How car clutches work ? | Parts and Types of Clutch!
What are Clutches ?
Clutches are mechanical devices for engaging & dis-engaging the engine & transmission system of the vehicle at the will of the operator.
Parts in clutch :-
The clutch assembly consists of many small parts but following are the major parts
1. Flywheel –
The flywheel, mounted on the crankshaft, keeps on running as long as the engine keeps running. The flywheel is equipped with friction surface OR a friction disc is bolted to outer side of flywheel.
2. Friction discs –
Single OR multiple(as per requirement) discs lined with friction material having high coefficient of friction are mounted on the driven shaft.
3. Pressure plate –
Another friction disc is bolted to pressure plate. The pressure plate is mounted on the splined hub.
4. Spring & release levers –
The spring used are diaphragm springs which moves friction disc back & forth. The spring is retracted with the help of levers.
Working of Clutches(friction) :-
The principle behind working of clutches(friction) is that no torque/power gets transmitted until both the friction plates touch each other.
Things to keep in mind before understanding the working –
One friction plate is bolted to flywheel & the other is movable over the crankshaft.
The amount of torque delivery depends on how much the axial load is applied on the friction disc.
The movable disc is splined on crankshaft & is able to move back and forth with help of clutch pedal.
More the axial load, more the power transmission; less the axial load, lesser power transmission. Which also means
if Load=0, power transmitted=0 &
when Load= max spring force, power transmitted= maximum !
Load is applied by the pressure plate since the pressure plate is connected to multiple helical springs OR single diaphragm spring !
When we completely press the clutch pedal, the movable friction disc slides back on the shaft. This is the disengaged condition in which the friction doesn’t touch the flywheel.
Which means that the axial load applied by the pressure plate is 0 & hence power/torque transmission is 0 !
Note that the engine is still running but the vehicle won’t move !
When we completely release the clutch pedal, the movable friction disc slides forward on that shaft. This is engaged condition in which the disc has completely touched the flywheel.
Which means that the axial load applied by the pressure plate is max spring force & hence power transmitted is max !
Why worn out clutches deliver low power ?
The axial load applied by the pressure plate depends upon the deflection of the spring. More the deflection, more the force. When the discs wear out, the spring deflects lesser than the initial deflection. Hence, due to this, the spring is able to apply lower axial force than before which results in poor power transmission ! This directly affects the efficiency of the vehicle & so clutch plates must be changed accordingly !
Types of Clutches :-
Single-plate clutch
Multi-plate clutch
Cone clutch
Centrifugal clutch
Electromagnetic clutch
Hydraulic clutch
Why do we need clutch ?
Lets understand this with the help of an example where a man needs to carry 100 kg of load from point A to point B.
How car clutches work ? | Parts and Types of Clutch!
What are Clutches ?
Clutches are mechanical devices for engaging & dis-engaging the engine & transmission system of the vehicle at the will of the operator.
Parts in clutch :-
The clutch assembly consists of many small parts but following are the major parts
1. Flywheel –
The flywheel, mounted on the crankshaft, keeps on running as long as the engine keeps running. The flywheel is equipped with friction surface OR a friction disc is bolted to outer side of flywheel.
2. Friction discs –
Single OR multiple(as per requirement) discs lined with friction material having high coefficient of friction are mounted on the driven shaft.
3. Pressure plate –
Another friction disc is bolted to pressure plate. The pressure plate is mounted on the splined hub.
4. Spring & release levers –
The spring used are diaphragm springs which moves friction disc back & forth. The spring is retracted with the help of levers.
Working of Clutches(friction) :-
The principle behind working of clutches(friction) is that no torque/power gets transmitted until both the friction plates touch each other.
Things to keep in mind before understanding the working –
One friction plate is bolted to flywheel & the other is movable over the crankshaft.
The amount of torque delivery depends on how much the axial load is applied on the friction disc.
The movable disc is splined on crankshaft & is able to move back and forth with help of clutch pedal.
More the axial load, more the power transmission; less the axial load, lesser power transmission. Which also means
if Load=0, power transmitted=0 &
when Load= max spring force, power transmitted= maximum !
Load is applied by the pressure plate since the pressure plate is connected to multiple helical springs OR single diaphragm spring !
When we completely press the clutch pedal, the movable friction disc slides back on the shaft. This is the disengaged condition in which the friction doesn’t touch the flywheel.
Which means that the axial load applied by the pressure plate is 0 & hence power/torque transmission is 0 !
Note that the engine is still running but the vehicle won’t move !
When we completely release the clutch pedal, the movable friction disc slides forward on that shaft. This is engaged condition in which the disc has completely touched the flywheel.
Which means that the axial load applied by the pressure plate is max spring force & hence power transmitted is max !
Why worn out clutches deliver low power ?
The axial load applied by the pressure plate depends upon the deflection of the spring. More the deflection, more the force. When the discs wear out, the spring deflects lesser than the initial deflection. Hence, due to this, the spring is able to apply lower axial force than before which results in poor power transmission ! This directly affects the efficiency of the vehicle & so clutch plates must be changed accordingly !
Types of Clutches :-
Single-plate clutch
Multi-plate clutch
Cone clutch
Centrifugal clutch
Electromagnetic clutch
Hydraulic clutch
Why do we need clutch ?
Lets understand this with the help of an example where a man needs to carry 100 kg of load from point A to point B.
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