Apparatus for measurement of engagement characteristics of a wet clutch

• The problem of obtaining smooth gear changing whilst maintaining long life of wet clutches in automatic transmissions demands more knowledge about their behaviour. Experimental and theoretical studies on the engagement of a wet clutch have been carried out. A wet clutch test rig which can apply a drive torque during engagement was developed. The apparatus could also vary the sliding velocity, inertia, force rate, and lubrication. Measured output data included normal force, brake torque, sliding velocity and temperature over time. The input parameters and output characteristics obtained were similar to those in automatic transmissions used in cars. The friction characteristics as well as power and temperature were investigated. A simple model was developed to estimate the engagement performance which gave a good approximation of the performance measured in the tests. The friction is high in the beginning and end of the engagement cycle and lower inbetween. There is a torque peak just before the clutch stops owing to friction characteristics. The maximum developed power occurs at about half of the engagement time, while the maximum temperature is just before clutch stop

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Tribologi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Tribology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Maskinelement

Machine Elements

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)