noun
differential gear; differential
A mechanical device that allows the driving wheels of a vehicle to rotate at different speeds, especially when turning. Used in automotive and engineering contexts.
差動装置は、カーブを曲がるときに左右の車輪の回転差を吸収する。
The differential gear absorbs the difference in rotation between the left and right wheels when turning a corner.
Abbreviation of 差動装置, commonly used in casual automotive talk. 差動装置 is the full technical term.
Compound of 差動 (さどう, 'differential motion') and 装置 (そうち, 'device'). The term is a direct technical translation of the English 'differential gear'.