A Review on Automatic Engagement of Friction Clutches

Conventional transmission system uses single plate clutch with a manual transmission gear box. Disengage clutch, Change gear, Gradually engage clutch thus three operations are to be performed while moving from one gear to another, hence in all 15 operations are performed to move to the top gear, it is important to note out of the 15 operations performed to reach the top gear…10 operations are clutch operations, hence making clutch operations automatic will reduce human effort. Automatic clutch control has another advantage, i.e, out of three pedals ie, one of accelerator pedal, Brake Pedal, Clutch pedal eliminating the clutch pedal will lead to easy driving as the controls become simple . Many methods of automatic clutch control namely electro-magnetic clutch, pneumatic clutch control etc have been tried but due inherent disadvantages and maintenance problems they have been replaced back by conventional method. The auto-disengagement single clutch employs only one set of compression springs instead of the usual two sets, with this arrangement it is possible to reduce the weights of the centrifugal members. The modified system utilizes the centrifugal force developed by engine acceleration, whereas the temporary dis-engagement of clutch required at the time of gear change is a solenoid actuated by switch in gear change knob. The hold time of the solenoid is only a few seconds thus prolongs solenoid life and reduces power consumption from battery.