clutch is a
mechanism for transmitting rotation, which can be engaged and disengaged.
Clutches are useful in
devices
that have two rotating shafts. In these devices, one shaft is typically driven
by a motor or pulley, and the other
shaft drives another device. In a drill, for
instance, one
shaft is driven by a motor, and the other drives a drill chuck. The
clutch connects the two shafts so that they can either be locked together and
spin at the same speed (engaged), or be decoupled and spin at different speeds
(disengaged).
Multiple plate friction clutch
This type of clutch has several drivingmembers interleaved with
several driven members. It is used in motorcycles, automatic transmissions and
in some diesel locomotives with mechanical
transmission. It is also used in some electronically controlled all-wheel drive
systems. It is the most common type of clutch on modern types of vehicles.
Vehicular Clutch
• There
are different designs of vehicle clutch, but most are based on one or more friction discs, pressed tightly together
or against a flywheel using springs. The friction material varies in
composition depending on whether the clutch is dry or wet, and on other
considerations. Friction discs once contained asbestos, but this has been largely
eliminated. Clutches found in heavy duty applications such as trucks and
competition cars use ceramic
clutches
that have a greatly increased friction coefficient. However, these have a "grabby" action
and are
unsuitable
for road cars. The spring pressure is
released when the clutch pedal is depressed thus either pushing
or
pulling the diaphragm of the pressure plate, depending on type, and the
friction plate is released and allowed to rotate freely.
