Spicer Drive Axles Application Guidelines - Manual (Page 81)

AXAG-0200 June 2009 81
Power Divider Operation
Power Flow and Torque Distribution
In operation, the power divider accepts torque
from the vehicle driveline and distributes it equally
to the two axles.
This assembly is of the two-gear design consisting
of an input shaft, inter-axle differential, output
shaft and two constant-mesh helical gears.
Without Lockout Engaged
(Inter-Axle Differential is Operating)
The inter-axle differential compensates for minor
variations in speed between the two axles, the same way
the wheel differential works between the two wheels of
a single drive axle. This unit also acts as a central point
in distribution of torque to the two axles.
The power divider also includes a driver-controlled, air-
operated lockout. When lockout is engaged, it
mechanically prevents inter-axle differentiation for
better performance under poor traction conditions.
1 - Input torque
2 - Lockout disengaged
3 - Forward axle torque is transmitted from
the helical side gear through the pinion
helical gear, drive pinion, ring gear, wheel
differential and axle shafts.
4 - Rear axle torque is transmitted from the output
shaft side gear through the output shaft, inter-axle
driveline, drive pinion, ring gear, wheel differential
and axle shafts.
5 - Input torque (power flow) from the vehicle
driveline is transmitted to the input shaft and the
inter-axle differential spider. The differential
distributes torque equally to both axles.