Friction Clutches

A clutch enables two co-axial shafts to be engaged or disengaged while at rest or in relative motion.

Types of Friction Clutches

1. Disc or plate clutches 2. Cone clutches 3. Centrifugal clutches

Flat-plate friction clutches

Friction plate
W Driving shaft T springs

W (axial thrust) T
Driven shaft Friction lining
(Disengaged position)

Pressure plates

Single-plate Friction Clutch

Flat-plate friction clutches

Friction plate
W springs W (axial thrust) T Driven shaft Friction lining
(Engaged position)

Driving shaft
T

Pressure plates

Single-plate Friction Clutch

Flat-plate friction clutches

An example is the clutch found in most automobiles.

Clutch plate or friction plate

Torsional springs

Friction lining

Splined boss (hub)

Pressure plate and housing

Clutch housing

Diaphragm spring

Pressure plate

Multi plate clutches

In a multi plate clutch, the torque is transmitted by friction between several pairs of co-axial annular driving faces maintained in contact by an axial thrust. Both sides of each plate are lined with friction material, so that a single-plate clutch has two pairs of driving faces in contact.

Multi plate clutches

n = no. of pairs of driving faces.
Then, for a plate clutch, the maximum torque transmitted is

T nWrm

Multi plate clutch

Pressure plates

2 3 4 5 6

driver
No. of driving pairs n = 6

driven

Friction plates

Exercise Problems

Problem 15 A car engine has its rated output of 12 kW. The maximum torque developed is 100 N-m. The clutch used is of single plate type having two active surfaces. The axial pressure is not to exceed 85 kN/m2. The external diameter of the friction plate is 1.25 times the internal diameter. Determine the dimensions of the friction plate and the axial force exerted by the springs. Coefficient of friction = 0.3 [Ans. 129.5 mm ; 103.6 mm ; 1433 N]

Problem 16 A single plate clutch (both sides effective) is required to transmit 26.5 kW at 1600 r.p.m. The outer diameter of the plate is limited to 300 mm and intensity of pressure between the plates is not to exceed 68.5 kN/m2. Assuming uniform wear and a coefficient of friction 0.3, show that the inner diameter of the plates is approximately 90 mm.

Problem 17 A multi plate clutch has three pairs of contact surfaces. The outer and inner radii of the contact surfaces are 100 mm and 50 mm respectively. The maximum axial spring force is limited to 1 kN. If the coefficient of friction is 0.35 and assuming uniform wear, find the power transmitted by the clutch at1500 r.p.m.
[Ans. 12.37 kW]

Problems
A multi-plate clutch is to transmit 12kW at 1500rev/min. The inner and outer radii for the plates are to be 50mm and 100mm respectively. The maximum axial spring force is restricted to 1kN. Calculate the necessary number of pairs of surfaces if =0.35 assuming constant wear. What will be the necessary axial force?
(Answer, 3; 970N)

Cone clutch
= semi-apex angle of

the cone Only one pair of driving surfaces is possible, n =1

w
Driving shaft Friction lining The maximum torque transmitted = Driven shaft

T = Wrm cosec

Centrifugal clutch

F=mr2

Driving shaft

Driven shaft

Friction lining

Total friction torque , T = nR(F-P)