What is Clutch - Types of a Clutch - Jaw Type clutch - Disc clutch

Types of a clutch in automobile :

What is clutch?

Clutch is one  types of coupling, which is used for transmitting power one shaft to another shaft. Here the shaft which is input of power is known as driving shaft and shaft at output of power is known as driven shaft. clutch is used when engage and disengage constantly between driven and driving shafts

For example clutch is used in automobile vehicles for engage and disengage power transmissions which is produce from engine. Clutch is operated by manually or automatically by the action of some power driven devices.

Types of clutches:

1. Mechanical clutch 

2. Hydraulic clutch

3. Electromagnetic clutch 

4. Pneumatic clutch

Mechanical clutch is classified into two categories 

Which are..

1. Positive content clutch 

2. Friction clutch

Now we see some information about positive contact clutch and friction clutch:

Positive content clutch :

This type of clutch is not used where gradual engagement and disengagement are required without stopping running of driving shafts because this clutch is engage and disengage shafts without slipping. 

There are two types of clutch in positive contact clutch which are as shown below

1. Jaw type clutch 

Jaw clutch consists of a segmental projection or dots on one of the flange and corresponding recesses on the other flange on the driven shafts as shown in figure 

Driving flange is rigidly keyed to driving shaft and driven flange is also connected to driven shaft by splines so that it can slide on that shaft. Sliding flange is moves with the fix shaft with the help of operating layer. The sliding flange is engaged with the fixed flange to transmit power to driven shaft to driving shaft.

This type of clutches are used in agricultural equipments for transmission of power like thresor, tractor etc.

2. Toothed  clutch :

Toothed clutch is used for transmission of power and motion at high torque. Which is advantage of toothed clutch over other clutches so toothed clutch is batter to any other clutch for transmission of high torque.

Friction clutches

Friction clutch is mostly used in automobile vehicles. 

This type of clutch is used between two machine shafts which are partially or fully output is required also require where shafts are stored and starts of rotating frequently. Friction clutch is used where engage and disengage be gradually without slipping. 

The main advantage of friction clutch is to speed up and down gradually because of friction. So surfaces engage easily and brings the driven upto proper speed.

There are three types of clutches in friction clutch as shown below :
Disc clutch ( single plate clutch and multi plate clutch) :

This type of flange is consists of two flanges as shown in figure out of which on flange is connected rigidly to the driving shafts. And another flange is used fitted to the driven shaft by splines for sliding on the driven shaft. In the normal condition both shafts are engaged by the spring force. When power is not required the driven flange is disengage to the driving flange by the help of operating layer. 

In this type of clutch the amount of torque transmission is depend on the axial pressure by the spring .

Single plate clutches are used in automobiles but when large torque transmissions is required the multi plate clutch is required. Multi plate clutch is consists of a multi disc and more contact surfaces between driving shaft and driven shaft.

Cone clutch :

The cone clutch consists of the cones as shown in figure out of which one internal cone is fixed on driving shaft, another cone is fitted on the driven shaft. Both are free to slide auxiliary. 

Cone clutch is engaged by two conical surfaces bringing in surface. The torque is transmitted by friction between contact surfaces of the cones.

The operating layer is used for disengage of the clutch only. It requires less axial pressure to engage and disengage clutch compared to the other types of clutches.

Centrifugal clutch:

Centrifugal clutch consists of a number of shoes on the inside of a drum or rim of the pulley. The upper surface of the shoes are covered with a friction material in centrifugal clutch. Shoes of clutch can move radially in the guides. The shoes are held on slots of the spider by help of spring . The spider is fitted on the driving shaft .

The springs exert a radially inward force which is constant . Due to mass , when driving shaft revolving the mass of shoes causes a radially outward force ( centrifugal force ) . This outward force increases with speed of shoes revolving with driving shaft . When centrifugal force in equal to spring force ( at low speed ) , the shoe is first floating But when centrifugal force higher than the spring force ( at high speed ) , the shoes moves outward  and comes into contact engage with the driven member and presses against it . The increase of speed causes the shoes to press harder and clutch transmit more power due to speed.

Here all types of clutches are explained if you have any fought let me know on
mechengineering360@gmail.com

Share with your friends...