Table of Contents

Cone Clutch – Basic

A Clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission mainly from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. Clutch placed between Flywheel and Pressure Plate. Generally, the driving shaft connected to the engine, and the driven shaft provides output power.

Cone Clutch – Construction

The Cone clutch consists of friction surfaces in the form of a cone. The engine Crankshaft consists of a female cone. Generally, the male cone is mounted on the splined clutch shaft. It has friction surfaces on the conical portion. The male cone can slide on the clutch shaft. Cone clutches are generally used in low peripheral (relating to) speed vehicles. They were commonly used in automobiles and other combustion engine transmissions. Small cone clutches are used in synchronizer mechanisms in manual transmissions. Cone clutches are not used in racing and rallying etc vehicles.

Working of Cone Clutch:

A cone clutch serves the same purpose as a disk or plate clutch. However, instead of mating two spinning disks, the cone clutch uses two conical surfaces to transmit torque from the engine to wheels by friction. When the driver presses the clutch pedal, the male cone slides against the spring force, and the clutch is disengaged. When the driver removes the pressure on the clutch pedal, the friction surfaces of the male cone are in direct contact with the female cone due to the force of the spring.

Difference Between Multiplate clutch and Cone Clutch :

Multi-plate clutches – Small power transmission for the same operating condition.

Cone Clutch – Very large power/torque transmission. (Because of increase of normal force). i.e. Fn = F/Sinα; α is semi cone angle F is axial force; Fn is the normal force

Multiplate clutch – Size is larger

Cone Clutch – Smaller size or require less actuating force compared with plate clutch.

Cone Clutch Formulas

Advantages Of Cone Clutch:

A small axial force is required to keep the clutch engaged.
Simple design.
For a given dimension, the torque transmitted by the cone clutch is higher than that of a single plate clutch.

Disadvantages Of Cone Clutch :

One pair of friction surfaces only.
The tendency to grab.
The small cone angle causes some reluctance in disengagement.
If the angle of the cone is smaller than 200, the male cone tends to bind or joint in the female cone. It requires heavy force to disengage the clutch.
A small amount of wear on the cone surface results a considerable axial movement of the male cone for which it will be difficult to allow.

Application Of Cone Clutch :

Cone Clutches are used in specialist transmissions in racing, rallying, or in extreme off-road or other industrial applications.
Presswork
Machine Tools
Racing Car