Clutch - Overview
Components of a clutch
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Flywheel |
| 2 | Clutch disc with friction lining |
| 3 | Clutch pressure plate |
| A | Sectional plane A |
The clutch consists of:
- Flywheel
- Clutch disc
- Clutch pressure plate
When the clutch pedal is depressed, the clutch slave cylinder moves the release bearing which presses the center of the diaphragm spring on to the compression ring towards the flywheel. The diaphragm spring fingers rest on diaphragm spring rings and lift the compression ring from the clutch disc. The compression spring is relieved, allowing the flow of force to the transmission to be interrupted for gear-changing.
If the clutch pedal is not depressed, force flows to the transmission due to the compressive force of the diaphragm spring on the compression ring.
Self-adjusting clutches
The clutch size has also been increased with the introduction of more powerful engines. The self-adjusting clutch eliminates the increase in operating force which occurs as wear increases.
The advantages of the self-adjusting clutch are as follows:
- Constant operating force throughout the whole service life of the clutch.
- Increased service life of the clutch friction disc.
- Shorter release bearing travel.
Self-adjusting clutches cannot be reset after the clutch friction disk has been renewed and must also be renewed.