Research on Design Theory and Experimental Validation of Dry Friction Automotive Clutch Based on Failure Mechanism

Abstract

As a key component of vehicle, automotive clutch remained high failure rate, meanwhile, with the development of engine and vehicle technology, functional characteristics of automotive clutch such as comfort, durability and reliability demanded much higher. Objective of the study is to establish the correspondence relationship between failures and design theory and experimental methods, reduce failure rate and improve product reliability. In order to create a system approach of problem-solving, we collected clutch failure information and classified according to clutch functional requirements and mechanical design principles. Then we used RCA (root cause analysis) and quality management tools to analyze the cause of failures, used QFD (quality function development) and DFMEA (design failure mode effects analysis) method to protocol the corresponding control measures to improve the existing design theory and experimental methods. The study also can be applied to more complex systems such as dry dual clutch module and dual-mass flywheel damper.