Automobile Components and

Technology ME 7730

Unit III

Transmission Systems
Clutches

Transmission System
Transmission system is the system by means of
which power developed by the engine is transmitted to
the road wheels to propel the vehicle.

Functions or Purpose of Transmission

Systems
1.

It enable the running engine to be connected or disconnected

from the driving wheel smoothly and without shock

2.

It enables the leverage between the engine and the driving

wheel

3.

It enables the reduction of engine speeds

4.

It enables the turn of the drive round through 90 deg

5.

It enable the driving wheel to be driven at different speeds.

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 thus provides an interruptible
connection between two rotating shafts.

Clutch is a mechanism used to connect or disconnect the

engine from the rest of transmission elements.

Principle of Friction Clutch

The clutch works on the principles of friction

Functions of Clutch

To permit engagement or disengagement of a gear when

the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running.

To transmit the engine power to the rear wheels smoothly

without shock to the transmission system while the
vehicle in motion.

To permit the engaging of the gears when the vehicle is

in motion without damaging the gear wheels.

Characteristics or Requirements of a clutch

1.

Transmission of torque

2.

Gradual engagement

3.

Dissipation of heat

4.

Dynamic balancing - Vibration in transmission system

5.

Vibration damping - Elimination of noise

6.

Size of the clutch (Compact Size)

7.

Free pedal clutch play In order to reduce effective clamping

load on the car thrust bearing as well as wear on it

8.

Ease of operation for driver

Types of Clutch
1.

Friction Clutch
1.

Single plate

2.

Multiple plate Wet and Dry

3.

Cone clutch Internal and External

2.

Centrifugal Clutch

3.

Semi centrifugal Clutch

4.

Coil pressure spring

5.

Conical spring clutch or diaphragm clutch

6.

Positive clutch dog and spline clutch

7.

Hydraulic clutch

8.

Vaccum clutch

9.

Electromagnetic clutch

10.

Over running clutch

1. Single Plate Clutch

Flywheel: The flywheel is prevented as the engine crankshaft rotates

with it. It is also the second driving member

Clutch Plate or disc Plate: Driving Member

A clutch disc is the plate between the
flywheel and the pressure plate
It has a series of facings inverted on
both sides to enlarge the friction
Made up of asbestos material (wear
and heat resistance)
Cushion drive clutch plate it helps to
provide a damping action against the
torsional vibrations or variations of the
driving torque
The clutch plate is also provided with
torsion springs, the purpose being to
cushion the clutch engagement.

Pressure plate:

Made up of special cast iron

Heaviest part of the clutch assembly

To establish even contact with the driven plate

The pressure plate presses the clutch plate on to

the flywheel

Between the pressure plate and clutch cover

assembly, pressure springs are fitted.

Clutch cover assembly:

It is bolted to the flywheel

It consists of the pressure

plate, release lever
mechanism clutch cover

and pressure springs

Release mechanism
Primary or clutch shaft

Working

Due to friction between the flywheel, clutch plate and pressure

plate surfaces, the clutch plate revolves with the flywheel. As
the clutch plate revolves, the clutch shaft will also revolve.
Clutch shaft is connected to the gear box.

..Working

Clutch release or declutching: When the clutch pedal is pressed, the

pressure plate moves out against the pressure springs. The gap between
pressure plate and flywheel increases. Now, the clutch plate is free to rotate.

Clutch engaging: When the clutch pedal is released, the pressure spring
forces the pressure plate towards the flywheel. The clutch plate is gripped
between the flywheel and pressure plate. At this position, the power is
transmitted to the gear box.

Multi Plate Clutch

Multi plate Clutch

Used in heavy vehicles with racing cars and motorcycles for transmitting
high torque.

The multi-plate clutch of small size transmits approximately the same

torque as a single plate clutch of twice of that diameter.

When the clutch is operated in a batch of oil, it is called a wet clutch.

It consists of number of clutch plates.

As the number of clutch plates is increased, the friction surfaces will be

also increased. Obviously increases the capacity of the clutch to
transmit more torque for the same size.

The total number of clutch plates is divided into two sets. One set of plate
slides in grooves on the flywheel and the other one slides on splines on
the pressure plate hub. These plates are firmly pressed by a strong coil
spring and assembled in a drum.

Advantage of Multi Plate Clutch

Increased torque transmission capacity

The diameter is reduced, which reduces the size of the

clutch assembly.

Highly reliable

Suitable for heavy vehicles.

Cone Clutch

Advantage
Normal force acting on the
contact surface is larger
than the axial force which
reduces the effort required
to operate the clutch
Disadvantage
If the angle of cone is
smaller than 20, the male
cone tends to blind or joint
in the female cone. It
requires heavy force to
disengage the clutch.

Centrifugal Clutch
Used in light two
wheelers like
mopeds or two
wheelers without
gear and lawn
movers

This clutch is controlled by the engine speed through an accelerator.

When the engine speed falls down, the clutch will automatically
disengage, the speed will arise above the predetermined value, and the
clutch is engaged.
Greater is the centrifugal force due to higher engine speed, more will be
powerful contact between the driving and driven members to obtain
engagement

Hydraulic Operated Clutch

Need for Hydraulic: It would be

difficult to run rods or cable from
the foot pedal to the clutch.
In heavy duty mechanically
operated clutches with high
clutch spring pressure, the force
required by the driver to release
the clutch becomes excessive.
Components: It consists of
master cylinder, slave cylinder,
oil reservoir

Working: When the clutch pedal is pressed, the fluid under pressure from the
master cylinder reaches the slave cylinder.
The slave cylinder is mounted on the clutch itself.
The fluid actuates slave cylinder push rod which further operates the clutch
release fork to disengage the clutch.

Key points in Hydraulic Operated clutch

Designed to multiply the drivers efforts so that a light force applied to the
foot pedal produces a much greater force on the clutch fork

In master cylinder Long distance less force required

In slave cylinder Short distance greater force obtained

No mechanical linkage

Only hydraulic lines are required. (Flexible turning)

It is used in heavy duty operations.

Electromagnetic Clutch
Components: It consists of a
engine flywheel provided with
electric winding.
A driven plate lined with friction
materials. It is free to move on
splines of the gearbox shaft.

Working: When the winding gets energized, the pressure plate is attached by it.
This results in engaging the clutch.
When the current supplied to the winding is cut off, the clutch disengaged.
Current from the vehicles dynamo increases with increase in speed. So, the clutch
engaging force will also increase with the engine speed to provide a progressive
clutch engagement.

Fluid Flywheel

It is also known as fluid clutch or

fluid coupling which couples the
driving member with driven member
through a media of fluid.
Driving member is connected to
the engine flywheel.
Driven member is connected with
the transmission shaft. It is freely to
slide on splines provided on the
transmission shaft
The two rotors are filled with fluid
of required viscosity.
Radial ribs are provided to form a
number of passages for energy
transmission and to guide the flow
in desired direction.

Fluid Flywheel
Working Principle:
When the engine is started, the driving member
called impeller starts to move inside the housing
containing oil. Due to this, the centrifugal force forces the
oil outward radially which strikes the vanes of the driven
member. Thus it tends the driven member to rotate at the
same speed in same direction

Advantage of Fluid Flywheel

1.

It gives a smoother power take up than the centrifugal type, when

the engine is accelerated

2.

The fluid in the coupling behaves as a cushioning agent between

the engine and the gear box in order to absorb shocks during
braking.

3.

No need of separate pedal or lever is required to operate.

4.

The driving member acts as a flywheel on the crankshaft.

5.

There is no wear on moving parts

6.

There is no jerk on transmission when the gear engages