Clutch Notes
Clutch Notes
1.22
It is installed between
Clutch
the engine and gearbox
plate
Diaphragm
spring
of an automobile. It is
while
disengaged Flywheel
wheel -Stcel cove
starting the engine, shift -Fork
the gears, idling the
engine or stopping the Clutch
Pressure pedal
vehicle. It is kept
plate Release
when we
engaged only'
want the vehicle in
bearing
condition. Figure 1.13 Clutch
moving
Typically a clutch
consists of a clutch fork. thrust bearing, diaphragm. cover, pressure plate, clutch plate, and
The entire
assembly is bolted to
the flywheel and
rotates with it all the
times. The fywheel
and the pressure plate
grip the driven
member between Diaphragm
them under the action
of the pressure
springs. The driven
member consists of a
disc or plate which is
free to slide
lengthwise on the
splines of the clutch
shaft, which drives the Cover
shaft through these Pressure Clutch Flywhecl
Clutch Thrust
splines. The clutch fork plate plate
bear1ng
disc carries friction
material on both Figure 1.14 Clutch Components
bearing surface.
FRAME BODY
AND IRANSMISSION SrsTEM
1.23
The operating mechanism consists of the foot
pedal, the
the rcleasc linkage, the release or throw
othearing,
lever and the
springs necessary to ensure
clutch.
proper operation of the
1.11.1 Functions of Clutch
(a) It permits engagement or
disengagements of a gear when the vehicle is
and the engine is running. stationary
(h) It transmits the engine power to the transmission system without jerk/shock while
setting the road wheels in motion.
(c) It permits engag1ng of gears when the vehicle is in motion without damaging the gear
wheels
(f) It should consume minimum physical effort at the time of engagement and
disengagement
(g) It should be designed so, that it can absorb the shocks of engaging and disengaging
at different speeds.
(h) It should have minimum inertia and should be made as light as possible so that it will
not contnue to rotate after it is
disengaged
(i) It should be noiseless when engaged
a c t with cach other and pressed they are united due to friction between them. If onc
revolved, the other will also revolve. The friction berveen the two surfaces depends
upon:
(a) The area of surtace.
(b) Pressure
applied upon them
friction of the surface materials.
(c) Coefficient of
Flywheel
Clutch plate (B)
(driven member)
Flywheel (A)
(driving member) Clutch pedal
relcased
Engine
Clutch pedal
released
Clutch plate
Rear wheel
(a)
Engine ap JF
Clutch pedal Diaphragm
F spring
Rear pressed
wheel Clutch plate
b)
Figure 1.15 Principle of friction clutch (a) Clutch engaged, (b) Clutch disengaged
One surtace
The two surfaces canseparated and brought into contact when required.
be
is considered as driving member (A) and the other is considered as
driven member (B),
contact witn
the driving member is kept rotating. When the driven member is brought in
not revolve.
the driving member, it also starts rotating. And when it is separated, it does
Diaphragm
transnit torque from spring fulcrum
1.29
Flywhcel
Clutch pedal
Fulcnum
Pressure Pin
plat
Spigot end
Beanrng
Clutch Spring Clutch
shaft
Plate
Fnction limng
Separator piate
Pressure plates
(silver colour)
Clutch plates
brown colour)
8 9
8 9
19
17 16 15 13 12
4 10
List of parts of the clutch
housing
1.Bearing 6 Spring retaner 11.Clutch adjusting screw 16 Clutch drum
2. SpacerT 7. Clutch spring 12. Roller 17.Clutch housingB
3. SpacerT 8 Washer 13 Pressure plate 8 Cluch peg
4. Sceger Ing 9. Screw TC 14. Driven plae 19 Ball (2)
5. Bearing 10. Hexagon 5. Driving plate 20 Clutch operating rod
Figure 1.21 Multiplate Wet Clutch Assembly
FRAME AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
Fnction hning
Sprung
Clutch pedal
Clutch
shaft
T = F22 2sina
where, d, and d, are inner and outer diameter of cone, a is the semi-cone angle
Advantages:
force as
Normal force acting on the friction surface is greater than the axial
compared to single plate clutch.
Less axial force is required to cngage the clutch.
Disadvantages:
it
If the cone angle is made smaller than 20°, then the clutch tends to bind and
becomes difficult to disengage the clutch.
CoAME BODY AND IRANSMISSION SYsTEM
1.33
A small amount or wear On the cone surtaccs
nOVement, for which it will be difficult to results in considerable amount of axial
allow.
The two shafts on which cone clutch
are mounted should be
strictly coaxial.
1.11.9 Semi-Centrifugal Clutch
w
vehicles, at high speed the clutch
the
force pressure plate, at the same timespring pressure is not considerable
more stiff enough to
engaging procesS will become tiring for the driver. spring can not be used as the
Lh makes use of centrifugal force to assist Thus this type of clutch is used
the spring force at
high speed.
Friction
ining Pressure
plate
Pressure
plate
B
Engine
shaft
Lever
Cover
Clutch Clutch
plate shaft
Lever
Clutch
- Fly whecl spring
Figure 1.24
Semi-centrifugal Clutch Figure 1.25 Semi-centrifugal Clutch lever
Fig
igure 1.24 shows a
semi-centrifugal clutch. It consists of three hinged and weighted
lever: arranged at
cqual intervals. Enlarged view of lever is shown in figure 1.25.
Pressure plate clamping load
(% of maximum spring thrust)
Eombined-thrust
AME BoDY AND IRANSMISSION SYsTEM
1.35
G H
P
D
B
F A (ly weight)
L
Engine Clutch
shaft
shaft
Figure 1.27 Centrifugal Clutch
This makes the clutch
engaged. The force exerted by spring G
keps the -lutch
discngaged at low speed. The stop H limits the amount of
centrifugal torce. by limiting
the outward movement
of AA.
Disengaged Slip Fully engaged
phase phase phase
Clamping
thrust range
Take up
thrust
0 range
500 1000 500 2000 2500 3000
Engine spced, rpm
Figure 1.28 Centrifugal clutch characteristics
AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING
1.36
the spring pressure acts. while at high enginc spccds .the
engine specds only
At low
the sprng pressure. Thus smooth
the weight supplements and
force generated b
obtained under are ing conditions of load and SDcod
var
acceptable gear changes
Advantages:
control mechanism because it is automatic. which
This Npe of clutch require no
vehicle casier.
makes starting and drving the
last indefinitely as long as they are properly maintained
Centrifugal clutches will
less expensive than altemative clutches. It
is also easy to
Simple design and
nstall
when the output shaft is slowed or stopped abrunth
Prevents the engine from stalling
force.
therefore decreases the engine braking
Disadvantages:
slipping between driver and driven parts which causes loss of
It involves friction and
power
ngd
AND TRANSMISSION SYsTEM
FRAME
Bo, 1.37
Windings
-Pressure plate
-Friction linings
Splines
number of clutches
Disadvantages:
High initial cost.
s important to select the right tvpe o f magnet with correct magnetic tlux density
to
transfer the required torque.
1.38 AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING
Clutch operating temperature is limited byv the tempCrature rating of the insuati.
tion of
the magnetic coil
The vacuum clutch is operated by the vacuum existing in the engine manifold sha
figure 1.30. It is the mechanism of a vacuum chutch. It consists of a vacuum cvlinder
piston, solenoid. reservoir and a non retum value. The solenoid switch is located at
gear knob lever which is operateod with the help of a battery. the switch is operated w the
the driver holds the lever to change gears.
when
In normal operation. the switch in the gear lever remains off, the solenoid operated
value remains in its bottom position. In this position the atmospheric pressure acts on botn
SIdes of the vacuum cylinder, because the vacuum cylinder is open, so also atmosphere
through a vent. When the driver holds the lever to change the gear, the switch is closcd
energizing the solenoid which pulls the valve up. This connects one side of vacuum
cylinder to the reservoir. Due to the difference of pressure on the vacuum cylinderpiston
It moves. '1his movement of the is transmitted by a linkage to the clutch, causing
piston
it todisengage. When the driver is not operating the gear lever, the switch is opcn a
the clutch remains
engaged due to force of springs
Advantages:
No blecding is required.
Low initial as well as maintenance cost.
AND
IRANSMISSION SYSTEM
BoDY 1.39
FRAM
1.11.13 Hydraulic Clutches
Accumulator
=
Oil
reservoir
Pump
Piston
Slave rod
Fork
Control
valve
Cylinder Clutch
Pivot shaft
ball
Flywheel
Clutch
Release
plate
beanng
Diaphgram
sping
cOnnccted to the cylinder through the control valhe The control valve is electrically
controlled by switch in the gear lever
a
When the driver holds the gear lever to change the gears., the switeh is operated to
open the control
valve adnmitting the oil under pressure to the cylinder. Duc to u c ou
r e , the piston moves causing the clutch to be discngaged The force of the moving
ctuates the piston in the skave eslinder and forees the slave rod outwards against
Cutch fork. When the slave rod extends, pressure is applied to one end of the elutch
lork
Causes the fork to rotate on the pivot ball and forces the release bearing along
forvard and pushes the center
SSiOn unput shat. The release bearing moves
AuTOMOBILE ENGINEERING
1.40
towards the tlywheel causing the
outer cdge to move
fywheel
Advantages:
vbration and wear ot the linkages are climinated
Complicated clutch linkages.
volume than other type of clutches
Deliver a higher torque per unit
Smooth engagement
sustained overloading
TaANSASIos Srs
Bo0YAND
FaAME 143
es centrifugal force acts on he od betoon fe
vans of de mplir d to whc
s ol is thrown into the furbne As a rosull of di e tub f o d o mo F
133 shos, he simplifiod diagras ofa d f T e angpo
from the crankshalft to the tran i shaf Thotic sp
t r a n s m i t t o d
100
80
sp
60
40
onib s l g y
20
Casng
Radial
peller vanes
(pump Turbine (rotor)
Figure 1.32 Flid Coupling
Devg Diven
membe
pcler) rotar)
Impeller Rotor
Input
Transmission shaft
shaft
Output
Bearin shaft
Radial
vanes
Advantages:
Smooth transmission of power
from engine to gears.
No wear on moving parts
Elimination of clutch pedal.
Damping of torsional
vibrations of the crankshaft.
During braking or coming down a hill the transmission shocks are absorbed by th
fluid.
No maintenance necessary except oil level.
C a r can stop in gear and move off also by pressing pedal only
Disadvantages: It is generally used with epicyclic gearbox only. It can not be used wit
ordinary crash type gear box the to difficulty while changing gears.
Review Questions
Q.1 Explain the term automobile. What are its major components?
What is transmission system? Why it is necessary in a vehicle?
Explain briefly the various types of chassis with the
help of suitable diagrams.
Give classification on frame and various loads acting on it.
Write short notes on frames.
Q.6 Describe the principle of clutch? Discuss various
Q.7 requirements of clutch.
Wth the help of a neat sketch, explain the construction and working of a single plate u
clutch.
Q.8 Where and why do we use
multiplate clutches? Explain the working of multiplate u
clutch.
Q.9
Differentiate betwcen:
) Single and multiplate clutch
Q.10 What are the (ii) Dry and wet clutch.
main components of friction clutch?
Q.11
SCioe the principle of electromagnetic clutch. State
Q.12 Write short notes its advantages and
alsauv
tages
on
) Semi-centrifugal clutch
Q.13 i) Centrifugal clutch.
Explain with the help of neat
coupling. sketches, the construction and of a flu
Q.14 operating pncip
What is chassis? Give classificatign
Q.15 Whot nf chargi
AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING
1.44
Advantages:
from engine to gears.
Smooth transmission of power
No wear on moving parts.
Elimination of clutch pedal.
vibrations of the crankshaft
Damping of torsional
hill the transmission shocks are absorbed bv the
During braking or coming down the
a
fluid
No maintenance necessary except oil level
Car can stop in gear and move off also by pressing pedal only.
Disadvantages: It is used with epicyclic gearbox only. It can not be used with
generally
ordinary crash type gear box the to difficulty while changing gears.
Review Questions