Report on Friction Clutches-Single Plate Clutch

Prepare a Report on Friction Clutches-Single Plate Clutch

 

 

 

 

1.0 Brief introduction

 

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.

 

 

Apart from this in this article, we look at the following points about the Single

Plate Clutch.

 

 

  What is a single plate clutch?

  Construction of a single plate clutch.

  Single Plate Clutch Parts.

  Working off a single plate clutch.

  Applications of the single-plate clutch.

  Advantages and Disadvantages of a single plate clutch.

 

 

Introduction

 

 

In the transmission system, the system by which power develops by the engine

transmits   to   road   wheels   to   propel   the   vehicle.   In   automobiles,   the   power

develops by the engine which use to turn wheels. Therefore, the engine is to

connect to the transmission systems for transmitting power to wheels.

 

 

Also, there should be a system using which the engine could be engaged and

disengaged with the transmission system smoothly and without shock so that

the   vehicle   mechanism   is   not   damaged   and   passengers   do   not   feel

inconvenience. A clutch is employed in automobiles for this purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Clutch is a mechanism used to connect or disconnect the engine from the rest

of the transmission elements. It is located between the engine and gearbox. The

clutch disengages for starting, changing gears, stopping, and idling.

 

 

The function of the Clutch is to permit the engagement or disengagement of

gear when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running without damaging

gear wheels. So, we come back to our point of Single Plate Clutch and let us

start.

 

 

Function and Necessity

 

A Clutch is a mechanism used to connect or disconnect the engine from the rest

of the transmission elements. It is located between the engine and gearbox. The

clutch disengages for starting, changing gears, stopping, and idling.

 

The function of the Clutch is to permit the engagement or disengagement of

gear when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running without damaging

gear wheels. So, we come back to our point of Single Plate Clutch and let us

start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

These two shafts are parallel and concentric with each other; one shaft is fixed

to its housing while the other is splined so that it can move axially. The driving

torque can increase by increasing the effective radius of contact.

 

 

A Good Clutch Requirement

 

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.

 

  The clutch should be able to transmit 1.25 to 1.50 times the maximum

engine torque.

  The clutch material should have good coefficient of function.

  Lot of heat is generated due to the relative motion between the flywheel,

pressure plate and clutch plate during clutch operation. This heat needs to

be   quickly   dissipated,   otherwise   high   temperature   can   damage   clutch

components.

  The clutch should have low moment of inertia, otherwise the clutch will

keep spinning at high speed even during gear changing.

  Vibration   and   Jerk   absorption.   The   clutch   should   be   able   to   take   up

sudden jerks encountered when the clutch plate comes in contact with the

rotating flywheel.

  The clutch should be dynamically balanced or it will lead to vibrations at

high speeds.

  The operation of the clutch pedal should be easy for the operator and not

tiresome, especially for operating for long durations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction of Single Plate Clutch

 

 

A single plate clutch consists of different parts for proper working. They are

arranged in a systematic order.

 

Mainly it consists of a clutch plate with both side friction lining and some other

parts which help in the proper functioning of a clutch like a flywheel, pressure

plate, thrust bearing, hub, springs, and input mechanism for engagement and

disengagement of the clutch.

 

The clutch plate attaches to the hub between the flywheel and the pressure plate,

it moves axially on the driven shaft.

 

In a single plate clutch, the clutch plate should have both side friction lining

because   it   mounts   between   the   pressure   plate   and   flywheel,   friction   is

responsible for the torque transmission.

 

The pressure plate engages with the flywheel and springs. Pressure plate helps

to push the clutch plate with the flywheel.

 

A lever attaches to thrust bearings with some mechanism on the driven shaft

which transmits input and output motion from the clutch pedal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parts of Single Plate Clutch

 

 

A single plate clutch assembly for transmission of power consists of a flywheel,

a clutch plate, pressure plate, clutch covers, release levers, primary or clutch

shaft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Flywheel

 

The flywheel is an integral part of the engine, which also use as a part of the

clutch. It is a driving member and connects to the pressure plate of the clutch

shaft is houses with bearings in a flywheel. The flywheel rotates as the engine

crankshaft rotates.

 

 

 

2. Pilot Bearing

 

The pilot bearing or bushing press into the end of the crankshaft to support the

end of the transmission input shaft. The pilot bearing prevents the transmission

shaft and clutch disc from wobbling up and down when the clutch releases. It

also assists the input shaft centre of the disc on the flywheel.

 

 

3. Clutch plate or Disc plate

 

It is the driven member of the single-plate clutch and line with friction material

on both surfaces. It has a central hub with internal splines to limit the axial

travel along the splined gearbox driving shaft.

 

This helps to provide damping actions against torsional vibrations or variations

of the driving torque between engine and transmission.

 

A clutch disc is a plate between flywheel and friction or pressure plate. It has a

series of facings inverters on each side to enlarge the friction. These clutch

facings are made of asbestos material. They are highly worn and heat resistant.

 

 

 

4. Pressure plate

 

The pressure plate is made of special cast iron. It is the heaviest part of the

clutch assembly. The main function of the pressure plate is to establish even

contact with the driven plate facing through which the pressure springs can

exert a sufficient force to transmit the full torque of the engine.

 

The pressure plate presses the clutch plate on to the flywheel from its machined

surface. Between the pressure plate and clutch cover assembly, pressure springs

are fitted.

 

The pressure will be withdrawn from the flywheel whenever release levers are

depressed by the toggle or release levers are pivoted accordingly.

 

 

 

5. Clutch cover

 

The clutch cover assembly bolts to the flywheel. It consists of a pressure plate,

release   lever   mechanism,   clutch   cover,   and   pressure   springs.   Generally,   the

clutch plate revolves with the flywheel.

 

However, when the clutch has disengaged, the flywheel, as well as the pressure

plates, are free to rotate independently from the driven plate and driving shaft.

 

 

6. Release levers

 

These pivots on pins to the clutch cover, their outer ends locate and positions on

pressure plate legs, and the inner ends are projecting towards the clutch shaft.

 

A careful and accurate adjustment of the release mechanism is one of the most

important factors governing the performance of a clutch assembly.

 

 

 

7. Clutch shaft

 

It is a component of the gearbox. Since it is a splined shaft to the hub of the

clutch plate, which is sliding on it. One end of the clutch shaft attaches to the

crankshaft or flywheel and the other end connects to the gearbox or forms a part

of the gearbox.

 

 

Working of Single Plate Clutch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Clutch the three parts needs. These are the engine flywheel, a friction disc

or a clutch plate and a pressure plate.

 

Some springs give axial force to stay the clutch in the engaged position. When

the engine is running and therefore the flywheel is rotating, the pressure plate

also rotates because the pressure plate attaches to the flywheel. The friction disc

is located between the flywheel and the pressure plate.

 

When the driving force has pushed down the clutch is released. This action

forces the pressure plate to move away from the friction disc against the force of

pressure springs. With this movement of the pressure plate, the friction plate is

released, and therefore the clutch disengaged.

 

When your foot is off the pedal, the springs push the pressure plate against the

clutch disc, which successively presses against the flywheel. This locks up the

engine to the transmission input shaft, causing them to spin at the same speed.

 

The quantity of force the clutch can hold depends on the friction between the

clutch plate and the flywheel, and in this way, much force the spring puts on the

pressure plate.

 

When the clutch presses, the piston pushes on the release fork, which presses

the throw-out bearing against the center of the diaphragm spring. As the middle

of the diaphragm spring pushes in, a series of pins near the outside surface of

the spring causes the spring to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch

plate. This releases the clutch from the spinning engine.

 

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Single Plate Clutch

 

 

 

 

Advantages

 

  The   working   of   engagement   and   disengagement   is   very   smooth   in   a

single plate clutch.

  Power losses are very less.

  As   sufficient   surface   area   is   available   for   heat   dissipation   in   such

clutches, no cooling oil is required. Therefore, single plate clutches are

dry type.

  Single plate clutches have a quick operation and respond fast.

  It makes it easier to change gears than a cone type. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disadvantages

 

  Single plate clutches have high wear and tear rate.

  It has less torque transmitting capacity.

  The springs have to be the more stiff hence greater force requires to

disengage.

  It requires high maintenance.

  The space required to accommodate the clutch is more as compared to the

multi-plate clutch

 

 

 

 

 

Applications of Single Plate Clutch

 

  Single plate clutches are used in Buses, Trucks, and cars, etc. (Ashok

Leyland., Flat – 1100, Truck)

  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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