Like all RS models, the RS 5 also applies its power to the road with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. As for the center differential, which regulates power distribution between the front and rear axles, Audi – the leading all-wheel-drive brand – unveils the next generation: a crown-gear differential.

The self-locking crown-gear center differential is compact and lightweight – and attains a high efficiency ratio.

Thanks to its package of plates, the differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. If necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end. The 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

This new differential operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring, which affects all four wheels. If one of the inside wheels becomes imbalanced while the vehicle is at its operational limits, then the system slightly decelerates the wheel to obviate wheel spin. This results in terrific traction on the one hand while generating a yaw moment which aids cornering.

As a perfect complement to the new quattro drivetrain, Audi can optionally position the sport differential at the rear axle. It actively distributes torque between the rear wheels in order to further boost stability and grip at the vehicle’s limits of handling. The electronic management of the RS 5 sport differential was designed to be uncompromisingly dynamic.

http://www.sumobrain.com/patents/wip...006125478.html

Title: DIFFERENTIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH ASSEMBLY OPENINGS Document Type and Number: WIPO Patent Application WO/2006/125478 Kind Code: A1 Abstract: The invention relates to a differential arrangement in the form of a crown gear differential, in particular, for application in a motor vehicle drivetrain. The differential arrangement (2) comprises a one-piece differential case (3), driven to rotate about a rotational axis (A) with no more than two similar openings (8, 9) in an outer section (7) for the assembly of transverse shaft gears (11, 12), mounted to rotate in the differential case (3) about the rotational axis (A) and pinion gears (13), circulating around the rotational axis (A) together with the differential case (3) and in toothed engagement with the transverse shaft gears (11, 12). The openings (8, 9) have a symmetrical mirror embodiment with relation to a longitudinal mid plane and have an axial length (L1), corresponding at least to the diameter of the pinion gears (13) with a maximum circumferential extent (L2), corresponding at least to the diameter of the transverse gear wheels (11, 12) in the radial view.

Inventors: Krude, Werner (Pfarrer-Stauf-Strasse 32, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, 53819, DE)
Leuschen, Ralf (Bahnhofstrasse 32, Oberbettingen, 54578, DE)
Constantin, Bernd (Händelstrasse 12, Düsseldorf, 40593, DE)
Application Number: PCT/EP2006/000978 Publication Date: November 30, 2006 Filing Date: February 04, 2006 Export Citation: Click for automatic bibliography generation

Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE INTERNATIONAL GMBH (Hauptstrasse 130, Lohmar, 53797, DE)
Krude, Werner (Pfarrer-Stauf-Strasse 32, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, 53819, DE)
Leuschen, Ralf (Bahnhofstrasse 32, Oberbettingen, 54578, DE)
Constantin, Bernd (Händelstrasse 12, Düsseldorf, 40593, DE)

http://www.gkndriveline.com/

Electronic Torque Vectoring
http://www.gkndriveline.com/drivelin...vectoring.html

Allows individual torque distribution to each wheel of the driven axles
Vectoring torque capacity up to 1800 NM
Modular concept, adoptable to conventional Final Drive Units
Fully ESP-compatible
Applicable to RWD and AWD