Clutches

Driveline axes coupled with Coulomb friction

Clutch blocks allow you to transfer rotational motion and torque among spinning components at different speeds and gear ratios. In general, a single set of gears is not sufficient to accomplish this transfer. Control the time, method, and quantity of transferred power by building high-fidelity custom clutch systems that connect clutches to multiple blocks from the Gears library. Determine how heat generation affects the efficiency and temperature of driveline components using thermal variants of clutch blocks.

Simscape Blocks

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Clutch Assemblies

Cone Clutch	Cone clutch with plates that engage when normal force exceeds threshold
Disc Friction Clutch	Friction clutch with disc plates that engage when plate pressure exceeds threshold
Dog Clutch	Clutch with toothed plates that engage when plate teeth become enmeshed
Double-Sided Synchronizer	Mechanical double-sided synchronizer
Logic-Controlled Clutch	Friction clutch with input control
Synchronizer	Mechanical synchronizer
Unidirectional Clutch	Clutch that transmits power in a single direction

Fundamental Clutch Components

Fundamental Friction Clutch

Friction clutch with kinetic and static-limit friction torques as inputs

Topics

How a Clutch Works
Learn basic terminology, understand how clutches function.
Engage and Disengage Gears Using a Clutch
Model a simple gear and clutch coupling.
Brake Motion Using Clutches
Bring a spinning driveline component to a controlled stop using a clutch.
Clutches, Clutch-Like Elements, and Coulomb Friction
Learn how clutch-like elements can act as dynamic elements or conditional restraints.
Model Friction Clutches at a Fundamental Level
Learn how the Fundamental Friction Clutch block allows you to exert direct control over friction torques.
Model Clutches with Viscous Friction Loss
Model viscous friction using subsystems that act at shaft bearings.
Model Realistic Clutch Pressure Signals
Model smooth clutch pressure signals changes using neutral switches.
Driveline States & Effect of Clutches
Determine the overall state of a driveline by identifying the clutch states.
Automatic Transmission with a Dual Clutch
Model a vehicle with a dual-clutch transmission system.
Model Thermal Losses in Driveline Components
Evaluate the effects of thermal losses on device temperature and performance.
Automotive Clutch
This example shows how to model, parameterize, and test an automotive clutch.
Hydraulic Clutch System
This example shows how to model, parameterize, and test a hydraulic clutch system.

Troubleshooting

Driveline Simulation Performance

Optimize simulation performance by adjusting Simscape™ Driveline™ and Simscape solver settings and model fidelity.

Troubleshoot Clutch and Transmission Errors

Identify and eliminate issues with dynamic constraints.

Featured Examples

Clutches for Accelerating and Braking

The use of clutches to accelerate and decelerate a pair of shafts connected by a gearbox. The gear connects the output and intermediate shafts. The inertia for both of these shafts is included in the Inertia Output Shaft component. This pair of shafts is connected via one clutch to a drive shaft which is driven by a torque. These shafts are also connected via a second clutch to a stationary point.

Open Model

Custom Clutch

Two inertias coupled by a simple gear controlled by a clutch. Initially, the clutch pressure is zero, and the inertias have zero velocity. A constant torque is applied to Inertia 1. Once the clutch pressure starts increasing from zero at 2 seconds, Inertia 2 starts spinning, then locks with Inertia 1. From 6 to 7 seconds, the clutch pressure is ramped down to zero, and Inertia 2 starts to spin freely once the clutch unlocks. Because there is no frictional loss, it keeps spinning.

Open Model

Hydraulically-Actuated Driveline Clutch

An engine driving an inertial load via a hydraulically-controlled clutch. It shows how Simscape™ Driveline™ can be used in conjunction with Foundation Library isothermal liquid blocks to model hydraulically-actuated drivelines.

Open Model

Washing Machine Fault Analysis

Model a washing machine and introduce a fault in its operation. The machine water supply faults at a specific time and this example models the system response under this scenario. The electric motor switches off and the machine operation is aborted by discharging the partially filled outer drum.

Open Model