What is Clutch? Its Types Application & Working

When you hit the streets, an optimally functioning clutch system of your vehicle is quintessential to ensure a seamless driving experience. This car component plays a vital role in safely accelerating or decelerating your vehicle by making sure of an effortless gear shift.

Just as the brake helps to stop the vehicle, the clutch engages or disengages the transmission of power or torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. The clutch is fitted between the engine and gearbox. Keep reading to know all about its types and working mechanisms.

In mechanical engineering terms, a clutch is one of the most vital devices of any automobile. The mechanism connects and disconnects the power transmission from a driving shaft to a driven shaft.

Clutches help to restrict the speed or the amount of power transmission between two shafts. They are applied in many industries to power up rotary assemblies, equipment, and systems. The kind and nature of the clutch applied to the vehicle vary on the basis of the requirements and restrictions of the application.

It contains various parts, including a friction surface, coil spring, hub, diaphragm spring, etc. Applications of clutches are also found in other industries. Furthermore, in automobiles, it enables the engine to work in an immobile position. In order words, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts.

There are various types of clutch that vary from one automobile to another depending upon their nature and performance.

The types of clutches are mentioned below:

1. Single Plate Clutch

According to its name, a single plate clutch has only one clutch plate. It is one of the most prevalent types of clutch present in automobiles these days. A single-plate clutch is equipped with two components that enable transmitting force from the engine to the input shaft. It comprises a clutch plate, clutch spring, pressure plate, friction plate, flywheel, and bearings.

2. Multi-Plate Clutch

Just like its name, this type of clutch has multiple clutch plates. It uses those clutch plates to establish frictional contact with the engine's flywheel. It allows transmission of power from engine shaft to transmission shaft.

The multi-plate clutch is applied in more powerful vehicles with high energy sources. Since it has many friction surfaces, it enhances the clutch's capacity for transferring power.

3. Cone Clutch

When it comes to a cone clutch, it is a kind of friction clutch having cone-shaped frictional surfaces. In the past, cone clutches were applied in vehicles, and they gradually became famous due to their efficiency, simplicity, and nature.

There are two types of cone clutch available in the engine shaft. They are male cones and female cones. The male cone is present on splined clutch shaft whereas the female cone is present on the flywheel. In general, there are epicyclical and synchromesh gearboxes that apply cone-clutches.

4. Centrifugal Clutch

As previously mentioned, the clutch is an important component of a car. It enables you to connect and disconnect the engine from other parts. In simpler terms, it helps you to shift your gear without hassle. The clutch is either in the middle of the engine and gearbox or beside the brake and accelerator. It does not matter if your car is in a state of motion or in a state of inertia, the clutch is always engaged.

However, when you push your car's clutch pedal, it will disengage. Nevertheless, disengaging the clutch occurs when you start, change gear, or stop your car. Now you must wonder what will happen when you change your car's gear.

While changing gears, the car's rear wheels will get some power boost to enhance its speed. In the same way, if you want to lower your car's speed, the clutch plays a crucial role in maintaining its control and stability.

The clutch plays a vital role in maintaining an efficient performance of a vehicle and protecting it from accidents. A clutch is not just a single part, but has a lot of components. They are as follows:

• Flywheel
• Disc-Plate
• Pressure plate
• Clutch shaft
• Clutch cover
• Pilot bearing
• Release levers

Following are some key pointers on application of a clutch or function of a clutch:

• It enables transmitting the torque from the engine to its drivetrain.
• It forms a linkage between the engine flywheel and gearbox so that it can transfer power from the engine to the drive shaft.
• Helps in lessening drive-related vibration.
• Avoids high heat generation to prevent engine malfunctioning, breakdown, etc.
• It prevents the vehicle from jerking, thereby stopping it from causing unnecessary strain on rest of the car besides the passengers as well.
• In some cases, the clutch disengages when the torque exceeds the safety limit, thereby acting as a safety device.

To conclude, the clutch plays a vital role in a car. It helps in efficient power transfer to the vehicle’s wheels and helps you in efficient gear shifting. Thus, when you are manoeuvring your vehicle, you can rest assured of a safe and comfortable driving experience.