STUDY REGARDING THE STRESS OF A HEAVY-VEHICLE CLUTCH

Abstract

The clutch of a heavy-vehicle is subjected to very important mechanical and thermal loads. For a close evaluation of the clutch operation conditions it was designed and used a Simulink model of the powertrain. For the same purpose, experimental measurements were also accomplished on a 38 ton tractor-semitrailer combination. Records obtained in normal and heavy road condition were used both to calibrate the model and to compare with the computer results. Other simulations were performed to find out the influences of design and functional parameters over the torsional moment and heat that affect the clutch. So, there were studied the influences of gear ratios, road slope or coupling rate and were made some evaluations of the clutch contact pressure, frictional mechanical work, wear and heating.