The device and operation of the clutch

The clutch is intended for temporary separation of the engine and transmission and their smooth connection. When engaged, the clutch transfers torque from the engine to the gearbox. Temporary disconnection of the engine and transmission is necessary when shifting gears, braking and stopping the car, and a smooth connection after shifting gears and when starting off.

The car has a single-disk, dry clutch, with a central diaphragm spring and a hydraulic drive. The clutch has one driven disk, and its driven and driving parts are pressed against each other by a central spring. The clutch transmits torque from the engine due to the forces of dry friction.

The force from the pedal to the clutch release fork is transmitted through the fluid.




Clutch (pic. 26) includes: leading parts (flywheel 8, casing 16, pressure plate 7), driven (driven disk 2) and details of turning on and off (spring 1, clutch 12, bearing 14). The casing 16, the pressure plate 7 and the pressure spring 1 are a non-separable assembly that is attached to the flywheel 8 with bolts 10. Between the flywheel and the pressure plate on the splines of the drive shaft 11 of the gearbox, a driven disk 2 is installed, consisting of a hub 5, a steel split disk 4 and friction linings 3. The driven disk is equipped with a spring-friction torsional vibration damper 6, which provides an elastic connection between the hub 5 and the disk 4, as well as torsional vibration damping. Diaphragm spring 1, in the free state, has the form of a truncated cone with radial slots extending from its inner edge. Radial slots form eighteen petals, which are resilient release levers. The elasticity of the levers contributes to the smooth operation of the clutch. Spring 1 with rivets and two support rings 20 is fixed on the casing 16 of the clutch. In this case, its outer edge, in contact with the pressure plate 7, transfers the force from the spring to the pressure plate.



Hydraulic clutch (pic. 27) includes: pedal 4, main cylinder and its reservoir, working cylinder, connecting pipelines and fork 13 for disengaging the clutch. When the clutch is disengaged, the force from the pedal 4 through the pusher 5 of the main cylinder is transmitted to the pistons 7 and 8, which force the fluid into the pipeline and the working cylinder. The piston 19 of the working cylinder through the rod 14 turns the clutch release fork 13, which moves the clutch with the bearing 11. The bearing through the thrust flange 15 (see fig. 26) moves the inner edge of the spring 1 towards the flywheel 8. The spring bends in the opposite direction, its outer edge through the clamps 21 takes the pressure plate 7 away from the driven disc 2, and the clutch is disengaged - it does not transmit torque from the engine to the transmission. When the clutch pedal is released under the action of spring 1, the pressure plate presses the driven disc against the flywheel, and the clutch engages - transmits torque to the transmission. In this case, all other parts of the clutch and its drive return to their original position under the action of the springs: the release fork, the pistons of the main and working cylinders and the clutch pedal.

Spring 1 (see fig. 27), connected to the clutch pedal, reduces the force on the pedals when the clutch is disengaged. The free play of the pedal, equal to 25-35 mm and corresponding to a gap of 2 mm between the end face of the bearing 11 of the clutch release and the thrust flange of the central pressure spring, is regulated by the nut 17. The free play of the pedal is necessary to fully engage the clutch and prevent wear and failure of the clutch release bearing.