rogdini
Hello all, not many physics-related threads so far 
According to default hdv files, Differential Preload is a preload torque that must be overcome to have wheelspeed difference.
Here's how I understand it: When torque resistance difference between wheels increase from 0 and keeps below DiffPreload, both sides will remain at same speed, so the differential is working like a rigid axle. At this point, I'm assuming this torque difference is transferred from one wheel to other, instead of simply "braking" the lower torque wheel, which would result in an actual loss of input torque.
When torque difference reaches DiffPreload, speed difference occurs and when it's just above 0, my guess is that torque transfer between sides is kept at this DiffPreload, rather than falling to 0. So that, DiffPreload is applied at whole range of speed difference as a constant factor, instead of only at 0 rad/s, (it only takes into account the sign of this difference). Then, the other speed- and input-dependant torques are added to this.
As I'm much better in explaining things using drawings rather than english language, check out these graphs.
View attachment 133
I may be misunderstanding this behaviour, is it B or C? (any D?). B case makes sense for me since DiffPreload is usually a consequence of a friction and, although it may be lower when it's kinetic than when it's static, they should be close anyway.
According to default hdv files, Differential Preload is a preload torque that must be overcome to have wheelspeed difference.
Here's how I understand it: When torque resistance difference between wheels increase from 0 and keeps below DiffPreload, both sides will remain at same speed, so the differential is working like a rigid axle. At this point, I'm assuming this torque difference is transferred from one wheel to other, instead of simply "braking" the lower torque wheel, which would result in an actual loss of input torque.
When torque difference reaches DiffPreload, speed difference occurs and when it's just above 0, my guess is that torque transfer between sides is kept at this DiffPreload, rather than falling to 0. So that, DiffPreload is applied at whole range of speed difference as a constant factor, instead of only at 0 rad/s, (it only takes into account the sign of this difference). Then, the other speed- and input-dependant torques are added to this.
As I'm much better in explaining things using drawings rather than english language, check out these graphs.
View attachment 133
I may be misunderstanding this behaviour, is it B or C? (any D?). B case makes sense for me since DiffPreload is usually a consequence of a friction and, although it may be lower when it's kinetic than when it's static, they should be close anyway.