Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Biosystems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Shahid Beheshti Educational Complex, Gorgan, Iran
4 Department of Biosystems Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Abstract
In this study, the performance of two common clutch types used in automobiles and agricultural tractors—namely, the diaphragm spring clutch and the pinned clutch —was experimentally and numerically investigated in terms of mechanical and thermal characteristics. An experimental setup was designed and constructed to measure key parameters such as transmitted torque, deformation, spring stiffness, useful work, total work, and generated heat. Three-dimensional models of both clutches were developed in SolidWorks 2014 and analyzed using ANSYS 2014 to evaluate stress and deformation behavior. The results revealed that the diaphragm spring clutch exhibited significantly higher stiffness and clamping force (1.82×10⁶ N/m vs. 4.09×10⁵ N/m), leading to a considerably greater torque capacity. The maximum transmitted torque for the diaphragm spring clutch was 115.26 N•m, compared to 25.86 N•m for the pinned clutch. Moreover, thermal analysis indicated a more uniform heat distribution in the diaphragm spring clutch and a lower specific rate of heat generation, resulting in improved efficiency and longer service life. The Von-Mises stress analysis showed stress concentration around the leaf-to-ring junctions and pin holes, which are critical areas in clutch design. Overall, both experimental and numerical findings confirmed that the diaphragm spring clutch design outperforms the pinned type in terms of strength, torque transmission efficiency, and thermal stability, making it a more suitable choice for heavy-duty applications.
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