What Is An Electromagnetic Clutch? – Working, Application, Diagram
If you are seeking information about electromagnetic clutches and their operation, our informative blog post can provide you with everything you need to know. This post will cover the components of an electromagnetic clutch, their applications in automobiles, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Contents
What Is Electromagnetic Clutch?
An electromagnetic clutch is a specialized type of clutch that utilizes the force of electromagnetism to engage and disengage the clutch. This innovative mechanism is categorized as one of the various types of automotive clutches that operate based on the principle of friction.
In automobiles, electromagnetic clutches are frequently utilized to transmit power from the engine to the transmission and other accessories, delivering smoother and more efficient operation in comparison to other clutch types.
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Electromagnetic Clutch Working Principle
The working principle of an electromagnetic clutch is based on electromagnetic force. When an electric current is passed through a conductor, a magnetic field is generated around the conductor, which creates a force called the electromagnetic force. This force attracts nearby objects toward the conductor.
In an electromagnetic clutch, engagement and disengagement are accomplished with the aid of this electromagnetic force. A winding within the clutch is utilized to carry current from the battery, which generates a magnetic field around the winding. As a result of the magnetic field, the pressure plate moves towards the flywheel and engages with it.
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Electromagnetic Clutch Construction
Flywheel
The flywheel is connected to the engine’s crankshaft. When the pressure plate engages with the flywheel, power/torque is transmitted from the flywheel to the clutch shaft. The winding is installed on the flywheel, and when current flows through the winding, the pressure plate comes in contact with the flywheel.
Friction Plate
The friction plate is mounted on the clutch shaft and has a friction lining on both of its surface sides. When current flows through the winding, the pressure plate presses the friction plate against the flywheel.
Pressure Plate
The pressure plate is mounted on the clutch shaft. When current flows through the winding, the pressure plate presses the friction plate against the flywheel, thereby transmitting power/torque from the flywheel to the clutch shaft.
Winding
The winding is installed on the flywheel and carries current from the battery. Due to the current, a magnetic field is produced around the winding.
Battery
The battery supplies the current to the winding. A clutch switch is utilized to turn the current supply to the winding on or off.
When the clutch is in the engaged position, the clutch switch is off, and current flows from the winding. In the disengage position of the clutch, the clutch switch is on, and the current does not flow from the winding.
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Working Of Electromagnetic Clutch
DISENGAGEMENT
When the vehicle is in motion, the clutch is in the engaged position, which means that the pressure plate is connected to the flywheel. When the driver presses the clutch switch or pedal, the current stops flowing from the battery to the winding, resulting in no magnetic field being produced around the winding. As a result, the pressure plate releases from the flywheel, and no power is transmitted from the flywheel to the pressure plate, resulting in the clutch disengaging.
ENGAGEMENT
When the driver releases the clutch switch, the current once again starts flowing from the battery to the winding. As a result, the magnetic field is produced around the winding once again. This causes the pressure plate to attract toward the flywheel, resulting in the clutch engaging. Therefore, the power is transmitted from the flywheel to the pressure plate, allowing the vehicle to move.
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Advantages Of Electromagnetic Clutch
- Electromagnetic clutches provide rapid and seamless engagement and disengagement, thereby delivering improved response times and facilitating smoother gear shifts.
- By using electromagnetic clutches, degradation of other drivetrain components like the gearbox and transmission is minimized.
- Electromagnetic clutches demand lower power to operate as compared to other clutch types, leading to enhanced fuel efficiency.
- The maintenance requirement of electromagnetic clutches is lower than other clutch types, leading to decreased maintenance costs and downtime.
- The utilization of electromagnetic clutches assists in improving safety measures by avoiding drivetrain damage in case of sudden stops or emergency situations.
Disadvantages Of Electromagnetic Clutch
- The initial cost of installing electromagnetic clutches can be comparatively higher than that of other clutch types, which can escalate the overall vehicle cost.
- Electromagnetic clutches necessitate a certain level of power to function, resulting in increased power consumption and reduced fuel efficiency.
- Electromagnetic clutches might have lower torque capacity than other clutch types, which can limit their practicality in certain applications.
- Electromagnetic clutches tend to generate substantial amounts of heat during operation, which can cause damage to the surrounding components if not managed properly.
- Electromagnetic clutches are generally more intricate than other clutch types, which can make them challenging to install and maintain.
Application Of Electromagnetic Clutch
- Air Conditioning Systems – Electromagnetic-Clutches are commonly utilized in automotive air conditioning systems to enable the compressor’s engagement and disengagement.
- Power Steering Systems – In certain power steering systems, electromagnetic-Clutches are employed to engage and disengage the pump that provides hydraulic pressure to assist with steering.
- Cooling Systems – Electromagnetic-Clutches are employed in some engine cooling systems to enable the engagement and disengagement of the fan, which assists in dissipating heat.
- Automatic Transmissions – Electromagnetic-clutches are used in some automatic transmissions to enable the engagement and disengagement of individual gears, resulting in smoother and faster shifting.
- Hybrid and Electric Vehicles – Some hybrid and electric vehicles employ electromagnetic-Clutches to enable the engagement and disengagement of the electric motor from the rest of the drivetrain, resulting in more efficient operation.
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