Shri Shankaracharya Institute of

Professional Management And Technology

UNIT - 02

Clutches
&
Fluid Flywheel
Automobile Manish RK Sahu
Engineering 1
Asst. Professor
Department of Mechanical Engg.
 Introduction
A. Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device
which engages and disengages
power transmission especially from
Accelerator
driving shaft to driven shaft.
Clutch
clutches connect and disconnect
two rotating shafts (drive shafts or
line shafts). Brake
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 Functions of a Clutch
1. Function of transmitting the torque
from the engine to the drive train.
2. Smoothly deliver the power from the
engine to enable smooth vehicle
movement.
3. Perform quietly and to reduce drive-
related vibration.
4. Protect the drive train when given the
inappropriate use.
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 Principle of operation of Clutch
When the clutch pedal is pressed, a cable
or hydraulic piston pushes on the release
fork, which presses the throw-out bearing
against the middle of the diaphragm
spring. With the spring pushed, the clutch
disc is then disconnected from the rotating
flywheel that is attached to the engine.
When the pedal is released, the disc will
engage contact with the flywheel and
transmit the torque from the engine to the
rest of the drive train. 4
Principle of operation of Clutch

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Types of Clutch
• Single Plate
1. Friction Clutch • Multi-Plate
• Cone Clutch

2. Centrifugal
Clutch
3. Semi-
Centrifugal Clutch
4. Diaphragm • Tapered Fingered Type
Clutch • Crown Spring Type

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Types of Clutch
• Dog Clutch
5. Positive Clutch • Spline Clutch

6. Hydraulic Clutch

7. Vacuum Clutch

• Tapered Fingered Type

8. Diaphragm Clutch • Crown Spring Type
9. Electro Magnetic
Clutch

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 1. Friction Clutch
A friction clutch plate is used in vehicles to allow the
transmission input shaft and engine to run at the same
speed when rotating. The friction that is created
between the engine and the transmission is what
provides the force required to move the vehicle.
When the clutch is engaged, the friction plate is
sandwiched between the engine flywheel and a steel
pressure plate that is bolted to the flywheel. If the
pressure between the flywheel and pressure plate is
not sufficient, it will allow the friction plate to slip and
thus the vehicle will not perform correctly
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Types of Friction Clutches

Single Plate Clutch

• it has only one clutch plate.

Multi Plate Clutch

• This types of clutches use multiple clutches to make frictional
contact with a flywheel of the engine .

Cone Clutch
• It consists of friction surfaces in the form of cones.
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 Single Plate Clutch
Single plate clutch is the most common type
of clutch plate used in automobiles. It
consists only one clutch plate which is
mounted on the splines of the clutch plate.
The Flywheel is mounted on the engine
crankshaft and rotates with it.

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Single Plate Clutch

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Advantages
 Single Plate Clutch is not expensive.
 It has little maintenance.
 Gear shifting is easier compare to cone clutch
because pedal movement is less.
 Single Plate Clutch is more reliable because it
doesn't suffer from disadvantages of binding of
cone.
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Disadvantages

 Greater force required to disengage

because the springs have to be more stiff.

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 Applications
 Single plate clutches are used in trucks, buses,
and cars etc.
 Single plate clutches used where large radial
space is available.
 As sufficient surface area is available for the
heat dissipation in Single plate clutches, no
cooling oil is required. Therefore, single plate
clutches are dry type.
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 Multi Plate Clutch
Multi-Plate Clutch consists of a
number of clutch plates instead of
only one clutch plate like in the
Single plate clutch.

Friction surface also increased

because of a number of clutch
plates. Because of a number of
friction surfaces, The capacity of
the clutch to transmit torque is also
increased.

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Multi Plate Clutch

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 Advantages
 Multi-plate clutch transmits high torque because of the
number of friction surfaces.
 The overall diameter of Multi-plate clutch is reduced
compare to the single plate clutch and transmit the same
torque.
 It is used in commercial vehicles and racing cars to
transmit high torque.
 It is used in two wheelers where there is a limitation of
space
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Disadvantages

 Multi-plate clutches are too expensive.

 Multi-plate clutches are heavy.

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Applications
 The multi-plate clutches are used in
racing cars, and motorcycles.
 The multi-plate clutch is used in heavy
commercial vehicles to transmit high
torque

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 Cone Clutch

Cone Clutch having friction surfaces in

the form of a cone.
The engine crankshaft consists of a
female cone. The male cone is mounted
on the splined clutch shaft. Cone clutch
has friction surfaces on the conical
portion. The male cone can easily slide
on the clutch shaft.

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Cone Clutch

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Working
When the clutch is engaged (When the clutch
pedal is not pressed) the friction surfaces of the
male cone are in contact with the female cone
due to the force of the spring. The power is
transmitted from engine to transmission.
When the clutch is disengaged (When the clutch
pedal is pressed) the male cone slides against the
spring force. Now, the power does not transmit
from the engine

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Advantages

The normal force acting on the friction surfaces is

greater than the axial force. Like in Single plate
clutch, the normal force acting on the friction
surfaces is equal to the axial force

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Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of Cone clutch is If

the angle of the cone is made smaller than
200 the male cone tends to bind in the
female cone and it becomes difficult to
disengage the clutch.

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 Applications
 Cone clutch is used in low peripheral speed applications.
 Cone clutch is common in automobiles and other
combustion engine transmissions.
 It is also used in very specialist transmissions in racing,
rallying, or in extreme off-road vehicles.
 Cone clutches are used in power boats.
 Small cone clutches are used in synchronizer
mechanisms in manual transmissions

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 2. Centrifugal Clutch
Centrifugal Clutch uses centrifugal force
instead of spring force. This clutch is
always in engaged position.
And it does not have a clutch pedal to
operate it. Centrifugal clutch is
automatically operated with engine speed.
The vehicle can be stopped in gear without
stalling (stop running) the engine. And also
the gear can be started in any gear by
pressing the accelerator pedal.
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 Working Principle
• A centrifugal clutch works on centrifugal
force. One side of clutch connected to the
engine crankshaft and other side connected
to gearbox shaft, chain, or belt.
• As engine R.P.M. (Revolutions Per Minute)
increases, weighted arms in the clutch
swing outward and force the clutch to
engage position.
• The most common Centrifugal Clutches
have friction pads or shoes radially
mounted that engage the inside of the rim
of the housing
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Advantages
• Centrifugal Clutch has less maintenance.
• It is not expensive.
• It does not need clutch pedal because it’s
automatic.
• It helps to prevent the engine from stalling
(stop running).

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Disadvantages
• Due to slipping and friction, There is a loss of
power.
• It does not transfer a high amount of power
because Centrifugal clutch shoes slip in heavy
load condition.
• It causes overheating problems.
• Its engagement and disengagements depend
upon the speed of the driving shaft
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 Applications
• The centrifugal clutch is mainly used in mopeds and go-
karts.
• It is also used in mini bikes, chainsaw, and lawn mowers
etc.
• It is used in boats and paramotors to keep the engine
running during stalling (stop running) and disengage
loads during starting and idling.

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 3. Semi Centrifugal Clutch
Semi Centrifugal Clutches used in high
powered engines and racing car engines
where clutch disengagements require
appreciable and tiresome drivers effort.
The power transmitted with partly by
clutch springs and remaining by the
centrifugal action of an extra weight
provided in the system.
The clutch springs transmit power at low
engine speed and the centrifugal force
transmit power at higher engine speed
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Advantages

• Clutch operation is very easy.

• Less stiff clutch springs are used as they
operate only at low engine speeds

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Disadvantages
• Springs have transmitted the torque at
lower engine speeds only.
• Centrifugal forces work only at higher
engine speed to transmit torque

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 Applications
• The centrifugal clutch is mainly used in mopeds and go-
karts.
• It is also used in mini bikes, chainsaw, and lawn mowers
etc.
• It is used in boats and paramotors to keep the engine
running during stalling (stop running) and disengage
loads during starting and idling.

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 Positive Clutch
Positive clutch is a mechanical device and type of
clutch used for engage and disengage power
transmission from driving shaft to driven shaft.
Positive clutch is use where positive drive (torque
transmit without slip) is required. In positive clutch
two machine elements are used, one element is
rigidly fixed to driving shaft and other machine
element is free to slide axially on splined driven shaft
and it helps for engage or disengage clutch. Machine
elements of positive drive have jaws which help to
connect shaft (driving shaft and driven shaft). Jaws
may be in square shape, triangular shape or gear
toothed. According to use different type of jaw
machine element is used in clutch 35
 Friction Plate Clutch Lining Material

Clutch friction linings are

subjected to severe
rubbing so that generation
of heat in relatively short
periods takes place.
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 Friction Plate Clutch Lining Material
Therefore, the lining material should have a combination of the
following properties to withstand the operating conditions.
(a) Relatively high coefficient of friction under entire operating
conditions.
(b) Maintenance of friction properties during entire working life.
(c) Relatively high energy absorption for short periods.
(d) Withstanding high pressure plate compressive loads.
(e) Withstanding high impacts of centrifugal force during gear
changing.
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 Friction Plate Clutch Lining Material
(f) Adequate shear strength to transmit engine torque.
(g) High level of endurance in cyclic working without
effecting friction properties.
(h) Good compatibility with cast iron facings over the entire
range of operating tempera­ture.
(i) A high degree of tolerance against interface
contamination without affecting its friction take-up and grip
characteristics.

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Friction Plate Clutch Lining Material

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Calculating the Torque Transmitted by a Clutch
This calculation is about working out how much torque a clutch can transmit before it begins to slip - clutch slip.
The torque transmitted by a clutch depends on the following four factors:
The number of friction couples in contact. 'S'
The spring force of the pressure plate. 'P'
The coefficient of friction between the clutch lining and the flywheel, and the clutch lining and the pressure plate. 'μ'
'μ' is just the Greek letter 'mu'. Rather than have to write down the lengthy phrase 'co-efficient of friction' every time we want to use it,
we just substitute 'μ'.
You are already familiar when we do this with other ratios: π (Greek letter 'pi') is simply the number of times the diameter of any circle
fits into its circumference: = 3.14 (or 22/7).
The mean effective radius of the clutch disc (also called the driven plate). 'R'
The formula used for this calculation is: T=SPμR where:
T is the torque transmitted (measured in SI units, Nm)
S is the number of friction couples in contact. For example, in a single plate dry clutch, there are 2 friction couples: one between the
front of the clutch disc and the flywheel, and one between the back of the clutch disk and the pressure plate.
P Pressure plate clamping force. [Measured in newtons]
μ is the coefficient of friction between the clutch lining and the flywheel and pressure plate.
R is the mean (average) effective radius (M.E.R.) of the clutch disc, measured in metres.

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 Introduction

B. Fluid Flywheel
It is also known as Fluid clutch or fluid coupling which couples the driving
member with the driven member through a media of fluid. It consists of two
members in which one is a driving member and the other one is driven member
as shown in Figure. Among them, the driving member is connected with the
engine flywheel and the driven member is connected with the transmission
shaft. These two members are not made to contact with each other. The driven
member is free to slide on splines provided on the transmission shaft. The two
rotors are filled with a fluid of required viscosity. They also guide the fluid to flow
in the desired direction. 41
Construction

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 Working
When the engine is started, the driving member called the
impeller starts to move inside the housing containing oil.
Pockets of moving driving members are completely filled
with oil. Due to this, the centrifugal force forces the oil
outward radially. The pockets are designed in such a way
that the splashed oil will strike the pockets or vanes of
the driven member. Hence. it is forced to move in the
same direction. When the engine speed increases. the oil
which is coming out from the pocket of the driving
member strikes the pockets of the driven member with
greater force. Thus, it tends the driven member to rotate
at the same speed.
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 Advantages
1. It gives smoother power take-up than the centrifugal
type when the engine IS accelerated.
2. The fluid in the coupling behaves as a cushioning agent
between engine and gearbox in order to absorb shocks
during braking or coasting down on incline.
3. No need of separate pedal or lever to operate.
4. The driving member acts as a flywheel on the
crankshaft. Thus. it is smoothened out the torque
variation.
5. There is no wear on moving parts.

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 Advantages
6. No need of adjustment is required.
7. No maintenance is necessary. except maintaining the
required oil level.
8. It is simple in design.
9. There is no jerk on transmission when the gear
engages. It damps all shocks and strains.
10. No skill is required for operating.
11. Car can be stopped in gear and moved off just by
pressing the accelerator pedal itself

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 Disadvantages
1. There is a drag on the gear box-shaft even the
slip is 100%.
2. It has the gear changing difficult with the
ordinary crash type gearbox. So. the fluid
flywheel is generally used with an epicyclic
gearbox which avoids this difficulty.

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 Assignments

1. Difference between Friction Clutch and Centrifugal Clutch

2. Difference between fluid flywheel and Friction Clutch.

3. Positive Clutch

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