Centrifugal clutch
A centrifugal clutch consists of a number of shoes which move outwards in guides due to the centrifugal force of the shaft turning the shoes will then come into contact with a rim this will cause the rim to rotate due to the friction between it and the shoes. When the speed decreases the shoes are pulled away from the rim by springs.
Flat plate clutch
Flat plate clutches are widely used in cars and commercial. The single plate ones are manly used but multi plate clutches are also used mostly in motorbikes. The plate is lined with a friction material has a splined hole at its centre. This will engage with the splines on the output shaft which will produce the drive. When the clutch is engaged, the driven plate is sandwiched between the driving member and the pressure plate. Springs will provide clamping pressure. To disengage the clutch, this will pull back the pressure plate against the clutch by the release collar and thrust bearing which slides along the splines of the driven shaft.
Brakes
Most brake systems consist of in front and either disc or brakes at the back connected by a system of that connect the brakes at each to the When pressure is applied to the brake pedal within the car a plunger is being pushed in the a device called the master cylinder this will force the brake fluid through different pipes to the braking unit at each of the wheels because brake fluid cannot be compressed this means it is like pushing a steel bar through a pipe but unlike the steel bar the brake fluid will be able to navigate the various turns towards its destination. The fluid will arrive with the exact same motion and pressure that it started with. It is very important that the fluid has no air bubbles in it because the air cam compress this is what can make your brake pedal spongy and will reduce the braking efficiency the systems can be bled to take the air out of the fluid, bleeder screws are situated on each calliper or cylinder.
Disc Brakes
On the disc brake the fluid master cylinder is forced into a calliper where it presses against a piston. The piston will then squeeze the two brake pads against the disk which is rotating which is attached to the wheel, forcing it to slow down or stop. This process is similar to a bicycle brake where two rubber pads rub against the wheel rim creating friction.
Braking System
Drum Brakes
The brake fluid is forced into the wheel cylinder, which pushes the brake shoes out so that the friction linings are pressed against the drum, which is attached to the wheel, causing the wheel to stop.
In either case, the friction surfaces of the pads on a disk brake system or the shoes on a drum brake change the forward motion of the vehicle into heat. Heat is what causes the friction surface of the pads and shoes to eventually wear out and require replacement.
(P1)
Clutches Compared
Flat plate clutches are widely used in commercial vehicles like cars and vans the plate that is driven in the clutch is coated in high friction material and has a centre hole which has been splined. When the flat plate clutch is engaged the splined plate is then compressed between the flywheel and the friction plate to make pressure in the clutch the pressure plate is pulled back from the friction plate. When the drive is then engaged on the both sides the two plates much move at the same speed. But when the drive is engaged it must be engaged gradually.
The flat plate clutch when compared the centrifugal clutch has many differences such as the centrifugal clutch will engage the automatically when it has reached the right rotating speed and the centrifugal force is strong enough when the clutch is disengaged the opposite is needed the motor will have to slow down to allow for disconnection which will be automatic again. The centrifugal clutch will also allow the gradual engagement to prevent the level of shock within, like the flat plate clutch it will also use a high friction material to get help engage the shaft. As the flat plate clutch is used generally in commercial vehicles, the centrifugal clutch is used in applications like lawn mowers and chainsaws.
The fluid coupling is a complete different type of clutch as the centrifugal and flat plate clutch has mechanical connections this does not. The fluid coupling has a smooth and gradual uptake as to the mechanical clutches as the in contact friction material will allow them to be at equal speeds within seconds of touching. This clutch is a fully automatic operation like the centrifugal clutch and unlike the flat plate. As fluid has within the fluid coupling had the inherent of slip characteristics the fluid will allow the operating motor to start almost free of load then this load can be accelerated to the maximum torque. When sudden speed changes and machinery jamming occurs if using a flat plate clutch breakage could be caused and slippage may not occur when this is what would be needed, but when a fluid coupling is introduced and used instead problems like this can be minimised as the fluid inside the clutch will act as a cushion and will allow slip until the torque has built up it will also help against reversing operations. As we know the two mechanically operated clutches are used in car, vans, lorries, lawn mowers and chain saws, the fluid coupling is used largely in marine and industrial machine where its variable speed and controlled start will not allow things like shock loading to the transmission systems which is essential in these machines. A disadvantage the fluid coupling has is that slippage in the clutch caused by the coupling being under pressure from example a heavy load, slight amounts of power will also be lost through fluid friction, turbulence and dissipated heat.
(M1)
