Design of Centrifugal clutch

Introduction :

Centrifugal clutches are mechanical devices designed to transfer the rotational power from an
engine to a transmission in a vehicle in order to facilitate gear changes. The engine’s rotation
generates centrifugal force, which is used to engage and disengage the clutch. A clutch is a
machine member used to connect the driving shaft to a driven shaft, so that the driven shaft
may be started or stopped at will, without stopping the driving shaft. A clutch
provides an interruptible connection between two shafts. The centrifugal clutch is
usually used into motor pulley. It consists of number of shoe on the inside of a rim
of pulley. The outer surface of pulley is covered with friction material. These shoes
which can move radialy in guides are held against the boss on the driving shaft by means
of springs. The spring exert a radialy inward force which assumed to be constant. The
weight shoes when revolving cause it to exert a radialy outward force (centrifugal
force).The magnitude of centrifugal force depeded on speed at which shoes is revolving. A
little consideration show that when centrifugal force is less than the spring force, the shoes
remain same position as when driving shaft was stationary, but when centrifugal force is
equal to spring force, spring is floating.

A centrifugal clutch is a critical component in various machinery that enables automatic

engagement and disengagement of power transmission between an engine and a driven load.
It operates on the principle of centrifugal force, making it a valuable asset in situations where
manual clutch operation is impractical.

Principles of Centrifugal Clutch :

The fundamental principle of a centrifugal clutch is the utilization of centrifugal force. When
the engine or driving source rotates, a set of weights or shoes inside the clutch assembly is
connected to the input shaft. As the engine speed increases, these weights are pushed outward
due to centrifugal force. When a certain rotational speed is reached, the centrifugal force
overcomes opposing forces, engaging the clutch and allowing power transmission. When the
engine speed decreases, the clutch disengages, interrupting the power transfer.
Need of Centrifugal Clutch :

Centrifugal clutches are fundamental devices in the world of machinery, providing automatic
power transmission control based on the principles of centrifugal force. Their versatility and
ability to enhance safety and ease of operation make them a crucial component in various
applications. Understanding their working principles and the advantages and disadvantages
associated with them is vital for their effective use in different industries and machinery.

Applications :

Centrifugal clutches find applications in various industries and machinery, including:

 Small Engine Vehicles: Go-karts, mopeds, and mini-bikes often use centrifugal
clutches for automatic engagement at specific engine speeds.
 Power Tools: Chainsaws, lawnmowers, and similar devices incorporate centrifugal
clutches for safety and ease of use.
 Industrial Machinery: Conveyor systems, pumps, and other industrial equipment
employ centrifugal clutches for power transmission control.

Working Operation :

The operation of a centrifugal clutch can be summarized as follows:

 Disengaged State: At lower engine speeds, the clutch shoes (or other engagement
elements) are held in a retracted position by springs. This prevents contact between
the clutch shoes and the inner housing, keeping the clutch disengaged.
 Increasing Engine Speed: As the engine speed increases, centrifugal force acts on
the clutch shoes, pushing them outward. This motion overcomes the force of the
springs. When a specific rotational speed is reached, the clutch engages by making
contact with the inner surface of the clutch housing.
 Engaged State: Once engaged, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the driven
load, and the clutch remains engaged as long as the engine speed remains above the
engagement threshold.
 Disengagement: When the engine speed decreases, the centrifugal force decreases,
and the springs push the shoes back into a retracted position, disengaging the clutch
and interrupting power transmission.
Advantages of Centrifugal Clutch :

 Safety: They reduce the risk of stalling in applications like go-karts and chainsaws.
 Automatic Operation: No manual clutch control is needed, simplifying operation.
 Simplicity: Centrifugal clutches have fewer components, leading to lower
maintenance and cost.

Disadvantages of Centrifugal Clutch :

 Limited Engagement Range: They are typically designed for a specific RPM range
and may not be suitable for applications requiring a wide range of engagement speeds.
 Wear and Tear: The friction materials in the clutch shoes can wear out over time and
require replacement.
 Reduced Control: In some applications, manual control of the clutch is necessary for
precise power transmission.

Parts of Centrifugal Clutch :

The clutch has the following parts like, shoes, springs, spiders, friction lining, drum etc.

1) Clutch shoes : The clutch shoes slide in the guides, they act as a friction absorbers or
consumers. The shoes are placed between the guides and the shoes slides between the
guides. The shoes are provided with friction lining which is responsible for making
contact at the time of engagement with the drum. The shoes can move radially
outwards and are held in position with the help of springs. When the clutch shoes
make contact with the drum the wear and tear of shoes are stopped by the friction
linings.
 2) Spring : The spring is attached to the shoes. As we have seen already the spring hold
the shoe in position initially and shoes can move radially outwards. Shoes are
connected or attached to the guide with the help of springs. The springs engage the
shoe with the drum when the centrifugal force is high and disengages with the drum
when the centrifugal force is less. Spring acts as an actuating element for the shoes.
3) Spider or guides : As the name suggests the guides are the one in which the shoe
slides. It holds the shoe and the guide is controlled by the springs. They are mounted
on the motor shaft or on the engine shaft known as the driver shaft. If we consider
there are three guides then each guide will be separated by 90 degrees from the
previous guide. The shoes slide between these guides and absorb the friction. Guides
consist of springs and shoes.
4) Friction lining : We have seen it in the shoes section. The friction lining is provided
on the clutch shoes. The friction lining with the curved shape help the shoe for
connecting to inner part of drum. Also, due to friction lining the shoes gets the grip on
the inner side of the drums. The friction linings are important to avoid wear and tear
of the shoes. They connect the shoe and the drum thus avoiding the direct between the
shoe and the inner side of the drum.

5) Drum : All the above components are situated inside the drum. The drum is like
housing for all of its components. The drum kind of acts like a protection to the parts
like shoes, springs, guides, and friction linings. Drum connects the whole assembly to
the driven shaft or transmission system. The torque coming from the shoes is
transmitted through the drum. Now we know all the components used in the
centrifugal clutch system. Now let’s understand the working of the centrifugal
clutches.

Types of Centrifugal Clutch :

There are several types of centrifugal clutches, including:

 Shoe-Type Centrifugal Clutch: In this type, shoes connected to the input shaft move
radially outward due to centrifugal force and make contact with the inner surface of
the clutch housing.
 Drum-Type Centrifugal Clutch: Instead of shoes, this type uses a drum and a set of
rollers that move outward under centrifugal force to engage the clutch.
 Pulley-Type Centrifugal Clutch: Commonly used in variator transmissions, this
type features conical pulleys that change their effective diameters to control power
transmission.