Engineering >> Mechanical Engineering

Sizing of an Automotive Clutch Disc

by Christian Rossi

 

Submitted : Spring 2012


During the process of shifting gears in an automotive, the clutch disc is used to separate the engine flywheel from the automotive transmission. Using formulas given for differential torque, differential normal force, differential area, and maximum pressure, it is possible to find a suitable diameter for the inner clutch disc in order to maximize torque. By combining these four given formulas and performing a double integration, an expression was developed for the torque in terms of the coefficient of friction, maximum pressure, and clutch disc inner and outer radius. With this equation, a differentiation was used to determine the inner radii, in terms of the outer radii of the clutch disc, which will maximize torque. Finally, using the equation developed in the first section in terms of the maximum torque, coefficient of friction, and maximum pressure provided from the assignment, a calculation was used to find the exact values for the inner and outer diameter of the clutch disc. The suitable inner diameter will theoretically create the correct conditions to maximize the torque and allow the clutch disc and the flywheel to arrive at the same rotational velocities in the shortest time with the least wear.


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Advisors :
Arcadii Grinshpan, Mathematics and Statistics
Scott Campbell, Chemical & Biomedical Engineering
Suggested By :
Scott Campbell