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
springs
plate
W W (axial thrust)
Driving T
shaft
T Driven
shaft
Friction
Pressure lining
plates
Single-plate Friction Clutch (Disengaged position)
Flat-plate friction clutches
Friction plate springs
W W (axial
Driving thrust)
T
shaft
T Driven
shaft
Pressure Friction
plates lining
Single-plate Friction Clutch (Engaged position)
Flat-plate friction clutches

An example is the clutch found in most

automobiles.
Clutch plate or friction plate
Torsional Friction
springs 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  nWrm
Multi plate clutch
Pressure plates

1 2 3 4 5 6

driver driven

No. of driving
pairs n = 6 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
α = semi-apex angle of
the cone
α
Only one pair of driving
surfaces is possible, n =1
w
Driving Driven
shaft shaft
Friction
lining
The maximum torque transmitted = T = μWrm cosecα
 Centrifugal clutch F=mrω2

P
Driven
ω shaft

Driving ω
shaft
Friction lining

Total friction torque , T = nµR(F-P)