Subject: Automobile Engineering

Topic: Electrical System, Starting Systems & Alternator

Difficulty: Low

Dry Friction Clutch
The multiple clutch is an extension of single plate type where the number of frictional & metal plates is increased. The increase in the number of friction surfaces obviously increases capacity of the clutch to transmit torque, the size remaining fixed. Alternatively, the overall diameter of the clutch is reduced for the same torque transmission as a single plate clutch. This type of clutch is used in some heavy transport vehicles & racing cars where high torque is to be transmitted. Besides, this find application in case scooters & motor cycles, where space available is limited.
A simplified diagram of multiplate clutch is given in fig 8:1. The construction is similar to that of single plate type except that all the fiction plates in this case are in two sets i.e one set of plates slides in grooves on the flywheel & the other one slides on the pressure plate.

Advantages:
i) Decrease moment of inertia of clutch
ii) Increase amount of torque trasmission capacity.

Disadvantage:
i) More number of friction plate, large amount of heat developed which may changes the properties of friction lining.