clutch fundamentals and service Flashcards
what do spring loaded clutches allow
a drive unit to be connected to a driven unit
besides connecting two components together what do clutches also provide
a means of smoothly transmitting power during the engagement process and providing a means of temporarily disengaging an engine from a transmission
how is the clutch engaged or disengaged
through some sort of mechanical linkage or partial mechanical with hydraulic or an air/hydraulic pressure assist
how are spring loaded clutches applied and engaged
with some sort of spring located within the clutch assembly
the pressure springs can be what type of design
diaphragm, angled or perpendicular coil spring design
where are the pressure springs usually located
between the clutch cover and the pressure plate
what are the two types of spring clutches
push style and pull style
when the spring loaded clutch is engaged it is tightly between the
pressure plate and flywheel friction surfaces
when the clutch is engaged all three components ( engine, clutch and transmission ) will
rotate together at the same speed
what happens during the disengagement process
pressure springs are slightly compressed - clamping force is eliminated and the clutch disc is able to move freely of the flywheel and pressure plate friction surface -
what happens when the clutch is disengaged
the flywheel and clutch cover/pressure plate assembly will rotate at engine speed while the clutch disc remains stationary or rotates at transmission input shaft speed
where are push type clutches used
light to medium duty vehicles
how are push type clutches disengaged
as the operator moves the clutch pedal towards the floor a mechanical linkage system within the clutch continues the disengagement process
clutch release levers used in push-type clutches are attached to and located
within the clutch cover/pressure plate assembly
where are pull-type clutches used
in medium to heavy duty vehicles
when a pull type clutch assembly is disengaged the release bearing sleeve will
be pulled away from the flywheel
when is mechanical clutch actuation linkage usually used
when the engine, clutch, transmission and cab are in reasonably close proximity with space available
what are the benefits of mechanical linkage
relatively inexpensive, can operate with a certain amount of wear or damage and is fairly simple to repair and adjust
what are disadvantages of mechanical linkage
numerous wear points lubrication may be limited to major wear points pin and yokes may be exposed to road dirt and water causing accelerated wear
how are hydraulically activated clutches actuated
operator pushed the clutch pedal connected to a push rod connected to a single reservoir clutch master cylinder connected to a single piston slave cylinder by steel lines and flex lines
what are disadvantages to hydraulically actuated clutches
if a line breaks or there is air in the system clutch function will be lost
what are advantages to hydraulically actuated clutches
mounting versatility . ease of force application . easy access to the slave cylinder and master cylinder
why would air over hydraulic assist assembly be used when releasing a clutch
because the spring pressure in the clutch may be to great for operator foot pressure to overcome
how can clutch size be determined
diameter of the disc - outside diameter of the clutch shaft - number of splines in the hub - number of dampening springs
what are the main functions of the flywheel
to provide a flat smooth friction surface for one side of the clutch disc to work against and provide a bore with a bearing to pilot the transmission input shaft
why is the piloting feature in a flywheel or crankshaft critical to a clutch
because the inputshaft of the transmission that is piloted into the bore is used to center the clutch disc in relation to the pressure plate
what are the two types of flywheels
flat and countersunk
flat flywheels
combines two surfaces. the machined surface area where the clutch cover is fastened and the friction surface where the clutch disc will be positioned
flat fly wheels are suitable for
both single and double clutch disc assemblies
countersunk flywheels have
a recessed friction surface
the countersunk design allows for
a double clutch assembly to be used
what will having a double clutch assembly allow for
the handling of increased torque loads due to the increased friction surface
what is used to separate the clutch discs in a double clutch design
an intermediate plate that is driven by the flywheel or clutch cover between the two discs
what are the two types of clutch cover construction
cast iron and stamped steel
what are the advantages of cast iron clutch covers
can handle high heat and due to the ridged construction high torque loads
what are advantages of the stamped steel clutch covers
lighter design and allow for higher engine speeds to develop