WHAT IS A CLUTCH?
Clutch is a mechanical device used in the transmission system of a vehicle. It engages and disengages the transmission system from the engine. It is fixed between the engine and the transmission.
The power produced inside the engine cylinder is ultimately aimed to turn the wheels so that the vehicle can move on the road. The reciprocating motion of the Piston rotates a crankshaft by rotating the flywheel through the connecting rod.
How Clutch Works in a Vehicle
Clutch is a mechanical device used in the transmission system of a vehicle. It engages and disengages the transmission system from the engine. It is fixed between the engine and the transmission.
- When the clutch is engaged, the power is transmitted from the engine to the driving wheels through the transmission system and the vehicle starts moving.
- When the clutch is disengaged,the power is not transmitted to the rear or driving wheels and the vehicle stops while the engine is still running.
- The clutch is disengagedwhen starting the engine, when stopping the vehicle, when shifting the gears and when idling the engine.
- The clutch is engagedwhen the vehicle is to move and is kept engaged when the vehicle is moving. Clutch also allows the continuous taking up of the load.
When properly operated, it prevents jerky motion of the vehicle and thus avoids putting undue strain on the remaining parts of the power transmission system.
Functions :
Primary drive – A gear assembly in which power from the engine crankshaft goes out through a smaller gear, Which drives a larger gear in the basket.
Clutch Basket – A basket which contains
The entire assembly, having teeth on its outer surface which are connected to and driven by the primary drive.
Clutch Hub – It is between the basket and the pressure plate, ad is rotates by the main shaft through its centre.
Clutch Plate – There are two types of clutch plates, the drive/friction plate and the driven/steel plate. The drive plate is the interface between the clutch basket and the pressure plate. The driven plate is the interface between the pressure plate and the clutch hub. When they rotate together, power is transferred from the engine to the transmission.
Pressure Plate – Moving part of the clutch assembly that disengages the clutch temporarily disabling power from the engine to the transmission.
Clutch Springs – Short coil that hold the clutch plates through springs tension. The disengaged the pressure plate from the clutch plates.
Clutch Lever – Lever located at the left handlebar of the bike that gives input to the clutch plates.
Cable – Connects the level to the clutch assembly.
Types of clutch
There are two types of clutches – wet and dry
- Wet clutch are used in almost all bikes they are bathed in engine oil, to cool the clutch components, but this causes a fluid drag that saps the engine power.
2.Dry clutches are noisier and have a shorter life due to the absence of oil, but aren’t affected by fluid drag.
Working Principle of Clutch
The clutch works on the principles of friction, when two friction surfaces are bought in contact with each other and pressed they are united due to the friction between them. If one is revolved, the other will also revolve.
The friction between the two surfaces depends upon the area of the surfaces, the pressure applied upon them and coefficient of friction of the surface materials, The two surfaces can be separated and brought into contact when required.
One surface is considered as a driving member and the other as a driven number. The driving member is kept rotating when the driven member is brought in contact with the driving member, it also starts rotating. When the driven member is separated from the driving member it stops revolving. This is how a clutch operates.
Parts of a clutch
The following are the major parts of a clutch but there are a lot of small parts that are still featured in it
- Flywheel: this clutch part is mounted on the crankshaft, it keeps running as long as the engine is working. A friction disc is mounted on the outer side of the flywheel.
- Friction disc: the friction disc could be single or multiple discs depending on its application. It is made an of material with a high coefficient of friction. The friction disc is mounted on a drive shaft.
- Pressure plate: the pressure plate features another friction disc on it. this pressure plate is mounted on the splined hub.
- Spring and release levers: the function of the springs is to move the friction disc back and forth. Clutches use diaphragm spring and levers help to retract the spring.