The Multi Plate Clutch uses multiple clutch plates to make contact with the engine flywheel to transfer power between the engine shaft and the transmission shaft. A multi-plate clutch used in automobiles and machinery where high torque output is required.
It is a type of clutch that transmits more power from the engine to the transmission shaft of an automobile vehicle and also, makes up for the torque loss due to slippage. Multiple clutches consist of more than three discs or plates so that they can provide more torque output.
Multi-plate clutches are used in heavy vehicles with racing cars and motorcycles for transmitting high torque. As compared to single plate clutches, these are smooth and easy to operate due to their assembly of friction surface’s contact. It may be used where the space is very limited.
Read more About: What is Single plate Clutch?
The components of all the clutches used in automobile vehicles are almost the same. But with some modifications, so let’s discuss the main parts of different types of multi-plate clasps used.
The multi-plate clutches construction is similar to a single plate clutches except for the number of clutches plates. The total number of clutch plates divides into two sets in which one from each set is alternatively arranges.
One set of the plate slides in grooves on the flywheel and the other one slides on splines on the pressure plate hub. These plates are reliably pressed by a strong coil spring and assembled in a drum. A Multi-Plate clutch works in the same way as the single-plate clutch by operating the clutch pedal.
As the number of clutch plates increases, the friction surfaces will also be increases. The increase in friction surface increases the capacity of the clutch to transmit more torque for the same size. The multi-plate clutches of small size transmit approximately the same torque as single-plate clutches of twice the diameter.
These are various types of Multi-plate Clutches
Spring Type Multi-Plates Clutching the clutch, a cover attaches with a flywheel of engine use inside which the multiple clutch plates, pressure plates, thrust bearing, etc. packed. The clutch plates place over each other and mount over a splined shaft.
It is the modified version of the spring-type multi-plates clutch. In which the thrust springs places circularly from the spring type clutch replace with a special crown-shape finger type spring called diaphragm spring.
It is the modern type of clutches uses in vehicles fitted with automatic transmission, in this type of clutches a hydraulic device having highly compressed fluid operates with the accelerator pedal coupled with the multi-plate clutches.
The engagement and disengagement of the clutch obtained by the output given by the hydraulic device, which controls with the acceleration pedal.
Wet clutches, in general, have multiple clutch plates (in cars) and have a supply of oil to lubricate and cool the components. This type of clutch is located inside the engine casing.
The wet clutches are greatly amplified and therefore can cope with much higher torque inputs. Wet clutches are generally smaller in size.
The noise level in wet clutches is less when compares to dry clutches. The presence of oil between plates helps in managing the noise.
Wear and tear are very much less in the wet clutch. In a wet clutch, the lubricating oil keeps surfaces clean and provides smoother performance and longer life.
Wet clutches provide a better coefficient of friction, as the surface area increases due to the presence of multiple plates.
A Dry Clutch is a type of clutch that is not bathed in liquid (oil) and uses friction to engage. This type of clutch has its plate outside the engine casing. Usually, the dry clutch is larger to increase the surface area of the friction plate for optimal air cooling because it does get hot due to friction of the plate.
The level of noise in the dry clutch is more and keeps increasing as the clutch continues to undergo wear and tear.
Dry clutches have a single frictional surface to transmit the power between two plates. Therefore, they do not have a much better coefficient of friction.
In the dry clutch, the lubricant does not applies and hence the torque transmitting of these clutches is better. Dry clutches do not have an oil supply and are generally single-plate.
The Multi Plate Clutch uses multiple clutch plates to make contact with the engine flywheel to transfer power between the engine shaft and the transmission shaft. A multi-plate clutch is used in automobiles and machinery where high torque output is required.
Parts of Multi-Plate Clutch:
These are various types of Multi-plate Clutches
Advantages of Multi-Plate Clutch:
Difference between Single Plate Clutch and Multi Plate Clutch. As the name suggests, single plate clutch consists of a clutch plate whose both sides are coated with a frictional material. The multi-Plate clutch consists more than one clutch plate. Torque transmitting capacity is less.
A Multi-Plate clutch works in the same way as the single-plate clutch by operating the clutch pedal. As the number of clutch plates increases, the friction surfaces will also be increases. The increase in friction surface increases the capacity of the clutch to transmit more torque for the same size.
Disadvantages of Multi-Plate Clutch:
Unlike dry clutches, wet clutches are covered in engine oil, which allows the clutch plates to cool. Because of this, wet clutches can sustain more abuse than dry clutches. Another reason wet clutches are a more popular choice is because they’re quieter at idle, which makes them better for stop-and-go traffic.
The multi-plate clutch is the most common clutch used in two-wheeler bikes.
It gets complicated with bikes because space is so tight in across the frame 4-cylinder engines. If you were to have just two clutch plates, they would have to be massive to have enough surface area to create the friction necessary to transmit the power. So, most bikes have multi-plate clutches.
A multiplate clutch is more commonly used in two wheelers. The reason behind this is that two-wheeler engines are small and compact and are generally light in weight. To get minimum slip and maximum transmission of power, the frictional force between flywheel and clutch plate must be optimum.
A wet multi-plate clutch is an assemblage of steel driven plates and compound organic resin friction plates housed in a drum and spinning concentrically on a shaft. With respect to a “wet” clutch, the assembly is cooled by a limited amount of oil.
The semi-centrifugal clutch consists of levers and clutch springs and are arranged equally on the pressure plate. Springs of the clutch are designed to transmit the torque at normal engine speed and the centrifugal force helps in torque transmission at a higher speed.
Wet clutches are widely used in motorcycles and dirt bikes. The term simply means the clutch is lubricated with oil, as opposed to a dry clutch. Friction plays a big role in proper clutch operation.
They are not necessary as such but it’s a new clutch tech and who doesn’t like new tech. The slipper clutch makes the clutch pull lighter and improves downshifts. A slipper clutch limits the torque when you downshift that is applied to the rear wheel through the chain or belt drive.
On a car, the engine and gearbox run a separate sump, and the clutch sits in between as a dry unit. Being dry has the advantage of a better friction coefficient and not contaminating any oil. It’s cheaper too. Oil bath clutches are quieter, and better cooled.
The clutch pressure plate is an important part of your manual vehicle’s clutch system. It is a heavy metal plate that is controlled by springs and a lever. Its main purpose is to apply pressure to the primary clutch plate (or clutch disc), holding it against the engine flywheel.
A wet clutch is called wet because it is actually wet with engine oil. The engine oil provides cooling as well as lubrication between the clutch cage and mating parts. Generally, a wet clutch will have a longer life and will take more abuse from the rider.
