What is the structure of a clutch?

[DiAdriana]

The structure of a clutch typically consists of four parts: the driving section, the driven section, the pressing mechanism, and the operating mechanism. Driving section: This part of the components rotates with the engine crankshaft and includes the flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch cover. The clutch cover is bolted to the flywheel, and the pressure plate is driven to rotate by the flywheel through several force-transmitting pins fixed on the clutch cover. The pressure plate can also move axially. Driven section: This part of the components rotates with the engine crankshaft only when the clutch is engaged. It includes the driven disc with friction linings riveted on it and the clutch shaft. The driven disc is mounted on the splines of the clutch shaft and can move axially. Pressing mechanism: This consists of components such as the clutch pressure spring. Operating mechanism: This includes the clutch pedal, release fork, release bearing, and release lever.

[McLucas]

The clutch structure is actually quite intuitive. As someone who drives frequently, I believe it mainly consists of three major components: the flywheel, pressure plate, and friction disc. The flywheel is fixed to the engine and rotates like a large disc, providing rotational energy. The pressure plate presses against the friction disc, acting like a clamp. When the clutch pedal is depressed, it releases via the release bearing, separating the friction disc from the flywheel and cutting off the power transmission. The friction disc has a steel core sandwiched with wear-resistant materials like graphite or ceramic, which generate heat during contact. Excessive friction heat may cause slippage. Additionally, the clutch cover encloses the entire assembly, keeping it clean and preventing dust from affecting performance. When driving a manual transmission car, the feel of the clutch pedal is crucial—a well-designed structure ensures smooth gear shifts, otherwise stalling becomes more likely. Different vehicle models may have slight structural variations, such as older cars using single-disc clutches while newer models might feature multi-disc designs that are lighter and more durable.

[DelJocelyn]

I've disassembled quite a few clutches, and their core components are three things: the flywheel, pressure plate, and friction disc. The flywheel connects to the engine side, acting as a sturdy metal disc that transmits torque when rotating. The pressure plate features a spring system—when it clamps the friction disc, power is engaged. Once the clutch pedal is depressed, the release bearing pushes the lever to release the pressure plate, disengaging the friction disc. The friction disc itself is a composite piece, with wear-resistant lining material bonded to a steel base. Excessive wear can lead to slipping issues. The clutch cover encloses the entire system, with internal bearings and transmission splines ensuring smooth operation. During repairs, I've encountered various problems like material aging or foreign objects jamming, so regular inspection and part replacement are essential. Wet clutches are common in motorcycles, offering greater durability with oil lubrication, while dry clutches in cars provide quicker response—design details really require careful consideration.

[SanJudah]

The clutch structure can be simply described as having four layers: the flywheel connected to the engine, the pressure plate providing clamping force, the friction disc transmitting power, and the release bearing controlling disengagement. The flywheel is a metal disc that rotates with inertia; the pressure plate has multiple spring fingers that lock the friction disc when clamped; the friction disc has a splined hub in the center, fixed to the transmission, with friction material on both sides; the release bearing pushes the lever to disengage the pressure plate. This system allows manual cars to shift gears smoothly—stepping on the pedal instantly disconnects the power flow. The design must account for heat dissipation and durability.