What does a differential lock mean?
1 Answers
Differential lock refers to a mechanism that, when one driving wheel slips, locks the differential housing and the axle shaft into one unit, causing the differential to lose its differential function and transferring all torque to the other driving wheel. The full name of the differential lock is the central differential lock, which is a locking mechanism installed on the central differential and used in four-wheel-drive vehicles. The function of the differential lock is to improve the vehicle's ability to pass through poor road conditions, meaning that when one driving axle of the vehicle spins freely, it can quickly lock the differential, turning the two driving axles into a rigid connection. This allows most or even all of the torque to be transmitted to the non-slipping driving axle, fully utilizing its adhesion to generate sufficient traction, enabling the vehicle to continue moving.