Integrated thermal and dynamic analysis of dry automotive clutch linings

Optimum operation of clutch systems is dictated by their dynamic as well as thermal performance. Both of these aspects are closely related to the interfacial frictional characteristics of the clutch lining material, which also affects the noise, vibration and harshness response of the entire vehicular powertrain system. Severe operating conditions such as interfacial clutch slip and increased contact pressures occur during clutch engagement, leading to generation of contact heat, and higher clutch system temperature. Therefore, any undesired oscillatory responses, generated during clutch engagement, such as take-up judder phenomenon can exacerbate generated heat due to stick-slip motion. The paper presents an integrated thermal, and 9-DOF dynamic model of a rear wheel drive light truck powertrain system. The model also includes experimentally measured clutch lining frictional variations with interfacial slip speed, non-linear contact pressure profile and generated surface flash temperature. It is shown that severe torsional oscillations known as take-up judder lead to an increased overall clutch temperature. It also shows that ageing of clutch lining material alters its dynamic and thermal performance

Effects of sliding velocity and clamp load on the coefficient of friction in the study of self-exited vibrations (judder) in automotive clutches [abstract]

Effects of sliding velocity and clamp load on the coefficient of friction in the study of self-exited vibrations (judder) in automotive clutches [abstract

Heat generation and transfer in automotive dry clutch engagement

Dynamic behaviour of automotive dry clutches depends on the frictional characteristics of the contact between the friction lining material, the flywheel and the pressure plate during the clutch engagement process. During engagement due to high interfacial slip and relatively high contact pressures, generated friction gives rise to contact heat, which affects the material behaviour and the associated frictional characteristics. In practice excess interfacial slipping and generated heat during torque transmission can result in wear of the lining, thermal distortion of the friction disc, and reduced useful life of the clutch. This paper provides measurement of friction lining characteristics for dry clutches for new and worn state under representative operating conditions pertaining to interfacial slipping during clutch engagement, applied contact pressures, and generated temperatures. An analytical thermal partitioning network model of the clutch assembly, incorporating the flywheel, friction lining, and the pressure plate is presented, based upon the principle of conservation of energy. The results of the analysis show a higher coefficient of friction for the new lining material which reduces the extent of interfacial slipping during clutch engagement, thus reducing the frictional power loss and generated interfacial heating. The generated heat is removed less efficiently from worn lining. This might be affected by different factors observed such as the reduced lining thickness and the reduction of density of the material but mainly because of poorer thermal conductivity due to the depletion of copper particles in its microstructure as the result of wear. The study integrates frictional characteristics, microstructural composition, mechanisms of heat generation, effect of lining wear and heat transfer in a fundamental manner, an approach not hitherto reported in literature

Clutch lining frictional characteristics under thermal tribodynamic conditions

The frictional performance of the clutch mating surfaces varies transiently during clutch engagement. The friction characteristics depend on the clamp load, relative slip speed of the mating surfaces and the generated contact temperature. These operating conditions affect the characteristics and lead to clutch take-up judder during engagement. To study this phenomenon as well as issues relating to clutch wear, it is essential to evaluate the friction lining characteristics. This paper replicates the clutch conditions through careful experimentation with a fully instrumented pin-on-disc tribometer. It is shown that the kinetic coefficient of friction for the clutch friction lining material in contact with the sinusoidal wavy and rough surface of pressure plate decreases with rising contact temperature and increasing slip speed

Heat generation and transfer in automotive dry clutch engagement

Dynamic behaviour of automotive dry clutches depends on the frictional characteristics of the contact between the friction lining material, the flywheel, and the pressure plate during the clutch engagement process. During engagement due to high interfacial slip and relatively high contact pressures, generated friction gives rise to contact heat, which affects the material behaviour and the associated frictional characteristics. In practice excess interfacial slipping and generated heat during torque transmission can result in wear of the lining, thermal distortion of the friction disc, and reduced useful life of the clutch. This paper provides measurement of friction lining characteristics for dry clutches for new and worn state under representative operating conditions pertaining to interfacial slipping during clutch engagement, applied contact pressures, and generated temperatures. An analytical thermal partitioning network model of the clutch assembly, incorporating the flywheel, friction lining, and the pressure plate is presented, based upon the principle of conservation of energy. The results of the analysis show a higher coefficient of friction for the new lining material which reduces the extent of interfacial slipping during clutch engagement, thus reducing the frictional power loss and generated interfacial heating. The generated heat is removed less efficiently from worn lining. This might be affected by different factors observed such as the reduced lining thickness and the reduction of density of the material but mainly because of poorer thermal conductivity due to the depletion of copper particles in its microstructure as the result of wear. The study integrates frictional characteristics, microstructural composition, mechanisms of heat generation, effect of lining wear, and heat transfer in a fundamental manner, an approach not hitherto reported in literature

Tribodynamics of clutch system cold and hot judder

Tribodynamics of clutch system cold and hot judde