Clutches for MT and AMT

A single disc clutch is made up of three main parts: the clutch housing, the clutch disc and the clutch plate. The clutch housing is connected to the engine shaft, the clutch disc is connected to the gearbox input shaft. Finally, the clutch plate is connected to the clutch housing in a way that they are rotating together but the plate can be pushed towards the clutch housing.

On both sides of the clutch disc there are friction liners, high performance friction materials to resist wear and high temperatures.

If the clutch plate is pushed against the clutch housing, torque is transmitted from the engine to the gearbox via the mechanical friction generated at the friction liners of the clutch disc.

The clutch can transmit torque not only when it is fully closed (engaged) i.e. when there is no speed difference between the engine and the gearbox input shaft, but also during slipping, when the engine and the gearbox input shaft are not rotating with the same speed. Clutch slipping enables e.g. the vehicle to start, when the engine is already running but the gearbox input shaft is still stationary.

If the clutch plate is not pushed against the clutch housing, there is no friction generated, and consequently, no torque is transmitted to the gearbox. In this case the clutch is said to be open (disengaged).

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