SINGLE PLATE CLUTCH

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A single plate is most common type of clutch used in cars and light vehicles. It has only one clutch plate which is mounted on the splines of the clutch shaft.
A flywheel is mounted on the crankshaft of the engine. A pressure plate is connected to the flywheel through the bolts and clutch springs. It is free to slide on the clutch shaft with the movement of clutch pedal.
When clutch is in engaged position, the clutch plate remains gripped between flywheel and pressure plate. Friction linings are provided on both the sides of clutch plate.
On one side clutch plate is in touch with flywheel and on other side with pressure plate. Due to friction on both sides, the clutch plate revolves with engine flywheel. Transmission Therefore, clutch transmits engine power to clutch shaft. Clutch shaft is connected to transmission (or gear box) of automobile. Thus, clutch transmits power from engine to transmission system which in turn rotates wheels of engine.
When the clutch plate is to be disengaged, the clutch pedal is pressed. Because of this pressure plate moves back and clutch plate is disengaged from flywheel. Thus, clutch shaft stops rotating even if engine flywheel is rotating. In this position, power does not reach the wheels and vehicle also stops running.

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WORKING OF SINGLE PLATE CLUTCH

Basically, the clutch needs three parts. These are the engine flywheel, a friction disc called the clutch plate and a pressure plate. There are springs which provide axial force to keep the clutch in engaged position. When the engine is running and the flywheel is rotating, the pressure plate also rotates as the pressure plate is attached to the flywheel.
The friction disc is located between the two. When the driver has pushed down the clutch pedal the clutch is released. This action forces the pressure plate to move away from the friction disc against the force of springs. With this movement of pressure plate, the friction plate is released and the clutch is disengaged.
When your foot is off the pedal, the springs push the pressure plate against the clutch disc, which in turn presses against the flywheel. This locks the engine to the transmission input shaft, causing them to spin at the same speed.
The amount of force the clutch can hold depends on the friction between the clutch plate and the flywheel, and how much force the spring puts on the pressure plate.
When the clutch pedal is pressed, piston pushes on the release fork, which presses the throw-out bearing against the middle of the diaphragm spring. As the middle of the diaphragm spring is pushed in, a series of pins near the outside of the spring causes the spring to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch disc This releases the clutch from the spinning engine.

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Simple and inexpensive and need little maintenance.
Gear changing is easier than the cone clutch because the pedal movement is less.
It is more reliable because it does not suffer from disadvantages of binding of cone.

Single plate clutches are used where large radial space is available such as: trucks, buses, cars etc.
As sufficient surface area is available for the heat dissipation in such clutches, no cooling oil is required. Therefore, single plate clutches are dry type.

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