Automobile Engineering
ME 308
Sixth Semester
B. Tech. Mechanical Engineering
Automotive Clutch
Definition:
Clutch is a mechanism that enables a rotary motion of one shaft to be transmitted, when desired to a second
shaft, the axis of which is coincident with that of the first.
Requirements of clutch in automobile:
• Torque transmission: The torque produced by the power generation unit to be transmitted to the components
responsible for automobile movement.
• Gradual engagement: The clutch should positively take the drive gradually without the occurrence of sudden
shocks or jerks.
• Heat dissipation: The heat generated during the engagement of the clutch should be removed to improve
performance.
• Dynamic balancing: The clutch should be having the ability of dynamic balancing during the engagement at high
speed
• Vibration damping: Clutch is responsible for absorbing the vibration of the connecting and output shaft for linear
power transmission
• Inertial: Clutch is responsible for maintaining the state of inertia of the moving parts connected to it.
Types of Clutches used in automobile
The following are the main type of clutches:
• Friction clutch
• Fluid flywheel (Hydraulic clutch)
Friction clutch: The friction clutch work on the fact that friction is caused when two rotating objects come in
contact with each other. There are mainly two types of friction clutches found in automobile. Dry friction clutch
and wet friction clutch. However, wet type clutch coefficient of friction is lower than dry clutch.
Fluid flywheel: This system works on the transfer of energy from one rotor to other by means of some fluid.
Working principle of friction clutch
C D C D
Engine Transmission
W
A B A B
N N N
Disengaged position Engaged position
Working principle of friction clutch
W = gradual applied axial load
μ = coefficient of friction between the clutch plates
T = torque transmitted
R = effective mean radius of friction surfaces
T=μWR
The factors influencing the torque transmission using clutch
• Coefficient of friction (μ): The material friction coefficient to the friction surfaces used in the clutch. Some
commonly used material have the following friction coefficient.
Material Coefficient of friction (static)**
Leather 0.27
Cork 0.37
Cotton fabric 0.4-0.50
Asbestos base material 0.35 - 0.40
SW3-AF (non asbestos) 0.28 - 0.36
HWK 200 (non asbestos) 0.39 - 0.40
** Dynamic coefficient of friction are lower than static coefficient of friction guided by pressure, temperature, relative velocity etc.
Working principle of friction clutch
The factors influencing the torque transmission using clutch
• Axial load (W): This external load has to be applied in order to keep the plates in the engaged condition. This
has to be applied gradually in order to void sudden loads or jerks either on the engine side or in the
transmission side. Depending of the type of material used for the friction surfaces the limit of axial load changes.
The factors influencing the torque transmission using clutch
• Effective mean radius of contact surfaces (R): This factor is critical in order to achieve desired transmission
of torque. This gives us the idea regarding the efficiency of transmission. The size of the friction surfaces is
limited by the design of the vehicle due to space available inside the transmission system.
Single plate friction clutch
Driving members Driven members Operating members
Design of single plate friction clutch
Derivation of axial load and torque
ro Axial load on the elemental ring
dr r 𝛿𝑊 =𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 × 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
ri 𝛿𝑊 =𝑝 ×2 𝜋 𝑟𝑑𝑟
Total axial load on the clutch is
𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜
𝑊 =∫ 𝑝 ×2 𝜋 𝑟𝑑𝑟 =2 𝜋 ∫ 𝑝𝑟𝑑𝑟
𝑟𝑖 𝑟𝑖
Torque transmitted by the clutch is
𝑟𝑜
𝑇 =2 𝜋𝜇∫ 𝑝𝑟 𝑑𝑟
2
𝑟𝑖
Design of single plate friction clutch
Case I: Uniform pressure intensity
p = constant
||
𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜 2 𝑟𝑜
𝑟
ro 𝑊 =2 𝜋 ∫ 𝑝𝑟𝑑𝑟 =2 𝜋 𝑝 ∫ 𝑟𝑑𝑟 =2 𝜋 𝑝
𝑟𝑖 𝑟𝑖 2 𝑟𝑖
𝑊 = 𝜋 𝑝 (𝑟 𝑜 − 𝑟 𝑖 )
2 2
dr r
𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜
ri
𝑇 =2 𝜋𝜇∫ 𝑝𝑟 𝑑𝑟 =2 𝜋𝜇 𝑝 ∫ 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
2 2
𝑟𝑖 𝑟𝑖
2
𝑇 = 𝜋𝜇 𝑝 ( 𝑟 𝑜 3 −𝑟 𝑖3 )
3
𝑇 =𝜇 WR
Case II: Uniform rate of wear 3
2 𝑟 𝑜 −𝑟 𝑖
3
𝑅=
3 𝑟 𝑜2 −𝑟 𝑖2
pr = constant
𝑊 =2 𝜋 𝑝𝑟 ( 𝑟 𝑜 −𝑟 𝑖 )
𝑇 =𝜇 WR
Design of single plate cone clutch Case I: Uniform pressure intensity
𝑇 =𝜇 WR
3 3
2 𝑟 𝑜 −𝑟 𝑖
𝑅=
3 sin 𝜃 𝑟 𝑜2 −𝑟 𝑖 2
Case II: Uniform rate of wear
𝑇 =𝜇 WR
Multi plate clutch Case I: Uniform pressure intensity
[ ]
3 3
2 𝑟𝑜 −𝑟 𝑖
𝑇 =( 𝑛 − 1 ) × 𝜇 𝑊
3 𝑟 𝑜 2 − 𝑟 𝑖2
Case II: Uniform rate of wear
𝑟 𝑜+ 𝑟 𝑖
𝑇 =( 𝑛 − 1 ) × 𝜇 𝑊
2
Centrifugal and diaphragm clutch
Centrifugal clutch Diaphragm clutch
Hydraulic Operation Mechanical Operation
Clutch actuating mechanism
Vacuum Operation Electromagnetic Operation
12.1. An automobile engine developing a maximum torque of 200 Nm has a single plate dry friction clutch. The
outside diameter is 1.2 times the inner diameter, the maximum allowable pressure intensity for the clutch is 90
kPa and coefficient of friction is 0.3. Assuming the clutch is in use for some good amount of time, determine the
dimensions of the clutch and axial force of springs.
12.2. An automobile is fitted with single plate friction clutch and its engine develops 35 kW of power while turning
at 4000 rev/min. The inside diameter of the clutch is 0.6 times the outer diameter. The clutch must not slip with
25% loss of engine torque due to wear of the clutch facing. Allowing a pressure intensity of 80 kPa and
assuming coefficient of friction as 0.32 for the clutch facing, determine the size, mean effective radius and
frictional area of the clutch plate.
12.3. A cone clutch having total included angle of 30° transmits 15 kW of power while turning at 1250 rev/min. The
width of its face is 1/4th of its mean diameter. The normal pressure between the contact face is not to exceed 90
kPa and the coefficient of friction is 0.32. Compute the dimensions of the clutch and also estimate the axial load on
the clutch facing. Assuming the case of uniform rate of wear.