HOW DOES CLUTCHES WORKS

Clutches
Principle:
Automotive clutches depends on friction for their operation, whether it is to be solid friction
as in the conventional clutches, or fluid friction and inertia as utilized in the fluid coupling
and torque converter. The fluid serves the same purpose as the conventional clutch, but the
difference in the principles of operation makes it necessary to discuss the tow mechanisms
separately. Therefore, the first part of this discussion will be concerned with conventional
clutches.

Purpose:
A clutch in an automotive vehicle provides a means of connecting and disconnecting the
engine from the power transmission system. Because the internal combustion engine does
not develop a high starting torque, it must be disconnecting from the power train and
allowed to operate with out load until it develops enough torque to overcome the inertia of
the vehicle when starting from rest. The application of the engine power to the load must be
gradual to provide smooth engagement and to lesson the shock on the driving parts. After
engagement, the clutch must transmit all the engine power to the transmission without
slipping. Further, it is desirable to disconnect the engine from the power train during the
time the gears in the transmission are being the shifted from one gear ratio to another.

Operation
The transmission of power through the clutch accomplished by bringing one or more
rotating drive members secured to the crankshaft into gradual contact with one or more
driven members secured to the unit driven. These members secured to the unit being driven.
These members are either stationary or rotating spring pressure controlled by the driver
through the clutch pedal and suitable linkage. As spring pressure increases the friction
increases; therefore, when the pressure is light, the comparatively small amount of friction
between the members permits a great deal of slippage. As the spring pressure increases, less
slippage occurs until, when the full spring pressure is applied, the speed of the driving and