CLUTCH AND ITS TYPE

Introduction:-
Clutch is a mechanical device which is used to transmit power from driving shaft to the driven shaft or we can say that clutch is defined
as the device which is used in automobiles to transmit power from one rotating shaft to another shaft. In cars it transmits power from the flywheel connected to the engine shaft to the clutch shaft, and from clutch shaft it is transmitted to the rear wheels through gear shaft, propeller shaft and differential.

Mainly clutches are divided into 2 parts:

1. Friction clutches and
2. Fluid flywheel

Friction clutches:

These clutches works on the principle of friction exist in between two rotating shaft when they come in contact with each other.

Fluid flywheel:

Fluid flywheel clutches works on transfer of energy from one rotor to the other by means of some fluid.

Types of friction clutches:

1. Cone clutch
2. Single plate clutch
3. Multi-plate cutch
4. Semi-centrifugal clutch
5. Centrifugal clutch

1.) Cone clutch:

It is a friction type of clutch. As the name, this type of clutch consist a cone mounted on the driven member and the shape of the sides of the flywheel is also shaped as the conical. The surfaces of contact are lined with the friction lining. The cone can be engage and disengage form flywheel by the clutch pedal.

Cone Clutch

2.) Single plate clutch:

In the single plate clutch a flywheel is fixed to the engine shaft and a pressure plate is attached to the gear box shaft. This pressure plate is free to move on the spindle of the shaft. A friction plate is situated between the flywheel and pressure plate. Some springs are inserted into compressed position between these plates. When the clutch pedal releases then the pressure plate exerts a force on the friction plate due to spring action. So clutch is in engage position. When the driver pushes the clutch pedal it due to mechanism it serves as the disengagement of clutch.

Single plate clutch

3.) Multi-plate clutch:

Multi-plate clutch is same as the single plate clutch but there is two or more clutch plates are inserted between the flywheel and pressure plate. This clutch is compact then single plate clutch for same transmission of torque.

Mutliplate Clutch

4.) Centrifugal clutch:

As the name in the centrifugal clutch, centrifugal force is used to engage the clutch. This type of clutch does not require any clutch pedal for operating the clutch. The clutch is operated automatically depending upon engine speed. It consist a weight pivoted on the fix member of clutch. When the engine speed increase the weight fly of due to the centrifugal force, operating the bell crank lever, which press the pressure plate. This makes the clutch engage.

Centrifugal Clutch

5.)Semi-centrifugal clutch:

One big problem occur in centrifugal clutch is that they work sufficient enough at higher speeds but at lower speed they don’t do their work sufficiently. So the need of another type of clutch occurs, which can work at higher speed as well as at lower speed. This type of clutch is known as semi-centrifugal clutch. This type of clutch uses centrifugal force as well as spring force for keeping it in engaged position. The springs are designed to transmit the torque at normal speed, while the centrifugal force assists in torque transmission at higher speeds.