Belleville spring characteristics on clutch actuation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characteristics of Belleville springs in the context of clutch actuation. Participants explore the behavior of a Belleville spring used in conjunction with a clutch mechanism, particularly focusing on the force-displacement relationship as depicted in a provided graph. The scope includes technical explanations and exploratory reasoning regarding the spring's performance in new versus old clutch conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a mechanism where a Belleville spring is used to press a clutch plate against a pressure plate, with a linkage providing leverage to actuate the spring.
  • The participant notes a distinct difference in the force-displacement behavior of the clutch when new versus old, highlighting a flat portion in the graph for new clutches and a drop in force for old clutches after a certain displacement.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the setup, questioning whether a Belleville spring is being used against another Belleville spring already present in the pressure plate.
  • A participant with experience in Belleville springs acknowledges the unusual behavior of such springs, suggesting that their performance can vary significantly based on configuration and orientation, and emphasizes the importance of testing and analyzing the entire system.
  • Clarification is provided that only one Belleville spring is involved, but the participant has not seen the arrangement, relying solely on the provided graph.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express confusion and seek clarification on the setup and behavior of the Belleville spring in the clutch system. There is no consensus on the explanation for the observed force-displacement characteristics, and multiple viewpoints regarding the spring's behavior and configuration remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks detailed information about the specific arrangement of the spring and the exact nature of the forces involved, which may limit the understanding of the observed behavior. Additionally, the reliance on a single graph without further context may contribute to the confusion among participants.

k.udhay
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Hi,

I have been working on designing something for a clutch. The clutch plate is pressed against the pressure plate using a belleville spring. The belleville spring is connected to the clutch pedal using a linkage with leverage. I came across a graph that describes the displacement of the linkage (this value divided by leverage will give the clutch plate movement) and the force at the linkage at that point. The graph is attached.

As you can see, the mechanism needs totally a different pattern of forces to displace the clutch between new and old. Especially when the clutch is new, the curve is flat at some place and climbs up again. For an old clutch condition there is no flat portion as such and there is a drop of force after a displacement of 12 mm.

Can someone pl explain why this happens? Thanks.
 

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Man this is confusing, are you saying your using a belleville spring against the belleville spring already on the pressure plate?
 
I've done a lot of work with Belleville spring washers, but never in a clutch. I'm at a loss to explain this behavior, but it does not surprise me. Belleville springs are prone to doing things that seem strange at first, but can eventually be understood after testing and analyzing the system as a whole. One spring can behave much differently from another. Some have maximum force at full deflection, whereas others switch to zero force at full deflection.

I would also like to know how many springs you have in the system and how they are orientated with respect to each other. It is common to use more than one, and it matters how you stack them.
 
kazx9r said:
Man this is confusing, are you saying your using a belleville spring against the belleville spring already on the pressure plate?

No... The pressure plate is operated by a belleville spring. A mechanism with some leverage actuates the pressure plate. The graph shows the force and displacement on the mechanism to operate the belleville spring...

Thanks.
 
Pkruse said:
I've done a lot of work with Belleville spring washers, but never in a clutch. I'm at a loss to explain this behavior, but it does not surprise me. Belleville springs are prone to doing things that seem strange at first, but can eventually be understood after testing and analyzing the system as a whole. One spring can behave much differently from another. Some have maximum force at full deflection, whereas others switch to zero force at full deflection.

I would also like to know how many springs you have in the system and how they are orientated with respect to each other. It is common to use more than one, and it matters how you stack them.

Hi. Thanks for the answer. It has only one spring I think. I actually haven't seen the arrangement yet. The graph was handed-over to me and nothing else... :frown:
 

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