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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

springs
W

Driving
shaft
T

Pressure
plates

Single-plate Friction Clutch

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

Flat-plate friction clutches


Friction plate
W
Driving
shaft
T
Pressure
plates

Single-plate Friction Clutch

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

Flat-plate friction clutches


An example is the clutch found in most
automobiles.

Clutch plate or friction plate


Torsional
springs

Splined boss
(hub)

Friction
lining

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

driven

driver
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
= semi-apex angle of
the cone

Only one pair of driving


surfaces is possible, n =1

w
Driven
shaft

Driving
shaft
Friction
lining

The maximum torque transmitted =

T = Wrm cosec

F=mr2

Centrifugal clutch

Driving
shaft

Friction lining

Total friction torque ,

Driven
shaft

T = nR(F-P)

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