Learn The Components, Functions, And Workings Of a Manual Car Clutch Here!

The way the clutch works is as a link between the crankshaft and the transmission gear. The function of this car component is very important so that the car can move according to the speed desired by the driver. Check out the full explanation in the following article.

Cars have so many important components that support each other so that the car can move and work optimally. One such important component is the clutch. 

As we know, although now more and more consumers prefer to buy automatic cars, manual cars still have many enthusiasts. When driving a manual car, the gearshift will be done manually, namely using the clutch pedal. With these pedals, the driver can adjust the speed of the vehicle as desired. In addition, please note that the clutch also has a role to help the car stop moving without having to turn off the engine. Here's the full explanation for you.

Understanding Car Clutch in General and the Components in It

A coupling is a mechanical device that connects and disconnects the transmission of power, mainly from the drive shaft to the driven shaft. In cars, this component will connect the transmission gear and crankshaft so that the rear wheels of the car can move. 

In a manual car clutch, there are several important components in it. Some of them are as follows:

1. Clutch pedal

The clutch pedal is a component that acts as an input component and works like leverage. The main function of this component is to disconnect and connect the coupling.

2. Master cylinder clutch 

The next component of the car's clutch is the upper clutch master cylinder. This component serves to convert mechanical power from the pedal into hydraulic pressure.

You need to know, the clutch master cylinder is divided into two parts, namely the upper and lower clutch master cylinders. For the upper part, the master cylinder serves to receive and pass pressure directly from the clutch pedal to the master clutch part that goes through the liquid. While the lower clutch master cylinder is to receive pressure from the upper clutch master cylinder which will then be passed back to the releaser ford as a driving medium.

3. Actuator cylinder

Actuator cylinder is a component of a car clutch that serves to convert hydraulic pressure into mechanical power. Currently, there are two types of actuator cylinders that are widely used, namely the outer and inner types. For the outer type, it is located outside the clutch housing, while the inner type is inside the clutch housing. 

4. Hydraulic clutch pipe

Hydraulic clutch pipe has the form of a pipe and serves to drain hydraulic pressure. In general, this clutch component uses high pressure flexible material. 

5. Release fork

The release fork serves to convert mechanical power from the actuator cylinder to the release bearing. The principle of its work is as leverage.

6. Release Bearing

The next clutch component is the release bearing. This component is in charge of channeling pressure from the release fork or actuator cylinder to press the spring area of the diaphragm.

7. Clutch Cover

The clutch cover has an influence on the engine speed. When the clutch pedal is stepped on, the pressing plate on the clutch cover will remove the clasp from the clutch disc so that the connection between the clutch and the transmission input with engine rotation will be cut off. Then when the clutch pedal is removed, the clutch disc will be clamped by the plate on the clutch cover so that power from the engine can be flowed to the clutch disc and transmission input shaft.

8. Pressure plate

Pressure plate is a component for pressing the clutch plate. It looks like a disk made of iron with a hole in the middle.

9. Clutch disc

The clutch disc has a function as a component of receiving engine rotation so that it can be passed on to the transmission. This component uses a strong material, namely steel. 

Manual Car Clutch Function

Broadly speaking, the function of the clutch is to change the engine speed level to suit the driver's wishes. Later, the speed of the engine will affect the speed of the car when it is run. In addition, the clutch also has several other important functions such as the following.

1. Disconnecting and connecting engine power to the wheels of the car.

2. Lifting the engine when the car is moving so that the movement of the car becomes smoother.

3. Helps to create smooth car movement when the driver makes a gear shift.

4. Stop the speed of the car without the need to turn off the engine.

5. Support the brake function when you want to stop the car.

How a Manual Car Clutch Works

Basically, the way the car clutch works is by disconnecting and connecting power from the engine to the gear transmission. Well, how the car clutch works can be divided into two conditions, namely:

1. When the clutch pedal is pressed

As we explained earlier, the clutch has a role to connect two shafts, namely the crankshaft and the transmission gear shaft. Well, when the driver presses the clutch pedal, then the rotation from the engine to the transmission will be cut off. However, this does not mean that the car has stopped. When the engine speed is interrupted, it actually makes the car able to drive.

This happens because when the pedal is pressed, a flow of fluid will appear in the direction of the clutch actuator. The flow can put pressure on the release bearing so that the component can suppress the release lever. 

Well, the pressure received by the release lever will make the pressure plate leverage so that the clutch plate that was originally sandwiched between the flywheel and the pressure plate will be liberated. This can create a gap that can make the flywheel rotation unable to be passed to the clutch plate. So, the flywheel still rotates with all the components in the clutch cover but the clutch plate and transmission shaft will not rotate. 

2. When the clutch pedal is released

The way the car clutch works which next occurs when the clutch pedal is removed. When the clutch pedal is removed or not pressed, the fluid pressure on the clutch hydraulic actuator will disappear. This will make the release bearing return to its original position so that it will not suppress the release lever. Next, the clutch pedal will start working by pressing the pressure plate again so that it can attach to the clutch plate. 

The clutch plate will then be again pinched and the rotation of the flywheel can be passed on to those components and the transmission shaft. In this condition, the car's gear will not be able to move. Therefore, if the driver wants to insert or reduce gears, then the clutch needs to be stepped on or pressed so that a power cut occurs and the gearshift can be smoother.