Cone Clutch

 A cone clutch serves the same purpose as a disk or

plate clutch. However, instead of mating two spinning
disks, the cone clutch uses two conical surfaces to
transmit torque by friction.

 The cone clutch transfers a higher torque than plate or

disk clutches of the same size due to the wedging
action and increased surface area. Cone clutches are
generally now only used in low peripheral speed
applications although they were once common in
automobiles and other combustion engine
transmissions.
1. female cone and male cone
2. Shaft: male cone is sliding on splines
3. Friction material: usually on female cone, here on
male cone
4. Spring: brings the male cone back after using the
clutch control
5. Clutch control: separating both cones by pressing
6. Rotating direction: both direction of the axis are
possible
 They are usually now confined to very specialist
transmissions in racing, rallying, or in extreme off-
road vehicles, although they are common in power
boats. This is because the clutch does not have to be
pushed in all the way and the gears will be changed
quicker. Small cone clutches are used in synchronizer
mechanisms in manual transmissions.
working
 The engine shaft consists of a female cone and the
male cone is mounted on the splined clutch shaft. It
has friction surfaces on the conical portion of the
clutch. The male cone can slide on the clutch shaft and
When the clutch is engaged the friction surfaces of the
male cone are in contact with that of the female cone
due to the force of spring. When the clutch pedal is
pressed, the male cone slides against the spring force
and the clutch is disengaged
Advantages
 The normal force acting on the friction (contact) surfaces
is greater than the axial force as compared to single plate
clutch in which the normal force acting on the friction
surfaces is equal.
 It is used in race cars and power boats and extreme off
road vehicles.
Disadvantages
 If the angle of cone is made smaller than 20 degree, the
male cone tends to bind in the female cone and it becomes
difficult to disengage the clutch after its removed.
 a small amount of wear on the cone surfaces results in a
considerable amount of the axial movement of the male
cone for which it will be difficult to allow.
Centrifugal Clutch
 The input of the clutch is connected to the
engine crankshaft while the output may drive a shaft,
chain, or belt. As engine revolutions per minute
increase, weighted arms in the clutch swing outward
and force the clutch to engage. The most common
types have friction pads or shoes radially mounted that
engage the inside of the rim of a housing.
 On the centre shaft there are an assorted number of
extension springs, which connect to a clutch shoe.
When the central shaft spins fast enough, the springs
extend causing the clutch shoes to engage the friction
face.
 It can be compared to a drum brake in reverse. This
type can be found on most home built karts, lawn and
garden equipment, fuel-powered model cars and low
power chainsaws. Another type used in racing karts
has friction and clutch disks stacked together like a
motorcycle clutch. The weighted arms force these
disks together and engage the clutch.
 When the engine reaches a certain speed, the clutch
activates, working somewhat like a continuously
variable transmission.
 Centrifugal clutches are often used
In mopeds, underbones, lawnmowers, go-
karts, chainsaws, mini bikes, and some paramotors to
keep the internal combustion engine from stalling when
the output shaft is slowed or stopped abruptly
 disengage loads when starting and idling.