Working Of Clutch

Working Of Clutch


It is is defined as a system that is used to connect or disconnect the engine from the rest of the transmission elements. It is located between the engine and gearbox. During normal running and stationary position, it is always in the engaged condition.

It is disengages when the driver processes the clutch pedal. The clutch disengages for starting, changing gears, stopping, and idling. When the clutch engages, the engine will connect to the transmission, and power flows from the engine to rear wheels through a transmission system When the clutch disengages by pressing the clutch pedal, the engine will disengage from the transmission. Thus, the power does not flow to rear wheels while the engine is still running.

Types Of Clutch

1. Single Plate Clutch.

A single plate clutch has one clutch plate. This clutch works on the principle of friction. It is the most common type of clutch used in motor vehicles. The clutch primarily consists of two members, one mounted on the driving shaft and the other on the driven shaft.

2. Multi Plate Clucth.

The multi plate clutch uses multiple clutch plates to make contact with the engine flywheel to transfer power between the engine shaft and the transmission shaft. A multi-plate clutch used in automobiles and machinery where high torque output is required.

3.Cone Clutch.

The cone clutch is a type of friction clutch that has cone-shaped frictional areas. These types of clutches are commonly used in synchromesh and epicyclic gearboxes.

Cone clutches were the first to be used in automobiles and they continued to be popular, because of this simplicity, throughout the 1920s, when they gave way to single plate clutches, due to the poor working characteristics of the former.

4. Centrifugal Clutch .

A centrifugal clutch is a type of clutch that uses centrifugal force to connect two concentric shafts, with the driving shaft nested inside the driven shaft.

In the fully centrifugal type of clutches, the springs are eliminated altogether and only the centrifugal force is used to apply the required pressure for keeping the clutch in the engaged position.

Necessity of Clutch

It is a device that is necessary to transmit power from the engine to the wheels of the vehicle by engaging the engine to the transmission system gradually without giving the jerks to the body of the vehicle.

Principle Of Clutch

It works on the principle of friction. In Figure, the driving shaft A with flange C is rotating at ‘N’ rpm, and shaft B with the flange D is keyed to the driven shaft which is in a stationary position when the clutch is not engaged. Now, an external force is applied to the flange D so that it comes in contact with flange C.

As soon as the contact is made, they are united due to friction between them and the flange D starts rotating with flange C. The rotational speed of flange D depends on the friction between surfaces C and D which in turn is proportional to the external force applied.

If the force gradually increases, the speed force transmitted will also increase gradually. The torque transmitted by the friction clutch depends on the pressure applied on the flange, coefficient of friction of the surface materials, and radius of the flange. By increasing any of them, the force transmitted can increases.

Function Of Clutch

1.To allow the engagement or disengagement of gear when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running.

2.To transmit the engine power to rear wheels smoothly without shocks to the transmission system when the vehicle is in motion.

3.To permit the engaging of the gears when the vehicle is in motion without damaging gear wheels.

Application Of Clutch

1.Automobile Use – Heavy vehicles, four-wheelers such as cars, trucks, buses, Two-wheelers, mopeds, scooters, bikes.

2.Industrial Use – Metal stamping, Pressworking, Packing machines, Indexing tables, Assembling machines, Printing machines, Conveyor belts, Pumps, Gear drives.

Requirements Of Clutch

1.It should be able to engage gradually and positively without the occurrence of sudden jerks.

2.It should be capable of transmitting maximum torque to the engine.

3.The design of the clutch is such that it should ensure the dissipation of heat sufficiently which is generated during operation.

4.It should dynamically balance to the vibration in the transmission system. It is a very important requirement in modern cars which operate at high speed.

5.The size of the clutch should be as small as possible so that it will occupy minimum space.

6.The suitable mechanism should incorporate within the clutch for damping of vibration and elimination of noise produces during the transmission.

7. To reduce effective clamping load on the car thrust bearing as well as wear on it, a provision should be made for clutch-free pedal play.

8. It must have the non-tiresome operation of disengagement for the driver for higher power transmission.


FAQ

What Is Clutch?

The Clutch is the most important part of the engine in an automobile. A clutch uses to transfer rotating motion or torque from one shaft to another shaft when requires. The torque developed by the engine at the initial speed is very low. Therefore it is impossible to start the engine under load.

How many types of clutch?

1. Single Plate Clutch

2. Multi-Plate Clutch

3. Cone Clutch

4. Centrifugal clutch

5. Semi-centrifugal clutch

6. Hydraulic clutch

7. Conical spring clutch or Diaphragm clutch

8. Positive clutch or Dog and Spline Clutch

9. Vacuum clutch

10. Electromagnetic clutch

Where is the clutch located?

The Clutch is located between the engine and gear box.

Dual clutch transmission advantages?

1. The dual clutch transmission (DCT) Provides smooth acceleration by preventing changes in torque or gear shifts.

2. It increases the efficiency and Fuel economy compared to another automatic shifting.

3. It can handle the high torque demands of high-performance cars.

4. Switches gears much faster than others.

5. In DCT, Drivers can tell computers when to take action with the help of paddles or gearshift even with automatic engagement and disengagement of the clutch.

What is a slipper clutch?

The Slipper Clutch is a special clutch with an integrated freewheel mechanism, developed for performance-oriented motorcycles so that the effects of engine braking are reduced when riders slow down.
In simple words, When you are riding a motorcycle at high speed and suddenly there is a sharp corner or something in front of you, then you have to slow down by applying brakes and shifting gears. But if you have less time and you want to shift 2-3 gears at a time, the gearbox is likely to be damaged and your safety is endangered by the braking force of the engine. To reduce this problem a slipper clutch (also called back torque limiter clutch) was introduced. The slipper clutch helps by allowing the clutch to slide partially until the engine speed adjusts to your own speed.