The influence of temperature on the engagement process of the wet clutches

Abstract

Abstract The wet clutch is an important component in the vehicle transmission system, which has an important influence on the smoothness and rapidity of the vehicle starting and shifting processes. As a friction element, wet clutches are usually troubled by the wear and breakage problems, caused by high temperature. To solve this problem and reveal the operating mechanism, a dynamic model, along the circumferential and axial direction is proposed to describe the engagement process. In addition, a lumped thermal resistance model is established to predict the changing trend of the temperature during the engagement process. Then, with these two models, an integrated model is proposed. From the simulation results, the initial temperature has little effect on the temperature rise of the wet clutch. While, it has an obvious influence on the viscous torque, the higher the temperature is, the smaller the viscous torque is. While, for the asperity torque, it is opposite.