Anjuman College of Engineering and Technology Design of Machine Elements'

Anjuman college of Engineering and Technology
Mechanical Engineering Department

‘Design of Machine Elements’
UNIT IV: Clutch & Brakes
Clutch : A clutch is a machine member used to connect a driving shaft to a driven shaft so that the driven shaft may be
started or stopped without stopping the driving shaft. The use of a clutch is mostly found in automobiles in order to
change gears or to stop the vehicle, it is required that the driven shaft should stop, but the engine should continue to run. It
is, therefore, necessary that the driven shaft should be disengaged from the driving shaft.
Types of Clutches: 1. Positive clutches, and 2. Friction clutches
Positive clutch: The positive clutches are used when a positive drive is required. The simplest type of a positive clutch is
a jaw or claw clutch. The jaw clutch permits one shaft to drive another through a direct contact of interlocking jaws.
Friction Clutches:A friction clutch has its principal application in the transmission of power of shafts and machines
which must be started and stopped frequently. Its application is also found in cases in which power is to be delivered to
machines partially or fully loaded. In automobiles, friction clutch is used to connect the engine to the drive shaft. In
operating such a clutch, care should be taken so that the friction surfaces engage easily and gradually bring the driven
shaft up to proper speed.
Note:
The contact surfaces should develop a frictional force that may pick up and hold the load with reasonably low pressure
between the contact surfaces.
The heat of friction should be rapidly dissipated and tendency to grab should be at a minimum.
The surfaces should be backed by a material stiff enough to ensure a reasonably uniform
distribution of pressure
Material for Friction Surfaces:

1. It should have a high and uniform coefficient of friction.
2. It should not be affected by moisture and oil.
3. It should have the ability to withstand high temperatures caused by slippage.
4. It should have high heat conductivity.
5. It should have high resistance to wear and scoring
Types of Friction Clutches:
1. Disc or plate clutches (single disc or multiple disc clutch),
2. Cone clutches, and
3. Centrifugal clutches
Single Disc or Plate Clutch:

A single disc or plate clutch,
consists of a clutch plate whose both sides
are faced with a frictional material . It is
mounted on the hub which is free to move
axially along the splines of the driven shaft.
The pressure plate is mounted inside the
clutch body which is bolted to the
flywheel. Both the pressure plate and the
flywheel rotate with the engine crankshaft
or the driving shaft. The pressure plate
pushes the clutch plate towards the
flywheel by a set of strong springs which
are arranged radially inside the body.
When the clutch pedal is pressed down the
pressure plate moves away from the
flywheel by the knife edges, thereby
compressing the clutch springs. This action
removes the pressure from the clutch plate
and thus moves back from the flywheel and
the driven shaft becomes stationary. On the
other hand, when the foot is taken off from
the clutch pedal, the pressure plate pushes
the clutch plate back towards the flywheel
Multi plate Clutch:
A multiple disc clutch, may be

used when a large torque is to be
transmitted. The inside plates are fastened
to the driven shaft to permit axial motion.
The outside discs are held by bolts and
are fastened to the housing which is keyed
to the driving shaft. The multiple disc
clutches are extensively used in motor
cars, machine tools etc. (working similar
as single plate clutch).
Considerations in Designing a Friction Clutch:

1. The suitable friction material should be selected.
2. The moving parts of the clutch should have low weight in order to minimise the inertia load.
3. The clutch should not require any external force to maintain contact of the friction surfaces.
4. The provision for taking up wear of the contact surfaces must be provided.
5. The clutch should have provision for facilitating repairs.
6. The clutch should have provision for carrying away the heat generated at the contact surfaces.
7. The projecting parts of the clutch should be covered by guard.

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Anjuman college of Engineering and Technology

Mechanical Engineering Department

Types of Clutches: 1. Positive clutches, and 2. Friction clutches

Material for Friction Surfaces:

Single Disc or Plate Clutch:

Multi plate Clutch:

A multiple disc clutch, may be

Considerations in Designing a Friction Clutch:

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