One crafty solution to this issue is the electronic locking differential (eLSD) from ZF. Unlike purely mechanical differential locking, the eLSD adapts to any actual driving situation via its smart electronics. "Our eLSD reacts to more than just certain input torques or differences in wheel speeds. Rather, it takes a lot of sensor data on driving dynamics into consideration, together with our IBC brake system, in order to provide active, pre-emptive and subtle, nuanced control", explains Sebastian Dendorfer, an application engineer for axle drives at ZF. An important component here is the electromechanical actuator that works on the multidisk package. This makes it possible to continuously and smoothly vary the differential locking torque on the driven axle within a range of 0 to 3000 Nm. If a wheel loses grip, the eLSD transfers the force to another wheel that still has grip with ultimate precision. This is not only noticeable within limit ranges such as those imposed by driving in the country, but also during acceleration or during split mu driving. Split mu driving is driving on a surface that has different coefficients of friction, such as a road that has been partly iced over. "For day-to-day driving, the eLSD can also be used to provide added safety, to prevent fishtailing and to keep the vehicle driving in a stable straight line, for example", states Dendorfer.
When starting up on a track with different friction coefficients, the eLSD ensures optimum power transmission to the wheels.
