IMPLEMENTATION OF CLUTCH LEVER USING HYDRAULICS

ABSTRACT
This paper is about the implementation of a clutch lever using hydraulics for much efficient clutch operation. Nowadays, all the three wheelers use cable clutches. There are many difficulties while using cable clutch. So in order to overcome those difficulties hydraulic clutches can be implemented. While using cable clutches, the driver should give more effort to actuate the clutch liver. And also sudden action of the clutch is not obtained. Due to the mechanical links there are more possibilities for wear and tear. Cable clutches require more maintenance. To overcome all these defects, hydraulic clutches are implemented on three wheelers. It will reduce the driver effort. Smooth action of the liver can be obtained by using hydraulic clutch. Wear and tear can be reduced.

INTRODUCTION
A Clutch is machine member used to connect the driving shaft to a driven shaft, so that the driven shaft may be started or stopped at will, without stopping the driving shaft. Thus, the clutch is located between the engine and the transmission. When the clutch is disengaged, the power flows from the engine to the rear wheels through the transmission system and the vehicle moves. When the clutch is disengaged, the power is not transmitted to the rear wheels and the vehicle stops while the engine is still running the clutch is disengaged when starting the engine, when shifting the gears, when stopping the vehicle and when idling(neutralizing) the engine.

What is clutch?
A clutch is a mechanical device that provides for the transmission of power(and therefore usually motion) from one component (the driving member) to another (the driven member) when engaged, but can be disengaged. Clutches are used whenever the transmission of power or motion must be controlled either in amount or over time (e.g., electric screwdrivers limit how much torque is transmitted through use of a clutch; clutches control whether automobiles transmit engine power to the wheels). In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shaftsor line shafts). In these devices, one shaft is typically attached to a motor or other power unit (the driving member) while the other shaft (the driven member) provides output power for work. While typically the motions involved are rotary, linear clutches are also possible.

Hydraulic System
The hydraulics system consists of liquid, a pump, and line to carry the liquid, control valves and an output device. A continuous source such as a sump or brake fluid reservoir is required for the availability of the liquid. In the hydraulic clutch system the master cylinder serves as the main fluid pump and moves the pipes or a network internal bores or passages in a single housing found in master cylinder. The direction of flow of liquid and the hydraulic pressure are regulated by using valves. The pressurized liquid to do the work is done by the output device i.e. slave cylinder. Even a light force on the clutch lever produces a heavy force on the clutch fork. This is done by putting small piston in the master cylinder and larger piston in slave cylinder.

OVERVIEW OF HYDRAULIC CLUTCH

Blaise Pascal formulated the basic law of hydraulics in the mid-17th century. He discovered that pressure exerted on a fluid acts equally in all directions. His law states that pressure in a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished in every direction and acts with equal force on equal areas and at right angles to a container's walls. Figure 1-2 shows the apparatus that Pascal used to develop his law. It consisted of two connected cylinders of different diameters with a liquid trapped between them. Pascal found that the weight of a small piston will balance the weight of a larger piston as long as the pistons areas are in proportion to the weights. In the small cylinder, a force of 100 pounds on a 1squareinch piston creates a pressure of 100 psi. According to Pascal's Law, this pressure is transmitted Undiminished in every direction.

CONCLUSION
From the work it concludes that there are a lot of benefits of Hydraulic clutch over Traditional clutch. In traditional clutch, user may or may not press the clutch lever properly that may result in damaging the clutch facing and decreased engine efficiency. But in hydraulic clutch, no matter how much force we apply to press the clutch lever, the actual force that being applied to pull the fork will be equal all the time there by increasing overall engine performance and longer clutch plate life.