# 4-output differential mechanism

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-output-differential-mechanism/678022>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 6, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-output-differential-mechanism/678022 "2014-01-06T14:15:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Qwertol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-output-differential-mechanism/678022/1 "2014-01-06T14:15:42Z")

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How do you build a differential mechanism with four outputs? Do you have to connect three differentials together or is there a simpler design?

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**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-output-differential-mechanism/678022/2 "2014-01-07T00:53:46Z")

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> [@Qwertol](#):
>
> How do you build a differential mechanism with four outputs? Do you have to connect three differentials together or is there a simpler design?

Surely it can be done using hydraulics with one box, but anyway that would be four mechanisms in one, so its better or worse depending on your point of view of that sort of thing.

Honda’s system is two mechanical differentials, but its not purely mechanical (there’s hydraulics involved too.)  
The front has three outputs, left front, right front and rear.

See

> **[Honda all wheel drive explained](https://www.awdwiki.com/en/honda/)**
>
> \[Automatic all wheel drive|auto\]. Honda's Real Time Four Wheel Drive System. Normally front wheel dr

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**Author:** ![Feliks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/feliks/32/7312_2.png) [@Feliks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feliks)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-output-differential-mechanism/678022/3 "2014-01-08T01:20:17Z")

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I designed this project differential normal, but virtually backlash free and does not need to have oil to lubricate the voucher has teeth. Also its low noise is much better …

[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/precise.jpg) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/precise.jpg)  
[http://www.new4stroke.com/differ.wmv](http://www.new4stroke.com/differ.wmv)  
[http://www.new4stroke.com/differ%20stop.wmv](http://www.new4stroke.com/differ%20stop.wmv)  
[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/differstop.gif) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/differstop.gif)

[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/angle.jpg) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/angle.jpg)  
[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/differential.jpg) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/differential.jpg)  
[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/differential1.jpg) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/differential1.jpg)  
[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/differential2.jpg) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/differential2.jpg)  
[![](http://www.new4stroke.com/differstop.gif) ](http://www.new4stroke.com/differstop.gif)

Andrew:D