CONE CLUTCH

Cone clutch are wedge clutch provides a positive drive when the external face of the male cone member engages with the internet face of recessed conical member. The facing is usually fitted to the female or recessed member in order to improve heat dissipation and durability. Normally cone clutch are used with epicyclic gear trains for a higher torque transmission. The energy which a cone clutch can absorb during on engagement is less compared to the energy absorbed by a multiple clutch. But it is compact, cheaper and requires low clamping load due to the wedging action. The cone clutches are loaded by spring or hydraulic cylinders. Wedge angle and accurate axial alignment are the two important factors for good cone clutch performance. If the wedge angle is very less, it results in excessive wedge action and fierce engagement. This in turn results in difficult operation for disengagement. If the wedge angle is too large it reduces torque transmission capacity of the clutch and make the clutches to skid. Semi-cone angle of 12-16 are commonly used for effective torque transmission.

The torque transmitted by a cone clutch is given by  

T = μW (r₁ + r₂) / 2 sin α

Where, r₁ and r₂ are the radius of large and small cone (friction) in meters. α is the semi – cone angle.

During the engagement of clutch the driven member is forced towards the driving cone by the spring force. Hence the power is transmitted from the engine to the driving cone, driving cone to driven cone and driven to the gear box. When the clutch is to be disengaged the driven cone is to be pulled off by means of actuates cenkages and contact surfaces are separated hence no power is transmitted to the clutch shaft.