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We can see clutches almost everywhere around us. The most noticeable use of
the clutch is in our car be it an automatic or a manual transmission.For those
who are driving a manual car, pressing the clutch can be agonizing in a long
traffic jam.But does anyone know how car clutches works?
Clutches oftenly being used in devices which consist of two rotating parts.
Usually one of the shaft will be driven by an engine or motor while the other
shaft will drive something else.In our car, the two shaft is actually the
flywheel from the engine and the gearbox.
We need the clutch because the engine is running continously while the wheels
does not.So we need a mean of disconnecting the engine from the wheels which is
by using the clutch.
CLUTCH EXPLODED VIEW
A clutch function is simillar to our car disc brake.The clutch plate is can
be compared to the disc brake while the pressure plate is the caliper.Except the
clutch works the other way around which is in lock/engage in normal driving and
disengage/release whenever the cluth pedal is depressed.
CLUTCH PLATE
The three main component of a clutch is the clutch plate,pressure plate and the
clutch housing.The clutch assembly is attached to the gearbox and then mated
with the engine flywheel.
PRESSURE PLATE
In a normal driving condition, the clutch plate will be pushed firmly towards
the flywheel by the pressure plate. Due to the friction of the clutch plate, the
flywheel will rotate the clutch assembly. This in turn will rotate the gearbox
and then power will be transferred to the wheels.
When the clutch pedal is depressed, a cable/hydraulic piston will pull the
release fork. The release fork will push a spring diaphragm.As the diaphragm is
being pushed, the spring will pull the pressure plate. This release the clutch
from the spinning engine.
In short, the clutch will be pushed firmly towards the flywheel by the pressure
plate(engine connected to the gearbox ) during a normal cruise. And the clutch
will be pulled away from the flywheel (engine disconnected from the gearbox)
whever the clutch pedal is being depressed.
CLUTCH SLIP
Clutch slips is a phenomenon where the clutch could’nt grip onto the flywheels
anymore.Your car engine’s rpm will increase rapidly (simillar when revving in
neutral) but the car didn’t go any faster. Clutch slips is caused by two reasons
whether your clutch plate had already worn out and need replacement or your
current clutch plate cant handle the power of your car’s engine which in this
case you’ll need to upgrade your clutch to a more heavy duty one or a sport
clutch.
Category:
Type: Ailments
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