Nonlinear dynamic effects in automotive clutches

Dynamic effects appearing in the dry friction clutches are very complex. The reason for this is the usual design of the clutches including complex two dimensional friction, unilateral contacts and nonlinear springs. The final quality of the clutch system for a customer depends among other criteria on the awareness of dynamic effects, which can affect functioning and comfort negatively. One of the usual nonlinear dynamic effects in the friction clutch is presented in this work. That is the problem of dynamic disengagement which can cause significant safety problems. First of all the global nonlinear dynamic behavior is considered roughly by means of an analytical approach. Secondly a MBS-model, which includes not only the nominal design of the clutch system but also dispersion of several parameters, is used in order to identify the influence of the asymmetry on the dynamic behavior. Analytical and numerical results are compared with measurements. Finally a possible solution of the considered problem is presented. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)