Driveline components
Automobiles have engines, transmissions and other parts. The engine supplies the power and the transmission controls the supply of power. To understand the driveline you should also know about the powertrain and the drivetrain.
The powertrain is about all the components that power the vehicle. It includes the engine, transmission and components of the driveline. The drivetrain is about all the components in the powertrain except the engine. It includes the transmission and the components of the driveline.
The driveline is all about drivetrain components except the transmission. It includes only the driveline components like the driveshaft, differential, transfer case, axle shafts, U joint and CV joints.
Details of driveline components
● Driveshaft
It is the first component of the driveline and it is connected to the transmission. It begins the power transfer process to the differential, axle shaft and wheels.
● Differential
It is used to control the power given to the different wheels of the vehicle. It is important for stability and energy efficiency. In a front-wheel drive, a front differential is used, in a rear-wheel drive a rear differential is used and the all-wheel drive uses both the differential.
● Transfer case
For four-wheel drive vehicles, there is an extra component called the transfer case. It is a part of the drivetrain system and controls the torque for all four wheels.
● Axle shafts
The axle shaft is connected to both the sides of the differential out to the wheels. The wheels rotate independently and the torque is managed by the differential.
● U joint
A Universal or U joint provides a flexible pivot point. It allows variable angles in the driveshaft when the torque is being transferred.
● CV joint
A Constant Velocity or CV joint is a part of the driveshaft. These joints work in any direction when the drive wheels turn at a constant velocity.
The above are the different driveline components in a traditional automobile.
Main components in an electric vehicle
Electric vehicles are different from traditional vehicles that use internal combustion engines. They use the electricity from a battery to generate the power required for driving. The main components of an electric vehicle are a motor, battery, onboard charger and electric power control unit.
The motor is used to convert the electric energy into kinetic energy to move the wheels. The noise and vibrations are less when compared to traditional vehicles.
The battery is equivalent to the fuel tank in a traditional vehicle. The battery used should be small and lightweight and it should be able to store the maximum amount of electric energy.
The onboard charger is used to convert the alternating current to the direct current.
The electric power control unit consists of all the devices that control the flow of electric power in the vehicle.
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