RJIT

BSF ACADEMY TEKANPUR

UNIT- 2
Topic – Introduction of clutch
(AU- 503A)

PROF. BEENA MISHRA

DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING
RJIT
 Introduction Of Clutch
• The Clutch is the most important part of the engine in an automobile.
• Clutch is used in all types of vehicles like motorcycle, bus, truck and any
machine where engine or motor is needed. To rotate the second shaft, the
working of the clutch is different according to its type, but all the clutch
works are the same.
• Clutch is a mechanical device that connects and disconnects the power
transmission between the driving shaft and the driven shaft.
• Here the driving shaft is the one which is getting the power from the
engine i.e. the use engine is rotating and the driven shaft is the one on
which the vehicle moves forward and between these two comes the
clutch which connects and disconnects these two shafts.
• Clutch is a main part of automobile and it plays a main role in automobile.
• Clutch is a connecting link that connects power plant and transmission,
meaning it acts as a connecting link in an automobile system.
 Introduction Of Clutch
• The clutch connects and disconnects one rotating mechanical component
from another rotating mechanical component.
• The clutch transmits torque from the engine to the transmission.
• There are many parts of the engine with the clutch plate which are
connected and all these parts help in the working and functioning of the
clutch such as – flywheel, pressure plate, bearing, hub, springs, pedal work
The pedal shaft has to engage and disengage.
• A clutch uses to transfer rotating motion or torque from one shaft to
another shaft when requires. The torque developed by the engine at the
initial speed is very low. Therefore it is impossible to start the engine
under load.
• A Clutch uses to transfer rotating motion or torque from one shaft to
another shaft when requires. The torque developed by the engine at the
initial speed is very low. Therefore it is impossible to start the engine
under load It requires that the transmission system should provide a
means of connecting and disconnecting the engine from the rest of the
transmission system. Such an operation must be smooth and without
shock to the passengers of the vehicle.
• Hence a device that use to engage and disengage the engine from the
transmission system is called a clutch. The clutch permits the gradual
taking of load when adequately operated, thereby it prevents jerky motion
of the vehicle, and this avoids undue strain on the parts of the vehicle as
well as passengers.

• In the transmission system, the system by which power developed by the

engine is transmitted to road wheels to propel the vehicle. In automobiles,
the power is developed by the engine which is used to turn wheels.
Therefore, the engine is to be connected to the transmission systems for
transferring 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.
 PARTS OF CLUTCH
• The parts of clutch consists of the following parts. We will
discuss it in detail.
• 1.Pressure Plate – The pressure plate is usually made of cast iron which
helps in applying pressure on the clutch plate. So that proper contact can
be made between flywheel and clutch plate, with the help of spring.
2. springs – Springs are used to maintain pressure on the pressure plate and
also prevent slipping of contact surfaces.
•
3.Flywheel :-The flywheel is attached to the engine output and the outer part
of it comes into contact with the clutch plate when pressure is applied
from the pressure plate.
The fly Wheel 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 center 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 fits. The pressure will be withdrawn from
the flywheel whenever release levers depress by the
toggle or release levers pivots 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.
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 CLUTCH
• A Clutch is defined as a system that is used to connect or disconnect
the engine from the rest of the transmission elements. It is located
between the engine and gearbox. During normal running and
stationary position, it is always in the engaged condition.

• The clutch disengages when the driver processes the clutch pedal.
The clutch disengages for starting, changing gears, stopping, and
idling. When the clutch engages, the engine will connect to the
transmission, and power flows from the engine to rear wheels
through a transmission system When the clutch disengages by
pressing the clutch pedal, the engine will disengage from the
transmission. Thus, the power does not flow to rear wheels while
the engine is still running.
NECESSITY OF CLUTCH INAUTOMOBILE

• The clutch is a device that is necessary to

transmit power from the engine to the wheels
of the vehicle by engaging the engine to the
transmission system gradually without giving
the jerks to the body of the vehicle.
PRINCIPLES OF CLUTCH
• The clutch works on the principle of friction. In Figure, the driving shaft A
with flange C is rotating at ‘N’ rpm, and shaft B with the flange D is keyed
to the driven shaft which is in a stationary position when the clutch is not
engaged. Now, an external force is applied to the flange D so that it comes
in contact with flange C.

• As soon as the contact is made, they are united due to friction between
them and the flange D starts rotating with flange C. The rotational speed
of flange D depends on the friction between surfaces C and D which in
turn is proportional to the external force applied.

• If the force gradually increases, the speed force transmitted will also
increase gradually. The torque transmitted by the friction clutch depends
on the pressure applied on the flange, coefficient of friction of the surface
materials, and radius of the flange. By increasing any of them, the force
transmitted can increases.
 FUNCTIONS OF CLUTCH
• To allow the engagement or disengagement of gear
when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is
running.
• To transmit the engine power to rear wheels
smoothly without shocks to the transmission system
when the vehicle is in motion.
• To permit the engaging of the gears when the vehicle
is in motion without damaging gear wheels.
 REQUIREMENTS OF A CLUTCH
A clutch must have the following requirements.
1. The clutch should be able to engage gradually and positively without the
occurrence of sudden jerks.
2. It should be capable of transmitting maximum torque to the engine.
3. The design of the clutch is such that it should ensure the dissipation of heat
sufficiently which is generated during operation.
4. The clutch should dynamically balance to the vibration in the transmission
system. It is a very important requirement in modern cars which operate at
high speed.
5. The size of the clutch should be as small as possible so that it will occupy
minimum space.
6. The suitable mechanism should incorporate within the clutch for damping
of vibration and elimination of noise produces during the transmission.
7. To reduce effective clamping load on the car thrust bearing as well as wear
on it, a provision should be made for clutch-free pedal play.
8. The clutch must have the non-tiresome operation of disengagement for the
driver for higher power transmission.
TYPES OF CLUTCHES
• The clutches used in motor vehicles are almost similar in construction and
operation. There are individual differences in the details of their linkages
as well as in the pressure plate assemblies.
 Friction Clutch –
1. Single Plate Clutch
2. Multi-Plate Clutch – Wet Clutch & Dry Clutch
3. Cone Clutch
 Centrifugal clutch
 Semi-centrifugal clutch
 Hydraulic clutch
 Conical spring clutch or Diaphragm clutch
 Positive clutch or Dog and Spline Clutch
 Vacuum clutch
 Electromagnetic clutch
APPLICATIONS OF CLUTCH
• Clutches have various applications according to
their types. The clutch not only uses for
automobile purposes but also for industrial
purposes.
1. Automobile Use – Heavy vehicles, four-wheelers
such as cars, trucks, buses, Two-wheelers,
mopeds, scooters, bikes.
2. Industrial Use – Metal stamping, Press working,
Packing machines, Indexing tables, Assembling
machines, Printing machines, Conveyor belts,
Pumps, Gear drives.