What is the main function of the clutch?
1 Answers
The working principle of the clutch is to press or release the clutch pedal as needed, temporarily separating and gradually engaging the engine and the transmission to cut off or transmit the power input from the engine to the transmission. The clutch is an important component of the vehicle's powertrain, responsible for disconnecting and connecting the power between the engine and the transmission. The working states of the clutch are as follows: 1. Disengaged when the clutch pedal is pressed, fully engaged when the clutch pedal is not pressed, and partially engaged (semi-engaged) when the clutch pedal is partially pressed. When starting the vehicle, the driver presses the clutch pedal, and the movement of the clutch pedal pulls the pressure plate backward, separating the pressure plate from the friction disc. At this point, the pressure plate and the flywheel are not in contact, and there is no relative friction. 2. When the vehicle is in normal operation, the pressure plate is tightly pressed against the friction disc of the flywheel. At this time, the friction between the pressure plate and the friction disc is at its maximum, maintaining relative static friction between the input shaft and the output shaft, with both rotating at the same speed. 3. The last state is the semi-engaged state of the clutch, where the friction between the pressure plate and the friction disc is less than in the fully engaged state. In this state, the pressure plate and the friction disc on the flywheel are in a sliding friction state, with the flywheel rotating faster than the output shaft, and part of the power from the flywheel is transmitted to the transmission. This state is equivalent to a soft connection between the engine and the drive wheels.