Lecture: Friction Clutch
Mr. Divesh Bharti
1
Types of friction clutch
1)Disc or Plate clutch (Single disc or multiple disc clutch)
2)Cone clutch
3)Centrifugal clutch
Note: Cone clutch also known as axial friction clutch,
while the centrifugal clutch is called radial friction clutch
2
Principle of Operation of Friction Clutch
The clutch works on the principles of friction.
When two friction surfaces are brought in contact with each other and pressed they
are united due to the friction between them.
The friction between the three surfaces depends upon:-
i) Area of the surfaces.
ii) Applied pressure.
iii) Co-efficient of friction.
The two surfaces can be separated and brought into contact when required.
One surface is considered as driving member and other as driven member.
The driving member is kept rotating.
3
Main Parts of a Friction Clutch
1. Driving member
2. Driven member
3. Operating member
Driving member has a flywheel which is
mounted on the engine crankshaft. A disc is
bolted to flywheel which is known as pressure
plate or driving disc.
The driven member is a disc called clutch
plate. This plate can slide freely to and fro on
the clutch shaft.
The operating member consists of a pedal
or lever which can be pressed to disengage the Main Parts of Friction Clutch
driving and driven plate.
4
Single-Plate Clutch
Single-Plate Clutch:
It has only one clutch plate which is mounted
on the splines of the clutch shaft.
The flywheel is mounted on the engine
crankshaft and rotates with it.
The pressure plate is bolted to the flywheel
through clutch springs. It is free to slide on the
clutch shaft when the clutch pedal is operated.
5
Working of a Single-Plate Clutch
When the clutch is engage:-
The clutch plate is gripped between the flywheel and the pressure plate. Due to the friction
between the flywheel, clutch plate and pressure plate, the clutch plate revolves with the
flywheel. As the clutch plate revolves, the clutch shaft also revolves. Clutch shaft is connected to
the transmission. Thus, the engine power is transmitted to the crankshaft to the clutch shaft.
When the clutch is disengage:-
When the clutch is pressed, the pressure plate moves back against the force of the springs, and
the clutch plate becomes free between the flywheel and the pressure plate. Thus, the flywheel
remains rotating as long as engine is running and the clutch shaft speed reduces slowly and
finally it stops rotating. As soon as the clutch pedal is pressed, the clutch is said to be disengaged.
6
Multi-Plate Clutch
Multi-Plate Clutch:
Multi-plate clutch consists of a number of clutch plate,
instead of only one clutch plate as in the case of single
clutch plate.
The increased number of friction surfaces obviously
increases the capacity of the clutch to transmit torque.
The plates are alternately fitted to the engine shaft and
gear box shaft.
Each of the alternate plate slides in grooves on the
flywheel and the other slides on splines on the
pressure plate. 7
Working of a Multi-Plate Clutch
Clutch plate engaged with the flywheel and torque is
transmitted flywheel from the through friction
facing(clutch plates) to the transmission clutch shaft(clutch
shafts).Hence real wheel of the car also rotates.
When the clutch pedal is pressed the release bearing acts on the pressure plates diaphragms and
move the pressure plates away from the flywheel.
This release bearing the clamping force on the facings plate and separator plate and allows flywheel
to freely without turning the clutch shaft.
Now the clutch plate disengage with the flywheel, and drive is no longer transmitted.
When the pedal is released, the spring tension forces the pressure plates, clutch plates and
separator plates against the flywheel, clamping all components together. 8
Cone Clutch
Cone Clutch:
Cone clutch consists of friction surfaces in form of cone.
The engine shaft consists of a female cone. The male
cone is mounted on the splined clutch shaft. It has
friction surfaces on the conical portion. The male cone
can slide on the clutch shaft.
When the clutch is engaged the friction surfaces of the
male cone are in contact with that of the female cone
due to the force of spring.
When the clutch pedal is pressed, the male cone slides
9
against the spring force and the clutch is disengaged.
Centrifugal Clutch
Centrifugal Clutch:
The centrifugal clutch uses centrifugal force,
instead of spring force for keeping it in engaged
position. Also, it does not require clutch pedal for
operating the clutch.
The clutch is operated automatically depending upon the
engine speed.
The vehicle can be ted in any gear by pressing the accelerator
pedal. stopped in gear without stalling the engine.
The vehicle can be start. 10
End of Lecture
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