Differential
Gear
A specialized differential gear was introduced. The
ring gear, which has 28 teeth, can act as either a spur gear or a crown
gear due to the tooth profile (like the crown gear). This part is
made to be used in conjunction with 3 of the new 14 tooth bevel
gears. One bevel gear goes on each side attached to an axle, and
a third acts as a planet gear and rides on a pin in the cage. The
assembly acts like a real differential in every way: wheels can turn at
different speeds or together, wheels turn opposite directions if the
ring gear is fixed, and one wheel drives at double speed if the other
is held.
The new 14 tooth bevel gears were the first gears LEGO®
made which were purpose-designed to work on perpendicular axes.
The gear is only 1/2 stud thick and the teeth do not have any back iron
(webbing between the teeth), so it is a bit weak, but future iterations
would correct this.
Shock
Absorber
The shock absorber was an important step. Finally, models could
have real suspension. This part was eventually used for other
purposes, including holding mechanisms over center.
The shock absorber consists of a telescoping mechanism inset with a
helical compression spring. The spring is quite stiff compared
with the weight of parts it typically supports. The shock bottoms
before the spring reaches solid height.
Pulley
The new pulley is smaller than the previous, and has a nice round
groove for driving belts or rubber bands. It is also only 1/2
stud thick, so it fits in smaller spaces.
Plate
The new 3x2 plate with a centered hole on one end can be used to
support axles or pins, and is a way to align studded construction with
Technic beam holes, which are located halfway between the studs.
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