Functions and Roles
Differential gear is a part of power transmission device. The driving force generated by an engine is transmitted to the tires through various types of bevel gears. Representative of the automotive components that incorporate such bevel gears is the differential gear assembly that absorbs the rotational difference due to the direction change of the diving rotational axis or the rotational difference between the right and left wheels, produced during cornering.
SHOWA's Approach
These products demand durability, transmission efficiency, and quiet operation. SHOWA's differential gears achieve weight reduction while exhibiting high-performance, from sub-compact cars to SUVs. At SHOWA, we satisfy these requirements by utilizing various approaches from numerous perspectives, including optimization of shapes based on structural analysis and processing method selection. In particular, SHOWA is devoting its energies to research into new gear processing methods that will greatly improve hypoid gear performance and cost. One example is our face hob cutting. Our gears are quieter than face mill gears (used in approximately 80% of Japan's passenger cars), and we've also achieved processing cost reductions.
Types of Components Related to Drivetrain units
Side gear assemblies for motorcycles
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Vehicle models: Shaft-drive motorcycles with horizontally mounted engine Characteristics: This component changes the direction of the output revolution of motorcycles by 90 °, and transmits the power to the final gear assembly through a drive shaft. Adoption of aluminum as the material for the case has led to a reduction in weight. |
Final gear assembly for motorcycles
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Vehicle models: Shaft-drive motorcycles Characteristics: Changes the direction of the power transmitted from a drive shaft, reduces the speed, and conveys it to the rear wheels Changes in the power transmission device from a chain to a final gear assembly to make it maintenance-free. |
Final gear assembly for ATV's
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Vehicle models: Used at the front of ATV's Characteristics: The LSD function of this component has improved the tradability of the vehicle. The evolution of the design has enabled reductions in the number of component parts and the weight. |
