Single Plate Clutch – Constructon, Parts, Working, Advantages and Disadvantages.
A clutch is a mechanical device which is used to transmit rotating motion or torque from one shaft to another shaft when required.
Clutch provides a temporary connection between input and output shaft. Clutch is situated between the engine and the gearbox.
Using the clutch, we can engage and disengage power transmission from one shaft to another.
When we press the clutch pedal, the output shaft is disengaged from the power transmission. We generally press clutch pedal when we need to change gears. After changing gears, we release the clutch pedal and the power transmission is again engaged with output shaft.
Single Plate Clutch :-
SIngle plate is a type of frictional clutch. In this type of clutch, power is transmitted by means of friction between the contact surface usually called clutch plates.
Clutch plates has both side friction lining (frictional surface). These surfaces have high co-efficient of friction.
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Construction:
Different parts of single plate clutch are arranged in sytematical order for its proper working. The most important part of single plate clutch is clutch
plate which consists of a clutch plate with both side friction lining .
There are some other parts also which helps in proper functioning of clutch like flywheel, pressure plate, thrust bearing, hub, springs and mechanism for engaging and disengaging of clutch.
The clutch plate move axially in the driven shaft and is attached with the hub between the flywheel and pressure plate.
It is must in a single plate clutch for the clutch plate to have both side friction lining because it is mounted between the flywheel and pressure plate.
In the single plate clutch, friction is responsible for the torque transmission. The pressure plate is attached with the flywheel and springs.
The main function of pressure plate is to help clutch plate to move towards the flywheel.
A lever is attached to thrust bearings with some mechanism on driven shaft which transmits input and output motion from clutch pedal.
Parts of Single Plate Clutch and their functions:
1 Clutch Plate:
Clutch Plate is the main component of clutches. There is only one clutch plate present in single plate clutch.
It is a thin disc type metallic plate having both side frictional surfaces. These frictional surfaces are called frictional lining. These frictional lining should be made of such materials that it provide torque transmission without slipping. The co-efficient of friction of the materials should be high.
Clutch plate is assembled between the flywheel and pressure plate.
2. Pressure Plate:
The main function of the pressure plate is to maintain proper contact between the surfaces of the flywheel and clutch plate by means of springs that are attached to it. The pressure plate is generally made of cast iron.
3 Springs:
Springs are used to move the clutch plate towards the flywheel and establish a proper connection between the clutch plate and flywheel. It also prevents the slipping of contact surfaces.
4 Flywheel:
Flywheel is connected to the engine output. When the clutch is in engaged position, the flywheel comes in contact with the clutch plate and torque is transmitted by friction.
Working:
It is the most common type of clutches used in motor vehicles.
Single Plate clutch consists of only one clutch plate, mounted on splines of clutch shaft.
The flywheel is mounted on engine crankshaft and rotates with it.
The pressure plate is bolted on the flywheel with the help of clutch springs and is free to slide when the clutch pedal is pressed.
When the clutch pedal is not presses then the clutch is said to be engaged and at that time the clutch plate is gripped between the flywheel and the pressure plate.
There are friction lining on both sides of clutch plate. So when the clutch is engaged there is friction between the flywheel, clutch plate and pressure plate. So as the clutch plate revolves, the clutch shaft also revolves.
Clutch shaft is connected to the transmission. Thus the engine power is transmitted to the crankshaft to the clutch shaft.
When the clutch pedal is pressed, the pressure plate moves back against the force of the springs and the clutch plate becomes free between the flywheel and pressure plates. Hence, the flywheel remains rotating as long as the engine is running and the speed of the clutch shaft reduces slowly and finally it stops rotating.
Advantages:
1 Single plate clutch is smooth in operation i.e enagagement and disengagement of clutch is smooth.
2 Very less slip occurs in its operation. Slip only iccurs during the enagement of clutch and after that no slipping occurs and functioning becomes very smooth.
3 Power loss is very less.
4 Very less heat is generated as only one clutch plate is used.
5 The operation in this type of clutch is very fast.
Disadvantages:
1 The capacity of torque transmission is less.
2 The size of this clutch is big even for less torque transmission.
3 It is dry clutch so it is required to prevent it from moisture.
4 Chance of tear an wear is high in single plate clutches.
