for pointing that out.
 
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Welcome to PF.
Don't feel bad. The answer is only obvious once you know the answer.

If you know what question to ask, you can probably answer it yourself. Your question was almost perfect.

Working alone is difficult because you need a different brain to review your ideas, or to check your own work. That is what we are here for.
 
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