Thermoelastic Analysis of Grooved Friction Clutches Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

ABSTRACTHigh temperatures appear on friction clutch surfaces due to the heat generated between the contacting surfaces during the slipping period. In some cases the maximum temperatures will exceed the allowable working temperature; friction clutches will fail rapidly when working under these conditions for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effect of design parameters (e.g., grooves) on the thermoelastic behavior of friction clutches to avoid these kinds of failures or at least increase the lifetime of friction clutch. A finite element method will be used to investigate the effect of the circumferential groove on the thermoelastic behavior of a single-disc clutch during a sliding phase. Axisymmetric models have been developed in this analysis to simulate the dry clutch systems during the sliding period. The effect of the groove area ratio G.R (defined as the groove area divided by the nominal contact area) on thermal and elastic behaviors is investigated. The results showed that the groove size has a significant effect on the magnitude and distribution of contact pressure, temperature field and heat generated along the frictional surfaces.