Multi plate clutch: Definition, Diagram, Formula, Parts,
Working, Uses, Advantages and Disadvantages [with
Pdf]
  mechcontent.com/multi-plate-clutch/
                                                                              November 22, 2020
Table of Contents
     What is Multi plate Clutch?
     Multi plate clutch diagram:-
     Multi plate clutch parts:-
           Parts of Multi plate clutch are as follows:-
     Multi plate clutch construction:-
     Multi plate clutch working:-
     Multi plate clutch advantages:-
     Multi plate clutch disadvantages:-
     Multi plate clutch applications:-
     Multi plate clutch formula:-
     Difference between single plate clutch and a multi plate clutch
     FAQ:-
     Read also
What is Multi plate Clutch?
     Multi plate Clutch is a one of the Friction type plate clutch.
     In this clutch, multiple friction plates are used as compared to a single plate clutch.
     Due to the presence of multiple plates, It has a higher capacity of torque
     Transmission as Compared to a Single Plate clutch, because Due to the Presence
     of Multiple Plates, Friction Surface increases.
Multi plate clutch diagram:-
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                                       multi-plate-clutch
Multi plate clutch parts:-
Parts of Multi plate clutch are as follows:-
1] Clutch drum:-
     Clutch drum is connected to the engine shaft.
     It rotates continuously as engine shaft rotate.
     The clutch drum has slots on its circumference so that the externally threaded
     friction plates can slide into the clutch drum.
2] Splined inner hub:-
     The hub is connected to the gearbox shaft.
     It rotates with the speed of the gearbox.
     the inner hub is splined so that the internally toothed steel plates can slide on it.
3] Clutch pack:-
     Clutch pack consists of two types of round plates : friction disc and steel plate.
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                               Plates-used-in-multi-plate-clutch
4] Friction disc:-
     It is also known as friction plate.
     It has asbestos lining for frictional contact.
     The friction plates are externally toothed and these plates are mounted into the
     clutch drum.
     The friction plates can easily slide into the slots of clutch drum.
5] Steel plate:-
     These plates are internally toothed and mounted on inner splined hub.
     This plates are rotates with the speed of the gearbox.
6] Pressure plate:-
     Pressure plate is generally observed in all types of clutches.
     The main aim of pressure plate is to apply pressure on to the friction plates so that
     the friction plates on clutch bucket and steel plates on inner hub are hold firmly
     together and start to rotate as single unit.
     The pressure plate is mounted on inner hub with the use of sleeves.
     The pressure plate can easily move on sleeve for engagement and disengagement.
     The motion of pressure plate is operated by pedal and thrust spring.
7] Thrust spring:-
     The aim of the thrust spring is to keep the friction plate and steel plate in firm
     contact so that they can rotate together.
     A thrust spring is attached behind of pressure plate.
8] Clutch pedal:-
     This is the part of the clutch which is operated by the operator for engaging and
     disengaging the clutch.
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      The aim of the clutch pedal is to operate the movement of the pressure plate hence
      it helps in the engagement and disengagement of the clutch.
Multi plate clutch construction:-
1) The clutch drum is connected to the engine shaft.
2) Splined inner hub is connected to the gearbox shaft.
3) The externally toothed friction plates are mounted into the slots of the clutch drum and
the friction plate can easily slide into the slots of the clutch drum.
4) the internal toothed steel plates are mounted on splined inner hub and can easily slide
on it.
5) As shown in figure, the both type of plates are arranged in one by one manner.
6) All the plates are pressed together by means of a pressure plate.
7) Thrust spring is mounted behind of pressure plate which pushes the pressure plate to
hold the friction plates together.
8) The pedal is used for movement of pressure plate for engagement and
disengagement.
Multi plate clutch working:-
ENGAGEMENT OF CLUTCH:-
1) The clutch is generally in engaged condition.
2) The friction plates are mounted into the clutch drum which is further connected to
engine shaft.
3) The steel plates are mounted on inner hub which is connected to gearbox shaft.
4) Hence to transmit power from engine shaft to gearbox shaft it is necessary to hold
friction plate and steel plate together. This is done by a pressure plate. The pressure plate
holds both types of plates together by means of thrust spring.
6) Hence friction plate and steel plates rotate together as a single unit and transfer power
from engine to gearbox.
DISENGAGEMENT OF CLUTCH:-
1) For Disengagement of clutch, an operator has to press clutch pedal.
2) As we press the clutch pedal, the pressure plate is moved in backward direction.
3) It results in removal of pressure on set of friction plate and steel plate.
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4) Now the frictional contact between these two plates is loosen.
5) lt breaks the contact between engine shaft and gearbox shaft.
6) This condition is known as disengaged condition.
7) Now if we release the pedal again then the thrust spring again pushes the pressure
plate on friction plates which will result in the engagement of the clutch.
Multi plate clutch advantages:-
The multi plate clutch has following advantages :-
     Less effort requires to operate this clutch.
     It is compact in size hence requires less space.
     It has high power transmission capacity.
Multi plate clutch disadvantages:-
The multi plate clutch has following disadvantage :-
     It uses many number of plates hence more heat generates in this type of clutch.
     Multi plate clutch are heavier in weight.
     It is costlier.
Multi plate clutch applications:-
The multi plate is widely used in many vehicles such as :-
     Motorcycle
     cars
     Scooter
Multi plate clutch formula:-
Maximum torque transmitted by multi plate clutch for uniform pressure :-
`T= n\times \frac{2}{3}\times \mu \times W [ \frac{ ( R_{1}^{3}-R_{2}^{3} )}{ ( R_{1}^{2}-
R_{2}^{2} )} ]`
     n = Number of plates
     W =Axial thrust on plates
     μ=Coefficient of friction
     R2=Inner surface of the friction surface
     R1=Outer radius of friction surface.
Maximum torque transmitted by multi plate clutch by uniform wear theory:-
`T= n\times \frac{1}{2}\times \mu \times W(R_{1}+R_{2})`
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Difference between single plate clutch and a multi plate clutch
  Sr.
  No.     Single plate clutch                      Multi plate clutch
  1       This type of clutch is made up of a      This type of clutch is made up of
          single friction plate.                   multiple friction plates.
  2       It takes more space.                     It is compact in size hence it takes less
                                                   space.
  3       It does not allow smooth                 It allows smooth as well gradual
          engagement.                              engagement.
  4       It has less frictional loss due to the   It has more frictional loss due to the
          use of a single plate.                   use of a number of plates.
  5       It has applications in Jeep, Truck.      It has applications in motorcycles,
                                                   scooters.
                   difference-between-single-plate-clutch-and-multi-plate-clutch
FAQ:-
  1. What are multi plate clutches?
      Multi plate Clutch is one of the Friction type plate clutches. In this clutch, multiple
      friction plates are used as compared to a single plate clutch only a single friction
      plate is used.
  2. What are the advantages of a multi plate clutch?
      The multi plate clutch have advantage that it is compact in size.
  3. What are the disadvantages of a multi plate clutch?
      The multi plate clutch has disadvantage that it is costly and heavier in weight.
Read also
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      Centrifugal Clutch
      Hydraulic Clutch
      Diaphragm Clutch
      Vacuum clutch
      Electromagnetic Clutch
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